Hi Andy
Many thanks for the cheque for £65 you sent to me last month. I had a great week giving it away and I learned a lot from the experience. I aimed to do something different every day and to 'target' a wide age range. Here is what happened:
I bought bottles of blowing bubbles and gave them to a group of older people
A baby had a surprise present of a helium balloon and was entranced and delighted as were the children with her
I gave money to a talented face painter (she was called Namnam, I think she is based in Brighton) and asked her to choose someone - maybe someone who would not have thought of doing this - and paint their face. This was at the Isle of Wight Bestival and when I saw her later she said this treat had gone to a man who had been thrilled at the idea that someone had done this for him. It was a very busy and happy place and I am sure that seeing a jolly painted face will have brought good cheer to others too.
I collected two cinema tickets and then pinned them in a fancy envelope on a college notice board and watched the pleasure they gave - not only to the young people who went ot the cinema but to the others who looked and smiled.
I took a day off work and entertained strangers (now friends!) to a picnic at my beach hut. These people were on a visit here from the US and said it was a highlight of their holiday, having never seen a beach hut before and just enjoying the wackiness of the day.
On my birthday I gave a present to a stranger (something I plan to do every year now!)
The last of my quests did not cost me anything in terms of money but did take time and thought. I was asked to come up with ideas for a work 'awayday' and gave myself time and energy to think creatively around this (rather than just jot down a few predictable activities), coming up with ideas which hopefully will bring surprise and discovery to others. A different kind of gift..
I enjoyed this a lot, learned from it, felt my creativity opening up and found it thought provoking. It was a real pleasure.
Dale
So what differences do you want to make? Let me know.
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2 comments:
Dear Andy
The team I work in has a strong desire to help sections of the local community to make a difference and we have chosen to do that by being actively involved in some form of activity that drives out an improvement by the use of teamwork and involving others. We are embarking on our second programme of activity for this year and this is about providing a sensory garden for the children at a local special needs school. We have involved others by influencing local garden centres to supply some plants and materials however, in the main the team will be running a number of fundraising activities to raise funds to pay for some of the required materials and plants. We have set up project teams to be responsible for various aspects of the design, build, procurement of materials etc. I would like to use 65.00 to purchase knitting needles and wool for the team to knit scarves that will be sold on at a handsome profit and donated to the materials fund. This idea is engendering some great team spirit and the males in the office are being offered knitting lessons - many hands make light work as they say. The scarves take about an hour to knit and people are volunteering to give up their lunch break to take part in a 'change management knitting bee' - should make for some marvellous fun and laughter and, at the same time swelling the fund which means that we will be able to add wind chimes and other sound/vision ideas to the garden.
I hope that you consider this to be a worthwhile way to spend the 65.00 and look forward to hearing from you.
Hi Mae,
£65 is yours - I am all in favour of you help the guys to develop knitting skills! a photo for the blog would be good!
Andy
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