Draft Fodder for Inpiration Fund Series in 7 or 8 parts

Over the past two years, and rather intensively this past year and a half, that question has become somewhat of a mantra, as I have witnessed close friends lose their homes, businesses and/ or jobs, having to cut back on spending, resulting in leaner lifestyles. Some have even been wavering on the brink of poverty. These are smart, industrious people who cringe at the thought of having to ask for a government hand out or ask friends or family for a loan. They have always been able to make it by, one way or the other. But, today's economy has presented a different set of challenges. Challenges which need to be met head on with progressive and innovative solutions.

For whatever reason, a good portion of government aid for the ordinary citizen seems to have clogged up in one political bottleneck or the other. It just does not seem to be pouring out fast enough to meet people's immediate needs. And, let's not forget another layer of delay and set back, financial predators who profit and gain from schemes and plans designed to benefit only themselves at the expense of others. They don't care about others as long as they get theirs, taking under the pretext of helping--with their own Madoff-esque twist.
Unfortunately, this kind of mentality has contributed significantly to the current economic crisis. Simply put, greed just got out of hand. One prime example and glaring reminder is the foreclosure crisis. It sent this country into a financial tizzy that will take it a while to recover from. The domino effect has sent financial giants to the bankruptcy courts and thousands have been laid off or terminated from their jobs. Many of us know friends and family members who have been impacted.
So, I thought, why not a fundraiser for friends having cash flow problems or otherwise experiencing financial difficulties? It may sound crazy and be perceived as the utmost in naivete, but why not start a fund that will inspire and assist those who are unemployed and going through severe financial trials as a result of the economy? Why not promote a real sense of community outreach and service, sincere help for our neighbors without a lot of fanfare, pretense, administrative roadblocks and red tape? Why not a community fund among friends in which everyone can contribute according to their individual capacities and receive in line with their unique needs. Whether $10, $20 or $1,000, every gift is important. This concept was superbly demonstrated with the power of "grass roots" fundraising in the last Presidential election. What an inspiration. Need I say more?
My vision for the Inspirational Fund is inspired first by God and scripture (Romans 6:38), President Obama's resounding success last November in galvanizing the small contributions of common people into an extraordinary tool for progress. It is also inspired by wonderful friends who have helped me along the way, sharing their resources freely and without "stuttering". It is based on the community chest concept such as those set up in social networks and on message boards across the internet. But instead of raising the funds to keep communities or boards up and running on the internet, this money will be used to keep a friend up and running, while preventing them from "slipping through the hard times cracks". Minus the red tape, of course, the funds will help with food, housing, bills, transportation and any other miscellaneous emergency expense until the "friend in need" lands employment or otherwise gets on their feet.

The initial goal is a symbolic $10,000.00. Funds raised will be made readily available to individuals or organizations experiencing hardships with the aim of getting them through the temporary challenges they face. The plan is to expand this effort into an ongoing "helps" ministry and humanitarian aid network.
I hope that you will join me in "sharing the wealth and spreading the love". If you can't give money, maybe this Inspirational Fund will at the least cause you to look at situations of need differently. Hopefully, it will ultimately "inspire you to give" so that you will "give to inspire", setting off a chain reaction of giving, which seems one sure way to help.
Stay tuned for further details. Please visit my page at Fundable.com. and make your pledge.
Thanks in advance for your contribution!
Cynthia

"What can I do to help?"

An Inspiration Fund... Providing A Window of Hope and Sustenance for Friends in Need in 8 Parts

Alicia Keys: 'I Love New York/For The Love of Money'

In continuing with the 8 part "An Inspiration Fund" blog in seeking pledges, I thought I'd lift up an earlier blog written almost two years ago--Global Day of Action Against Poverty . It isn't "Global Action Day Against Poverty" today but today's blog lifts up some of the same ideas and sentiments. So, when you're done reading it, have at one from the archives. A bonus is that I provided a link to a video in which Alicia Keys performs that classic O'jay's tune "For the Love of Money", which is posted at the top of this blog article as a "blast from the past". Enjoy!
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Part III-"For the Love of Money"

Donate

For whatever reason, a good portion of government aid for the ordinary citizen seems to have clogged up in one political bottleneck or the other. It just does not seem to be pouring out fast enough to meet people's immediate needs. And, let's not forget another layer of delay and set back, financial predators who profit and gain from schemes and plans designed to benefit only themselves at the expense of others. They don't care about others as long as they get theirs, taking under the pretext of helping--with their own Madoff-esque twist.

