Charity Matters Inspiration Archives - Page 33 of 37

Charity Matters Inspiration March 5, 2014

The Big Easy

As you all know I recently returned from my first Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Since today is Ash Wednesday and the celebration is winding down on Bourbon Street I thought it only fitting to share a little about a New Orleans non-profit today. The organization is called HandsOn New Orleans.

In the after math of Hurricane Katrina this incredible organization was formed to bring everyone together for the singular purpose of ” engaging, empowering, and transforming the community through volunteer service by connecting every passion with its purpose.” How great is that?

HandsOn New Orleans is a huge master calendar for the city bringing together all of the incredible opportunities and needs in one singular place. What I love is that this unique city and non-profit, hosts visitors from around the world, as well long time residents in the New Orleans community. Since the hospitality in New Orleans is unlike any place I have ever been, HandsOn New Orleans doesn’t care if you are a party of one or a corporate team, a local or a tourist. Either way they promise to provide you with worthwhile volunteer options.

While the hurricane has long past, the commitment to rebuild and reshape this amazing city has not gone away. Like most cities that have experienced a tragedy or natural disaster, that bond only makes them stronger. New Orleans is no different.

Since March of 2006, HandsOn New Orleans and their 35,000 volunteers have; completed 600,000 hours of service,organized 110 customized corporate projects with twenty Fortune 500 companies,impacted 19,500 underserved youth and trained 230 volunteer leaders that saved the community $13 million through volunteer time.

As many of us begin the season of Lent and the countdown to Easter, perhaps it is fitting to think of New Orleans. A city that shows us in good times and in bad that coming together is really what matters.

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2014 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

Keep Reading

Charity Matters Inspiration March 3, 2014

Listening

The other day I was invited to attend a “listening session” for an organization that I am involved with, that is going through a transition. For those of you that know me, well….talking is more what I am known for, than listening. The beauty of this event was that it brought together people from a variety of non-profits all over Los Angeles and put us in small groups to discuss the change.

My group consisted of school principals, college professors, non-profit employees and one gentleman from Homeboy Industries, who on the surface, appeared to have had a gang past. The room was noisy and filled with conversation, some which was difficult to hear. As the night came to a close and we gathered for dinner and this gentleman began to tell me his story. He was soft-spoken, gracious and an incredibly gifted speaker.

He moved to Boyle Heights as a young boy and grew up in a home filled with addiction and abuse. Art was his passion and escape and when a teacher ripped up his art work, his anger took over, his school career ended and a life a drugs ensued. Almost a decade later he gave up hope and walked onto a freeway at night ready to end it all. His last words, “my children or mis hijos.” A gust of wind surrounded him, a truck swerved and by the grace of God this gentleman ended up alive and in rehab .

He left rehab and walked straight into Father Greg Boyle’s office at Homeboy Industries and asked for a job. Father Greg cried when he saw the change in this man and told him to start his job on monday. As I sat and listened to this incredible story, the Homeboy employee leaned in and said, “that was 8 years ago and now I have dedicated my life to helping others with their sobriety, living a life of integrity and I use my life-like the gift it is every single day.”

My eyes filled with tears, at this incredible man, his grace, the gift I was granted by his presence and the simple invitation to listen.

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2014 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

Keep Reading

Charity Matters Inspiration February 21, 2014

One sees clearly only with the heart

“One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes.”

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince, 1943

A few months back I was asked to give a speech at my alma matter, an all girls private Catholic school. I had been asked to speak a few times before on the topic of service and charity but this time the assignment was a bit different. I was assigned a quote from The Little Prince and had to tie the quote into my personal story and service. I must admit it felt a bit like the homework assignments I used to dread.

However, the deeper I dove, the more fun and meaningful the assignment and speech became. Today, in looking for a heart themed quote, this same quote appeared once again. Coincidence? I don’t believe in those anymore. When I saw this quote I revisited the words I shared with the girls….

