S.C.A.Y. Evolution – S. C. A. Y. | Someone Cares About You Outreach Program

NEW YORK (2002-2006)

Living In New York City, my friends and I joined 1 or 2 fundraising WALK/RUNS per year. Usually, the Multiple Sclerosis and Alzheimer’s Walks.

(Fundraising Walks: Join the walks and target fundraising from family, friends, and others. The dollars raised went to the organizations for dispersal as they saw fit.)

I wanted to do more than 1 or 2 times per year so, I joined City Harvest.

(City Harvest: I was able to pick up food being thrown away from restaurants and coffee shops during my lunch hour. I provided the location with a receipt for the weight of their donations (tax write-off) and

I delivered the food to one of several agencies (Homeless Organizations, Women’s Shelters, etc.)

THEN, I moved to San Diego, California. (2006-Current)

I continued entering the Alzheimer’s Walks for a few years. (Always family support – Dad & Mom)

The Coronado Navy Bridge Run/Walk fundraiser (Sister)

I met some great people and started entering Mud Run Fundraisers….Fun in the mud and a good cause! (Highly recommended)

I made some more friends who introduced me to another way to help others….personal donations with DIRECT INTERACTION & DIRECT PROVISIONING to those in need.

We finally know where all of the donations, clothing, food, and money goes with us….directly to those in need HAVING AN ACTUAL IMMEDIATE IMPACT in people’s lives.

We gave away food, clothing, and good cheer for major holidays at the San Diego Ace Parking lot by PetCo Park.

(THANK YOU!)

We gathered donations of clothing and food from our family and friends and chipped in money to buy eggs, bacon, bread, coffee, hot chocolate, and bottled water.

We met at the Ace Parking Lot or Homeless Shelter in downtown San Diego at a specified time and set up five or six tables separating the food from the clothing.

We ensured that the food was prepared hot and fresh, serving it to anyone in line. We also provided bottled water and packaged snacks.

There were multiple tables of clothing, and we kept additional items in our vehicles to ensure we had ample supplies for everyone who came by.

**Breakfast, Snacks, & Bottled Water Station**

**The lines for those in need reached halfway through the parking lot.**

**DON’T EVER FORGET THAT THERE ARE INNOCENT CHILDRERN ON THE STREET**

We always felt good getting together during the holidays and helping others.

I think we did a lot of good during those times, but it never seemed like enough. I always wanted to do more but could never figure out what to do until….

….I saw a video of a person riding a bicycle with a backpack full of $1.00 cheeseburgers handing them out to anyone in need.

After providing a cheeseburger or two and a kind word, he would ask the person if they knew of anyone else who might be hungry and where they were.

A metaphoric lightbulb went off in my head!

I started with peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, bananas, and bottles of water.

I can do something like that!

I started off locally by myself making peanut butter & jelly sandwiches (with cinnamon and honey) and bananas.

(NOTE: if you add any herbs or spices to anything you are giving away MAKE SURE TO ADVISE THE USER, as they may have allergies.)

I wrote: “Someone Cares About You” with a smiley face on the sandwich bags.

Little did I know the impact those words would have on me!

I would challenge myself to give everything away before I was able to go home. It was sort of a “Do Good” game. Sometimes it took 30-minutes. Sometimes it took 2 hours.