what can you do--right where you are?
"A career is what you are paid for. A calling is what you are MADE for." ~ Steve Harvey
With all of the pain in the world today, many of you have asked me, "what can I do about it? It's too BIG for me to tackle!" Well, my friend, stop looking at the BIG picture and do something instead that can seem more manageable.
When I worked in after school day care for school aged kids, I sought ways to make working with kids easier. I bought supplies to help teach lessons. Many kids came to school (in a cold Minnesota winter, no less) with no hats, no mittens. I organized a hat/mitten/scarf drive to help those kids stay warm when they went outside. It grew so large that we donated the extras that were given to us to a citywide donation center that provided help to those who needed it. I organized a summer food drive for families who needed groceries. All it takes is the vision to see a need, then follow through with help to make that need lessen.
There is a man in Buffalo, NY named John Mika. He is a substitute teacher who saw young kids come to school with no pens, pencils, paper...in other words, how could they learn when they didn't have the tools to do it? In October 2011, he went to the executive director of Kingdom Come Ministries, asking for help to provide supplies. She said she could donate a "back room" of her business to help with donations. In faith, he said he needed something more. A five thousand square foot building was donated. Grocery carts were donated. School supplies were donated.--over $400,000.00 worth in all!!! He then sent word to teachers that they were welcome to come shop for supplies for their students--free of charge. Through this non-profit organization, called The Teacher's Desk, over 1200 teachers have been able to provide supplies to over 25,000 students in just a short time. But--that is not all. He also saw a need in that students came to school wearing nothing more than flip-flops in winter. He now provides sneakers to teachers to keep in the classroom for those in need. Coats have been donated by the North Face company for those who have no coat. He offers work experience for 18-21 year olds who are mentally disabled, to give them a feel good opportunity to also give back to their community by working in this store. Lastly, Office Max has just donated $15,000.00 worth of supplies to continue the help for kids in need.
This from a man who saw a need...and acted on it. He is a humble person who takes NO salary from this endeavor, it is 100% donated time, talent, treasure provided by himself and many volunteers.
I know of a gal who works with stray and feral cats, providing time, talent and treasure to provide homes for kittens, food for the ferals, spay and neuter assistance. I know of a gentleman, a recovered alcoholic, who uses horses- equine assisted therapy- to work with others for whom life has cast aside--those who are alcoholics, drug addicts, those who have eating disorders, behavior problems, all by using the interaction of a man and a horse, to show how addictions can be overcome. This is just two of the many others who give of themselves...for another.
Knowing this...look around you again. Do you see a need? What can you do, right where you are, to provide sustenance? Every day is a brand new opportunity. What are you waiting for?
With all of the pain in the world today, many of you have asked me, "what can I do about it? It's too BIG for me to tackle!" Well, my friend, stop looking at the BIG picture and do something instead that can seem more manageable.
When I worked in after school day care for school aged kids, I sought ways to make working with kids easier. I bought supplies to help teach lessons. Many kids came to school (in a cold Minnesota winter, no less) with no hats, no mittens. I organized a hat/mitten/scarf drive to help those kids stay warm when they went outside. It grew so large that we donated the extras that were given to us to a citywide donation center that provided help to those who needed it. I organized a summer food drive for families who needed groceries. All it takes is the vision to see a need, then follow through with help to make that need lessen.
There is a man in Buffalo, NY named John Mika. He is a substitute teacher who saw young kids come to school with no pens, pencils, paper...in other words, how could they learn when they didn't have the tools to do it? In October 2011, he went to the executive director of Kingdom Come Ministries, asking for help to provide supplies. She said she could donate a "back room" of her business to help with donations. In faith, he said he needed something more. A five thousand square foot building was donated. Grocery carts were donated. School supplies were donated.--over $400,000.00 worth in all!!! He then sent word to teachers that they were welcome to come shop for supplies for their students--free of charge. Through this non-profit organization, called The Teacher's Desk, over 1200 teachers have been able to provide supplies to over 25,000 students in just a short time. But--that is not all. He also saw a need in that students came to school wearing nothing more than flip-flops in winter. He now provides sneakers to teachers to keep in the classroom for those in need. Coats have been donated by the North Face company for those who have no coat. He offers work experience for 18-21 year olds who are mentally disabled, to give them a feel good opportunity to also give back to their community by working in this store. Lastly, Office Max has just donated $15,000.00 worth of supplies to continue the help for kids in need.
This from a man who saw a need...and acted on it. He is a humble person who takes NO salary from this endeavor, it is 100% donated time, talent, treasure provided by himself and many volunteers.
I know of a gal who works with stray and feral cats, providing time, talent and treasure to provide homes for kittens, food for the ferals, spay and neuter assistance. I know of a gentleman, a recovered alcoholic, who uses horses- equine assisted therapy- to work with others for whom life has cast aside--those who are alcoholics, drug addicts, those who have eating disorders, behavior problems, all by using the interaction of a man and a horse, to show how addictions can be overcome. This is just two of the many others who give of themselves...for another.
Knowing this...look around you again. Do you see a need? What can you do, right where you are, to provide sustenance? Every day is a brand new opportunity. What are you waiting for?
It is surmounting difficulties that makes heroes.
~Louis Pasteur
~Louis Pasteur
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