Linking Arms
“I meet people who need financial help with their plumbing regularly,” Ben Rowell explained to me one day, not long after we were introduced by a friend in common.
“I’d like to create a non-profit to help some of these people. They’re often elderly, have lost their spouse and are on a fixed income,” He clarified.
We’ve had many discussions following this initial conversation and have explored multiple options. But, institutional ways forward never felt right. They all seemed to siphon funds away from direct help toward more complex and expensive management. So, we’ve continued the way-forward-conversation since. Until I floated an impression recently.
“Let’s just gather in as many like-minded friends as possible and we’ll work together informally to help those we can,” I suggested not long before receiving an endorsing message from Ben.
“My plumber, Aaron, is at an elderly single lady’s home, says she’s on a very low fixed income and is being denied for promotional plans/financing. Her current water heater is completely burned up and not producing hot water. Do you have an interesting in helping us provide her a safe water heater?”
Ben, as always, had seized the initiative and leapt forward! I wasn’t surprised. He comes from parents who have lived a lifetime centered on service and caring for others.
Kevin and Ruth Rowell, retired from their professions, continue teaching through their skills of compassion and giving. While assisting them to find a new home over the past few months, they maintained their focus on helping young adult students by purposefully searching for a new home in close proximity to a college campus.
“We want to be in a position to invite students into our home for dinners. We want to be where they are, so we can help in as many ways as possible,” they continually expressed to me.
“No wonder Ben is so outwardly focused,” I found myself saying time and time again, until we found them, “their place.”
Now it was time for me to accept Ben’s invitation, with all those who would join us.
“Of course, I’ll donate!”
“Thank you, that’s very kind. Let me check with Aaron and see how she would like to proceed and touch base again soon,” Ben responded immediately and then, right after that he sent another confirming message.
“Alright, it looks like everything is in play for us to provide this elderly woman a water heater! What would be helpful for you to provide the donation, a Venmo link?”
I looked down at the payment link shining brightly on my screen. That’s when I realized It was more than a link to share funds. It was an opportunity to link arms with others wanting to freely offer goodness to others.
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I’m Lynn Butterfield, Real Estate & Lifestyle Expert and Television Host for American Dream TV. I’ve helped hundreds of Buyers and Sellers, as an Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve what I call Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.
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