Jenn Scheinkopf Memorial Challenge

I support an attorney who has a client that is very emotional. He calls frequently and is often very repetitive and frequently ends up in tears. I have made it a point recently to slow down when he calls. To take a breath and be present. I know I am providing him needed support when I do that.

I was able to help my son by asking for some help from people I absolutely adore, you and your family helped me secure my son’s apartment. It was by a go fund me and the help was overwhelming. I’m so happy to have had you and your giving spirit Lisa, your random act of kindness is always inspiring. Thank you for this challenge ❤️ much love to you and your daughters giving nature, may she rest in paradise always🫶🏼

A woman that I've known for 30 years who I used to mentor from the time she was 13 through high school repeatedly gets laid off by her company for weeks and months at a time to coincide with ASU's schedule. I've helped her and her family out a little in the past. But this year she didn't get unemployment or SNAP benefits. I paid for all their food, car payments, car repairs, some gas, some cash and some medicine between May 4 and August 4. None of her co-workers received their benefits either this summer. But others, like me, were helping them too. I also paid for the school uniforms, school supplies and even dog food. Times are tough. And SNAP benefits been denied to 479,000 people in Arizona this year alone. Reprehensible! I stepped in both years but a lot this year when it was really needed. She didn't ask if I could help. I just did it. I remind her when she's embarrassed about 'taking handouts' that she didn't ask for help and it's just a gift from me. In these tough times in the USA I just needed to help others.

Every Thursday afternoon I volunteer to hold and comfort babies in distress at Phoenix Children’s Hospital and every other Tuesday evening I volunteer with my Temple at St. Vincent De Paul serving dinner to families in need. There is no doubt that I get more joy and meaning from volunteering than I give. It fills my heart and soul.

I have a friend with dementia. She repeats a lot and it seems more and more difficult to talk to her. But i call her several times a week because it makes her feel good.

Dear Lisa and Jenn, I feel very warmly about your beautiful initiative. We discussed it as a family during our summer holiday in France. See the attached photos. We decided that, when we are all back together in Germany soon, we will bake a cake and take it to an elderly lady in our neighbourhood. We will also cook a meal for her and enjoy the cake together afterwards. Warm regards, Willem and family

Last week me and another person took a dozen 12 to 18 year-old boys on a camping adventure. We swam, we shot guns, we went caving, we went hiking, we ate some really good food, and even got a little sleep in. The boys had a great time, and we created some memories for them that will last their entire life. Friendships were formed and deepened. I’m grateful for the experience of serving them.

After a coworker lost her job due to a reduction in force. It had been some time since she last interviewed somewhere, so I offered to help her prepare by performing mock interviews. She found the process helped calm her nerves so much, that I now run her through a quick practice by phone immediately before she walks into an actual interview. Losing a job is tough, and the process of finding a new one isn't easy. Whatever I can do to help her show her best self, I'm happy to do.

Jen what a Beautiful Smile! I have been volunteering at the local Foodbank for the past 3 years and the Senior Center helping out in the kitchen a few days a week. Setting up tables on Sunday the 1st of each month for the food distribution from local donors, United Food Bank & purchased foodstuffs. Got a promotion; in charge of the meat purchase, pickup, & distribute at the local market. We are a small town of 943 in Gila County in the mountains at 6,000ft. It is such and honor & privilege to serve the approximate 125 recipients in need monthly. We know a few weeks of food doesn’t get them thru the entire month but is a welcomed addition to the household. We have been put on this Earth to Serve. I continue to wish for good health to be able to volunteer at this wonderful organization! JEN You will always be REMEMBERED! Keep the smiles coming!!

The photo shows coffee and a volunteer furniture delivery truck. What it represents to me is Jenn's Challenge every time I volunteer with Share in McLean, VA. Share and its volunteers have consistently modeled: 1) make the Client experience the best it can be, 2) think of what is possible, and 3) invest in our future. Our first stop when picking up and delivering furniture is to get coffee. As a driver, it is my treat, and especially when we have students. I recall being a student and enjoying the same care and inclusion. Once we are on the delivery runs, our mission is to help adults and children get off the floor and onto a bed. Vic Kimm, my past mentor and past Share President (Vic passed away in 2021), used to start furniture runs by saying: “Remember, it’s supposed to be fun! If it’s not, you can yell at the driver, who will then yell at me.” Often, furniture teams face the combination of “monster couches” and small garden apartment stairwells. The geometry and muscle challenge is always worth it considering our Clients are starting new chapters leaving homeless shelters, spousal abuse facilities, prisons, etc. The Share principles of treating donors AND Clients with empathy, patience, and dignity are ones I have refined and use today in my personal and professional lives. Share taught me to live in the moment, and to see others for who they are and where they are. I have been volunteering with Share for 14 years and still cannot get enough. Talk about endless pure joy and meaningful impact!

