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Hello Everyone- Once again this year I am collecting donated toys for the Marine Corps annual Capital Region TOYS FOR TOTS program. I know that this is another tough year to ask for donations, with the high cost of so many things these days. It will be even harder for families who are struggling to give their children a nice Christmas. My heart goes out to parents who cannot give their children a present or two under their Christmas tree or any child that may not get a gift at all. Please consider giving if you are able. For those wondering, the donations are tax deductible. Although Toys for Tots does not have an official list of suggested donations; toys, board games, stuffed animals, books, sporting goods, clothing, curling irons, makeup, crafts, etc. would all make great gifts. It can be of any value, for any age; the only requirement is that the item is new and unwrapped. Last year the Capital Region TYF program distributed over 682,000 toys. Making a donation: 1) For your convenience, you could order an item online and have it delivered to my home (DM me for the address). Let me know if you have ordered something so that I can watch for it and let you know that it arrived. If you wanted to deliver something personally, would be happy to set up a day and time. 2) Last year several people sent me cash and I did the shopping. I’d be more than happy to do that as well. 3) Monetary donations may also be made online here: https://lnkd.in/e9_i-tfp 4) If you know someone who is struggling and may need help this holiday season, they can apply for toys here: https://lnkd.in/eAxgzgRt I have also set up Trelleborg Sealing Solutions in Niskayuna (my employer) as a collection site as well, if that is more convenient. Because of the generosity of my co-workers, friends and family, I was able to collect 80+ toys in 2022 and 2023. This year I again have a personal goal to collect 100 toys for those in need and I would sincerely appreciate any help that you can give. Thanks for your consideration!

Building Better Communities—what does that mean, exactly? To me, it is seeing this: our employee-owners came together to select the organizations we wanted to support, and our clients and friends helped determine how our support would be distributed. The best part is that these three organizations now have more resources to serve their communities.

Toys are powerful. Toys are more than just a plaything. Toys are a beacon of hope, a spark of imagination, and sometimes, a lifeline for families in need. It's not hard to find instances where people help people in this season of giving. It's a bit more fun when I get to flip the script and talk about how the military serves their local communities, not by standing a post and protecting freedom, but by playing the role of Santa Claus. The United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program is a year-round mission dedicated to supporting the nearly 40% of American children living in impoverished households. Toys for Tots partners with local organizations to deliver books, toys, and educational games to children across the country. Imagine the joy on a child's face when they receive their first Lego set, a luxury often out of reach for many families. These moments are not just about gifts. The are also about instilling hope and showing that brighter days are possible. The challenges faced by economically disadvantaged families don't take a break after the holiday season. That's why the Marine Toys for Tots Program operates year-round, ensuring that children continue to receive the support they need. It's a reminder that kindness and generosity should be constants in our lives, not just seasonal gestures. If you're looking to make a difference, consider how your brand or organization can contribute to such impactful programs. Whether through sponsorship, volunteering, or spreading the word, every action counts. #MilitaryMarketing #MilitaryAppreciation #Military #SeasonOfGiving

With the holiday season upon us it's the perfect time to think about family giving. Giving together as a family can create meaningful family traditions and lifelong habits. For more information on how to engage your children in the spirit of giving be sure to read out latest blog: https://loom.ly/TLhD6ug

