The last 24 hours have been amazing - as I've had the honor of being 'messenger' on behalf of all of you as I've delivered money to people who really need it. There are no presents under the Christmas tree that can compare to the value of meeting these people.
As money was passed on to those who needed it, each recipient received a list of your first names, city & state - so they could read for themselves the people who reached out to help them.
Last night, along with my husband Chris & son Wes, I went to the offices of Community to Community so I could meet with the 6 women representing the families affected by the recent immigration raid - known by C2C as "Las Margaritas". The folks at C2C have embraced these women, doing all they can to help them during this time, and were kind enough to set up the meeting for me. Through a translator, I was able to explain the events of the last week and that I had $300 cash for each one of them. Their gratefulness was expressed through tears, and words that brought myself to tears. One women just sat in her chair weeping, and then got up to hug me and just wept in my arms. Another told me that she was going to put me and everyone who contributed at the center of her prayers - that she was going to dedicate this Sunday's Mass in our honor, and that she prays for God's richest blessings on us. One by one, they gave me hugs and words of gratefulness. The last woman to speak told me that on behalf of the group, she wanted to make tamales for me and my family - and so tonite we tasted the most amazing tamales ever!!! And for those interested, you can order their homemade, organic tamales and other organic mexican food!!! Just call the people at C2C for more info: 756-2330.
This morning, I was able to pass on money to two others.
Through a nurse at St. Joe's (Ingrid), I was able to meet with Maria, the mother who recently left an unhealthy marriage and now has nothing. Again, I was able to explain the events of the week and then told her I had $800 cash for her. She just had this look of disbelief on her face and as we sat in Starbucks on Bakerview, she just cried and cried - telling me that she thanks God for us - that she prays for rich blessings on us. She has never worked outside the home and is hoping to perhaps do housecleaing as a means for earning money - so if you know anyone who needs a house cleaned, then let me know! Ingrid, the nurse, was also there to pass on Christmas presents that she and her friends and family has purchased for Maria's children - and it was so encouraging to know that others in the community were looking out for Maria too.
And then, we moved on to meet with the folks at The Whatcom Dream and the young mother of 3 (Nadine) who was behind on her rent. We met at the home of John & Trudy, who run The Whatcom Dream and much to my surprise, we were also greeted by Bob & Joy Soltis, who originally got me connected with the folks at Whatcom Dream. We were able to learn about the great work that The Whatcom Dream is doing in the Roosevelt neighborhood as they help bring folks out of poverty - mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically. Trudy went on to explain how Nadine, who has lived in poverty her whole life, has risen up as a leader in her community - and even though her physical life may be impovershed, Nadine is living and thinking as though she is blessed. Of course, to Nadine's surprise, I was able to tell her the great news that we raised enough money to cover her back rent, plus her current rent, and so I handed her a check made payable to her landlord for $682. I also gave Nadine the original $50 Visa gift card, knowing that she was the right person to have it - that she could now 'pay it forward' - and so I left her with that challenge. She had so much joy in her heart - because of the relief of knowing she was no longer going to be evicted and secondly, because she now had a way of paying it foward too. Of course, there were many tears again - for everyone involved!
Thanks to my dear friend Kelli Tolf who owns Dream Dinners, I was also able to leave Nadine with several prepared dinners which she and Trudy were going to deliver to needy people within their neighborhood - another way that Nadine could share with her community.
The final recipient will be given the funds in January - once school is back in session, so I'll update the blog then about that.
But - this truly has been one of the greatest experiences of my life - a true honor to be able to meet face to face with real people with real needs - and to know that their value as a human being is no different than mine - they just struggle with some things differently than I do. These people were beautiful, authentic and so grateful for the blessings they received. And I can truly say that my own blessings out of this surpass anything that money can buy. A good reminder that we have so, so, so much. I do hope that you will keep looking for those people around you that you can help or bless, in whatever little way you can. And just know that as small as your donation may have been, the value of the impact was EXPONENTIAL! Just think what your $10 or $20 or $50 went on to do. It is incredible to think about. Thank you for being a part of this, for trusting me, for being so generous. I was simply the messenger today. Merry Christmas and rich blessings to you for 2007.
Katharine
Friday, December 22, 2006
Thursday, December 21, 2006
We did it!!!
