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Giving has no age limits. Children are naturally altruistic. As well, many families instill the importance of giving back. From a young age we learn to reap enjoyment from life’s small pleasures, and helping others is a definite pleasure.

Today I want to send a BIG THANK YOU to some young philanthropists in the making, the junior varsity and varsity cheer teams at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Las Vegas.

Girls you have a BIG HEART, and right now your efforts to take a global outlook on life are being applauded.

Hugs to you, Lauren Burke, Julia Burton, Abigail Cavizo, Maja Chairez, Maddy Cook, Tatiana DeDera, Olivia Esmurdoc, Allison Galizia, Tatum Garrison, Ariana Jensen, Amanda Jensen, Carleigh Kennelley, Jillian Krueger, Angelina Licos, Lauren Lombardo, Lauren Lopez, Jaizelynn Lubian, Jillian Luthy, Lexi Mancini, Shaleigh Marx, Mia Mendoza, Brooke Pensivy, Sienna Prenger, Krissa Salomone, Brandi Sloane, Steffi Sorrentino, McKenna Tutay, Sophia Vassallo and Georgia VonTobel.

This group of girls ranging from grades 6 to 8, opened their hearts this holiday season and sponsored a girl from St. Elizabeth Girl’s Academy. They recognize the importance of their own education and want the same for a girl their age. With their $240 sponsorship, they are giving a girl the tools needed to become self-reliant. They are giving the gift of education.

The cheer team is giving a hand up in Uganda this holiday season, how about you?

Peace and Love,
Cristen

We are full swing into the holiday season, a time where we reach deep into our pockets to give to those in need, and less fortunate than ourselves. As I was preparing for my own end of year gifts, I came upon some stats that correlate with holiday giving: (Source: Network for Good)

• 30 to 40 percent of one’s annual donations occur the last few weeks of the year.
• 22 percent of all giving happens on December 30-31.
• Giving spikes between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on December 31.

Although making a tax-deductible donation to a charity, yes, offers you a benefit, it also symbolizes your willingness to lend a helping hand to causes near and dear to your heart.

So, as you take time to show thanks for what you have this year, here’s a snapshot of how your hard-earned dollars benefit Hope for Hearts.

1)   On average, 200 girls a year receive a hand-up, not a handout. The rules are stringent at St. Elizabeth Girl’s Academy (SEGA), but the life lessons are forever.

2)   Girls attending the academy are there because they want a better life for themselves like graduate, Ayeni Grace: “I cannot forget to thank St. Elizabeth Girls Home which found me helpless and rescued me from the street, and gave me a new life; a promising future. I also thank whoever is supporting St. Elizabeth.”

3)   SEGA’s program teaches girls life-skills, along with a life-trade so they can support themselves upon graduation like Nassonko Kirabo Annet who found a passion for the hospitality industry and works as a caterer at Best Hotel Busega.

Your tax-deductible gift offers more than just a band-aid. It gives girls an education and a self-sufficient life beyond the orphanage. I know my first year-end check said Hope for Hearts, and with confidence I smiled knowing the funds will help build up girls and create more productive souls in our global society.

 

Peace and Love,

Cristen

  My, it’s December already? Where did the year go? We are in the midst of the holiday season, and we are all busy cramming in our final year-end needs. Whether it’s navigating school finals, the waves of business, or balancing both worlds, life can get a little hectic.

Stop. Take a moment, a deep breath and look around. The holidays are a time to appreciate and celebrate our family, friends, clients, and acquaintances; even complete strangers.  It’s a time for traditions, gratitude and reflection. I also believe the holidays are a time for re-invigoration and inspiration.

So as I was pinning away some cool holiday ideas to share with you, I discovered Pinterest’s 30 days of Pinspiration, where each day a highlighted pinner gets to share what inspiration means to them. The boards so far have been engaging, and so I went pin happy sharing these inspirations. Make sure to check out our pin boards where you will find many bursts of inspiration to get you through the holidays.

