The Little Engine That Could

I was recently very inspired to learn that in the 2008 giving campaign there were 185 nonprofit employees who took part in payroll deduction giving to generate a whopping $45,000!  That's a pretty amazing impact on the community by folks not generally considered the most high powered of earners.  I guess that's what they say thought right - those with the least usually give the most?

In honor of this acheivement I am starting a giving circle based on the magnificent children's story "The Little Engine that Could."  This is one of my favorite books about one of life's coolest concepts: When you think you can, you probably will.  If you think you can't, you definitely won't.

I'm tired of political parties, and other petty differences which dominate the headlines and give us all a negative outlook on our world and each other.  It's okay to be realistic and nobody is more realistic than me.  We have some mega problems to fix, and if we don't come together and believe in out abilities to think and mobilize we'll stay at the bottom of the hill.

The beneficiary of this giving circle is Community Shares of Colorado because a gift to CShares benefits so many.  It not only benefits the member nonprofits, but employees and philanthropists throughout the state.

 

The vision of this giving circle is in alignment with the original inspiration. I want 365 people (one for every day of the year) to sign up to give $20 a month. If we pull it off then that is $87,600 going directly to work within our home state. We think we can! We think we can! We think we can!

Community Shares of Colorado Community Shares is a community giving fund dedicated to connecting Coloradans to the charities and causes they care about most. Offering incremental giving options like paycheck contribution campaigns at your workplace and My Colorado Project, Community Shares is changing the definition of the word philanthropist to include all who wish to give. Read More >>

jasoncmanke
Philanthropic Interest:

• Conserving and Protecting Colorful Colorado: Colorado is my favorite place on earth.  It is one of a kind and it has a character which needs protection.  I travel our state every year climbing mountains and photographing with my old school 4x5 wooden field camera in the footsteps of Brad Washburn, Ansel Adams, John Muir, Enos Mills, and John Fielder.

• Philanthropy: I believe in giving.  We all have causes we believe in and support.  We can all choose to make a difference.  You don't have to be rich - you can give $5 a month if you want, but you should give.  It adds up to a lot when we all do it.

• Illness Distraction for Kiddos: I've been active since the day I was born.  I was diagnosed with cancer in 2009 and while I am no longer a kid, I can relate to having to deal with all kinds of stuff that keeps me from having fun and enjoying my late 20s.  I can't imagine going through this at 10 years old.  Unfortunately, many kiddos do.  I believe that illness distration is a worthy cause for kids and their families.  Play centers in hospitals, field trips, and opportunities to smile more.

• Financial Education and Literacy: Education is linked to every other issue you can think of in some way shape or form.  Learning to make good decisions with money is one of the most important life skills I can think of.  I don't think people receive enough training on how to manage their personal or family's finances.

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