You know, I used to hate Mondays. Then, about three months ago, I began to love them. However, I loved them for a completely other reason than I do now. Then, Mondays were a day to go back to work, get away from the house, not be alone. That was a rough time for me. I was not used to being alone. Now...things are a little different (not that I ENJOY being alone, but I tolerate it much better).
Now, on Mondays I still enjoy going to work...because I love it very much. However, I think Mondays provide a whole new beginning to the week. A new slate to build on. New things to be happy about and thankful for.
So, with this being the first day of the work week, I figured I would give a few shout outs to some people who made my day a little more special...those who helped keep the streak of 'good Mondays' going.
First of all, I would like to thank the cast of SMASH. I know, super cheesy, but it always puts me in a great mood before bed, and the songs...I love to sing them (making me a YouTube downloading fool on Mondays). :)
Now, to the "REAL" people.
Pat- Thank you for helping me make a 'check' of my life this morning. I am getting used to this whole 'normal' thing you spoke of. You know what I mean! :) What a great friend and co-worker you are. How can I be THIS lucky!? Oh...and seriously, you don't have to answer that! :)
Lisa- Just getting to talk to you for a little bit today brought a smile to my face. You always have a way of doing that and I appreciate it so much. What would I do without having you as my friend!?
Meredith- Word to you mom! Seriously, you kicked some sorority butt tonight at MSU! You are an awesome presenter and CASA is most fortunate to have you on our team!
Mauricio- Su bondad nunca deja de asombrarme. Le agradezco aceptarme con mis faltas y gracias por todo lo que usted ha hecho. Usted es una alegrÃa verdadera y le aprecio muchÃsimo. I hope that is right. :)
Karen- Thank you very much for thinking of me today. That really meant a lot to me and I am truly grateful. She is such a wonderful friend and I am so glad that she has you and Ashlee in her life as well.
Mike- Your messages today just cracked me up. I think I might have laughed out loud a couple of times! Hope the painting went well and I look forward to the classy social events TBD. :)
Luke- Thank you for the kind words. I know that you won't see this post, but I appreciate them very much and hope the best, as always.
Kat- So sad I missed our "Voice" night and dinner! We can try again next week (at least the season isn't close to over!). Love you guys.
Judy- You got to be the last person I talked to tonight, and as always you lifted my spirits higher than they were. You have such a gift at being such a wonderful and inspiring friend (even if Mere says we are going to you know where!) lol.
And...to everyone out there, who over the past few days have sent me congratulatory emails, texts, messages, and phone calls. I am truly humbled and thank you so much for your kindness and recognition. It is because of friends like you that I get to have great Mondays, great Tuesdays, and every other day of the week!!
As I said before, and I will continuously say, I have the BEST friends in the world. I am so blessed and thankful for each and every one of you. I only wish that I can give back to you half of what you have given to me. You are AWESOME!!
Okay. That is all for tonight. Going to bed now...I think. :)
Peace
Monday, March 26, 2012
Friday, March 23, 2012
Thanks to EVERY volunteer EVERYWHERE!
Yep. My thoughts for today. A very interesting day, to say the least!
I just want to say something about volunteers. For non-profit organizations, our volunteers, our advocates, mentors, whatever title they may encompass, are the CORE of our organizations. Without them, even if we had an excessive amount of donations, we could not do the work we do. We could not meet our missions as they have been set forth. Our volunteers in non-profit are AWESOME!!
I want to encourage everyone to take some time to thank those around you (and yourself if you do too) who volunteer of their time and efforts to help make a difference in our world! Volunteering is most usually a selfless act that is worthy of so much praise and recognition.
I am reminded of the story of the poor woman in the Bible. The Pharisee, who preceded her, gave a prayer and offering and made a spectacle of their outstanding gifts and prayed the most ornate and magnanimous prayer. She followed humbly after with only a few coins and a soft spoken token of her thanks. She gave all that she could give. The Pharisee gave to be seen.
