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| Click on the image to meet the 10 award winners. |
What do many people do when they receive the gift of prolonged life?
They use that extra time to help others.
Service is at the heart of the Bakken Invitation--hosted by Medtronic.
Recently, I had the opportunity to read about the 10 Honorees for 2014. They are recipients of medical technologies. And they are using their extended life to help others.
To read about all 10 Honorees who demonstrate the concept of "Live On. Give On," see THIS PAGE.
I am inspired by all of the recipients, but I would like to highlight the work of the most senior recipient for 2014.
A life-long volunteer, Rajnikant used his $20,000 prize money to support Sleeping Children Around the World.
This charity provides mattresses, pillows and sheets for children so that they can have the physical, emotional and intellectual benefits of a deep, restful sleep.
Rajnikant makes this observation:
"Helping others will satisfy your own soul, too."
We can follow Rajnikant's example by serving others in our own communities. For example, we can volunteer at local schools, donate money to food banks, or preserve stories for older adults.
My own passion project is to serve as a witness to the lives of older adults who are house bound. Not all older adults have mobility problems, but a significant percentage do. Some are aging in place in his or her home. Some are living in a formal setting (like an assisted living facility or a nursing home).
Since 2011, I have focused on developing friendships with people who are decades older than I am. It's a win-win situation. I learn a great deal about history and about developing a strong character. They get a chance to pass on their legacy to another person through storytelling.
Sometimes I record their stories in print or online. Like Bakken Invitation, I strongly believe in the power of storytelling. My first career as an English teacher saturated me in stories by famous people. Now I am more interested in the stories everyday people have to relay.
Readers of my blog had the opportunity to win $100 to benefit his or her own community. THANK YOU TO ALL 19 PARTICIPANTS!
Terms and Conditions
- Entered by Tuesday, December 30, 2014.
- Must be 18 years old and a resident of the US to enter.
- Use of the prize is up to the winner, but it must benefit his or her community.
- Left a comment below about a local organization that you might support if you win the VISA card.
- One entry per reader (but you can comment as much as you would like!)
On December 31, 2014 a winner will be declared. I will provide contact information to Medtronic, and a representative will mail the prize in January 2015.
My husband had a stent implanted five years ago. That, and drugs he takes for diabetes, make him a beneficiary of our technology, a fact I am so gratefu for!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad, Carol, that your husband got appropriate treatment. Hooray!
DeleteKaren:
ReplyDeleteI like your idea of recording the oral history of our elders! Perhaps I should try that too... - Laura Lee
You have a great skill set for that with your background in psychology and writing.
DeleteI love that you write "serve as witness." That's really beautiful. People, all people, just need to be seen and heard. And you are, indeed, serving them by doing just that.
ReplyDeleteYes, Kim, I have come to see how validating people has immense power. It took me 50 years to see that, but now I'm very focused to that task.
DeleteYour mission to observe and record lives as you see them and you are shown serves as such a gift to all! Mobility is huge - even for those housebound. Getting from floor to floor or fitting in the bathroom with a walker or being able to navigate your own house. The little things we take for granted and just don't consider. Personally, I think that "Live On, Give On" are the most inspiring words we can share. Thank you for sharing that with all of us!
ReplyDeleteGood point about difficulties that mobility in the home presents, too. Thank heavens there are more devices (like walkers) and more home adjustments (like zero entry showers) available today than for prior generations. It's still challenging, though.
DeleteMy husband received a last minute, life saving double lung transplant in September 2013. He is doing so very well!
ReplyDeleteThank heavens he got a transplant and thank heavens his body accepted it. I am so glad. Hugs to you both.
DeleteI would love to give more support to the Police Athletic League in my hometown community that offers after-school and weekend opportunities to inner city children.
ReplyDeleteOh, that's a great program for helping kids who could use more support.
DeleteI would donate it to the food bank that I often get food from.
