The perfect time of year to show our love for others!

Hello everyone,

Welcome to the first official ‘LadybugStuff Online’ blog post. My name is Roxanne, or Roxy for short, and I have a passion for helping others. There is something so special about making other people smile (even if only on the inside), and knowing that you’re making a difference in their lives. So on that note, I would like to introduce a very special girl and foundation that was started not long ago in our friendly city called Winnipeg, (in Manitoba, Canada). The young lady I’m referring to is named Hannah Taylor, and she started the Ladybug Foundation, (as a bonus, I also happen to like ladybugs), which helps the homeless through donations and purchases from her organization. (For more up to date information on the foundation and how you can help, please go to www.ladybugfoundation.ca).

How did I get acquainted with this charity? I sort of first found out about this organization 5 years ago when I was working at a bank as it was home to the special fund that was set up for it. At first I thought that it was just pretty neat in general, the idea of everyone making their own ladybug jar or purchasing one and putting it out at work or school for people to throw their loose change into, knowing that it would go to help someone in need. Hey, I’m a creative type, so I thought, “Why not?” Well, it wasn’t long after that I decided to look into this fund a bit more, reading about it in the newspapers and online, and seeing Hannah on the TV as the news caught wind of her. What made it extra special was that Hannah was still a very young girl when she decided to help out the homeless. I was definitely inspired by her, and I think that’s pretty much what lead me to make my online ladybug shop, thinking what can be accomplished if we each go for our dreams. (More about my shop to follow in a later post, but it’s called LadybugStuff by Roxy). Anyhow, this young girl has changed the way one previously homeless man views people around him, as since meeting Hannah, and being part of her organization, he now has a place to call home and hope for a future. Plus, what better a success story than showing other people who live on the streets, what can be accomplished if they don’t give up hope. Also there are other homeless people out there trying to improve the lives of others around them – including another recently famous man named Faron Hall (also in Winnipeg).

Faron has shown the city and possibly the world, that the homeless do care about others and in fact, even the most down trodden can make a great impact in other’s lives. He risked his own life, not once, but twice (that’s right!) to save other people’s lives. Way to go! There’s much to be said for actually doing something when someone’s in trouble. We all should aspire to be more courageous and helpful. And I know that there are many other great stories that happen every day that we don’t even hear about, many unsung heroes leading lives of self-sacrifice and courage. (Maybe you know of one such story?) There are just so many things that we don’t hear about that it truly makes me wonder sometimes just how many homeless or nearly homeless people there are out there struggling to get by, yet offering what little they have to help a stranger. Makes you think about your own life’s impact on others a little more doesn’t it?

For those interested in supporting this charity organization and in turn helping make a difference in the lives of others, the Ladybug Foundation has recently started a Scarf campaign where you can purchase scarfs from now until end of February 2010 to help raise money for the homeless and in turn stay warm for the winter as well! ^_^ Very heartwarming! They also offer t-shirts and bracelets. Check out their site or visit your local McNally Robinson’s book store to purchase one today And thanks for listening, be sure to stop by again!

P.S. – As Christmas approaches, something like this could make the perfect gift for those who don’t want you to spend money on them, and want to help someone else out? You get to bless two people with one gift so everyone wins! ^_~

~Roxy~

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