Wow - what a week of generosity this has been! As of this moment, we have $2150 in pledges and....the AMAZING part.....is that I have, in hand, EXACTLY $2000!!! The last $150 is expected in the mail today. So thank you for not only pledging, but actually getting me the money within the time frame I set out with. The matching donation from Merriman is already on its way, and I should have it today as well.
So many of you have passed on such kind and generous comments to me about this project, but I TRULY believe that this project is only great because of what YOU did. This truly has been an inspiring week of seeing a community come together - and that community is as far away as Canada, Arizona and California. I've received several donations from people I don't even know!
Now begins the humbling and rewarding task of putting this money in the hands of those that need it. I am in the process of making arrangments to meet with each of the recipients - I have one definite meeting set up for Friday morning, with 2 other possible meetings for Friday. The money going to the student will unfortunately have to wait until the first week of January because school is now out and I want to be sure to present the money to her with her teacher and principle present.
I hope to 'capture' these giving moments either by way of photos or video and will post those here - but also want to respect the privacy of these people so will see what happens. I just wish that each of you could be with me, and that the 50 pairs of hands that donated could pass this money on.
The Bellingham Herald very kindly put an article in yesterdays paper - so check it out here.
Again, thank you for joining me in this - I will never forget Christmas 2006, thanks to each of you. I hope you feel blessed by 'paying it forward' and that blessings, in all shapes and sizes, will find its way to you because of what you did.
Katharine
So many of you have passed on such kind and generous comments to me about this project, but I TRULY believe that this project is only great because of what YOU did. This truly has been an inspiring week of seeing a community come together - and that community is as far away as Canada, Arizona and California. I've received several donations from people I don't even know!
Now begins the humbling and rewarding task of putting this money in the hands of those that need it. I am in the process of making arrangments to meet with each of the recipients - I have one definite meeting set up for Friday morning, with 2 other possible meetings for Friday. The money going to the student will unfortunately have to wait until the first week of January because school is now out and I want to be sure to present the money to her with her teacher and principle present.
I hope to 'capture' these giving moments either by way of photos or video and will post those here - but also want to respect the privacy of these people so will see what happens. I just wish that each of you could be with me, and that the 50 pairs of hands that donated could pass this money on.
The Bellingham Herald very kindly put an article in yesterdays paper - so check it out here.
Again, thank you for joining me in this - I will never forget Christmas 2006, thanks to each of you. I hope you feel blessed by 'paying it forward' and that blessings, in all shapes and sizes, will find its way to you because of what you did.
Katharine
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Tuesday Night Update
Just a quick update!
I'll stop collecting donations as of this time tomorrow night! So thank you for being so generous & spontaneous!
Night, night!
Katharine
- We have reached $1885 in pledges with over $1500 of that already collected - thank you!
- For those interested, here's a link to the Oprah web page, describing the original "pay it forward" challenge that was the inspiration for me doing this!
I'll stop collecting donations as of this time tomorrow night! So thank you for being so generous & spontaneous!
Night, night!
Katharine
Monday, December 18, 2006
Recipients Identified
As of tonite, we are at $1565 in pledged donations! And this doesn't include the matching donation from Merriman Capital (up to $2000) so we have now surpassed the $3000 point! That is incredible! Your generosity is a beautiful thing. Thank you.
Donations will be accepted until the end of day this Wednesday December 20th!
I've set up a specific mailbox address that pledges can be mailed to; please ensure checks are made payable to Katharine Bothel and mailed by end of day Tuesday:
Katharine Bothel
336-36th Street #270
Bellingham, WA 98225
It has been much harder to 'pick' the recipient for this money than I ever thought. So much so that I hardly slept last night! I am touched by the trust you have placed in me, and by your desire to want to help someone in your community. After much thought, I've decided to split the money amongst the following families/groups/people. These nominations came from YOU - so this is YOU caring for your fellow human beings. I hope that you will be able to connect and resonate with one of these recipients and know that your money has gone on to touch a life. These donations are still "surprises" for the intended recipients, so I'll keep specific details at a minimum.
1) I learned of a mother of 3 who lives in the Roosevelt neighborhood and has struggled for many years to make ends meet. Recently, she became involved with a non-profit organization called The Whatcom Dream which helps transform lives, specifically through financial-skills courses aimed specifically at low-income people. This particular person has been a 'star' pupil, and has set out to do her very best to transform her own life by "paying it forward" with her time and her talents. Over the course of the year, she has become behind in her rent by approximately $500. Now that her children are in school, she began a part-time job as a means to pay back that rent - but was recently laid off so now she is back at square one. She is about to be evicted from her home but this would be a tragedy to the community in which she lives as she has become a leader and example to those around her, and in January, she will become a volunteer teacher in the Whatcom Dream courses. A portion of the donations will go to pay the back-rent she owes plus a little bit of 'forward' rent, ensuring that she and her children can stay in her home and continue to be the leader in her community that she is setting out to be.
