Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.
- Leo Buscaglia


Saturday, December 15, 2012

Plenty Still Need Help

     I suppose it's the inevitable nature of the news media that has us focused on a particular disaster . . . until the next one comes along.  At the moment, I'm thinking about those who lost so much as a result of Sandy.  For weeks, that's all we heard about.  Everyone was so focused, with good reason, on providing as much help to those who were suffering as we could.  Eventually though, new issues arise and we tend to forget about those whose suffering continues.  Most recently, the tragedy in Connecticut has grabbed nearly all the headlines, and appropriately so.  However, there are many throughout NJ and NY who continue to struggle from the storm and whose needs have hardly abated.  Today I wanted to do something concrete to help them and to show that they've not been forgotten.
     Wish Upon A Hero is as good a place as exists for connecting people who have very specific needs with those who are willing to help.  I was on the site today and read the story of a family who lost nearly everything and is struggling even to buy food, let alone Christmas gifts, decorations, etc.  Through the site I was able to buy them a gift card to Target and have it sent directly to them.  It won't take care of all their needs, but at least it's a start.
     Many times this year I've talked about this organization that has helped nearly 100,000 people to have their wishes granted.  It's really about strangers helping other strangers for no reason other than that help is needed.  Any time you need a reminder of how good most people really are, despite what you read in the media, spend a few minutes looking at this site.  And while you're there, consider granting someone's wish.

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