Tag: DSFO

Sharing and Giving

967) Called a colleague and passed on some information to a colleague that I thought would alert her to a situation that could have been detrimental.

968) Sent some information to a colleague who needed it.

969) Gave someone a ride home on a dark and rainy night.

970) In line at the grocery store, with my cart filled high for the upcoming Passover holiday, a local Rabbi got behind me with just two items. I had to ask him two times before he would go first.  I told him it could me my mitzvah for the day.

971) At my networking meeting, one of the co-founders of DSFO announced that in honor of their 10th anniversary, they were running a special campaign running called ConnecTen.  She said during these difficult times non profit agencies are seeing more clients and their donations are down. Their goal was to reach $10,000 supporters. She asked that we connect with 10 of our friends and ask each one for a $10 donation. Another member of the group, stood up with her $10 in hand and said she was prepared to give and who else wanted to do so. Hands sprung up in the air with this instant fundraiser. I am sure we raised a couple hundred dollars. It felt great to participate and the energy in the room was absolutely electric.

Today, on my way to a networking meeting, I was running late. As I drove to the meeting, I was stopped once for a passing firetruck and soon afterwards realized I was behind a funeral processional. After a few minutes, the police officer stopped the second lane of traffic at a green light so that the funeral cars could successfully pass through in one line. Two cars ahead of me someone zipped into the processional to move left and get onto the freeway. I could see by the officer’s body language his irritation with this driver. Even running late I realized that it is respectful to wait your turn for a funeral procession. I was surprised how irritated I was at this other driver for his lack of kindness.

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Choosing the easy thing or the right thing

951) Sent out information that our school was having an on line raffle so others I knew could participate.

952) Did some Portlandia /DSFO volunteer work.

953) Today when I went to the grocery store with my kids I started speaking with the clerk. They were doing a fundraiser for Jerry’s Kids (Muscular Dystrophy Association). I gave last time I was at the store. But the clerk told me that the store goal was $3200 and that they had already raised over $2200. If they hit there goal it would help send 4 local kids to camp. I donated again.

954) I was so disappointed to find out that a lecture series I attend will be having their  final lecture on the 1st night of Passover. I emailed a colleague from my networking group to see if anyone she knew wanted to purchase the ticket from me. I was figuring if I couldn’t attend at least I could get my money back. She emailed me back that a friend who is battling cancer and receiving chemotherapy couldn’t afford it right now and would love to go. She asked if I might want to “do a mitzvah” and pass it on to her.

I  have to admit my first thought was not yes. However, within a few minutes I thought of all the wonderful gifts I have received from others in this group. I have received support and guidance, won flowers, books, a labeler, free tickets, gift certificates and more through the women in this group.

When I told my kids the story at the end of the day, my son said sometimes there is the easy thing to do and sometimes there is the right thing to do. You chose the right thing. I think he was right!

A shared mitzvah…

447) Volunteered through DSFO.

448) Brought an item for our raffle today.

449) Volunteered in my son’s classroom.

450) Sent a thank you note to two people who helped me on our recent Entertainment book fundraiser.

451) Called a friend back in a timely manner who was looking for information about something.

452) I also have two stories to share. Yesterday, my mom and I attended a matinee to celebrate my upcoming birthday. It was a great play and we had a fun time together. When I was waiting in the car for my mom after the play was over I saw a young woman probably early 20’s with a dog who was asking for money. I am never sure what the right thing to do when people ask for money, but all I could think about was I have just spent $25 to see a play and how grateful I was for the opportunity to do that. I gave her some money and was even thinking about giving her my banana that I had brought for lunch but hadn’t eaten. My mom commented about it so we talked for several minutes about how lucky we really are and that was why I wanted to give back to this girl.

453) Today, I attended my women’s networking group. We had two incredible speakers who had written a book about mothers and daughters. After I purchased a copy of the book,  the waitress whom I have seen several times at our luncheons, said she really wanted to listen but couldn’t because she was working.  I went back to the speakers and asked if I might be able to buy another book to give to her. They offered to gift her one and even autographed it. The look on her face when I handed her the book was awesome. She said she would read it during her break and thanked me. This evening my son said this was definitely a mitzvah but again my daughter said it wasn’t since I hadn’t paid for the book myself.

454) Volunteered a second time in my son’s classroom this week.

455) Called a friend recovering from an illness.

456) Gave a client/friend a small thank you gift.

457) Picked up some trash in the school parking lot.

Finally, I received two wonderful mitzvahs this week. The first was when the speaker told me I was exactly the kind of audience she likes to have right in the front, engaged, nodding and smiling. Also, received an email from an acquaintance thanking me for my choices after my father had died. It had inspired her and she was able to do the same this year when her own father died. She told me I had done a mitzvah and hadn’t even realized it.