Since the very beginning of this program, I have been astounded by the generosity and kindness of people I have never even met. From the very first post I made on Facebook asking for all my friends to send cards for my grandmother’s nursing home, to the boxes of cards I now receive regularly, my faith in humanity has never been greater. When people come together for a common good a beautiful thing happens and programs such as ours are given life to survive.

I have been in the armed forces, worked tough jobs, had tough bosses and had struggles in life like most of us. However, I will say that one of the hardest things that I have ever done (and most rewarding) is starting a non-profit. I have an MBA and the process is still daunting. The paperwork that is required just to get a 501(c)(3) so that donations are tax deductible, not to mention all the different state filings, are arduous and cumbersome. Once you have all that done, then you have to build your base, hope for donations, work hard at growing every day and then just pray that it all comes together.

There have been times when I didn’t think we would make it. The cards dried up, the decorating avenues became scarce and we had absolutely no money to do anything. In the back of my head I kept hearing my grandmother say the same thing she told me over and over, “never start a job unless you are going to finish it and never do it unless you are going to do it right”. Most importantly, all along the way I never stopped believing in you. At every point when things seemed dire, and I am sure they will again, a new connection was made that kept us going.

If I started naming names I would inadvertently miss someone, so I am not going to do that. Every card artist, decorator, teacher, student, principal, civic group leader, friend, family member and individual that supports this program, we are alive because of the power of you. You believe in our cause and our need and the effect we can have on the aging population. In turn, our team of volunteers works hard every day to make you proud and share our successes with you so that you can see the impact that you make.

For you and because of you we have created this safe positive place for you to visit and be a part of. On our all our sites you see people supporting each other, providing words of encouragement and positive messages. Because of you we are now in our third year. We will continue to innovate, try new things and work to expand our reach as far as we can take it. All of that will be possible because of the POWER of YOU and we are humbly grateful.

Have a great day and remember to be the reason someone smiles!

Ron