Living by Giving: Celebrating Moms

Mother’s Day is right around the corner and that means it’s a great month to celebrate some of our community’s biggest givers, our moms.  I had the privilege of connecting with an Atlanta mom who is giving back to our community by building homes inside and out.

Chris Nort is a mother of three and a devoted Habitat for Humanity volunteer. In 2002, she founded the Marist Women’s Build in partnership with Habitat Atlanta, bringing together the women and moms of the Marist School community to build homes for local families. This May, Chris and the women of Marist are completing their 12^th house together. That’s a dozen families in Atlanta that now own a home because of Chris and her friends. In honor of Mother’s Day, Chris took time to share about how she is Living by Giving.

On volunteering for Habitat for Humanity.

My first experience with Habitat was the first Marist Women’s Build project in 2002.  Habitat for Humanity reminds us of the simplest and most basic needs in our community:  safe and affordable housing.  Any volunteer who builds a Habitat home alongside the proud owner will be moved by their gratitude, their hope for a better future and their determination to succeed in home ownership. The entire experience only makes you want to build more.

On being a mom and a volunteer.

Nothing puts my petty woes and wants into perspective better than helping parents that I meet through Habitat for Humanity realize their dreams of a better life for their children.  My daughter and her friends have joined me on several builds and my son has helped to serve lunch to the volunteers. It’s great for them to see how important volunteering is in my life.  As a mom, I hope my children will recognize opportunities to help others and realize that no matter their “status” in life, there will always be someone who will benefit from their service.

On her Living by Giving dream.

My personal “Living by Giving” dream is to not avert my eyes when I see someone who is in despair, who needs a kind look or a helping hand.  There is no shame in being “affluent.” The shame is in not utilizing your assets and opportunities to help others.  If we believe this and embraced our ability to make a difference, the world would change.

On how to connect and contribute in the Atlanta community.

There are so many ways to contribute in our community: through churches, schools, outreach programs and community services. The need is great everywhere in Atlanta.  I would suggest:

• First, look at your schedule – which days in the month are flexible?
• Second, what are your talents?  Are you anxious to build a home? Rock a baby? Read to a child in elementary school?  Prepare food and spend an evening at a homeless shelter?  The needs are infinite and everyone has a gift to share.
• Third, don’t be afraid.  It can be difficult to talk with someone who has far less than you and see the look in their eyes and listen to their words of gratitude.  It is humbling, but necessary for all involved.

For more information on Habitat for Humanity, visit atlantahabitat.org.

Remembering Mom

Today marked 21 years since my mom passed away of breast cancer. The years seem to go by faster and certainly the grief has become easier. I find myself rallying around this day more as a "call to remember" for her, rather than a day to stop and recognize my own sadness.

This is mostly what I want to share: That the sadness does become a celebration. That the sting is dulled by a peace that warms your soul with appreciation that this person graced your life. That's how I remember my mom on this day.  And with outlets like Facebook, it really warms my soul to know how much love that still lives in others for my mom. See below. Wow!

Most things in life are uncertain, but love is one thing that is certain, and it is ironically through death that the certainty of love is most often found. I feel lucky to know that kind of love. Thanks Mom!

Why I'm staying in this Saturday evening

What I have learned in the past year as the ED of the Arby’s Foundation has really opened my eyes to a current crisis in our nation that is not being talked about enough…until now.

1 in 5 children in our very own backyard, struggles with hunger every day. Let me put it to you a different way: 20 million kids in the U.S. rely on free or reduced-price lunches each school day in the school year, yet fewer than three million participate in free summer meals programs. With summer around the corner, while kids should be planning for sun and fun, the reality for millions of kids begins creeping in – where will I eat?  Last summer in Arkansas, I had a little boy tell me directly that he didn’t like summer because he didn’t get lunch every day. In school, he did! Can you imagine?  

And whether you want to blame it on a failed institution or a failed parent, it doesn’t matter! I think you will watch this documentary and agree: In the end we will all have failed our kids if we don’t do something about this now, together.

So whether this fact surprises you or enrages you or emboldens you, I want you to take time this weekend and watch Hunger Hits Home on the Food Network. I had the great opportunity to attend this premiere in NYC a couple of weeks ago and it is a must-see. Even if you have plans for Saturday evening, set your DVRs. I will be staying in to watch it again.