I am so thankful that the volunteers who give of their time to our agencies are like the poor woman. I am not saying they are poor, by any means. I am saying they are giving all which they can give. They are giving of themselves. Frankly, if our volunteers give of their time, that is plenty for me. They excel at it and should be recognized for that. If they are able to give monetarily as well, that is also so wonderful. But we should never let it be about money over the volunteerism.
I guess where I am going here, is that we need to recognize our donors AND our volunteers (who are donors as well). They are all donors, but we should very much recognize those who give of their time equal to those who give of their money. It is a hard, hard thing to do if you try to combine them together and compare the gifts. This is why we have times where we recognize our volunteers for that awesome and priceless contribution: volunteering. And, why, when we recognize our monetary donors, we recognize them for those contributions.
Basically...what I am saying is there is one goal in our volunteers and our donors hearts. The mission of our organization. We recognize them for their excellent gifts they selflessly give to us and those who we serve.
Thank you to our volunteers who give all that they can.
Thank you to our donors who give with their hearts what is laid on them to give.
There is no point in trying to compare who is more important between our volunteers and donors. THEY are our lifeblood. THEY are non-profit. THEY are our past, our present, and our futures. We thank them all. We need to thank them everyday. Without them, we are like a Porsche without an engine; nice to look at but going nowhere.
Thank you all for being our engines. We couldn't do it without you.
Personally, for today, I thank everyone in my life who has contributed to allowing me to grow and make a difference in the world around me. I was honored today to find out I was selected for the Springfield Business Journal's 40 Under 40. This is very humbling and brings me tears of gratitude. Without my community, my family, my friends, my teachers, my peers, my history...I would not be able to even consider such an honor. I think that Hillary Clinton put it best in the title of her book (which does not mean that I necessarily agree with the entire book...just commenting on the title right now), "It Takes a Village." I am very thankful for my village. This honor is not about me, but it is a reflection of those around me who have truly made a difference in my life. I know that to be true and thank YOU so much for allowing my reflection of you to be one of this year's 40 Under 40.
Peace
I just want to say something about volunteers. For non-profit organizations, our volunteers, our advocates, mentors, whatever title they may encompass, are the CORE of our organizations. Without them, even if we had an excessive amount of donations, we could not do the work we do. We could not meet our missions as they have been set forth. Our volunteers in non-profit are AWESOME!!
I want to encourage everyone to take some time to thank those around you (and yourself if you do too) who volunteer of their time and efforts to help make a difference in our world! Volunteering is most usually a selfless act that is worthy of so much praise and recognition.
I am reminded of the story of the poor woman in the Bible. The Pharisee, who preceded her, gave a prayer and offering and made a spectacle of their outstanding gifts and prayed the most ornate and magnanimous prayer. She followed humbly after with only a few coins and a soft spoken token of her thanks. She gave all that she could give. The Pharisee gave to be seen.
I am so thankful that the volunteers who give of their time to our agencies are like the poor woman. I am not saying they are poor, by any means. I am saying they are giving all which they can give. They are giving of themselves. Frankly, if our volunteers give of their time, that is plenty for me. They excel at it and should be recognized for that. If they are able to give monetarily as well, that is also so wonderful. But we should never let it be about money over the volunteerism.
I guess where I am going here, is that we need to recognize our donors AND our volunteers (who are donors as well). They are all donors, but we should very much recognize those who give of their time equal to those who give of their money. It is a hard, hard thing to do if you try to combine them together and compare the gifts. This is why we have times where we recognize our volunteers for that awesome and priceless contribution: volunteering. And, why, when we recognize our monetary donors, we recognize them for those contributions.
Basically...what I am saying is there is one goal in our volunteers and our donors hearts. The mission of our organization. We recognize them for their excellent gifts they selflessly give to us and those who we serve.
Thank you to our volunteers who give all that they can.
