Making a difference

Making a Difference
We were there to meet people, to make connections, chat. Three hundred business professionals, each with glass in hand, choosing from the tasty canapés that circulated the crowd against a background of soft jazz.

A more different crowd couldn’t be imagined from those that we ended up speaking about, as discussion turned to practical and creative ways to help those who live in poverty, who live on the streets, homeless.

We all agree that giving money to specific and proven Programs helps. But we also agreed that sometimes actions and activities build a necessary energy and momentum around a solution, and that the energy attracts resolution.

Some of the actions that we shared:
o When hearing that clean water to drink was a need for people living on the street, Sharon immediately called water companies seeking donations. To date she has located hundreds and hundreds of cases of water, which is donated directly to those who have this simple and basic need.
o Vivienne and her husband host friends for a meal and conduct an informal fifty-fifty draw, with proceeds going to an organization that works with the homeless. No pressure… but usually the whole pot is donated by the winner.
o Employees volunteer together with an organization, sometimes painting walls, spring cleaning, and sometimes cooking.
o Friends conduct a carwash and donate the proceeds.
o Employees hold a clothing drive.

I reflected, as I left, about the caring hearts of these people. Of how sharing a problem can bring about a creative solution. Of how each one can take one perhaps small, but significant, action and how all together that adds to momentous change for the better. And I realized that people are willing to go beyond their comfort zone to change the world. Sometimes they just need to be shown how.