five dollars

Yesterday I was greeted at my PO Box by a little envelope. I was especially taken by this envelope for a few reasons. First, the name on the sweet return address label with the a flower on it was unfamiliar. Secondly, the Bart Simpson stamp. I admit, I'm a sucker for the Simpson's. There's just something about that cartoon family, especially Bart that I feel connected to. I'm smiling just thinking about them and their wonderful, loving dysfunction. Last but not least was the underside of the envelope. The flap was securely closed by moistening the glue in some way but an extra step of adding a two inch strip of scotch tape across the pointy end as to insure added security showed me how important this envelope was to the person who was sending it. I opened the envelope to reveal a check with a donation of five dollars made out to Each One for US All.

Now keep in mind, I never heard of the name on the envelope before, I searched high and low for connections to it but didn't find a thing. I can only imagine who these kind folks are that chose to contribute something to a cause they somehow found out about. Judging from what I have, the envelope and the donation itself, I couldn't help but conjure up an image of who they are. You know when you've heard about someone you never met or talk to someone on the phone without seeing a face? You can't help but imagine what they look like. So in my head is my vision of who they are and more importantly what they chose to do.

No matter what they look like, what they have or where they're from is really irrelevant to me. For me, it's the act of caring that inspires. To take the time to write a check, address an envelope and pop it in the mail for the benefit of someone less fortunate shows that these folks have wisdom. The wisdom to know that no matter what your situation is or what you are living without, there's always someone somewhere in worse shape than you.

It's funny, a year ago I would've never imagined being so inspired by five dollars. I might not know what their faces look like but I can see the size of their hearts and I thank them for reminding me what this is all about.

DD

i'm just going to say it

Each One for US All needs your help in adding some new members to our existing Board of Directors. Don't think you can help?? I KNOW YOU CAN.
Everybody has a connection or two that demonstrates the characteristics of a born leader. It could be a family member, a co-worker, a neighbor. There is someone in your life that inspires you to action. Not because you have to, because you want to.
Think about the people you know that seem to know everyone in your community or your industry. The people that draw you in and have that way of making you take note of the things they are saying. The folks who get things done no matter how impossible the task may seem.
Do you volunteer for another organization? Who was the person that got you involved? Maybe they would be interested. Are you close to a high profile individual or someone involved in philanthropy?

Maybe the person is staring back at you in the mirror. Do you believe in what Each One for US All has set out to do? Do you think you can inspire others to get involved in our cause and support the organization?

If you think you are connected to someone who fits the bill or if you think you're that someone, please let me know. I'm always looking for the input of others to make this the organization everything I know it can be.

There it is,,, I said it.

DD

a night of change

A founder of a nonprofit organization walks into a bar with twenty balloons in one hand and a basket containing a bird house and a duck in the other,,, the bartender says.....

Each One for US All has officially put its first fund-raising event in the books. The night was filled with friends, food and most of all FUN, all for a great cause, to support others in need. The Pines Tavern of Bristol, PA was the backdrop for the event, owned by my good friend and neighbor Larry Warren. Larry along with his entire staff made sure all were taken care of and provided me with some much needed stress reduction as the start of the event drew closer. Larry has a way of doing that, he's one of those positive forces you're lucky to stumble upon. Never does he have a bad word to say about anything and his relaxed demeanor just rubs off on you and sets you at ease.

We had some great support from local businesses and friends around the area who were kind enough to donate some fantastic items for our silent auction. We received sports memorabilia from the Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles, gift cards from local shops and restaurants, beautiful jewelry and a last minute guitar which took in the largest donation of the night. (Thank you Jim Donahue, for reaching out and for your generosity, the SVK Les Paul was beautiful, I owe you one my friend.)
We topped off the evening with a 50/50 drawing that the winner donated back to Each One without hesitation (Cary, Steve said it best, you are a mensch.)

A Saturday night of fun combined with awareness that raises money for others in need is a success as far as I'm concerned. What I take from it is what inspires me most. As people, we do want to help others, it's our nature. I thank all of you who joined in on inspiring me once again by showing how we are there for each other.

DD

believe

I have a lot of respect for the individuals before me and standing with me who have made the decision to do something different. Something new and uncharted, something to shake things up. To pluck an idea from nothing and make it a reality could possibly be the most draining thing one can put themselves through. To lay it on the line and not waiver from your convictions sets you up to be seen differently. Some don't understand it and never will. Others give you that smile and tell you how they will help, just to forget about their promise the moment you walk away. Then there are some you truly touch and they show it for no other reason but belief in what you're trying to accomplish.

To believe is not a new concept but something I feel strongly about. People generally have a belief of some sort that they run their lives by. It may be religious or based on an experience but it usually guides them through their day-to-day lives and lives in the background of their every thought and decision. I can remember years ago shouting "BELIEVE"! from the bleachers at my oldest daughters softball games. I saw how the players were empowered to forge ahead and to accomplish what they may have thought was lost. They embraced the word and the thought and incorporated it on T-Shirts and signs and chants from the dugout. It brought a feeling of power that kept their chins up. Still coaching with my son and my youngest daughter today, I still shout that word because I feel without it you can't accomplish a thing.

The dreamers of yesterday inspire me today and part of their legacy will be their belief in making a change. As much as I am thankful for the people who confirm my belief with belief of their own, I am just as thankful for the ones who don't. These are the folks that continue to make me think and question my own beliefs. It brings me back to my reasons and my convictions and furthers my belief in making others believe.
Believe it,,, or not.

DD

september, friends and a coffee mug

When September rolls around it usually brings a few things to mind for me. The end of summer, football season (GO EAGLES!!!), Green Day, (thanks Billy Joe) and back to school. Wednesday night our school district hosted Back to School Night and I ran into a fellow baseball coach I hadn't seen since the beginning of summer. We stood in the hallway amongst the elementary school projects catching up on things. Talked about the kids and fall baseball and as always, work. Part of the reason we fell out of touch was our mode of communication. We, like many out there tended to only use email, this works fine until your email no longer exists. I explained the change which naturally led to the question, "So, what are you doing now?" "I am developing a non-profit for disaster relief", I replied. Suddenly, that all to familiar look came over his face,,, "Uh,,, how does one go about doing something like that?" I answered my usual way, "It's a long process but I have great support backing me up along the way" An easy reply to set my friends mind at ease. Fact is, the details of this venture are staggering.

I was up very late Wednesday night, thinking about the question posed to me and what I'm working on everyday. The research, the marketing, the details of the business plan. Building a Board of Directors, prospecting for a funding base, not to mention, the stress of keeping my family afloat as I follow this dream. I could go on and on but here's the deal. I AM NO DIFFERENT THAN ANYONE ELSE WHO HAD OR HAS A DREAM. I have the same excitement of building something with all the fears that comes along with it. I try to recognize my weaknesses and look for guidance from those who can turn them into strengths. I am driven but what I've seen and learned and the coffee mug that fuels my caffeine fix everyday pictured above, says it all. (thank you very much Gandhi)

If you see that change is needed,,,,, it's has to start somewhere. We all have the power, we just have to unleash it.

DD

P.S. September is also known as NPM or National Preparedness Month, check out the site developed by FEMA and Citizens Corps to better prepare ourselves, our children and our businesses for just about anything - http://www.ready.gov/