ReplyDeleteOh, food banks are great organizations. Good idea.
DeleteWhat a wonderful thing to do! I love giving back and volunteer often in my own community. There's a lot to give with $100
ReplyDeleteOh I didn't answer the question. I am in a local non profit Quilt Guild and we often get together to make quilts for many different charitable organizations. They can always use more fabric.
ReplyDeleteA Quilt Guild. That's wonderful. My mother and mother-in-law both are quilters. I should ask them if they have a quilt guild in their community. "More fabric" is useful indeed!
DeleteHelping others and recording their stories help to validate them and yourself as well. I love this idea of giving back to the elderly. Thanks
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by the blog, Toni!
DeleteI work with the elderly most of whom are on hospice. I love hearing and writing down their stories. I would donate the money to Wounded Warriors, there are so many that need help for themselves and their caregivers.
ReplyDeleteDoreen, you are doing great work with hospice and story recording. And Wounded Warriors is a great organization. All my best to you.
DeleteCan we EVER help the animals that are abused and left behind ENOUGH? My entry is pledged towards the LASPCA- a non-profit shelter. Wonderful idea. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is the strongest animal advocate in our house. I should tell her more about charitable organizations that benefit animals in need. She's a young teen, but I can see her getting involved at some point. Thanks for mentioning such service.
DeleteWhat a wonderful mission and offer for a nonprofit. I love the Lighthouse Guild which helps support people with vision problems and the blind.
ReplyDeleteEstelle
Oh, I work with some older adults with macular degeneration. I am glad to hear about the Lighthouse Guild. Interesting and needed work.
DeleteI am going to donate to local food shelves and adopt a family to help with holiday wishes.
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas!
DeleteI give clothes and books to the VA on a regular basis. It always feels good to know I'm helping others.
ReplyDeleteOh, I always have books to give away. I didn't think about the VA before. That's a good idea. Thanks for sharing it.
Deletei would buy canned goods for my local food bank and donate to charities that care for the elderly in hospices in our area.
ReplyDeleteBoth are great ideas. All my best to you, Lisa.
DeleteI would donate diapers and formula to a local pregnancy support center.
ReplyDeleteI would donate toys and clothes to our local charity
ReplyDeleteI would donated canned goods to my local food pantry.
ReplyDeleteMy local food bank is Hawkeye Harvest. Our North Iowa Bloggers group did a donation last month collectively and they were my November Comments for a Cause on my blog! Great place and I would donate there!!!
ReplyDeleteI would use it for the food pantry and baby corner. We already donate items to it but it would be great to do more!
ReplyDeleteThis would really help Pet Helpers. They are a non profit organization that focuses on finding homes for kittens, cats , puppies and dogs in need. Weither they are tame or feral, they help them all. They are a non kill facility, so they have a place to stay for as long as it takes.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to use it to buy supplies for our local Hearing Dog Program.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteI plan to use this money (stretched with coupons and sales) to make donations of personal care items and baby items to our local womens shelter.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 AT gmail DOT com
The Lord's Diner serves a hot meal to anyone, every day of the year. Such a need for this in our community that they have expanded from one to four locations in the past year.
ReplyDeleteI love helping with the Lost Dog and Cat Foundation. We've gotten so many dogs and cats adopted to loving homes. I love fostering puppies with them and think this money would be able to help them out even more.
ReplyDeletewhittikere(at)yahoo(dot)com
I thought everyone’s story was beautiful and really love how each individual faced their obstacles with strength and courage. Clent Benson’s story was one of my favorites. I love that he is living life to it’s fullest and also helping our younger generation discover their passions.
ReplyDeleteI volunteer at a shelter close to my home and love and appreciate the relationships that I have built there. I love hosting small events for them and would use the money towards creating more care packages for families in need.
Linjumimom(at)aol(dot)com
Operation Paws for Homes could definitely use this money. I volunteer with them and they are a great organization.
ReplyDeleteMarie