Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays, givers. The i have. i give. team hopes that everyone has a happy and safe holiday as we head full steam into the wintery months! We thought we would give you givers a few ideas to start the season off on the right foot and make someone's day. Nothing is better than giving--especially right now! So read our list and try a few of these out. Who knows, it might just make your day, too :)

1.       Shovel your neighbor’s driveway or sidewalk

-- Great exercise for you and a welcome relief from the cold for your charitable gift receiver. Charitable giving doesn’t have to include money; it just needs to be from the heart.

2.       Sing Christmas carols at an Elderly home

-- Everyone loves two things during the holiday season; getting together with people and Christmas music.  Drink some hot tea and warm up your voice because singing ‘Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer’ and ‘Silver Bells’ is definitely going to take some skills.

3.       Wrap presents at Barnes & Noble

--It’s the simple things in life that make a difference. This is one of those things. It doesn’t take much skill to wrap a present, but it does take a lot of time.

4.       Deliver a meal to homebound seniors

-- Have a free Friday or Saturday? Enjoy food? Visit voacolorado.org to find out more information about their Market Meals or Meals on Wheels programs.

5.       Help a neighbor put up or take down Christmas lights

--It can be a daunting task, but one that is worth it in the end.  Your neighbor will enjoy the company and you will get to enjoy the lights whenever you drive home. 

6.       Clean the snow of off a stranger’s car

--If you have some extra time in the morning use it to do a good deed. Brushing or scraping the snow off of someones car is a great way to start your day and that person’s day off on the right foot.

7.       Buy a cup of coffee for the person behind you in line

-- That Starbucks or local coffee shop line can get pretty long. Imagine if as you go to pull out your wallet the barista says, “It’s been taken care of.”  That’s definitely a shock and ‘make your day’ kind of gesture.

8.       Donate Blood

--Every 2 seconds a person in the U.S requires a transfusion of blood.  Visit donors.bonfils.org to find a location near you to give blood. There are blood drives practically every day on their schedule. Here are few in the Metro Denver area:

○    Cherry Creek North- 2^nd & Fillmore- November 10^th- 10 a.m – 3:30 p.m

○    Denver Museum of Nature & Science- November 23^rd –10 a.m -3:30 p.m

○    Denver Public Library- Central Branch- December 7^th – 8 a.m – 1:30 p.m

9.       Make Holiday cards for your neighbors or strangers

-- This is a great creative activity for adults and children. Snail Mail is a thing of the past, but it’s still the best way to make a person’s day after a long day of work, school, etc. You can give the cards to your neighbors, slip them under someone’s windshield wiper or give them to a cashier at a store this holiday season. Everyone likes to know their appreciated.

10.    Bake cookies for your mailperson

--He or She delivers your mail all year long, through the sunny days and the freezing cold days. A batch of cookies would be a welcome surprise. It may make the rest of their route a little warmer.

2nd Annual Event!

Coming soon...i have. i give. presents chili-cook off and home brew benefitting the Musana Children's Home in Uganda, Africa. 

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 6th

Broncos vs. Raiders

1 PM

Come to:

Governor's Ranch Clubhouse

9050 West Prentice Ave;
Littleton, Colorado 80123

Sign up for Sunday football pools, chili cook-off and home brew

$10 To enter chili or home brew in advance

$20 day of entries 

*Please e-mail ihaveigive@gmail.com to find out how you can get involved*

Financially Fit Females Night At The Rockies

The Colorado Rockies have extended a special ticket price to Financially Fit Females (and friends and family) for the Rockies vs the Astros game on August 23rd. This amazing block of seats is located in Section 116 rows 5, 6 and 7. The cost is only $28 per ticket (Face Value is $38) and Financially Fit Females will donate 100% Profit from every ticket purchased to Dress for Success Denver! That’s $10 per ticket that will be going to Dress for Success!

So grab your family, grab some friends and come out to enjoy some summer fun while doing some good – helping underprivileged women get back on their feet and back into the workforce!

Come out early for a pre-game gathering at Falling Rock Tavern (1919 Blake Street)! – Just a half block from Coors Field on Blake Street – a great spot to meet for a quick bite or a beer pre-game!

