Have You Made A Difference?

I’ve been car shopping. Normally, I stick with Honda’s because of their safety ratings. In the past ten years, I haven’t looked at other cars. It also made it easy. I never wanted to deal with salespeople. This year was different. The past two months I decided I would expand my horizon, brave car salesmen, and actually test drive other vehicles. Well, I met some of the most down to earth, kind people through my car shopping experience. Much to my husband’s dismay the conversation often veered from the size of engines to the salesmen’s lives. What brought them to Southwest Florida, how long have they lived here, were they in school, did they have kids. Confession, I enjoyed learning about their lives a little more than I enjoyed hearing about the car. One manager that came to speak to us wore an interesting bracelet. I asked him about it. It was in support of the Wounded Warriors Project. He then went on to tell me how his family volunteers there which led to a discussion about wheelchair racing and veterans. It was a very moving discussion in the middle of the hubbub of a car dealership. Thanks to him, I now know of a worthy organization in need of support.

Hearing his passion for the Wounded Warriors Project along with his volunteer experiences opened my heart to an organization I knew nothing about. I realized that’s what I’d love to see more of on social media. He wasn’t preaching to me. He wasn’t telling me, “Hey you should give money to them because…” He was telling me why he supports them. He was making a difference through action. I think some of us may keep quiet about charities we support because it can seem like we’re bragging if we say we donated money or spent the day volunteering. But, this time of year especially, it fills me with hope and love when I see people caring and making a difference. It also sets a great example for children and helps charities by spreading the word.

So, here are the organizations I support. I’d love to hear about yours because whether you help in your community or across the world you’re making a difference; you’re helping others and to me that’s the greatest gift you could ever give.

Who I Support and Why

Brittany’s Hope: Brittany’s Hope is in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania which was my home for many years. Brittany’s Hope Foundation is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 foundation dedicated to aiding and facilitating adoptions of special needs children from around the world. Our family sponsors two children living in an orphanage in Kenya. I love getting drawings and letters from the kids, reading about families who received grants to adopt special needs children, and learning about how Brittany’s Hope helps children in need.

Donor’s Choose: I remember how much money I spent on my classroom projects. That’s why I like Donor’s Choose. It allows me to support teachers in my community when they have a special project for their classroom.

UNHCR- The UN Refugee Agency: While subbing I was asked to read a story from the Language Arts textbook to the students. PASSAGE TO FREEDOM: The Sugihara Story. It was the story of how one man was brave enough to stand up to his government and save hundreds of Jewish refugees. I care about the Syrian refugees and what they’re going through. Donating money seems like such a small gesture. I’m grateful to all those who are doing more.

Stay-Focused: My daughter Arielle is raising money for this wonderful organization that has made a positive impact on her life. Stay-focused empowers teens with disabilities through scuba certification and leadership development programs. Arielle is pushing 60 miles in her racing wheelchair to Key West! If you’d like to donate click here! Go Arielle!

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust: I watched an episode of Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel that had me crying one minute and cursing the next. I’m an animal lover and when I saw what trophy hunters and terrorists were doing to the elephants in Africa it was heart-wrenching. It’s difficult for me to understand how some humans can have no compassion for animals. Anyway, I support this organization, and I’m grateful for the reporter, David Wilson Scott, who risked his life to share the story.

Give a shout-out to organizations that you support. You can leave a comment here or on Facebook.

What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead. — Nelson Mandela

I wondered why somebody didn’t do something.  Then I realized, I am somebody. — Unknown