Rather than asking "What can I gain?" I've chosen to ask "What can I give?"
Until July 2007, I was a salesperson and had won a national award in a large corporation. I was gaining favor with company leadership and had bought my first home in a beautiful Colorado suburb at age 22.
But one weekend in February 2007, when I volunteered for a youth talent show in Selma, Alabama, changed the course of my life.
Driving home from the airport, I saw all the conveniences of a modern suburb. In my rearview mirror, I saw the beautiful mountain range and a lush golf course in the rolling hills. I stopped a moment and thought of the struggling kids in Selma. I knew that many would never have the money to spend on a day of golf and would never see the mountains. If they weren't given another option, they would continue the destructive cycles: they'd continue using and dealing drugs, and the teen pregnancy and violence would continue too. It was time to stop asking what I could gain and start asking what I could give.
With a Bachelor's Degree in English and no experience, I pursued becoming a teacher. I put my beautiful house on the market. I quit my job to try to make a difference. This low-income school was in desperate need of teachers and hired me unequipped, nervous, and full of hope.
I found out what I love: I love people. I love making a difference. I love hope.
Welcome!
Welcome to the Freedom Foundation “blog” – a place to read everyday stories from everyday people who volunteer for the Freedom Foundation. These are the stories that are the life of the events, programs and efforts of the Foundation.
Some people criticize us for the faith we have that makes us believe we can make a difference. Others ridicule the idea that change is possible. But it is stories like these that you read below and then thousands of others that remind us that making a difference in just one person’s life is worth it.
The Starfish Story
Original Story by: Loren Eisley
One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed
a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.
Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”
The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean.
The surf is up and the tide is going out.
If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”
“Son,” the man said, “don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish?
You can’t make a difference!”
After listening politely, the boy bent down,
picked up another starfish,
and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said…
“I made a difference for that one.”
These are our “Starfish Stories”.
Some people criticize us for the faith we have that makes us believe we can make a difference. Others ridicule the idea that change is possible. But it is stories like these that you read below and then thousands of others that remind us that making a difference in just one person’s life is worth it.
The Starfish Story
Original Story by: Loren Eisley
One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed
a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.
Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”
The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean.
The surf is up and the tide is going out.
If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”
“Son,” the man said, “don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish?
You can’t make a difference!”
After listening politely, the boy bent down,
picked up another starfish,
and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said…
“I made a difference for that one.”
These are our “Starfish Stories”.
