Ever since I read the comment that we were a finalist I've thought how nice it would be to have a $500 grocery gift card; to not have to spend money on groceries for a couple of months. I've thought what I could do with that $500 saved from not buying groceries - putting it in savings, using it towards Christmas (not that we spend that much on presents though!), helping with our upcoming move across the country, paying for all the postage and care packages I'll be spending on Joe when he deploys! :)
But I've been thinking of something else too. We don't need that gift card; there is a difference between want and need. It would be extremely nice to have that card, don't get me wrong! But we are in a good place right now; compared to a lot of people. We don't have to worry about paying the rent/mortgage, or the next doctor bill, or even stretching the paycheck to buy groceries.
The holidays are coming up. Thanksgiving is a time to count your blessing and realize what you have to be thankful for; and we're blessed with what we have. Others aren't so fortunate right now.
If my photo wins this contest I plan on donating this card to the local food bank in my town. I'm sure they have a need for something like this. I think of all the food they could buy and stock up their pantry with; all the families they could serve holiday meals to...and I know donating the card to them is the right thing for our family to do.
The only reason I'm sharing this is because I'm going to ask you, my dear readers, to help me help my community.
The winner of this contest is determined by voting. So that's where you guys come in! I need all the votes I can get :) You can vote only once per IP address, so if you if have a few minutes I'd sure appreciate if you could go here to vote - just scroll down to the voting buttons - we're #4. And if you feel like it you could post about it on your blog too - that's allowed for voting purposes! :)
Voting ends Tues, Dec 2. Thanks to those of you who have already voted!
Thanks for your help!
52 comments:
I already voted for Miss Kayla!!!! I voted here at home, and well call it cheating but I'll vote from our store computer,too...different IP address. What a wonderful gift it would be to give to your community.
I voted, and before I even read your full post, I had a feeling you were going to donate that card if you won!
You're just that good of a person!
I already voted and before I even read your post!!!! I'll vote again from work tomorrow - is that cheating or just being resourceful!?!?!!?
You. Are. Awesome. That would be such a great thing to do with the gift card. But I'm a bit jealous that $500 would feed your family for a few months. That's almost one month here. *sigh*
I voted. Michelle... she is so beautiful!!! What a gorgeous picture. Those eyes are mesmerizing.
Very cool, Michelle! Very cool indeed.
She's got my vote!!!!!!!!!
I already voted for Kayla. And that? Is awesome. You're amazing, and I hope you win!
I voted for her! I hope you win! I think that is really cool of you to offer to donate the grocery card if you win it. That would be a HUGE blessing to someone! One crappy thing about having to use food pantries is, they can usually only give out dry goods and canned goods, so if you're REALLY broke and can't afford ANY grocieries, you still have to go without things like fresh fruits and veggies, milk, butter, etc. So a grocerty card would allow someone to get all of those things!
I voted for Kayla!
Looked like you were ahead! yay!
I've just gone to vote:-) I hope that Kayla's picture wins!!! How wonderful of you to be willing to donate the $500 gift card to your local food bank...you have a heart of gold my friend. xoxo
Congrats, very exciting, we will go vote right now.
I voted! I think you're in 2nd place!
Just voted Michelle. What an adorable picture of Kayla! I really hope you win.
Michelle, I just voted for Kayla. She's winning by a lot! :)
You are so sweet to think of donating that grocery gift card to the local food bank! I know that would make a huge difference to probably several families!
Speaking of giveaways, I'm hosting one this week. Stop over and take a peek! :)
That's wonderful of you!
Good luck from a fellow contestant! ;)
Congratulations! I voted and have a post on my blog about it. What a wonderful thing you will do if you win!
You are so sweet! You always have our vote!
Congrats on being a finalist! What an honor, and I think that what you are going to do if you win is also very honoring.
Where are you moving to?
shut up!!!! i am so excited! i will vote...and i think i might have to post a link on my blog! kayla has to win this...for sure!
just entered my vote:) what a great gesture. I believe having a child with special needs has given us a gift to see things in a better view, hope you win!
Denise
www.caringbridge.org/in/sydneylynne
How exciting!! If you win (kayla) now that will be a real "THANKS" giving to those in real need!! mom/grandma
Michelle, I voted for your BEAUTIFUL Kayla!!!, I LOVE her "Big Blueberry Eyes". :)
Many Blessings ~
I voted for Kayla. That is such an awesome thing to do, giving it away to help others. I really hope you win!
I have something for you on my blog!
Wow Michelle - that is an incredibly thoughtful and generous thing to do!
I voted for sweet Miss Kayla (I would have anyway because it IS the cutest picture there!)
Right now she is waaaayyyy ahead!
Hey Michelle, I just sent out the link to about 20 people in my office that don't normally follow these blogs. You are winning today!!!!!
I voted for Kayla, but that was some stiff competition!!! I love the oatmeal facial though!!! Tee-Hee...
love you!
Good luck! It looks like you're winning!!!!!!
Done- and what a nice idea!
I just voted. What a wonderful way to give back to your community.
Oh! I hope she wins!!
I voted AND posted.
Can I just say you are really, really cool? That's such a nice thing to do!
You got my vote! I will send the link out to my friends @ work. They will vote for her too! Good luck!
Congrats! I just voted for your cutie!
It's so like you to do something like this. I'm on my way over to cast my vote right now.
PS - As of right now, you're ahead by a landslide, Michelle!
What a great idea, Michelle. There are so many folks out there in need. So many times, food pantries have empty shelves. They have to turn people away.
Thanks for wanting to be a part of the solution!
So kind of you!
I voted tonight. She didn't need my vote though, she's cleaning up over there! :)
You got my vote! Not only is Kayla to cute but donating the card is awesome and will really give others and wonderful holiday.
You were way ahead just a few minuites ago!
JoDee
i voted too - and hope that you win. your generous spirit will only reward you... :)
Voted! Love your beautiful daughter and donating the card.
Congrats!! I just voted, and so far she's well in the lead, and I hope it stays that way!!!!!!
I just voted for Kayla....and she's still pretty far in the lead!!! I hope she wins, it would certainly be a testament to how absolutely adorable she is! Good luck. :)
I just saw this post. :) That's very generous of you. I'll try to vote from work next week if I can get the time on-line.
It's working. So far you're winning. :)
I voted for Kayla. Great picture!! She is so cute.
Awesome! You got my vote. I noticed you are way ahead vote wise, whohooooooooo!
I voted for you before I even knew you wrote this specific post! Awesome that you are donating to your local food bank.
May you be blessed for your generosity!
Hilary
Yay! I entered too, but we didn't make it. So glad Kayla did though! You all have my vote!
I just hopped over here from 5 Minutes for Moms. Congrats on your win! What a blessing you are to your community. This is what Thanksgiving and Christmas should be about and it is the real meaning of community. Thanks for this- it is inspiring to think about you sharing like that.
I am so glad you won! I voted for you and just now read this - you are a wonderful woman!
God has truely blessed your family and will continue to do so with your generosity. Not a lot of people would give this up for others in need. I think we live in a selfish world and I'm always tickled to see people like you helping others.
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