👊 Struggles don’t define you—they shape you. At Celtic Financial Planning Ltd, our latest Christmas campaign is about more than just giving; it’s about creating hope. This year, we’re supporting three families who are facing incredibly difficult circumstances. 🤔 For me, this campaign is deeply personal. Producing the accompanying video was one of the hardest things I’ve done. It brought back memories of my own childhood struggles, while also highlighting the challenges these families endure today. Just hours before filming, I learned that one of the families’ grandfathers had been given a terminal diagnosis and would be spending his last Christmas with them. That news hit me hard. The video is raw because so are the emotions behind it. As a child, I saw my parents sacrifice everything to ensure my brother and I had what we needed. I’ll never forget my dad breaking down as he handed me £20, saying it was all he had for Christmas. Those experiences taught me two things: to work hard and to always be grateful. They also instilled in me a drive to give back, which is why community and charity are central to my business philosophy. 🏆 I firmly believe that we rise by lifting others. That’s not a typical corporate mantra in financial services—and honestly, I don’t care. For me, success isn’t measured in profit margins or awards; it’s measured in the lives we touch. 🙏 One family shared this message with me: “We felt like humanity had left us, but a stranger paying for Christmas has restored our faith in kindness.” If you can, help others. It doesn’t have to be grand—sometimes, the smallest acts of kindness leave the greatest impact.

I started Kaleo Coaching to build others up to the GOOD work they’re called to… but sometimes it’s fun to just highlight GOOD work already happening in the community. Take a look at the GOOD work below… #calledtoGOODwork #buildingothersup #kaleocoaching

The case study for Childhood Dreamstakes, a campaign we crafted with Gus for Comic Relief US, is now on our site. By donating to help end childhood poverty, entrants had the opportunity to crush a car in a monster truck, devour a life-size cookie of themselves, befriend a penguin, and much more! From helping brainstorm prizes (surreal wonders as if dreamed-up by a child) to crafting a campaign identity (pulling inspiration from retro game shows) to rendering 3D models (can we get a little more cotton candy on this castle, please?), it was an absolute pleasure to craft the world’s silliest prizes for a world without childhood poverty. It all culminated in building a website that not only served as a beautiful stage to let our renders shine, but effortlessly integrated within the larger Comic Relief ecosystem and their preferred donation platform. Special attention was paid to creating a frictionless UI/UX that guided users to donate generously to a great cause. So, if you happen to see a hot air balloon with someone’s face on it, or a giant science fair volcano erupting, know that it’s more than a delightfully absurd celebration. It’s a symbol for a little less childhood poverty, a little more childhood. https://lnkd.in/g2QArr-g

Friends and Colleagues, As many of you know, I am a passionate Board Member for Dallas Pets Alive! One of the biggest fundraising events for us is TODAY, North Texas Giving Day. Our goal today is to raise $115,000 so we can continue our amazing life-saving work! If you’re looking to give back, please consider donating to Dallas Pets Alive. Every bit helps and makes a big impact! ❤️ Thank you for your support! 🙏 https://lnkd.in/gsZdDbjw More about Dallas Pets Alive: Your support during North Texas Giving Day is not just a donation; it's a lifeline. Every gift you make goes directly to programs that are transforming the lives of animals and their humans. Our Foster and Adoption program is a beacon of hope for the most at-risk animals in our partner shelters, while our preventative programs—like PASS, Dogs Matter, and Bark Dorm—work tirelessly to keep pets out of shelters and in loving homes. These initiatives are not just about rescue; they're about building healthier, stronger communities where animals and people thrive together. The need is urgent. Many of the pets that come into our care have medical conditions so severe that shelters simply can't provide the care they need. Over a third of the animals we help are Major Medical Cases, requiring $1,000 or more in medical expenses. In 2023 alone, we spent more than $400,000 on treatments ranging from basic vaccinations to heartworm treatment and life-saving surgeries. This year, as we've taken on the incredible work of Dogs Matter and face the overwhelming overcrowding in North Texas shelters, the number of animals in our care has more than doubled. For the first time, we have more than 500 animals relying on our programs. While we've made strides in fundraising, the financial demands have outpaced our resources.

DME recycle and reuse programs don't get as much press as they should. They are truly remarkable in making impacts in three major challenge areas in our society, including 1) lack of funding for DME, 2) shorter length of stays and increased need for DME, and 3) our current challenges in the #climate crisis. Hannah and I would be happy to talk to anyone interested in learning more about the program at Methodist, and the impact it has made on the #GreaterOmaha community. #meaningofcare #dme #policy #advocacy