Another Father's Day Donation

     Those who've been reading my blog regularly may remember that for Father's Day, my son Ben gave me a gift card for the organization JustGive.org.  This organization serves as somewhat of a clearinghouse to marshall funds to literally thousands of different non-profits throughout the world.  I redeem the gift card by designating all or a portion of the card to be applied to any non-profit(s) that I choose.  Last month, I used half of the gift card amount to make a contribution to the amazing organization that helps support the homeless through running programs - BackOnMyFeet.org.  Tonight, I decided to use the remainder of that gift card.

     This time I chose as my recipient, Literacy Volunteers of Burlington County. It's hard for most of us to imagine (myself certainly included) what it would be like not to be able to read.  Almost every thing we do involves some degree of reading.  I admire those who devote their time to helping to teach others to read, as the impact they can have on changing lives is direct and significant.  It's an area I'd like to look into more to explore how I could become a teacher. In the meantime, though, I at least have made a donation to help them do their important work.

An Easy Way to Help

     Awhile ago, I wrote about the website, Freerice.com.  This is one of so many websites that make it easier than ever to make a difference - right from your own home and computer.  The founders have two goals:  to educate people and to end hunger.  All you have to do is go on to the site and take part in any number of quizzes on different topics.  They're fun to do.  For every correct answer you get, they'll donate 10 grains of rice.  The money to pay for the rice comes from sponsors who advertise on the site.

     Tonight, I was able to donate 1000 grains of rice to help feed hungry people.  When helping becomes this easy, it's hard to think of an excuse for not doing more.

A Round of Golf

     As I mentioned in yesterday's post, my wife and I hosted our annual family reunion this past weekend; and as one might imagine, lots of family have been around over the past week.  My parents have been staying with us, and my sister and her husband have also been in town from Arizona, staying with one of my brothers.  While I'm about the only golfer in my immediate family, my brother-in-law enjoys golf almost as much as I do, so we try to play whenever we're together.

     During the 5-6 days that he's been visiting, we've managed to get out to play 3 times, including today.  It's been my pleasure to host him at my club each of those times.  While it's not inexpensive to do, it's nice to be able to invite a friend (or relative) to enjoy a great round of golf and not have them pay anything.  It truly is one of those times where it's better to give than to receive.  

     I find that trying to keep a strict accounting of who pays for what or trying to make sure that everyone has paid his fair share is tiring and no fun.  It feels much better to be generous and to know that it all evens out in the end.  A great example of this philosophy, on an admittedly small scale, is the way we handle food and snacks at the "halfway house" at our club.  

     Sitting at the counter is a cup with 5 die in it.  Members will typically agree to "roll" to see who pays.  Each member rolls the cup of die and the member who rolls the lowest total number pays for everyone's snacks that day.  No one worries about who got a hot dog and who only got a Powerade.  And no one worries about who paid the last time.  It's much simpler this way, and we all figure that at the end of the year we each will likely have paid for an appropriate amount.  

     In all of these areas, I'd rather err on the side of generosity.

     

Keeping the Flame

     When I was a kid, my family used to participate in an annual family reunion that included 4 or 5 extended families of cousins.  Each year, we'd all get together, rotating the host family among several different houses.  This went on for many years, until my parents took over as semi-permanent hosts at their house in Moorestown.  Roughly 10 years ago, my parents moved to Arizona and the annual family reunion went "dormant" for lack of an appropriate host family and someone to organize it; that is, until we stepped in.

     When my wife and I built a new house in town, one of our goals was to have the kind of home that could serve as a central gathering place for the extended family.  Six years ago, we re-instituted the annual event and have continued to do it since.  Today was the day for this year's edition, attended by more than 50 people.  

     Everyone has come to look forward to the reunions as many of the families never see each other except for this day.  In fact, it occurred to me today that if it weren't for our effort to keep the tradition alive, most of these people wouldn't have any occasion to be with each other.  We even had a professional photographer come to take a group picture of everyone, something last done 30 years ago.  Hosting this each year does take a lot of work (especially for my wife), and it can be costly, but it's certainly worth it.  

Enjoying a Puppet

     Last night, we celebrated my father's 80th birthday (even if it was 3 weeks early!).  We were able to get all five of his children, together will all 5 spouses, and 6 of the 10 grandchildren to come to a surprise dinner we held at Riverton Country Club.  Besides having everyone there, the highlight of the evening was the entertainment.  My good friend, comedian Taylor Mason, performed after dinner and had everyone in stitches.  Among other things, Taylor is a ventriloquist, and at his suggestion, we had a puppet made to look like my father!  See the picture below.  It was definitely a huge hit!

     The puppet was created by a professional in Maryland who makes puppets for showbiz.  Working from pictures that I supplied, he produced a real masterpiece for us that will always be remembered.  Today, I made sure I reached out to him to let him know what a success it was and how much I appreciated his work.  I sent him an e-mail and I also called him.  I'm sure he values the feedback and likes to hear the stories of what happens with his creations.  

     Staying on the theme of appreciation, I also reached out to Taylor Mason as well as my contact at Riverton to let each know of my thankfulness for the job they did.  The evening really couldn't have been better and it was due, in no small part, to the work of a number of different people.  It's important to take the time to share specific and meaningful appreciation when it's well-deserved, as it certainly was here.

     

Gatorade on a Hot Day

     Today was a scorching hot day in NJ (and throughout the country).  After playing golf and running a few errands, I needed to stop and get gas for my car.  As some may know, NJ is one of only 2 states (Oregon being the other) where it's illegal to pump your own gas.  I always feel bad for the gas station attendants who are stuck pumping gas in the worst weather - cold nasty days, rainy days, or brutally hot and humid days like today.  Today I decided to at least make the day a little easier for one of them.