The first step to change is always awareness. Please watch and become aware.

Food Network – “Hunger Hits Home” - Saturday, April 14^th, 8pm ET/PT

Jessica Alba: An honest giver

I will be honest and admit that I have missed most movies starring Jessica Alba, although her films have grossed billions for Hollywood in the past decade.  However, she always has caught my attention for her great style, poise and admirable beauty.

None of which is why I am such a huge fan today!

These days, you’ll find Jessica less around movies sets and more at her desk, on a playground or lobbying on Capitol Hill. She is truly Living by Giving. She is a CEO, activist for many causes and most importantly to her, a mom.   

For all you moms out there, if you have not heard about The Honest Company, you gotta check out www.honest.com.  This is Jessica's new company, alongside co-founder Christopher Gavigan that provides a marketplace for safe and healthy baby products – which are also very cute. (I'll admit it's pretty scary to learn about the dangerous chemicals that go into making baby products.) The business model is simple and involves customers creating a bundle of offerings, from diapers to cleaning products, and then having them delivered monthly. A noble and smart business idea! (p.s. they do offer a free trial.)

What makes this business idea even greater is its heart for social good.  Jessica and her team understand that the unfortunate irony of providing customers with these safer options is the reality that some families can’t afford any of the necessary baby products, too often having to choose between formula and diapers.  So, The Honest Company partners with Baby2Baby – a non-profit organization that supplies families in need with essential baby products and gear.  With every purchase, the company makes a product or financial donation to this cause.  So you too can help other families have access to safer baby products by purchasing safe ones for your own. That’s a Living by Giving win-win.

“I created The Honest Company to help moms and to give all children a better, safer start." – Jessica Alba

Do you want give back and help all babies have access to the basic necessities they need?

Here are 2 ways to do so:

1. Purchase your baby products from The Honest Company and know that a donation will be made to Baby2Baby in honor of each transaction.

2. Help Baby2Baby (or similar organization in your area) when hosting your next baby shower for a friend. Check it out: http://www.baby2baby.org/content/page/getinvolved

The Sport of Giving Back

April is often rated the best month for sports. Best or not, it certainly is one of the busiest.  From college basketball’s Final Four to professional golf’s Masters Tournament to Major League Baseball’s opening day, sports fan have the best weeks ahead this month.

I’m here to say to those fanatics, it’s not all about watching. Sports are some of the biggest philanthropic activities that exist in our communities. From running a race to rooting on your favorite team, sports is a great way to give back.  Here are a few ways you can use your affinity for athletics to help others in the community.

Play
Today, rarely do you see a sport competition that is offered in our community that doesn’t have a charitable aspect to it. From a 5K road race to golf, there is a full spectrum of activity waiting for you to sign-up to participate and donate. I’m already signed up for three this month. To register for an event or find tools to fundraise for your recreational activities, visit ActiveGiving.com.

Coach
If a sideline approach is more your style, I encourage you to think about becoming a coach at a local YMCA. With summer programs being finalized, there are many youth organizations that are looking for volunteers for coaches in all sports including baseball and swimming.  You don’t just have to watch the medal ceremonies this summer on television; you can be a part of one right here in Atlanta.  For coaching opportunities check out Metro Atlanta YMCA’s website at YMCAatlanta.org.

Cheerlead
Although our favorite teams aren’t on the court all year long, often their community outreach is. A lot of coaches and athletes from Atlanta’s own professional teams spend time in their respective off-seasons volunteering and contributing to projects in our schools and youth organizations.

In 2011, the Atlanta Hawk’s Foundation contributed $50,000 to Georgia State University for a scholarship program to support incoming first-year students. You can support these Foundations just by being a fan, by making a financial contribution or by attending one of their special events such as the Atlanta Hawk’s Foundation Casino night in April. For more information on these Foundations, visit the community section of your favorite team’s website:

• NBA.com/hawks/community
• AtlantaFalcons.com/community
• Atlanta.Braves.mlb.com/atl/community/index.jsp

Physical activity and volunteering are all things that elevate serotonin levels in your bodies, which puts you in a good mood.  Imagine combining the two together! It’s a recipe for great happiness.