Believe Stories
Your Impact on Others by Giving Inspiration and $100
The Believe Project measures success in actual lives changed. These stories are a testament to the difference that individuals and communities can make when we come together to create lasting change.
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I Received an Envelope and Want to share my story
Videos by our Stewards of Love
Inspiring videos submitted by our "stewards of love"
Wonderful stories to share from our envelope recipients
Heart of Gold
"My wife has a very good friend who is 77 years old with a heart of gold. Because this friend has allowed so many relatives to stay with her for free, she is forced to continue working full time at a job where she has not received a raise for many years. She has told us that she was hoping to retire at the beginning of this year but realizes it is not possible financially. She is not bitter or depressed, but we feel that a gift such as this, as well as a match that we make,
would make it easier for her to fill her tank with gas to enable her to get to her job five days a week.”
Giving Hope
"I gave my envelope away several months ago and I am just now updating! One of my co-worker's mom was going through a really rough time. She lost her job as a cashier because the business was sold. She couldn't find work other than part-time. So her finances were really tight to say the least. Then, one day she got into a car accident and it was deemed her fault. On top of that she had missed her payment on insurance so this was pretty detrimental. I gave the envelope to my co-worker to give to her mom. The interesting thing was that I gave it to her more for the quotes inside and just so she could "see hope" rather than for the $100. My co-worker said that her mom cried when she opened it.... very touching. It felt so good to finally give this to someone. I had this envelope for soooo long. Thank you Believe Project!!!!!"
Never Give Up
"As a high school counselor, I work with kids who struggle emotionally, academically and socially, and most of the time these overlap. We have resources for these areas but what we cannot resolve is their financial situation. I have a family where two of the older children dropped out because they had to work to help support the family. One was within four months of graduation. There was a small but fervent team that declared we would not give up on this young man, but we couldn't overcome the financial need. It will be incredibly difficult for the final child in school to not feel the pull of family obligation. I know $100 isn't going to meet their financial need, or even put a dent in it. But it may help them believe in the possibility of success, and that their school hasn't given up on them."
Amazing Attitude
"If I had $100 to give, I'd give it to my mother. She turned 60 on Sept. 11 and has been battling Parkinson's disease since the age of 28. She amazes me every day with her determination and her attitude, and I never hear her complain. She doesn't have much, yet still remains happy. If I could give my mother the world, I would.”
Ability to Help
"My best friend is 63 and lost her job due to a death of the business owner this past May. She has not been able to find employment where we live because of her age. Every month she struggles to pay her mortgage and to try and purchase propane to heat her house and put groceries in her cabinets. I would love nothing more than to be able to help her out with this money.”
Rebuild a Life
"I know a young woman who has been fighting for her life for just short of two years now. She struggles with PTSD, anxiety and alcoholism that resulted from an abusive relationship. It has not been easy, but she is working very hard to rebuild and live a clean and sober life. She has a caring heart and is always there with a kind word, a smile, a shoulder to cry on and a helping hand. I would love to be able to give her this gift to help with her financial struggles and to lighten her burdens a little. Thank you for your kind consideration."
20 Believe Gifts
"Thank you very much for the $2,000 donation with the “Believe” gifts. I have to tell you your idea was very inspiring to hand those “Believe” gifts to people that are in desperate need. To see the looks on their faces for the words and then when they found the $100 it was like an extra spark, especially for those that do not have.
I gave one to a lady with terminal cancer, leaving 2 children behind. She just broke into tears and cried. She was very, very thankful and she needed those words especially at that time.
I was filling up with gas and I noticed a lady there counting change and had two $1 bills. She proceeded to put gas in her car and she stopped the pump exactly a little under $4.50. I went over and said hello. She said she was on the way to work. I asked her about the amount of gas she bought and she said that is all she had but she has to keep working because she is a single mom. I handed her your envelope that said “Believe” on it. I said this is from a wonderful lady who is also a single mom who believes in single mothers and I walked away. I was getting into my car and as I was pulling away I glanced over and she waved. You could see she was crying and was saying, “Tell her thank you, thank you.” I said out my window that I would pass it on to the wonderful lady who was allowing me to bestow gifts like this. As I left I could see her putting the gas nozzle back to her car. God Bless you
I was shopping at Wal-Mart. I noticed this one lady in line feverishly going through her food. She was actually going through adding up how much the items were in her cart and she was telling her daughter, “We always gotta double check dear, we always gotta double check.” Of course being the type of people we are, we are always looking around and have our ears open. She took an item out and told her daughter to put it back. I stepped up and introduced myself. I asked her if she had a second. She looked at me confused. I told her not to have her daughter put the item back. I reached into my wallet and handed her $200 in Wal-Mart cards and a Time Is Now card. I then handed her one of your “Believe” gifts. I told her the gift was from a single mom that likes to help. She said she was a single mom also. She opened her “Believe” gift. She saw the $100 and looked up at me saying, “God Bless both of you.” I told her it was a blessing and she said, " thank you very much, thank you, thank you.” It was another one of those moments of great gratitude and relief.
