Every time I look at this picture, I’m reminded to always finish what you started.

Adam had always noticed Tarec strolling outside a Starbucks in Marin City, Calif. He frequently pondered whether to invite this homeless man to lunch, but always found an excuse not to. One day, feeling lonely and perhaps being what he described as “selfish,” Adam decided to switch off his critical internal voice and asked Tarec, “Do you want to have lunch with me?”

As they bonded over the meal, Adam learned that Tarec, born and raised in Jamaica, moved to the U.S. eight years ago in search of a better life to provide for his family back home. However, Tarec hasn’t had it easy; he’s been living in a tent next to the freeway and was living off of the berries he picked for the past year.

Feeling sympathetic, Adam brought Tarec back to his apartment for a long-needed wash up. Both of them then agreed to work together to help Tarec get back on his feet.

What happened over the next two weeks was life-changing.

Adam took Tarec around to buy new clothes, apply for jobs online and drive him from door-to-door to seek job opportunities. They received a few positive responses, however, most required people to submit job applications online. Sounds easy, right?

Wrong.

Looking at Tarec struggling to fill out his online application struck a chord with Adam as he realized we all take our computer literacy for granted.

“We’ve all heard someone say, ‘Why don’t they just get a job?’ or ‘They’re lazy,’” Adam said. “I saw firsthand how the ‘system’ is set up to fail people like Tarec. There is no way he would have been able to do any of this without my help.”

After multiple phone interviews and an in-person interview, Tarec ultimately landed a job at a Safeway grocery store.

Adam and Tarec’s story didn’t end there.

Landing a job merely marked the beginning of Tarec’s journey. To look presentable, energetic and healthy for work, Tarec needed a better living situation. He felt self-conscious about being homeless and never showed up for work. Days later, he was fired by Safeway.

That’s when Adam learned sometimes it takes more than a job to get out of homelessness.

To provide better living conditions for Tarec, Adam set up a GoFundMe campaign for #TarecsFreshStart that has received media attention and raised more than $16,000 in five months. The goal was to raise enough to cover a year’s worth of rent and basic necessities for Tarec.

Of course, none of this would have been possible without the empowering unity and help of thousands to get Tarec to where he is today.

Back in February, Tarec was eventually able to afford a flight back to Jamaica to visit his family. We’re not sure what the future holds for Tarec, but like what Adam said, “I’m hopeful. And I guess at the end of the day, that’s really all we can be — to just be hopeful.”

Adam urges to “never underestimate the power of compassion and how even a smile can make someone’s day. Inspiring action from others is one of the greatest gifts that has come from sharing Tarec’s story.”

A wonderful example of friendship and love that knows no race, no color, no class and no gender.

Calista Tee is a Go Inspire Go contributor.

The post Man Thought Act was ‘Selfish,’ but Changes Homeless Person’s Life Forever appeared first on Go Inspire Go.

If you know me well, you’d know that I love food and exercise. Yes, I said I love exercising!

One morning, I went to the hotel gym to do my workout and then felt inspired to go on a quick jog around downtown D.C. After about a mile, I realized the demographics around me changed.

I ran through a park and noticed a long line of people waiting to get socks, clothes and warm meals for the homeless. It was cold outside but witnessing this warmed my heart.

I followed my “Aha!” instinct (maybe it’s the journalist in me) and ran back to meet the folks behind the kindness. I was conscious not to mess up their well-oiled operation. I spoke with a couple of people before being introduced to Teanna Jones, who is part of the Alfred Street Baptist Church “A Heart 2 Serve” Homeless Outreach Ministry.

Another “Aha!” hit me. I asked her if I could do a quick interview — a selfie talk if you will — on my phone. She said yes. I silently screamed, “Hallelujah!” This is the magic that ensued. Hold on to your jaw. It’ll drop when you hear how this operation started.

After the shoot, I told Ms. Jones about the heroes I’ve met and documented on my journey with Go Inspire Go. We laughed a lot, connected a lot and “Amen!”-ed a lot.

