Leading by Example

If you follow me on social media, you already know that my son is currently raising funds for the American Heart Association (AHA). You may have also seen me share other fundraisers or volunteer efforts myself and my children are doing.

If you’re one of those thinking, “Oh no, here she goes again!” I get it.

Honestly, I do. But I really hope you’ll stick with me on this one and hear about why I do this; why my kids do this.

If you’re a heart-centered entrepreneur, then you may already have a big heart for philanthropy. Maybe you even started your business because you wanted to help others. I see you. I thank you for all that you do.

I truly believe that when we give, we receive. And when you serve, you deserve. I try to live this every day and set this example for my children.

This isn’t something my kids do for fame or recognition, or for the prizes. This is something they do because they have experienced first-hand, the joy that can come from helping others.

Months after suffering homelessness and losing everything we owned, I gave my kidney to someone in need, while we were still sleeping on air mattresses and had no furniture in our new home. I wrote about that in my book, which you can find linked here on the site if you have not read it.

My kids watched me give the most precious gift I could give – an organ – when I had nothing in any other tangible way that I could have given to anyone in that moment. I had been broken by life, yet here was an opportunity for me to help save another life. I found HOPE in that. I found PURPOSE in that. I always say that it saved ME as much as it saved my recipient.

My daughter went to NYC on her 16th birthday and handed care baggies out with toiletries and gloves to homeless on the streets when we were not sure where our next meal was going to come from. It humbled her, seeing these people sleeping on the ground and on benches, many of them dirty with no access to clean clothes and showers. We didn’t have much, but we had more than them and she wanted to help.

My son with dyslexia and autism suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) that caused him to struggle in math. He lost his memory, had to learn how to re-tie his shoes, and he forgot all of the previous years’ math so he had no building blocks to go on. He needed extra tutoring, in addition to the therapies his neurologist and neurosurgeon were giving him. The very next year, he did St. Jude’s Math-a-Thon to raise money for kids with cancer.

Sometimes, the best way to help yourself is to help someone else. When you don’t know how you will ever find your smile again, you can give someone else a reason to smile. If you feel like grief will swallow you whole, you can find some meaning in life by helping another.

All too often, we try to fix what is broken inside of us by looking inside ourselves when what we need to do is look around us. Look to our community, our friends, and those who may be suffering. Then find a way to ease some of that suffering – no matter how small – and you will feel the broken parts of you begin to heal.

My kids do this because they know that we are all one big connected community here on Earth and when we help others, we help ourselves.

So, before you roll your eyes or hide that post asking for donations from your feed, think about this. Reflect on how these children are the future of our species.

Before you say, “I don’t have anything to give.” Ask yourself if the real answer is, “I don’t have anything to give for that.”

I know that some people are living on very fixed incomes. I don’t expect anyone to suffer hardship over a fundraiser. I’ve been there. I have a friend right now who lives on $80/month and her rent is $65 of that. If you’re in a tough financial spot, I understand.

But there are still ways you can help. You can share. And not just by hitting that share button and letting it scroll right on by your feed. Take the time to write a little note. Say how you know the person who’s doing the fundraiser. Tell a little story about how it has touched you, or why you’re asking people to help. Take the time.

Isn’t that such a good thing to remember? Take the time.

We just don’t do that enough anymore. What you invest your time and money into shows what you truly care about.

And if you can spare the money this month – even just $10 – it goes to a great cause. It’s all verified. You get a tax receipt. And some employers will even match and double your donation.

You can start by helping this sweet little boy here (seen in the picture holding his favorite painted rock that reads KARMA). He has 2 days left to raise as much money as he can for his school and the AHA. He is stepping out in his community and leading by example. Can you step up and meet him by offering your support?

The Details:

My 1^st grader is doing a fundraiser for the American Heart Association. Our school goal is to raise $5,500 and in addition to helping the American Heart Association, our school can earn free gym equipment. My son had a goal of $500 which he worked hard to make on his own.

He’s only 7, and going door-to-door isn’t allowed (or safe) so that meant asking friends and neighbors we already knew. Calling or writing to his distant family, and sending emails to businesses in the community. He did all of this on his own.

He did get a little help from Mom sharing on her social media, but he did the work for that on his own as well, writing/crafting the posts that would be shared. I’m very proud of him for his efforts, and for beating the number he brought in last year.

His event is tomorrow and his school is still more than $2,000 short of their goal. He wants to try to DOUBLE his donations to help fill the gap for his school. This means $500 more!

We believe the Universe can provide and we’re both stepping out in faith to take some action steps to help this process. That’s why I am offering a special one-time only deal to 5 businesses willing to donate to my son’s fundraiser for the American Heart Association.

We Need 5 Businesses to Step Up!

We are now looking to double it by reaching out to businesses and brands willing to donate/sponsor in exchange for some services from MY business, HeartCenteredCopy.com.

I am looking for 5 businesses/brands willing to donate at least $100 to the fundraiser. Then provide me with your proof of donation and I will do one of the following for you/your business:

1. Write a blog post to promote your business on MY website, then promote that blog post everywhere, including my Twitter following of over 32,000.

2. Write 2 blog posts (up to 800 words) on any topic of your choice for your business/ brand.

3. Create a short 3-email sequence for your list.

You can choose which of these three you would like. Basically, it’s a $100 special, with the money going directly to charity! You get to help a great cause and get a taste of my work. Win-Win-Win for all of us.

You have to act fast, however. His event is tomorrow (Thursday) and all money needs to be collected no later than Friday. If you want in on this deal and to help a great cause, make your donation today and reach out to me about which service you want me to do for you.

About the fundraiser:

Our school is proud to partner with the American Heart Association and participate in Kids Heart Challenge (formerly known as Jump Rope for Heart.) Over the next few weeks, our students will be having fun learning about their heart with our Heart Heros while raising money to help fund lifesaving research. Our school goal is to raise $5,500 and in addition to helping the American Heart Association, our school can earn free gym equipment.

All donations are due on February 8^th and our event days are February 7^th and 8^th! Thank you for helping this great cause! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me anytime!