So much on my mind lately..
Watching the world change before my eyes--the WHOLE world and my personal one as well...
Too many things on my mind and then one minute I realize it's time to write.
Last night I read something on Facebook that made me realize; it's time to say some things I need to say.
Nearly 3 months ago my daughter decided she wanted to venture into a fundraiser for a trip to New York. Somehow that grew into a community service project and before I knew it she wanted to set aside some of her funds for other organizations.
Look I'll never pretend to know how to become a non-for-profit and maybe it's the ADD in me but I feel like everything has it's season and is it something I would do long term. I would love to be like the self-less people you see others do television shows about. I often wonder---WHEN DO THOSE PEOPLE SLEEP?
Then I remember I appreciate sleep and if I jumped in with both feet I a) may never sleep again b) forget what my husband looks like and c) have to quit my actual job to run a non-profit and therefore have no money...and the thought frightens me...because I was a kid with very little sometimes (at least compared to other kids). I realize as I have aged that my grandparents would never let me REALLY go without if things had gotten much worse but my childhood was less than stellar.
So here my daughter and I are--committing to baking every week to deliver to first responders, charities and other causes. We've taken donations mostly from friends and family and bought supplies, baked, delivered and volunteered our time. We've lost sleep (yep I admit it but not so much that I would change it) and we're proud of what we've done so far.
Does she think BIGGER? She does...heck she even made the front page of our local newspaper for her efforts. I'll admit I was worried that might blow this thing up BIG--perhaps a local business would donate so we'd have funds for months or we'd receive so much fan mail we couldn't keep up like in Sleepless in Seattle. :)
I'm officially sad to report---we did not receive one single "unknown" donation from that exposure. Not one stranger read her article and thought "what an amazing thing let me donate $5"-yes you read that right. NOT ONE SINGLE STRANGER. (Friends and family and even the fire fighters we've donated to have been amazingly supportive)
I have never told Casey that fact. I never told her I rented a PO box to receive donations via mail. I'm not sure why I didn't tell her. When I checked the PO box again yesterday and it was empty all I could think was "How would I lie to her every time I checked the box to find it empty again" How could I break her spirit.
We never wanted to go global, end up on a TV show or anything major but the amount of ridiculous things that cross my newsfeed on FB for gofundme accounts...and not one stranger thought enough of her efforts to donate to her cause.
That saddens me.
And then there is Mike Rowe and "Returning the Favor" that I thank GOD for each and every day. Casey and I watch this show together and discuss all the amazing things these people do. We discuss how they are usually "famous" right in their own little town because to the people they help---they are HEROS. Selfless individuals that do amazing things.
Recently he did a show on a woman carpenter that has a camp to teach girls the construction trade--and then someone broke into her trailer and stole her brand new equipment. Mike Rowe comments on his FB page "to Katie and her girls and all the volunteers – don’t despair. Creeps and cretins walk among us – that will never change. But good people are always standing by to push back and make things right. You’ll see."
I emailed Mike last night and asked how we donate to Katie to help replace the things she lost. He's since said some company has started the ball with a $5,000 donation so at times I wonder how will our $10 donation matter...the truth is --Big or Small it doesn't matter.
When we come together to decide to make our world a better place it happens ONE gesture at a time.
I know in Casey's head she thought bigger--but the reality is this....she THOUGHT of the project at all. She put others ahead of her and with her donations she's brought baked goods to so many people. Police & Firefighters KNOW someone is thinking of them and that ripple; is a good ripple.
She's taken funds from her New York fundraiser to give back to the animal shelter, MARSOC FOUNDATION, a local homeless shelter, Suicide Prevention, The 3:11 Project (Montgomery, IL) and now she's donated to give back to Katie's "Girls Build" foundation because to her every single cause is worthy.
As long as I draw air on this earth---big or small my efforts to teach her that everyone matters--MATTERS. It matters to me, it matters to her and it matters to everyone we help BIG or SMALL.
Everyone chooses how they want to help people.
If anyone would like to donate to help replace things taken from Katie at Girls Build here is a link.
http://www.girlsbuildpdx.org/donate/
If you would like to donate to the MARSOC Foundation:
https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/melissa-arden/marinecorpsmarathon2017
If you would like to help families this holiday season please check out The 3:11 Project:
https://www.facebook.com/The311Project/
If you would like to read more about Casey's efforts:
https://www.facebook.com/Grateful-Baker-323309101461759/
However you decide to make a difference; BIG or SMALL it matters.
It always matters.
