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Greater Good Foundation makes
a lot from a little
By
Brittney Jacox
April 17, 2009 | A local grassroots organization,
The Greater Good Foundation (GGF), is changing lives
and making a difference. Their principle is simple but
their impact has been great.
For the past few months the organization has been
providing a means for thousands of individuals to offer
what little they have to bring the community together.
The results have already been felt by numerous Cache
Valley individuals. Tanya, a single mother diagnosed
with several severe medical issues, is one recipient.
She has been struggling to stay on top of bills, take
care of her daughter and keep her home. In an interview
with Channel 4 News Tanya said:
"...I will lose everything I have worked so hard for.
I bought my home when I was single and have kept it
for 21 years. Now because of my health it doesn’t look
like a very good future for me."
For some time, Tanya has been fighting to keep her
home from falling into foreclosure, and with the growing
economic recession and her worsening health, her fears
were becoming a reality.
One day, while listening to the radio she heard the
promotion for The Greater Good Foundation, and despite
her situation she decided to donate what little she
could afford to further this cause. In a letter she
wrote to the organization she said, "I want to make
a donation. It is small. I wish I could do more but
it is sent to you with a big heart. I know that it will
help someone out there."
Touched by the details of her story, organizers decided
to lend a hand and help pay off the remainder of Tanya's
mortgage, saving her home and ensuring a safe place
for her family to live in.
When
interviewed by television stations, Tanya broke
down into tears saying, "I can’t believe, I can’t believe
that somebody, that people would come together and help
me be able to keep my home."
Several months ago the foundation began a local campaign
dubbed, The Greatest Change Experiment. The goal of
which is to gather together charities, businesses and
citizens within the community to strive towards the
common goal of helping those in need.
Local businesses rallied around the effort, donating
advertising dollars, support and a percentage of sales
to the foundation. Six local radio stations put aside
regular programming for several days and held a live
radio-a-thon, raising funds for the foundation.
Dollars and pennies flew in from around the valley
as the community opened their hearts to the message
of the Greater Good Foundation. One little girl rode
her bike from her home to the radio station and donated
$130 in one dollar bills as her contribution to the
cause.
Since the unveiling of the Greatest Change Experiment,
the foundation has raised over $75,000 to give back
to Cache Valley. The donations will be presented to
local charities such as the Logan Food Pantry, CAPSA,
Child and Family Services and many others.
The growth and success of this movement lies within
the basic fundamentals of this foundation’s philosophy.
They believe help should be given voluntarily. Businesses,
charities and the community can unite in a common goal;
a little can go a long way.
The Greater Good Foundation already has plans to promote
similar campaigns throughout the state, as well as expanding
into other states and eventually expand internationally.
Founder of the Greater Good Foundation, Nick Thomas
had this to say about the organization: "We will succeed
by bonding the nonprofit community together to work
for one common goal, the greater good."
To contribute or learn more, check out thegreatergoodonline.org
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