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Two thought provoking articles from Relevant/Reject Apathy: Unconventional Ways to Fight Poverty by Elsie Amyx and The Wrong Way to Approach The Poor by Chase Miller.

As I look upon today's society, seeing people that spend their time solely on the streets, and others that spend the majority of their time at their jobs so they can make ends meet, there is a voice that asks "What is poor anymore? What is considered to be poverty?"

It seems that the official word is an income at or less than $23,850 for a family of four. This accounted for nearly 15% of Americans in 2013 (46 million). The top 1% of makes over $500,000k yearly, where-as I am now learning middle class can range from $35k to about $100k. 

I am reminded of a time when I had my first car, a white Geo Storm in which was decked out with bright colored embellishments and Power Puff Girl novelties. I could fill up the tank for about $15. My tank now would laugh and me and beckon for more in two or three days. Of course that is nothing in comparison to the age in when my mom was raised where she could get a moon pie and a coke for .15 cents. 

With the above just being merely facts and figures, I transition into this, the Bible tells us in Deuteronomy 5:11, "There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land." 

It is by God's grace alone that neither you nor I are in such a situation.  For example, one of the people from L5P has a story that could happen to any of us. He had a home. He was living paycheck to paycheck. He got let go. His house insurance lapsed. He house caught on fire. BAM! As such he then ended up on the street with no friends or family to turn to at the time.

It's my belief that we all are lacking and need help from others in one way or the other (whether it be food, compassion, instruction, etc). Not to mention that we are constantly needing help from God! As written in the book, we are a patchwork quilt, made up of all different people, in various places, spaces and backgrounds but all stitched together - meant to work together, in hope of a better present and future for all.

In conclusion I would like to say a little RIP for two people from L5P that have passed away in the last two weeks, Big John (Bones) and Nancy, you will not be forgotten, but we all know where you are now! See you one day again, where there will be no more sorry and no more pain! 


It's here! It's here! Christmas Possible 2014 has begun. Year 3 hopes to be just as awesome as the first, but with a few modifications which includes a special guest and brunch/lunch.

 Check out the fundraising page for more details @ https://www.youcaring.com/CP2014

*Many thanks to corporate sponsors so far for the one-for-one youth raffle*

Happy Friday Everyone! Here is hoping your week was lovely,and that if you do “celebrate” Valentine’s Day, that is was a delight (yes I ama week later, but whateves).

We have had almost two months off now from the event that isknown as Christmas Possible, and now it is time to start thinking about theevent for 2013. Yet again, we will be serving on Christmas Eve at the Covenant House in Atlanta, GA. This year we have decided to do a Mexican Christmas, andare looking to have it catered from Moe’s. Since the kid count is expected tobe over 100 this year, we felt itbest to go this route. We are currently thinking of ideas of how to raise moneyfor the food and/or perhaps have the food donated or given at a discount (contact hasbeen made, phone chat pending – squee!).   Due to the generosity of a friend and his family, we will now be having a fresh off the grill BBQ!

Due to the increased cost of food, we are looking fordonations of a little bit different kind this year, rather than doing a whiteelephant game, which want to supply “care bags” to all that are in attendance,as such, there is a need for such items like (for both girls and boys): 

Shampoo
Conditioner
Soap
Deodorant
Lotion [travel size lotion qty filled]
Hairbrush / Combs
Razors
Shaving Cream
Make-Up
Toothbrush / Toothpaste
Perfume / Cologne 
Etc.

However, not to discourage, anything and everything donatedwill be given to the shelter  - this isjust our central focus for this year’s event. Efforts will begin shortly oncontacting companies for product donations, should any of you contacted viaemail be reading this, we do graciously hope that you will join with us in ourefforts. ☺

If you are interested in helping out and/or donating pleasecontact me, all donations (goods and funds) are tax deductible and you will beprovided a receipt.

As always, please keep this event in your prayers, it is themost important thing we can do, in order to make is a success!

To God be the glory and thank you all kindly! 

One small act of kindness can change a person’s life forever.

Happy (almost) New Year Everyone! I must say I am glad to be back writing, while the time off was lovely (more updates on that later), I am excited to be back sharing some written words.

To start off this New Year I wanted to ask you all to join me in 31 Days of Kindness, just one simple action each day, that will help others (along with yourself), start off to a great 2013. Of course if you are reading this mid-January or another month, by no means let that stop you, kindness is a currency that will never lose its fair-market value. Due to availability/cost/location it is offered as a “31 actions” rather than day specific, so you can complete as you can. Likewise, if some days are unable to completed, completely understandable; no hard and fast rules, feel free to replace with your own “act of kindness” or even repeat a few days, after all we are just living out some love that has been shown to us by the Grace of the Trinity! The only real rule is to keep showing *extra* kindness each day for 31 days.

