Girls Giving 2022

Last night = definitely one for the books ?

4th annual Girls Giving, 2022, benefiting GenerateHope ?

✨ TOGETHER, with less than 25 ladies, we’ve already raised boxes full of goods and nearly $1000 for the precious ladies at GenerateHope.

And, YOU can still participate, if you want ?

? Send your financial donations BEFORE tomorrow (Sunday, November 27, 2022) evening and it will be ? DOUBLED by our anonymous donor ? and, of course, if you want to donate directly to GenerateHope after that, it will be just as appreciated (it just won’t be doubled)! My Venmo is preferred, or you can go to www.growthandgracelife.com/girls-giving-2022 to see all the different ways you can donate.

Here’s the low down on Girls Giving this year, and a few of the things that stood out to me:

? 150+ personal invitations went out for this, and 20 ladies came. ⅓ of the invites never got a response, and there were plenty of changes to RSVPs day-of.
? Dino nuggets ? are a huge hit for all ages! I intentionally chose them over every other type of nugget, and I’d do it all over again!
? It humbles me each year to see the list of items that will be such a major blessing to the recipients. Each year, the items are ones that can be so easily taken for granted.
? You can never have too many types of chips and snacks and pie. People love variety!
? People genuinely want to have something to contribute towards, and they want to participate in doing good. Find a cause to give to, and invite people to join. Let it be easy.
? 4 years running, and we typically have a 4:1 ratio of red wines to white. Unimportant, but a noticeable pattern.
? My apartment comfortably sits 10 people, and we had 20 ladies yesterday ? I believe this is where the definition of “cozy” comes from ?
? When people are on purpose, and focused on a beautiful cause, differences can be set aside.

There were MANY different beliefs represented at Girls Giving last night, and it was really special to see people from different backgrounds come TOGETHER to support GenerateHope ? Religion. Politics. Family outlook. World views. Beliefs about all kinds of things. DIFFERENCES set aside to focus on blessing those in need.

There are ALWAYS people we can help, but not when we’re so selfishly focused on our own stubborn needs and caught up in our own opinions. I’m so blessed to get to host Girls Giving every year and be part of bringing people together.

Last night, I was asked how Girls Giving came to be, and transparently, I don’t recall exactly how it came about. I got the idea (prompted by something, I’m sure) and ran with it. Very simply:

? Find a cause
? Invite girls to join
? Set out snacks
? Raise funds + goods
? Celebrate together
? Donate everything that was collected

It’s grown through the years, but remains an intimate event, with the purpose of being fun and intentional ? We bring awareness to a cause that people may not know about, with the hope that they will continue giving to that organization throughout the coming years ?

Every year, I always wish more girls got to participate, because it really is special ? and it’s a blessing for each girl who participates (not just for the organization we’re donating to). Here are a few of the notes I’ve received from ladies today:

? “Hey Susan! Giving party last night was so absolutely amazing! It was so well done, people were so intentional and I had an amazing time. Thank you so so much for inviting me!”
? “Last night was so fun!! Great job mamas! I personally had lots of breakthroughs from all the conversations I had!”
? “Hi Susan! Thank you so much for hosting another amazing Girls Giving event! What a special night that was and thank you for your heart in wanting to serve those girls at Generate Hope! You’re inspiring! Have a wonderful weekend!”

In years past, I’ve always known someone at the organization which was selected for Girls Giving. This year was different.

? There are so many incredible organizations that meet the criteria I use to pick “the one” we’ll be giving to for Girls Giving each year (i.e. different from years past, locally-based, ability to receive both financial + physical goods donations, and lined up with Biblical principles).

? In looking at organizations this year, GenerateHope stood out head and shoulders above the rest!

? If you have not yet, I *highly* encourage you to partner with them. There are many ways you can give back, and I fully believe this organization is worthy of being poured into! You can see more details here about how (i.e. giving of your time, goods, finances, expertise, etc.): https://www.generatehope.org/

If nothing else, I hope this post encourages you to go out and be a difference maker in any way you can.

✅ You may not host something, but you can donate financially.
✅ You may not donate financially, but you have time to share your expertise.
✅ You may not have time, but you can help spread the word about Girls Giving events.
✅ You may not help spread the word, but you can ship donations to them as you do your other shopping.
✅ You may not ship donations, but you can host something.

You see where I’m going with this ♾️ There’s always a way to do something helpful! There’s no way I could do this without the support of community, and at the same time, this Girls Giving event wouldn’t exist if I wouldn’t have followed the prompt God gave me.

? It’s a two-way street, and we’re each of us responsible for what we choose to participate in.

YOU are a difference maker. What kind of difference are you committed to making? I hope it’s one of giving back ?