If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one. — Mother Teresa Luckily for the children and families in the Casper, Wyoming area, Wyoming Food for Thought feeds more than one. As one of our Humanitarian Giving Initiatives, they were able to provide food bags to hungry children. With every purchase you made through See Beautiful that supported WFFT, you helped to feed a child for a weekend. That may not sound like a lot, but for children who don’t have enough to eat, it is everything. Here’s a great shot of the food bags ready to be delivered.  We are so pleased to share these kind words from our friends at Wyoming Food for Thought: Wyoming Food for Thought Project exists, first and foremost, to feed our children. But equally as important as nourishing little bodies, our food bags serve as a reminder that these children have not been forgotten. And what more powerful way to show them they are valued than a project supported by strangers across the country through partnership in See Beautiful's Giving Initiatives? The food funded by the See Beautiful Giving Initiative creates real change in our students' lives, allowing them to reach milestones in school, and in their personal lives. Thank you to everyone who supported WFFT, and of course, thank you to Wyoming Food for Thought Project for all of their hard work. For an added dose of inspiration, read more testimonials from our funded partners. AuthorJannan Poppen, Giving Coordinator
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If the thought of making and delivering a meal to a friend or family member in need is overwhelming, you’re not alone. Most days getting dinner on the table for your own family is more than enough, so adding a second dinner into the mix might instill a sense of panic. Don’t panic. Here’s the perfect meal as well as a few tips to make it as easy as can be.  Photo courtesy of Unsplash Veggie Chili4 tsp olive oil 1 medium butternut squash, peeled and diced 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced 1 medium onion, diced 3 tbsp chili powder (or more to taste) 1 28 oz. can tomatoes 1 4 oz. can green chiles 1 cup vegetable broth ¼ tsp salt 2 15 oz. cans black beans, drained and rinsed ¼ cup chopped cilantro Sour Cream or Yogurt for topping
Thank you to my mother-in-law for providing this recipe. Why is this the perfect recipe? It’s vegetarian and gluten free but is still hearty. It reheats well and feeds a crowd. It’s healthy and delicious. It’s versatile. You can add in cornbread, or pasta, or rice, some avocado, and you have a full meal. And you can throw it in the crockpot in the morning and not think about it (just cook for 6-8 hours on low). If this just isn’t happening, it’s totally fine! There are plenty of other ways to provide a meal for a family.  Photo courtesy of Unsplash A few more tips...
A little extra effort on your part will go along way to a family going through a challenging time. A home-cooked meal graciously shared provides nourishment beyond a house of full bellies. It can provide comfort in times of stress and uncertainty. It spreads love and compassion. And it lets someone you love know you care. What are your go-to recipes to share with friends and family in need? What’s your favorite meal you’ve received from others? Share away in the comments! AuthorJannan Poppen, Giving Coordinator Can you imagine giving away fifty percent or more of your income? For most people, this is totally unrealistic, because...bills. But, for the mega-wealthy, (aka billionaires), even if they give away ninety-nine percent of their wealth, they are still a millionaire ten times over. This is the idea behind the Giving Pledge. The world’s super rich commit to giving away a lot of money to do good in the world. Despite the fact that committing to the Giving Pledge may not actually change these folks’ lives at all, it’s still a huge commitment. It's interesting to think about the reasons why someone would make this pledge and where they find their giving spirit. Every person or family that joins the pledge submits a letter stating their reasons or intention in joining. A prevalent them throughout the letters is the reluctance of many people to join initially. As Ted Forstmann stated, “I’ve always believed that you don’t really talk about giving; you just do it.” But, part of the purpose of the pledge is to encourage others to also pledge. By publicly stating one’s intention, the hope is that others will join in as well. This also echoes another theme that emerged, which is that the influence of others often profoundly impacted an individual’s propensity to give. Whether it was parents, a teacher, a mentor, or a friend, many of these individuals had great examples in their lives of what it means to give. I think this further demonstrates the above point as well as the nature of giving in general. We all give in our own way, but one of the strong messages the Giving Pledge sends is don’t be afraid to share with others that giving matters and that it’s important to you as an individual or family. The act of sharing on its own may just change someone else’s life.  