There are some days and years, like this one, where it’s hard to see the silver lining. On top of your own normal everyday busyness, add a global pandemic, social distancing, stay-at-home orders, financial struggles, remote learning, and other fill-in-the-blank types of chaos and it’s easy to get downright negative.
These are hardly the ingredients for making a joyous, happy holiday season.
If this is where you find yourself, trust me, you are not alone, and yet, through all of this, I do believe that this time, like no other, is a good time to reflect and remember the many things we should be grateful for.
A friend once told me that to be grateful is to be truly appreciative for life in ourselves and others, to give back more than we take, and to leave the world a little better place than when we entered it. A goal that continues to be a work in progress for me.
Establishing Red String in the middle of a pandemic and economic downturn, many questioned whether this was the right time for creating and investing in a new venture. Although their concerns were justified, I am glad that it was at this point in time that Red String was born. With all the turmoil of this year, it was, and continues to be, a unique opportunity for me to experience the tremendous impact and value that an organization like Red String can have to help those in need; charities, along with their staff and volunteers,
working on the front lines, adapting, and responding to help solve the many emerging issues caused by the pandemic: food security, homelessness, health and well-being, and after school education and care; Red String's dedicated and committed team of volunteers bringing their knowledge, experience, and ideas to help create innovative and integrated solutions; and the immense generosity of our supporters, without whom, we simply could not continue to make a positive difference in people's lives and the communities that they live in.
With all of the busyness that comes with preparing for and celebrating the holidays, let us not forget the many who have lost, are alone, or are in need, and recommit ourselves to continue to give back, get involved, and work to make the world a little better. The return on your investment will be infinite.
It has been quite an amazing first year, and I am so very thankful to everyone for helping us create something special in Red String. From all of us to all of you, we wish you a very grateful, warm, and safe Holiday Season.
(To be continued)