RR Angel Tree Post # 8: Giveaway Results - the good, bad & ugly

* Today is 12/31/12 
 I guess I'm kinda overdue to share about the giveaway. I needed to think through what I wanted to say. Since today is the day that RR's 2012 Christmas Angel Tree ends, I figured I'd better finally post something. 


Here is what I wrote the week of 12/10/12 (with a bit of editing):

Our 10 Day Giveaway is over and I wanted to share with you how it went.......

The good:
~  $125.00 was donated
~  more people are aware of Tobie and his need for a family
~  more people have been introduced to Reece's Rainbow and their ministry


The bad:
~  only two families donated
~  only four people shared on FB

The ugly:
~ me and my feelings in the aftermath of our giveaway


As always, when I blog, I like to be open and honest.
Soooooo, I'm gonna keep it real about how I'm feeling - bewildered, very disappointed and upset.

I wanted so much more...... from others, from my efforts and for Tobie.


What happened?

I had a good amount of views on our giveaway post. So I know people read about it.
I posted many, many times on Facebook.

I mean we didn't keep it a secret. Silly me - that sure would have been dumb. But, it's like it was a secret.

I think I've come to realize that some people don't care, some don't have the money, some have other ministries and organizations they choose to give to.

And it's all good.

However, I thought this l0 day giveaway was easy, a great idea and had the potential to do so much more.

To be a part of our giveaway you could donate (any amount) to Tobie on RR's Christmas Angel Tree page.

Or you could share our Giveaway blog post on Facebook.

That. is. it.

I even gave links to RR's and Tobie's pages.
Easy peasy if you ask me.

And that's where my ugly starts to rise up. I mean even if you can't or don't want to donate how hard would it be to hit SHARE?

I mean really!?

How many times do we click on that SHARE button for funny, stupid, gross or inspiring things?

I'd say pretty often. And it doesn't cost you a thing.

Just shaking my head and praying for an answer.  I just don't understand.......


And so where do I go from here?

Keep sharing and praying and giving and .......... well, I'm not too sure what else I can do at this point.

It's all about a little six month old baby boy in an orphanage over in Eastern Europe.

Hopefully, before any long term harm is done his forever family will find him. I pray that will happen sooner rather than later. Because, later means that somewhere around the age of five he will very likely be transferred to an adult mental institution. Most children don't live past the first year after being transferred.

Breaks my heart that this could be a reality for sweet Tobie. Breaks my heart it is a reality for many orphans all over the world.

Why don't we care? And if we care, why don't we do more?
Especially when sometimes it's so easy peasy to do something.


So that's it......the good, bad & ugly.  There's more to share about helping sweet Tobie. And there are a few insights and lessons this Angel Warrior of his has learned.  But not today. 

Happy New Year friend!
May you be richly blessed throughout this coming year!

RR Angel Tree Post # 6: A Starfish for Christmas??

Hi there friend!

It's day 3 of our 10 Day Giveaway and I'm overjoyed to see Tobie's amount climb closer to our goal. 

But, I've been wondering why Reece's Rainbow chose a starfish design this year for their Christmas Angel Tree ornaments and blog buttons.  I loved the RR rainbow logo they've used the last couple of years. 

A starfish? 
Really?  

Sorry, RR, but I think it's kinda an odd choice. But, than again who asked me. 

It was odd until...........

I saw why they have chosen it. Duh! 
Makes perfect sense now. 

In fact - 
I.
love.
it. 

And I'm embarrassed to say I didn't realize (hanging my head) it goes right along with their It Makes A Difference To This One campaign.  

So anyways, maybe you've read The Starfish Story. Or maybe, like me, you're not sure and it sounds somewhat familiar.


The Starfish Story
Original Story by: Loren Eisley

One day a man was walking
along the beach when he noticed
a boy picking something up and
gently throwing it into the ocean.

Approaching the boy, he asked,
“What are you doing?”

The boy replied, “Throwing starfish
back into the ocean. The surf is up
and the tide is going out. If I don’t
throw them back, they’ll die.”

“Son,” the man replied, “don’t you
realize there are miles and miles of
beach and hundreds of starfish?
You can’t make a difference!”

After listening politely, the boy
bent down, picked up another starfish
and threw it back into the surf.

Then, smiling at the man, he said,
“I made a difference for that one.”


Perfect! 
Right?

Perhaps you were thinking - 
"Why give to Tobie's adoption grant?" 
"How can only a few dollars matter?" 
"Sharing on Facebook doesn't do a thing for him."
"But, there are thousands of orphans that need to be rescued." 

Do you see it friend? It does matter. You can help make a difference to this one!  
And if you still aren't convinced I hope to explain a bit more in my next post. 

I personally believe it so much that I've made magnet cards with The Starfish Story printed on them. 
If you'd like one please email me at: findinghopeandjoy@gmail.com and I'll be very happy to send you one. 

Also, if you didn't see that you were invited to the 10 Day Giveway for Tobie -
you are invited!
 
You can click HERE  to check out all the fun and facts of our giveaway.

