Hello there, today’s post is about Provence in the visuals only. The text is an appeal for a cause that will touch many of you though, so I wanted to write about it. If it isn’t your thing, no worries and see you soon…
Our personal stories can take up so much of our head and heartspace that the rest of the world can seem so far away. Of course, it isn’t really. We forget sometimes. That we are all connected.
Mes amis, I know that some of us have been going through really
challenging times of late but think about it for just a moment, most likely it is nothing compared to what is
happening for the refugees in Europe (wait, don’t leave just yet for there is something really positive and happy in this post). This is the most drastic
situation of displaced peoples since WWII and it is horrific and far
from over. As most of us already know, these are folks like you and me who had homes, jobs and families but were forced to leave everything
behind to flee the atrocities of war or chaos. For so many of them, all they want to do is go home but to one that is safe and sound. As borders have closed, many are
trapped in a no man’s land and are literally starving. The situation is far more desperate then it was last year when the media brought it to our attention. In some camps,
the percentage of women and children by themselves is staggering (65% in Idomeni in Greece), the
number of children that have been separated from their families and are
now alone in this world, heart-breaking.
challenging times of late but think about it for just a moment, most likely it is nothing compared to what is
happening for the refugees in Europe (wait, don’t leave just yet for there is something really positive and happy in this post). This is the most drastic
situation of displaced peoples since WWII and it is horrific and far
from over. As most of us already know, these are folks like you and me who had homes, jobs and families but were forced to leave everything
behind to flee the atrocities of war or chaos. For so many of them, all they want to do is go home but to one that is safe and sound. As borders have closed, many are
trapped in a no man’s land and are literally starving. The situation is far more desperate then it was last year when the media brought it to our attention. In some camps,
the percentage of women and children by themselves is staggering (65% in Idomeni in Greece), the
number of children that have been separated from their families and are
now alone in this world, heart-breaking.
As many of
our biggest humanitarian agencies are either not able to offer
effective help or are unable to fill the needs, Glennon Doyle Melton
formed the Compassion Collective along with Elizabeth Gilbert, Cheryl
Strayed, Brené Brown and Robert Bell. You can read more about the
amazing work they are doing here: http://thecompassioncollective.org/
our biggest humanitarian agencies are either not able to offer
effective help or are unable to fill the needs, Glennon Doyle Melton
formed the Compassion Collective along with Elizabeth Gilbert, Cheryl
Strayed, Brené Brown and Robert Bell. You can read more about the
amazing work they are doing here: http://thecompassioncollective.org/
Since last fall, they have distributed 1.4 million USD in aid – every
penny of which goes directly to assistance as they are working with
specialized groups directly on the ground so there is zero overhead.
Among their many life-saving projects, they are currently feeding 6450
refugees a day (!), providing tents, clothing and light in the darkness but after a massive donation of 714k, the funds have now run dry.
penny of which goes directly to assistance as they are working with
specialized groups directly on the ground so there is zero overhead.
Among their many life-saving projects, they are currently feeding 6450
refugees a day (!), providing tents, clothing and light in the darkness but after a massive donation of 714k, the funds have now run dry.
So today, May 3rd, is a
drive to prove that Love Wins. Because who is making the
difference by sponsoring this collective? We do – yes, just normal people like us – by giving $5 to $25
(the maximum limit of the donation as this is not a competition about who gives the most but
about us being in this together). By doing so, you can literally help save lives. Their funding for Refugee Rescue in Greece, for example, is essential – over a three-day period, these partners assisted 25 boats and helped 1200 people safely to land. That is just in three days! And, as the Compassion Collective
is ever expanding its reach, this drive will be the first to also
benefit America’s homeless youth. Those statistics are frightening. Again, you can get more of a specific breakdown on who is being assisted and how by reading here. The personal stories and the photos included are amazing as well.
drive to prove that Love Wins. Because who is making the
difference by sponsoring this collective? We do – yes, just normal people like us – by giving $5 to $25
(the maximum limit of the donation as this is not a competition about who gives the most but
about us being in this together). By doing so, you can literally help save lives. Their funding for Refugee Rescue in Greece, for example, is essential – over a three-day period, these partners assisted 25 boats and helped 1200 people safely to land. That is just in three days! And, as the Compassion Collective
is ever expanding its reach, this drive will be the first to also
benefit America’s homeless youth. Those statistics are frightening. Again, you can get more of a specific breakdown on who is being assisted and how by reading here. The personal stories and the photos included are amazing as well.
So I hope that you will consider helping our fellow human beings who are
suffering mightily, if you can. And if you can’t make a financial
donation, would you consider passing along the word about today’s event? I would
truly appreciate it. If you are seeing this after May 3rd but would still like to help out, not to worry, it is never too late to do some good. I know that this situation seems so huge as to be impossible. But it isn’t – especially if we reach from person to person, just like we know how to do best.
suffering mightily, if you can. And if you can’t make a financial
donation, would you consider passing along the word about today’s event? I would
truly appreciate it. If you are seeing this after May 3rd but would still like to help out, not to worry, it is never too late to do some good. I know that this situation seems so huge as to be impossible. But it isn’t – especially if we reach from person to person, just like we know how to do best.
You have already shown me over and over and over again that you are a loving, caring community.
If there is one thing that I am sure of, it is that love wins.
For more information or to donate, please click here:
Thank you so much for reading,
Heather
*PS. In no way am I affiliated with any of the above, I just believe in this and the good it can do!
Thank you, Heather, for giving this clear option to those who have been looking for a way to help the refugees in crisis. Love, Leslie in Oregon
I've come to this just today but will go to the website to donate immediately. I've been following you on IG and don't know why I didn't stumble upon your fabulous blog sooner. Thank you for your compassionate post about the tragic migrant situation. My husband is originally from Syria and we still have family in Aleppo … our hearts are connected to the story. I'll be sharing this post, with gratitude.
I love the way you photograph "the blues"
I made a donation
together
Thank you for highlighting this today! I really needed some way to make a positive contribution, and voila! You have provided it.
Thanks Heather, for making me aware of this wonderful organization. I gave and also posted it on my Facebook pages to encourage my friends to do the same.
This is great, yes, love wins, going to contribute.
Its so heartwarming to read in a friend s blog from France about the refugees in your own country. Many friends of mine offer volunteer work and gave clothing and other essentials. I am teaching little Syrians greek, a very rewarding volunteer work I should say for both! Another cooks for them every day and another plays with them. Greeks know personally -from 1922- the horror to leave your own country with nothing, so everybody is very sensitive and try to do something to help.
Thanks for writing about this, Heather, I'll go over to the site, now.
A simple gesture of kindness goes a long way. Oh and image #2…love. Love is all you need.
Will do. Thank you. This crisis weighs heavily on my heart and I love this idea of making help to something massive seem approachable.
Done. Thank YOU for passing this along–what a great organization!
Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Yes, small donations do add up.
Done and done. Thank you for bringing this to our attention! And beautiful photos, too – the one with the blue wall stripped away to show all the stone/concrete/stuff behind it is a new favorite! Love wins – hooray!
Lots of small donations can really add up. Holding my tongue re one current example. My small donation made here as well.
Hi Heather, I contributed earlier today and more than the money spent, I think it helped put some perspective on my personal grieving, not that I want to discount the impact or importance of it, but just a bit of perspective. This org sounds amazing – just surprised they will only allow $25 maximum -maybe multiple times? 🙂 Your heart is full of compassion and I'm proud you stepped out with this offering!