Giveaway Thursday: Change the World for 10 Bucks
Volunteering has always been an important part of my story. As a child I remember volunteering at community events with my parents. In college, I regularly volunteered with the Wisconsin Alumni Student Board. And, since moving to Nashville, I have volunteered with several organizations, including Mercy Ministries and Thistle Farms.
Today’s giveaway is Change the World for Ten Bucks by Eugenie Harvey, a book about how small actions can make a big impact on the world. Though it is not a faith-based book, it resonated with me so much as a Christian. The bible talks SO much about the importance of being kind, loving your neighbor, etc. and that is the heart of this book. I think Jesus would be a fan. 🙂
Check out this video. I guarantee you will be inspired by Eugenie Harvey and want a copy of this book. (Eugenie spoke this week at the National Conference on Volunteering and Service). After watching it I was like, I NEED that. It is so my heart.
As a mother, I desire to raise Elias to be aware of the world around him and to desire to make a difference. As he gets older, I know we will do our best to demonstrate the importance of kindness and that seemingly simple actions like a “hello” or baking cookies can make a big difference.
Check out the book’s cool site here.
To win one of three copies of the book, tell me a small action you can do or do do to change the world around you.
PLEASE leave your email address in the comments if it is not in your blogger profile. It is frustrating when people win and I have no way of contacting them! Thank you. 🙂
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Twitter me – I’m JessicaNTurner
Twice a year, my husband and I go through our closets and take all the clothes that we didn't wear that season and donate them to charity. I love knowing that other people will get good use out of our unused items, and my husband, who is normally a HUGE pack rat and doesn't like to get rid of anything, is more likely to part with his stuff if he knows that it's not being thrown away, but will be given to someone who really needs, and will appreciate, it. Thanks for thinking of such a great giveaway this week, Jessica! -Kristen (kristen_ng04@yahoo.com)
I am volunteering at a local community center, and reading to the small children there. I figure just because I am a SAHM now doesn't mean I have to let all of my experience as a teacher go to waste!
Thanks for the great book, it looks fantastic!
I have a huge passion for helping new mothers…I have been doing my best to reach out to new moms (whether in our church or my community) and help them in the very TRYING time of new motherhood! We all could use a little help during those times…can I get an AMEN!! 🙂
-Amy
amyjstarnes@gmail.com
My husband & I are currently getting our foster care license in order to help children that are in the state system, hopefully to reunite them with their parents. However, right now there is an 18 month little boy who we will hopefully be fostering & adopting!
Thank you for your blog!
I have a 6th grade, Cadette, Girl Scout troop and we love to volunteer and are alwasy looking for new ideas. I hope to instill the spirit of helping others in them, if nothing else. Thanks, Jessica – Lisa (lmgurley@gmail.com)
This books sounds so neat.
I have been thinking about this exact thing for about a week now. I have millions of books that I have been "saving" for later on down the road when I have children. And let me tell you it is a LONG road! So I have been contemplating bringing them to a local library/donating them to a safe house here in Houston that houses women and children in need of protection from abusive homes. I have a friend that works hand in hand with this home, and I think I could find some books that would be nice to have there. Hmm. The world could be such a better place if we only took the time to do sweet things like this book talks about.
-Kayla Grace
kaylab@me.com
Hi Jess!
I love this post. It is exactly what I have been trying to teach the students at the college I am working at. My job entails creating service projects for them, but it is so much more than that. As an AmeriCorps volunteer my entire job is a volunteer position. When they come to me asking me how to get involved, I tell them just to start. The problems we face can seem big and daunting and you can have a hard time figuring out what come first. I tell them just to dive in. You can do something as small as buying someone who is hungry lunch or cultivating a servants heart by opening doors, smiling, etc. Kindness begets kindness. So, my long winded answer is just to start. Open your eyes. The Lord will begin share with you ways to help. The more you listen the more you will learn and you will be changed.
(jesskbaxter@gmail.com)
Every week I hang out with some of the youth of our city at the youth group our church runs. It's really interesting getting to know them and their stories and see God's hand at work in their lives…
My ministry of late is cooking meals for new families in our church. It may not sound like much, but I myself only got one meal when our sweet daughter was born 3 years ago, so it means alot to me for new families to have some relief during those first few days. I love the idea of the book!
I always try to tip well. Service providers work hard and sometimes don't get paid very much. They can really use the extra cash, so I feel good about giving it. (jmillerkelley@gmail.com)
I volunteer as a photographer for terminally ill children. I have always volunteered in different ways and things. I have a passion for children and people. Always have. As well as animals. I am always rescuing animals on the streets, turtles and birds.
Here in Florida at a huge hospital called Joe DiMaggios's Memorial Hospital, I recently started my very own volunteering organization called "Clicks of Love". I just purchased the domain and waiting on the website to be put together.