Here are ten great quotes from the letters from individuals that committed to giving away the vast majority of their fortunes. "It is much easier to be generous if you have more than you need, so this is not a difficult thing for us to do. That said, I don’t think being charitable is innate. In my experience, it is learned from the examples of others." - Bill Ackman "Fortunately, early on in my life I realised that personal ‘stuff’ really didn’t matter. Joan and I lived on a houseboat and one day it sank. We realised that we missed nothing except our treasured photo albums. Later our house in London caught fire, destroying everything inside. Last year our home in the British Virgin Islands was completely gutted as a result of a lightning strike. We were so relieved that everyone got out safely that even the loss of photo albums and notebooks were of little consequence. ‘Stuff’ really is not what brings happiness. Family, friends, good health and the satisfaction that comes from making a positive difference are what really matters." - Richard Branson "Making a difference in people’s lives—and seeing it with your own eyes—is perhaps the most satisfying thing you’ll ever do. If you want to fully enjoy life—give. And if you want to do something for your children and show how much you love them, the single best thing—by far—is to support organizations that will create a better world for them and their children." -Michael R. Bloomberg "While there is often a defined division between “for profit” and “not for profit” sectors—with for profit focused on making money and not for profit focused on making a difference—our experiences suggest that can be an overly simplistic way of looking at the world. Instead, we first focus on a societal problem or opportunity that needs to be addressed, and then decide the right strategy to achieve the greatest gains. Sometimes that is backing or starting a non-profit organization. Other times, that is backing or starting a business that is focused on doing well while doing good." -Jean and Steve Case "From day one, my parents have been instrumental in instilling in me the ethos of philanthropy, particularly my responsibility as a Muslim to give and care for the less fortunate in our society. Our role as citizens of this world is to truly support the betterment of our society so that future generations and their offspring grow up to live even better lives and strive for even more than they think is possible today." -Mohammed Dewji "Many years ago I asked my young children what two things they needed from their parents. They said ‘food and money.’ I told them ‘roots and wings.’ My goal in pledging 99% of my assets to philanthropy is to help others with roots—food, warmth, shelter, healthcare, education—so they too can have wings." -Judy Faulkner "As human beings, we will carry nothing with us to the other world – the only things we shall take are the good deeds that we accomplish in this world. We are in this world to be tested, and each one of us must grant the fruit of his abilities." -Elie and Susie Horn "But for the vast majority of people who are tirelessly devoted to a particular cause; devoted to making the world a better place - giving is hard. When you’re barely able to pay the bills, every dollar matters. When you’re working around the clock and raising a family, every minute counts. Yet, remarkably, people still find a way to give. Whether it’s writing a check in whatever amount they can afford, or volunteering to serve on a committee, people somehow find a way. It’s this spirit that has always inspired me and my wife, Liz, to give." -Eric Lefkofsky '“In poverty, sustain yourself. In prosperity, help others.” This time-honored philanthropic principle, which has been passed down through generations in China, has given me great motivation and inspiration." -Gensheng Niu "Looking back, if I had to live my life over, there are things I would do differently, but the one thing I would not change is my charitable giving. I’m particularly thankful for my father’s advice to set goals so high that they can’t possibly be achieved during a lifetime and to give help where help is needed most. That inspiration keeps me energized and eager to keep working hard every day on giving back and making the world a better place for generations to come." -Ted Turner Oh, and there’s so many more! Check out the full summary of letters if you want to read more. Where did your giving spirit originate? What inspires you to give? How do you feel about the idea of sharing with others that you give? AuthorJannan Poppen, Giving Coordinator Giving is so much at the heart of See Beautiful, and it truly depends on you. So, we’re excited to share more Giving in Action with you guys. Once a Giving Initiative is funded, good stuff happens, and we want you to be a part of the celebration! Forever We encourages generosity through purposeful play. By providing dolls to children with cancer, Forever We gives those children and their families a way to communicate about what they are going through. The dolls inspire compassion, story sharing, and a spirit of playfulness that is so important for these kids. Here’s a word from Chantel and the team at Forever We about the funded See Beautiful Giving Initiative: Thank you, See Beautiful, for sending so much love our way! We were able to send 50 Forever We huggable companions to kids with cancer at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. There's nothing we love more than connecting kids with cancer and families who care through purposeful play. Our dolls and books represent their experience and engage the community at large in a conversation about kindness and friendship. Despite cancer stories of devastation and loss, we also hear touching stories of beauty in the midst of all that pain. Working with See Beautiful to see more beautiful in the children we serve is the hallmark of our work this year. Thank you for your investment. Forever We See Beautiful.   