A Journey of Giving.

Today’s Marketing Cookie is a reminder of the lasting impact of meaningful experiences and the importance of giving back.

It was nearing the end of my freshman year, and I was in trouble. The college told me I couldn’t stay in the dorm during the summer break. I had to leave, but I had nowhere to go.

I was homeless. I had lived in my car before, but this would be for several weeks. With only a few days left before the school was closed, a minister from a small church in Philadelphia came to campus looking for college students to help run a summer camp for inner-city kids. While it didn’t pay anything, he said I would be hosted by a family and have a place to live. I jumped at the chance. Later that week, I packed my things and drove to Philadelphia.

I tried to follow the handwritten directions I had received. One step said, “turn left at the Wawa.” I had never heard of a Wawa before, but in Philadelphia, they seemed to be at every intersection. 

Finding the house was tricky because all the neighborhoods looked exactly the same, with block after block of identical row housing stretching the entire length of every street. I eventually found the right house, and with a warm grin, Bob Chestnut and his lovely family welcomed me into their home and got me settled on the couch in their living room.

Every morning, I got to the church early to prepare breakfast for the children. It was a simple affair: cereal in paper bowls, a cup of juice, and a banana or slice of watermelon. As the kids arrived each day, we were greeted by eager smiles and excitement for the whirlwind of activities we had planned. We played games, made all sorts of arts and crafts, sang songs, and read stories together. After lunch, we went outside to play kickball or wiffleball in the church parking lot.

At the end of each day, their goodbyes were a mix of gratitude and reluctance to leave, knowing that the meals we provided might be the only food they'd have until tomorrow. For some who arrived with shoes too big for their feet or clothes that had seen better days, we managed to find better-fitting attire from a local thrift store. You should have seen their faces light up when they put on shoes that fit for the first time! Many of these kids faced challenges beyond their years, navigating difficulties most of us can't imagine. Despite these hardships, they found joy in our little summer camp. As we handed them a small snack to take home, we always promised that we'd be there for them tomorrow, ready to have fun again the next day.

Those little kids had a profound impact on me. Despite my own homelessness, I was grateful for the chance to share moments of happiness with children who were facing unimaginable hardships. The smiles on their faces inspired me daily and taught me the true meaning of gratitude. The truth is that I needed them in that time of my life just as much as they needed me. The entire experience filled my heart with hope, gave me a sense of purpose, and a deep appreciation for the simple act of giving. 

It's been many years since that summer I spent in Philadelphia. There are six months left in this year, which is more than enough time for a new journey to rediscover the joy of giving. Who’s with me? I feel inspired to find a way to reconnect with the sense of purpose that summer once gave me and hope it will be just as today’s fortune says, “Traveling this year will bring your life into greater perspective.”