Make checks payable to:

Diane Gaston

$28 per ticket

Mail checks to:

Diane Gaston

1029 East 8

Denver, CO 80218

Tickets will be at will on game day!

Paying by Pay Pal? Send to:

ddgaston@gmail.com

303.915.2892

th Ave, 1402

Deadline to purchase tickets:

Friday, August 12, 2011
 

Mike Menzel's Iron Man Involvement and support of i have. i give.

Mike Menzel, a friend of i have. i give's Katie Bond, and a supporter of the i have. i give. Project sat down with i have. i give.'s Andrea Bucci and discussed his upcoming participation in the Iron Man and how what i have. i give. means to him. Read on to find out more

Q: What triathlon are you participating in and what is the mileage that you will cover?

A: The triathlon that I am doing is the Iron Man in Wisconsin. I will be swimming for 2.4 miles, biking for 112 miles and running for 6.2 miles; all of this totals to be about 140.6 miles.

Q: 140.6 miles; that intimidates me just hearing about it. What would motivate you do such an extreme triathlon?

A: I was a heavy smoker and I indulged heavily in fast food. In 1998 I decided I wanted to pursue a healthy lifestyle and I pulled a 180 on the way that I was living and I started to enjoy the benefits that I was seeing and feeling of being healthy. At the time, my employer was a sponsor of the Iron Man, the first time that I worked an Iron Man race I went in feeling intimidated because I thought that the people that participated in this event were going to be the most elite athletes. At that same event, I was fortunate enough to witness something that inspired me and brought me to believe that I too could partake one day in the Iron Man. As I watched four men pulled one guy out with no legs out of the water to throw him back in to swim his second lap. At that moment I knew I had to stop wishing I could do something like this and start doing. I began to ask myself, what does it mean when you say you never could do anything like that if you have never tried?

Q: Why did you want to be involved with i have. i give?

A: The initial reason was Katie. I knew Katie and I know her spirit, her commitment and her heart and I knew that this was something that I needed to look into. I also was so intrigued by the name; i have. i give. It is true, we all have plenty to give and as I mentioned before I knew that if I can do something I will; that’ s what got me to do the race in the first place. So that’s what I am doing, giving of what I have.

Q: I like how you said, if I can do something I will; what was your motivation to begin getting involved?

A: I wanted to begin to commit more of my time by being present at events, being hands on and volunteering when and where I could/can.

Q: What characteristics do you admire in those you look up to?

A: Drive and the ability to accomplish making other people better off. Lance Armstrong is a good example of this. Although he is best known for being the second most decorated cyclist in the world, he has accomplished more in fundraising for cancer; raised hundreds of millions of dollars and most importantly has changed many lives for the better.

Thank you to Mike for taking time to sit down and discuss this with Andrea. Good luck at the triathlon Mike!

Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser

As our own i have. i give. team member, Katie Bond, prepares herself for her mission trip to India, the i have. i give. Project and all it's loyal supporters collaborated to host a spaghetti dinner in Katie's honor to help fund her trip. After all was said and done we had thirty six guests come to dine in support of both Katie and the i have. i give. Project. We shared in a delicious dinner, and an array of sweets (thanks to Shonya Petrelli) and of course enjoyed the gathering of such wonderful people. We also were able to give away a few gifts of our own including tickets to a concert, tickets to the Greeley Stampede, tickets to an Outlaws game, and a beautiful bouquet of flowers that were so generously donated by The Ruffly Rose; and owner Emily Rodriguez. Thank you to all those who donated gifts and thanks to all of our wonderful guests and those few people who couldn't make the event. With all of your help we were able to raise $622.00. We are so grateful to the i have. i give. community for if it were not for you we would of not been able to make this event possible! Thank you as always for giving of what you have!

