Doesn’t giving back feel good? We agree! This year Sweet Home Marketing was able to donate $1,500 to Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County. It might not sound like much, but keep in mind we’re a small business. This is just the beginning!
Business growth this year was put on hold while I (Lindsey) was a little preoccupied with being pregnant and then having that precious baby. (Those first three months are challenging, folks!)
We’re confident that we’ll be able to donate more each year. Habitat for Humanity means a lot to me for a few reasons, which is why it’s the official charity of Sweet Home Marketing. They envision a world where everyone has a decent place to live, and that’s a goal we should all get behind.
A History with Habitat
Back in High School, I went on a church trip to Tennessee with a youth group. We teamed up with Habitat for Humanity to help replace a widow’s roof. She had been through a lot of bad luck in the past year. I don’t remember the details but I’m sure that you would agree to lose your spouse is enough to deal with on its own. She was a single mom who was doing her best to juggle taking care of her kids and working full-time. The house needed to provide shelter and safety; she wasn’t asking or looking for anything more than filling a basic need.
It was hot. It was summer and easily 98 degrees on the ground. We all took frequent water breaks and worked as efficiently as possible. The job took nearly a week. On the last day, the homeowner made us refreshments (lemonade and treats) to say thank you. It was so sweet because you knew that she was doing whatever she could to show her appreciation for our sweaty selves. She cried. We cried. Everybody felt the love. What an amazing experience!
Experience Established Principles
My college application essay was about that experience and the importance of giving back. I have no doubt that I was probably accepted largely because of the message in that piece: giving back should be a focus for all of us.
It’s easy to be consumed by the negativity and media attention surrounding things that are beyond our control. Watching the news helps us stay informed but obsessing over it can make us feel helpless and like humanity is hopeless. Neither one is true.
Stop absorbing the news and start actively doing something that makes a difference in your community. Whether you donate your money or your time, every bit counts. It will make you feel good, too!
Take action — no matter how small of a deed.
That’s the best way to change the world and that’s why it’s one of our company values. You can make a difference by helping one person at a time.
If you want to change the world, start in your community. Make a donation to Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County or find your local Habitat.
Related Reading: Why You Need to Run Your Business with Integrity at All Times