Thank you to our donors who give with their hearts what is laid on them to give.
There is no point in trying to compare who is more important between our volunteers and donors. THEY are our lifeblood. THEY are non-profit. THEY are our past, our present, and our futures. We thank them all. We need to thank them everyday. Without them, we are like a Porsche without an engine; nice to look at but going nowhere.
Thank you all for being our engines. We couldn't do it without you.
Personally, for today, I thank everyone in my life who has contributed to allowing me to grow and make a difference in the world around me. I was honored today to find out I was selected for the Springfield Business Journal's 40 Under 40. This is very humbling and brings me tears of gratitude. Without my community, my family, my friends, my teachers, my peers, my history...I would not be able to even consider such an honor. I think that Hillary Clinton put it best in the title of her book (which does not mean that I necessarily agree with the entire book...just commenting on the title right now), "It Takes a Village." I am very thankful for my village. This honor is not about me, but it is a reflection of those around me who have truly made a difference in my life. I know that to be true and thank YOU so much for allowing my reflection of you to be one of this year's 40 Under 40.
Peace
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
And the Amazement Continues
I have to say, sometimes you just can't express, in words, the awesomeness that God shows us. Sometimes it is just like he opens up the spigot of blessings and lets them fall all around us.
Last week and this week, it seems that He has done just that.
CASA has been blessed with some wonderful support from a great number of people and organizations in our community. It is almost beyond my ability to comprehend the hearts that our area's residents have. Just overwhelming and amazing.
To top it all off, I got a message today from a friend from home who I worked with on the Miss Texas County Pageant Board a number of years ago. She said that all of a sudden she had read my blog and it dawned on her that I was at CASA. Why does this matter, you may ask? Because...Miss Texas County's platform this year is in support of CASA and its mission: our children! What an amazing coincidence. Now, I don't even believe in coincidences, since all things happen for a reason. So, growing up in Houston, having Shari and her family as close friends, serving on the board with her, keeping in touch all these years, going to work at CASA, Shelby Ringdahl coming to Houston, MO to be in the pageant - and winning, these things aren't coincidences...these are things going the way they were meant to go.
So, long story short...I personally am hopeful that we have the next Miss Missouri America coming out of our humble small town of Houston, MO. I am also very thankful that Ms. Shelby has selected our organization, CASA, as one that is close to her heart.
Did I mention that she is a Kappa Alpah Theta at TCU? Um, I am not familiar with a lot of sororities, but I DO know that my best friend Trish is a KAT from Ole Miss and that they support CASA on a nationwide scale. Seriously!? I know of ONE sorority really well. What are the odds?
So, hopefully, we will be able to partner with Ms. Ringdahl in the near future, share with her what OUR CASA's are doing here in Missouri, tell her about the great impact our advocates are having on the lives of children in our area, and then...welcome her back to Southwest Missouri in June as the new Miss Missouri America.
Like I said, I don't believe in coincidences...but I won't ever stand in the way of that which is just meant to be.
Good luck Shelby! Let us know how we can be of support to you and THANK YOU for being a voice for us and the children we serve!
Peace
Last week and this week, it seems that He has done just that.
CASA has been blessed with some wonderful support from a great number of people and organizations in our community. It is almost beyond my ability to comprehend the hearts that our area's residents have. Just overwhelming and amazing.
To top it all off, I got a message today from a friend from home who I worked with on the Miss Texas County Pageant Board a number of years ago. She said that all of a sudden she had read my blog and it dawned on her that I was at CASA. Why does this matter, you may ask? Because...Miss Texas County's platform this year is in support of CASA and its mission: our children! What an amazing coincidence. Now, I don't even believe in coincidences, since all things happen for a reason. So, growing up in Houston, having Shari and her family as close friends, serving on the board with her, keeping in touch all these years, going to work at CASA, Shelby Ringdahl coming to Houston, MO to be in the pageant - and winning, these things aren't coincidences...these are things going the way they were meant to go.
