The Ripple Effect of Kindness Project Donation Hampers*PICS*update nov.19,2011

[Blk_rose]

Seeing the return of interest in my last hamper brag I have decided to start just one thread to which I shall keep adding stories onto as I deliver more hampers. This way there is no misunderstandings and people who chose not to read "non couponing threads" will know to just ignore this one. Even though it was couponing that made it possible for The Ripple Effect of Kindness Project to help even more people more often. Enjoy! Oh as of yesterday as well I am happy to announce I now officially have a partner on my project thanks to SC
RegulusLeonis welcome aboard partner ~_~

To those who are not familiar with me I run a facebook page called "The Ripple Effects of Kindness Project" for the past few years.http://www.facebook.com/#!/TheRippleEffectOfKindnessProject I have done many different projects to reach out and make as many strangers smile as possible. Since my realization of how far couponing can take me on such a small budget I now have a full time ad running on Kijiji to help people in need with donation hampers. They are built with the knowledge of what these peoples needs are but are usually 3 big boxes full of cleaners ,laundry items, foods, toiletries, personal items and treats and whatever else I have to spare.

Anyone who is interested in seriously setting up a hamper donation like mine through the ripple effect please let me know and I will help you to advertise and set it up in your area .Even if all you can spare is one hamper to one family in need its a lot to that one family! Its my goal to have at least one donation branch in every province via my project this year.

Would love to welcome Rigatti aboard as she has expaned The Ripple Hampers into Brampton Ontario!


~~~Sept 22,2011~~~

So about a week ago I received a email from a brother in regards to his sister that spends every penny she makes to her kids comfortable. He asked me to not mention who sent the ripple effect to her door so I get to knock on her door tomorrow night unannounced with 3 boxes full of items. All thanks to couponing and fellow couponers. I am so excited I don't know how I will ever sleep!

The best part is this brother is not just amazing and thoughtful..but protective of his sister. He asked me to meet him first down the road from her place to make sure he was not sending the wrong person to his sisters home. Now the best part....he has no idea I made him a hamper as well. Any brother as selfless as himself deserves to be surprised as well!

~~~Sept 30,2011~~~

I have recently received an email from a young single mother of a teenager and a toddler with another one soon on the way. Even though this lady is so young she has had to endure so much already in her life. She has a tumor on her foot and had another toddler murdered. Even after all her heartaches she still finds the strength to reach out and do everything to help her children and still has huge dreams and goals for her own future. I will be doing my best the next few days to gather as much foods on sale and couponing to fill a hamper for her children along with all the normal things my stockpile houses. I will also include some unexpected gifts for the baby on its way. I seem to get so excited I can not sleep till the hamper are delivered into its deserving and much needed hands.
~this picture does not contain all her hamper items as this was natasha's first with me so hers werent on my staircase before I picked her up for the delivery~


~~~October 16.2011~~~
Today I was out scoping the blue bins as its no secret I extreme coupon to be able to afford my donation hampers. Shocking hey..I am In the same shoes as most of the people I reach out to help. Though I found a hidden talent I am great at. Getting things for nearly free!

Anyways while hunting through the bins a homeless man approached me and starting telling me the bins were hunted through last night for coupons by another couple who searches for hours just about daily. (now I know why its hard to find one coupon these days lol) Anyways he suggested to look in the green bins..the ones with the only access is a window with a metal cross bar through it making the dig rough on the ribs. I thanked him and headed on over.

Minutes later he came back with 2 big containers of deicing salt and asked if I had any use for them. I just about cried at the gesture..thinking it should be me offering him something. As I placed them into my trunk I dug around looking for a granola bar or water bottle..something as my kids usually leave such items for snacks on unexpected drives. No luck...sigh.

I carried on digging ,now with luck finding tons of coupons thanks to his observations to those who dig in the blue bins. He approached me again with 3 full small bottles of propane for the little portable bbq's and asked again if I had any use for them. At this point I wished I had more then 15.00 on me to repay this wonderful man reaching out to help me when he was truly and honestly in need more...in my eyes anyways. He began again to talk this time sharing his personal story.

He apparently had a nice apartment and job untill 8 months ago his hip gave out with a deteriorated joint. He said he applied for aish and sfi and lost everything while awaiting and still awaiting his hip replacement therapy. So he found home in the recycle bins for this entire time and as of 2 weeks ago he was able to get around ok because of his bike..he would use his good leg to push. Made walking so easy. One night though while he slept inside the blue bin someone snipped off the lock and took off with his bike. He now survives off of the bottles and superstore storebucks to buy his food daily.

Now with this all being said and I not having anything to offer..I apologized for what life dealt him and gave him hope saying I am sure AISH and the hospital will find room to help him before the cold sets in. I asked him if there was anything other then money he could really use. And he smiled through his very unwashed face and said ..to be able to keep helping others the best way I can. Right now its all I got is when I find others grabage and able to give it to others as treasure. I just about started bawling.
I thanked him again for his help and free items I can definitely put to good use.

I went back to my hubby and he took one look into my eyes and new what I was going to ask. The 15.00 we had was what we had to go towards our supper but instead I ran to Timmys drive through bought a hot coffee and soup with a bun for the angel with a pure heart of gold. ( I also bought a Hot chcoloate for the hubby and daughter who endure my coupon quests in the cold with me). As I returned with the Items for him he looked just about upset...I knew it was his pride that was hurt. I quickly said I was buying lunch for my family and thought it was only right to repay you for the valuable items you gave us today. His face lite up and said god bless you!

I plan on helping him more soon..Im very excited a bout this..as I see him at his home I intrude into every time I go digging. My reality was just confirmed by someone who literally has nothing can still find it in him to not be greedy and still give to another without the need or desire to have anything returned. GOD BLESS HIM ALWAYS! He was my angel today...just another lesson and awakening to me!

