February 13, 2006
Hi,

Welcome to this edition of the Everyday Giving ezine.

I received more response about last week's issue than any other so far. I am glad you enjoyed my embarrassing photo and the "volunteering" cartoon. If you missed the issue for some reason, you can view it at http://www.everydaygiving.com/ezine/27JAN06.html

We think about giving to those in need during a few of the holidays. This is especially true for Thanksgiving Day and Christmas. Valentine's Day is traditionally a day to give to the ones closest to us. The article below discusses the possibility of extending our giving on Valentine's Day to include at least one more person.

If you know of someone else that could benefit from this ezine, please forward it to him or her. I would like to know if this ezine has been a help to you. You can always send me a note with your comments or questions to roger@everydaygiving.com

Thanks,
Roger Carr signature
Roger B. Carr
"Mentor to the Rich of Heart"



Be a Valentine to Someone  In Need

by Roger Carr

Valentine's Day is an exciting holiday to celebrate for many people. It is a time when people demonstrate their love and kindness to those that are closest to them.

All ages celebrate the special occasion. I remember at a young age writing my name on Valentine's Day cards and handing them out to my classmates at school. I also remember receiving some in return. Now the cards have grown over time to include a gift for those I honor.

Valentine's Day is not anxiously anticipated by everyone. Holidays can be a very tough time for some people due to the hardships and loses they have gone through. Valentine's Day is a reminder of the loved ones they have lost at some point in their life. It might also be a reminder that they do not have many friendships. The holiday might bring out a feeling of loneliness rather than the feeling of being loved.

In 2003, the United States Census Bureau reported the following statistics:
  • There are 14 million people widowed.
  • There are 21.6 million people divorced.
  • There are over 12 million single parent families.
In 1999, they reported there were over 1.6 million people in nursing homes.

These are a few categories of people that might be experiencing a sense of loss. This loss is amplified during the holidays, especially Valentine's Day. Many of them have been loved in a significant way in the past by someone that is no longer with them.

This Valentine's Day, make a difference in someone else's life that needs it most. Identify someone that is waiting for you to provide a friendly reminder on Valentine's Day that he or she is special and loved. Your reminder could be in the form of actively talking, offering a Valentine's Day card, presenting a gift, or maybe there is a need that special person has you could help meet.

If you are someone that has a hard time during the holidays, don't wait for someone to come to you. Take it upon yourself to do something for someone else in your same situation. Not only will you be helping the other person during a trying time, but you will be less lonely as well.

I have found that when I do something for others, I feel much better as well. It doesn't matter how much time or energy you have to give. The important thing is that you do something to let another person know you care.

There is someone waiting for you to help this Valentine's Day. Do that person and yourself a favor and make this a better Valentine's Day for both of you. Be that special person's Valentine this year.

 
About Everyday Giving

Everyday Giving is a company dedicated to the philosophy that everyone can be a philanthropist by simply doing little things everyday. Everyday Giving has a goal of creating one million new philanthropists whose purpose is to create a better world every day. If you enjoyed this issue of the Everyday Giving ezine, then visit our website at www.everydaygiving.com to learn more ways you can change the world.

Copyright © 2006 Roger B. Carr. All rights reserved
1285 Carl D Silver Parkway #310, Fredericksburg, VA 22401