Updated: We’re floored. You guys truly are completely inspiring. You’re amazing.
Hey friends, Jamin here today. We hope you’re having a wonderful Thursday.
Here in the tropics of South Alabama, summer is in full swing and working outside is dreadfully hot, so I’m super excited to put down the saw and nail gun to share a little story with you, along with a challenge.
Summer Circa 1984, I was a wee little lad, living in a neighborhood full of boys my age. It was the golden age, before the things that have ruined today’s kids. You know, like video games, computers, and even the mandatory wearing of bike helmets (haters gonna hate, but there’s something nostalgic about riding without them-Ashley’s added diclaimer: our kids wear ’em). It was a time when boys still explored. We would leave home after breakfast and not return until 5 minutes before dark. Where would we eat lunch? Who cared. We’d ransack some mom’s fridge… or worst case? Ride our bikes, sans shoes and helmets to the local 7-11 to spend our weekly allowance.
Every day was an adventure. Every day as we walked out of our backyard, a new experience was brought into our lives full of hope and wonder. An experience that would change us forever.
Then there was that fateful July night. The one that I like to forget about.
It was a perfect night for a campout. The moon would be full, and our neighbor had a new tent. No one had a thing to do the next day, except roll out of the sleeping bag and ride our bikes to the pool.
As the dark crept upon us, their house seemed to grow farther away from my backyard… a scary intimidating kind of farther away. The kind that makes a kid start thinking of legitimate ways to get out of something he already said he would do. My house was under siege by pirates or Dr. Bruce Banner was at my house and was getting really angry and I needed to stay and calm him. Of course there was always the Mr. T excuse. You know, the usual stuff that happened in our neighborhood.
I don’t remember what grand excuse I used and I’m not proud of it, but I never left my backyard that warm summer night. I could hear the laughter, I could see the fire and I could smell the hot dogs roasting. But I wasn’t there. I missed out on all the adventure. After that night I vowed to not let that happen again. I wanted to be willing to take the adventures outside my backyard.
I share this story simply because our friends at Agape are planning an adventure outside their backyard. (We shared about them when we had the yard sale here and here) And today, we want to join them as they set off on this journey.
In 1978, Agape was born out of a dream in the heart of a few to find a way to provide hope to the forgotten children and mothers in need. Since then Agape has served countless children and pregnant mothers as they have brought hope to children throughout the US.
In 2012, Agape began taking steps to add an International Adoption Program to their services. It’s an exciting time in which they are reaching outside their backyard to bring hope to children who truly need help throughout the world.
As with everything, it costs money. We want to help. So we want to invite you to our “$1 backyard party” to help Agape on this adventure.
They set a goal of $10,000.
And I think our amazing readers can help exceed that goal. Here’s how.
$1
Yep… that’s it.
$1
Really?
$1 can help change the life of a child forever.
That’s just 100 pennies.
That seems silly.
I know, right?
But think about this. There will be over 10,000 people that visit this site today.
10,000 people x $1 = $10,000
Simple, right?
I’m not going to give you a sales pitch about how great this organization is, or supply any guilt about how if you don’t join our party you don’t love orphans. We know there are so many worthy organizations, helping countless people find hope… and bringing new life to lifeless situations.
We just want to invite you to give $1.
We want our little community here at The Handmade Home to make a difference… together. One dollar at a time.
$1, that’s all.
My $1, paired with your $1, paired with other readers’ $1… and we make an incredible difference. It really is that simple.
To join the party just visit there page here.
It starts on our site today, and runs through July 17th.
We hope you’ll join our $1 backyard party and please, by all means, invite your friends to our little community backyard party by sharing our post!
Together we’ll change some lives. $1 at a time.
We’d love to see what we can do.
What HE can do.
** UPDATED by Ashley: we noticed a five dollar trend and are working to lower the number so that it is possible to give only 1$. Sorry about that guys! Crazy computer technology newfangled stuff! I will update again when it’s corrected. ;}
Link Repaired! Simply go to the direct donate button. Thanks so much!
Sam says
You got it! $5 sent Agape’s way! 🙂
Donna says
I think this is a fantastic idea and I am pleased to add my contribution. I hope you will update us periodically to let your readers know if we met the goal.
Ida says
Thank you so much for informing about this wonderful organization! Hope my donation helps!
JennyBC says
$10.00 Done!
Renae says
One buck for each of us…can’t wait to hear the update!!