Beth, NC
Having just finished reading Jenn’s book, I immediately went and talked with my 12 year old son. This book inspired and reminded me I need to be a better example! My son and I talked for awhile as to how we can show kindness to others daily by just the little things we say or do and where we want to make an bigger time commitment/ impact in our community. Thank you, Jenn, for reminding me of how giving unselfishly of one’s time and talents can bring change, joy, hope and encouragement to not only the recipient but the giver as well! Your book is a true inspiration. My son is anxious to read it as well!
Candace, NC
Jenn, thank you for giving us the outlet to share our stories. I have known Jenn through social and networking groups for a few years but I always knew her face and smile seeing her in ads for Hood Hargett. I wanted to share one with you and others on how easy it is to not change the channel and to do just something.
My Dad asks me all the time: “If I could pick what my ultimate job would be, what would I pick?”. My answer is always Philanthropist. He always shakes his head and says ‘that isn’t really a job’ but it is to me.
When I turned 30, I made a decision to make my life more positive and to share that with others. I have gone through a lot of tough times myself the past few years but I’ve always held onto that belief no matter how hard things were for me. I’ve found it hardest when I meet new people, gain their friendship and trust and then hear their personal challenges. Everyone really does have problems all the time but all of our situations are different.
I’ve been out of work for a while now but I’ve taken the time to take continuing education courses, volunteer, network, etc. I knew if I stayed home and applied for jobs all day every day, I would lose my mind. I also knew by not being a part of everyday life in this world, my positivity would definitely be challenged.
I’m taking a very difficult class right now and have met some wonderful people, 2 in particular. Somehow I am always drawn to the special people without ever realizing it. I recently learned of the horrible challenges both were dealing with in their lives. I felt like I couldn’t relate but I could understand.
Money is tight for me too and I often worry about how I’m going to pay my bills each month. Unemployment only does so much and I have no idea when it will end. I’m scared of what could be the sudden cut-off when I will have nothing and still may not have a job.
So I thought about what I could do for them. I cleared out my pantry for one. I put together boxes of household supplies for the other. I’m going to talk to the Director of our Program about how I can put together a giving opportunity for them this week.
I asked each to pull their cars up to mine the other night saying I had some stuff for them. When they sw what I had done knowing that I didn’t have much myself, the awe of the moment was silencing. I did what I could and it was more then they could’ve ever asked me for.
It’s rare for someone facing a challenge in their life to ask for life. It’s humiliating to have to ask for help. Don’t wait for them to ask, just listen and think of what you can do. It isn’t always money, but sometimes babysitting, cleaning, doing specialized tasks, or just being a shoulder to cry on without any words.
Be human. Be a good human. Your heart will send the right people to you that you can help in your own way. You will be remembered. But you need to remember as well. An act of goodwill you provide is priceless and likely one you will never forget.
So on the days when you are sad or don’t feel like you’re any good at anything or feel like you’ll never make it in this world, stop and think. I can guarantee you have made a difference to more people than you can ever imagine, some of whom you don’t even know. Just those thoughts will make you smile and you’ll just feel it. YOU are a wonderful person and don’t ever forget that!
Nancy, OH
I am part of the missions committee at our church. This year we have started to assist members in our church. We started by weeding an elderly ladies flower beds. She spent the whole day on her porch while we were there. She was asked several time if she wanted to go in the house but she just kept saying NO. It was the first time I’d seen a smile on her face. Then we started to work on and elderly gentleman’s house. It was litterly falling down around him. We started by replacing his back porch and putting a railing at the front. We also did many other jobs. Then we spent another day fixing his second floor which had a hole in it. He hadn’t shave in months so one of the younger men shaved him and several friend made sure that he got to go out to eat while we were there. The repairs continue. Even one of the members has been back several times to mow his yard. The young man that shaved him the first day goes back every Friday and shaves him. Guess What? I saw him with a smile for the first time in years. What a a little kindness can do. The smiles were all we need to make it full filling for the workers. We have not only made a difference in the lives of two of the people in our church but in return it has made a difference in our lives. And the neighbors’ lives also. The other night one of the reporters for our local paper, who is his neighbor wrote about it. She said that we didn’t need to look far to find someone to help.
Bill, NC
After a phone call today, I find my thoughts dwelling on something not necessarily related to business but just to being a good “Citizen & Person” in general.
