President's Blog

As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, I’ve invited my colleagues in Donor Services to offer some reflections on the thanks that we give. In particular, we are grateful for our supporters, who care for those in need by giving to our work faithfully, with joy and often sacrificially.

This time of year is definitely a busy season for Episcopal Relief & Development’s Donor Services staff.  You may not know this, but about 40% of our donor correspondence and communication occurs in the final eight weeks of the year.  Answering program inquiries, sending out Gifts for Life cards, processing end-of-year contributions – some days feel very hectic indeed.

And yet, to be honest, this is also the most enjoyable time of year for us.  Not too many people can say that they smile every time they open the mail, but it’s true for us.  Every day brings us good tidings of great joy, in packages big and small – for example, the results of a successful Alternative Gift Market or a photo of a young boy’s personal fund-raising project.  We are truly touched by the grandmother who chooses her grandchildren’s Christmas presents from the Gifts for Life catalog.  And over and over again, we recognize the names of donors who have supported us year after year.  We really do get to open our holiday presents every day.

Recently, after sifting through the day’s mail, we talked about the quiet, heartfelt support we receive from Episcopalians, no matter where they live or the level of their income. Every month, we look forward to the arrival of a clean white envelope with three crisp $100 bills – no name, no address, no request for acknowledgment, just a thoughtful anonymous contribution to help those in need.  And we are struck by the humility of donors who apologize that their donations can’t be larger – knowing full well that for some of our supporters, a check for $5 or $10 is a tremendous sacrifice.

Lately, the phrase “hallowthanksmas” has been popping up in the media – a description of the period from Halloween through New Year’s Day that, in many ways, has turned into one long party, but not much of a celebration.  Yet at Episcopal Relief & Development, every day is Thanksgiving Day – and we’re happy to celebrate it with you.

Thanks from all of us in Donor Services – Xerxes, Adrienne, Theresa, John and Esther

One of the pleasures of this work is hearing about how children are engaging in the work of Episcopal Relief & Development.  We recently received this wonderful letter:

My name is Tyler and I am 5 years old.

When I heard that there are a lot of children in the world without enough to eat or money to go to school, it made me very sad.  I asked my grandmothers how I could help and we started ‘Tyler’s Pig Project.’  I took my idea to Father Cliff at our church and he thought it was great.

I worked very hard!!—We had an all-you-can-eat fish dinner at a local restaurant.  We had a concession stand at a fishing derby.

I helped keep a snack box filled at my grandmother’s school and we made lunch to sell to the staff once a week.

Lots of people gave me donations in the Piggy banks I made to put out at local business and church functions.

I was able to raise $1600 to buy pigs for families to be able to get a better life.  Please make sure my money helps the people who need it so bad.

Thank you!

Tyler

Even at five years old, Tyler’s compassion is inspiring and humbling.  With young people like him in our Church, I’m confident that in spite of the many challenges of poverty, our partnership to heal a hurting world will enable countless numbers of people to better their lives over time.