It all started with my sister-in-law Kira. She suggested this year instead of doing a family gift exchange that we each donate to a charity or needy family.
I initially kind of panicked because I don’t personally know anyone that I could donate to. I don’t know why I had it in my head that it had to be personal but for some reason I thought it needed to be someone close to us. The wheels started turning though and it didn’t take long to realize how many people in our community and nearby communities needed help. Facebook was a great communication method as people started posting about families in need at the moment. A girl I worked with at Studio 359 notified us of a client/friend’s daughter with cancer and expensive treatments, another ex-coworker’s family lost EVERYTHING they owned when their house burned down from Christmas lights, I saw on the St. George Yard sale page about a single mom with 7 kids whose power and water had been turned off and she was 3 months behind on rent, and then my sister’s best friend from childhood Camille posted a couple nights ago about how she was inspired to pick up a man and his kids in the dark Las Vegas streets and offer them a ride home only to find out they had no food in their house. Here’s a screenshot of her Facebook status update…
Although I’m not recommending picking up strangers in the middle of the night (although I know you did the right thing Camille! I wish I was as brave as you!) what I would like my message to convey is how important it is to listen to our hearts and be aware of the people we come in contact with. You never know who might desperately need help. I’m going to blame it on the pregnancy hormones but I have to admit I’ve been slightly grumpy the last few weeks battling the holiday crowds, not once noticing if someone in the grocery store might need a little help paying for their food. I don’t necessarily think we need to search out strangers every day to help either. I think that if we are in tune with a higher power, inspiration will hit when it’s meant to. I told Camille I know she was meant to be in Walmart the same time as the man that night for a very important reason. 🙂
I love this video of Ashton Kutcher and Ellen. It’s an amazing message and one that has the power to change the world, which I believe celebrities are capable of doing for the better or worse and I’m glad Ashton is taking the initiative to make a difference, even if it’s just in “one person’s life”…
Here’s a list of ideas of places to donate to if you are stumped on how to help 🙂
1. Ask your child’s teacher if you can do an anonymous donation to one of his or her classmates. Something simple like a gift card that can be slipped into their backpack.
2. Ask your church leader about families that might need help. If you don’t go to church (guilty!) ask a friend who does how you can help. 🙂
3. Donate food or money to the local food bank.
4. Check at your favorite grocery store if they are doing a holiday food drive.
5. Check at local schools if they need help with toy drives. My sister is in charge of the giving tree at her kid’s school and the amount of children they are helping is mind boggling and overwhelming.
6. Keep an eye out on Facebook and Social Media sites…even if you can’t donate a lot, any amount of $$ will help a needy family.
7. You can ask me for Camille’s information to help the man and his family above. 🙂
8. Just try your hardest to be kind and generous to everyone you come in contact with. I think that’s probably the most important thing each person could contribute to society. 🙂
This is really a small list…there are so many more ways to help. If you have some great ideas leave them in the comment box. Or if you know of someone that really needs help, please don’t hesitate to leave it in the comments.
When I read stories like these, it puts EVERYTHING in perspective and makes me realize how much me and my family have to be grateful for. And how unimportant fancy houses, cars, and clothes are. Or fancy nails. 🙂
I hope everyone is able to enjoy the holidays with their loved ones. Thanks so much for reading!
Tootles–Anna
