AW Challenge, Week 3: Secret Snowflake

The AW Challenge for Week 3 had to be an act that would shift the focus away from me. Instead, I wanted to do something to make a difference in another person’s life. The end goal was to make it a positive experience. I was set on what I wanted, although, how I would achieve the objective wasn’t as clear. Until recently, when things fell into place.

Secret Snowflake came to me by way of a community relations group. It is a donation drive that benefits children living in New York City homeless shelters and foster care homes. The drive is organized by the City of New York’s Mayor’s Office and NYC Services for Children.

Secret Snowflake is the Mayor’s Office annual holiday gift-giving initiative, which mobilizes mayoral and private sector employees to answer hand-written letters from children-in-need and provide crucial necessities, such as clothing, shoes, and coats for the winter. Letters are written by/on behalf of children ages 0-16 who are in the foster care and shelter system. Our agency partners are the Administration for Children’s Services, which protects and promotes the safety and well-being of New York City’s children and families by providing child welfare and early care and education services; and the Department of Homeless Services, which aims to prevent homelessness when possible; provide temporary, emergency shelter when needed; and help individuals and families transition rapidly into permanent housing. In 2018, nearly 2,000 volunteers served over 3,000 children through letters.

I am participating in the Secret Snowflake drive 2019. There are many children that will be without Christmas this year. It lifts my spirits to help put a smile on a child’s face by helping with items needed. As a mother, woman and human being, it’s tough not to feel emotion when you consider the painful existence some of these kids are going through at such a young age. The smallest act of kindness is enough to bring some happiness to their lives. The reality is that there isn’t enough compassion in the world these days. Some people are hardened by life’s throws. Often others’ apathy creates our own emotional barrier to protect ourselves. The holidays offer an excuse to be a bit less skeptical and more giving.

This week’s challenge is to do something thoughtful for someone else. It is not the magnitude of your offering that will make the difference. As little as your gesture may be, for the recipient, it can change everything. Bookmark someone’s life story. Be the page that makes them believe, possibly providing a new chapter that gives hope. You have the power to impact other people’s lives more than you realize. Take part in a coat drive, volunteer your time for a good deed, give back to a child that was never offered the chance to choose his fortune. One act a time can make the holidays brighter for a whole bunch.

Stay grateful.

Post and share your challenge, if you decide to take on this week’s task. Would love to hear your Comments below or Instagram!

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