As we walked through the door my heart raced and my hands were sweaty. I entered a place that was strange, different, and uncomfortable. It was filled with people who I didn't understand and a task that was daunting and scary. I had vowed at one point in my life that I would never step… Continue reading Can Dancing be a Special Experience?
Tag: impact 52
A Short Drive with a Large Impact
"I would like to get more involved in my community, but I do not have time." "I'm just too busy with life to volunteer." "Life is too hectic for me to make a commitment to volunteering." I hear these words, these thoughts, too often. Each is an actual quote from someone I have talked with… Continue reading A Short Drive with a Large Impact
We are not Saints, We just like to Help
Our very first volunteer experience came on the streets of Fort Wayne. Erica and I donned backpacks and hit the streets to serve the homeless of our city. The experience catapulted Impact 52 into action and led to a year of giving and life-changing lessons. I remember that night very well. I was anxious and… Continue reading We are not Saints, We just like to Help
Creating an Epidemic of Giving: A TEDx Talk
I recently had the honor to share our Impact 52 story during the 2012 installment of TEDx Fort Wayne. This event is a full day session featuring inspirational, educational, and informational talks. This year's theme was "Rethink Fort Wayne." The goal was to challenge attendees to rethink how we view our city, our beliefs, our… Continue reading Creating an Epidemic of Giving: A TEDx Talk
Keeping Pets at Home with Their Families
Our pets are valuable members of our family. We love them, care for them, and spoil them as if they are our children. We, in return, are given the joys of wagging tails, kisses, and endless amounts of unconditional love. As with other family members, our pets are deeply affected by life events and the… Continue reading Keeping Pets at Home with Their Families
Going Ham for Field Day
A tornado. A hurricane. An earthquake. A wildfire. In an instant, life changes. Communities are wiped out and destroyed. Homes and cars are totaled. Telephone poles are splintered in half. Cell phone towers blown over and eliminated. During these natural disasters all forms of communication are interrupted. Communities of people are cut off from the… Continue reading Going Ham for Field Day
No Child Forgotten
For years, I heard Sally Struthers and other celebrities speak about the suffering children in other countries. For only a few cents a day I could sponsor a child and help ensure that he or she was fed a nourishing meal. I will admit that the images of these children were tough to watch and… Continue reading No Child Forgotten
Dinner, Duds, and Great Conversation
When you encounter someone who is sleeping on a sidewalk, covered in filth and tattered clothes, what do you do? What do you think? The common answer in our society is to keep walking, do not make eye contact, and hope that person doesn't follow you. We are afraid that we will put our self… Continue reading Dinner, Duds, and Great Conversation
Learn to Love to Read
I have been blessed to be a reader in the Real Men Read program for the last four years. I shared one of my experiences in our year one, week 19 blog titled "Read and Be a Rock Star". I am a true believer in the title that I used for that post. When you… Continue reading Learn to Love to Read
Participating in Animal Enrichment
I am often asked what parents need to do to get their children active, involved, and excited about volunteering. We have been blessed that our girls have embraced our mission and that they get excited about helping others. The process was not, and will not, be easy. There are, however, things that can be done to… Continue reading Participating in Animal Enrichment
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