Basically what I do by myself at the moment, until this organization grows and I can get more volunteers. I attend the hospital weekly, and or on call. I photograph children and their families of terminal illnesses for FREE. Giving them beautiful images, out of a dark time in their lives. Giving them something that they will always have, when they are losing something so important to them, such as a child. I try to bring a little bit of joy, light and a smile to children and families who are sick, hurting and dying.
And I still don't feel like I do enough. I too also have a soft spot in my heart for single moms. Been there and done that. I help by donating all my baby stuff to Sheridan House Ministries.
I also load up things, clothes and items that we no longer need and donate it to the Christian based organization to help families and people in need, if from home loss, job loss and or the unthinkable such as hurricane disasters.
Our church also a few months back did a pay it forward series. Our church gave out thousands of dollars to the people. Some got envelopes of $1, $5 and $20. Our job was to go out and do something for someone with whatever we got in our envelope.
I got $5, my husband $10 and another friend got $10. I took that and bought some food and items,plus I matched it and I surprised a single mom with groceries for the week.
This books sounds like something that can give me more ideas to keep serving others. God speaks and tells us to think as servants, and to serve others where ever we can.
I come across a lot of opportunities to serve through my job as a high school teacher. Sometimes it is by simply extending grace, a listening ear, or extra time to a child or family in need at the school.
We always try to give out of the abundance that God has blessed us with in this life.
This book sounds like something I could read and put to use myself, then put on my book-sharing shelf at school.
Thanks for the giveaway! 🙂
Wow all of these comments are so inspiring!
I like to think that I change the world each day since I am an elementary school teacher. Other than trying to mold the youngin's I also have a huge passion for being enviromentally friendly. I recycle, use reusable bags at the grocery, turn off lights, turn off the water, use energy efficient light bulbs, plug all of my plugs into a power strip that I turn off when I am not using, and try really hard not to blast the heat in the winter or the AC in the summer.
What a great giveaway! Thanks for the opportunity!
I work for a non-profit Christian radio station and it is an excellent ministry! I love going home each day knowing that I have been a part of something that makes a difference in so many people's lives!
Once a month I get my two daughters together & we enter our pantry & gather things in grocery bags to donate to our church's food ministry that we haven't used or have an over abundance of. I think it's awesome that my kids look in our pantry & say "Mom, we have so much macaroni & cheese (or whatever it may be), don't you think a kid would appreciate it to be donated"?
So that's my story…Did I win? *LOL*
I don't have a blog but I love reading them.
~Christi~
christiluvsbrandon@yahoo.com
My husband and I are both teachers and we volunteer a lot of time with kids (mentoring, after school club, etc). We buy school supplies to make sure kids don't have to go without.
Thanks for sharing about this book!
heididh33@hotmail.com
I'm a youth pastors wife and a mom. I work with a lot of very broken teens and 20-somethings and I try to have them in my home often. As I do my normal housewife things I take advantage of "mama moments" and teach them some of the basic things their mama never taught them (hygiene, laundry, healthy eating, social skill, work ethic, etc) in a way that just feels natural for both them and me.
Hey Jessica, this was the first post of yours that I read, and I got it from you FB status update. The "Change the World" title is what really caught my eye.
I try to change the world on a weekly basis. The DC area is known for its large homeless population. It's quite sad to see that right behind the White House there are homeless people all around. So every Sunday morning I wake up early and cook large amounts of chicken fried rice and I meet up with some friends, who also cook food, bring fruits or make drinks like Coffee and Iced Tea, and we meet at an area called Dupont Circle and we feed the homeless. When we're done at Dupont Circle we go over to McPherson Park, which is a block or 2 behind the White house and we feed some more people.
I've been doing this for the past year or so now and it's a great way to give back to the community as well as give to people that society ignores. Regardless of if I win the book, I thought I'd share my story with you and your readers. Also, if any of your readers are in the DC metro area and are interested in joining us feel free to meet up @ Dupont Circle, where the fountain is, at 10:30 AM every and any Sunday!
Peace.
I help out in my church's youth group as a small group leader. Teengage guys need all the help they can get, and I feel fortunate to have a venue into their wacky lives–and hopefully helping them allow God in, too.
(mgbman11@gmail.com)
This sounds like a great book!
Everyday I always make sure I ask everyone in my family how their day has been. I think it is simple sentences like that that show you care about someone even in their absense.
xxx.
Amazing. Thank you for sharing!!
It's little, but I try and make a point of making eye contact and saying hello to people I pass on the street. I love when I get a hello and a smile back. I also try and just relax instead of rushing around to get everywhere, which means I'm THAT person who lets someone merge ahead of me, or turn in front of me. I try and be patient not only with my own kids and family, but with people I don't know. I want to send the message to my kids that everyone is important and it matters to treat everyone kindly, even people you're "only" talking to in passing. 😉
It's a big responsibility, isn't it? To know you're in charge of teaching one (or in my case, three) very impressionable little people how to interact with people and to treat others with kindness.
