It’s July 1st and if you are new to It’s Just Life you may not know about my Comments for a Cause. First of all —Welcome!!! I have gotten a lot of new followers lately and I am thrilled that you are each here!!!!

Each month I select a charity or “cause” to highlight.  During the month for every comment made on any post on my blog (does not even have to be on a post written during that month!) my husband and I will donate 50 cents to that specific charity.  I first started this in April 2011 and it has been hands down the best thing I have done on my blog.  I have learned about many new charities and we have been blessed to donate to a different one each month.  The great thing is that it is all made possible through my readers who take the time to leave comments.  I know it is not always easy and sometimes there are glitches in the system so that is why I really appreciate it. So thank you to each and every one.During June I chose North Iowa Vocational Center (NIVC) because they do so much good in our community and beyond by giving employment training and support services to people with disabilities.  My favorite place to sip coffee is in our library which has a NIVC run coffee shop, Java Works, in the Commons area for all who stop in.  Great coffee and great service –always served with a smile and great conversation.   I am thrilled to be able to announce that we will be making a donation $224.50 to NIVC due to all the great comments this month.

One of the things that Chris and I treasure in our lives are the friendships that we have made and especially those that have stood the test of time.  George Jacobs was one of Chris’s long time friends from his days of growing up in Lima, Ohio. George was our best man in our wedding almost 32 years ago.  Years ago Chris helped George and his wife, Gordon, with their business which at that time was called the Davidson Clergy Center.

Fast forward to November 2013 when we found out that George and Gordon were in an awful automobile accident when a deer collided with their car on the interstate and ended up in the back seat.  Both suffered massive injuries with George’s being more severe as they included traumatic brain injury.  If you want to you can read about their whole journey by clicking on this link that will take you to their CaringBridge site.

Months later they are still going to doctors, therapy and trying to learn to live with their new normal.  It is not easy.  Their son, Tal, has been a huge help and without him I am pretty sure they would have had days when they just wanted to give up.

I was trying to think what charity we could donate to to honor them —a traumatic brain injury group or something like that came to mind and then Chris suggested that we just donate to their business.  That is why I married him–he is brilliant!!!   So that is what we are going to do. This month all of our comments will go to a donation to the Davidson Center for the Professionals.  This is such a wonderful organization whose whole mission is to help professionals maintain positive and healthy lifestyles while maintaining their professional lives. This excerpt taken from their website explains some of the history of the Centre.

Davidson Centre for the Professions was founded as the Davidson Clergy Center in 2003 by a dedicated group of directors who saw a need to build a program for wellness, revitalization, and a reminder of purpose and centering for clergy and church professionals. Co-founders George and Gordon Jacobs brought together an experienced and distinguished panel of counselors, consultants, health and wellness advocates, and spiritual directors to participate in and build a five-day program specifically for those who serve. The program has flourished and has served hundreds of national and international church professionals from many backgrounds.

In 2009, Davidson Clergy Center began development work with the Clergy Health Initiative and Duke Divinity School and expanded their services to include Health Coaching and seminar development for the Clergy Health Initiative. These programs were highly successful, and as development continued within the Clergy Center, an advisory committee came together in 2010 to discuss the expansion of the current clergy program to include those who serve in other professions.

During 2010, an advisory committee of accomplished business executives and consultants passionate about wellness in the workplace, came together to develop Davidson Centre for the Professions, serving those in the professions of law, ministry, medicine, and public service. The Davidson Clergy Center Clergy Program will continue to serve clergy participants; other programs have been developed specifically for attorneys, physicians, public servants (military chaplains, NGO workers), as well as specially designed programs for other groups. In addition, Davidson Centre is dedicated to assimilating the strongest panel of faculty, Professional Coaches, health and fitness consultants, spiritual directors, and administrators to deliver the most comprehensive, unique, and helpful experience available for participants in these professions.

George and Gordon are not up to full capacity yet and my hope and prayer is that that will happen.  In the meantime I would love to be able to send a check to affirm what their business can offer to so many professionals who might find themselves in need of their services. While I know it is a drop in the bucket and will not cover all of their costs it will be an affirmation to them that we believe in them and in what they are doing. Thank you to each one of you for your comments and your unflagging loyalty to doing that on It’s Just Life.  I have always said I have the best readers in the world and I do. Thank you again.