A group of other volunteers listened in and we all laughed and shared inspiring stories with each other. She let me know how every September their church hosts a “Feed the 5000” event. My heart skipped a beat. Our souls connected. This was divine intervention. I knew instantly that she was a sister from another mister, and that I had made a friend for life.

The moral of the story:

1. Be adventurous and follow your “Aha!” Don’t know what that is? Pay attention to your gut. My gut told me to go on a jog. It told me to stop because I would’ve regretted not finding out what was going on (yes, even though I left the news biz to discover everyday heroes and share their stories years ago, I am still as inquisitive as ever).

2. Be open to serendipity. Instead of thumbing through Facebook or Instagram while walking around (you know you’re guilty like me), look up, look down, look all around. You’ll be surprised by the connections you’ll make with your surroundings and others.

3. Everybody has a power. You don’t have to be rich… (channeling Prince) or famous (channeling Oprah). You just have to care (channeling your inner hero).

Inspired to help? Take action:
1. Learn more about Alfred Street Baptist Church and their “A Heart 2 Serve” Homeless Outreach Ministry.
2. Think about what you enjoy and build upon it by using that hobby or your talents to help others.
3. There is no one right way to give back. Just do it. Still stumped? Share this story. Amen to you!

What can you do?

Onward and upward,
Toan

Follow us: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube.

The post ‘Aha!’ Don’t Miss Out on Life’s Special Moments appeared first on Go Inspire Go.

Every year, instead of making resolutions, I prefer to do two simple things.

First, count my blessings. It may be easier to write them down so you can physically see them. When you do this, you then realize how abundant your life is, no matter the circumstances.

Here’s my list:

1. Most importantly my breath: We all have this to be thankful for
2. Connections to people new and old — this is what we all need to be happy
3. Health, started CrossFit and feeling fit inside and out
4. Community, all of my 90+ volunteers who spend countless hours to bring you this content, my heart is full! Thank you.
5. Simple everyday things: food, shelter, my comfy bed, warm laundry fresh out of the dryer, the faith that I am experiencing exactly what I’m supposed to be going through and am in the perfect place in my life (even though there are challenges, pain and growth) and loved ones who care for me, cry with me and laugh with me. (OK, that’s more than five — but there are so many things to be grateful for!)

I dare you to make a list and check it twice mid-year to see what has blossomed.

Second, time to take action and do one kind thing for someone else!

We all can do one thing TODAY to make someone else’s life better. Yes, YOU have the power to make a difference both big and small.

Last year, my Go Inspire Go team and I had a crazy idea that has manifested ten-fold. Our goal of spotlighting 50 heroes in 50 states has resulted in numerous blessings, miracles and new friendships. We’re so excited to unveil our second hero to you.

This New Year, please count your blessings and do one kind act. Here’s a story that will motivate and inspire you!

Man Loans Homeless Family House for a Year 

Who: Tony Tolbert, UCLA lecturer & attorney
What: Offered homeless woman and her four children home for one year
Where: Los Angeles
Why: Inspired by Tony’s father and family

The Catalyst

Many people we know do not believe or know how they can make a difference. “I don’t have time” or “I don’t have money” are common statements.

It’s refreshing to meet people who seek ways to make a difference. People like Tony Tolbert, a UCLA lecturer and attorney in Los Angeles. Tony read an article that inspired him to think, “What can I do?” and decided to loan his house to a homeless family for one year.

Tony says the seed of generosity was planted early on by his late father, James Tolbert, who always welcomed people (who weren’t friends) to stay in their home. “I don’t remember a time when there wasn’t someone in need, staying in our home.” Tony says the story of Kevin and Hannah Salwen of Atlanta sparked action. The Salwens sold their 6,500 square foot house, downsized to a house half its size, and donated more than $800,000 from the proceeds. They wrote a book and named their project “The Power of Half.”

