Love Drop - January

As a member of 20SomethingBloggers (check them out, there are some really great writers in the blogosphere... but don't tell them that I'm now a 30SomethingBlogger), I was recently approached to be a part of something that I think is a wonderful use of all these words I throw out into the universe.  ItStartsWithUs, a global community service project, reached out to those of us who are members of 20SomethingBloggers asking for our help in their newest endeavor:  Love Drop.  After reading about this project and watching their videos, I agreed to be a unique part of what they're doing.  I want to tell you why.

Lost in Singledom has really helped me through a pretty tough time in my life.  I've spent countless hours pouring my heart out in search of love in a very particular form.  But, what I have gained from this blog and all its silliness is love in two very different forms that my original intention.  First, (and without inspiring an inner monologue of the lyrics to "The Greatest Love of All" to become stuck in your head for days... what is it with that song?!?) through the last year, I've really figured out who I am and learned a lot about what I want out of life.  I've learned about the things that make me who I am and embraced the parts I love and really reevaluated the parts I'm not so crazy about.  I also realized how important it is to love the people around you, and when you emanate love in its purest form, you get it back tenfold.  So, at the heart of the matter, Lost in Singledom is more than just an expression of my utter hatred of online dating and all its shenanigans.  It's more than just my desire to find someone with whom I can spend the rest of my life.  At its core, Lost in Singledom is about love.  And so is Love Drop.  So, I had to be a part of it.

Each month, I will share with you the story of that month's Love Drop.  Wait, I haven't told you what a Love Drop is, have I?  Sorry.  I tend to get ahead of myself.  Each month, the people involved with ItStartsWithUs choose a family in need and together, through the power of the internet, we (as subscribers, fans, donors, etc.) do what we can to help put that family's life back together.  As someone who works in philanthropy on a daily basis, I can testify that giving means more than just whether or not you can write a check.  Money is wonderful and of course, ItStartsWithUs will happily accept donations.  But, they're looking for unique and clever ways that you can help.  Got a giftcard from Christmas that you'll never use?  A family in need could use it to buy things after a house fire.  Have a blog or Facebook page (click here for the ItStartsWithUs Facebook page)? Spread the word.  There are millionaires next door all over this country, many of whom are looking for good causes.

Please take a second and learn about Jill, this month's Love Drop recipient:

Every month the Love Drop community comes together to raise as much support and awareness as possible. It starts on the website - LoveDrop.us, gets spread across the entire network of blogs, continues through the forums where all the members are brainstorming, and finally lands on the front steps of the recipients. Literally.  At the end of every month, the founders of ItStartsWithUs show up in the town the people live in to deliver this pile of goodness. The money, the gifts, the services, everything! It's all on film, and it all ends with an amazing outpouring of love. And then it starts all over again the next month.

How can you help, you ask?  Easy.  First, you'll get a chance to meet the recipient each month right here.  My commitment is to share their stories with you!  Once you've been touched by their stories and want to get involved, you can:

• Join the team - Become a member by paying whatever you want. Even $1.00.
• Join our blogger network - Blog about Love Drops once a month! It's easy, it's rewarding, and it really helps spread the word (which in turn helps the families!). Love Drop will give you all the content you need.
• Give a gift or provide a service - Gift cards, household goods, football cards/jerseys for the boys, web design services, pampering gifts for Jill, etc. (email all ideas/questions to team@lovedrop.us, and they will make it happen).

 
So, please consider how your unique skills, talents, gifts or blessings can make a difference for this family!  I can't wait to see what happens!