Rising from the Ashes (Spirit of Wishadoo)

Within the next few days, we will be back to post more, explaining how this story ties in with Wishadoo.

Indeed, this process of coming together as related to this tragedy, is Wishadoo In Action.

For now, this post is fully focused on Dan's story and one way you can help -- how you can "Chip In." (see widget below)

As many of you may already know, Dan and his son barely escaped a fire at their complex in the early morning of 12/28/09 while they slept. They literally came away with the pajamas they were wearing. Here is a news link, detailing the event:

http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/fire/early-morning-fire-strikes-palm-harbor-apartments/1061620

"They ran to the safety of a neighboring apartment building. Behind them, everything else was consumed by the flames, including fish, a turtle, a rabbit, and his dog, Daisy."

While they are grateful to be alive and safe, this tragedy is more than most of us can imagine; they lost so much...their beloved Daisy...and they are truly having to rebuild their lives from scratch. As Dan says, "one hour at a time."

Were it not for Dan's immediate family (many of you know Steph/Rain, his mom), they would be on the streets. The safety nets just aren't in place in our society as they should be, so we must help one another.

They all know they are blessed, yet this is a very, very difficult path they are walking. A path most of us can't imagine. There but for the grace of God....

Please contribute what you can -- even $5 adds up when others join to do the same -- to help them in this process of rebuilding. This is a family who has given to others...to their family,friends and their community throughout their lives. It's time to help them. Please join me in doing so.

I can already tell you that the simple act you of taking the time to read this means the world to them all. :)






You can email Steph directly: rainspirite1@gmail.com

Here is a direct link to the Chip In page for Dan if the following widget doesn't work for you: http://onevoicerising.chipin.com/dan-scharaldi

Please note that you can copy this widget into your own blogs, websites and Facebook pages to spread the word. :)

The Wishadoo! Challenge - It's Finally Time!

The only true gift is a portion of thyself. --Ralph Waldo Emerson

We are delighted to announce the full launch of Wishadoo! -- a place where people can connect in a New Way, a way based in integrity, responsibility and compassion; a place created to fill a void, to show that we're not alone and to encourage direct interaction; a place that creates a full circle of giving, receiving, and paying it forward.

In a nutshell, Wishadoo has been described as the "Craigslist of Compassion." It's where you can share your heartfelt, lifelong wishes that seem out of reach, as well as urgent daily needs of survival. Many of us have been conditioned to not ask for anything and to be embarrassed that we are in need, let alone have the audacity to ask for help making a dream come true. Our hope is that Wishadoo will change that.

We're asking you -- we're challenging you -- to start somewhere. Post your needs, wishes and offerings. Put it out there. Enable others to act as human angels, and empower yourself to do the same for others in ways you never could have imagined. (no personal ads, please. ;) )

A kind word, hug, $5, or 30 minutes of your time can be a grand gesture which can change the course of someone's life. And yours. We believe you'll find the simple act of sharing, even anonymously, can be profoundly liberating.

There is no judgment, no expectation, no requirements to 'qualify.' We simply ask for respect, for oneself and others. If you enter with an open heart, with positive intention and no expectation, you have nothing to lose.

When we learn to ask for help – and then graciously receive it, and if possible pay it forward – so much can change. It could create this New Way. Wishadoo is part of this New Way, which is about taking responsibility for ourselves and others; forming real communities again; learning that it's okay to ask for help; learning that it's okay to give.

We offer this well-meaning challenge to step outside of your comfort zone and post your dreams and needs. We're inviting as many people as possible who resonate with Wishadoo!, asking you to help us by doing the following:

· Register at Wishadoo! (it's free, no requirement or commitment), which provides more opportunities for wishes and needs to be fulfilled and helps the Wishadoo! Community grow, online and in the real world. We have big dreams but will take it one step at a time.

· Forward this message to your contacts; insert a link to the site in your blog or website; put it on Facebook and other networks; share it with co-workers, church members, school contacts, organizations, and neighbors (how many even know our neighbors' names these days? Wishadoo can be your excuse to meet them).

· Once registered, check out the Wish List at the Main Site, and our Wishadoo! Community where you can join groups (feel free to suggestion new ones) and discussions, create a blog, and customize the "my page" area to promote your business, organizations, or simply share about yourself. We can create customized Wishadoo! Community groups for organizations, schools and workplaces, each being one piece of the Wishadoo puzzle.

· This is as grassroots as you can get; this is the creation stage, and we're simply there to provide the space and help it grow to be what can help as many people as possible

Again, we invite everyone to the Main Site, and to please join the Community Forum. As you'll see, we've entered into Google's Project 10 to the 100th, so the more members, the better chance we have of getting noticed! We're aiming for 144,000!

We're all creating it together now, and we'd be honored for you to join us!