“It struck a chord, a visceral emotion,” Tony explained. He posed the same challenge to himself that we ask at the end of all of our Go Inspire Go videos and blogs: “What can YOU do?”

Tony’s response will inspire you to ask yourself this question and take action.

 The Act

Tony decided to give his home — no strings attached, to someone in need for a dollar a month. At age 51, Tony moved back with his mom and gave up his home to a homeless woman and her four children for a full year. “I thought he was out of his right mind,” Tony’s mom Marie said emphatically.

The lucky recipient, Felicia Dukes, a single mother of four, couldn’t believe that a stranger could be so generous. Her youngest daughter was one when they were living on the streets. Dukes explained that she fell behind on her bills when she gave birth to her daughter. She turned to Alexandria House, a transitional shelter, but her eldest son, Kima, was unable to live with them because of an age limit. Tony felt Felicia and her family were a great fit because they could live together in his home.

He offered the fully furnished three-bedroom, two-bath home in southwest Los Angeles. “Let this be home for a year,” Tony said. “It’s yours do what you want, decorate it, enjoy your space.”

Tony says this experiment in generosity taught him many life lessons. See how Tony’s gesture taught him and Felicia the real meaning of “home.”

The Ripples

Stories of giving are infectious and so are the ripple effects. Both Tony and Felicia grew personally and spiritually from this experience. We are excited that Felicia is ready mentally and fiscally to move forward. When people heard about Tony’s kind act, they also asked themselves, “What can I do?”

Here are just a few ripples that continue to billow out:
– Felicia and her family have moved out of Tony’s home are now living in an apartment on their own.
– Personal performance coach Orlando Bishop with Align Performance voluntarily meets with Felicia to help her identify and achieve her personal and professional goals.
– A dentist learned about this story and donates dental services to Felicia and her family.
– Charysse Tia Harper, with Xplore the World, was inspired to create a documentary on Tony’s story. Her crew followed Dukes and her family around for a year.

Tony says he will give his home to another homeless family in 2014. He hopes his story will inspire you too. “Most of us want to contribute to something beyond ourselves. Sometimes it requires a reminder that the way we treat people and what we do in the world actually matters,” Tony said.

He hopes even more people will be inspired to give what they can this new year.

“You don’t have to be a billionaire to make a difference.” Tony explained. “We all have something to give to make a contribution to someone else’s life. What we do does matter.”

Yes, YOU matter. YOU can make a difference. The first step is doing something. All big ripples start from a single action. What can YOU do in 2014 to better the world? We hope this story hit home in your heart. We want to hear about it in the comments section.

Meanwhile, we leave you with this quote from the late Nelson Mandela: “As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.”

What can YOU do?!

Take Action
1. Learn more about Alexandria House and support its great work in helping women and children move from a transitional shelter into permanent housing.
2. Consider what you can contribute (time, skills, resources) that might make a difference in someone else’s life.
3. Give or share something (little or big) with someone today.

#   #   #

For more information on our 50/50 campaign, check out our blog: 50 Heroes, 50 States, 1 Inspiring Journey!

Hit share if you care, please share, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube or comment.
Join us & Go Inspire Go…

The post Go Inspire Go 50/50 Hero: L.A. Man Loans Homeless Family House for a Year appeared first on Go Inspire Go.

GIG Social Good Spotlight:
BRIGHT BLESSINGS — Celebrating birthdays and bringing joy to homeless children and their families

What is Bright Blessings?

Bright Blessings is a 100 percent volunteer-led nonprofit organization that brings joy and support to homeless children in the greater Charlotte region of North Carolina. The programs of Bright Blessings serve over 3,000 children in need each year, celebrating birthdays and providing critical care essentials for homeless children and supporting the emergent needs of homeless babies.

What is Bright Blessings’ mission? What big changes is it trying to make?

