B.O.B.I.'s Business of Bliss & Inspiration

Holiday Hope in a Bag

This week I have been putting together some more Bags of Hope to give out while I'm running around doing my holiday errands.  Since it is the holidays, I have really been trying to (over)STUFF them with loads of goodies and a few extra dollars to let whomever receives one know that they are not forgotten.  Especially since this time of year can be really difficult and depressing for some...even for those of us who are fortunate enough to have our families, our homes and jobs to support them.

Here the stuff is all spread out on my bed because my desk is covered in scrapbooking/album supplies right now and I'm afraid I'd find stuff all stuck together with glue and glitter if I tried to use my desk right now :}  Each bag is filled with a baggie of toiletries (that I've collected from my travels over the summer) along with personal size packages of wet wipes, tissues and a first aid kit.  What you can't see is that I've added a few disposable razors and combs as recommended by the Church guidelines that I've always followed when putting these bags together.  Normally I throw in a bottle of water with a green tea or lemonaid packet to flavor it with...but since I didn't have any on hand...I grabbed some chilled bottles of organic protein as I headed out the door.

Autumn Reflections: Say "Yes" To Being Generous

In this inspiring talk at the NextGen:Charity  conference, Sasha Dichter of the Acumen Fund shares the results of his month-long "Generosity Experiment" on his blog, where he said "yes" to every request for help. 

Note: you may have to open up this post in your browser to view the  video:

WOW...I find Sasha's presentation to be very enlightening when he talks about the general feeling of philanthropists wanting to make  impact investing when it comes to giving these days.  Big bucks means big business no matter how you are spending the money! 

Sasha really grabs my attention when he asks the question..."Is this the smartest way to give?"...when he's talking about giving money to those who beg for it.  "Logic"  takes over for him when it comes to just doing what  "feels"right" because of his position at Acumen where he has been influenced by the  "business of doing business"  attitude.  Where the  "smart thing"  to do would be to give to a homeless shelter in lieu of directly to a homeless person on the street. 

Oh boy...well this week the topic for the Faith Barista JAM is:  Autumn Reflections...reflect on your journey of faith as you enter into the autumn season.   For me autumn is when I ramp up my search for the homeless in my neighborhood, so that I can give out Bags of Hope for them.  Like Sasha, I also have said  "yes"  to generosity and feel like I have made a "direct impact"  on those in my neighborhood.

For me Autumn means cold weather is coming and that's when I really start to worry about the homeless. That would be mainly because I hate the cold weather and I can just imagine their suffering... trying to stay warm.  I do not worry as much about them in the summer because in my opinion (as narrow as it may be...I know ;) it is so much easier to find a spot of shade and, to get out of the heat.  Whereas finding places to keep warn when it gets cold out...not such an easy task!  Combine that with the want/need for warm, comforting foods in the cooler months and it's double misery!

 

Giving out Bags of Hope is my idea of Impact Investing this Autumn...what does that term mean to you?  Share it with us today at the Faith Barista JAM or just leave a comment here if you'd like.

Fondly, Roberta

 

Design Gives Back: Miracle Makeover: Charlie's Room

 
This week for please join us in celebrating life' miracles with Guideposts Magazine's MAGNIFICENT MIRACLE PARTY: August 12-18 with Kelee Katillac and Charlie Grady!

Charlie doesn't let cancer get the best of him. Watch as Guideposts "Inspired Home" expert Kelee Katillac gives him and his family room makeovers that will change their lives!

"Liam Grady, age 8, is Charlie's brother and roommate. Liam is a hoot. Just a total hoot. He is profound, kind, and funny. The challenge with the makeover for Charlie -- who is suffering from brain tumors -- was to make the room about each of their personalities, goals and dreams. All in a 14' x 14' space. The result is a miracle! You will need to be here for the video reveal starting this Friday August 12 to watch it and be inspired. Maybe even laugh and cry -- the good tears -- just a little." -- Kelee Katillac

Design Gives Back™ provides rooms for hope, health and happiness for those in-need. Since 1992, we have facilitated life-changing workshops, community  programs and inspirational makeovers. 

Please join in for another MIRACLE MAKEOVER August 12-18th

Here is how you can help kids like Charlie and someone new to also receive a Miracle Makeover by participating in the Miracle Makeover Blog Party this coming week:

The host for the Miracle Makeover August 12-18 Blog Event is: Design Gives Back™  where the reveal video will be playing. Anytime someone leaves a comment we will donate $1 to Friends of Kids with Cancer or another makeover recipient.

 1 Comment from you = A $1 Donation From Us For Another Miracle Makeover or for Kids w/Cancer

Then share the Miracle Makeover Blog Party with your blog readers, friends, company or organization simply by:

1. Posting or embeding the YouTube video and/or a link to the website OR the video on your blog, company intranet or Facebook. ANYWHERE someone might be inspired!
2. Please ask them to leave comments -- the comments help us raise funds for the charities. DESIGN GIVES BACK provides the money, you provide only comments or posts.
3. The Charlie Grady Miracle Makeover is currently in Guideposts: America's #1 Inspirational Magazine -- 8,000,000 readers. Go to: http://www.guideposts.org/inspirational-stories/room-makeover-brings-hope-sick-boy
4. There will be four other Miracle Makeover bloghosts (three with linky parties) that you can link to as well-- with your post. The comments left at these help earn donations too!
5. Our goal is 5,000 comments or the equivalent across the web.  Together we can do it! We did last year for Colette's Miracle Makeover.
6. If you write a post and let us know via email we will donate an additional $5.00 in your name to our charities!

Last year we raised over $2,000.0 and it felt great being part of such a wonderful blog party, so I was very happy to learn via Kelee Katillac's email that she was hosting another event this year.  Won't you please take the time learn about this wonderful event and please be sure to hop on over to leave a comment be sure to let Kelee know that Roberta sentcha!

Fondly, Roberta

GiveBack: 100 Days of Giving DAILY WINNER!

That's right! Love Shack Giving, the foundation that I created with GiveBack back in April is one of the lucky winners of the new giving campaign, "100 Days of Giving."  WHAT a surprise it was to receive the first email announcing that my foundation was a recipient of a gift of $1,000! 

At first...I didn't believe it and showed my DH the email to make sure that it wasn't spam?

Hi Roberta,

On April 9th you signed up at www.GiveBack.org for our 100 Days of Giving campaign.  I'm excited to say that you've been selected as the winner for Day 96. This means that if you accept we'll put $1000 in your GiveBack account to give away to whatever charity or charities you would like. 

Please confirm ASAP (no later than 3 days, but the sooner the better!) by responding to this email.  If you don't respond in time, you will forfeit the prize and we'll move to the next person on the list.  Confirming means accepting the rules of the 100 Days of Giving, which can be viewed here:

https://www.giveback.org/OneHundredDayRules.aspx

Once you've confirmed, I will provide you with a code that you can redeem  for $1000 in your foundation account.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  We'd also love to know the charities you'll be supporting and why -- it's something we'll share on our site and Facebook wall (but only using your first name and last initial).

Thank you and congratulations!

Regards,

Jared Jaffe

The Aftermath of a Natural Disaster...

Please note that if you are viewing this via email that may need to open this post to watch the following video:

Yep that's what many of us in the United States might think of these living conditions.

That is...that only after a natural disaster...such as Katrina, or the recent string of tornadoes...would we ever find such unbelievable living conditions.

As you may know, this week I am following all of the Compassion Bloggers as they witness and write about the ministry of Compassion International to children living in the Philippines.