Hope for Haiti Now

I’ve been watching the benefit show for Hope for Haiti Now, and I am so moved by the outpouring of support from these amazing vocal artists, actors, reporters, and just “regular people” who are participating and offering what they can.

I donated $50 tonight, and $10 the other day via text to 90999.  I feel like it’s the least I can do as a citizen of the human race.  Those Haitian people have been so devastated over the years, and now this terrible earthquake.  As someone who lives in California, where we have suffered through terrible earthquakes, I’ve seen first-hand the damage that they can do.  Of course, I’ve never experienced anything like what’s going on in Haiti.

I feel like we can all do our parts to help, in some way. Even $5, the cost of a fancy coffee, can help. The music from tonight’s benefit concert is available for pre-order on iTunes for $7.99.  I bought it, and I can’t wait to hear it.  I loved the compilation song between Jay-Z, Bono, The Edge & Rihanna called Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour).

Advertisement

Read Full Post »

Overwhelmed and Awestruck

Today has been a truly wonderful day.  It’s also been an emotional day, filled with happiness and a few tears.  I’m pretty wiped out at this point, so I’ll try to keep this brief.

Last night I sent out my fundraising email for TNT.  I followed the directions they gave us and sent the email to everyone I know, including people on Facebook whom I haven’t seen in over 20 years (grammar school & high school friends).  Since I have over 275 friends on Facebook, I was hoping that a few of them would donate a bit of money.  Maybe $10 or so.

I went to bed, and when I awoke this morning, I already had two donations of $25 each.  Then I got to school and I had 3 more.  As the day continued, the funds raised kept growing and growing.  People were extremely generous in their giving.  Overwhelmingly so.

A few times throughout the day, I went to my fundraising page and reread what I had written.  Every time I read the part about my uncle, I get tears in my eyes.  I miss him so much, and he was such an inspiration in my life.  I know he would be so proud of me if he were still here.  You see, my uncle always wanted me to lose weight so that I would be healthier, and I know that he would be so happy at all that I’ve accomplished so far.  I know that when I cross the finish line in May, because I WILL cross it, he’s going to be there with me too.

As the day continued into evening, more donations came in.  I can’t believe the amount people are giving in this economy.  I am so happy that people are willing to support me to reach this challenging goal.  So far today I’ve raised $875.  In ONE day!  I still have a long way to go to get to the minimum goal of $2900, but if I have a few more days like today, I think I can get there.

When they say that TNT will change your life, I thought it was mostly about pushing yourself to your physical limits and then surpassing them.  I had no idea it was also going to be about a renewed sense of the spirit of human generosity and kindness. I have been blown away by so many of my friends, family, and colleagues today that I am humbled and awestruck.

If you’d like to donate, you can click on this link.  Thank you for donating anything you can, if you can.  I appreciate it more than you know.

Read Full Post »