Bright Blessings’ mission is to celebrate, inspire, and support homeless children, while offering fun and meaningful volunteer opportunities for both adults and youth. Charlotte, North Carolina saw a 36 percent rise in family homelessness in 2010, the second-highest increase among 26 cities studied. In February 2011, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, the second-largest school district in North Carolina and the twentieth-largest in the nation, reported a record 3,564 identified homeless children enrolled in the county’s schools. The programs of Bright Blessings provide positive emotional experiences to homeless children and their families by lifting spirits, boosting confidence, broadening horizons and supporting critical needs.

How is Bright Blessings using its power to help others?

The National Center on Family Homelessness reports that homeless families make up about 1/3 of the total homeless population and approximately 1.6 million children will experience homelessness over the course of a year. Forty-two percent of children in homeless families are under the age of six. Children experiencing homelessness have higher rates of health, emotional, and behavior problems and twice as likely to have learning disabilities as non-homeless children.

Bright Blessings offers two programs, “Bless-A-Birthday” and “Bless-A-Baby,” that bring hope and boost confidence for homeless children ages tots to teens, and offer help for babies starting life when their families struggle with homelessness. Each program incorporates education, enrichment and critical-care needs for the children. These two programs serve over 3,000 homeless children every year.

Bright Blessings began developing a national network in 2009, with pilot affiliate chapters now organizing and under way in multiple cities across the nation.

What inspires Bright Blessings to do this work?

Bright Blessings was founded in 2005 by Amy and John Cervantes of Mint Hill, North Carolina as a family service project to help needy children while instilling a love and commitment for community service in their own children. It began as a monthly birthday party at one homeless shelter and grew into a nonprofit organization that operates numerous programs and supports projects for thousands of homeless children and families across the greater Charlotte region.

When asked what inspires Amy Cervantes, Executive Director and Co-Founder, to do this work, she replied that it was “seeing the impact through the children and families we serve, and hearing the stories from social workers.”

“We cry every week at Bright Blessings — and it’s a mixed bag of emotions because we are touched and happy to know that our programs are having such a positive impact on homeless children, yet we are saddened that so many families are continuing to struggling,” she said.

What is Bright Blessings focusing on now?

Bright Blessings continues to focus on its two core programs, “Bless-A-Birthday” and “Bless-A-Baby”:

Bless-A-Birthday

Shelter Services: This program brings the joy of birthday parties to homeless children ages tots to teens — a first time experience for most — at area shelters while giving them a sense of recognition and value on their special days.

Student Services: Classroom birthday parties are provided anonymously for transient homeless elementary students, and ‘Fit to Celebrate’ backpacks are provided for transient middle and high school students. The school children served through this program are transient; they do not live in area shelters but rather in motels, campgrounds, cars and other difficult situations.

Bless-A-Baby

Hundreds of babies across the greater Charlotte region are born into homelessness every year. Blessing Baskets bring help and hope to needy mothers while providing a healthy and positive start to life for babies living in transient conditions or shelters. Mothers are given a laundry basket filled with new clothing, blankets, food, diapers, baby care supplies and healthcare essentials, along with a few books and gifts to support the tiniest victims of homelessness in our community.

How can GIGSTERS get involved and support Bright Blessings?

Bright Blessings’ current greatest need is support for its Student Services birthday program, due to the rise in number of transient homeless youth it is now serving (approximately 1,400 this year, as compared to 600 last year).

1. Volunteer — Local GIGSTERS can volunteer at Bright Blessings to help prepare supplies and gift package for the kids.

2. Start your own support project — Bright Blessings offers many support projects that can be completed from any location by participants of all ages, including children, from filling treat bags or making ‘goodie gulps’ to preparing bags of hygiene essentials or filling birthday snack bags.  Find detailed project instruction sheets on the Bright Blessings website.