“Giving, service and charity have healed me in unexpected and unimaginable ways. I was blind and could not see. The curve balls that were thrown to me became my greatest gifts. Those moments gave me my sight. Living the words is what made me understand what I had translated so many years ago in Mr. Olson’s room, just yards from where I now stand. And to end where I began, although the journey continues, “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2014 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

Keep Reading

Charity Matters Inspiration February 12, 2014

Is it really all about chocolate?

I love Valentines Day because I love chocolate. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I love all of the good things about Valentines Day…cards, candy, love…really what could possibly be better? Well, I started thinking about it and realized that perhaps Valentines Day should perhaps be about a little bit more.

Especially since this week is Random Acts of Kindness week there are so many ways to make Valentines Day more meaningful. Here are just a few ideas:

1. Instead of giving a Valentine gift, why not give to a cause you or your Valentine cares about? What better way to show your love?

2. If you don’t have a cause you can always buy something from the RED Campaign, a fun way to make a difference and support a great hip cause. Who doesn’t love anything that Bono supports?

3. When you are buying Valentines Cards, think about taking some by a homeless shelter, home for the elderly, a children’s hospital. Share the love.

4. The couple that volunteers together…..you get the idea. Make a date to volunteer together instead of a fancy dinner. I guarantee you, your heart will never feel more full and isn’t that more important than your stomach?

So, as you begin to panic about a gift, a reservation or a card…..remember this is a holiday simply about love and not just about chocolate. What could be sweeter?

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2014 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

Keep Reading

Charity Matters Inspiration February 10, 2014

Random Acts of Kindness Week

Did you know this week is Random Acts of Kindness week? Well, it is! How perfect to celebrate kindness, the same week we celebrate love and Valentines.

One would hope that each of us would be able to come up with some small way to celebrate this wonderful week, but on the off-chance you are not feeling so creative there is an actual foundation that is here to inspire you. It is originally named, The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation and its goal is to be a resource for people committed to spreading kindness. Their web-site is chock full of heart warming ideas of simple ways to make life better for other people. How amazing is that?

The non-profit foundation started in 1995 and provides creative ideas for kind actions, along with being an incredible resource for parents and schools….all for free! The Foundation believes, “As people from different cultures and from all walks of life join to spread kindness, they are creating a powerful, synergistic action throughout the world.”

Their mission is simply to inspire people to practice kindness and pass it on. I can think of nothing better than that!

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2014 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

Keep Reading

Charity Matters Inspiration January 20, 2014

Martin Luther King Jr.

“Not everybody can be famous but everybody can be great, because greatness is determined by service.”

Dr. Martin Luther King Junior

As you know, today is the day we honor and celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King. I wanted to find one quote that spoke about service and discovered myself being inspired by so many of Dr. King’s incredible words, that have become his legacy.

As we celebrate this day off, in memory of someone who believed we should live our life in service of others…perhaps it should be a day on, rather than a day off? A day to serve in whatever way that speaks to you.

So enjoy your day on and remember Dr. King’s words.

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2014 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

Keep Reading

Charity Matters Inspiration January 13, 2014

Look great, feel better

Its January and there isn’t a spin bike available at the gym or even a parking place for that matter. Everyone is busy beginning their New Year’s resolutions to look great and feel better after the past month of gluttony and before Super Bowl Sunday gets here. Last month, I came across an article that might help you out with that New Year’s resolution about being healthy and taking care of your health…and guess what? It doesn’t involve a gym or a diet!

The article in the Wall Street Journal by Arthur Brooks was about a new study on how giving to charity affects our health and happiness and how others view us. The author is the president of the American Enterprise Institute, which is a non-profit think tank that performs research in the non-profit sector. He cited several studies that showed people who volunteer or donate money report greater satisfaction with their lives than those who do not give. In addition, these same studies even indicated that donors live longer and that giving makes people appear more physically attractive.