Beautiful flowers donated from The Ruffly Rose

Thanks for the donation Emily Rodriguez & The Ruffly Rose

The Ruffly Rose! AMAZING

Shonya Petrelli just as sweet as this cake she donated

Thanks for all the support

Helping with the decorations

Dan Walter and Walt showing their support

The Rawest Cats showing their support

Justin McCann, Scott Shepard and Alexa Belmont

RJ Moser and Caleb Bond

RJ Moser, Caleb Bond, Mac Whitney, Nicole Hewett, Justin McCann, Scott Shepard, Dan Walter

Zach Cohn, Leah, Erica Montgomery, and Jessica

Drew, Jessica, Matt, Tony, Nicole Hewett, Erica Montgomery, and Katie Bond

Nicole Hewett and Erica Montgomery

Mike Menzel, Shonya Petrelli, Tony Petrelli

Ashley Thomas and Katie Bond

Jessica Dawkins, Emily Rodriguez, Chip Erickson, Justin McCann, Mac Whitney, Richie Rodriguez and Ashley Thomas

Erica Montgomery, Mallory, Jessica Dawkins and Ashley Thomas

Kelly Tracy and Kaitlyn Herbert

Katie Bond

Kelly Tracy, Jenn Taussig, Kaitlyn Herbert and Mallory

Ashley Thomas, Dan Walter

Katie Bond and Mike 

Nicole's Trip to Haiti

Andrea's sister, Nicole recently took a volunteer trip to Haiti so Andrea interviewed her to find out the details about her experience! What a cool thing to do--good job Nicole! Here are the questions she asked her:

Q: How did you get involved with this trip to Haiti?

A: Westerly Road Church in Princeton, NJ and Princeton Evangelical Fellowship, a Princeton University student organization for Christians, joined together to form a team to send to Haiti. I had wanted to go on a short-term mission trip as I had felt God calling me to do so, so I applied for the Haiti, was accepted, and went!

Q: What motivated/captivated you to volunteer for this trip? What were you're motivating factors to go to such a place of poverty? 

A: After the earthquake in 2010, I was shocked by the devastation. At that time, I was finishing graduate school and working and I didn’t feel the timing was right for me to travel there. When this trip to Haiti came up this year, I still really wanted to help. I am a Christian and I have chosen to devote my life to Christ. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere and the earthquake left it in even worse shape. I wanted to go to serve those in need, but also to grow as a Christian and learn to live more and more by faith.

Q: Did you have any expectations about what you were going to see upon arrival?

A: In some ways, yes. Our team had 5 preparation meetings to train before departing for Haiti. A few team members had visited Haiti since the earthquake so we knew where we were going and what our tasks were going to be. However, I was not expecting to see as much rubble and building devastation from the earthquake as I did. On the day of the earthquake, nearly 300,000 people died. Over 1.5 million were displaced as a result of the earthquake. Many of these people now live outside Port-au-Prince in permanent tents that have no infrastructure (no electricity, no plumbing, no water).

Q: Can you describe what you saw when you arrived?

A: Once we arrived, we saw some of the damage the earthquake had done such as cracks in buildings and fallen walls. We didn’t immediately drive through Port-au-Prince, so much of our initial experience was seeing the displaced people in the tent cities outside Port-au-Prince. Global aid provided temporary tents to people who lost homes in the earthquake. Today, many people are still living in the tents either in a tent city or they have set up a tent along the street, or in a village. Most of our trip was spent in a town one hour north of Port-au-Prince. When we returned to Port-au-Prince four days into our trip, we saw the remains of my buildings destroyed by the earthquake and rubble and garbage lining the streets. Clean up efforts are still underway today.

Q: Did your experience change you? Did it affect you? If so, how and in what ways?

A: Without a doubt this experience changed me. I am forever thankful for simple things I take for granted such as a roof over my head, clean, drinkable water, hot water, an d enough food to sustain me. But, the biggest impact Haiti had on me was the faith of the Haiti people. Over 80% of the people are Christians. Their faith is present everywhere. The taptaps (their taxis) have Bible verses and Jesus painted on the sides. The people gather daily to pray for each other. They shared many stories with us of their faith and their hope that God will bring them out of the wreckage they are in. Even with nothing, they are filled and it was an amazing act of God’s love. I will forever think of the Haitian people and their way of life and know that God’s grace is present everywhere.

Q: Can you describe your mission? What did you set out to accomplish? What did you accomplish?

