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Writer's pictureNikki

The Giving Heart





A giving heart is a happy heart. Probably the greatest lesson I learned from my Dad (besides “Don’t eat yellow snow”) is that you can’t feel sorry for yourself if you are helping someone out. Number one, it just makes you feel good to lend a helping hand, and number two, you usually discover that there are a lot of folks out there that have it much worse than you do.

When I was teaching in St. Petersburg, Florida, a group of my peers would often go and make dinner at the Ronald McDonald House. I ended up doing that for over ten years and I loved every minute of it. No one knew my name, they simply called me the “Guacamole Girl” when they saw me coming. When we moved to Atlanta, I was elated to find that a newly renovated RMH was very close to my new digs. I didn’t have the friend circle that I had in St. Pete, so I chose to volunteer in guest services, which was also fantastic. I am so bummed that there is no RMH chapter in my new home in South Georgia, so I am actively looking for new ways to help out in my community.



Ronald McDonald House - My very favorite organization. Everything in the house is donated; from the building materials to the toilet paper. Most meals are also made by community members. If a child gets sick or needs a hospital for any reason (and the family lives 50+ miles away) they can stay for free at a RMH while their child recuperates. The facility is there when families need it most; they don’t have to worry about hotel costs or figuring out dinner. If you don’t have time to volunteer, most houses are creating wish lists on Amazon and you can donate items needed.




Lillie’s Foundation for Change - An Atlanta-based charity founded by an amazing teacher. This organization works to empower families, especially offering resources to those children out there who are being raised by grandparents.



DonorsChoose.org - I was an elementary school teacher for many, many years. Every single year I had to supplement my classroom supplies and educational materials out of my own pocket. (Or I would shake down friends and family members.) Donors Choose allows you to donate to a classroom of your choosing. You can select a school in a specific area, then choose to donate any amount you like for any project you like. Items listed are from the smallest imaginable (crayons) to big dreams like a classroom telescope. Choose today and make a teacher's classroom wish come true!



Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - This type of cancer hit closest to home for me. They appreciate donations and volunteers.




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