Brooks ended his article by saying (jokingly), “So, on behalf of my colleagues in America’s millions of nonprofits, voluntary organizations and houses of worship, I want you to know we’re here for you. We want to help you become healthier, happier, and better looking.” Maybe the gym isn’t all it’s cracked up to be and volunteering should be added to that New Years resolution? It sure couldn’t hurt.

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2014 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

Keep Reading

Cancer January 8, 2014

If only for a moment

Being carefree, something all of us remember in our youth and sadly long for, when our life’s responsibilities get in the way. A new video, from cancer survivor and founder of the Mimi Foundation, Myrian Ullens de Schooten, offers this gift of spontaneity to cancer patients. Myrian founded the Mimi Foundation, “Because of this experience my conviction has grown that cancer must be fought not only on the medical front, but on all fronts. Using this principle I want to ensure that all those who have to face this disease receive support, help and comfort.” This project accomplishes just that.

Just that moment of joy, silliness, freedom and the unpredictable. The video is in French with sub-titles, but the language of joy is universal. Take a moment and treat yourself to a small slice.

It simply doesn’t matter what language you speak or what you look like when you are suffering from cancer. What matters is the smiles, the fun, the joy and the moment that each of these people gave to another.

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2014 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

Keep Reading

Charity Matters Inspiration January 3, 2014

Its time for New Years Resolutions

It has been a fun-filled few weeks and now it is that time of year to look back at last year’s resolutions, before making this years. I made many resolutions last year and I am proud to say that many of the big ones I achieved. I did re-do the Charity-Matters web site, we did remodel our kitchen and while I had toyed for many years with “officially going back to work,” this past month I did…more on that later. Looking back for me, is more than checking items off my list, but rather a time to ask myself the real questions:

Was I present and in the moment with my children and family?
Was I a good spouse, daughter, friend?
Did I use my gifts and skills to help others?

These are the questions that define me, my life, and these are the items that matter, to me. So while I love making list, setting goals and proudly checking some items off the list…….the reality is that if I don’t ask the real questions to myself regularly, than nothing on list really matters.

So, as I bound into 2014 with excitement for my new job as an Executive Director of a non-profit, I cherish these last few months with my oldest son home and dream of travel and home renovation projects to accomplish….I am mindful that a resolution is simply something to strive for. Being the best person you can be, for yourself and the ones you love is truly the goal.

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2014 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

Keep Reading

Charity Matters Inspiration December 18, 2013

The Miracles of Christmas: Matthew’s Hope

In searching for a Christmas miracle story to share with you, I came across an incredible family and am blessed that when I reached out to them, they agreed to let me share their story. It began in November 2002 when Bud Hanley began writing letters to his unborn son, Matthew. This is his letter.

My little Matthew,

Good morning, my sweet baby boy. We miss you so much and wish God had allowed you to be with us. Your short life has changed ours and has impacted hundreds of others. We started a non-profit organization in your memory called Matthew’s Hope Children’s Ministry to help other children in our community. I could write a book sharing the many miracles that have taken place through Matthew’s Hope, but I’ll just share this one for now . . .

When Mommy was pregnant with you in the fall of 2002, we decided to pick out a needy family and buy Christmas gifts for them on our own. Our church and Sunday school class had done this and we always participated in that, but never had we done it ourselves . . . Our local schools send home an information sheet to the kids who are in need and the families fill it out with requests and sizes . . . Me and Mommy looked through the sheets of paper and one stood out to us.

It was a 12- year-old boy with a two-year-old nephew. They lived in a pretty bad home situation. The older boy, Chris Bagwell, returned his sheet to school and asked for socks and underwear and “if possible” a football. He asked for the same for his little two-year- old nephew and “if possible” a fire truck. That broke our hearts and impressed us that a 12- year-old would ask for such minimal and basic needs . . .

