What did I do on #BlackFriday, the day after #ThanksGiving?

I did not do any shopping online or in-store. 

Allow me to go back a bit to explain and join the dots...

On Wednesday, I received an urgent request from a friend and the head of a partner organization. She explained that she is flying out to Africa next week. She asked if we could send some pencils and crayons for a school where we had shared copies of the Pencil Project Book.

As I watched a video clip from the school on Wednesday, my heart went out to the kids. Their faces were full of potential. I realized afresh that my decision of how I spent 2 hours on #BlackFriday would make a difference in providing them with vital educational tools. I decided to make time to go in, pack and ship out a box.

So on Friday, I spent a couple of hours taking inventory of a box of supplies received from Cassidy (see photo below). Cassidy organized a school supply drive in one of her classes and sent the supplies to Develop Africa. Cassidy is in school ... and one of the many exceptional people who send boxes of school and office supplies to Develop Africa each year. Cassidy’s box was received at the office on Tuesday.

I packed the supplies into a large box, printed a shipping label and dropped the box off at my local #Fedex store. Cassidy’s supplies, along with other supplies previously received, will be in use in a classroom in Africa in 2 to 3 weeks. 

I have so much to be thankful for.  Many people known and unknown made a difference in my life. I am #thankful for the opportunity to give back to the lives of the kids in Africa who will receive these school supplies.

How are you giving back to people who do not know and will never meet you?