Let me ask you a serious question…how many of us truly practice RAK (Random Acts of Kindness)? In this, I mean those acts that have no thought as to what we ourselves might gain but how we can truly bless or benefit another person…
You never know how something you say, an act you do or a kindness shown might affect another person in a positive way…I hope each of us practice this daily. As I write this, I’ve just gotten off the telephone with someone who is about die of cancer which has wrecked his body ( I had no idea of this either) but in the conversation this friend & customer related how much that my staff and I had meant to him and how we often “Lifted Him Up” on some of his darker days…(we had no idea)…
Lets all remember to walk the walk and not just talk the talk…
I wish you a great, blessed and prosperous day….now go practice some RAK!
Sincerely,
Bill Warren
Nancy, OH
I thought that singing in Canton, Ohio was exciting. It doesn’t beat the experience we just had in NYC. 250 voices sang “Sing For The Cure”, words by Pamela Martin and music by different composers. We earned $18,000 for the Susan G. Koman foundation. I guess that we can’t forget that we earned over $12,000 in Canton for the same cause with only 105 voices. It has been something that we can be proud of. The chorus in Canton was the dream of our choir director Christine Allison. She knew what music could do for people and wanted to put a choir together to benefit others. We have been singing together for one year and have put on two concerts to benefit the Koman Foundation and The American Heart Ass. In September we will being doing a concert to benefit Juvenile Diabetes. I don’t know what the future will hold for the choir but I know that God is doing great things with us. To view our website go to A Chorus for a Cause. We also have several number on You Tube.
Pamela, NC
This week Charlotte was getting a lot of rain. Great for the grass!! I was headed to work out class when sitting at a stop light at Fairview Road and Randolph Road. I saw a woman walking on the other side of the street without any umbrella. It was raining even harder now. I thought wow that stinks! She must be getting soaked! A minute later I saw her slow down to a car that was also stopped at the red light. Someone handed her out the car window an umbrella!!!!! OMG I really thought what a sincerely kind act that was. It made my heart smile.
Thanks Pam
Kevin, FL
It was during lunch at RMS that i heard the lunch lady tell a girl that she needs 25 cent and so right before she left a told her i have that and so she got herself a lunch for the day.
Cerrin, OH
I picked up the bin basket for 100 book challenge.
Madison, OH
I helped my friend Morgayne when she fell off her bike.
Joe, NC
CHARLOTTE, NC – Carolinas Home Opportunity Fund (CHOF), a subsidiary of Grubb Properties, and Habitat Charlotte are happy to announce the purchase of several homes in the Charlotte area. CHOF, an investment fund purchasing bank-owned, single-family homes, recently went under contract to acquire eight homes in a bulk sale from a local bank. Because four of the new homes did not meet CHOF’s investment criteria, Habitat Charlotte was contacted to see if they would be interested in participating in the purchase. After inspecting the homes and their location, Habitat readily agreed.
CHOF Fund Manager Joe Taylor states, “We contacted Habitat about participating in our bulk purchase because we knew these homes would be of great value to them. A typical four bedroom home costs Habitat Charlotte $85,000 – $90,000 to build. Because of the bulk purchase discount that we negotiated, and the bank’s willingness to let us assign part of the contract for these four homes, Habitat was able to purchase the properties directly from the bank at $55,000 per house, ultimately saving their organization over $100,000 and helping four families achieve home ownership at a significant value. It’s a real win for the neighborhood also by having homeowners occupy the formerly foreclosed and vacant homes.”
Merritt Card, land acquisitions manager of Habitat Charlotte states, “When Joe Taylor of Grubb Properties brought these homes to our attention, it created great interest because we were searching for four bedroom units and to find four units together to be purchased at the same time was truly exciting. After inspection, we did indeed, readily agree to the purchase. I think that closing on four new homes located together at the same closing was certainly historic for the Charlotte Habitat affiliate if not for all Habitat affiliates.”
Habitat Charlotte was able to use a Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) grant from HUD, a federal subsidy targeting neighborhoods with high foreclosures. This allowed Habitat Charlotte to purchase the homes without using any of its capital funds. Habitat Charlotte closed on the homes September 9, 2009 and two new families have already moved in. Several of Grubb Properties employees assisted Habitat Charlotte with improvements to the new homes by building utility sheds.