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Ways to make a difference September 22, 2014

Running on Empty

I recently found myself giving great advice to a friend who is running on empty. She has been caring for her adult son who is ill and needless to say her tank is out of fuel. I write each week about giving. Giving of oneself, giving time, sharing talents but I rarely write about giving to your self.

I find it fascinating that we do not think twice about supporting a cause, giving our energy and resources and yet, time and time again we all put ourselves at the bottom of the list. While I do believe and practice the philosophy of “the more you give, the more you receive.” There is a line, a fine one, but it is there. Each of us needs to start looking at that line and knowing what to do when we see it.

That line is our gas tank and if our fuel is running low, then we need to take the resources we need to fill it up before we can begin to give to another. As they say on the plane, put your oxygen mask on yourself first and then on your child. Our giving is no different, we need to make sure that we are at the top of our list so that we can take care of everyone else below.

You give so much too so many, remember to give to yourself….first.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Inspiration September 10, 2014

September 11th-Patriots Day

Photo by Scott Lewis 917-386-4555 Library Tag 09112008 National/Foreign

Tomorrow markes the 13th anniversary of the fateful day that changed the face of our nation forever, September 11th, now renamed Patriots Day. Each year I wonder will we remember? Should we remember? It is so painful, even more than a decade later we all feel the pain of reminders when we watch the news and see the images. I debated, is it time to stop reflecting on this fateful day?

After some thought, my answer is no. We promised never to forget. We promised to hold those families in our hearts and to come together as a nation. So, if ripping off the band-aid yet another year reminds us of our promise, then that is what needs to be done.

So tonight, tomorrow and every day after, hug your children, tell the people in your life that you love them. Just as the song says, “I believe love will find a way.” Make Pariots Day stand for something, love.

We will never forget.

Charity Matters.

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What Matters? September 8, 2014

Is being good simply for gain, really good?

The other day I sat in a meeting for a non-profit I’m involved with and the conversation was on branding. The topic quickly turned to cause marketing or how to use your good deeds to get love for your brand. The organization I’m involved with already does good deeds, it’s a non-profit for goodness sake! But I walked away from the meeting pondering the question, are we truly being authentic or are we taking away from our purpose when we use it for gain?

I do think when you are doing great work in your service towards others, you want the world to know it and you should. This is what non-profits have been doing for decades. Many corporations have built their business on their authentic support of community, such as Wells Fargo. Not for gain but because it is what is right and part of their core corporate culture. It is simply what they do.

The question becomes more perplexing when you are a business. A for profit business. There has been a recent development in the past few years of for profit businesses establishing themselves as B Corporations by earning a B Corp Certificate from the nonprofit group B Lab. These companies are not non-profits but support non-profits. One example is Jessica Alba’s Honest The Honest Company. The Honest Company sells and delivers monthly organic diapers and other non-toxic chemical free products. They give some products and revenue to related causes.

The Honest Company is going public and is raising $150 million dollars. Like any public company’s mission, their goal is to maximize its return to its stake holders. The stake holders are the beneficiary in public companies, not the cause. Honest or not? Is this a win-win or a very gray area? Which brings me back full circle to where we began, is being good simply to gain, really good?

I am not sure. What do you think?

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Inspiration August 20, 2014

Where does a movement begin? The Ice Bucket Challenge

How do trends start? What was the impetus to all of us dumping buckets of ice water on our heads? Who was the inspiration behind this chilly trend?

The answer is simple. His name is Pete Frates and this is his story.

So the next time you are looking at Facebook and/or pouring a bucket of ice on your head, remember why you are doing and for who. You are doing it for Pete Frates and everyone else who has ALS. The trend that is changing the face of ALS belongs to one face only and that is of Pete Frates…. an inspiration to us all.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Quotes August 18, 2014

Charity Matters quotes

“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”

Dr. Seuss

The Band-Aid is off and the pain is searing and yet I am at peace. The goodbye is the hardest, today is the big send off. I am smiling because it happened, he is where he is supposed to be.

Waiting for the next hello.

Charity Matters.