A: The first few days we worked on a construction site of a new vocational school in Fond Parisien, Haiti. It is estimated that nearly 2/3 of the workforce is unemployed. Our host, the Foundation for Peace, has plans to build a vocational school to train workers in basic skills to be mechanics, electricians, cooks, seamstresses, etc. Our job was to dig the foundation for the school. We dug it by hand with shovels and pick axes as they do not have heavy equipment. After a few days, we went to Camp Hope, a tent city formed for people who suffered from amputations and severe injuries in the earthquake. Here we did a Vacational Bible School afternoon of crafts, games, and snacks with over 300 children in the camp. One day we drove up the mountain to a remote village, Thoman, to pass out water purification tablets. Cholera has become a widespread problem for much of Haiti since October 2010. Many people do not have access to clean drinking water. Our team learned a few phrases in Creole so we could go door-to-door of this village and give AquaTabs and explain how to use them. Our church also donated hygiene kits of toothbrushes, toothpaste, and soap and those were distributed here as well. As a team, we hoped we would arrive in Haiti, work together, help where we could, and reach out to the Haitians in need. I think we would all say our time there was more than we expected and many of our goals were met. However, we all felt we didn’t want to leave because so much more needs to still be done.

Q: What was your favorite/most memorable part of the trip?

A: The night we arrived we went to a church service in a church in Fond Parisien. The church was nothing more than cinder block walls with cutouts for the doors and windows, a rock floor, a tin roof, and broken school desks for chairs. But, the people were signing and were so joyful. I looked around to see hundreds of people singing louder than any church would sing in the US! I had tears in my eyes during most of the service. I didn’t know what they were saying, but their faith is real and this was so present.

Q: You told me about the children you saw there and how they touched you so much. What was so special about them?

A: We met many children in the tent city, Camp Hope. The children were always happy to see us. The small kids wanted us to hold them, or hold their hands, or play with them. They loved having their pictures taken! And always wondered what treats we had to bring them.

Q: Can you talk about the little girl that you adored so much? What was it about her that drew you to her?

A: Oh yes, she had this beaming smile I couldn’t resist. When we first arrived, we came off the bus and a flood of children came running to us. We were swarmed like rock stars. They touched our hair, our skin, our bracelets, our clothing. There would be 10 kids on me at once. They would hold my hand, get a little bored, and move on to someone else’s hand. I had been doing this for 5-10 minutes with many groups (mostly girls went to girls), but then I felt this hand grab mine and I looked down to see her just smiling away. I immediately picked her up; she was the only one I did because she was all alone. She was maybe 2 or 3. She didn’t speak English and I only wish I could remember her name (I know I asked her because I would ask each of them in Creole their name, tell them mine, and ask how they were). She was so happy to see us. She just wanted to be loved and hugged. Since we couldn’t communicate with the Haitians very well (our Creole was not very good J), smiling, hand holding, hugging, carrying was the best way for us to be with them. I thought about her the rest of the trip!

Blood Needed!

The American Red Cross-Mile High Chapter is hosting a blood drive on Monday, April 25^th from  10:00-11:40AM & 1:00-3:30PM at 444 Sherman St. in the Auditorium.

Bonfils Blood Center needs thousands of blood donors each week to meet Colorado’s needs and to be prepared for any unexpected events.
Please contact Bonfils' Appointment Center at 303.363.2300,800.365.0006 or click here to schedule an appointment on-line. To schedule an appointment online, please reference site code 2395 when searching for a donation location. If your drive is more than a week away, extend the date by clicking on the calendar icon to ensure your drive is listed in the search results.

Your donation will help Bonfils maintain the community blood supply and give a kid with cancer, a car accident victim or another patient in need a future. You have what it takes to save a life. It's already inside you.

For more information about Bonfils Blood Center, visit  www.bonfils.org. Click here for general information about blood donor eligibility or contact Bonfils' Donor Relations department at 303.363.2202 or 800.365.0006, opt. 1 with questions about blood donation.

Take the Time to Listen

People love to talk. Just about everyone loves to converse with someone else, but the other half of conversing is sometimes forgotten, ignored or just given no love. That part is listening. It makes a world of difference in a conversation when someone is listening. Not just looking at you and nodding their head, but actually HEARING what you are saying, conversing back based on what you said and giving their input to your story. With that being said and having felt the good and bad effects of listening, I challenge you to go out and be the best listener you can be. Leave all distractions behind, keep your phone out of sight and mind, face the person and respond to what they are saying so they know how you are giving them your undivided attention. Another important key to listening is staying in the moment. Sometimes we are victims to our own minds and we let it run off with the better, more reasonable half of our mind. Our ability to listen has now decreased ten fold because you are thinking about how you need to look for jobs or how you can't wait for this summer or how you told Johnny you liked him and now he's not even texting you back and you are freaking out! Don't go there. And guess what? The best part is that when that person is finished talking you can actually talk out loud about your concerns you were just thinking of and because that person read this post and they too are good listeners, they will have some wonderful advice for your woes. How lucky for you!