RR Angel Tree Post # 5 : You Are Invited

Today's the day! Yay!

I'm so excited about starting our Giveaway for Tobie. And you, my friend, are invited!

Here is all the info you'll need to participate and help us get to our Angel Tree goal of $1000:

Dates: 12/01/12 (around 6:00 am EST)  through 12/10/12 (at midnight EST)

How to  put your name "in the hat" for the random drawing:
(I may just use one of hubby's Notre Dame hats)

I'm giving you TWO ways to enter ..... do one or the other. Or BOTH would be really, really, really great. And yes, by doing both your name goes in the hat twice.

1. Donate $5.00 or more to Tobie's Angel Tree account.
 - to make it easy peasy:  just click right HERE to get to RR's 2012 Christmas Angel Tree page
 - now scroll down until you find the cutest little sweet pea dressed in yellow. Yep, that would be Tobie! 
 - click on the DONATE button under his name and follow the directions they give from there
 - come back here and leave a comment that you donated

2. Share on Facebook about our Giveaway and Tobie. And invite your FB friends to join the fun.
 - real easy as well..... go to bottom of this post and click on that little "f" (Facebook icon).
 - sign on to your FB page.
 - write a comment to invite your friends. Hit SHARE
 - come back here and leave a comment that you've shared this post and invited your friends

* Why you need to leave a comment is obvious, but please don't leave an anonymous one. Gotta know who you are so if your name is picked I can let you know so we can arrange to send you your gift.
** If you have any questions or would like to contact me other than by leaving a comment you can email me at: findinghopeandjoy.gmail.com

Gifts:

"Times of Joy" Platter

Measures 13" x 13" and is dishwasher and microwave safe. From Blessings Unlimited. Donated by Mom

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Crosswords & Swirls Tote

Quilted tote, fully lined. Measures 14.5" tall; 12" wide; with 11" straps. Has a covered button & loop closure. The squares are solids, a swirly design, lines & dashes and crosswords puzzles. Machine washable. Made by me.

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"Faith-Family-Friends" Pillow

Decorative and cute pillow made from 100% cotton material. Faith - Family- Friends.... what is more precious in life?!  The backing is the same fabric as the bottom strip. Measures 12" x 13". Made by me.

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Chic Denim Tote

This quilted tote is made from denim and 100% cotton material. Fully lined. Two 10"straps. Measures 12" tall; 11.5" wide. Covered button & loop closure. It even has a cute fabric flower that adds to the cuteness. Made by me.

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"Choose Joy" Pillow

Made from 100% cotton fabrics. Solid color backing in an off white. Super soft, cuddly and stylish, while making a statement we need to always remember - Choose Joy. Measures 15.5" x 14". Made by me.

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Wooden Stationery Box & Cards

Beautifully constructed and designed. This wooden box is from Blessings Unlimited. A pretty dark teal ribbon holds the sliding top panels secure. Pretty painted flowers and Bible verse on the top. Writing: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace. Romans 15:13". Measures 11" x 7.5" x 2". Inside are two packs of blank cards with envelopes. After the cards are used, this adorable box would make a wonderful box for jewelery, small keepsakes or love notes. *wink*  Donated by Mom.

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"Special Days" Calendar

This cute and handy calendar is spiral bound on the top. Measures 10.5" x 7". Each month has a different design and Bible verse. Great way to keep track of the special dates year after year. Made by Blessings Unlimited. Donated by Mom. 

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Announcing the Winners: 
On 12/11/12 I'll randomly draw seven names one by one.  
7 gifts = 7 winners!
I'll  contact the first person who's name is picked to get their mailing info and choice of gift. Than I'll contact the second person who's name is drawn and so on.
I should have everything mailed out on 12/15 or 12/17 at the latest. 

A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who participates.... whether by donating or sharing - it all helps!

RR Angel Tree Post # 4: 5 + 1 + 7 + 10 + 2 = 891

Hi there!

I was thinking, planning and adding some stuff up very early this morning and here
is what I've calculated:

 5 + 1 + 7 + 10 + 2 = 891

Hmmmm... I guess you may be asking - "What kind of crazy math are you doing?!"
or "Maybe you should go back to bed cause you're obviously not awake." or
"Please have your morning coffee, re-add those number and try again."

Hmmmm... I'm wondering - "How many of you just added it up for yourselves?" *giggle* 

Ok, so it's not really math. It's more like a puzzle or hint for what's about to happen
here on "Helping This One".

Are you ready for this?!

In 5 days
I'm having 1 huge giveaway
and there will be 7 gifts I'm giving away.
It will last for 10 days and
I'll be giving you 2 different ways to enter
(cause it's Christmas time and I'm really nice like that).

When this event is all said and done
it will {hopefully} all add up to 891 dollars for Tobie.
He has $109 so far and this will get us to our Angel Christmas Tree goal of $1000.

YAY!! FUN!!

I realize I had said that I was gonna have two giveaways, but this will be way better.

So friend be ready because in just 5 days this fun and important giveaway for Tobie will begin!