I did not rush to handout the 20 Belief gifts that you gave me. I utilized those over special moments to special people in need. It’s an absolute honor to give those and I thank you so much for loving God’s creations.”
Unstoppable Spirit
"My friend has an infectious laugh and an unstoppable spirit. It would surprise most people to know this young woman has had a rough life. And 2018 was especially tough. Her 'new' used car already has required more than $2,000 in repairs. Despite her best efforts, she could not save her mother's home from foreclosure. Then her mother suddenly passed away. She still lives in that home but will have to vacate when the bank takes possession shortly.”
Hope for a Friend
"Our dear friends have fallen on extremely bad times. She has multiple sclerosis and is in a wheelchair. Her MS has worsened recently. Her husband is diabetic and had to have a toe amputated in March. They work from their apartment doing telemarketing, but it isn't enough. The landlord is having them evicted just before Christmas.
I would love to be able to help them in some way. They are too embarrassed to ask but very much in need. $100 would give them some hope.”
Christmas Wishes
"My son, a divorced father of an 8-year-old and 7-year-old triplets, lost his job a few months ago due to elimination of his position. He is now working at O'Hare Airport, but catching up financially is rough. He's worried about buying the kids Christmas gifts. I help as much as I can, but I am retired and my own funds are limited. The $100 could go a long way to stuffing stockings and easing his stress.”
Shining Stars
"If I was given $100, I would continue to do the Lord's will and bless many more seniors, underserved communities, disabled citizens and veterans. With my 501c3 organization, Our Shining Stars Foundation, we give hygiene products, socks, hats, gloves, toys, school supplies and our time year-round. We are spreading love in memory of McKenna, a special-needs child, who lost her life. We are funded only by the community, so every little bit helps us to help others.”
Helping Others
"I have a client who is not in the best of health. She has bad knees that need surgery and a disorder called Interstitial Cystitis that causes her pain. She won't burden others with complaints, but instead manages to volunteer at a soup kitchen and find extra money that she doesn't have to buy warm coats for underprivileged children. In fact, if she receives this monetary award, I see her paying it back to help others
that need it more in her eyes. A lovely, lovely deserving lady.”
My Sister
"I know someone who could benefit from this thoughtful project ... my sister. She unfortunately had to quit her job due to mobility issues and has a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. It has been difficult for her, but she has not given up hope of finding a job she can possibly do from home. In the meantime, she is crocheting the most beautiful blankets to sell and I'm helping to supply the yarn. She could use a little help.”
Possibilities
"As a high school counselor, I work with kids who struggle emotionally, academically and socially, and most of the time these overlap. We have resources for these areas but what we cannot resolve is their financial situation. I have a family where two of the older children dropped out because they had to work to help support the family. One was within four months of graduation. There was a small but fervent team that declared we would not give up on this young man, but we couldn't overcome the financial need. It will be incredibly difficult for the final child in school to not feel the pull of family obligation. I know $100 isn't going to meet their financial need, or even put a dent in it. But it may help them believe in the possibility of success, and that their school hasn't given up on them."
A Place in my Heart
"In the past, I went to Burlington Coat Factory and bought $100 worth of clothing and gave it to homeless people in the PADS program who needed underwear, T-shirts, socks and coats. I know the feeling, because I was homeless as well and now I am back on my feet and have a family.
Still, homeless people have a place in my heart, and with that $100 I would do it again in a heartbeat. Men, women and children need to have clothes to find work, to go to school. It lifts them up.”
Blessings
"I have a 73-year-old neighbor who lost her sister in January. The two of them lived together forever.Now that her sister is gone, money is tight. She actually had to borrow money from her aunt to bury her sister. My husband is very handy and has helped out with some work that she needed done around the house and I also do what I can to help her. If I was chosen to receive the $100, I would put $100 of my own money with it. She is a very proud woman, so I would have to give it to her anonymously. I know $200 would really be a blessing to her. My husband and I will continue to help her whenever we can."
Change of Perspective
"My name is Jesse gaines. And Carolyn gable met us at the Hyatt hotel in California and blessed us with the word from your foundation. She is sooooo nice, we talked to her for some time, and she came across as one of the most nice and humble people we have ever met. I didn’t find out until a bit of time later she is a brilliant multi-talented millionaire entrepreneur. We never would have guessed that at all. This has changed my perspective completely, and has taught me to be appreciative for everything that happens, because everything happens for a reason. I hope this email reaches her, so I can express my immense gratitude, not just for the material objects, but for the change of perspective and for the lessons and impact that this experience has given me.”
An Unexpected Blessing
What an incredible and unexpected blessing. I’m a military spouse and stay at home mom with no transportation, so I rarely go out. My mom was in town visiting and I wanted to show her out towns thrift store and as I was leaving, 2 year old on my hip, I held the door open for a few ladies that were approaching the store. Little did I know that that small act of kindness would result in such a beautiful and thoughtful gift. It wasn’t just about the money, it was the fact that there are good people spreading positivity and love and who want to see others thrive. I’m not used to not working and it’s been really hard not having my own money to spend so this gift was such a blessing and I was finally able to do something for me. Thank you so much believe project!
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