As most of you know, today was the last day of the awesome Couponing for Community event all over the country. I don’t think that any of us knew exactly how far that this whole event would go, but I can tell you that it will mean so much to so many people.
Totally off subject, but I wanted to share- The other day I had an odd but very nice surprise and donation from someone very unexpected. My family and I were in Walmart picking up some freebies from this week’s deals and a man came up to us and tried to give us a dollar. Now I actually had my makeup on and my hair fixed and even had normal clothes on that night. (This is rare, you’ll normally find me in sweats!) So I knew that I couldn’t possibly look like I really needed a dollar. Plus I was checking out with 50 cans of dog food and some other items. Most people who are in need don’t go around buying 50 cans of dog food.
But alas, this man insisted that he give me this dollar to buy my daughter something special. He said that he didn’t have his grandson anymore (not sure what exactly that meant, but I felt bad for him anyways) and that he wanted to bless a child. He also said that he had just lost everything in the flood. I just could not believe that this man who had just lost everything was giving ME money. How lost he must feel. I mean he was buying new dishes and pots and pans!
This experience just further made me feel like I can really give up a lot when there are so many out there (especially now) in need.
Today, I along with a few readers and even some strangers, donated 15 boxes full of toiletries, canned goods, boxed dinners, rice, etc to a local homeless shelter. We truly used our coupons to give back to the community. I was very excited to share this with each curious person who asked what we were doing.
I put together some pictures from today to give you an idea of all the items that we all donated!
I appreciate everyone who came out and I enjoyed meeting you! These donations are going to help make someone’s day brighter and The Journey Home is very appreciative of our donations.
I hope that every one of you was able to give a portion of your stockpile and I hope that we can do this next year!
Thanks to Kaley at Cha Ching on a Shoestring for the awesome idea!!
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Amy, this is wonderful. I am really touched by your story and by your willingness to go the extra mile to make this event have an even greater impact. Awesome job.
Thank YOU Kaley! You have really found a way to unite us and have helped out communities all over the country! I had a blast!
Wow, your Wal-Mart story just broke my heart! Thank you for giving up part of your daughter’s birthday to do such a great thing at Publix! I was so happy to give! God Bless!
Thank you Cheryl! It was really nice to meet you and thanks so much for giving!
AMY…I so wanted to try to get out there to join you all last weekend! We are a bit tied up with getting things back up and going here after the flood. Sat…we were over helping friends who had flood damage. (And the roads are still pretty difficult to navigate from out here into Nashville due to detours and washed outs still being repaired) But so glad it was a good turn out despite the circumstances we’ve all been through this past week!
Last week when we were out of power and water…a single mom brought us some of her drinking water, a neighbor brought us lunch and a older widow offered us food and water….and here they are also without power and running water and have also suffered loss from this flood! It has been such a blessing to see people give even when they have had so much loss! Even more of a blessing for us has been helping those around us and seeing the outpouring of neighbors and even people coming in from out of town to help with rebuilding. It’s been such a great lesson for our children!
We are so blessed!