2) I have learned about another mother of 3 who recently left a very unhealthy and damaging marriage. Her estranged husband is currently hospitalized and in order to pay the medical bills, they had to sell their house and liquidate all of their assets. This mother has never worked outside the home and so she has literally nothing. At present, she is living with her mother to try and get back on her feet. A portion of the donations will be given to her as cash, to help her start the new life she wants and deserves.
3) I have learned about 6 families that were recently affected by a very unnecessarily violent and aggressive immigration raid on a local Bellingham company. The result is that 6 families were immediately separated: the husbands were either deported or are currently held in prison in Tacoma. The women were released so they could continue to care for their children. They must remain in the country until their immigration hearings which take place this spring. However, they are unable to work and do not qualify for any social assistance. These 6 women are working so hard and so creatively to make ends meet and are barely getting by. They barely have enough money to buy groceries, let alone pay electrical bills or rent. These people have been members of this community, for as much as 17 years!
I feel a personal connection to these women as I too am an immigrant to this country - but an immigrant of a much different kind. I'm a Canadian, that happened to fall in love with an American and so have travelled the long, complex, and stressful path of immigrating to this country. It took me 3.5 years, thousands of dollars and a lot of tears to become a legal resident. But this is nothing compared to the complexities that they face. As I travelled that journey, I longed to be treated as a human, not a 'file' - and these 6 families deserve to feel human too. A portion of the donations will be given to these 6 women/families as cash, to help them pay their rent.
4) Finally, I've learned about a student from a low-income school in Bellingham who has travelled an amazing journey. In the words of the person who 'nominated' her:
"She is one of those kids who you wish you could take home. Her mom died when she was young, they were homeless last year, and she still manages to get a 4.0, dream of going to medical school to find cures for diseases like the one that killed her mom, and keep a smile on her face. This fall, I convinced her to apply for science field trip, even though I knew she couldn't afford it and I promised her that we would come up with the money somehow. It is a four day out of state "field trip". 35 kids get to go and visit some universities, museums, and other science related activities. For many, it is their first time on a plane. For most, it's their first time away from their parents. A wonderful opportunity."
I think that says it all. A portion of the money will go towards paying for the entire amount of this particular student's trip, and, if possible, additional money will go towards a scholarship fund for the other students.
Donations will be accepted until the end of day this Wednesday December 20th!
I've set up a specific mailbox address that pledges can be mailed to; please ensure checks are made payable to Katharine Bothel and mailed by end of day Tuesday:
Katharine Bothel
336-36th Street #270
Bellingham, WA 98225
It has been much harder to 'pick' the recipient for this money than I ever thought. So much so that I hardly slept last night! I am touched by the trust you have placed in me, and by your desire to want to help someone in your community. After much thought, I've decided to split the money amongst the following families/groups/people. These nominations came from YOU - so this is YOU caring for your fellow human beings. I hope that you will be able to connect and resonate with one of these recipients and know that your money has gone on to touch a life. These donations are still "surprises" for the intended recipients, so I'll keep specific details at a minimum.
1) I learned of a mother of 3 who lives in the Roosevelt neighborhood and has struggled for many years to make ends meet. Recently, she became involved with a non-profit organization called The Whatcom Dream which helps transform lives, specifically through financial-skills courses aimed specifically at low-income people. This particular person has been a 'star' pupil, and has set out to do her very best to transform her own life by "paying it forward" with her time and her talents. Over the course of the year, she has become behind in her rent by approximately $500. Now that her children are in school, she began a part-time job as a means to pay back that rent - but was recently laid off so now she is back at square one. She is about to be evicted from her home but this would be a tragedy to the community in which she lives as she has become a leader and example to those around her, and in January, she will become a volunteer teacher in the Whatcom Dream courses. A portion of the donations will go to pay the back-rent she owes plus a little bit of 'forward' rent, ensuring that she and her children can stay in her home and continue to be the leader in her community that she is setting out to be.