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Raising Philanthropic Children August 15, 2014

Time to go

It is finally here and time to say goodbye. My son is officially leaving and there is so much to say before he goes…it has all been said and our job is done.

I knew he was unlike anyone I had ever met since the moment I first held him, he stared right through me as if he had already lived a thousand lives and was wiser than I may ever be. His red hair was a true red flag warning, that what they say about red heads is true, fiery is an understatement! Yet, as an infant, my son knew who he was before anyone else had figured it out.

As a toddler he had no interest in fire trucks, balls or legos but rather collected vacuums and irons. He was who he was and really didn’t care, sadly at the time I did. He taught me not too….but I was a slow learner. Eventually, his interest turned to vegetable oil fueled cars and technology. We learned that to support him, we needed to support his passion and so we did, although baseball would have been so much easier.

Time came for the first cell phone, then computer and finally car. We told him he had to pay for half and each time he figured it out….somehow we had raised a little Alec P. Keaton and had no clue….but he did. While his love of vacuums and irons had diminished long ago, his passion for photography, cars and service to others grew. He grew externally and internally.

Now that wise old infant has become a wise and compassionate soul. Sure he is still a snarky teenager and all that comes with it but the lessons he has taught me about believing in yourself, being passionate about what you love and serving others are some of the greatest gifts I have ever been given.

It is time for him to show the world who he is …..just as he always has.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Quotes August 11, 2014

Charity Matters Quotes

“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”

Carol Sobieski and Thomas Meehan, Annie

This is the week we pack up and begin the process of letting go. Everyone keeps saying that the anticipation is worse than the actual goodbye. I keep thinking that like a band-aid, I just wish we could rip it off quickly so the pain won’t linger. Sadly, the process of packing, editing, shipping and goodbyes is a slow peeling off and not the quick rip I long for.

Each day the pain simply gets worse as the inevitable approaches. He is ready, I am ready and yet my heart breaks as part of me is simply flying away. I think I’m going to need a really big band-aid for this one.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Inspiration August 4, 2014

The language of kindness is universal

Seeing random acts of kindness fills our hearts and brings us joy. This video simply doesn’t need words because it speaks the universal language of kindness.

There is no better way to begin a week than with a little smile and some kindness.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Inspiration July 30, 2014

Special Delivery

I am sad to say that it isn’t very often that I turn on the evening news anymore, it is simply too depressing. However, on Monday evening I did and imagine my surprise to find this amazing story. It is the story of a six year old boy, named Danny Nickerson’s birthday wish. Even if you happened to catch it, it is worth a double take.

As the reporter said, “This is what love and hope look like. You just wish there was more to go around.” I think those cards prove, there is more than enough.

Charity Matters.

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What Matters? July 28, 2014

All good endings are beginnings

Just like summer, all good things must come to an end. Endings are inevitable and a part of life. This year my ending is also my beginning, inheriting a 32-year-old non-profit leadership camp, I understand just how sad our campers are when camp is over. Like our students who cling to their counselors crying the last day, I find myself feeling the same way. So sad that it has come to an end.

What is it about summer and giving so freely of yourself that brings out the nostalgia in all of us? Having never attended camp as a child I didn’t really “get it” but now I do. Camp is not about the new environment or friends. Rather, it is about being who you really are and who you are meant to be. The discovery of self and soul happens at camp. That island you are placed upon called “camp” isn’t about the location of where you are but more about being removed from your place and people and having to survive as yourself.

This is not a bad reality show, this is life. Camp is a mirror, where you start fresh, see yourself anew thru others eyes that have never seen “you” before. Seeing your true self is a gift, regardless of age. That mirror is always full of beauty, if you are willing to look.

Like life, all good things must come to an end. This year for me, the ending of leadership camp, like all good endings, is also a beginning…and I so love beginnings.

Charity Matters.

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What Matters? July 21, 2014

Age of Philanthrophy

One of summer’s guilty pleasures is sitting by a body of water with a magazine, which is exactly what I was doing this past weekend. As I sat on the dock reading this month’s issue of Town & Country, a magazine notorius for covering the lifestyles of the rich and famous…I was thrilled and delighted by the editor’s letter and comments.