3. Support and bring joy to a homeless child with a monetary sponsorship. There are many levels of sponsorship — $35 will provide one homeless elementary student with a classroom party package for his/her birthday; $50 will provide a ‘Baby Basics’ set for a homeless infant (bottles, bibs, burp cloths, diapers, wipes, and bathing products); $75 will provide treat bags for 25 homeless children living at a shelter; $100 will supply a complete Blessing Basket for one homeless baby; $200 will provide party supplies, craft activities, meal and beverages and a cake for a birthday party at a homeless shelter. Click here to find out how your donation will support Bright Blessings.

The post Bright Blessings — Celebrating Birthdays and Bringing Joy appeared first on Go Inspire Go.

Gretchen bundled up, made hot chocolate and battled the chilly conditions in Downtown Detroit, Michigan to warm up the hearts of the homeless.

Way to go Gretchen — thanks for showing us how simply sweet it is to give a little and get a lot in return.

We hope this video inspires you to do something nice for someone in your community in the next 24 hours.

*Several GIG SPARK participants told me that they witnessed a shift happen inside of them, an indescribable joy that comes with giving with no strings attached.

Gigster: Gretchen Burley
Where: Detroit, Michigan
Spark: Giving hot chocolate to the homeless on a cold winter’s day.
Your Turn: What thoughtful deed would warm the hearts of others? Do it and share with us. We may just share your GIG SPARK video with the world!

FEELING INSPIRED? Join the GIG SPARK movement! Make your own GIG SPARK:

WHAT’S A GIG Spark & CREATE your own!

As a part of GoInspireGo’s mission to inspire our viewers to discover their power, we’ve joined forces with Youth Service America (YSA), Lil’ MDGs and Miley Cyrus’ “Get Ur Good On” to bring you GIG Spark: A Lesson on Compassion.

A “GIG Spark” is a short 1-1:30 minute video that inspires viewers to take action and help others after they’ve watched the video. The video will feature you showing and telling viewers what you want them to do on video. It’s simple, quick and can generate inspiration for others! The goal: a fun, easy way to inspire action.

We’re inviting YOU and your community (school, organization, friends, etc.) to use your passion and creativity to produce a “GIG Spark” and inspire viewers with your story. This is for anyone who can shoot and edit short videos. Get started on a GIG Spark now.

Inspiration can be fun and infectious! We believe in the power of small acts and using technology to crowdsource ideas, capture it on video, spread the word online, and inspire immediate action. We know that people (especially youth) care and want to do something good for others, but just don’t know how. So why not teach compassion to kids and adults in your life? This is a quick way for you to use your power to spark civic engagement and inspire a small ripple of kindness that will create a domino effect…

We can’t wait to see inspiring acts popping up all over the state, country, and world! What can YOU do?

*Follow us on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube

The post GIG SPARK: Sweet Idea! Using Hot Chocolate to Create Compassion appeared first on Go Inspire Go.

With that said, Go Inspire Go is excited to share our first GIG Spark submission. Way to go and thanks Sierra Sanchez for warming our soles and our souls!

Gigster: Sierra Sanchez

Spark: Buying socks for the homeless in San Francisco

Your Turn: It’s simple — buy socks and give them. No strings attached. One of our favorite organizations, Just Give has a list of 35 things you can you to help the homeless. It’s easy, inexpensive, and a good GIG.

We hope this video sparks (and knocks) your socks off:

FEELING INSPIRED? GET INVOLVED! make your own GIG Spark: WHAT’S A GIG Spark?

As a part of Go Inspire Go’s mission to inspire our viewers to discover their power, we’ve joined forces with Youth Service America (YSA), Lil’ MDGs and Miley Cyrus’ “Get Ur Good On” to bring you GIG Spark: A Lesson on Compassion.

A “GIG Spark” is a short 1-1:30 minute video that inspires viewers to take action and help others after they’ve watched the video. The video will feature you showing and telling viewers what you want them to do on video. It’s simple, quick and can generate inspiration for others! The goal: a fun, easy way to inspire action.

We’re inviting YOU and your community (school, organization, friends, etc.) to use your passion and creativity to produce a “GIG Spark” and inspire viewers with your story. This is for anyone who can shoot and edit short videos. Get started on a GIG Spark now.