Hello! I have two things! One fun thing and one more helpful thing 😊 The fun thing, which you will think is funny because apparently I am obsessed with bracelets, lol! I saw these at my favorite store and instantly thought of We Fest. We have a big group that we go with every year and so I texted everyone and just asked them which color they liked out of these colors. Then surprised everyone with matching bracelets on the first day! Kind of a fun thing that people can wear again. Everyone liked them and probably would not have purchased for themselves otherwise. For the helpful thing - we live a little bit outside of town and share a driveway with another couple who are both in their 80s. They are very sweet and keep to themselves and their grandkids do not live around here. One afternoon the week before last when I was home, I had this challenge in the back of my mind. I started the day being annoyed with my nanny because she was sick and I had work to do and I was planning to juggle work and kids all day. I went out to walk my dog around the yard and take the garbage out and my neighbor Joyce was also taking her garbage out. She asked what I was doing for the day and looked a bit lonely and in that moment, I just said - not really anything, just planning to hang out with my kids, you are certainly welcome to join if you want. Joyce came over for some snacks and to hang out in my backyard with the kids. She was so excited and we had a great time visiting and she had fun interacting with my kids more than just a hi here and there. Since then, whenever she hears my kids in the backyard (you can’t automatically see them from her property), she’s been coming over to say hi with treats some days, the kids are also loving it 🥰 I don’t have a picture of the neighbors but they have the prettiest trees and this is one of the pictures of their trees I took last winter and then framed for them!

Michelle and I went down to the city to spend a special day with our daughter Elizabeth, because she has been feeling sad about the loss of our family dog We don’t get down there very often and wanted to have a nice day with her without Elizabeth having to drive up to the burbs..

I've been inspired to contiue the creation of my Share a Little Joy Hearts and have handed put quite a few to strangers (usually at drive through workers) but also to a family that used to be my neighbors who were all back for a visit from TN. They come with my wish that they are reminders to FOLLOW your heart and Share a Little Joy. And a little later.... I just went for a drive and a quick breakfast. Of course the staff got hearts. There was a table with two older women near me. I was nudged and they got hearts. A brief conversation told me that one had recently lost her husband of 56 years. It was a perfect opportunity to share positive energy and reassurance. Yes, she had already heard from him and is energized in her own life.

Last month we opened our home to a friend who is going through a difficult time and needs somewhere safe and stable to stay. He’s living with us for as long as he needs while he gets back on his feet. It wasn’t something expected or easy, we are all adults with our own ways and routines, and sharing a home certainly requires some adjustments from all of us ... But we’re making it work, learning to be more patient and flexible and kind!

Lisa, you may remember twice a year we sponsor fund raising as our family's pay it forward for the care and support our daughter received. One for the cancer hospital that cured her and the second for the organization that funds research for cancer cures. This past weekend we held our largest event with about 150 supporters. We were fortunate to have with us two year bone marrow transplant survivor and a young lady recent immigrant who is in need of a bone marrow transplant. Those two helped us immensely enabling our supporters to feel really good about their support. Not really a "random act" but consistent to our family mission.

In honor of Jenn’s strength and love of life, valuing time, I am going to spend more time in search of peace. Quiet instead of drinking in so much “noise”. Finding the fruits of silence > prayer > faith > love > service > peace. For others I want to avoid making the world around me noisy. Refraining from adding words and opinions that can be left unsaid. Choosing to refrain from negativity in word or deed, Like the butterfly Jenn loved I want to move through this time in more silence and nurture the world in simple movements in simple actions.

We visited a sick relative and gave her a houmous and cracker treat as well as taking her out of the hospital for some sun and fresh air. The day before it was a hot chocolate drink that had bought a smile.