This act of joy and kindness during what can be such a dark time for families is what See Beautiful is all about. Want to hear from more of our Giving Initiative partners? Check out these amazing testimonials. AuthorJannan Poppen, Giving Coordinator Plant flowers in others’ gardens and your life becomes a bouquet! — Unknown Plant the seed of giving and watch it grow. As spring emerges (well, at least here in the south), this quote reminds us to stop and ask, what are we doing to plant flowers in others’ gardens?  Photo used with permission courtesy of Unsplash We often think that giving has to be grand gesture rather than a kind word, or a giant check rather than a collaboration. When we define giving only as money, we forget that often a helping hand might really be what’s needed. Even a simple act like smiling at a stranger might be what you can give that day. And smiles are beautiful! Practice Random Acts of Kindness A kind note left on a teacher’s desk. Picking up trash in the park. A home cooked meal for your family or a neighbor. The opportunities to share a bit of kindness with those around you are endless. If you need a little inspiration on how to practice kindness in your daily life, we at See Beautiful love the book Kindness Boomerang by our friend Orly Wahba. Kindness Boomerang lays out one simple act a day to make a big difference in the lives of others, as well as our own lives. Because kindness, after all, like a boomerang, always comes back around. Ask How You Can Help Sometimes it’s pretty clear what kind of help is needed for an individual, family, or organization. For example, an organization may have a list on their website of donations needed. Simple enough. But other times, you may know of an individual, family, or organization in need, but you are not sure what would be most helpful. In this case, don’t be afraid to ask. Offer what you can to help.  Photo used with permission courtesy of Unsplash Volunteer This one almost goes without saying, but often, time and attention are the greatest gifts you can deliver. It’s great if you can consistently volunteer, but even helping at a large event every once in awhile counts. Volunteering is also an opportunity to find and share your unique gifts. Check out volunteermatch.org or idealist.org to find the perfect organization or event to offer your time to. Be an Example of Giving to Others This doesn’t mean you need to shout from the rooftop, “Look at me! I give!” But, rather, this means exemplifying a spirit of generosity and helpfulness to others. When others catch wind of your giving spirit, it may inspire those around you to do the same. Children especially are influenced by your actions. One of the best ways to encourage giving in children is do it yourself. Nourish Yourself Sometimes we need to stop and plant flowers in our own garden before tending to other’s gardens. Sometimes we are in such a season of giving, that our soil is depleted. We might begin to feel tired, uninspired, or even resentful. When this happens, you must give to yourself before you can give to others. Don’t forget to regularly check in with yourself and take time to recharge. Do what energizes you. Whether it’s taking a walk in nature, finding time to catch up on your sleep, or finally checking out that yoga class, self care will go along way in getting you back on the path of giving. This list only scratches the surface. How else do you give? Please share your brilliance in the comments below. AuthorJannan Poppen, Giving Coordinator  We have a lot of caregivers, educational stakeholders, and families in our See Beautiful Community. We also have an amazing opportunity for you to get kids involved in an art project that leads to more beautiful for an extraordinary non-profit: Helping Mamas! Short story: Your kid(s) creates a piece of art depicting "A Vision of Unity" and it will be on display at Helping Mama's Art Show!  More details: Helping Mamas is an amazing Atlanta non-profit doing incredible work to empower families and organizations in need. They're hosting an Art Exhibit called: A Vision of Unity. All of the art displayed will be student art work and YOUR kid(s) can create it! The art will be matted by Helping Mama's and on display at their event on Saturday, May 13th at The Hudgens Center for the Arts. Please let us, or Helping Mama's, know if you'd like to participate and we can get you additional details! Visit Helping Mama's invitation HERE. Know a non-profit we should partner with? Tell us about them on our nomination/application page. Inspired by this post and want to spread the word? Share away.... Author: Lydia Criss MaysFounder & Owner, See Beautiful Have you heard of the app Charity Miles? Well, now you have. Charity Miles makes giving to charity about as easy as it possibly can be, especially for you runners, bikers, walkers, and hikers. For every mile you walk or run, 25 cents is donated to a favorite charity. If you bike, it's 10 cents a mile. Yup. It’s really that easy.  Image courtesy of Unsplash You can choose from a list of well-known, hugely impactful charities that are leaders in their respective areas and of course, doing some serious good across a wide range of issues. You can choose an organization that is near and dear to your heart, or pick a different organization every month. Charity Miles also works great if you’re participating in a race or charity walk. You can double your impact and encourage your team to download as well. You can even create a team within the app. So, if you haven’t downloaded Charity Miles, do it. Go ahead. We’ll wait why you download it. Enjoy this cute picture while you download Charity Miles.  