We loaded those boys down with everything from new jeans, shirts, shoes and coats to bicycles and footballs and fire trucks…and yes socks and underwear. Mommy went and bought the stuff the day before Thanksgiving and came home that night and we wrapped it all up with your big sister “helping” us. She was two years old at the time . . .

Then our nightmare began. The day after Thanksgiving, Nov. 30, 2002, your Mommy’s water broke and our ordeal began. You were born and died on December 18th. We flew home and buried you on December 21st. That night, we went and delivered those gifts to Chris and his little nephew.

I can’t begin to describe how happy and grateful that little boy was. He had never had such things before. It helped us so much to see the gratitude in his face and his words. He helped us as much as we helped him; he just didn’t realize it. He was so proud of what we had given him.

Well, several years passed and we often wondered what happened to Chris because he had impressed us so much. He even worked with his uncle to help bring in some money for his family.

We later started Matthew’s Hope and have helped many similar families since then. In the Spring of 2008, two women from Belton-Honea Path High School approached me and asked if we would like to provide a scholarship from Matthew’s Hope. We decided that would be a good idea and instructed them that our criteria would not be necessarily the straight “A” student, but rather a kid who had overcome bad circumstances and did well anyway.

They brought us several essays that students had written about why they deserved a scholarship and we chose one that seemed to stand out to us. The scholarships are given every year at a ceremony at Erskine College called the Evening of Excellence. Mommy and me went that evening and presented the scholarship to the recipient after briefly sharing a little about Matthew’s Hope and why we were doing it. It was a nice evening and we went home. We had just walked in the door when the telephone rang. Mommy answered the phone and all of a sudden the color drained from her face and she put it on speaker phone.

It was the young man to whom we had just given the scholarship.

He said, “This is Chris—you don’t remember me do you? But when I was 12 years old, you and your husband brought Christmas gifts to me and my nephew.”

Matthew, when he said that, I thought I was going to pass out . . . He went on to tell us that when we brought those gifts at age 12, he realized for the first time in his life that somebody loved him.

You see how God works? . . .

Love,

Daddy

One of Bud’s last letters to his son.

Dear Matthew,

My son, you touched so many lives and you will continue to touch lives. As long as I live, I will tell of the miracles I personally witnessed . . . I will make you these promises . . I will work tirelessly to cause good to come from your life. I will tell the world about you to motivate people to help others in your memory. I will let your life be my testimony and I will share it with as many people as God gives me the opportunity . . .

I will one day meet you in heaven. Until then, I will continue to live because I know you live . . . I know that your Papas and Grannys in heaven will take care of you . . . Hang in there my, little man, Daddy will be home soon.

Daddy

When I reached out to the Hanleys this past weekend and asked permission to share, Bud said to me, “Coincidentally (or not) Wednesday, December 18th would have been Matthew’s 12th birthday.” A true Christmas miracle full of love, family, faith and giving.

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2013 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

Keep Reading

Charity Matters Inspiration December 13, 2013

Sandyhook

Today is Friday the 13th, a day shrouded in superstition and bad luck. Worse than being Friday, the 13th it is the one year anniversary of the tragedy of Sandy Hook Elementary. A moment so horrific and tragic that it seems surreal, except to those families that will spend this one year anniversary still asking why?

Only 365 days out, the hindsight offers little perspective and few answers. There is a glimmer of hope and healing and that is the new non-profit founded by Sandy Hook parents called the Sandy Hook Promise. Its mission is to research and implement sensible solutions to prevent gun violence, as well as to influence legislators and engage constituents in the legislative process that helps their community to heal.

Joining the Sandy Hook promise is not about politics but rather about working together to create a dialogue and beginning to take the pain and use it as fuel to heal and move forward. This sunday is an international day of remembrance for children that have died. There are candle lighting services around the globe honoring children we have lost and sadly there will be 20 extra candles lit this year in remembrance.

