Saturday, November 21, 2015

Fifth Annual Pay it Forward Giveaway

Happy happy and merry merry to each and every one of you!
I started this giveaway five years ago. 
I love it!


To wake up each day, and have what you need to feel safe, taken care of, productive and happy is such an incredible blessing. I don't know if it's getting older that makes me feel this even more strongly - but every year that I do this Pay it Forward Giveaway I find myself feeling so overwhelmingly sad for anybody who struggles in such a way that it makes it hard for them to wake up each day and do what it takes to get through it.  Then, I sit here - in my cozy bed, on my computer and I'm just astonished at those who get by with much less and feel blessed anyway.  Our world and the people in it are just a wonder!

Each year, for the last five years, I've asked that you name a charity that is near and dear to your heart, in the comments below.  If you feel comfortable doing so, I'd like for you to share the reason for choosing this charity.  I think, in sharing your story, you can touch the hearts of so many.  We all walk this earth with a story in our hearts - having to endure the many storms that sometimes breeze by, others come at us like a tornado and still others almost rip us apart like a hurricane.  You just never know who your story will reach and whose life you may change - just by sharing it.  I like for you to do this in the comments with the hope that others may feel moved to share theirs and may also consider paying it forward themselves by choosing a charity to give to. 

This year, I'd like to give 100 dollars in your name or the name of someone special to you, to a charity of your choice.

We've given to several wonderful charities over the years.

Year One:




Year Two:



Year Three:




Year Four:




Thank you so much for entering this giveaway!

 I just can't think of a better giveaway - especially this time of year.

Hugs!!!!!!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Update:
I am so happy to tell you that a parent at my school contacted me and asked to match my donation.  That means $200 dollars has been donated to Black Dogs & Company Rescue!

That's what paying it forward is all about...

xoxoxox

28 comments:

  1. Mastokids.org is my favorite charity. My son suffers from this disease. These children suffer from a condition where their bone marrow over produces mast cells. This causes a buildup of mast cells in the skin and in some cases their organs. There are several symptoms of mast cell disease including swelling, edema, chronic hives and itchines, reflux, stomach issues and they are in constant threat of going into anaphylaxis since mast cells release histamine. These are amazing kids who are so strong and brave.
    Kyle98sean02@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh Heather, thank you so much for sharing. What a courageous family you are.

      Don't forget to add your name to the Rafflecopter.

      Holly

      Delete
    2. You did enter into the Rafflecopter - sorry, I was looking at the wrong number! THANKS!!!!!

      Delete
  2. This year I am going to nominate a charity that has done sooo very much for veterans that need help. It is run by a very good friend of mine . She started this charity in honor of her brother Vinny. She is a one man show and does sooo very much but desperately needs the help to keep going. Here is a link to her web page http://mybrothervinny.org/index.html , Honestly not sure how she runs a charity and works full time as all her help is 100% volunteer but she does. The work she does is amazing!! check her out :-)
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Karen,
      Wow - it's so amazing to me when I hear that there are people going through their lives, living for more than just themselves. Your friend is an amazing person and I hope she knows what a good friend you are to her. I also hope that somebody will read this comment and consider giving to your friend's charity.

      Did you enter your name in the Rafflecopter?

      Hugs,
      Holly :)

      Delete
    2. You did enter in the Rafflecopter - I was looking at the wrong number! THANKS!

      Delete
  3. Nate's Honor Animal Rescue is an amazing organization that takes in cats and dogs no matter what their needs are and finds them loving homes.
    http://www.nateshonoranimalrescue.org/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Coley,

      Thank you so much for entering! Any organization that takes care of cats and dogs makes me smile. We rescued our sweet puppy girl and I wouldn't consider getting a pet any other way. Thank you for sharing that one!

      Holly

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  4. I would love to nominate the Alabama Baptist Children's Home. http://www.alabamachild.org/
    They help so many orphans, foster kids, and children in need in our state, and quality care for them is so important in a day where so many kids are hurting.
    Thanks so much for the sweet opportunity Holly!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Vickie,
      Thank you so much for sharing - it's hard to even imagine that there are children in so much need. It breaks my heart to think about. Thank God for people like the Alabama Baptist Children's Home. Hugs to you!

      Holly :)

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  5. I'd like to enter the American SIDS Institute. My brother passed away from SIDS when I was a child and I'd love to see SIDS become an issue of the past in my life time so that no family has to go through losing an infant.
    Website: http://sids.org
    Kayla
    The Chalkboard Garden

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    Replies
    1. Oh Kayla, I would live to see that too. Thanks for sharing this. I want this heartbreak to be a thing of the past as well.

      Delete
  6. I have to nominate one of my favorite charities Stars of Georgia rescue. I got my sweet Zoey from them. They take dogs out of the kill shelters as well and foster them for as long as they need to get a home. http://www.starsgeorgia.com/ This is a wonderful idea! Thank you for considering all of these charities!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Erin! We got our sweet puppy-girl, Jetta, from a similar organization. Thanks so much for sharing - these wonderfully giving people who foster these sweet animals need all the resources they can get.

      Delete
  7. I nominated Best Friends last year; this year, I recently found a great dog rescue on Instagram called MaeDay Rescue. It's based in Los Angeles, and they go into high kill shelters and pull dogs that are about to be euthanized, give them any needed veterinary help, and then foster them until they can find new homes. It's a great organization for an awesome cause. Thanks for doing such an awesome thing!
    Liz

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    Replies
    1. Hi Liz!!!!!! I'm glad to see you're back!!! These people who rescue these sweet animals have such big hearts and need every bit of support to keep doing what they are doing. Thanks for sharing!!

      Delete
  8. The charity near and dear to me is Love Without Boundries. They support babies, kids, and teens who do not have families. They pay for so many things for so many who can not. Surgeries, formula, schooling....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Carolyn,
      Aren't there so many wonderful people doing wonderful things for others? With such sadness - all of these charities are reminders to us that there are many people out there who are working so hard to make our world a better place.

      Delete
  9. The charity I'd love to see get $100 is Black Dogs & Co based out of MD. Unfortunate black dogs are often passed over in and never adopted. They are given up more than most dogs and have done nothing wrong but have black fur. This reduce pulls them from all over and vets them and trains them and funds them good homes.

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    Replies
    1. Arielle, oh my word - I had no idea this was even happening and can't imagine why!?!? Thank goodness this organization has recognized that and is doing something to help out. Thanks for sharing.

      Delete
    2. It's called "black dog syndrome". So many of these dogs are great pups and have done little to nothing wrong. I hope to win and provide them a donation.

      (Sorry for any typos tonight. I'm mobile)

      Delete
  10. I'd like to nominate Warrior Canine Connection! They help wounded warriors reconnect using Canine Therapy to help train dogs to be service dogs, therapy dogs, and more!

    http://warriorcanineconnection.org/

    Christina Marie
    applesbooksandcrayon@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. er...applesbooksandcrayons@gmail.com

      Delete
    2. Hi Christina,
      What an amazing charity. I am so happy you entered and included your charity in the comments for others to see. My hope is, that if somebody visits the blog and reads the comments, they may find a charity that touches their own heart, and choose to give - the true meaning behind paying it forward.

      Thanks again!!!!

      Holly :)

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