Meet Sarah and her sweet family. (pictured above) But don't let the smiles on their faces fool you. Sarah is a single mom, evident in this family portrait, and has been through a lot, with continued challenges before her. But her future has been greatly blessed by her scholarship from LDS Business College. Read more about Sarah's story at LDS Philanthropies. But let me share just a little bit here of what Sarah had to say about attending the college and benefiting by the generosity of others...
My biggest challenge at LDSBC has been overcoming my initial stumbling block of thinking that, as an almost 40 year old single mother of 4 young kids, I would not be able to do well at school after a 20+ year absence from formal education. I didn't believe it was in me to be 'smart enough' or had the confidence that I could do well. The thought of studying, exams, and so much required reading was very intimidating. Added to that, I didn't know how I'd pay for it.
The boost of confidence I needed came when I found out that the LDSBC offered a Scholarship for single parents, and that I qualified for it. I remember when the email arrived that I had been granted the Scholarship, I cried from feeling overwhelmed with appreciation and joy. I decided right there and then that if the people who donated the funds for the Scholarship and faculty of the College believed I was worth the investment, then I would give my all to my studies and do my absolute best to ensure that those precious funds were not wasted on me.
The donors may never fully understand how their gift has blessed my life. Within a few days of attending classes, delving into the textbooks, and getting to know my teachers, a feeling swelled within me that has grown and grown ever since. It was a feeling that distilled on me that 'I can do hard things'. Learning has become a joy - I've learned to love learning. Now in my fourth semester, I've averaged a 3.98 GPA. Those feelings of inadequacy and intimidation are gone and I see what I've accomplished in the past and have full confidence that my children and I have a bright future ahead of us.
Here's what Sarah had to say when asked how she would express her gratitude to those who have donated to make her education possible, and what she would say to those who might be considering making a donation to assist other single moms...
Anyone who has heard me speak of my gratitude to the donors who have made it possible for me to attend the College know it is a topic very close to my heart, and usually accompanied by tears. I look forward to the day when I know the names of the individuals who have donated the funds, to look into their eyes, and thank them personally for allowing me the means to have my life transformed. I don’t expect if I were to meet them that I would have the words to describe my gratitude. A simple “Thank You”, though sincere and heart-felt, is so inadequate to really express my feelings of gratitude. When granted the Scholarship, I promised the donors I’d do my very best and assured them that their precious funds would not be wasted on me. I have kept that promise to them and will continue to do so. I too would like to donate to the Scholarship fund, so that other people in similar situations have the opportunities that have been afforded to me.Go Sarah!
I continue to be amazed at the challenges that single mothers have to parent their children, and provide for them. Sadly, 26 percent of children now live with just one parent, and 27 percent of single mothers live in poverty. Those are stunning statistics! These moms need our help to create a positive future for them and their children. Most single moms that I've talked to were not the ones who chose their circumstances. Many of them have had their dreams of the fairytale family that every little girl dreams of, now turned into a nightmare. Single mothers spend much of their time lying awake at night wondering how they are going to pay their bills and take care of their children. Education is the key to helping these women, and that's what this project is all about.
As of Sunday evening, 11/20/2011, people have given a total of $8,907. I wish that I could give a hug to every person who has given the widow's mite on behalf of these, our sisters. You can donate HERE or use the widget on my sidebar. Every donation, no matter the size, is helpful and needed. Won't you please consider making a contribution?
As President Hinckley once said,
"You never can foretell the consequences of a dollar invested in education. It goes on multiplying itself. It becomes not an expenditure but an investment that pays returns far and wide and through generations to come."At this Thanksgiving time, as we consider the many blessings that God has given to us, may our hearts be touched on behalf of those in need of our help, and may we do what we can to help, however small that may be...
tDMg
Kathryn Skaggs
Other ways YOU can GIVE:
Place the donation widget on the sidebar of your blog.
Pass this information along on your own blog.
Share the link to this post on Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, etc...
(please use the hash tag #GiveOhGive when posting on Twitter)
LDS Business College: Give Oh Give
As you can see by this list, there are many AWESOME Mormon Bloggers working hard to get the word out to their readers, to HELP single moms:
Modern Molly Mormon: Give Hope, Give Help
Raising Memories: Give Oh Give
11th Heaven's Homemaking Haven: Can You Help?
Food Storage Made Easy: Spreading the Word for a Good Cause
Technology for Moms: Give Oh Give Away
Is this REALLY my life?: Single parent shout-out: Let’s #GiveOhGive
Cute Girls Hairstyles:
Single Parenting | A Time to Give
Lady Gaga Hair Bow - Give Oh Give Plug
Feminist Mormon Housewives: Opening a Door for Single Mothers
formerly phread: Bloggers Helping Single Parents
Perry's Plate: Giving Hope to Single Parents
We Talk of Christ, We Rejoice in Christ: Things I Will Spend (my husband's) Hard-Earned Money On
Chocolate on my Cranium:
Give, Oh, Give
Educating Women: Sarah's Story
Welcome to the Madness: Give Oh Give
Mormon Women: Who We Are: Give Hope: Help Single Parents Get an Education
My Real Life Was Backordered:
Tricks, Treats, and All the Saints at Home
A Dreamy Family Christmas Letter
This Just In!
The Lyon's Tale: WNW: Providing Education and a Future
Cute Culture Chick: LDS BLOGGERS GIVE BACK – SINGLE PARENT SCHOLARSHIPS
Divergent Pathways: Because I have been given
Mormon Moms Who Blog:
Your Financial HELP Strongly Requested
Your Help Needed
Budget Gourmet Mom:
Give, Oh Give and Apple Crisp Pancakes
Three 30 Minute Meals and A Chance to Give Hope
Fruit Height Friends: Campaign: Scholarships for Single Moms
The Jet Set: Single Parent Scholarships
Making Today Memorable: give oh give
Happy Meets Crazy: By Small and Simple Things...
georgia leigh: Achieving the Impossible
Women in the Scriptures: Give, Oh Give
gracious rain: All The Single Ladies
Super Healthy Kids: Meal Plans and Opportunities
Modern Mormon Men: Opening Doors For Single Mothers
NOTE: Although I've focused my blog posts on single moms, certainly these scholarships are available to single fathers, too.
Thank you so much for sharing Sarah's story and for all your help with the fundraising campaign this month. AND thanks for mentioning my blog too! There's a lot of awesome people who are working to make it a success!
ReplyDeleteHope your Thanksgiving was great! Thanks for sharing this touching story. At Mormon Market we are grateful for thoughtful, positive bloggers like you. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteBradley
mormonmarket.com
Thank you Nicole and Bradley!
ReplyDeleteI'll give you my solution to giving - in the spirt of the post and of the Season (though it should be part of everyday life). It's simple and it's helpful to those in need.
ReplyDeleteAbout three years ago, I did a project with Boy Scouts (Scouting for Food) where we collected food door to door and took it to a food bank just before Thanksgiving. I was completely shocked. There was not more than five cans of food in the food bank. So I drove to Costco and bought a whole cart of flats of canned food and added it to Scouting for Food.
Today, EVERY TIME I go to Costco/Sam's Club, I buy a few flats of chili, corn, stew, etc. and drop them off at the food shelter on the way home. It's not part of the Bishop's Storehouse program, however I feel that if more people did this, it would address hunger - which is unthinkable in America.