     Just before getting to the gas station where I usually fill up, I stopped at the 7-11 that's right across the street and picked up a cold bottle of Orange Gatorade.  The place where I like to get gas always has friendly workers so I prefer to go there whenever I can.  Sure enough, a very pleasant guy took care of me, and when he was giving me my receipt, I handed him the Gatorade and told him to enjoy it and stay cool.  

     I love these simple little acts of kindness.  They're just a good way of showing that we can all be nice to each other - even to strangers.  There's no additional motive, no expected reward, no recognition.  Just the satisfaction of making someone else's day a little better.

     

Following His Lead

     This afternoon, I finally had the chance to watch the entire 53 minute video that my son Ben had put together from his 11-month mission trip.  Being able to see and hear real footage from the extraordinary places where Ben lived and worked is pretty moving.  It's particularly impactful to see the many children whose lives Ben touched in such a profound way.  Among the most significant of these is the video of his visit to a child in Rwanda who he's actually been sponsoring for several years now.

     Some time ago, through the organization Compassion International, Ben began sponsoring Nshimiyimana, a young boy in Rwanda.  Every month, Ben has ben sending money from his own bank account to make a difference in this boy's life.  When he was in Rwanda this past January, Ben was able to actually visit the child.  Here's a link to the blogpost he wrote about that visit.  It's worth taking a few minutes to read it.

     Anyway, today I got to thinking about the literally millions of children around the world who are just like Nshimiyimana.  Through nothing more than random bad luck, they're born into such extreme poverty and hardship.  Their names and faces seem so distant and unrelated to my life.  And yet, when I see Ben's video it somehow brings them into focus.  If Ben, as a college student, can commit some of his resources to making a difference for these children, then I sure as heck can.  

     Today, I went onto the Compassion International site and made the commitment to sponsor a 7-year old boy in Uganda named John Kigonya.  Within two weeks, I'll be getting a more complete profile with pictures and tips for letter writing, among other information.  I'm excited to be following Ben's lead in this regard.  While the worldwide problem of poverty and its related challenges can seem overwhelming, and sometimes even insurmountable, I can at least make a difference in one person's life.

     

Never Too Much Peanut Butter

     Today was my day to send a care package to my adopted soldier in Afghanistan.  You may remember that in "adopting" him, I committed to sending a care package at least once each month.  Whenever I ask him what he'd like, he reminds me that he could "never have too much peanut butter."  So peanut butter (and a  few other things) it is!

     I went to the store yesterday to pick up various items for the care package.  I bought more peanut butter, some granola bars, a box of Twix candy bars, a large container of powdered lemonade mix, and a few other snacks.  This morning I packed it all into a box, enclosed a note, and headed to the post office to ship it out.  Amazingly, the packages usually seem to arrive at his base within a week, so he should have it by early next week.

     As I was getting ready to send it off, I was thinking about how cool this "adopt a soldier" program is.  It's been six months now that we've been corresponding and I feel like we've become good friends, even though we've never met and were randomly matched as pen pals.  I've invited him to visit and go to an Eagles' game with me this fall when his deployment is over (just under 90 days to go!).  He's a great young man totally dedicated to serving others. 

     I know it means a lot of our soldiers serving overseas when they hear from people at home, and when they know that we support their efforts.  If anyone is interested in adopting your own soldier, I'd encourage you to check out the Soldiers' Angels website.

Another Drive

     This afternoon, I did another one of my rides as part of the American Cancer Society's Road to Recovery program.  As usual, I was given the name and address of the patient, and the time and place of his doctor's appointment.  I called him several days ago to introduce myself and confirm the pickup time.  

     He was waiting for me outside his apartment building when I arrived.  After folding up his walker and stowing it in the backseat, I helped him with the seatbelt and we were on our way.  He was plenty talkative and we conversed the whole way there.  While drivers are taught not to ask about people's diagnoses or treatment, it's OK to engage in whatever conversation people may initiate.  On the ride back home, my client talked a bit about his cancer diagnosis and I was a willing ear.

     Like others I've driven before him, he was tremendously appreciative for the ride and couldn't say enough about how valuable this program is to him and others in his situation.  Partially for that reason, these rides have definitely become among my favorite kindness acts this year.  More so than some of my acts (particularly the anonymous ones, I suppose), I get to really see the impact, on a very personal level, of the work that I'm doing.  That's pretty rewarding.

Get Me to the Church On Time

     I went to church today.  For many people, that wouldn't be a strange statement.  But for me, Jewish by upbringing, and not an active practitioner of any organized religion, it was certainly different.  The reason I went was to support Ben as he gave a talk to the Covenant Presbyterian Church in Cinnaminson, NJ.  

     The pastor of the church, Joel, is a friend of mine with whom I often play golf.  Throughout this past year, we often talked of Ben's overseas mission trip, and I told him that I was sure Ben would love to speak at his church upon his return.  I had Ben connect with Joel and they arranged for this morning to be the day.

     Showing some of the pictures from his trip, Ben did a great job sharing with the congregation his reasons for going as well as the most important lessons he learned during he year abroad.  His talk was clearly well-received as evidenced by the many compliments we heard afterwards.

     For my part, it candidly continues to be a bit weird for me to hear Ben talk of a faith that's so foreign from my (and his) upbringing.  Nevertheless, I support him 100% in pursuing his own passions, wherever they may be.  Going to church today was a sign of that support.