Thanksgiving - It's not about the bird!

     As our yearly Thanksgiving Day traditions begin to take shape, and plans are made to celebrate the Holiday with family and friends, it's natural for us to  focus on what we are thankful for and consider ways that we might be able to reach out to those less fortunate than ourselves.   With the devastation we have recently witnessed both near and far personally or through the media, there is an abundance of needs to be met through our donations of time and money. Please, if you are able, reach out to those in your community to help fill those needs. Churches and pantries continue to need our help to serve those in our communities that are struggling. 

     Then, when you are contemplating your Christmas list, take a minute to check out www.kiva.org. It conveys an interesting concept of connecting people from all over through lending to alleviate poverty and provide opportunity to become self sufficient. Needs in your own community come first, but if you have the resources to step out a little further, this appears to be an avenue with much potential. A $25 gift card from Kiva could be the perfect gift for someone who protests they neither want or need anything. Should you decide to check it out, make sure you read their profile and understand their mission statement before participating.           Just lending as little as $25, I was able to choose to whom and for what my money will be used. I have decided to give it a shot and lend my $25 to a young woman in El Salvador who needs to purchase a new grill to help grow her tortilla business. I read her story and think she seems like a good candidate for my small initial loan.  I like the idea of helping a specific person with a specific need and then being updated on the progress they have made. Once the loan is paid back, can then re-loan the money to another person in need. What a neat way for kids to learn about helping others. You open an account and let them decide who they would like to help. Just sayin...

Nelsi Evelin needs $500 

     This reminds me a lot of an effort sponsored by our local paper each year at Christmas to donate to a particular family in the area that has ask for help for specific needs. Personal stories are published and donors adopt the family of their choice for Christmas. Of course that is a donation and not a loan....but I can't help but wonder if the loan concept could even work on a local level. Something to think about.

I'll keep you posted on Nelsi... if you are interested, check out the Kiza Website .

Happy Giving and have a Blessed Thanksgiving!

The Bee-Gals