Connecting 2 Give

I'm sorry for interrupting all things bookish here, but sometimes you will have to excuse me to talk about things I am passionate about.  This is one of them.

I have become a frequent Twitterer and have met many wonderful people along the way.  I don't know why it took me so long to embrace this fun way of communicating with others.  One of the people I met was Brandilyn Collins via Deena of A Peek at My Bookshelf blog.  I was there visiting one night when she posted about Brandilyn trying to help this homeless teen and her mom.  Immediately, I linked over to see what it was all about.  From there, I met Katy.  You can read her story on her blog, Anywhere But Here.  What was happening was people coming together via the world wide web, from all over, to help someone they didn't even know.  So, I began to follow Brandilyn and Katy, who led me to Julie Bonn Heath.  We've tweeted back and forth about Katy's situation as well as books and the day to day trivial things we all go through.

As is becoming common around the country these days, people are falling on hard times.  I don't usually post about what's going on in my life, because I'm not that way, but things have been rough for us this past year.  We lost both of my husband's parents, inherited another trailer house w/land, and many more headaches.  Just about the time things seem to be looking up, it all comes crashing down around us.  I continue to pray and know that God will continue to bless us.  I turn it over to Him and try not to worry.  Easier said than done.  Well, this week, it all came crashing down again and I have not been myself.  I have poured myself into reading, blogging, and being around my book blogging buddies, via the internet, where I feel safe.  It was during all of this that Julie tweeted about this woman who was trying to help fulfill other's needs through a website:  Connecting2Give.  I have been tweeting about Gwynne and her wonderful new site, but after watching President Obama give his speech today, I was inspired to write this post.  President Obama spoke of us all coming together and helping each other, no matter race, religion, culture, etc.  It really moved me because I have seen that in action through these ladies I've mentioned above.

Connecting2Give is about connecting people with needs to those who can fulfill those needs, and encouraging them to connect on a deeper level than that of just someone who shipped off a box, or sent an email.

Gwynne is so passionate about her site and helping others that she is in the process of trying to obtain 501 (c) (3) status to help her in this mission.  It all started with Claire, who needed a bread machine.  Gwynne was able to meet that need for Claire in just one day.  Then, she sent out a request for another need:  April needed to have her teeth fixed and get tires for her car.  Gwynne began sending out messages via Twitter about filling needs, do you have a need?, and can you give?  That was Sunday night, when I sat here wondering if this woman had been put in my path as an answer to my prayers.  So, I put my pride aside and spilled my guts to Gwynne.  You can read the story here.

I am not telling you all this to say "oh, woe is me; please help me."  That's not it at all.  I felt compelled to tell you about Gwynne and her site, that's all.  I know that many of my readers may have needs themselves or may be able to give and help one the needs Gwynne posts about.  Maybe one of you knows about 501 (c) (3)s and can assist her there.  All I'm asking is that you take a look at the site.

If you've read all the way to the end of this post, thank you!  I truly appreciate each and every one of you and am thankful for the joy you bring to my life by following, commenting, and just stopping by to see what lil' 'ol me has posted about one of the things I love: books.