March 2016 – Charity Matters

Charity Matters Quotes March 30, 2016

Let the light shine

“And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Marianne Williamson

I’m not sure if its daylight savings and the recent time change, or living in a glass house, but I have been thinking a lot about light lately. The joy the longer days bring, the extended daylight hours and the beauty of light all around us.

The reality is that light is not just external but internal. Have you ever met someone who just “lights up a room”? It is that indescribable joy that radiates out to all within its reach. We all possess it and some days it is brighter than others.

The real question is how do we ignite that goodness and joy within ourselves and within one another? That gift that is uniquely our own, our internal light…..it is time to let it shine.

Charity Matters.

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What Matters? March 28, 2016

A New York State of mind…

I hope everyone had a great Easter. Last week I was in New York City, for a little business and a little Spring Break. We began our trip at the Statue of Liberty and followed the journey of my husband’s German grandfather, Henry. An immigrant story of grit, determination, hard work and ultimately the American Dream. It left us humbled, grateful and proud to be an American.

We ended our trip with the 911 Memorial Museum, one of the most beautiful tributes to humanity, I have ever experienced in a museum. It was beyond inspiring. To be in a space with hundreds of people in silence, as we took in the photos, voices, recordings, videos and raw humanity from that fateful day. You could hear sniffles, see tears and you could not be human without feeling such overwhelming sadness and loss.

It was a week of being re-inspired by the human spirit. To see what all of those who went before us did, to provide us this life. And then, to see how we all came together as one, in a time of grief and loss, was extraordinary. Two very different perspectives that left me forever changed, proud to be an American and full of gratitude.

Charity Matters.

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Childrens' Causes March 21, 2016

Circling Back: Junior Ambassadors

I think by now most of you know that I am a huge fan of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. Over the years my involvement has expanded to a number of different projects, but one that I am so proud of is the Junior Ambassador Program.

A few years back, when touring the new hospital space, a handful of us began a conversation about the need to get our children involved with supporting the hospital. That conversation was the beginning of Junior Ambassadors Program, a place where children use their talents to help others. Some children sell their artwork or photography. Some students throw parties, our son threw touchdowns for sponsorship and raised thousands of dollars for the hospital, simply using his skills to help another.

A recent catch up with a friend from CHLA, proudly shared how the program has grown from a handful of ambassadors to hundreds and while these ambassadors may come in small packages, their work is mighty.

This year the Junior Ambassador will raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for Childrens Hospital Los Angels. Children helping children, there is simply nothing better.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Quotes March 17, 2016

Charity Matters: Connection

“To touch the soul of another human being is to walk on holy ground.”

Stephen Covey

What is that magical thing we call connection? More than a word, a feeling, it is belonging and a place of feeling at home. It is that unique ability to connect to one another and create community that causes change.

I have witnessed time and time again, as non-profit founders bring circles of people together for a common cause. It is that intrinsic connection that creates the force for good. It may be sparked by one, but it is the connections that keep it together and growing.

There is no greater gift than to connect to one another, especially to touch the soul of another.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Inspiration March 15, 2016

Connecting

Charity Matter Founder, Gotta Have Sole Founder, Nicholas Lowinger and PGK Founder, Molly Yuska

I am a connector, or so I’ve been told. Bringing people together brings me great joy, and bringing people together who do great work, to make our world better, is simply THE best! This weekend, I had the privilege of being with an uber connector, my friend Molly Yuska of Project Giving Kids.

Project Giving Kids is the ultimate example of what happens when people collaborate, to simply do good for others. PGK’s mission is to cultivate empathy in children by connecting them to age-appropriate service opportunities at a critical time in their development.

This past weekend, Molly brought together over eighteen non-profits under one roof, to celebrate their work and what happens when we all work towards a common goal. Everyone from food pantries, to animal shelters, environmental causes and everything in between. It was an evening to celebrate collaboration and so many non-profits and their selfless work.

The night’s honoree was eighteen year old Nicholas Lowinger, of Gotta Have Sole. A non-profit founder, at the age of 13, who has now provided shoes for over 20,000 homeless children across 47 states. It was a night to be reminded how one person CAN make a difference and that connecting good is what truly matters.

Charity Matters.

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What Matters? March 9, 2016

What to do when the watch stops?

I have a watch that no longer keeps time. An unusual problem to have in today’s world of iPhones and apple watches. The other day, when my watch stopped for the umpteenth time, I didn’t get grumpy. I just thought, what a gift to have time stop even for just a moment.

Of course, it doesn’t. Rather time simply goes faster…or at least that’s how many of us feel. Time has always gone at the same pace, my watch never ticked faster or slower and yet, it doesn’t feel that way. The simple act of my watch stopping, stopped me.

It made me take a pause, a moment to think at how fast we are all moving. Why? What do we get at the end of the race? More time? I don’t think so. Our time is now. So, rather than fixing my watch, I’m going to leave it this way for just a little longer, as a reminder to slow down and hope that time can simply stand still.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Quotes March 7, 2016

Charity Matters Quotes: Heart

“If you haven’t any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble.”

Bob Hope

As we said goodbye to February last week and ushered in March, this seemed a fitting quote to close out heart month and look forward to spring. For many March is the beginning of school fundraisers, benefits and a renewed season of giving.

A time of longer spring days, of hope, love and charity.

Charity Matters.

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Grief March 2, 2016

I love Lucy

The day after the Super Bowl we put our dog down, her name was Lucy. I have not been able to write about this, much less even process the loss until now. However, every time I walk in the door and there is no one to greet me, wag their tail and beam full of love, I feel the most horrible loss.

She came to us via the pound, 13 years ago as mutt, on death row at the Humane Society. She had been adopted twice and not picked up, but when we saw her, we knew she belonged to us. My youngest son’s first memory was having a playdate at the pound with Lucy to make sure we were a “match” and never had there been a better one.

She was needy, I’m sure from being abandoned at 6 months old. All Lucy wanted was love. She didn’t jump or lick all over you but she just smiled wagged her tail and made you feel as if you were the center of her world. She loved our three sons and was crazy protective of all of us. Sure, in the early days, she ate a lot of furniture, she loved cushions and upholstery, but after that…she was as great of a dog as anyone could ever ask for.

A week before Christmas, when we were days from our move, she didn’t seem right, so we took her to the vet. They told us she needed spinal surgery and put her on cortisone. Shortly after, she bounced back and seemed almost herself. In reality, I think she knew it was her time and just held on a little longer because of the move. She always thought about everyone but herself.

Almost a month from the move, things suddenly were not ok. The vet said it was time to say goodbye to Lucy and came to the house for us. The boys faced timed the dog from college to say goodbye and she just kept looking for them. The three of us sat around her and told her we loved her and it was ok to go.

Old Yeller wasn’t half as sad as this moment. She kept trying to get one last look, not wanting to leave us, our protector until the end. Saying goodbye is never easy but saying goodbye to a member of your family whose sole mission was to provide love, is impossible.

Thank you sweet Lucy for showing us that love is boundless and forever. I loved you so Lucy.

Charity Matters.

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