Helping others is somthing that brings you (or me in this instance) gratification. There is something about giving without getting that gives people self worth. Life is hard and life is harder for some than for others.
About 7 years ago I helped Stevie Rae start a travelling (locally) group "Stevie Rae and Friends". They would twice or three times a year travel around the bay area and put on a one hour show for the residents of senior living centers, retirement homes, Assisted Living facilities, and some homes for elderly with mental illness. It was so much work. We really enjoyed every part of it. Last December Stevie Rae did a final show to say goodbye to so many wonderful elderly people that she had come to know and love. It was a magical show and will always be close to my heart. In the summer, she left for college to Montana State University.
Wanting to find a way to give back now that my star is gone... I had to find a way to help others using my own talents. (Trust me they don't want to hear me sing.) It came to me, that the local shelter is full of mothers and children that don't have much to their names. Some of these ladies are abused, drug addicted, and some are just really down on their luck. What keeps them going... I can only imagine, "Their Children"...
With a desire to give back (and, if were being honest), to build my portfolio and get practice, I contacted the local shelter and asked if I could volunteer there and photograph the children for the moms. I did and it was an amazing day. I really loved all the kids and they were so receptive to me. As it turns out I am not allowed to show any of the kids because of security and the safety of the ladies. I did photograph one of the staff members kids as well and I have her permission to use her girls photos. So I would like to post a few of those.
I really feel like I was able to make a big difference in the lives of these ladies. They really seemed grateful.
So Happy I could do this.
No comments:
Post a Comment