So, long story short...I personally am hopeful that we have the next Miss Missouri America coming out of our humble small town of Houston, MO. I am also very thankful that Ms. Shelby has selected our organization, CASA, as one that is close to her heart.
Did I mention that she is a Kappa Alpah Theta at TCU? Um, I am not familiar with a lot of sororities, but I DO know that my best friend Trish is a KAT from Ole Miss and that they support CASA on a nationwide scale. Seriously!? I know of ONE sorority really well. What are the odds?
So, hopefully, we will be able to partner with Ms. Ringdahl in the near future, share with her what OUR CASA's are doing here in Missouri, tell her about the great impact our advocates are having on the lives of children in our area, and then...welcome her back to Southwest Missouri in June as the new Miss Missouri America.
Like I said, I don't believe in coincidences...but I won't ever stand in the way of that which is just meant to be.
Good luck Shelby! Let us know how we can be of support to you and THANK YOU for being a voice for us and the children we serve!
Peace
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
My Soapbox Moment
It is just right for everyone, sometime in life, to have a soapbox moment. For many of us, those moments come a little more often than others. Tonight is the night I am seizing one of those moments.
As most of you know, I am blessed to be the Co-Executive Director ay CASA of Southwest Missouri. CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates. Our mission, simply put, is to give a voice to children who otherwise would not have one. (that is not the ACTUAL mission STATEMENT, but my paraphrase)
Child abuse and neglect is not a socio-economic issue, it crosses all types of race, income, and status. However, it is often characterized to be an issue of those who are economically-challenged; living in poverty. This can be attributed to a number of rationales: drug use, generational neglect and/or abuse, culture, etc. It can also be explained by the lack of opportunity. I say this because if you think about it, if those who are at a higher-socio economic level are faced with an abusive relationship, it is often easier (not that it is in ANY way EASY), but easier to remove oneself or ones family from the abuse. These options are not always available to those at a lower socio-economic level, or if they are, those living in these situations are not aware of the opportunities.
I write all of this to say that abuse and neglect occurs on the north side of town, on the other side of the tracks, those places we 'don't go.' It also occurs just down the street. We are not shielded from these atrocities just because we do not see them. See no evil is not an excuse to not acknowledge its existence. Children are not privied to 'see no evil.' They are many times the victims of abuse and neglect that we, as 'outsiders' refuse to see.
Fortunately, that is where our organization comes in, with the cooperation of people who's jobs are to provide for the best interests of our community's children, our neighbor's children, OUR children. We partner with the Juvenile Justice System, Children's Services, the Child Advocacy Center, the Foster Care Providers, the schools, law enforcement, health officials, and the entire gambit of individuals and groups who take time to care and watch out for the children.
This Sunday, there was a phenomenal story in the Springfield News-Leader about one of our own CASA advocates, Mrs. Jodi Childress-Bowman, who I consider a wonderful individual and friend. It also included a story about a child named Zoe who also had a CASA. These stories were testaments to the work our volunteers and partners do EVERY SINGLE DAY! These volunteers are just people trying to make a difference. These are volunteers who strive daily TO make a difference. That is WHAT THEY DO.
At United Way presentations with Mrs. Autumn Porter, I have shared about a child who was represented by a CASA. They were very young and were in dire need of dental care. The court had ordered that the dental care be received. Upon follow-up, the CASA discovered the care was not received...not because the family or the officers did not care, but there is so much to do on a daily basis to take care of each child that some times things just slip through the cracks. That is NOT how a CASA works. The CASA brought it to the attention of the team and the child's dental needs were met immediately. Without the CASA, the child would have waited longer to receive the needed care, and that is not acceptable in any case. A child who has been abused and/or neglected does not need to be in any more pain than that they have already suffered.
