Celebration 2010: GiveBack Giveaway Stories
This year's Triangle Community Foundation holiday event "Celebration 2010" was held on December 2nd. Guests attending the party were asked to participate in a "GiveBack Giveaway" in which individuals were given $10, asked to match it with their own $10, and find ways to use this money to help our community.
Participants were asked to share their stories of how their contribution was able to impact the Triangle in a positive way. These stories will be posted here as they are received, so be on the lookout!
"It took me a very long time to decide what to do with the $10 that I received at the Holiday Celebration. A week before Christmas, I decided to add $10 and give it to a homeless man I see almost everyday. This is significant because I have never given to the homeless people who stand near the interstate awaiting a handout…probably because of my job, part of which is trying to assist the homeless.
But this particular gentleman somehow seemed…ah…perhaps the word is “worthy”… whatever that means. At any rate, I looked for him in the days leading up to Christmas, but didn’t see him. Between Christmas and New Years I did not see him. Finally today I saw him, but I was going the wrong direction….so I turned around, got off and back on the freeway and gave him the $20.
He seemed genuinely appreciative and acknowledged having seen me many times. I think we both felt really good." - Craig Chancellor
" Just a quick note to let you know that I used the$10 provided at the TCF Party to supplement my annual end-of-the-year gift to the NC Center for Voter Education." - John Quinterno
"I was impressed with the fact that Water for People found out that wells they had sponsored had broken down and been poorly maintained and changed their organizational plan to address prevention, repair, maintenance and sustainability of wells. Water For People works to build a world where all people have access to safe drinking water and sanitation, and where no one suffers or dies from a water- or sanitation-related disease." - Sally Wade
"I was so happy that the foundation decided to do the $10 challenge again this year. Last year my husband and I raised money and food for the Ronald McDonald House of Durham. The challenge was a great way to get family members from in and out state involved in our philanthropic efforts. This year when I received $10 at the TCF holiday party one of the guests handed me her $10 after I told her what I did last year. When I got home my husband and I matched the $20 which gave us a total of $40. So we had money but no cause. After a long drive we finally narrowed it down to supporting food and children when I remembered hearing about a great organization called Table. Table provides children with backpacks full of healthy food for the weekend. I then proceeded to email blast family and friends to donate $10 or any amount in honor of the challenge and my birthday. I also setup a Facebook cause page for this effort. So far we are at $90 total and are trying to get to $250 or more by the end of the year." - Shamecca Bryant
"Thanks to TGB for inspiring local giving. I took the $10 provided by TCF, matched it, and then passed it on to help purchase Holiday food baskets for families in need at my child's elementary school." - Karen Ridge (via Facebook)
"I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed the December 2nd event at Marbles. I took the $10 you provided, matched $10 of my own, and held it in my wallet until I felt led to give. Our bank donated a morning of labor at the Durham Ronald McDonald House and as I heard the stories of the children who were struggling thru tough medical issues and their parents needing a place to stay, I felt the $20 was best served there. That $20 takes care of two nights of lodging at the Durham Ronald McDonald House if the parent is not able to pay. I thank you for the opportunity and the privilege. Continue your passion and direction at Triangle Community Foundation." - Chris LaTurno
"I told one of my colleagues about the Give Back Giveaway and she matched my gift to Share A Christmas, Adopt a Family! So your $10 leveraged an additional $30! Not too bad!! Just think of how much could be given back if each one of us did that!" - Anita Shirley (via Facebook)
"For the $10 we received, we put it toward helping a family in need from the North Chatham Elementary School. We had a family of three children for whom we bought gifts for Christmas. It's difficult to see children otherwise unable to receive presents during this festive season." - Susan and David Rosenberg
"I tutor children in Chatham County through a volunteer program. Some of our volunteers have adopted 24 families who would not be able to have a Christmas celebration without help. I purchased gift cards, including grocery cards, using the Giveback Giveaway money as well as some of my own funds." - Pam Caruso
"Thank you so much for challenging us to Give Back again this year. I matched your $10 (and then some) to buy a Christmas “wish list” of necessities and toys for a foster child. The program is run through the Orange County Department of Social Services." - Tamara Watson
"I doubled the $10 that was given at the Holiday Party and gave it to the Durham Economic Resource Center (DERC). The DERC is an initiative of End Poverty Durham, a collaborative of faith and community-based organizations as well as government entities. DERC is modeled after a component of the award-winning Welfare Reform Liaison Program (WRLP) of Greensboro, NC, which is noted for producing results. DERC was incorporated and received its tax exempt status in November 2008." - Donovan Moxey
"I matched the $10 with $20 and sent it to Ann Gerhardt, Executive Director, at The Women's Center in Chapel Hill. The Women's Center provides wonderful support and services to women and girls in the Triangle." - Perry Colwell
"We included it in our donation to Duke Power's Share the Warmth Fund to help pay power bills this winter. With these temperatures, I think it was a good choice." - Debbie McCarthy
