Mini Scholarships for 2011

One of my New Year's Resolutions for 2011 is to dig a bit deeper and give back to my community. I continue to feel that God has a special calling for me to help those in need, especially college bound students who may need a little extra boost from time to time to make ends meet.

At Thanksgiving I visited with family and a conversation came up about one of our family members who is in college. She had called one of her cousins and asked for a few dollars for gas. My mind wandered back to my college days when I used to sit in my apartment wondering where my next meal would come from because I was completely tired of oodles of noodles and had little to no funds left. I remember my sister, who had already graduated from college, sending me a $25 check and writing in the memo section 'for survival'. I can laugh a little about it now, but back then it was no laughing matter. That $25 was like a life line to me. One that came just in the nick of time and I stretched it as far as I could. It gave me the motivation and encouragement I needed to push on and finish my education and I was grateful for it.

So, in addtion to the annual $250 Willie Mae Richardson Memorial Scholarship that is awarded to one incoming college Freshmen from New Hanover High School in Wilmington NC to offset the cost of books, I am awarding 12 mini awards in the amount of $25 for all eligible college students enrolled in a community college, technical college, 4 year college or online college!

Details and guidelines are listed below. Please share with everyone you know.

1. Must be a minority, actively enrolled in college and have proof of enrollment if selected for the award.

2. Must reside in the United States.

3. Must have a GPA of 2.5 or greater (a copy of the latest transcript or grades is sufficient).

4. Must submit two short paragraphs telling us about themselves and their college plans, as well as detailing a time that they went the extra mile to help someone else who was in need and why they feel it is important to help others.

Once the applicant submits their paragraphs, the Willie Mae Richardson Memorial Scholarship committee will vote and select the top three entries. We will post those entries to this blog and then allow the public to vote on which entry they believe is the best and should be the recipient of the mini scholarship/award of a $25 Visa giftcard. Each entry must have atleast 10 votes to qualify for the award. If any entry has the same amount of votes, then the committee will place those names in a drawing and draw one name. All entries must be submitted by January 22, 2010.

Applicants please be sure to include contact information (email, phone, address etc.).

Business Savvy

We witnessed it and still couldn't believe it happened. My sister, and fabulous business partner, showed all attending Christmas dinner at her family's home what a savvy business lady can do.

She prepared a delicious meal and as we were all patting our full bellies, she commented that she'd better run upstairs to get an item that someone was in route to purchase from her. I perked up. "Surely, you're kidding," I said. "It's Christmas day. Who would come by today? And I think I'm more shocked that you are actually selling stuff on Christmas." She was nonchanlant about the whole transaction which took exactly one minute as she ran down the front steps wearing only socks, no shoes, to deliver the package.

When she returned, grinning with money in hand, my mouth fell open. "Well, I set the whole thing up earlier," she said, waving the greenbacks around in the air. What she had sold was old and used, but the customer wanted it because it fit their need. Point. Set. Match.

Thanks, Meek for reminding us all to be business savvy. I'm taking this attitude straight into the New Year.

God bless you all,

Polly

Holiday Decorations

This year I am utterly and completely reved up for the Season. I decorated the tree my hubbie bought for us and pulled out all my Christmas lights, swags, garlands and bows to decorate the interior and exterior of the house. My husband and step son hung the lights outside and I wrapped the garland and placed the bows inside. I decided I wanted wreaths for the outside windows, but my neighbor did that, so I decided to do window swags.


I tore into one of my FAVORITE places to shop year round, but a definite plus during the holiday season...Michael's and purchased materials to make my very own swags because even though I want to go all out with decor, I gotta stick to my budget. Luckily Michael's is already in full swing with their christmas sale. Everything is discounted up to 70%. I walked out with everything I needed and made some beautiful swags for my windows. I purchased LED candles to stick in the window and tonight, I got to witness the beauty of it all.

Am I wrapped up in the commercialized reason for the season? Nope! I am going all out and decorating my home because it is Jesus' birthday and I want to honor him in everyway. From praising His holy name while whispering the story of his birth to my little one, to giving small tokens to my family and friends to remind us of how the wise men brought gifts to Jesus from afar. Its all done to the glory of God for He is the true reason for the season.

Merry Christmas and a Blessed and Prosperous New Year.



Meek

Angels in Training

When I hear that bell ringing as I approach retail stores, I know it's Christmas time. And the bell? Well, the bell tolls for me. It is a joyous little reminder that I'm blessed enough to bless others. I give to charities throughout the year, but at Christmas I dig deeper. Food, heating and clothing maybe harder to come by for those in need. I take an angel off the tree, participate in toys for tots, or contribute to holiday baskets. It's any means necessary to share the magic of the season and the love of Jesus Christ.

This year my children and I chose a day to go out and pick from an Angel Tree in a local store. I encouraged the kids to have a good time shopping for children who didn't have much. So they did! To my amazement, they stayed on task and only strayed one time to ask for a box of candy canes. Even though the total lesson may have gone over their heads, I pray they'll learn to be angels throughout life. An early push in the right direction won't hurt.

Visit The Salvation Army's website to explore online options for giving. Come on and be an angel in training!

Merry Christmas,
Polly

Giving Thanks

This Thursday, my family celebrated the Thanksgiving Holiday sitting around the dinner table at my Aunt's home. She had graciously prepared all of our favorite dishes and had everything waiting for us in a glorious spread when we arrived to her house. After a wonderful prayer by my uncle and her husband, Pastor Davis, we dug in relentlessly stuffing our tummies full, waists expanding and pants buttons popping off. We ate ham, citrus seasoned turkey, potatoe salad, collard greens, rolls, rice homemade pound cake, red velvet cake and lemon meringue pie. Man, we ate well!

After that, we spent some time with the elders, listening to stories of old...the ones I love to hear my Great-Aunt tell. They are her specialty and some of best time I've spent with her. My grandmother sat by listening attentively at times, dosing off at others and adding her own thoughts from time to time.

My husband, step-son, daughter and I traveled to see his family and spent the day talking, watching TV, shopping and yes EATING!

It was a wonderful 4 days and we have so much to be thankful for...from good health, sound body and mind, living to see another day, and spending another Thanksgiving with family to traveling mercies, sound finances, jobs, transportation and good food to eat.

We thank God for all His abundant blessings and lovingkindness.

Continued Blessings,

Meek