During this summer, for 12 weeks, I travel 120 mile round trip to a Birmingham campus of our church to prepare to teach a class on Forgiveness in the prison. Folks in prison (not jail—prison) have many issues. One is forgiveness, especially forgiving themselves. Hopefully the studies this summer will better prepare me for the Fall semester where for 12 our so weeks, three hours per session, I will be able to help facilitate these men on a journey of forgiveness – for those that have wronged them and for themselves and those that they have wronged. Good for doing this Lisa. We need more and more positive stuff and you are certainly a positive lady. I love you!! Blessings and hugs to Danny.

I am honored to participate in this wonderful opportunity. Recently my amazing wife of 47 years underwent back surgery. It is now my privilege of taking care of her through the difficult and painful recovery process. She has always selflessly been there for me, our children and grandchildren. Now I get to help her with a number of basic things from picking up something dropped, getting her water (and her precious Diet Pepsi) medications, meals, and talking her through the recovery pain she’s experiencing. Life throws us curves. We either complain, or rise to the occasion for the betterment of others. I choose the latter…

Am getting more involved with the local Food Bank in Pine & Strawberry AZ Continue helping organize food for distribution & now assisting with the purchasing of dry goods & meat for distribution to 120 local recipients! So rewarding to walk them to their vehicles :side by sides, SUVs that they are camping in the Forrest, and bicycles. So rewarding to see the smile on their faces that they know they have food for at least 2 weeks!!

So this year I thought I would do a simple thing ...say thank you to random strangers that you see in shops and offices - the cleaners, janitors, stewards and car park attendants etc that we all take for granted. Most would stop and smile. Some would say thanks. One lady cried - no one had ever said thank you to her in over 40 years of cleaning One man asked me why I said Thank You - I explained about Jenn's Challenge and he said he would look it up ... I think this is something I will continue - thank you Team Jenn for bringing me this

I decided to challenge myself to reach out to old friends who live far away. Life has a way of pulling us into the daily grind, and before you know it, time slips by and those connections fade. I didn’t want that to happen with the people who have been there for me through thick and thin. I started small, just sending a short text once or twice a week. Little things about what’s happening in my life and asking about theirs. Then I took it a step further and mailed handwritten cards to let them know how much they mean to me and to thank them for being my friends. Those tiny gestures sparked something bigger. One of my oldest friends and I even started a two-person book club. I now have a standing weekly phone call with another friend, and I’m texting almost daily with another. These friends are more like family, and even though kids and busy schedules had made us drift apart, it feels amazing to have them back in my life almost every day. Even if it’s just a quick text, a short call, or a snap, it keeps us close. I may not get to see these friends often, but they are some of the most important people in my life, and making the effort to stay connected has been so worth it.

I was thinking about Jenn all month but when I was riding in the rain raising scholarship funds so anyone who wants to attend the camp two of my kids went to, Camp Tavor, can, I felt connected to Jenn and her goal of making the world a better place. I met my fundraising goal and I know the money will be used to train campers and leaders that are kind and cooperative. Will never walk (or in this case ride) in the rain without thinking of Jenn and your family. Hope this helps in at least a small way.

Each day I have 2 tasks that repeatedly show up in my alerts at 6 PM: 1. Did I treat everyone with dignity today? 2. Did I make someone feel good about the job they are doing? These 2 prompts cause me to reflect on how I did, and inspire me to do better tomorrow. They have also caused me to go back and apologize / repair things when my behavior was less than desireable.

A new neighbor moved into our condo recently. Because most of the people in the condo are people of Caucasian race this nice new neighbor of ours was a very sweet and lovely black lady who is disabled, I felt that I wanted to get to know her better and possibly become friends with her. After several weeks, we did become friends and I would even take her shopping with me as she didn’t drive or mostly have anyone to take her to get her medicines, groceries or anything else you might like to purchase. As I got to know this nice new neighbor, I realize that she had a story that was even more than her own disability. She has a grown daughter who is 25 now who when she was 15 was shot several times in the back and neck as she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. This lovely daughter of hers lives in a wheelchair and I know it is very difficult for my friend to even be able to visit her. As it turns out this sweet and loving daughter has learned how to drive a car, take her wheelchair in and out of the car and lives alone and shops when her mother can go and help her. She picks up her mother several times a week and they spend time together, which is a blessing for both of them. You see you can never tell when you become friends with a person what their backstory is and how you might be able to help them get through the days and weeks of sadness with a kind gesture and a positive attitude. I love this family and I know that they all care about me also so I am very grateful that I was able to help her and still am when she feels like going shopping, Thrift thing, or any place that might be different than being at home. Kindness doesn’t take much, but if you realize when you do an act of kindness, you are sending out positive vibrations to the world and a quality of love that is so important nowadays. Blessings, Etta Stevens. ❤️

