Thursday Thoughts: Pay it Forward

A topic I wanted to touch on this week was giving back. So many times we see people donating to foreign countries and other areas that we may not be familiar with. Although I think that is great and we do have people within our own community that can use our help or even just paying it forward! The smallest things can make someone's day, like paying for the person's coffee behind you in the Starbucks line, or complimenting a co-worker or friend. I feel most people are quick to judge and have negative comments more than being positive and doing something constructive. This is something we have been discussing and recently my friend Mindy shared this video with us and it really puts things into perspective on how we can treat one another and pay it forward. Please watch the video and grab a tissue: Pay It Forward


In relation to this, about a year and half ago a few friends and I got together to start a bible study. We realized we all wanted to learn more about the word. Through our recent teachings we have come across the topics of love and paying it forward. All the ladies in the bible study tithe each month and we use that money to give back to local charities. One we do quarterly and will ask for anyone's help with is the East Cleveland's Men's Shelter. This is hosted by the red cross and River of Life Church, we volunteer with these great men and women to host a dinner for the men's shelter. The bible study group aka "Bible Babes" makes care packages for the men. Almost every time the items we receive are donated by local companies, such as toothbrushes and toothpastes from David Patton's Dentist Office in Solon, Ohio or Goldberg Companies who donated book bags and other handy items. The girls also buy throughout the quarter of items they think would be useful. If you would ever like to help with this please let me know. Some other local charities that could use help are The City Mission on 55th and Carnegie Ave and Laura's Home (located next door).

Most recently we were able to help the Ronald McDonald House in Cleveland, Ohio. We were able to buy all the items on the RMH wish list, minus the gift cards. If you are feeling generous please donate to any one of the houses. The Cleveland house tends to hit home for me. One reason is it is next to the Cleveland Clinic where I work, and two we had friends stay their over the winter while their twins were at the PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit), through prayer and wonderful doctors the twins left the hospital in complete perfect health. The Ronald McDonald House hosted the parents with a place to stay and meals. They offer support in anyway they can and have plenty of activites for children. Recently the CAVs donated to the computer room providing new computers, desks, chairs and remodeling of the area. The Cleveland RMH serves 4 hospitals in the area, Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, Rainbows Babies and Children, and Metro. They are adding on 15 more rooms so I am sure they will need more help coming this fall. Please check them out and see if you can lend a helping hand....http://www.rmhcleveland.org/about-us

This picture does not do it justice
because we are missing 6 other ladies

If you know of any local charities that need help, please comment below.