Over the past few weeks, I’ve witnessed the incredible power of email marketing. Our family will be traveling to Ecuador in July, on a program called “Causes For Change International.” (See: www.causesforchange.org).
My husband will be providing free dental care to needy children for a week, my son, his friend, a pre-med student and I will be helping out. Joel is supposed to work on between 160-200 kids per day!
The surprising news came a few weeks ago. I was told that I needed to bring about 1000 small stuffed animals as gifts for the children who have nothing. Since these kids receive no medical or dental care all year, and typically are anxious about having any procedure done, it gets them motivated to sit in a chair when they realize that a gift will be given to them afterwards.
With a wave of concern washing over me, I thought I’d better do SOMETHING. I sent out an email blast to numerous friends, family and colleagues. And thankfully, the donations have started coming. Two young girls, Laura and her friend Nina brought over 6 large bags full of 310 beanie babies!
A writing colleague, Susan Bearman, created a flyer for her son’s school and collected numerous donations from parents at the school picnic last weekend.
I’m grateful, appreciative and very moved by everyone’s support. It just goes to show how much we are all connected. Thank you, Thank you…! Only about 600 more small stuffed animals to go….
