Back when Rockford City Market first started, I was just a new graduate desperately seeking my perfect job...and by perfect, I mean any job. Long story short, the odds were definitely not working in my favor and so I stumbled my way into learning the bread-baking craft in order to become a vendor at the market. "Just for the summer", I thought. By the time winter had rolled around, I finally found myself at the doorstep of Barbara Olson Center of Hope, a not-for-profit organization that serves people with developmental disabilities, ready to begin the first real job in my chosen career. I have been there for 7 years now. And though my pursuit of Crust & Crumbles has taken me more and more away from the Center, this place is so near and dear to my heart.
I bring this up today because Thanksgiving is a time for gathering and gratitude...and a true Thanksgiving is also in actually doing that - giving. For many years, I helped with running the Center's annual #GivingTuesday campaign, a day dedicated to inspiring people to help their local community and give back to the causes they support. And throughout those years, I have been witness to the incredible generosity of our friends and neighbors. Having been on the other side of the fence, I can also tell you that every gift goes towards serving and championing for those that are the most vulnerable among us. Not only that, all the nonprofits in our city together employ a great amount of people within this community through their operations...people that are making a difference in someone's life every day.
Any online contribution made to the Barbara Olson Center of Hope on Tuesday, November 28th will receive a matching donation from the Coleman Foundation in Chicago. I hope you kindly consider making a gift to the Center...and if not, please reach out to the organizations and charities you care about this holiday season because as the saying goes, "We rise by lifting others."
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!