Inspiration can be fun and infectious! We believe in the power of small acts and using technology to crowdsource ideas, capture it on video, spread the word online, and inspire immediate action. We know that people (especially youth) care and want to do something good for others, but just don’t know how. So why not teach compassion to kids and adults in your life? This is a quick way for you to use your power to spark civic engagement and inspire a small ripple of kindness that will create a domino effect…

We can’t wait to see inspiring acts popping up all over the state, country, and world! What can YOU do?

*Follow us on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube

The post Sparking Kindness with Socks. GIG Spark: Technology + Storytelling = Action appeared first on Go Inspire Go.

Take a close look at the photo of the young lady on my blog — her name is Phoebe Russell. Although I’ve had some amazing teachers in my more than three decades on this earth, I can truly say that Miss Russell is the best teacher I’ve ever had when it comes to the true meaning of “service.” No, nothing is wrong with your eyes and no, this is not a picture of her from way back when she was youthful. Phoebe is 6-years-old. Since meeting her last year, she has taught me a lot about life and about fitting into this world as an “adult.”

I met Phoebe when she was 5-years-old through our friends at the San Francisco Food Bank. I created this video for my inspirational website GoInspireGo.com on her project to feed the hungry.

Phoebe’s mother told me in a way that made me feel humble, “There’s always little things that we can do in our daily life that makes a huge difference for other people. The project started off as a small thing. Phoebe’s taught me, you got to just do it.” That’s when I realized how deep Phoebe’s wisdom was, even at this tender age.

While on the way to school, she saw some homeless people on the street. She became curious. “I was sad,” she told me in timid voice. So she did what kids are good at — she asked questions — which led to a movement that, to this date, has fed about 120,000 people in her community.

“Why do they look so sad?” she inquired inquisitively. “And how do we help them?” Her parents explained that the food bank helps feed hungry people. She became determined to raise money for the food bank by collecting cans, recycling them and cashing them in for money.

Phoebe innocently told me, “It makes me sad because they have no food and shelter. Me my dad and sister would go to whole foods… we would have this big bag of cans and we would turn them in to get money, so I wanted to collect cans.”

With the help of her preschool teacher, Phoebe reached out to her network — during recess, she hand wrote, signed and sent letters to family and friends. Her goal was ambitious — you might say impossible — for a 5-year-old, but then again what do grown-ups know anyway?

To say the project gained momentum is an understatement.

Family, friends, the media shared her story… which led to a ripple effect of giving. Within two months, Phoebe raised $3,736.30. According to the S.F. Food Bank, that’s enough to feed nearly 18,000 people.

The news gets better.

I featured Phoebe’s video on GoInspireGo.com and it went viral immediately, with more than 26,000 viewers from all corners of the world. YouTube comments and emails poured in. Parents, churches and other community groups contacted our team to say they were sharing our blog and video with their children (as bedtime stories) and during sermons and meetings. I could see a shift happening — people were inspired by Phoebe’s actions to act.

Fast-forward six months.

I received an email from Gayle Keck, a media manager at the S.F. Food Bank. The total from Phoebe’s project: $20,202!” That’s enough to feed 90,000 people.

Get ready to keep on smiling… yes, this story does get better.

Go Inspire Go submitted the video to Tyson Foods Hunger Relief Challenge. Phoebe became the “Tyson Hunger All-Star.” A title that comes with a donation of 15 tons of chicken!

That means the S.F. Food Bank is able to feed 120,000 people in the community.

Wow!

This isn’t just a civics lesson to her peers; Phoebe taught us big kids a thing or two, as well.

Tyson’s Ed Nicholson said in his 15-years with the company, Phoebe is the one who left a life-long lasting impression on him. “This is to recognize unlikely people in unlikely places doing extraordinary things. I think Phoebe is one of the most unlikely we’ve run across and perhaps doing one of the most extraordinary things,” Nicholson said, in a voice with so much excitement, I thought he had won the contest.