(I think my email is included in my profile….but just incase: chattycricket@gmail.com)
I raise money every year for March of Dimes / March for Babies and this year I raised $1300 for the walk – it's a small drop in the bucket but it's a little thing (just emailing friends/family to donate) that I can do to make a difference in the tiniest babies lives.
Every time I take the muni bus, I thank the driver for the ride. Happy drivers make for happy passengers!
Randy Fong. randyfong@aol.com.
I go to Guatemala every August to work with orphans there. I also volunteer at a nursing home/ rehab center once a week. Just giving the elderly something to look forward to once in a while makes a difference. I would love this book to share with others to inspire them in small ways to change the world! (owenjd@lisd.net…I can't remember if it's in my profile or not!)
Hi Jessica!
I recently read a quote from Chris Rock's wife…she said "Service is the rent we pay for life." I love that sentiment. Like you, I have always tried to serve my community and the greater world. I recently became involved with Chicago CARES, a really awesome organization that has LOADS of volunteer opportunities in all types of areas…everything from feeding the hungery to cleaning the local park. There is an abundance of help needed everywhere and voluteering even one hour a month is beneficial. For the readers from Chicago, definitely check out this organization.
Great giveaway, Jessica! I love your blog and I love you! I hope we will cross paths one day again, Schimmers!
love
jessica bloodgood (jessica.bloodgood@gmail.com)
I went into a local eatery in my hometown, purchased 3 gift cards, and told the hostess to deliver to 3 different tables and tell them to have breakfast "on the house" from an anonymous donation. It was so heartwarming to think of what they must have thought about not having to pay for that meal.
I love to help when I can. I have taught my daughter to do the same, weather it be w/ money change or actions!
fellsmeresun at bellsouth dot net
I am working on a plan right now to make birthday cakes for children living in shelters whose families are struggling during these tough economic times. I think its important to celebrate children. 🙂 Truly children are some of the toughest fighters facing the economic challenges.
(leslie.danielle87@gmail.com)
feeed an elderly neighbor- it does not take much to make a little extra and bring it over hot or for lunch the next day so they get a nutriotous hot meal
I like to hand write a thank you note for even simple things that can go unnoticed…like a great haircut recently!
Ashley
indyash6@yahoo.com
The book sounds like a great read! Small acts of kindness often have great impact on others.
legalracie@earthlink.net
My girls and I enjoy any volunteering we can do with the North Texas Food Bank. It is neat to watch them grow into volunteerism!
Pamela in TX
Hi Jessica,
One way I am hoping to make a difference is going to seminary to study counseling, so I can walk alongside children and teenagers going through their parents' divorce, just like my siblings and I had to. It's such a scary and confusing time, and I hope to help them make some sense out of it and come to a point of understanding and forgiveness.
Thanks for your blog! I love checking in every once in awhile.
Melissa in Texas (mitchmel at gmail dot com)
I teach. I make sure that I am involved with my students and know their home life. I listen to them and try to help them find the right road in life. I make sure that I tell them to make me proud when they come back to visit me in the future. I stay in touch with them and encourage them even past their high school careers.
We try to have our daughter go through all of her stuffed animals and donate them to the Salvation Army during Christmas time. They appreciate them and one year she donated 34 animals!!
auntdidi3@hotmail.com
I am donating items all the time to the food pantries in our area. I also pass along clothes and other items to different organizations. Time is always limited to I try to help in little ways.
Thanks!
Jenn
(nebjenn1@yahoo.com)
Wow, the people leaving comments are all amazing and doing great things for others. All would be deserving of the book.
I too enjoy spending time each week doing service. I believe my children are watching me and I hope that they will come to understand that a life of service is a very happy life indeed.
I help out with delivering meals to the Seniors in my small town when I have the chance to. I like it.
jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com
I save and collect from friends those cosmetics holders you get when you buy a special from Lancome or Lauder, etc. Then, when we go to Uganda to work with the widows, I fill them up with goodies like tea bags, soaps, a bible verse, etc. The women are thrilled beyond belief as they are never given such nice little gifts. It is a gift from God to be able to bring a little joy to them.
There are lots of ederely people in my village and I like to take the time to talk to them. It really seems to make their day…mine too.
Taking the time to call or meet up with friends…in real life, no voice mail, email, on the fly cell calls. Genuine one on one time.
In our home there are many things we do: conserve water, recycle (what's available to us), donate old clothes and household items, use cloth shopping bags, pack lunches in plastic containers not baggies. Hopefully this will make the world cleaner and greener for future generations.
Tracy
bzowy@abnorth.com
I smile at everyone I pass, even if it's not reciprocated it makes me feel good.
The kids and I go through all their clothes and toys several times through the year and send things to charity. I think this not helps the people who need the clothes and other items but also my own children who have come to understand that not everyone is as fortunate as they are.
marielay@gmail.com