November 4th, 2011
November 3, 2011
Inspiration
As many of you know, I drew inspiration for starting Friday Harbour from my awesome older brother who had a valiant battle with cancer. “Tank” as we affectionately called him was, was a kind, funny and yes sometimes quirky older brother. We never really fought, and never really had that brother-to-brother “Leave it to Beaver” kinda moment either. As I recall, he was just so imply my big brother, who from time to time convince my mother that I didn’t really deserve that butt whippin, that I knew I did.
As the years went on, we slipped in and out of closeness, mainly because we lived 5 states away from each other. But whenever I saw him, he always had a reason to smile.
This week, I drew inspiration from a business colleague, turned friend. You see, she received the terrible news this past July and has been in her very own “valiant” fight. As we sat down for a glass of wine this week in Atlanta, I couldn’t help but see her inner faith, hope, promise and believe it or not, her true belief that she is blessed, even under the circumstances.
I’m sure that there were moments of pain and shear discomfort as we sat there and sipped wine and talked about her experience thus far. But what is amazing, is that this friend took every moment to praise, encourage and even challenge me to stay the course with Friday Harbour and “take it to the next level!”
I’m looking forward to her inspiration for many years to come!! Where will you find your inspiration?
Tags: Atlanta, cancer, Friday Harbour, friend, Housing, inspiration
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October 22nd, 2011
September 18, 2011
My hat goes off to Scot Chisolm and Pat Walsh for a StayClassy.org event to remember. The 3rd Annual Classy Awards weekend in San Diego was perhaps the best NonProfit experience of in my life.
The environment was electric with do-gooders, life-changers and worldly thinkers. It warms my heart to know that so many Americans are using their talents, connections and dreams to hel ease the pain, struggle and burdens that face so many fellow Americans and people all over the world.
I’m especially proud to now have Friday Harbour be a part of the event. Dubbed the “Emmy’s” of the NonProfit world.
Tags: awards, c, cancer, Friday Harbour, Hadith, Housing, Houston, San Diego, stay classy
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October 14th, 2011
September 10, 2011
Last night I took in a midnight stroll around the newly opened Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.
Wow!
During the week and day prior to my visit, all I heard were the echoes of controversy surrounding everything from the position of the statue, the sculptors nationality, the script on the side and even the timing of it’s unveiling.
When you arrive at The Mall site, all I can say is that if you place your mind and consciousness in that moment, a brisk 1963 morning, you can’t help but to be taken to that moment where a nation and the world witnessed the dream of a people, shared through the poignant words of a man larger than life. Larger than life, yet grounded in the fight for justice.
As I internalized the scripted granite walls, stretched to see the mountaintop, I took more than a moment to to remember a time in America when “Human Rights” were fought for.
As I quietly departed the larger than life monument to a fallen hero, I made a solemn promise to dedicate my life to leaving a lasting mark on this world. Will you join me? There’s plenty of room.
Tags: cancer, Dream, free, Friday Harbour, hero, Housing, Houston
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October 14th, 2011
Friday Harbour kicked off it’s first major fundraising campaign this summer called Friday Beacons.
The Friday Beacons program is a monthly giving program, aimed at securing 100 donors who commit to donating at least $100 dollars per month for a minimum of 12 months.
The funding from this program will go directly to our short-term housing program, where we provide 1-3 nights lodging to cancer patients in need at both MD Anderson and Texas Children’s Cancer Centers.
Friday Beacon donors may can have their donation withdrawn directly from their checking or savings accounts, charged to their credit or debit cards, or send payment monthly by check.
While other donations, gifts and services are welcome, this Friday Beacon program will provide Friday Harbour with the consistent monthly funding necessary to house hundreds of families throughout the year.
We invite you to become a Friday Beacon donor by either clicking the DONATE button above or contacting Brian Hall at 713-504-9557 or brian.hall@fridayharbour.org.
Tags: cancer, donors, Friday Harbour, Housing, MD Anderson
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August 30th, 2011
At today’s monthly Philanthropy in Houston breakfast we heard from The Coalition of Behavioral Health Services. (www.cbhshouston.org) A local non-profit that promotes recovery, prevention and awareness for drug and alcohol abuse.
Sandy Olson, Director presented several eye opening statistics concerning recovery activities and needs right here in the City of Houston. Of the many takeaways, this one really stuck with me. “I think that recovery, and the impact of those recovering, is the greatest untold story in America.”
For those who are on their recovery journey, we’d love to help you tell your story.
As we continue our work towards impacting the recovery of visiting cancer patients, we will look for ways to collaborate with organizations with like CBHS Houston.
Tags: cancer, Friday Harbour, Houston, non profit, Recovery
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August 25th, 2011
“A fanatic is one who can’t change his mind, and won’t change the subject.”
Winston Churchill
Tags: cancer, Friday Harbour, Houston
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