Since I tend to blog more on weekdays, some of my OGB posts will be combined over the weekends. While that means I won’t see 31 individual posts, I will make sure to do at least one good deed/perform one random act of kindness each & every day!

Yesterday’s good deed is one that I’m very excited about. I recently stumbled upon Chemo Angels, a non-profit that pairs volunteers with people who are enduring chemotherapy treatments. The volunteers are “Angels” who send cards, letters, and small gifts to their assigned patient. A sister program of Chemo Angels is Senior Angels–it’s the same idea but for senior citizens. As someone who has had relatives spend their last years in long-term or assisted living centers due to health reasons, I know how vitally important it is for seniors to stay connected in any way possible. Therefore, this good deed is something more than just a one-time action–it is a commitment, potentially for years, to send some sunshine to someone in need. I will hear back about my Senior next week, but I’ve already purchased some cards to send.

In essence, this is what Operation Giving Back is all about–finding a way to pay my blessings forward to others. Even if I never hear back from my Senior, I will smile fondly as I drop each card into the mail knowing that the person receiving it is going to feel a bit warmer inside and that a simple card may be exactly what they need to brighten their day.

For today, I came into the office to set up a Giving Box for my co-workers. Typically, my experiences with Giving Boxes are that a box/can is set in a designated area, money is collected, and at the end of a certain period of time, the money is counted and the group makes a decision as to where the money is sent. For this Giving Box, I wanted to extend the scope beyond money collection because I think it’s far too easy to just throw money in a container absently, without actually putting some thought and/or effort into the act of giving.

So this Giving Box is for money, gifts, toys, etc. Anything that my co-workers want to donate, I will collect and then distribute to the appropriate charity. I’ve laid out this idea in an all-office email, which I will send tomorrow morning. I’m excited to see what will be dropped off, and I’ve begun with leaving two wrapped board games to eventually be sent to Toys for Tots.

Want to help me pay it forward?  Read how here!

**In an effort to not completely lose the PF focus of this blog, I’ll pick up regular posts this week as well**