Have you ever wondered how you can make a difference in your community? “The real goal is to assist someone in need, but also when possible, to look beyond yourself and share with another person. Child or adult, we all need to look beyond ourselves. So very often folks receive but do not think of giving,” shared our anonymous longtime supporter celebrating their 80th birthday.

Whether it’s volunteering with a local non-profit, listening to children read at a local school, sharing a smile or kind word with a stranger or asking 80 volunteers at Habitat Greensboro to help celebrate your 80th birthday, the spirit of giving and receiving is shared.

The real goal is to assist someone in need, but also when possible, to look beyond yourself and share with another person. Child or adult, we all need to look beyond ourselves. So very often folks receive but do not think of giving.

Over several weeks, 80 envelopes containing $80.00 cash, a note of explanation, and a postcard addressed back to the donor were distributed to Habitat Greensboro volunteers. The volunteers had a chance to experience the joy of giving and the joy on those receiving. For the donor, knowing that in honor of her 80th birthday, there were people giving, receiving and connecting, even if only briefly, was the best birthday gift ever!

As you go about each day, remember to “celebrate your life while blessing others.”

A few of the responses…

I’m grateful for the opportunity to take part in your “Paying it Forward” celebration. This part of your generous gift was paid forward by me to a friend who is in close contact with a neighbor who is completely wheelchair-bound, and who struggles to maintain her home. My friend paid your gift forward to this person who was immensely grateful to be able to budget it toward her utility bills. In addition, by the time your $80 made it to this recipient, it had grown to $240. Thank you for your generosity and example.

I was quite surprised and impressed by your idea to celebrate you 80th. The janitor at my church is a Montagnard Refuge. He recently fell off a ladder at his house and suffered 3 broken ribs. He will be out of work for some time. Your gift is truly needed.