Happy Monday!
I heard an alarming statistics today at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church (Menlo Pres). Whether you are religious or not, this is something to think about if you live in the Bay Area.
- The U.S. Census Bureau evaluated 280 metropolitan areas and the San Francisco Bay Area ranked #1 in per capita income.
- Urban Institute’s National Center for Charitable Statistics ranked 365 regions on charitable giving and the San Francisco Bay Area ranked #310.
- Since we are #1 at making money you think we would be #1 at giving money, but this is not the case.
Some of my excuses in the past for not giving to those in need were lack of time, lack of disposable income or I didn’t have the skills needed.
I now realize that time, money and skills are just excuses and I want to give as much as I can to those in need of help.
For seven years now, Menlo Pres puts on a project called Compassion Weekend. This has been a vehicle to mobilize thousands of people to make a difference in the Bay Area. The cumulative impact has been great: Houses built, schools renovated, teachers supported, homeless served, children blessed, ministries launched and encouraged. In addition to the measurable results of the work, Compassion Weekend has opened up new relationships between churches, neighbors, schools, and ministries.
Are you free on Friday (11-2:30 pm) to volunteer with me for the Ravenswood Community Yard Sale? This will help to raise funds to support Parent Outreach Programs in EPA’s Ravenswood School District. Other times and numerous other projects are available up & down the peninsula. If you can, please join me. For more go to: Compassion Weekend
In this newsletter, you will see an article called “Hair-Raising Facts About Lack Of Exercise” and a Chocolate Coconut Haystacks recipe below. Chocolate Coconut Haystacks are one of my favorite treats. Did you know that raw cocoa has 4g of fiber, 3g of protein and 0g of sugar in 2.5 tablespoons? Cocoa contains a naturally rich supply of antioxidants, and is known to be one of the highest dietary sources of magnesium, flavanols and polyphenols.
Check it out and let me know what you think.
See my latest articles here: www.BrienShamp.com
Have a great week!
Brien
