Another Goal
☆ June 6, 2016
As many of you know, I donate beef every year to shelters and food banks. Part of my original (and ongoing) mission statement for Star Brand Beef is that quality, healthy food should be accessible, not a luxury item. This is why I strive to keep my prices low (up to 50% less than the big organic grocery stores), and why I donate beef to those who need some extra help. These annual donations are a mere drop in the ocean of need, but even small acts have a big effect on those they touch, and I believe the energy of sharing has a ripple effect. In fact, I know this is true. I know it because I was on the receiving end of no-strings-attached assistance last year, in the midst of my health baloney, and it was an incredibly profound experience.
You donated to me when I was dealing with surgery and a terribly drawn-out recuperation and all the bills that went with it. I haven’t written much about this, but the truth is: I cannot remember a time when I felt as victimized as I did by those medical bills. It took nearly a full year and a lot of self-psychoanalysis to let go of that feeling of victimization. And the generosity of the donations I received here, as hard as that was for me to allow, helped enormously in my healing – both psychologically and financially. At the time, I wrote of the circle of sharing. And, at the time, I felt incredibly uncomfortable in the position of receiving. I am so glad I opened myself up to it, though, because receiving that help – that care – made an impact that went far beyond the acute issue. That impact didn’t fade when the bills began to go away. It’s similar to how I felt on my Vespa trip, when people opened their homes to me – a stranger in leather – over and over again, all the way across the country. On both occasions, these acts of generosity and kindness changed my worldview, and have affected the core of who I am and who I want to be in this world.
A lot of you mentioned “sharing” in the comments of my Caveman Motivations post. Which is exactly what I meant by kindness – whether it’s sharing a smile or sharing a meal or sharing a percentage of one’s income. I look at the state of the U.S. and the world and one thing is clear to me: kindness is a political act. Generosity is a political act. Sharing is a revolutionary act. The circle is real, and we are ALL part of it. It feels so good to receive, when you need assistance. And it feels so good to give! So this year, I am launching a fundraiser to benefit the people served by The Food Bank of the Rockies, and am inviting you to join me in donating quality, healthy beef to those who need a little extra help right now.
You can check out the fundraiser and donate HERE. I’m dreaming big with another $10,000 goal! All donations will be pooled and 100% of the money raised will go towards pastured, grass-finished beef which shall be donated to The Food Bank of the Rockies to help fight hunger.
I am matching donations to $10,000.
A $10,000 goal: that’s a $10 donation from a thousand people – and more than a thousand people visit this site daily. WE CAN DO THIS. Together! The more donations we gather, the more beef we can donate to people and families who need help with meals. Donations may be made and tracked HERE. No donation is too small – they all work together and have a BIG impact.
{{I’m not using Kickstarter this time; Crowdrise is just as legit, geared towards charitable fundraising, and they only take 3% commission/fees vs the 8%-10% of Kickstarter & Indigogo, which means much more goes straight to the goal.}}
Thank you, always and forever.
Click HERE to donate.
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12 Responses to “Another Goal”
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June 6th, 2016 @ 12:53 pm
Shreve, you really are a remarkable person! When you needed medical$$ help, I was in a tough financial spot and couldn’t donate as much as I would have liked to have been able to send. While I’m nowhere near rolling in dough now, I am a bit better off and so was happy to help with the kickstarter; now I’m happy again to be able to help with quality nutrition for those least able to afford it.
If actions speak louder than words, then you’re leading a full symphony at top volume.
BLESS YOU!!!!
June 6th, 2016 @ 10:41 pm
Paws up to you my friend. You never cease to amaze me and I love this so much.
June 7th, 2016 @ 6:23 am
I have been down and out and dirt poor in my past. People were there for me and my kids. I totally believe in paying it forward. The food banks in the Rockies were good to us. Love what you are doing to raise the group consciousness of the world on person at a time. Your blog helps to me to keep my faith in humanity!
June 7th, 2016 @ 7:41 am
Happy to support your generous efforts. Always.
June 7th, 2016 @ 9:57 am
In a world where you can be anything, choose to be kind. That’s you Shreve! What a wonderful tangible way to spread kindness and hope. Happy to be a part of it!
June 7th, 2016 @ 1:22 pm
we need more people doing such kind things! donation made
June 7th, 2016 @ 1:24 pm
I’ll never forget your generosity of words when I reached out to after going through the robbery last year. It helped me reclaim my power. So happy to be a part of the good things you do!
June 7th, 2016 @ 3:52 pm
Shreve,
You call, we answer.
Every time.
It’s what family does, pure and simple.
Peace,
J&S
June 7th, 2016 @ 8:58 pm
Keep going and keep doing. You are a do-er and I will support this in the little way I can.
June 8th, 2016 @ 6:28 pm
Shreve,
I found your website a million years ago via dooce and I was immediately hooked. I read your book (amazing) and even got my mom obsessed with Charlie (she got a mention in one of your caption contests back in the day and felt famous – ha!).
Like a lot of people, I fell off keeping up with the personal blog circuit a few years ago when everything started changing over to sponsored posts, etc. I know you never took that route, and in the fairness of people trying to make honest money, I think a lot of it also had to do with content over-saturation rather than a lack of interest.
Anyway, I checked back in to Honey Rock Dawn today for the first time in a long time – and I wondered why I ever let it fall off my radar. You are such a beautiful writer (even if you don’t identify as one). Every post makes me get a lump in my throat and make an ugly-cry face, which is awkward when I’m reading at work. ;) Your writing is as honest and raw and beautiful as the life you are living – and I just wanted to take a moment to thank you.
Even during the years I fell off as a regular reader, I regularly thought of the post you wrote about one of the cows who was “tricked” by a stick (aka obstacle) – it was so true to my life at the time and it helped me through a very hard time. Thank you for that.
In other words: Please don’t ever stop writing. You have so much to say – and such a beautiful way of saying it.
My dog Wiley (a Shiba Inu who looked like a coyote when he was a baby, hence the name) has always reminded me of Charlie – and he’s celebrating his 13th birthday this month! Cheers to Charlie’s 9 years as well!
Thanks for sharing your words and snippets of your life with us. I”m a regular reader again! :)
June 8th, 2016 @ 6:45 pm
FM ~ I’ve been ugly-crying all day and your words have made me smile (and laugh!) Thank you….
July 9th, 2016 @ 9:46 am
Thank you for what you are doing!! And I did not know the the ‘other guys’ charged such high fees! Reading your post hear reminds me of Charles Eisenstein’s writing. Are you familiar? Two books: The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know is Possible, and Sacred Economics.
I’m not in the Rockies area, but will donate to your cause!!
– Brian