You know my inspiration is my family, my faith, and my girls at St. Elizabeth. December is a month of inspiration and Pinspiration. I want to hear your stories, who or what has inspired you and why?

Peace and Love,

Cristen

  1 Thessalonians 5:18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

I know we are thankful everyday for our family and friends. Yet as life gets busy and throws us curve balls, we sometimes place our gratitude on the back-burner.

So on the eve of this Thanksgiving 2012, let’s celebrate the greatness of our gifts we hold so precious in our life.

Today, as I prepare the family for Thanksgiving, a family that I love so dearly, a family that actively and passionately joins me to fight for girls thousands of miles from us. For that, I am so thankful. My wonderful husband and five children: they are my rock, my motivation.

I am thankful for God bringing Father Mugagga into my life. For without him, I would have never known about the girls at St. Elizabeth. It brings me much joy in hearing their laughter and the unconditional love they sent my way in our brief encounter last fall.

My friends who support me in my drive to reach my hands around the globe to give a girl an upstart to her dreams. My friends have always been there for me and for that I am thankful.

St. Elizabeth would not be buzzing with the expansion of its campus, without our wonderful donors, who are the backbone to carrying on our mission. Much more work is ahead, but you are the reason we are able to continue to give girls a hand up.

There is so much more to be thankful for and I will share them around the Thanksgiving table with my loved ones. I encourage you to share your thankfulness, right here in the comments, around the dinner table or privately.

Wherever your Thanksgiving travels take you, enjoy.

Peace and Love,

Cristen

 

We should give all year long. Giving should not be a question; it should be an action, from a simple act of kindness to a life-changing donation.

The past few weeks social media has been buzzing with this hashtag, #GivingTuesday. Why all the fuss about an upcoming Tuesday, twelve days from now on November 27? Because the fuss of the holiday weighs so heavily on Cyber Monday and Black Friday, billions of dollars are spent between shopping and advertising.

Giving Tuesday is a campaign of the people. The concept was conceived through 92Y and the United Nations foundation, and birthed by many advisors hosting discussions about the best way to make Giving Tuesday happen, which is through people like you and me.

The challenge: people everywhere will come together with one common purpose, to launch a movement of philanthropic giving, create a moment in time where the spirit of giving not only raises billions, but impacts billions.

Giving Tuesday is a call for action to celebrate giving and encourage people to give more, give better, and give smarter during the holiday season.

I plan to shine the spotlight on our sponsor a girl program. When you choose to donate to Hope for Hearts, you are choosing to give to girls who are working hard to improve their marketable skills, a hand up and help out. Everyday at St. Elizabeth these girls diligently progress their skill level so when they exit the program, they become contributing members of society.

How can you participate in Giving Tuesday?

As an individual you can:

• Get your family involved. Until November 27, empty pocket change and grab the piggy bank money. Make it a goal to sponsor more than one girl, $240.
• Challenge your co-workers to skip the “extras” through Giving Tuesday. Take the money you would have spent on coffee, candy and cocktails, and make it a goal to sponsor more than two girls, $480.
• Gather your friends and neighbors. Have a potluck lunch or cocktail party. Feature a silent auction where you bid on attendees and/or their kids who will donate a service such as cutting grass, scooping dog poop, washing dishes, folding clothes, etc…Make it a goal to sponsor more than four girls, $960. 

Click here for more ideas for individuals.

As a business owner you can:

• Give employees day off to volunteer service to their favorite charity.
• Offer to match a percentage that employees give on that day. Make it a goal to sponsor 10 girls, $2,400.
• Donate a percentage of sales on November 27. Make it a goal to sponsor 15 girls, $3,600.

Click here for more ideas for your business.

Let’s create a moment on November 27, a moment that will carry on past the holidays. Whether we choose to open our wallets and give, or spend time volunteering, join Hope for Hearts in spreading the word. @Hope4HeartsOrg give a hand up on #GivingTuesday. Give more, give smarter, give girls the tools to become self-reliant.

 

Peace and Love,

 

Cristen