A Fundraising Challenge, too!!!
part of: www.adriansbirthdaychallenge.com
In addition to a physical challenge, I am also undertaking a fundraising challenge. Yes, I get to do all of this fun stuff on my birthday, but I also wanted to attract some attention and much needed money to a good cause....
The goal is to reach 100 people who graciously donate $24 each to the Nashville Rescue Mission via this page. The Rescue Mission provides food, clothing and shelter to homeless persons in Nashville. In addition, they offer life-recovery programs, Family Life Center for women with children, GED classes, medical services, and traveler's aid for those in need.
Why should you donate?
- Your donation of $24 provides a warm and hearty meal - and even more - for approximately 13 people.
- Together, all of us will be able to provide 1,250 meals to Nashvillians.
- You have $24 (or $5, $10, or $50) that you don't know what to do with! ( you can donate anonymously, too)
- It's tax deductible!! You can offset some of your excessive profits from the stock market for 2008.
- You need some good karma to start off '09!
- You forgot to get me a Christmas and/or birthday present!
Why homelessness?
Although I've never been "officially" homeless, I did have the opportunity to live on the streets of Washington DC for 48 hours as a part of the "Urban Plunge" - a program designed to simulate homelessness. While I had the companionship of two friends, it was still a struggle to ask for change, wait in line at food kitchens, and find a wam, dry place to sleep. In eating, sleeping, and living with other homeless persons, I saw their human side that we often overlook when hustling down the sidewalk to avoid giving change. That human side is just like you and me - no different - and it seeks a chance to make a better life. We, as fortunate persons, have a responsibility to foster that chance.
(The photo to the left is when our group worked with Street Sense - D.C.'s homeless newspaper - which gives homeless individuals a chance to earn money and develop job skills.)
Why the Rescue Mission?
I've worked with some great people at the Rescue Mission who run a comprehensive organization with a passion for helping. Being local to Nashville, it is important to support this organization because they help many around us and, who knows, with soaring joblessness, maybe even me and you.
According to the Nashville Rescue Mission, it takes only $1.92 to provide a meal to a homeless man, women or child. But did you know that meal has the power to change a life? A person shows up at the Nashville Rescue Mission hungry and searching for a hot nutritious meal, and what they find is an opportunity to join the Mission's life-recovery programs and a path that ultimately leads to a way off the streets. Not only does your donation show homeless persons that people still care, it can result in another life restored and produces another contributing member of our community.
A member of the Rescue Mission once said: “At my lowest point, I ended up living under a bridge. I was this clean-cut corporate guy, and I could not believe I had fallen that far. I was living scared, pacing back and forth and sometimes not eating for two weeks. I was just so worn out that one night I said, please Lord, don’t let me wake up.”
Another gentleman: “I have never done drugs or lived under a bridge. After the loss of my job and a string of health issues, the hard reality of not being able to pay my bills delivered me to the Nashville Rescue Mission. They provided me with a meal and a place to stay until I was able to get back on my feet. I am so grateful.”
Feel free to visit the Nashville Rescue Mission's website to learn more: https://www.nashvillerescuemission.org/
Thank you for visiting. I truly hope for you to be a part of this collective difference. And even if you cannot (I forgive you!) but, please pass this site along to someone else who you think might enjoy it.
Love and respect,
Adrian