I am now back to work, at least as best I can. Thank you to the TEAM that responded and has kept our projects moving. I am so grateful for their efforts and after two days I see why they are feeling frustrated. It seems PASSION may not sell anymore. It seems that taking time to meet and discuss BIG ideas has been replaced by quickly discarded tweets and emails. It seems that the “new CSR” platform has MORE red tape as they “unravel the mysteries of building their brand by doing what is right”. It seems we have lost sight of critical issues. Yet, what may seem to be is NOT!
Go ahead and laugh, but we believe the right people can blow through red tape. The right people can and do make a difference when a funding crisis emerges. The right people do take time to see what they are funding. The right people do understand the funds they distribute on behalf of a BRAND are not their own. The right people do step up and without expectation or ego, SOLVE problems.
After months of watching the federal and state budget cuts, a serious problem emerged. One in 6 of our family members, friends or neighbors has been diagnosed with a disability. One in 5 of the Veterans, senior citizens, wheelchair populations, ADHD, ADD, autism, PDD, Aspergers, cerebral palsy, downs syndrome, strokes, brain damage from cancer treatments, you name it are losing services as we read this. The sad part is our legislators thought it was a good idea to drastically cut Respite Services and Early Childhood Intervention. The sadder part is if we do not intervene early, the child will lose the possibility of reaching their human potential and we will pay for this as tax payers for years to come. We can only imagine what this does to the workforce that is now missing days as their children lose services or parents have no respite care and are just exhausted.
So, we decided to try and join a solution oriented group called Easter Seals Greater Houston and help. The analysis of state and federal budgets clearly showed there is a HUGE gap and the special needs community needs financial help. Thus, Care2Spin(tm) was born and we get to play a small part. We repeat, as we blog, 1 in 5 families of the 5700 served by Easter Seals Greater Houston is losing a service. The funding gap, a cool 1.5 million.
We know, the proposals we send you, Corporate America have a sense of urgency. The request we make of you, the individual is simple though. You just go to the website and take responsibility for just one service or child. Send the page to your boss, family member, friend, anyone you can think of. Go ahead and laugh, we think some of you may actually do it! We have watched with baited breathe as people have stepped up for the Berry Children. We applaud this effort and marvel. Now what will we do with ALL the other families that have the same issues, ONLY no NETWORK to support them? Let us repeat, 1 in 6 citizens struggle with a disability and most have little if any resources to deal with the issue they face daily.
We are doing our part to ensure the gift of caring is available to everyone. What will you do?
Go ahead and laugh, we still believe and always will believe that passion and compassion are what drive “sustainable” communities. Now if you believe, please let us know and we will send a proposal and get involved package to you or your company! We have sent them to over 500 law firms, sports teams, Energy Companies, engineering firms, and contacts. So far, few have responded. The funny part is this is the largest corporate brand lift opportunity we have seen. So, if your corporation wants a lift for their CSR needs, we have it. The Care2Spin(tm) is also a great way to engage employees in personal and family wellness. What a great way to engage our city!
By the way, the small business community has jumped in and they understand how to use their social media and newsletter influence to engage people! Maybe large companies can learn from the local small business owner that feels a sense of urgency to really take care of the community where they live. We will be highlighting a few of their efforts soon.
Go ahead and smile, someone WILL read this, take action and be the next heroes of the project and 5700 families that do not have time for “red tape”, formal proposals, committees to decide, egos, just real heroes! As one that has been a CSR officer in Corporate America, do not tell me “there are NO funds”. There are always funds! Just go to any dinner in town and see all the tables purchased for charity with no one from the company attending and then re-allocate those funds.
Finally, it was so easy for Mac De Laup and John Eagle Honda to make this happen and he is the last person that one would expect. He is after all a Honda dealer with few cars due to the Tsunami. So, we dedicate this blog to you MAC! And we hope your leadership will help others step up and support your efforts to make a difference. As always we are grateful to play a small role in solving community issues.