I must confess that I enjoy reading this as the best form of pure escapism but when Editor, wrote about a recent philanthropic summit that the magazine hosted, I found myself inspired.

The editor said, “Philanthrophy is already the fastest growing segment of the United States economy. Its contribution to the gross domestic product is, in fact, larger than that of the Armed Forces.”

As the founder of a non-profit and the current Executive Director of another I can honestly say that I have seen these levels of generosity first hand. It is one of the greatest privledges of my career. At the end of the day, it is not about money but about purpose and compassion. It is not simply the Bill Gates of this world that have the ability to create these changes….each of us hold the same power. Our legacy is only as great as our willingness to act.

We may not be The Greatest Generation but I will happily be lumped into The Age of Philanthrophy any day.

Charity Matters.

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Ways to make a difference July 18, 2014

I too had a dream….

Three years ago I had a dream about a television show that highlighted all of the amazing people in our world who make a difference. Today that dream is celebrating its third birthday. Charity Matters is still a mere toddler, trying to run but still waddling despite the urge to speed ahead at full sprint.

I knew nothing about television or TV shows but despite that, I also knew nothing about blogging. What I did know was how to turn a thought into action. So that is what I did. I wrote a show, registered it and then thought if I can write about this same concept for a few months I might actually be onto something.

What I didn’t know was if anyone else cared or would be here to listen. You do care and you are here…thousands of you. You start your day here, inspire me and share what inspires you. I am beyond grateful. And while three years has zipped by in a flash, my passion for bringing inspiring stories and people to you has only become stronger in that small amount of time.

Charity Matters is not so much about me or even you, it is about what inspires us to be our best. People, stories, quotes. We are human, compassionate, amazing, capable people and the goal is simply to remember that. More than that, to realize how many amazing gifts you have to share with the world.

Whether you love yoga, sports, medicine, fashion, the military or anything I promise you there is a non-profit to match your interest. My hope is that you find something that speaks to you, your soul and urges you to action. Life is short, live it well, share your gifts and thank you for sharing your time here with me for these past three years. My life is richer because of you.

Don’t forget to keep dreaming.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Quotes July 4, 2014

Happy 4th of July

“I love my freedom. I love my America.“

Jessi Lane Adams

There is simply nothing I love better than 4th of July…..especially when it falls on a friday. Barbecues, sunshine, fireworks and smiles. I hope you are with your friends and family enjoying one another and the freedom we celebrate today.

It is a magical day for each of us to be reminded of our blessings and the gift of freedom.

Wishing you a very happy Fourth of July!

God Bless America.

Charity Matters.

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Childrens' Causes July 2, 2014

Word of Honor

A few weeks ago, a girlfriend invited me to a potluck dinner, which she called Friends with Causes. The idea was to get a group of girlfriends together for a fun casual night and learn about a non-profit in someone’s home. My friend and our hostess has been involved with a non-profit called The Word of Honor Fund, which supports the children of fallen Navy Seals.

This week being all about freedom and patriotism, I can think of no better time than to share the beautiful work that this group does to support those who gave their lives for our country. Many of those who pay the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms, leave behind an unwritten, unfulfilled legacy in their children. This is where the Word of Honor Fund begins.

In recent years, two major wars have taken significant tolls on our nation and our soldiers’ families. The overwhelming loss of so many heroes has created a void in the lives of their surviving children. The brutal reality for these kids is that they will grow up without the guidance of a hero and mentor, a beloved dad and male father figure. The effect of such loss cannot be measured.

The Word of Honor Fund enables the Seal families to step in to help these kids during the intervening years that lead to adulthood. The Seal Teams provide Make a Wish like experiences as well as mentoring their fallen brothers children. It is their goal and responsibility to identify the means to honor promises made to them by their fathers, and see those promises through fruition to the best of their abilities. It is their Word of Honor.

As we begin preparing this week for our Fourth of July celebrations, remember those who have given us the ultimate sacrifice and their children who continue to live with the consequences.

Charity Matters.

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