One hour of your time or a $2 Donation: Does it really matter?

The last two Fridays, a small group of individuals gave up their time to stand at the gift wrapping table at a local Barnes and Noble store. During the holiday season, B & N invites local charities to provide the service of gift wrapping, so the cashiers do not get bogged down.  Customers may choose to make a donation to the charity.  

Last night, I received a text from Laura (our newly appointed board member).  She and her mom spent the entire day at the store and collected a little over $100.  She was grateful.  

Last Friday, you would also have seen Laura and her mom along with another Yes! Grace Rocks, Inc. supporter, Kathleen.  They smiled and greeted customers throughout the day, regardless of whether or not, their gracious overture received any response.

Today, Barnes and Noble customers at the Danbury store (near the mall) will be served by Nancy, Robin, Ray, and Sara and her friend.  This group of volunteers range in age from 16 to 70 and yet they all have one thing in common--service to others.

As the President of the Board of Directors for Yes! Grace Rocks,  I was thinking about the fact that this group will raise approximately $300 for those three days, which in some respects doesn't sound like a lot of money considering the number of hours given. If I added up all the volunteer hours, I would estimate collectively this group gave over 40 hours of their time thereby "earning approximately minimum wage" for YGR.  Americans value time, and one could easily evaluate this event as not worthwhile given the time necessary.  However, if that was my view of this fundraising event, then I missed the true measure completely.  You see, I measure every $ we raise for YGR in terms of the impact it makes on families.  I like to think of our currency, as "Grace Dollars".

So, Kathleen, Karen, Laura, Nancy, Ray, Robin, Sara and friend, let me tell you the impact you made in sacrificing your time during this busy season.

$300 funds one of our $250 high school scholarships and would also provide a $50 gasoline card for a family commuting to a hospital when their child is undergoing treatment for a brain tumor or brain injury.  OR

$300 provides a weekly group music therapy session for a child with his/her peers for one month. Such sessions not only help the child neurologically, but also support social interactions with the peer group since music is the great equalizer. OR

$300 provides 12 families with an unexpected $25 gasoline gift card which doesn't sound like much with the price of gasoline, unless you are driving daily to a rehab hospital to spend time with your child as he/she recovers from brain surgery or if you are driving to several weekly outpatient therapy sessions, then that $25 is a gift.

When we look at donations in terms of "Grace Dollars" then it changes the perspective completely!

So, if you are in need of any gifts, please consider taking a drive TODAY to the Barnes and Noble store in Danbury (near the mall) and stopping at the gift wrapping table and allow our YGR supporters to wrap your gifts in love!  And when the recipient of your gift tears open the wrapping paper, remember your gift wrapping donation turned into "Grace Dollars".

Yes! Grace Rocks, Inc. provides support to families when their child is diagnosed with a brain tumor or brain injury. 

Bringing hope, love and faith to families when they need it the most, YGR was organized exclusively for charitable purposes as a not-for-profit organization. As a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization, your donation is tax deductible.

Visit www.yesgracerocks.org to learn more about this Southbury, CT based organization.