Living outside of the US (or even just away from the East Coast) it can be a challenge to find good bagels. Did I mention I really like to eat bagels? A few years ago a friend gave me a bagel recipe, and I started learning the art of boiling and baking. This past year I've been able to increase production, which gives me the opportunity to occasionally surprise friends and new acquaintances with a random bagel delivery. People really like getting (good) surprises, and baked good seem to fall into that category. It's not too much effort to get a few extra in the batch or add a bake into the schedule, so I plan to continue delivering Bagels of Joy. Dancing in the bagel rain I suppose. Best wishes at Burning Man!

1) Just Be Nice: I have dear friends whose mother was to undergo brain surgery a few days following my return from a work trip abroad. I often bring candy home with me, as I prefer it to the US options and ingredients. I knew they along with their relatives were very worried about her surgery, and would be accompanying their mother in the hospital. Normally, I am quite stingy with what I share from the candy stash (One to two items per close friend, typically). I decided to change that and instead assembled a varied stack of options to offer for their waiting time. Thankfully, the mother's surgery was a success. My dear friends and their relatives now have a new candy favorite, too! 2) Pure Joy: Last week, I was in Weeze, Germany for an EDM Festival called Parookaville. Attending these events are what bring pure joy to me, as the music is incredible, people want to be there, and it is very easy for attendees to be themselves. The best part is when you make new friends, share the electric rhythm, and dance your hearts out! Admittedly, I have discovered these venues more recently, and wish I had discovered them sooner! May Jenn's joy live on!

As friends and family will attest, I seem to be wired for acts of kindness over my lifetime. I was waiting till closer to the deadline for Jen’s Challenge to select & write about which recent act to post and this is it. For 6 years after my husband Jack’s stroke, his physical therapist would walk him up and down the condo hallway, and whenever neighbor Armon was in view, he would always bless Jack and give him strength and courage to go on. Armon, an observant Jew from Morocco, and was half the height of Jack in physical stature, but in his religious practice, he stood very, very tall …..going to the synagogue twice daily to pray. You can imagine it was not a small thing to be blessed by such a righteous man. Fast-forward it’s now a year plus a little bit since Jack left the body, and Neighbor Armon decided to sell his apartment. At the same time, I had to flee my apartment to a retirement home because of the roof noise and odor caused from putting on a new roof during the day. Armon sold his apartment so quickly that he had nowhere to go and for weeks was renting a hotel room at a high, unexpected cost. In speaking to Armon over the phone yesterday, I invited him to use the key in our lock box and stay in our unoccupied condo apartment for a few weeks until he could settle on a new home for himself. I expect nothing from Armon… He has already paid us with his prayers and encouragement, which were priceless. Speaking of priceless, this challenge of selfless acts of kindness is such a tribute to Jen and her family and friends … thanks for the opportunity to be part of the challenge.

Recently in my Zumba class there was an awkward, gawky teenage girl. She was getting exasperated and embarrassed since she was not able to keep up with the instructor's moves. I told her she was doing great - just the fact that she walked through the door showed her courage. I shared with her that I don't know how I had the bravery to come to this class initially but I am thrilled I did. It is my very happy place! She told me I was a good dancer. I thanked her for the compliment and told her that the more you do something, the better you get at it. I told her as long as she was moving, she was doing great and that all of the people were so busy watching the instructor that no one has any time to watch or judge anyone else. She smiled. After class, her mom (whom I didn't realize was in class) came up to me to thank me. She said her daughter had been going through a rough time and whatever I said to her that made her smile, was the first time she had seen her daughter smile in weeks. I am thrilled I was able to put a smile on this young girls face. No one ever knows what struggles or battles others are dealing with. Just be kind! Lisa, I think what you are doing is an awesome tribute to your daughter Jennifer.