Our system is overwhelmed in Greene County, and that is an understatement. Last September, the number of children in the foster care system reached over 1130! 1130. That is more than half the population of my hometown. That is larger than the size of many high schools in our state...more than many SCHOOL systems. And...to make this a larger reaching problem, there are not enough homes to place our children in our own county. Therefore, there are children from Greene County living across our state. Yes, whether you live in Monett, Willow Springs, Dixon, Greenfield, Houston, Nevada, or Taneyville, you may have a child served by our CASA in your hometown, in your neighborhood, on your street.
Think for a moment. If the number of children in our foster care system numbers 1130, that means that one out of approximately every 200 people in one place in Springfield are victims of REPORTED abuse (not that which goes unreported). So, whether you work at a restaurant, a grocery store, a hospital, or a bank, YOU have seen a victim of child abuse EVERY day, and you probably never knew it. These are our community members, the smallest and most fragile of all. You see them at Target, Macy's, TJMaxx, Michael's, Harter House, Sam's, Casey's, Wal-Mart, the Movie Theatre. We are not immune to this problem. We just don't have it blatantly placed in front of our noses every day.
Maybe we should. Putting it off on someone else, making it someone else's problem allows us to become removed from the problem itself. I have been that person. It was never my issue. It was always for someone else to take care of. Well, frankly, that was a cop out. If nothing else, I should have put my money where my mouth is. I didn't. I allowed others to make the difference that I did not have the time, nor the care to make.
Thank God that time goes by and things change. My eyes have been opened to the sadness that children incur. It is not the happy childhood that I grew up knowing. It was not the Andy Griffith family and community I was blessed to have. It is hell on earth. For those who believe that hell is so much worse than what can be received on earth, that is fine. Just know that the gnashing of teeth and fires of hell for just a moment might be a reprieve from the physical, psychological, and emotional damage and pain that a child can go through on a daily, and sometimes constant basis. I know it is not hell, but that destruction of a childhood is not something of God.
With all of this said, I am so thankful to know that we have so many in our community who constantly reach out to support these children in need. We have some of the best staff, board, and donors in the world at CASA of Southwest Missouri, and I know that our volunteers cannot be matched by anyone else. THAT...I would bet ANY politician $10,000 on (and Lord knows I don't have it to lose...so it is a very safe and sound bet!).
In closing, over the next year, our organization will be campaigning for volunteers and supporters. We will do this by showing "A Year Without CASA." Highlighting what life would be like for a child without and with a CASA. It DOES make a difference.
Over this year, we will have opportunities for you to give of yourself to the children in our community. I know that very few of us have a lot to give, and I will never ask for more of you than you can responsibly do. The amount of money or time is not the point. It is the giving of yourself to others in need. Whether that be through CASA or another worthy cause, just make the difference.
With all of this said, I will share my request for you. Throughout April, CASA will be raising awareness in conjunction with Child Abuse Prevention Month by our "Change for Children - Raising One Million Pennies." This opportunity is to raise awareness for this very real and disturbing issue. The change WE believe in starts with each and every one of us. In addition, we are going to have our annual Run for a Child, which you have probably viewed numerous times on my Facebook page, on April 14th. No, you don't have to run (or walk), though I would LOVE it if you could!
So, two things I do request of you. These are not HUGE commitments, I promise.
First, during April, if you can dig out the CHANGE (or dollars) you find in your couch cushions, in your dresser or junk drawers, in your console, and your pockets...please collect it and bring it to our office...or cash it in at the bank or local store and send a check (it could be for $0.57...it IS the thought that counts). Help us reach our goal of ONE MILLION PENNIES. We are welcoming churches, banks, organizations, schools, and anyone else who is interested to collect their change to help be agents for change. Those pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, bills, checks, and credit cards add up! Everyone can do this! Just send you change to CASA of Southwest Missouri, PO Box 14364, Springfield, MO 65814 ATTN: Change for Children.
