We are all surrounded by people in need. Often in our busy lives we cross paths with those less fortunate. It is sometimes easier to look the other way or to convince ourselves not to get involved often because we don't know how to help. Yet deep inside we all know that we'd rather be helping. Sharing GOLD is a group of volunteers, people like yourself, who are inspired to make a difference in the
lives of the member of our community who are in need. This organization was created to bridge the gap creating a method of access between members of the community who don't normally interact. A volunteer takes some simple steps to make a difference. She or he agrees to host a Giving Get Together (GGT) and invites 5 to 15 people to come together to make gift bags for people in the community who are in need. The GGT host decides what group to target and each guest brings items to place in gift bags. For example if your target group is homeless people, people would bring items like canned food and other non perishable food items, wash clothes, socks, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes deodorant, small blankets or any other items you might think appropriate. Bags are then distributed by the GGT host or by each of the GGT participants each giving one bag or all together members together handing the bags out as a group. At each GGT, participants are asked to spend some time talking together to get present to the plight of the people that they are inspired to help. When the gifts are distributed, the GGT participants make contact with the recipients and share with them that the gifts are given in love from the community. It is our hope that as this organization spreads we will begin to create a new consciousness for each of us about how to further help our community members who are needing a way out of there troubled circumstances. We ask that each GGT host commit to inspiring at least two people to host their own Giving Get Together, one person who attend their GGT and one person who lives outside the host's community. This page will serve as an information site and as a place to share what happened, what was learned, and to share the inspiration that the experience generated. We have also created a card that can be downloaded and place in each bag with this page address and our PO BOX address so if recipients have access to a computer, they can share their stories and we will post letters received at the PO Box on the page. If each Giving Get together generates 10 bags and each host inspires just two Giving Get Togethers, in just 15 generations of GGTs, participants will create and hand out over a quarter of a million bags to help others.