Paul Ash, executive director of the S.F. Food Bank, was blown away, too. He told me, “We’ve never had someone this young do this much. We certainly have volunteers, come in with parents, but no one so young who moved something along so independently and with such great results.

Little Phoebe taught me some big lessons in life as well.

First off, you don’t have to be rich, famous or even experienced (that’s my nice way of saying old) to give back. Small acts of kindness matter in a big way. It’s amazing to see Phoebe in her “zone” and working in the spirit of service, with only one goal: to help others.

I also learned to unlearn things that we’re told constantly as we “get older.” Just over a year ago, I started my Go Inspire Go project. My mission was to set up a global platform for people to see and share inspiring stories. My vision is for viewers to be inspired to use their own resources and talents to help others.

Along the way, we’ve inspired and empowered people to help those featured through our call to action. (There are links at the end of every story on how they could be a part of the change.)

More than once, I almost put the project on pause because I was constantly inundated with people asking me, “You’re doing what? Okaaay,” and “How are you going to monetize this?” “You need to have a business plan, now.”

I admit, there were times when I felt like giving up. But people sent story ideas my way…which touched the journalist in me. (My parents wanted me to nix the journalism thing and become a doctor — but what old-school Asian parent doesn’t want their children to wear scrubs and make more moola?) That’s when I just started doing what I knew best — connect, inspire and empower people through my stories, which led to the vision of my project.

More than a year later, I am still humbled, amazed and intrigued by the fact that children like Phoebe are uninhibited and just take risks. As you see in the first video link above, kids dance shamelessly, freely and unabashed. Kids believe they’re artists, singers and astronauts.

But what happens to us when we get older?

Aren’t we supposed to get wiser? More connected? How many times have people put up roadblocks on the path to your dreams? How many times have you been told, “You want to be an artist?” or “How are you going to pay your bills?” While these are valid questions I had to ask myself every day as I took on this project, I learned to cut back, ask questions and Rubik’s Cube my opportunities to work for me.

I don’t make a lot of money and still work part-time to work on this project, fueled with hope, passion and compassion.

As I sit here at Starbucks and blog, I wonder how many artists, singers and astronauts out there who “could’ve been,” but were thwarted one way or another?

The world is a big place, we are very small. But the opportunities are vast, limitless — and within our reach.

So with no shame, I’m proud to say, I learned a lot from little Phoebe. Even though it took some imagination, a shift in my thinking to see life through the lens of a 5-year-old. Or as Phoebe corrected me recently, “I’m 6-and-a-half!”

Boy, I’ve got a lot to learn!

Related Stories:
–Four Kindergarteners Inspire 135,000 Meals for the Needy
–A Week of Surprises
–Giving a little, gaining A LOT! Feeding Your Spirit this Holiday Season

The post 6-Year-Old Inspires Movement; 120,000+ Meals Served appeared first on Go Inspire Go.

A WOW update to share with everyone right off the bat: As I write, I am grinning from ear to ear! Just got an email from Gayle Keck, the media spokesperson from the San Francisco Food Bank regarding a story my organization Go Inspire Go produced this year about Phoebe, the 5-year-old girl who raised enough money to feed thousands of people in her community. Phenomenal Phoebe’s goal was to raise $1,000, in the end, she raised 18 times that amount! According to the SF Food Bank, that’s enough to cook a whopping 81,074 meals! Yes, that’s right, 81,074 meals! All thanks to a five-year-old girl who wanted to do what she could to help feed the hungry in her community.

Here’s an excerpt of the exciting e-mail:

Hi Toan:

Happy Holidays!
First off, I’ve got to tell you we just totaled up the donations we’ve gotten from people supporting Phoebe and her cause. It’s up to $18,647!
So thanks again for everything you did to share Phoebe’s story.

And many thanks to GIG for sharing Phoebe’s story with the world!

Wishing you, your family and everyone on your team a very joyous holiday season — and a blockbuster 2010!!!