Secondly, my personal plea is for the Run for a Child. I am personally fundraising for this as well. My goal is to raise $2000 before the 14th of April. I know it is a lofty goal. But...with 718 friends on Facebook, I am hoping that it is not that lofty. Therefore, I am asking for this. Please consider that for $4.80 a week you can help provide all of the training materials for a CASA volunteer. For $19.23 a week you can provide a CASA for a child...in their entirety! So...I am not asking you to make a year commitment. I am not even asking for a month. Just consider a week. If you can donate $4.80 and we have 51 friends who do that as well...we have provided training materials for a CASA volunteer. If you can donate $19.23 and we can get 51 people to do that as well...that would be ONE NEW CASA to help abused and neglected children. If you can do more, that is wonderful and I thank you in advance...but EVERY dollar counts and each contribution no matter WHAT the amount helps us make a difference.
You don't have to make a donation on your own. Ask your friends, your family to help make a difference. Go to our Run for a Child website at http://www.ozarkraces.com/fundraising/fundraise.aspx?event=10011&fundraiser=4811. Click on Donate now and help us advocate for the children.
I will be posting for the next month and a half and hope that you will find it in your heart and in your pocket to help make a difference, no matter how small, to help the kids! And please, when you are getting out the change, you can TOTALLY keep the pocket lent! :)
Thank you again for each and everyone of your friendships. I am not sure what I would do without such wonderful, compassionate, and caring people in my life. I can only hope that I might be able to make a difference in the lives of others in the way each of you do in mine.
God bless.
Peace.
As most of you know, I am blessed to be the Co-Executive Director ay CASA of Southwest Missouri. CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates. Our mission, simply put, is to give a voice to children who otherwise would not have one. (that is not the ACTUAL mission STATEMENT, but my paraphrase)
Child abuse and neglect is not a socio-economic issue, it crosses all types of race, income, and status. However, it is often characterized to be an issue of those who are economically-challenged; living in poverty. This can be attributed to a number of rationales: drug use, generational neglect and/or abuse, culture, etc. It can also be explained by the lack of opportunity. I say this because if you think about it, if those who are at a higher-socio economic level are faced with an abusive relationship, it is often easier (not that it is in ANY way EASY), but easier to remove oneself or ones family from the abuse. These options are not always available to those at a lower socio-economic level, or if they are, those living in these situations are not aware of the opportunities.
I write all of this to say that abuse and neglect occurs on the north side of town, on the other side of the tracks, those places we 'don't go.' It also occurs just down the street. We are not shielded from these atrocities just because we do not see them. See no evil is not an excuse to not acknowledge its existence. Children are not privied to 'see no evil.' They are many times the victims of abuse and neglect that we, as 'outsiders' refuse to see.
Fortunately, that is where our organization comes in, with the cooperation of people who's jobs are to provide for the best interests of our community's children, our neighbor's children, OUR children. We partner with the Juvenile Justice System, Children's Services, the Child Advocacy Center, the Foster Care Providers, the schools, law enforcement, health officials, and the entire gambit of individuals and groups who take time to care and watch out for the children.
This Sunday, there was a phenomenal story in the Springfield News-Leader about one of our own CASA advocates, Mrs. Jodi Childress-Bowman, who I consider a wonderful individual and friend. It also included a story about a child named Zoe who also had a CASA. These stories were testaments to the work our volunteers and partners do EVERY SINGLE DAY! These volunteers are just people trying to make a difference. These are volunteers who strive daily TO make a difference. That is WHAT THEY DO.
At United Way presentations with Mrs. Autumn Porter, I have shared about a child who was represented by a CASA. They were very young and were in dire need of dental care. The court had ordered that the dental care be received. Upon follow-up, the CASA discovered the care was not received...not because the family or the officers did not care, but there is so much to do on a daily basis to take care of each child that some times things just slip through the cracks. That is NOT how a CASA works. The CASA brought it to the attention of the team and the child's dental needs were met immediately. Without the CASA, the child would have waited longer to receive the needed care, and that is not acceptable in any case. A child who has been abused and/or neglected does not need to be in any more pain than that they have already suffered.
