OTODOT day 19 – While at Camp Phoenix in Afghanistan, my brother contacted me and asked if I could think of any ideas for the homeless. We had an upcoming visit planned to the DC area, so I put on my thinking cap. Now, in Afghanistan, our most valued possession is good boots. So sharing the idea with some soldier friends, I soon found several pairs of boots waiting for me at my office. As it got closer to R&R, I found that my luggage would have to be lightened to make room for all these boots that soldiers wanted us to share with the homeless, as many are Vets. So for just one time on a day in May, I gave boots to homeless vets in the park in Washington DC.

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One Thing One Day One Time – day 18 – On one of our few visits to the US, as we worked in Afghanistan, we were asked if we could assist in handing out Soup & Socks for The 25th Project. So, for just one time on a day in February, I spent the morning giving out soup & socks to the homeless in Washington DC. The coolest part was that our granddaughter was also visiting, so she got to see firsthand how grateful folks who have nothing are when receiving such a small yet meaningful gift, nay really a necessity. Its cold in the DC are in February, so socks are really a basic for keeping warm, a point shared with us by my granddaughter as she retold the experience of helping others for one brief encounter.

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OTODOT – day 17 – There was a time where I was in need of a car since my car had broken down and was not repairable. I was trying to figure out how to get the money for another car. I really did not talk with anyone someone just knew there was a need. I came home one day and there was an envelope taped to my door that had $1000 in it. It was the perfect amount that I needed for the car. Someone did their One Thing One Day One Time for me. What is your story? email info@onethingonedayonetime.com

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OTODOT day 16 – When starting The 25th Project – our very first Christmas we were going to feed 25 homeless people. My parents came to town – my niece and her daughter, my kid brother and one of my mom’s friends paid to come help us (my daughters and I) with the T25P Christmas meal. Everyone staying in my house. I had ZERO money to do this effort…No money for Christmas presents nor did I have money to feed 25 homeless people much less the people staying in my house. One Day One Time…my friend did One Thing….he showed up with an envelope of money and that paid for the very first T25P Christmas…I didn’t know how God was going to provide but HE certainly did provide that day. This is just another time where someone did something for another person and that one deed had an effect on many many people….If you have a story to share email info@onethingonedayonetime.com

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One Thing One Day One Time – Day 13 – About three years ago I got an email from a close friend telling me about a family who lost their father on the soccer field. He was refereeing their daughter’s game and had a heart attack. He was a husband and a father of 5 children. The Give Back Girls adopted this family for Christmas that year and bought, wrapped, and delivered gifts for all of the children and the Mom too. About a year and a half later my friend ran into the Mom at a soccer game and introduced herself. We had done our donations anonymously through a family friend but the Mom was very touched to be able to personally thank us. It always feels good to know you made a difference and it doesn’t take much — We did one thing on Christmas Day for one family.

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One Thing One Day One Time – Day 12 – After deciding to volunteer to help the homeless in my area of Southern Maryland. I met a homeless man that I knew previously. I was taking food to him for several weeks he told me the day I ran into him “saved his life” I said “what do you mean” and he said he was so down about his situation that he had made a plan to end his life. That me coming to him that day, that time and that moment showed him that someone still cared about him. Currently, he not on the drugs like he was doing previously and doing much better. This was my One Thing One Day One Time.

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One Thing One Day One Time – Day 11 For quite a while I have had the privilege of helping the great team at the 25th Project performing their good works with the homeless. Be it just cleaning dishes in part of the crew preparing meals for the homeless for both Thanksgiving & Christmas, making & delivering soup in the Spring of 2015 or delivering propane over winter. One lady I had the pleasure to chatting to her for a while September 2017. During this time I got to telling her a little of my troubles, since I am currently recovering from a back injury that occurred while I was on duty in Afghanistan. She was interested to know what my symptoms were due to my injury as she too suffered from a similar condition. After attentively listening to my situation, she asked humbly if she could help with my recovery, even if only in a small way. This lady, who by no fault of her own is now forced to live under canvas in the woods without two nickels to rum together, looked through her meager possessions & found her last bottle of ointment she uses to ease the pain of her aching bones & gave it to me to aid my recovery. I still look back at this moment & reflect that no matter what woes life throws against us, we all can choose to show love to our fellow human beings. Even if it only be to share your last bottle arthritis cream to a guy trying to deliver propane to your tent in the woods. That was her One Thing One Day One Time. What is yours? email it to info@onethingonedayonetime.com

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One Thing One Day One Time – Day 10 – While standing in line purchasing items for the chili cook off for the homeless in the Washington DC area. There was a lady in the check out in front of me and she looks at my items and says “wow, someone is having a party” I replied back to her and said this is for a chili cook off for the homeless. She says “that is so nice” and goes on her way. While the cashier is scanning my items the lady behind me asks a couple of questions about what we are doing for the homeless. She told the cashier “I am going to buy all of the items for their chili cook off…I buy – I buy” she kept saying. I don’t know this lady and haven’t seen her again – but that was her opportunity to do One Thing One Day One Time! share your story email info@onethingonedayonetime.com

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One Thing One Day One Time – Day 9 – One of our homeless friends died while still living in the woods. It would be really easy to just to say, “whatever” and go on about our business. But a group of guys said, “no way.” They got together, and planned a memorial ceremony for Richard. This was more than just a service. They printed bulletins about him, organized music, and food and invited everyone in the camp. The service lasted an hour and was designed to make sure that the life of someone who could have easily been forgotten, was honored. The effect of those other folks in that camp witnessing that was something that nobody in attendance will ever forget. To those folks who planned that event, it was important to do that One Thing, One Day, One Time.

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