Christmas Magic

I bet right now you know at least three people that donate time, money or toys during the holiday season.

I bet you know someone that lends a hand at the local soup kitchens giving meals to families that go without. 

And I bet you too at one point have lent a hand to help a family member or a friend.

I have seen charity pooled together on Facebook.
I have seen it at Make-a-wish foundation with the kids.
I have seen it at my kids school.

Charity.  Giving back.  Donations.

People want to help.  And thank goodness for that.  Because paying it forward, charity, donations, etc is what helps repair faith.

I don't care what kind of religion you believe in, we all need some sort of faith.

Last year I joined an organization called Help Portrait.  A photographer friend of mine (Joanne Henig) and myself donated our photography services  to a local women's shelter.  It is a feeling inside of me that I can still recall today.

This year, Joanne (owner of Long Island Photo Gallery) led the organization and created an awesome Help Portrait Team to participate in St. Patrick's Parish in Bay Shore Christmas event.  Every year St. Patrick church selectes families to participate in providing a warm meal, a visit from Santa, and toys to EVERY.SINGLE.CHILD.  Our team donated their time and talent to provide every family with a beautiful portrait.

I could not have worked with a better team of photographers on this event.  Each of us walked away feeling like we made each family smile a little brighter this holiday season. 

Thank you so much St. Patrick's Parish for hosting an event that filled every child with the magic of Christmas.  I cannot imagine the time and effort it must have taken to have pulled off such an amazing event.

Lastly, thank you to Joanne, Jessica, Mark, Rod, Bob, and Joe.  It was like we have all worked together a million times prior.  I enjoyed sharing our stories and experiences.  I hope we can all work together on this project again next year.

 

What the heck? Paying it forward..

Over the past few months I have shared with you all how I try to give back to those in need.  I truly believe that paying it forward makes the world a better place.  It also helps with refilling my bucket.  That bucket is what I turn to when I am running low on energy, or creativity, even spiritually.

I belong to Think Pink Photography network, The Singe Parent Project network, and recently I joined a network called Help-Portrait. (please click on those links to learn about each of them)

Help Portrait is something I firmly believe in..  here is there mission statement:

"Help-portrait is a movement of photographers, who are using their time, equipment and experience to give back to those who are less fortunate during the holiday season."

On December 12th, 2009 I will hopefully book photo sessions for people in need.  I know a photograph will not solve their problems, but it is my way of giving.  A photograph can heal, I know it can.  I ask you to look around your house right now, look at your potraits, your snap shots.  I bet you smile at 99% of them recalling the memory captured, or the look on your son/daughter's face, or even seeing how fast time moves and having that memory of that time is golden.

I will charge nothing from these sessions.
I will pay for the prints out of my pocket.
I will then deliver the prints for them to keep. Forever.

It is my way of filling my bucket.
And maybe helping someone fill there bucket.

If you know someone that is having a really hard time this holiday season please have them reach out to me.  I will also be contacting a Mom I met through my sons school who works at a Women's Abuse Shelter to see if I can volunteer December 12, 2009.  I hope that in my small way of giving back, I can bring someone a smile and make them realize just how beautiful they and life are..