Big hugs,
Gayle

Here’s the video in case you missed it — Please share!

On another note I just got a call from a Go Inspire Go (GIG) viewer from San Jose. “Lee” told me that during every holiday season she sends a $300 check to CityTeam Ministries, a local charity that collects food and monetary donations to feed the hungry.

After sharing many of our GIG videos throughout the year, Lee would think about what she could do to help others. After months of thinking, she took action: she informed me that this year, GIG’s vision — Every person will be inspired to use their talents and resources to better someone’s life or better their community — moved her to do something. So, she and her co-workers went to the Costco and bought food and organized a free lunch. They asked for a suggested donation of five dollars. At the end of the lunch, they raised $313. So this year, Lee can add this to her original donation, which totals $613!

The goodness keeps on spreading. Lee tells me everyone was so excited about the idea, while mingling over the meal, everyone brainstormed more “lunches” in the coming months to raise money for local charities. Lee and her co-workers originally set out to feed dozens of hungry families in her community — they didn’t realize how this good deed would impact and connect them on so many levels. Now, this small act of kindness will continue to have a bigger impact for those in need as they continue these so-called “service-lunches.”

Here’s an excerpt from her e-mail:

Hi Everyone,
I would like to take this time to thank everyone for all your help and contributions, we were able to collect a total of $313 in donation to CityTeam Ministries from the salad lunch buffet. I sent the letter and check this morning to CityTeam.
This effort was inspired my friend who started the Go Inspire Go website to help inspire people to go out and donate your time and/or money to others, especially in this stressful economic time and season. If you need inspiration this season please check out this website www.goinspirego.com.
Here’s the CitiTeam website for you information. http://www.cityteam.org/sanjose/
Thank you,

Lee

Amazing stuff! This year has been especially rewarding for Go Inspire Go. One year ago, I was laid off from my TV reporting GIG in San Francisco. I asked myself a simple question that has had an immeasurable impact on my life (through the stories, lifelong friends I’ve created through this project) and on this journey of service. My gratitude list exceeded everything I could’ve dreamed for this project in the short nine months of its existence: Being featured on AOL, ABC’s Good Morning America and Yahoo! and being asked by Arianna Huffington to blog about my passion — to inspire people to take action.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping, wrapping gifts and preparing dinners, please stop for a minute — just one minute — and take a deep breath and ask yourself: What can I do?

I promise you, if you seriously sit down and ask yourself this question and put your thoughts into action, your life — your lens — will change in ways you could have never dreamed. When you give a little, you gain a lot more than you’ll ever imagine. No matter how little you have — you’ll realize how much you really have, especially the power to inspire, empower and uplift humanity. Happy holidays!

Simple steps to give this holiday season:

What can you do to make an impact on your community? Like Phoebe and Lee showed us, it doesn’t have to be a BIG project and it doesn’t entail donating a lot of money.

Here are some ideas:
• Before your holiday dinner, can you round up the family to cook and serve meals to the needy at a local homeless shelter? I bet your children will remember this experience more than any gift you’ll give them.
• Gather your friends and sign up as a volunteer group at the Food Bank or your favorite charity and give your time to help someone who is in need.
• Ditch the Christmas gifts, instead, donate to a charity in your friends’ and family’s name.
• Ask around: Is there anyone who needs help in your neighborhood? Is there a kid who needs an old laptop you have lying around? Can you visit an elderly person just to say “Happy Holidays” and offer to mow the lawn.
• Check out our stories on our YouTube page and reach out to donate a few bucks or volunteer your time to their cause.
• Send stories or a donation to Go Inspire Go.

Related Stories:
–6-Year-Old Inspires Movement; 120,000+ Meals Served
–Four Kindergarteners Inspire 135,000 Meals for the Needy
–A Week of Surprises

The post Giving a little, gaining A LOT! Feeding Your Spirit this Holiday Season. appeared first on Go Inspire Go.