So take a little time today, this week, this month or whenever to really and truly listen and give what you have--your ears! And you never know, it might just be the best gift you can give :)

World Wide Giving

As many of you know it is indeed March Madness here in the US of A. People are constantly checking scores making sure their bracket is staying a float as well as getting together to watch games with friends, food and drinks, but our friendly Japanese on the other side of the world are not so lucky.

In our efforts to help those suffering from the effects of the tsunami in Japan we have created a bracket where all of the donations will go to help those in need after this devastating disaster. Donations are open--you choose what you want to give. Although the games have started and it's a little late to donate via bracket buy in, there are still many ways to donate. We are creating a fund through this bracket and if you didn't sign up in time and you still want to donate, don't worry! There is still time. If you are interested in donating please e-mail ihaveigive@gmail.com for information on where to send you check. We will get back to you as soon as possible. All donations must be sent in by no later than MARCH 29th. We greatly appreciate your help and your kind thoughts in this time of need.

Conversation with Nicole!

Hello All,
Thank you for tuning in to our blog to see what's going on in your giving community! Today we have a rare interview with Nicole Hewett--one of the talented and creative organizers of the Young Hearts ball and a very important member of the Young Hearts Association which raises people's awareness on heart issues. Our fearless leader, Andrea Bucci, took a minute to interview her on her wonderful successes. Take a look!

Q: What do you currently do for work?
A: My defined role is a commercialization associate for Thought Equity
Motion. We represent rights for media partners.

Q:  What activities are you currently involved in?
A: I LOVE the Bachelor, I'm involved in two separate bible studies,
book club, two-stepping, working out, yoga, skiing/snowboarding, my
church, I get together with my friends and family when I can, I
volunteer with the Young Hearts Association, and I LOVE Justin Beiber!
Beiber fever:)

 Q: You said you volunteer, what is the reason that you began volunteering?
 A: I believe that everyone has talents and strengths and that we all
have something to give. We have passions for a reason. God gave us
such passions not for our own selfish benefit but so we can help
someone else and lead them to where they are going. There are plenty
of bad things in the world that we can't do anything about, like bombs
in the middle east, but we cab do something here, so get to it!

Q: What's  the best thing about volunteering?
A: The bonds you create with people. I've been on mission trips with
groups of volunteers and at the end I think, 'this wasn't a trip, it
was an experience.' This was much bigger than just a trip.

Q: You mentioned that you volunteer for the American Heart
Association, what is that organization about?
A: The organization funds research and creates awareness around
possible risk factors. We do much of this through the promotion of an
active/ healthy lifestyle through such events like the Heart Walk.

Q: When is the heart walk this year?
A: June 4, 2011, I sadly I will not be there as I am in a wedding
that day, but you all should try and go again this year.

 Q: Why did you want to get involved with the American Heart Association?
 A: The American Heart Association is a great way for young people to
get involved. It allows people like myself and you to have a place to
give when were young. I was involved a lot in college and they had
many resources to give to, but after college I don't think it's as
easy, many don't have money, we're trying to figure out what we want
to do with ourselves let alone our time, and sometimes it's not that
easy. When I was approached by Young Hearts I thought this was a great
way for me to give of myself.

Q: Who do you look up to/ admire?
A: Ray Rogers, he is my friend Ben's dad. He is the type of man that
seeks opportunities to help others at all times; he doesn't withhold
anything for himself. If he has something or knows of something that
could help someone else he will do everything he can to help. If he
knows of a job lead or has farm equipment he could give he'll give it.
That's just the kind of man he is. He's exemplified how to live a life
of both balance and purpose, he's a great man.

Q: What characteristics do you most admire in someone?
A: Someone who is trustworthy, loyal, does what they say they will,
doesn't take themselves too seriously. Jess Dawkins comes to mind with
this; I love that she is always having fun, and generosity. I am blown
away by generosity.