At the local library there is a librarian who created custom programming for my students. We go every week, like clockwork. The librarian saw a need and made something special for us. My students are all adults with developmemtal disabilities who love to go on outings, especially the library. Here's what I did for this librarian. I'm a new storyteller. I participated in my third storytelling event which had the prompt "Beyond Expectation". I told the story about the challenges and the blessings of going on outings. I talked about this librarian and how my students respond to his kindness, his consideration. I won the storytelling contest! I forwarded my story to the librarian...who shared it with his coworkers... who shared it with management. The librarian is getting a promotion! I was told that my story tipped the scales. I couldn't be happier!

Here’s the version without dashes: I picked up a bag of butterfly pens and decided that as I walk through Seattle Tacoma Airport, every time someone smiles at me or if I see someone who could use a smile, I will hand them a pen, show them Jenn’s picture, and share her beautiful spirit. I will ask them to keep smiling and either pass the pen on to someone else who needs it or keep it as a reminder to keep smiling in Jenn’s honor. 🦋

I have been fighting with myself to understand why my son that have a son 5 months ago decided not to live with the mother, just be a father. Now I have a grandson that I visit once a week, enjoy my time tring to talk with him, but the relationship with my son still is not the best one, as I still do not accept his behavior. Last week I start learning that happiness does not come from other people- event your son - doing what you expect, You need to love them, wishing their happiness and respecting their freedom. This has been a mental breakthrough that at the end provided me a bit of mental health happiness.

Sometimes it’s just the little things that make you smile and connect with others. A simple smile or a short conversation with the cashier can make all the difference for me. I enjoy walking away smiling and feeling like I related to someone. It can carry me through the rest of the day. There is one person in particular I enjoy seeing. Someone I would not otherwise have met. She is a person at the gym. Our trainer connected us. Now we schedule our sessions together. We try to work around each other’s schedule and look forward to seeing each other. For me, I leave the workout uplifted, and it is not just the endorphins. I make sure I ask about her family and the most recent activities she had with them. We encourage each other during a particularly difficult set, and she laughs a lot, making me laugh. It takes very little to ask people about themselves, it makes them feel good and, in the end, when they smile and laugh it is uplifting. Putting others first makes everyone feel better.

This week I took a few extra moments to talk with one of the baggers at our grocery store. Most people seem to think she is just an invisible worker and rarely even say “thanks” when she completes the job. I learned that her husband works there as well (something I did not even consider) and that she is a very proud parent of a daughter serving in the military. I felt good that I learned something about a person I see every week and hoped that she felt valued as a person and will look to talk with her again next week.

I was at a beautiful party at my summer community Saturday night. It was a birthday party celebrating the 100th year of my friend’s summer cottage. Everyone gathered in Mindy’s yard and we toasted the shared history of our special community and the ties that bind us together. Later in the evening, as I went over to chat with the hostess and offer to help with clean up, she asked me if I would give a ride to one of the guests. The guest was an elderly woman whose children had already left the party. She kept insisting that she could walk to find her daughters but Mindy was concerned that Vikka would not find her way as she seemed rather confused. Mindy asked if I would please stop at one location and if one of her daughters was not there, take her to a second location. I don’t know Vikka. I’ve known of her but we’ve never met. Because of that I did feel a bit awkward. But it was clear to me that Vikka should not be left to walk around the subdivision, possibly become confused and lose her way. And it was also clear that Mindy was in no position to leave her guests to take Vikka. So I ran home to get my car, helped seat Vikka in my car, and off we drove. Soon after, I found one of her daughters and dropped Vikka off. Both Vikka and her daughter were so grateful - thanking me repeatedly. Vikka hugged me in gratitude. I felt … undeserving of such gratitude. I did a small thing. But as I type this and think about it, I made a difference for someone and that felt good.

I jumped into this challenge last minute with just a few days to spare. The first two days? Total flops. Day one, I invited my neighbor (whose wife was out of town) to watch the Olympics or take a dip in our pool. I’ve never had him over without his wife. He said no. Day two, I aimed to visit a fancy patisserie to surprise my hairstylist with something special, but guess what? It was closed. The best part about those failures? It made me keep "Thinking Better." I started brainstorming ways to spread kindness to folks I usually wouldn't. I had to be on the lookout for "be nice" moments. Day three, I sent a birthday gift basket to a friend and was nudged to donate to a new charity. Nailed it, right? Wrong. I accidentally set up a monthly donation instead of a one-time gift. Cue the Muzak while fixing that mistake. Turns out, I'm a bit of a klutzy do-gooder. Day four, I found out my gift basket recipient was heading out of town. This led to a frustrating chat with a bot and then finally talking to a human to reschedule the delivery. Being nice is hard work! Finally, I kept it simple. I texted a family member I usually struggle to talk to, just to check in. A first for me! Thanks, Jenn. Your spirit guides me to be better every day.