Unfortunately, this kind of mentality has contributed significantly to the current economic crisis. Simply put, greed just got out of hand. One prime example and glaring reminder is the foreclosure crisis. It sent this country into a financial tizzy that will take it a while to recover from. The domino effect has sent financial giants to the bankruptcy courts and thousands have been laid off or terminated from their jobs. Many of us know friends and family members who have been impacted. to be continued

An Inspiration Fund...Providing A Window of Hope and Sustenance for Friends in Need in 8 Parts

Part II-The Nagging Question-"What Can I do to Help?"

Donate

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Over the past two years, and rather intensively this past year and a half, that question has become somewhat of a mantra, as I have witnessed close friends lose their homes, businesses and/ or jobs, having to cut back on spending, resulting in leaner lifestyles. Some have even been wavering on the brink of poverty. These are smart, industrious people who cringe at the thought of having to ask for a government hand out or ask friends or family for a loan. They have always been able to make it by, one way or the other. But, today's economy has presented a different set of challenges. Challenges which need to be met head on with progressive and innovative solutions. To be continued...

An Inspiration Fund...Providing A Window of Hope and Sustenance for Friends in Need in 8 Parts

Part I- "Give and it Will Be Given You"

Donate

This is the first in a a series of 8 short thought-provoking messages which kicks off Minister Cynthia Wilson's economic "helps ministry", a humanitarian effort to help friends who are in need of financial assistance. It also includes exclusive links to stories and "profiles in giving", inspirational vignettes of special friends who have helped her through financial crises while providing insight along the way-- a bonus for fund donors.


Luke 6:38
"Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For the measure you give will be the measure you get back."

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After a recent conversation with a good friend, my thought was how easy it is to sometimes forget those who have generously given to us at some point in our lives. If they have not given directly to us, they may have given to the church, a friend or family member, or someone else in our neighborhood or community. They have given, in either time or treasure and may have now fallen on hard times, leaving burning in our psyche the nagging question (to be continued)...,

Happy Earth Day

Happy Earth day friends. Also check out this blog that rapper extraordinaire Common posted. I would have never thought that eating meat contributes more to global warming than auto exhaust pollution.

Read this:

This Earth Day Eat Cool Foods to Combat Global Warming

Peace and Green Love,

Cynthia,
the Chaplain of Pop

Of Time Capsules and History Makers

Lest We Forget

I have been living in Washington,D.C. for the past few months.I feel blessed to have been placed here,so to speak,before the November election which catapulted Barack Obama to the U.S. presidency,making him the first black man in the history of our nation to be elected to the country's top post.

I have been favored,as other Washingtonians, with an inside view of the hustle and bustle,behind the scenes networking and political jockeying for tickets to the Inauguration.I have even gotten to observe how the city is being reorganized to accommodate the masses expected to flood the city in a few weeks.Most,if not all of the hotels have been sold out for days.Many are planning to move out of their residences and relocate temporarily with friends or relatives to accommodate those in need of housing.Others are getting in on events and balls for social and/or business purposes.

You can be sure that the nation's capital is brimming with excitement in anticipation of the Inauguration. In fact,word has it that more Americans will have the opportunity to observe Barack Obama being sworn in than any other President Elect in U.S. history.All the parties,events and ventures which will overflow from this tremendous breakthrough,and the enterprise which has been generated is mind-boggling. This is a one moment in time,once in a lifetime experience for which many are preparing. I will be covering the inauguration as a blogger and citizen reporter and making recommendations about activities and events of note.

Peace,

Cynthia wilson
The Chaplain of Pop