“We Can Do No Great Things, Only Small Things With Great Love” ~ Mother Theresa
There are two organizations I hold near and dear; the San Diego Hospice and The Marine Toys For Tots Foundation.
In 2007 my dad was cared for by the amazing doctors, nurses, and volunteers of The San Diego Hospice. My dad’s room became our temporary home and one day a nurse brought us a beautiful floral arrangement…those flowers yielded so many smiles out of our whole family I can barely describe it, but something so simple made us so happy during that time. As it turned out, the arrangement was donated by a company who had hosted a Christmas party and had left over centerpieces. On that day, I realized that I could do the same! Since I was often being given leftover Wedding flowers, cake, decorations, and sometimes even food- now I had a place to take it all right after the wedding and hopefully bring smiles to other families who would be in the same situation I was once in. I have been bringing leftover Wedding flowers, food, cake, and misc other “sunshine” to the San Diego Hospice on behalf of my clients, since that time. There is no greater feeling than the one you get from paying it forward. So when you are planning your wedding and thinking any elements will go to waste, know that they wont, anything you choose to donate will bring smiles to the many families in need of them.
Speaking of smiles… Even though I didn’t know it then, I now know how much my parents sacrificed for us kids to be happy and always feel wonderful, loved, and hopeful. I can’t remember a day when I felt I went without something I needed. As an adult, I’ve come to realize that when we had nothing, others helped us. Thanks to organizations like Toys for Tots, my brothers and I had gifts to open on Christmas when otherwise my family had barely enough money to eat. I see no other way to make sure kids feel the way I did growing up, than to make whatever efforts I can to make sure they too can laugh and smile how I did (and still do!), than to be an advocate and help fund raise with the US Marine Corps every year. My annual campaigns are called “Giggle & Mingle” stay tuned for details every fall! Check out our past efforts in our 2009 & 2010 galleries as well as our 2010 Giggle & Mingle video recap!
xxo,
Brenda Swann
