...lending a helping hand with a smile
It's Not Just Your Car...It's Your Freedom!
Staci Williams
Today is Tuesday, April 20, 2010
[It's now 6:20pm]
An old car commercial ended with the slogan: "It's not just your car...it's your freedom!" This statement is still very true, and especially in certain parts of the country where public transportation is not readily available. Sometimes as individuals we have to rely on the kindness of family or friends if we are not fortunate to have a car, or the car we have leaves us stranded from time to time.
Several years ago, long before I had the good fortune of being able to purchase my first new car, the old car I had use to leave me stranded on the side of the road every now and then. My dear friend Staci Williams (pictured above), to whom this organization is dedicated, would come to pick me up, and she would do so without hestitation! She would arrive with the warmest smile. Never once, on the several occassions she would have to rescue me, did I ever, ever feel that she felt bothered by my request for help! She always made me feel that it was her pleasure to be there for me!
Her kindness has made a lasting impression on me, and has guided my actions in terms of lending a helping hand to others. When I decided to create a list of 101 things to do before I die and wrote item #48: "start some positive movement," I automatically turned to Staci for inspiration.
Saving Lives, One Rent Check At A Time
Dr. Keith Taylor
After reading an article titled "Saving Lives, One Rent Check at a Time" in the August 11, 2008 issue of Forbes Magazine, I decided to begin the process of fully and publicly honoring Staci by setting up this organization. The article featured Keith Taylor who was an English professor at Middle Tennessee State University when he began to help those he called "the working poor" with $350 a month from his $33,000 teacher's salary! He set up a web site through which he would invite people looking for help to plead their case. He would then offer them small one-time only assistance. He helped one woman pay for her son's glasses. He helped one man with $65 to cover his car insurance for one month.
Currently, the average grant from this almost decade-old effort is around $500. It helps with rent payments, doctor visits, or fixing a car needed to get to a new job. In 2007, Taylor's Modest Needs charity helped about 1600 people with almost $900,000 in grants. He raised this money in part by inviting those who want to contribute to his efforts to do so. Those who received help also contributed once they were able to.
Currently, the average grant from this almost decade-old effort is around $500. It helps with rent payments, doctor visits, or fixing a car needed to get to a new job. In 2007, Taylor's Modest Needs charity helped about 1600 people with almost $900,000 in grants. He raised this money in part by inviting those who want to contribute to his efforts to do so. Those who received help also contributed once they were able to.
Helping Specifically With Cars
As I read the article about Dr. Taylor and his organization I decided to kill two birds with one stone by attempting to help others while honoring Staci for her past and continued warmth and generosity. I chose to help in the area in which she so simply but profoundly helped me. I want to help individuals, especially single mothers or fathers, with resolving issues relating to having a sound car on the road.
BecauseOfStaci will provide one-time assistance to qualified individuals and families to cover the cost of gas, or car insurance, or car loan payments, or car repairs, or warranted used vehicles, all in situations where lack of such assistance would result in dire, if not catastrophic consequences for those seeking such help.
BecauseOfStaci will provide one-time assistance to qualified individuals and families to cover the cost of gas, or car insurance, or car loan payments, or car repairs, or warranted used vehicles, all in situations where lack of such assistance would result in dire, if not catastrophic consequences for those seeking such help.
It Starts Locally
The organization's effort will start locally here in Fayetteville/Cumberland County, North Carolina, and will attempt to serve others across the state and country as the ability to help on these levels becomes possible.
Helping The Military
The organization will support, within the scope of its mission, individuals and other organizations, like Soldiers' Angels and Operation Homefront, that help members of the military. Assistance, initially, will be focused on military personnel and their families in the Fayetteville/Cumberland County area. Assistance to members of the military and their families will be broadened, over time and as the resources of the organization grow, to serve these individuals and families across North Carolina, the US and around the world, again, specifically in the area of issues revolving around the ownership of reliable transportation.
How Help Will Be Distributed
Like Taylor's organization, gift payments will be paid directly to the merchants providing the service. Gas cards will be issued to purchase gas.
Products offered by BecauseOfStaci! will include a series of four children's books I created titled "My Sweet, Sweet Pumpkin Head asks...?" Information on these books is available at mysweetsweetpumpkinheadasks.com. The book titles are:(1) My Sweet, Sweet Pumpkin Head asks...what is the color of love?, (2) My Sweet, Sweet Pumpkin Head Asks...what is the color of friendship?, (3) My Sweet, Sweet Pumpkin Head Asks...what is the color of kindness?,and (4) My Sweet, Sweet Pumpkin Head Asks...what is the color of happiness?
We are also offering three books I created and published in 1999 for sale (see the shop page). We will offer other books (see partnering page) when these are completed. Product offerings will be expanded, in the short term, to include clothing and accessories with the organization's name and logo. Other products and services will be offered as these are secured or developed.
We are also offering three books I created and published in 1999 for sale (see the shop page). We will offer other books (see partnering page) when these are completed. Product offerings will be expanded, in the short term, to include clothing and accessories with the organization's name and logo. Other products and services will be offered as these are secured or developed.
Help Criteria...
Andrew A. Dawkins, MA, BS
We will be relying primarily on referrals from local government, community, and military organizations. Please read the criteria for help and complete the HELP form on the next page if you need assistance and are not working with one of these organizations.
Please visit the shop page if you want to purchase merchandise (including books I created). Visit the partnering page for further information if you, as an individual or business, would like to partner with us. If you want to provide feedback you can do so on the comments page.
Thank you Staci! I appreciate you so very, very much!
Sincerely,
Andrew A. Dawkins, MA, BS
Founder and Director
BecauseOfStaci!
Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA
http://andrewdawkinse-portfolio.weebly.com/
Please visit the shop page if you want to purchase merchandise (including books I created). Visit the partnering page for further information if you, as an individual or business, would like to partner with us. If you want to provide feedback you can do so on the comments page.
Thank you Staci! I appreciate you so very, very much!
Sincerely,
Andrew A. Dawkins, MA, BS
Founder and Director
BecauseOfStaci!
Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA
http://andrewdawkinse-portfolio.weebly.com/
