Where do the children play?

I have fond memories of soaring high on a swing and building towering castles of sand in my local neighborhood playground. For so many, these playful pictures remained engraved in our hearts and minds and were truly formation in our childhood development. Do you remember laughing and jumping in a playground? Have you seen the […]

What’s in a Name?

“A rose by any other name would smell as sweet” is a commonly quoted part of a dialogue in William Shakespeare‘s play Romeo and Juliet, in which Juliet argues that the names of things do not matter, only what things “are”. This Christmas much to my surprise Orchid received a donation from the Eck family. […]

The Gift that keeps on giving….

One of my favorite movies is called Christmas Vacation, starring Chevy Chase.   In this holiday hit, a very dysfuncational family attempts to host the “perfect” Christmas, only to have all of the plans fall part and mayhem almost ruin this joyous celebration.  Near the end of the movie, the main character, Clark Griswold is […]

Bringing the warmth of Christmas to Peru

The Philanthropic Dating Game

  Remember the old television show from the 60’s; “The Dating Game”? It was that crazy program where three bachelors or bachelorettes would sit behind a wall while someone badly dressed on the other side asked the wackiest questions they could. How each prospective blind date answered would hopefully lead to the perfect match and […]

The Restroom Philanthropist

  I have always considered the possibility that every life event, in fact every life moment, is in fact loaded with miracles if we just let them occur and watch for the magic. I was reminded of this again just this week when the most basic moment of everyday life eventually turned in to something […]

Awareness in Africa

  I recently returned from a 2-week trip to Gabon, Africa in partnership with a church from New York and one from Paris, France.  Our team of 17 was able to develop relationships and bring much-needed help and support.  We spent one week in the capital city of Libreville, helping build a new home for […]

Now that’s Different….

How often do you wake up in the morning with a burning desire to make a difference? It’s a question I ask in all sincerity and realize of course that our initial humble response might be “no; not really”. I’m willing to bet however that our conscious response isn’t portraying an accurate cogitation. My guess […]

Got change? Be the Change…

  Would you give up .30 cents a day if you could help lift 1 billion children out of poverty? My guess is that you are laughing and saying: “of course; who wouldn’t if that were possible?”             Well it is and you can help prove it. .30 a day […]

Why You Matter

  You matter because where once there was nothing now there are walls, a roof and electricity You matter because with you Miracles happen. You matter because you cared enough to Be A Transformation. You matter because you answered the call to to help a community Bloom. And at the end of 2012 You and […]