This is a wonderful way to remember Jenn and the way she cared about those she loved. Jenn’s love of life, thoughtfulness and concern for others will always keep her in our hearts. We love you, Jenn! Michelle and I have been checking in with Pat, our neighbor of 35 years, who recently lost her husband Ron after an extended illness. We recently took her to lunch and we stop over to spend time with her. She has always been an outgoing and kind person to us and we wanted her to know that we care about her. Thinking about Jenn gives us pause to remember that we all live in a village and that we need to consider those who could use some support. A little kindness goes a long way in a difficult world.

The challenge is such a special way to continue remembering how Jenn made the world a more beautiful place. I chose to honor her memory through the 175 mile fundraising bike ride I did last weekend for my children’s camp. I had an electric bike and I could have ridden ahead of the slower riders but I chose to stay back at the end since I could ride at any speed and I wanted to make sure the last riders weren’t alone. I also thought of Jenn when I was experiencing the joy of walking with my granddaughter and not worrying about whether it rained or not. I will always think of Jenn and how much she was loved by her family (my dear friends) whenever I walk in the rain. I hope these stories bring comfort to those who love her.

I was the Plant Manager for a small composite can manufacturer in Orrville, Ohio. My Production Manager's wife was pregnant and expected to have triplets. (Yikes!) I sent my entire salaried staff to the local grocery store to get the names, addresses,and contact information for any infant product company. My staff thought I was nuts! I told them that lunch was on me, and to take as much time as they needed. I could answer the phones. My Administrative Assistant mail merged the contact information with a letter of request that she had drafted. A few weeks later, the UPS driver knocked on Jan' s door and told her that he had a delivery for her. Jan told him"OK, I'll take the delivery right here at the front door." "No, no" said the driver, "the whole truck is for you!" known and Bob filled up a one-time car garage. I also bought Bob a cooler and a case of beer. Note: I have a list of 122 infant product companies. Now, they probably send discount coupons. But, a savings of $20.00 times 122 still results in a savings of over $2,000.

I have known Lisa and family for 40+ years. They are our family. We loved sweet, generous, kind Jenn more than we can say. I'm happy to share my small but meaningful story. Recently we had work done at our home and one of the workers had shared that he's a diabetic while here and taking a break. On Friday I went to ask him a question regarding the work and found him down on the floor, awake, alert but lying flat. He said he was sorry, didn't want to be a problem, etc. but needed 5 minutes because his sugar was low and he just turned off his insulin pump, and ate something. Having been a nurse for almost 50 years, I immediately went into nurse mode. As he shared his story of difficulty controlling his sugars, how it affects his daily life, my heart went out to him. What could I do, how could I help the big picture? I remembered that one of my friends is a NP specializing in endocrinology and asked if he wouldn't mind if I called her. Long story short, they talked to one another for quite some time and she was extremely helpful with information, referrals and hope. This gentleman was grateful beyond words, thanking both of us profusely and sharing his reignited hope for his situation. A simple act of kindness done selflessly making such an impact on a stranger. Sometimes it's the smallest of acts of kindness. Sometimes it's just listening, opening one's heart to another and sharing. I hope he gets the help he needs medically and I'm grateful I could help.

We are in a unique time frame in politics and everyone has strong opinions and emotions. This challenge reminded me a couple things. To stay curious - Another aspect of kind in my opinion is to seek to understand. Politics can be heated - This challenge reminded me to be kind and understand the opinions of others vs trying to force mine on them. It led to some really interesting conversations around people's priorities and perspectives.

My feeling has always been that the things that give us the greatest joy are the things we do to help others. One of my current "joys" is mentoring I am doing with a young person (22-ish) that I met in the Orlando Airport during a long layover. This individual is facing all the stresses of a young adult hoping to make there way and struggling to find answers. They are in a family business where stresses are high and this person is expected to take over someday. Their parents are very jaded and operate in a way that gives this individual a lot of anxiety. They want to do things different but don't have a role model or anyone open to new ways of thinking. The mentoring I'm doing is what I get paid for, but this one is without charge. Meeting a bright, curious young person who just needs someone to believe in them, to help them see possibilities, is a blessing for me. I can see a growing confidence and a positive change in their well being that is so heartwarming. I've had great mentors who did the same for me and I see any opportunity like this as a chance to pay down a debt that will never be settled. Truthfully I get great joy from how this engagement helps us both grow.

