As I was starting to write my
blog today I had to count the weeks from when I launched The Bernie
Project....you should have heard the surprise in my voice when I counted
6....6...really...just 6...6. huh...6 weeks. It feels MUCH longer than 6...not
in a bad way...just longer than 6. In fact I just went back to count on my
calendar...still 6.
There have
been numerous times since June 21st where I have been overcome by
the love, support and generosity of friends, family and strangers. On more than
one occasion I have asked myself “How do I adequately express the gratitude I
have for the love and support I have experienced since launching The Bernie
Project?”
On June 21st
I sent an email to pretty much everyone in my address book about the launch of
The Bernie Project. I received my first PayPal notification email (PS- Love
those emails!) from Roger from Visions Made Viable the non-profit incubator who
manages all my administrative and financial needs. My first donation was
substantial and from a former colleague and her mom. That email made me realize for one- this was real and two- people were already behind me. I cried. Since
then, the donations that have come in both small and large with their own
stories and reasoning behind why they support me, why they support The Bernie
Project and our mission to positively impact the lives of the kids at the
Wakiso School of Hope, has been awe-inspiring and overwhelming.
The notes
from friends who have shown their kids The Bernie Project website and had
discussions with their kids about what life must be like in Uganda and how they
can help their peers half way across the world. From selling their own beloved
possessions, donating part of their allowance or raising money for The Bernie
Project for their birthday instead of accepting gifts is a tremendous display
of generosity.
The
collaborative discussions with old friends about how the US organizations they
work with can partner with The Bernie Project whether it’s creating a pen-pal
program, planning a trip for 2014 and or raising funds and awareness to The
Bernie Project is so awesome.
The
examples above are just a few of the amazing moments that have happened since the
launch of The Bernie Project. I’m 11 days away from leaving on a 9-day trip to
Uganda. It is action packed and I can’t wait to share with you all the
fantastic things you have made possible.
I’ll
continue to express my thanks on my blog, on Facebook, on Twitter, in
handwritten thank you cards (yours will be in the mail soon, I swear), in
person, out loud, via text and in my head. I don’t know when I’ll be satisfied
that I’ve adequately expressed the gratitude that is in my heart. Until then….Thank you.
With
Abundant Gratitude,
April
