December 1, 2012

From Storms to Orphanages—Comments for a Cause Continues!

If I have said it once I have said it a million times. Comments for a Cause has been THE best thing I have done on this blog. Who would have thought I would get so excited every month to reveal how much money we are donating to that cause and how excited I get when I find a new perfect cause!!! I have a list that keeps growing of suggestions that people have given me but sometimes something just pops up that seems right and timely. WCAU-TV's_NBC_10_News'_Hurricane_Sandy_Video_Open_From_Late_October_2012 That was the case with the cause for November. Hurricane Sandy touched so many lives and there are so many people who have suffered in ways that I can not even imagine. Hilary, one of my blogging buddies from Feeling Beachie took a direct hit from the storm and it made it so much more real to me to know someone who was affected. Many organizations have stepped up as always to help the victims and I am happy to announce that because of your comments this month I will be sending $173 to help with hurricane recovery efforts. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I read every single comment and try to respond to all of them.

When I was in North Carolina I had the great pleasure to work at a church with a great congregation of loving individuals. They taught me more than I can tell about unconditional love and compassion. Their impact has ripples and I carry the love that I received from them with me years later. One of these members, John Kennedy, posted on his Facebook page the other day about a project that his 17 year old grandson , Josh, has undertaken and it touched my heart. I knew immediately that this was a perfect Comments for a Cause. Josh's Yolka Project

Josh was adopted when he was 4 1/2 from Kirov Baby Home Orphanage in Kirov, Russia. He has come up with a charity that helps the orphanages in Russia directly called Josh’s Yolka Project that has already raised over $35,000 for the orphanages !!! All this from a 17 year old boy!! His goal for this year is as follows:

This year, my goal is to do even more. Through the help of the Frank Foundation, I have identified two extremely poor orphanages in other Russian regions with significant needs:

Archangelsk Baby House: This orphanage has never had an outdoor playground. Playgrounds are critical for helping these children develop motor skills as well as provide joy and an escape from their daily reality.

Murmansk Orphanage for the Deaf and Blind: This orphange is lacking a safe play area for these special children and needs our help in building an indoor playroom.

Yolka “Christmas” Gifts: Christmas should be a very special time for all children. Once again, I would like to provide gifts for kids at these two orphanages, as well as my orphange in Kirov, for their annual Yolka celebration.

So here we go, folks!! Your chance to join in and make a difference!!! Comment like crazy even if I have nothing of worth to comment on ! Hats off to Josh! Please go to his website at Josh’s Yolka Project to read all about him and his efforts and make a donation of your own if you feel so led!!! Thanks, Grandpa John, for sharing this with me!!! VERY excited!!