Hi Lisa, this is a small "just be nice thing", but a good change for me. I signed up for the challenge and promptly jumped into the car to drive to the lake. On the way I noticed a car pulled over ahead and wondered if they needed help. As I drew closer, I saw a person a standing with a cell phone but the car behind me was too close to allow me to brake. As I passed my debate turned from “should I stop” to “I am sure they are fine”. Later in the drive I recalled Jenn’s challenge and realized my default posture is to be at full speed and stop if needed, instead of being prepared to stop. Which made actually stopping, a rearview window activity. I’ve now changed my default to slow down as soon as I notice and be checking to see if someone needs help, instead of passing with an intention to check! So far people have either just stopped for a cigarette or they were letting kids out to pee, but it feels good to ask - and I think to be asked.

As a family we batch cooked a series of small meals for one for our recently widowed Nan who is bravely going through radiation treatment for lung cancer. To make it something more relaxing we did it in a caravan on a site 2 hrs away through the lanes between rural South Scotland and rural North England. A caravan with very limited cooking equipment. Today we pretended to be Border Reivers smuggling contraband .. That's because some of our family have covid so we couldn't come and stay. Toby our youngest also picked some flowers 💐. Fynn our eldest also bought Nan some stamps so she can send some cards ( she 💜 card making) And now we are sitting outside like we did back in 2020 chatting whilst Toby is working hard on clearing Nans driveway of weeds. Family life.

I volunteer at the local small town food pantry in Pine AZ. So many people in need of help& love. Served 120 folks & it’s do wonderful to see the smile on their faces when you load a grocery cart of food into their vehicle or back pack who are homeless. That smile & appreciative thankyou! Someone told me it is a blessing that they will have food for about 2 weeks. The children’s eyes light up when the see boxes of cereal in the cart!!

What a wonderful challenge! Sounds simple but it’s not. I stood in line in a store today waiting for a long time and in front of me was an elderly couple. Just as the person in front of them finished his inquiry with the only salesman in the store, a young couple who just came in got in front of us and demanded the salesman attention. In any other day I would get mad but today, for Jen and for you Lisa, i decided to be nice. It changed the whole atmosphere in the store. The elderly couple got mad and demanded that I commit not to pass them as well. I told them that I wouldn’t dream of it. The young couple heard the conversation and I tild them it was because of their behavior that the topic came up. They apologized but didn’t move. Once again I decided to be nice. Got me thinking…:) there are pluses amd minuses ..,

Dear Lisa, Today I start as a volunteer co-leader at GriefShare program locally. This 13-week program helped me cope with the loss of my beloved husband. I feel challenged to help others to deal with these devastating losses. I believe my TOC skills (especially listening using the CLRs) and the tested GriefShare materials will allow me to help others.

Dear Lisa, I have a new neighbor that is elderly,and just moved in across the street. I went over to introduce myself to him.He lives alone,so I have been stopping by to check up on him. I took him to our outdoor market. I also go over to his home to sit out on his porch when I have some extra time!

I play duplicate bridge with my partner who is 96 and very hard of hearing, Although she isn't as mentally sharp as she used to be, she loves to play. One night she complained of not being able to breathe. We called the paramedics. They asked her which hospital she preferred. She told them that she was NOT going to the hospital! She is still playing a few months later. I put her in a wheel chair since she is so frail, and that she may move from table to table

I provide enough chocolate candies or gummy bears for my Dentist and her staff each time I visit. The last time I visited I provided different flavored yogurt with napkins and spoons. It takes so little to be kind.

Maybe it is not enough as a “challenge”, but after enjoying this 4th of July not is better to me than have a typical American hot dog! In the queue I started to help a Cuban couple that always lost in translation with their order. Yes, too small but the couple was really grateful and we had a nice conversation.

My neighbor is old and frail. She loves to come to my home for parties and I have been hesitant, afraid of the responsibility. To honor Jenn's memory, I decided to invite her for July 4 gathering, in spite of misgivings. I know it will make her happy.