During the 2018 holiday season, we were reminded at every turn how unbelievably and overwhelmingly blessed we are. Nothing feels better than watching your first-grader give his dollar bills to the sweet man ringing the bell outside of Kroger, or grabbing a child’s name off of a Christmas tree to help bring a bit more holiday cheer to someone in need. But each time we saw our Kroger cart overflowing and looked at the presents under our own tree, there was a small voice urging us to do more.
Then came Martin Luther King Jr. Day when that same first-grader came home from school sharing stories and quotes about Dr. King. As we researched Dr. King together, one of his most famous quotes bubbled to the forefront of our minds, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”
“Doing more” is a hard nut to crack—what does it look like? Is it more money in the collection plate at church? Is it a bag of Wendy’s for the homeless woman on the corner? Perhaps sponsoring a road and keeping it litter-free would be the “more” we seek?
After some reflection, we reckon that “more” is personal; yours and mine likely (and thankfully) look very different. Of course, our passions, our strengths, and our causes are all a representation of who we are and make up this beautiful, colorful world we live in. So of course our “more” would differ too.
Months ago, we saw the video “The Thank You Project: A Mother Finds the People Who Saved Her Son’s Life” and we were struck. The video identifies all of the individuals who took part in saving a young boy after a horrific car accident. The mother personally thanked these people for their part in keeping her boy alive. After weeping and feverishly praying, we felt compelled to be a part of something like that—something painful, real, and beautiful—but hadn’t arrived at how to do it.
In September of 2018, a cancellation of a wedding allowed us to host the Down Syndrome Family Connection Calendar release party. Donating our farm and the barn we love so much to such a beautiful group of people felt even better than our sweet 7-year-old stuffing one-dollar bills in the red Salvation Army bucket.
The “Thank You” video and the Calendar release party got us thinking even more. We realized that by virtue of owning a space that can comfortably fit 300+ people with tables and chairs for all, we have an opportunity that isn’t extremely common. It was the first time that we really felt our “more” coming into focus.
We would like to donate our facility, Whippoorwill Hill, and all associated amenities for a one-day event for up to 300 people to a deserving individual, couple, or group of people who deserve our “more.” This offer is for any day on our calendar that we are open and not currently booked. It can be a “thank you” event like the one listed above, a party for a kiddo who has dealt with more than they should have at this point in life, a person or family who have beat insurmountable odds with illness or disease, a celebration of life, or any other event that would allow us to celebrate the deserving.
This is where we need help. We need our family, friends, neighbors, and loyal readers—our tribe—to get this message out. Please share it with anyone you think might be interested. If you wish to apply for someone, we ask that you please private message Whippoorwill Hill’s Facebook page or email us at anne@whippoorwill-hill.com with the submission, including: name(s) of nominees, reason for nomination, and a brief narrative as to why they are the most deserving and what the vision for the event would be. We will choose the winner and announce them on Facebook and Instagram on March 30th, 2019. Unfortunately, for this year we are only able to do one giveaway and ask that our readers understand that there will likely be more than one nomination and only one giveaway.
Other businesses that would like to be involved in the Good Cause Giveaway, please let us know and we’ll make it happen!
For more information on Whippoorwill Hill or booking your event, please call or email us at (812) 327-4218 or anne@whippoorwill-hill.com.