Our system is overwhelmed in Greene County, and that is an understatement. Last September, the number of children in the foster care system reached over 1130! 1130. That is more than half the population of my hometown. That is larger than the size of many high schools in our state...more than many SCHOOL systems. And...to make this a larger reaching problem, there are not enough homes to place our children in our own county. Therefore, there are children from Greene County living across our state. Yes, whether you live in Monett, Willow Springs, Dixon, Greenfield, Houston, Nevada, or Taneyville, you may have a child served by our CASA in your hometown, in your neighborhood, on your street.
Think for a moment. If the number of children in our foster care system numbers 1130, that means that one out of approximately every 200 people in one place in Springfield are victims of REPORTED abuse (not that which goes unreported). So, whether you work at a restaurant, a grocery store, a hospital, or a bank, YOU have seen a victim of child abuse EVERY day, and you probably never knew it. These are our community members, the smallest and most fragile of all. You see them at Target, Macy's, TJMaxx, Michael's, Harter House, Sam's, Casey's, Wal-Mart, the Movie Theatre. We are not immune to this problem. We just don't have it blatantly placed in front of our noses every day.
Maybe we should. Putting it off on someone else, making it someone else's problem allows us to become removed from the problem itself. I have been that person. It was never my issue. It was always for someone else to take care of. Well, frankly, that was a cop out. If nothing else, I should have put my money where my mouth is. I didn't. I allowed others to make the difference that I did not have the time, nor the care to make.
Thank God that time goes by and things change. My eyes have been opened to the sadness that children incur. It is not the happy childhood that I grew up knowing. It was not the Andy Griffith family and community I was blessed to have. It is hell on earth. For those who believe that hell is so much worse than what can be received on earth, that is fine. Just know that the gnashing of teeth and fires of hell for just a moment might be a reprieve from the physical, psychological, and emotional damage and pain that a child can go through on a daily, and sometimes constant basis. I know it is not hell, but that destruction of a childhood is not something of God.
With all of this said, I am so thankful to know that we have so many in our community who constantly reach out to support these children in need. We have some of the best staff, board, and donors in the world at CASA of Southwest Missouri, and I know that our volunteers cannot be matched by anyone else. THAT...I would bet ANY politician $10,000 on (and Lord knows I don't have it to lose...so it is a very safe and sound bet!).
In closing, over the next year, our organization will be campaigning for volunteers and supporters. We will do this by showing "A Year Without CASA." Highlighting what life would be like for a child without and with a CASA. It DOES make a difference.
Over this year, we will have opportunities for you to give of yourself to the children in our community. I know that very few of us have a lot to give, and I will never ask for more of you than you can responsibly do. The amount of money or time is not the point. It is the giving of yourself to others in need. Whether that be through CASA or another worthy cause, just make the difference.
With all of this said, I will share my request for you. Throughout April, CASA will be raising awareness in conjunction with Child Abuse Prevention Month by our "Change for Children - Raising One Million Pennies." This opportunity is to raise awareness for this very real and disturbing issue. The change WE believe in starts with each and every one of us. In addition, we are going to have our annual Run for a Child, which you have probably viewed numerous times on my Facebook page, on April 14th. No, you don't have to run (or walk), though I would LOVE it if you could!
So, two things I do request of you. These are not HUGE commitments, I promise.
First, during April, if you can dig out the CHANGE (or dollars) you find in your couch cushions, in your dresser or junk drawers, in your console, and your pockets...please collect it and bring it to our office...or cash it in at the bank or local store and send a check (it could be for $0.57...it IS the thought that counts). Help us reach our goal of ONE MILLION PENNIES. We are welcoming churches, banks, organizations, schools, and anyone else who is interested to collect their change to help be agents for change. Those pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, bills, checks, and credit cards add up! Everyone can do this! Just send you change to CASA of Southwest Missouri, PO Box 14364, Springfield, MO 65814 ATTN: Change for Children.