I’d be remiss if I did not give props to one of my besties, Dalia, for first bringing this idea to me. She has asked me of some ideas before of what she could do and now a few months later I just wanted to put something together and embark a group journey with us all, not to mention what I great way to celebrate my BIRTHDAY MONTH (yes, I will be turning the big 2-9 on the 18th). If you feel led share your experience of this just email me [HollieMarie(at)ShadesofSunshine(dot)com] and above all simply enjoy the awesomeness of being a helping hand to others!

One: Compliment A Stranger (Wholeheartedly, even more than one if possible) 
Two: Open/Hold The Door For (at least) 5 People (Not all ladies, gentleman like this treat too)
Three: Leave A Co-Worker (Or Neighbor) An Anonymous Note Of Gratitude
Four: Buy Someone A Cup Of Coffee, Tea Or Soda
Five: Let Someone Go In Line In Front Of You At The Store
Six: Box Up Some Items and Give Them Away  (Store/organization, family in need, random stranger – your choice)
Seven:  Leave Change At A Vending Machine
Eight: Befriend Some Kids (Wave, joke, say hi, give ‘em a balloon, stickers, etc)
Nine: Write A Note Of Appreciation Or Give A Gift To Your Mailman
Ten: Sincerely Forgive Someone and/or Pray For An “Enemy’s” Wellbeing
Eleven: Volunteer or Schedule To Volunteer At An Organization Of Your Choice
Twelve: Send Someone In Service A Letter (If you don’t know one, check out http://www.anysoldier.com/  - go to your particular branch and click “where to send”)
Thirteen: Hug Peoples (As many as you can, friends, family or strangers .. FREE HUGS FOR ALL)
Fourteen: Hand Out (or Place On Cars) Verse Cards / You Are Special Cards / Stickers, Etc
Fifteen: Leave Some Quarters At The Laundry Mat
Sixteen: Help Someone Carry Their Groceries or Trash
Seventeen: Take Someone To Lunch / Cook Someone A Meal
Eighteen: Hand Out Food or Necessity Bags To Homeless
Nineteen: Thank All The Cashiers, Food Servers, etc You Come Across For Doing What They Do
Twenty: Extend Your Help To Someone(s), Ask Around and Fulfill A Need
Twenty One: Treat Someone To Sweets (Leave Some Candy for a Co-worker, Neighbor, etc)
Twenty Two: Send An Appreciation Letter or Gift To A Civil Service Organization  (Fireman, Police, etc)
Twenty Three: Pass Along A Book (You Love) To Someone Who Would Enjoy It
Twenty Four:  Be A Courteous Driver (Let people merge, cut in, etc ..)
Twenty Five: Tip Someone VERY Well
Twenty Six: Pick Up Trash (See some litter, pick it up!)
Twenty Seven: Hand Out or Leave (strategically placed) Bibles (Dollar Tree now carries them)
Twenty Eight: Donate Canned Food Items To A Local Food Bank
Twenty Nine: Give A Gift To or Visit A Nursing Home
Thirty:  Give Some Gas (Cash at pump, gift card, etc - a little bit goes a long way)
Thirty-One: Buy A Stranger A Meal (Drive Thru – Drop a gift card at a table in a restaurant – etc)

                 




"But God demonstrated His own love for us; While we were sinners Christ died for us!" Romans 5:8
So I just realized that I haven't officially posted anything about the current initiative on here yet, so that just had to be changed! Some of you (who are on my twitter, fb or tumblr) may be like "why are you talking about it so much?" To that I reply, because the thought of being able to help 25 Atlanta homeless youth have the BEST CHRISTMAS YET just makes me all sort of giddy (as it should to you as well) and everyone deserves to feel loved (especially on Christmas).

All of the details are listed here at the fundraiser page, and props to Youcaring for being free of charge! Some of the updates so far is that Publix is going to help out with the food (specifics unknown at the moment) and the first gift (a remote control car that can go on the ceiling) has been donated.

Trust me, I know, it is a ROUGH economy that we are living in, but if you could please find it in your heart to donate $1, $5 or even $25 it would be very much appreciated. So often we take for granted the things that we have .. whether it be a warm bed, food on the table, having a car or even a variety of clothes to wear, but this people have known a life without ANY of that at one point of the other. Likewise, please share this with your friends! We are all a community (a family) and the more the merrier I say. However, if you are unable to donate, then I do understand, please keep this in your thoughts and prayers.

All donations are to be received by December 5th, so as of today (11/1/12) we have 33 days and counting down!