Merry Christmas 2009
December 25, 2009 – 2:06 amMerry Christmas!
In the email I sent out to Eric’s Tips subscribers last week, I had promised to give the results of our little fundraiser, so I’ll do that now…
In case you missed it, here’s a recap…
I was on my way to get my oil changed, when I heard a commercial on the radio for Cure International. So I decided: instead of watching TV in the lobby during my OIL CHANGE, maybe I could spend that time to help create REAL CHANGE in a child’s life.
So I sent out a quick email with my idea. I said I would donate 100% of my next commission payment that I received for a particular giveaway that I was promoting.
I never mentioned it in the email, but my goal was to raise at least $250, which would be enough to provide treatment for a child with a clubbed foot.
At first I was a little disappointed because it did not appear that we would meet my goal. But for some reason, the commissions were not paid out that day… it came the next day and was a payment for 3 days worth of commissions.
And when I logged into my Paypal account I was excited to see that the payment I received was EXACTLY $250. Isn’t it cool when stuff works out like that? So I went over to Cure International’s website and made the $250 donation for a clubfoot treatment.
Now, at this point you might be wondering… WHY am I so excited about a mere $250, when in fact Eric’s Tips subscribers have helped me raise tens of thousands of dollars for other good causes?
Here’s why…
That’s one child’s life that will be changed that might otherwise not have been. One child who will now be able to walk normally.
You’ve probably heard the modern “parable of the starfish”, which is adapted from a book by Loren Eiseley…
Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.
One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.
As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.
He came closer still and called out “Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?”
The young man paused, looked up, and replied “Throwing starfish into the ocean.”
“I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?” asked the somewhat startled wise man.
To this, the young man replied, “The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them in, they’ll die.”
Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, “But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can’t possibly make a difference!”
At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, “It made a difference for that one.”
The moral of the story is…
Never underestimate the impact you can make when you do something to help someone else, no matter how small.
I’d like to finish this Christmas update with two videos…
The first video is from Cure International. As you see the children, be encouraged that we are helping a child like them, and be inspired to give more if you are able.
The final video is an introduction to a “movement” called Advent Conspiracy. It expresses much of what I’m feeling about this holiday season.
WARNING: This video contains Christian themes, just to let you know…
It’s pretty mind-blowing to think that we could SOLVE the problem of clean water and other plights around the world in one season. All we would have to do is spend a little less on presents and give a little more to those who need it most.
My younger brothers took the Advent Conspiracy to heart this year, and for my gift they donated flocks of geese, ducks, and chickens which will provide both food and livelihood to families in a third world country.
There’s nothing wrong with giving gifts (I’m still gonna give stuff), but let’s start to think about what we could do if we broke the societal mold and turned Christmas into something that truly changed the world.
I don’t mean to preach. This is still a marketing blog. But it’s something to think about.
Have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
and hundreds more.