Image courtesy of Unsplash Ok, are we good? It’s downloaded? Ok, then. Now, get moving and giving! Have you used Charity Miles? What are some other super easy ways to give that you'd love to share? Let us know in the comments. AuthorJannan Poppen, Giving Coordinator See Beautiful is honored have the opportunity to cross the paths of our amazing partners through our Humanitarian Giving Initiatives. When you purchase through See Beautiful, not only do you get your ethically-sourced, high quality, and great looking product, but you can also rest assured knowing that $5 of that purchase goes directly to organizations or families that are creating more beautiful in the world. And, you get to pick which organization or family that donation goes to. So, what happens once the Giving Initiative is funded? Well, the work certainly doesn’t end there. Our partners are out there living their missions. Every. Single. Day. From supporting the education of schoolchildren, to protecting animals, to caring for a family member, to bringing a smile to the faces of the elderly (and way, way more), the See Beautiful Giving Initiative recipients truly make a difference in the lives of those they touch. The See Beautiful team gets to celebrate the impact of your generosity, but you don’t always see the end result. So, we’ll be sharing more of this Giving in Action with you, so that you can celebrate along with us. To get us started, you might remember Jacob from Love for the Elderly. At age 14, Jacob started Love for the Elderly to bring generations together, and to show our elderly friends and family that folks out there care for them. The See Beautiful Giving Initiative helped launch the Sunshine Box program, and each purchase you made to support Love for the Elderly’s Giving Initiative funded a Sunshine Box for an elderly person. Well, here it is, guys! Watch the joy as Jacob distributes a box. Don’t you love her reaction? Her future's so bright, she’s gotta wear shades, right? Thanks, Jacob and Love for the Elderly, for spreading beautiful and sunshine, and for becoming a part of the See Beautiful family. Here’s what Jacob had to say about the experience of working with See Beautiful through the Giving Initiative: See Beautiful was absolutely amazing in every way! We worked with See Beautiful to raise funds for our Sunshine Box program, which distributes little boxes filled with fun, cute goodies for seniors who deserve a bit of extra sunshine in their day. We're so thrilled that we now have $1500 to use to help build and expand this program. It wouldn't have been possible without the incredible support from the See Beautiful team, who always helped if we had any questions or concerns. Want to hear from more of our Giving Initiative partners? Check out these amazing testimonials. AuthorJannan Poppen, Giving Coordinator The first follower is what transforms a lone nut into a leader. -Derek Sivers Love Grows. And so does giving.  Don’t you adore this reclaimed wood wall hanging? It serves as a daily reminder that the more we love, the more love exists in the world. Love isn’t a finite resource. There is truly no limit. Giving works the same way. It takes that first courageous soul to be willing to give. Whether it’s time, energy, money, or even giving your simple belief in an idea worth believing in, your action can start a movement of giving that snowballs into something immense. With no edges or confines. Watch a movement grow in this great 3-minute Ted Talk by Derek Sivers. And if you don’t start a movement, you’re still giving. And that’s beautiful, too. Do you know an organization or family that could benefit from a See Beautiful Giving Initiative? Follow along, nominate one now, and grow the love. AuthorJannan Poppen, Giving Coordinator Friendship is a sheltering tree. - Samuel Taylor Coleridge The image of the sheltering tree does so perfectly reflect the love and support of a dear friend. It towers over us when we need it. A tree can be a refuge, a protector, and a haven. It provides cover in rain and shade in heat and reminds us of the importance of strong roots. Or, when our roots are wavering, the tree stands firm, holding us up.  Image Courtesy of Unsplash Just as a tree can be all of this, so can a friend. With giving at its core, the See Beautiful community truly exemplifies this definition of friendship. The word support seems to come up over and over when explaining how our Giving Initiatives work. See Beautiful aims to support. To lift up. To reinforce. We try to be a tree to our Giving Initiative recipients. But, also, you are our tree. Today, and everyday, we are grateful for the relationships that See Beautiful has helped to encourage and grow. From the lifelong friendships sparked at a See Beautiful Club meeting, to the partnerships we’ve built through our Humanitarian Giving Initiatives, to the enthusiastic community that supports these initiatives, purchases See Beautiful products, follows us on social media, or is a living example of seeing beautiful, thank you.  Image Courtesy of Jannan Poppen At the risk of sounding too Golden Girls-y, thank you for being a friend. Thank you for supporting the incredible organizations and families with whom See Beautiful has had the honor of partnering. Thank you for being our sheltering tree. AuthorJannan Poppen, Giving Coordinator |
See beautiful in yourself.
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