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Don’t you just hate when people ask you for money?
I mean, sheesh—it’s so uncomfortable. In the past, I’ve always avoided such scenarios and, by extension, fundraisers. They can be so annoying and in your face and guilt-inducing.
It’s even tougher being the one to ask for money when you know that things are tight financially for just about everyone these days. I mean, my husband and I always feel like royalty on payday —“WE’RE RICH! WE’RE RICH!”—but then subtract mortgage payments, electricity, water, insurance, groceries . . . well, you get the idea. We very quickly shrug out of our royal robes and come back down to earth with the rest of the commoners who are trying their best to afford to, well, live.
And for this reason, I used to always avoid fundraisers.
Until…
A Change of Heart
Have you ever had the experience where an issue went from being a mere concern in your mind to a driving force that you simply couldn’t ignore because it’d been lodged so deeply in your heart that, were you to remove it, you’d lose a central part of yourself?
I sure hope so.
Because that’s what happened to me.
I’d always been concerned about the issue of abortion. But I, like many, just didn’t know how to translate that into action. After all, what could I really do to make a difference?
To find my answer to this question, I did what anyone would do in the midst of such a mental conundrum.
I Googled it.
And my Google search led me to an old house on the corner of Elm and Bessemer in downtown Greensboro.
What was this place? You got it; Greensboro Pregnancy Care Center.
That was four years ago, and since then I’ve had the opportunity to work in a context where I could use my gifts to help others. In fact, the center actually provides this opportunity for all kinds of skill sets. Whether you’re good with people, computers, graphic design, administration, networking, decorating, organizing . . . whatever your sweet spot is, there’s an opportunity for you.
Yes, I used to always avoid fundraisers. Until I became invested in the Care Center, a place that operates entirely off the generosity of people who sacrifice their time, their resources, or perhaps even both.
It’s easy to say that money shouldn’t matter when it comes to the mission of a ministry, but the fact is, well, it does. Think about it, even if you had an endless supply of volunteers willing to run all aspects of the Care Center, you’d still need things like, ya know, a building; running water; electricity. Not to mention pregnancy tests, ultrasound machines, IT services, paper, ink, office supplies . . . you get the idea.
So, I used to always avoid fundraisers and asking others for money.
But not anymore.
Because there are some things that are more important than my own discomfort and pride.
And there are some things that are worth making financial sacrifices for, especially when you know that your sacrifice could have an eternal impact.
I never want the things I own to own me. I want to hold everything I have with open hands, willing to meet the needs of others and to give sacrificially. Because the fact is, one day when I leave this world, I won’t be taking any stuff with me.
When my husband and I are approached by another with a financial need, we can’t always give much (and some months not even anything). But we try to prayerfully consider how we might be able to bless someone else with what we do have. Sometimes that means giving money, other times it means opening our home, offering our time, or sharing a meal. Regardless of what it is we’re giving, there’s one thing for certain: we’ve always been blessed as a result.
No, I don’t avoid these fundraisers anymore. These fundraisers serve both the receiver and the giver. The former by continuing to fuel the ministry, and the latter by providing the opportunity for the giver to invest in something bigger than him or herself.
Now What?
So you may be wondering how to respond to this post. What now? Well I happen to love practical solutions as well as bullet points. So have no fear! I’ve got some ideas for you!
- Do Some Shopping! Tomorrow, Saturday, April 9, from 8 am–12 noon, a friend and I are hosting a yard sale to benefit GPCC’s Walk for Life. It’s located at 6326 River Hills Drive, 27410. 100% of the proceeds will be invested into the mission of the Care Center. We’d love to see you there!
- Eat Frozen Yogurt! Thursday, April 14, Sweet Frog at Bridford Parkway is hosting a fundraiser night to benefit GPCC. If you mention the Care Center at the register between 5 and 10 pm, 20% of your purchase will go towards the Walk for Life. Making a worthwhile investment AND eating frozen yogurt? Um, yes please!
- Eat Chick-Fil-A! Wednesday, April 20, the Chick-fil-A on Pisgah Church Road will be donating a 15% of each purchase to gpcc from 5-8 pm, this includes the drive thru. Customers must mention GPCC for the donation to count.
- Participate in the Walk for Life! Come out to Center City Park on Saturday, April 23, and walk with other community supporters—and consider making a financial sacrifice to support this ministry. Visit the Walk for Life website by clicking here.
These are just a few great places to start if you want to invest in the Care Center. I hope you’ll consider what part you might play in the mission of this place. And I also hope that, if you can’t say it now, you’ll soon be able to say:
I used to always avoid fundraisers. But not anymore.
Mary Holloman is the wife of her ruggedly handsome husband Matt and the mother of a feisty ball of energy named Benjamin. When Mary’s not busy preventing her one year old from injuring himself, she’s probably writing, getting involved at her local pregnancy care center, or attempting a craft on Pinterest. You can follow her daily shenanigans on her blog, All My Springs, which can be found at www.allmyspringsblog.com.
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