Allie’s Answers

When I think about what I’m most thankful for, one of the things that always comes to mind is the amazing friends I have. Both in real life and in the blogosphere, I am lucky to know intelligent, thoughtful, challenging people who share of themselves in incredible ways.

My friend Neil’s latest project is awe-inspiring, and a true testament to what one person can do to make a difference. He is working to raise $20,000 for The Cambodian Children’s Fund through the Off The Mat, Into The World Seva Challenge by December 31, 2008.

Yes, you read that right. TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS. And no, Neil isn’t independently wealthy.

On his blog, he says:

“In any context that I have ever related to in the tangible world, $20,000 is a lot of money. After federal witholding, state witholding, social security, medical insurance, dental insurance, 401(k) deposits, and pre-paid NYC Metrocards, I might have squeaked past $20,000 of net pay once or perhaps twice in my entire life. Take away rent, food, utilities, and a sometimes-indulged vice for buying pre-viewed DVDs at Blockbuster, and I’ve been lucky to have $3,000 of discretionary income for the entire year. “

Neil is a professional writer, editor, and yoga teacher (he also has mad cartooning skills), and is working to put his skills to use to earn money for the Cambodian Children’s Fund.

When he struck out on his own as a freelancer last year, he made up business cards. On the back he printed the words

with our intentions
may we be good

with our words
may we be giants

He writes:

I liked this text, because if it was true that our words make us giants, then the life of one who writes and edits words for a living has the potential for creating great abundance. Who, after all, wouldn’t want to be a giant?

After further reflection, I realized that I didn’t really and truly believe this idea. Though many have become giants through their words, be it through publishing a novel about a killer car or addressing people in Gettysburg, one can become a giant while never saying anything at all. One can visit an bed-ridden friend, adopt a puppy from the pound, or yes, help a Neil trying to raise money for children in Cambodia. . .

. . . Let us all be giants, and let us all be awesome. Let us consider what I think is a more appropriate text for the back of a business card and beyond:

with our intentions
may we be good

with our actions
may we be giants

So, ask yourself, what can Neil do for you? And what can you do to help children in extreme poverty get the care they need?

Here are some basics:

• His resume is available upon request.
• If you know people who are inclined to support charities trying to end extreme poverty, please ask them to get in touch. Neil will put together a concise, professional presentation for them.
• If Neil raises $20,000, he will go to Cambodia for two weeks to work with the Cambodian Children’s Fund in the Steung Meanchey garbage dump and other sites of poverty.

Donations to this cause are tax deductible. Neil is available for questions and information on how to donate at neilggordon at hotmail dot com.

What Neil’s doing for me is writing some posts on yoga for Allie’s Answers in the coming months, and I’m thrilled that through this all of you will have the chance to get to know Neil too. I am so thankful for his friendship. I am a better person for knowing him.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 12th, 2008 at 3:56 pm and is filed under Neil's Cambodia Challenge. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.