My heart is exploding with gratitude for all of you! Even though it's not the end of the month yet, I had to let you know that because of your support, a little over $1,000 is going to UNICEF!!! Thank you!

If you are looking for more ways to support refugees, check out a group that I read about in the paper today-- Lifting Hands International. They talk with refugees in the camps and create Amazon wish lists of items they actually need for you to donate.

As cheesy as it sounds, together we can make a difference!

This election season is one that as a historian, I would love to study 100 years from now, but right now, all I want to do is hide. Yikes. However, if you happen to love campaigning and want to throw a huge party for the next debate, I have the perfect clip art and papers for you!  Or wait and use it for all your Fourth of July patriotic decor or your child's next class project that you wish they would do all on their own. Or their campaign posters for class president. I'd vote for her. :)

Find the sets HERE or HERE.

Yesterday was a frustrating day. One of those days when you are still recovering from a week-long migraine and have an appointment at the tile store to find kitchen backsplash tile for which you drive 30 minutes to the store only to have your daughter inform you that she has no shoes even though you reminded her several times to put them on and you sure as heck aren't making an hour drive on top of the 30 minute drive you just did to go back and get shoes. So she walks barefoot into the fancier-than-you-expected tile design store and they treat you like a peasant (probably because you walked in with your barefoot daughter) and scoff when you think that $30 per sq ft for tile is not doable. So you buy yourself a chick fil a diet coke AND chocolate milkshake just to stay sane.

That afternoon for nap time I finally got some quiet time to cross off some of the things on my to do list. One of those items was researching refugees, aid, and volunteering after being inspired by my church's call to action last Saturday night (view it here).  I was seriously humbled.  And depressed, and sad, and moved to tears. And frustrated.  Frustrated with myself and my preoccupation with such trivial first world problems like "the perfect backsplash" and "children putting their shoes on when you ask them to" when there are people without a place to live, food to eat, personal safety, parents, siblings, medical care...the list could go on. Frustrated with people who put them in this situation. Frustrated with people who refuse to help out of fear. Frustrated that I am not capable to do more.

I spent a while researching local refugee non-profits in my city and there are lots of opportunities to volunteer. In fact there is a 6 month waiting list to volunteer at one of the organizations here in Jacksonville. I work with our church youth ministry and we will certainly be taking advantage of group volunteer opportunities, but volunteering significant time up in Jacksonville with two little ones at home isn't very feasible for me right now. What could I do? How could I make a difference?

The answer came to my thoughts: "What about your store? You could donate your income from there."

It's a thought I can't push away. So here is my pledge--I will donate 100% of my profits for the month of April to the United Nations Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) (profit is total price minus fees and expenses). I will come up with an established percentage to donate after that. It's not much, but it's something I can do. I want everyone to clearly understand that I am not doing this to get more sales or a tax break. I'm not doing this to get praise or recognition. I am doing this because people need help, and this is a way that I can help right now.  Because if not me, then who?

I encourage you to look up your local refugee relief organizations to see how you can help. Or you can donate directly to one of these excellent non-profit organizations:
United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund
The Red Cross
Catholic Relief Services
LDS Charities

Do any of you have experience helping refugees? Have you come up with creative ways to help?