I have been working to meet with a new charitable foundation for over a month. Finally got the meeting on Thursday. Told him about the work done by my non-profit, and the impact on the lives of people. I was looking to make the ask for $20,000 to $50,000. But before I could get there, he asked, "If your agency was THE model in the nation, that all others looked to as the ideal program, what would that vision look like?'

Shicked and speechless (new territory for me, as I am almost NEVER speechless) he began asking waht a new building for us would need to include, and if we had enough staff to meet the needs of the community. Now, speechless for the second time in 5 minutes, heart beat racing, lungs starving for oxygen, the Board Member I took with me responded by stating that a new building without sustainable funding for services would not benefit the commmunity. The potential donor aske me, "wouldn't your vision include both?"

Now, getting my speech back, I responded that yes, it would have to be all inclusive. So I left without limiting mysetl foa set dollar amount, and an invitation to him to visit our offices (all 3). Yesterday morning, he called and asked if now was a good time. So I called our DA (also on our Board) and had m=him meet us there.

I now have to quickly put my "vision" on paper for presentaion to his Board. They are certainly interested or he would not have come to make the tour the next day.

Bottom line - There are more good people around than we will ever know about. It seems that they do not spend time talking about how good they are. But they show up. And if you seek them out, you will find them. I am trying to obtiain sustainable funding for our work by increasing public support and reduce dependence on government grants. Grants are getting cut, even from court fees and fines. Politicians are raiding these dedicated funds for their own use. But women, children and familes still need protection - and mobilizing a community to assume that responsibility can start with finding "good people." (wish me luck!)

I would like to encourage all of you to seek out programs like Children's Advoacy Centers. Learn about their work, and the restorative servcices they provide. And even a $10.00 donation to them will be appreciated and well utilized. For more info check out www.onewithcourage.org.

And I have seen that DF is full of good people after a member's recent personal tragedy.

 

I was driving my truck on the highway on a very nice day. There was a car on the side of the road and I stopped. I noticed it was a woman and her kids in the car. She didn't even know where the jack was in her car and she needed to change a flat tire.

I had a tire plug kit so I plugged her tire refilled it with the cigarette lighter compressor (took longer than taking the tire off and plugging it) and put it back on. Then told her to get a professional to plug it when she had the chance. She was so relieved because she thought that she would need to get a brand new tire.

 

Speaking of tires.....

I lady friend of mine got a flat on her escort....... she said she had a spare tire..... so, me and a bud jumped into my car, (with her too...) and went off to where she left it. Got to her car, and she grabbed her spare tire out of the back.... trouble was, it was JUST the tire... no rim...... Yes, she is blonde.

 

So maybe next time when she says she has a tire....let me guess....you are going to ask her if it is mounted on a wheel? She'll probably slap you (while she is wondering "why would he ask that?")

 

That was quite a few years ago, and she has learned a LOT since then. Plus, she has gotten smarter, now, she just whips out her cell phone, calls the 800 number, and her insurance company sends out a tow truck, to change her tire for her.