2) I have learned about another mother of 3 who recently left a very unhealthy and damaging marriage. Her estranged husband is currently hospitalized and in order to pay the medical bills, they had to sell their house and liquidate all of their assets. This mother has never worked outside the home and so she has literally nothing. At present, she is living with her mother to try and get back on her feet. A portion of the donations will be given to her as cash, to help her start the new life she wants and deserves.
3) I have learned about 6 families that were recently affected by a very unnecessarily violent and aggressive immigration raid on a local Bellingham company. The result is that 6 families were immediately separated: the husbands were either deported or are currently held in prison in Tacoma. The women were released so they could continue to care for their children. They must remain in the country until their immigration hearings which take place this spring. However, they are unable to work and do not qualify for any social assistance. These 6 women are working so hard and so creatively to make ends meet and are barely getting by. They barely have enough money to buy groceries, let alone pay electrical bills or rent. These people have been members of this community, for as much as 17 years!
I feel a personal connection to these women as I too am an immigrant to this country - but an immigrant of a much different kind. I'm a Canadian, that happened to fall in love with an American and so have travelled the long, complex, and stressful path of immigrating to this country. It took me 3.5 years, thousands of dollars and a lot of tears to become a legal resident. But this is nothing compared to the complexities that they face. As I travelled that journey, I longed to be treated as a human, not a 'file' - and these 6 families deserve to feel human too. A portion of the donations will be given to these 6 women/families as cash, to help them pay their rent.
4) Finally, I've learned about a student from a low-income school in Bellingham who has travelled an amazing journey. In the words of the person who 'nominated' her:
"She is one of those kids who you wish you could take home. Her mom died when she was young, they were homeless last year, and she still manages to get a 4.0, dream of going to medical school to find cures for diseases like the one that killed her mom, and keep a smile on her face. This fall, I convinced her to apply for science field trip, even though I knew she couldn't afford it and I promised her that we would come up with the money somehow. It is a four day out of state "field trip". 35 kids get to go and visit some universities, museums, and other science related activities. For many, it is their first time on a plane. For most, it's their first time away from their parents. A wonderful opportunity."
I think that says it all. A portion of the money will go towards paying for the entire amount of this particular student's trip, and, if possible, additional money will go towards a scholarship fund for the other students.
Quick Update
Current pledges are up to $1445 and many checks should be arriving in the mail today. Thanks too for those who paid via Paypal (katharinebothel@hotmail.com). Because Paypal charges me a small fee for the transaction (ie. $2.25 on a $50 donation), I'll pay the transaction fee to ensure your total donation goes to the project! But if possible, please send a check!
Thanks again to Merriman Capital Mgt for their matching donation of $ for $ on the first $2000. Let's get to $2000!!!
I haven't named a recipient yet, simply because I keep getting suggestions and I want to be sure I make the choice that my heart tells me is the right one!
Thanks again to Merriman Capital Mgt for their matching donation of $ for $ on the first $2000. Let's get to $2000!!!
I haven't named a recipient yet, simply because I keep getting suggestions and I want to be sure I make the choice that my heart tells me is the right one!
Friday, December 15, 2006
Goosebumps.....
I awoke this morning to more donations via email - I was up to $780 by about 9 am this morning. I just received notification from my investment firm (the ones who gave me the original $50 Visa Gift Card) and they are going to match $ for $ what is collected, up to a total of $2000!!!!! I am speechless! Please pass this on!!!
Thursday, December 14, 2006
It doesn't take much....
Quick update before we all lose power! These are some fierce winds.....
1) We are already up to $620!!!!!
2) THANK YOU for your overwhelming support & encouragement!
3) Thank you for the “nominations”! There are so many needy people around us. I hope to finalize who the recipient(s) is by tomorrow.
4) If every person I sent this to pitched in $5, and they sent it on to one other person who gave $5, we’d have well over $1000 to make a difference in someone’s life. Your contribution need not be big. Every little amount, no matter how big or small, will make a difference.
Stay safe tonite!!!
Katharine
1) We are already up to $620!!!!!
2) THANK YOU for your overwhelming support & encouragement!
3) Thank you for the “nominations”! There are so many needy people around us. I hope to finalize who the recipient(s) is by tomorrow.
4) If every person I sent this to pitched in $5, and they sent it on to one other person who gave $5, we’d have well over $1000 to make a difference in someone’s life. Your contribution need not be big. Every little amount, no matter how big or small, will make a difference.
Stay safe tonite!!!
Katharine
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