It's the little things that make a HUGE difference.
I'm ready to help, are you?
I’m ready to help, are you?
We’ve all done our part by staying home, but now we need to do our part and GIVE back. But where do we even begin to find a way to help, when the entire world has been disrupted and the need is so great?
Let’s ask ourselves one simple question, “What can we collect 50 of? “. It can be any item, big or small. New or used. You goal is to collect and give 50. 50 ANYTHING. An item that would HELP our neighbors, our community, our world.
The question challenges us. It sets a difficult but attainable goal for us to strive for. A goal of 50. But the cool part is that WE get to pick our item. We get to decide who to give it to.
For my husband, it was SOCKS. He loves wearing fun socks. He collected and gave new socks to a men’s shelter. Socks are the least donated but most need item at shelters.
My mom loved the idea of giving TOYS, so she dropped off 50 toys to Dr. Bear’s Closet at Children’s National Hospital. Children get to pick a toy after winning games like BINGO while confined to their hospital bed.
Jars of peanut butter became the goal for my neighbors, Jules 10, Ashton 5, Quinn 4. They collected 102 jars for Nourish Now, a local food bank.
The idea of helping and reaching a goal of 50 has sparked so many FUN and EASY ideas.
"How about those bras ladies?" my girlfriend, Melanie asked. "You know, that bra you never use, that sits in the back of your drawer. Let’s come together to collect and give 50 of them to “I Support the Girls” based in Wheaton, MD. "
Each idea is simple and easy. It connects us and feels SO GOOD. Like Ellen Degenerous Good. It is KINDNESS and GRATITUDE and GIVING and GENEROSITY and LOVE at its finest. It can be addicting because it makes us happy. We’ve found a way to HELP.
In a little over two years, “50's” have been completed by families, neighborhoods, teachers, restaurants and kids. It has grown into a movement. Over 200 projects have been completed, across 10 states, raised thousands of dollars, donated over 10,000 items across many platforms both locally and globally.
It can feel overwhelming, the enormity of the need out there. But remember, your goal is ONLY 50.
If each of us becomes an advocate for one item, one charity, one cause in an increment of 50, we can all accomplish so much.
What will be yours?
Kristen Weinberg
Founder, What's Your 50?
