What have you done lately?

9th March, 2011 - Posted by cmwhitten - No Comments

As I travel across the United States, working and showing my designs, I have experienced many recent changes to our way of life – some good and some not.  As I’m sure most people will agree, Americans have had to come to terms with an ever-changing economic landscape – the loss of jobs, plummeting home values, and education cuts, to name a few – that have either affected us directly or have impacted people we know.

But in the midst of all these changes, I have also seen individuals rise up to help address the needs of others — less fortunate people that are just simply trying to survive.
 
One person I know in particular is trying to make a difference: Susan Stern, founder of “My Very Own Dreams.” www.myveryowndreams.com  Susan’s non-profit corporation makes pillowcases for foster and at-risk children and teens. In 2010 she produced more than 2,300 pillowcases and distributed them throughout the United States. When I was speaking to Susan about what she does, it was easy to see what it means to her to provide some modicum of comfort to children in need.  And her particular philanthropy efforts are truly a labor of love.
 
My kids recently had a contest at school – it was called “Pennies for Patients” – during which they collected loose change over a three week period.  They took the money into school each day and added it to the jar. It was a collection program that benefited www.schoolandyouth.org – an organization that raises money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS), the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds life-saving blood cancer research around the world and provides free information and support services.
 
My daughter’s 5th Grade Class won the contest by collecting over $400 in spare change! The total for the entire school was considerably higher.  Both of my kids were not only excited to participate in this fun and worthy challenge but they also learned what it means to care about others.
 
Susan Stern’s enthusiasm to help others is very infectious.  I plan to do more to help my community wherever I can.  In fact, let’s all start paying it forward!  And please remember: no act of kindness is ever too small. 
 
Do any of you have similar stories you’d like to share?  I’d love to hear from you!