Secondly, my personal plea is for the Run for a Child. I am personally fundraising for this as well. My goal is to raise $2000 before the 14th of April. I know it is a lofty goal. But...with 718 friends on Facebook, I am hoping that it is not that lofty. Therefore, I am asking for this. Please consider that for $4.80 a week you can help provide all of the training materials for a CASA volunteer. For $19.23 a week you can provide a CASA for a child...in their entirety! So...I am not asking you to make a year commitment. I am not even asking for a month. Just consider a week. If you can donate $4.80 and we have 51 friends who do that as well...we have provided training materials for a CASA volunteer. If you can donate $19.23 and we can get 51 people to do that as well...that would be ONE NEW CASA to help abused and neglected children. If you can do more, that is wonderful and I thank you in advance...but EVERY dollar counts and each contribution no matter WHAT the amount helps us make a difference.
You don't have to make a donation on your own. Ask your friends, your family to help make a difference. Go to our Run for a Child website at http://www.ozarkraces.com/fundraising/fundraise.aspx?event=10011&fundraiser=4811. Click on Donate now and help us advocate for the children.
I will be posting for the next month and a half and hope that you will find it in your heart and in your pocket to help make a difference, no matter how small, to help the kids! And please, when you are getting out the change, you can TOTALLY keep the pocket lent! :)
Thank you again for each and everyone of your friendships. I am not sure what I would do without such wonderful, compassionate, and caring people in my life. I can only hope that I might be able to make a difference in the lives of others in the way each of you do in mine.
God bless.
Peace.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
It’s such a small, small world.
I am not sure I can say this enough. Being from a small, small town (well, not uber small, but 2,000 people small) you get used to everyone knowing everyone. Then, when you move to a bigger town, or city, you expect that to change. Wrong.
I, personally, have no problem with the world being small. It gives it the feeling of a close-knit community in my opinion, and I love that.
Case in point. I was looking at a post from a friend on facebook, who moved to LA recently. He was talking about going to dinner. The waiter (who was also their roommate) happened to have a name that seems OH SO familiar to me. So…as any good small-town native would do…I looked him up. Sure enough, I knew who it was. My previous neighbors, from a few years ago, who I had become good friends with, had a brother who I had met a few times. He was the waiter/roommate. Seriously?! That is in LA people. What are the chances?
It doesn’t end there. Working at CASA, I have had the pleasure of getting to know a wonderful couple of guys who have been together for a number of years. When I first friended them on facebook I had no clue, really, who they were…just that they were very nice and that we had similar commonalities. Then, talking to one of my best friends, she said, “Oh my God! Do you remember a few years ago, when my friend and I thought that one of our friends hung out with these guys a lot and we wondered if they were together?” I said that I recalled that. “Those two guys are the ones we were talking about. We know them and think they are great!” Seriously?? I wander upon two people through work that I have had conversations about in the past? Odd.
Then, this morning, my friend Kat is telling me about a night she went out a few months ago and was talking to this fellow. She hadn’t put two and two together until she was looking through her phone last night. He had entered his number in the phone and she realized it was a guy who I had become friends with…NEVER connecting the dots. Two separate worlds, two separate experiences, one commonality.
It just goes to show something, that we all need to remember. When we meet people, when we see others, they are probably not strangers…even though we might initially think as much. We, especially here in the Ozarks, but actually on the even larger scale, are often interconnected with each other in many ways. It is likely you have talked about that person, shared a story with a friend about that person, or have an extra one degree of separation with that person.
So…my point of reason is: It is a small world. We are all connected in some way. Treat everybody as such.
Have a wonderful day everyone! Enjoy a most beautiful Saturday!
Peace.
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