I like to read the blog Talk About Giving. Talk About Giving is an initiative developed by the Central Carolina Community Foundation to encourage multi-generational conversation about philanthropy. Each week, they ask a question about giving and encourage readers to have conversations about the question with family members, particularly kids.
This week’s question on Talk About Giving is: Can we give something other than money?
This question made me smile because my husband and I have been talking with our kids about giving love and support to a little girl they don’t even know. The little girl, who is 3, is fighting cancer. Her father is a colleague of my husband’s and a financial advisor. The girl has an older sister, who is 6. These girls are just about the same exact age as our boys.
I can’t imagine what this family is going through right now. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about a 3 year old having to fight such a terrible disease. We talked with our kids about how the family is a lot like us, and how they could use some love and support to help them get through the cancer treatment. We talked about how the treatment would make her sick and lose her hair. We talked about how it might not even make her get better.
While my 2 year old, Biz, didn’t quite understand everything, my 6 year old, G, asked how he could help. We suggested that he write a note to her and draw some pictures. Soon, Biz asked for paper and markers to draw his own picture and “write” a note. Since then, G has used his “free time” in his 1st grade class to write letters to the little girl and draw pictures. He plans on keeping it up as long as she’s sick.
The little girl has received the first of the letters and drawings from both G and Biz. We hear she thought it was pretty cool that she got mail from kids she doesn’t even know.
While we certainly can’t cure her cancer, we can help to put a smile on her face. Even if it is for a short time.
That, to me, is a great way to give.
Each Friday, the another jennifer blog shares stories of those who incorporate philanthropy into their everyday lives – personally and professionally – in a creative and unique way. If you have a story you’d like to share, please email Jennifer.
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