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2013 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

Keep Reading

Charity Matters Inspiration December 11, 2013

Christmas in the City

Can you hear the song playing now? “Ring a-ling, hear them sing, its Christmas Time in the City.” I am always looking for inspiring people and stories that make our world better and this family has created a holiday classic even better than the song it is named after.

It all started 23 years ago, in 1989 ,when the Kennedy family from Boston (not sure if there is a relation) saw the excess that their children had on Christmas. These two amazing parents, Jake and Sparky, wondered how they were going to teach their children what the season was really all about? They simply wanted them to understand the spirit of Christmas, of kindness, goodwill and the gift of sharing. Their solution was to take the holiday tradition that they had with their family and bring it to others, that didn’t.

So the following year, the Kennedy’s expanded their Christmas tradition with the help of their friends, co-workers, and clients all volunteering their time and donating gifts and money to provide Christmas for those that didn’t have one. In that moment, Christmas in the City was born. The first year 165 mothers and children from Boston Homeless Shelters were guests at a party at Boston City Hall, with holiday decorations, games, a holiday meal and a gift for each child that the child had asked Santa to deliver.

In the two decades since, Christmas in the City hosts over 3,000 children and parents from homeless shelters from Boston and surrounding communities. More than replicating the Kennedy’s Christmas morning, these children now experience a safe environment, filled with food, entertainment, a Winter Wonderland with games, rides, a petting zoo, activities from the Museum of Science and the Children’s Museum, and each child received a personalized gift from Santa which they had wished for.

As if that wasn’t enough, Christmas in the City also distributes toys and gifts to almost 2000 families who can not be accommodated at the event.

The Kennedy’s small gesture to share the joy of the season has now become a year round affair because Christmas in the City simply could not turn away those they have cared for. In addition, they now provide a Thanksgiving food distribution for families in need; an Adopt- a-Family program to assist families transitioning from a shelter to their own home; assisting homeless families in providing support to help find employment, financial aid and legal advise, daycare and other help to get back on their feet.

What began as a way to teach the joy of the season to their own children has become a teaching moment for all of us blessed to witness the magic of Christmas happening all around us. Cue music….Ring a-ling, hear them sing, soon it will be Christmas day….

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2013 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

Keep Reading

Charity Matters Inspiration December 6, 2013

Mandela

“A fundamental concern for others in our individual and community lives would go a long way in making the world the better place we so passionately dreamt of.”

Nelson Mandela

Yesterday we lost an icon, legend, peacemaker and a man who simply put, just made our world better. There are very few words you can write that have not been said about Nelson Mandela. So rather than tell you what you already know, I think we can all take a page from his amazing life and apply it to our own.

There is no greater tribute than to put his legacy into action.

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2013 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

Keep Reading

Charity Matters Inspiration November 22, 2013

When a hero comes along

By the time most of you see this post, the story I’m about to share will have probably gone viral. In hundreds of post, I think I have only shared someone else’s story twice…..but if ever there is one worth sharing it is this. Each week, I tell the stories of the only heroes I have, those that selflessly helped others to make our world better. This man takes that term, hero, to an entirely different level. His name is Sir Nicholas Winton.

Right before WWII, he organized the rescue and passage to Britain of about 669 Jewish Czechoslovakian children destined for the Nazi death camps. The operation was known as the Czech Kindertransport.

What makes Nicholas Winton even more unique is that he never told anyone about this, not even his own wife, Grete. Almost fifty years later, in 1988, she found a scrapbook from 1939 in their attic. It contained all the children’s names, photos, and a few letters from parents of the children to Winton. That is when Grete finally learned the story.

Get the kleenex, to see what happened when the survivors gathered to give him a wonderful surprise:

So if you have seen this before, it just doesn’t matter. It is humanity at its essence. Simple, pure, humble, goodness. These are the stories that need to be shared again and again because the message reminds us of who we are and can be. Heroes are all around us, they are simply the ones …..who never speak up.

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2013 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

Story courtesy of www.TruthSeekerDaily.com

Keep Reading