Day 7 of Gratitude - NeighborLink Donors
31 Days of Gratitude - In an attempt to publicly express my gratitude for the people that have impacted me in some way in 2015, I'm setting out to write one post a day sharing what I appreciate about them or what moment that marked me. Some of these people I know well, some I've only met, and some I'm just getting to know. There is no ranking to these posts and they aren't meant to put anyone on a pedestal. They, like you and I, are imperfect people with their own flaws, some you may have experienced. Despite those flaws, I believe we all need to have our positive characteristics called into light and celebrated. This is that attempt.
I questioned whether this really counts as a post in this gratitude series, but I think it most certainly does. Running a small, grassroots nonprofit for the past 8 years with limited resources can be a pretty isolating and lonely proposition. The reality I've come to realize is that no one is obligated to care about this organization, volunteer with it, or even give up hard earned dollars to support it. As good of work I think we do and my deep personal commitment and conviction for it, it doesn't have to matter to anyone. This realization continues to humble me each year as I wonder how it'll continue. Success is relative and fragile, and if I believe the amount of money raised or the number of projects completed are the most important indicators of success, then its all close to shattering and falling apart. Because it does exist, I'm grateful.
Tonight, we hosted a year-end event called, Neighbors at the Table. It was a celebration and storytelling event where we invited 50 of our friends and supports to join us. Part of the ticket sales helped us fund a furnace project for a neighbor in need. Nothing like enjoying a night out with like-minded people eating great food at a brand new neighborhood restaurant and knowing that it all benefited a neighbor who's been without heat for a year. This is the beauty of the work and the people I get to be around at NeighborLink, and it's fantastic.
People host events, make stained glass feathers, run marathons, do Ironmans, give up their birthdays, and donate large amounts of their personal incomes to fund individual projects as well as keep our lights on at NeighborLink. Every time I think about how we're going to make the next project happen or grow our organization, a group of people are already stepping up and asking me how they can help. God is great that way. It's truly what sustains me as the director. Ordinary people figuring out how to be generous and do extraordinary things with their time, talents, and treasures. I simply get to be the conduit to make this all work.
To the donors of NeighborLink, big and small, $5 - $50,000, business or foundation, athletes, families, and participants, thank you for your support. Beyond finances, it gives me confidence that what I've invested a large part of my life into matters and is relevant.