Q: What does "i have. i give." mean to you?
A: I think that we're given resources, whatever those are, and I
believe it's our "responsibility" to give of that. Too often we put
our hands around "this is mine", but with the i have. i give.
mentality: I've been given these gifts to give out as I see fit.

Q: If you could change the world in any way, what would you do and why?
A: I would set up a scholarship fund to help kids get an education.
When I was in Africa I saw people quit going to school because
education wasn't the hand they were dealt. By this I mean, they know
that they're not going to further their education so they would rather
work and get money rather than spend their time in school.

Q: Finish this sentence. "My perfect world would be _______________.
A: My perfect world would be when people begin thinking that
generosity is a standard protocol. Be generous with what you were
given and with what you have.

Q: Do you have a favorite quote?
A:  "It is one of the most beautiful compensations in life that no one
can sincerely try to help another without helping himself." Charles
Dudley

Q: What's the best advice you've ever received?
A: I heard it from my Professor of Entrepreneurial Finance at Baylor who
had us read Steven Covey's "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People".
"Begin with the end in mind." It's best case scenario mindset. Ask
yourself, "Am I happy with what I see at the end?" The other piece of
advice is from Barbara Bush. "Never lose sight of the fact that the
most important yardstick of your success will be how you treat other
people- your family, your friends, co-workers, and even strangers you
meet along the way." Do you want to reap the benefits of what you
currently do? If not, do something. Take action.

Q: What's your best example of selfless giving?
A: For myself, I had just gotten home from a mission trip in Africa
and I kept asking myself while I was there was someone better off for
meeting me? I wanted to make sure I had made a difference while I was
there but also when I got home so I asked my roommates at the time if
they would want to donate $5 a month to sponsor a child with me? At
first they were really excited, so I think that they did donate for a
couple months, but soon that excitement went away and I was having to
sponsor the child all by myself. I was giving half of my paycheck at
the time to sponsor this child, and I still do today. The other
example is this couple that I know. They have four kids and they gave
up their comfortable lives to pursue something that means something to
them. They worked on Mercy Ships, which are hollowed out cruise ships
that stop at ports to provide health care for those in need. This other
couple I know are the directors of The Manna Project. They live in
Nicaragua and at one point they had eleven other people living in the
house with them. They never complained, they just accepted it as their
life. My pastor says, "If giving doesn't hurt a little your not giving
enough." To give because it's excess is admirable but to give so  it
hurts a little is true sacrifice.
Thanks to both Andrea and Nicole for taking time to talk about all of the wonderful benefits of living such a generous and selfless lifestyle. Hopefully you feel inspired by Nicole's motivation, generosity and enormous heart full of so much to give.

Rebooting Valentines Day

Ashley Thomas, one of i have. i give.'s founders, discovered this great article about rebooting Valentines Day. As Valentines day is a day to celebrate the love we have for our loved ones may the day remind you, not only on Monday but throughout the rest of the year, the love that you feel, and the many ways that you are shown that love through gifts and kindness. May you be inspired to continue the spirit of love on Valentines Day and it throughout the year.

To read the article or view the inspirational video please click on the links below. Happy Valentines Day.

SPREAD THE LOVE TODAY AND ALWAYS!!

http://sashadichter.wordpress.com/2011/02/11/rebooting-valentines-day/#comment-2099 

-- to read the article

http://d2ciznq2rtdp7k.cloudfront.net/player.11548.swf?config=http%3A//content.bitsontherun.com/xml/v1XzCam6-E6iRurJJ.xml&ie6=fail

 -- to view the video

Thank You

Thank you to all of the wonderful people that came to help the i have. i give. team support Project Angel Heart by decorating bags. Although the weather was poor, we still had several supporters and thanks to these giving people we were able to provide Project Angel Heart with 80 beautifully decorated bags. Thank you again for your continued love and support, we wouldn't be able to do this without you

Ashley Thomas

Jessi Bucar

Erica Martinez

Scott Shepard

Caleb Bond

Scott Shepard

Jessica Dawkins

Erica Montgomery

80 Beautifully Decorated bags for Project Angel Heart

Nicole Hewett, Andrea Bucci & Kaitlyn Herbert

Andrea Bucci and Nicole Hewett

Jessica Dawkins