~~~October. 23.2011~~~

My next hamper is going towards a single mother of two who graduated from office administration back in may. Unfortunately her young adult choices made it hard for her to obtain employment over the years, especially a career where she feels she could succeed most in. She now is in the process of a pardon and still having a heck of a time to gain current employment. We have all made choices that has effected our future and have tried hard to undo our wrongs but its not always as easy as we wished. She continues to fight for her new life for herself and her kids future. Hopefully our hamper can help give her enough hope to keep on for her fight to clear her past and for her to know kindness does not cling to wrong doings!

~~~Novmber. 01,2011~~~

This Hamper is going out to a gentleman who is in a long process of healing from a broken neck and damaged back. After a lengthy stay in the hospital then salvation army he has moved back in with his spouse and 2 children. This man is one who is not used to needing help as well as a hard worker. He even thought he would be already able to work to help support his household. Hopefully with our hamper the urgency to work will fade for awhile..giving his body much needed time to heal from their wounds.



~~~November 19,2011~~~

The next hamper is another unexpected one. Someone recently wrote to me about a young family who refuses to reach out for help even though they desperately need the boost. They spent most of last spring and all summer and fall living in a friends RV. During this time the mother was pregnant and had a child. Finally things started to look up as the father got a job at safeway and thus securing them into low income housing for our expected cold winter ahead. They have 4 young children and from anothers perspective they are still barely making it by. I am excited to hand over and unexpected hamper to them. These ones seem to be my favorite deliveries ..especially when the person who contacted me wishes to remain anonymous.

[Ami1984]

That is amazing what you are doing good for you

[Tabby40]

awesome brag!

[weasy71]

You are amazing! alot of people talk about doing good things, but you actually made the move...congrats! the world needs more people like you. God Bless

[couponing4life]

wonderful....I'm glad this project has taken off so well! how can you not be excited about such a lovely thing? I am not part of it but i am already excited about this. let me know if there are any coupons you need.
wtg

[hollyquaiscer]

such a nice thing you are doing for people in your community.

[Blk_rose]

Thanks to this amazing family on here and all the wonderful people reaching out to raok coupons and items my original goal of a family a month is constantly growing and exceeding at a rate more then I dreamt of. Thank you everyone for reading and posting the warm heatfelt comments and reaching out to help me help others!

[sctich]

Reading your OP gave me goose bumps! What an amazing thing you have started.

[steph13]

I am located in the GTA and could love to help out a fmily for Thanksgiving, if anyone knows any way that I can do that without going through a food bacnk please let me know through a PM!

[kristeven]

I am located in the GTA and could love to help out a fmily for Thanksgiving, if anyone knows any way that I can do that without going through a food bacnk please let me know through a PM!

I suggest that you contact your local United Way and they could set you up with a family. I have heard of people doing this for others at Christmas, but koodos to you for thinking about Thanksgiving Dinner. Let us know what response you get.

[Murren]

Thank you for warming my heart. It is awesome what you are doing

[Brandy Hunter]

I can't find the page you mentioned, can you link me

[Blk_rose]

I dont think links are allowed on here..but its attached on my profile ~_~. I have heard that from a few people now..I wonder why my page can not be searched for..if anyone knows im not tech savy..please help lol

https://www.facebook.com/TheRippleEf...indnessProject <~~in case links work lol

[frugallady19]

This is amazing..
how do these families contact u ..t hat are in need?

[Flamemoo]

I always want to help but someone from one charity told me that they only need $$$ not donations.