Day 4 ~ Special Olympics

At 5.30pm, as I left work, I knew that I hadn't achieved my giving goal and there wasn't much time left in the day.

I headed to Publix to pick up a few grocery items. I quickly found the three things I needed and headed for the checkout.

As the total rang up the cashier asked if I wanted to donate to the Special Olympics.  My first thought was 'No' (I generally focus my charitable donations on animal and environmental care and protection). However, I immediately changed my mind when I realised this was my opportunity to give today! So, I said 'Yes, absolutely.'

Day 3 ~ Change to the Homeless

In our town (and maybe yours too) there are people who stand at street junctions asking for money.

Some are individuals, often with a handwritten, cardboard sign letting drivers know they are 'out of work', 'hungry', 'broke', etc. Some even say 'I'm not going to lie. Need $$ for beer.' I don't usually give them money but I have been known to hand them fruit, chips, even a homemade peanut butter sandwich once.

There are also group collections, for exmaple, from the local Fire Department collecting for children; from the Homeless Voice for the homeless; and from teens collecting for new sports team uniforms (hmm, maybe). Again, because I don't really know how the money is being distributed, or whether the advertized recipient will actually recieve my couple of bucks, I usually don't donate anything.

Well, I was stopped at a red light, at a major junction and a gentleman came walking between the cars with his plastic container, which had a faded sign from Homeless Voice asking for donations (also in Spanish). My usual reaction would be to look ahead and not make eye contact, but instead I wound down the window and handed over all the loose change I had. Not much, but, it was something.

The point of this, for me, was to accept that I have enough, so why not give some away. 

Day 2 ~ Post Brunch Clean-up

I belong to a running club, The Greater Fort Lauderdale Road Runners Club. On the first Sunday of the month the group has a brunch following it's run. Runners and walkers bring a breakfast dish to share and it is a great way to socialize and catch up. After the run this weekend, I helped clean up the aftermath. Plenty of paper plates, plastic cutlery and empty food cartons to throw away, and good dishes and pans to be returned to their owners.

Day 1 ~ Little Notes of Gratitude

I love receiving thank you cards. Not only does it tell me that the recipient enjoyed my gift but also felt it deserved their time to sit down and write a message of appreciation. This makes me feel great!

Sadly, I am neglectful when sending thank you cards, and thought it was high time I made the effort to write and mail these little notes of gratitude.

So, today, I wrote one to my boyfriend's father and wife, who gave me a generous and unexpected christmas gift. 

This will definitely be the first of many.

365 Days of Giving

"You make a living by what you get, but you make a life by what you give." Unknown

For 2011 one of my goals is to perform an act of giving every day. It could be something small, like paying the toll for the car behind me. Or something 'big', like volunteering for a day with a charity. I could donate to a cause, or bake cookies for my work colleagues.

Hopefully, these acts of giving will bring a little joy to the recipients.