I start with this quote because I have come across some "naysayers" and some people asking "why are you doing this?" I simply reply that I've been "LED" to do it. It's something God has put into my heart to do and something that I have become passionate about. When people wake up in the morning they want to have a purpose for their lives....As an Occupational Therapist I thought that helping people would be enough of a purpose, however it is my job! Yes I'm still passionate about it but it's something I get PAID to do. What about doing something for someone without asking..."What's in it for me?" What happened to helping your fellow man? What happened to loving your neighbor? I came across this quote today while I was at Barnes & Noble. It comes from Stormie Omartians book about changing your life through prayer. Many of you may recognize her name from her books such as "The power of a praying wife, husband, life etc. The quote struck me so strongly I had to write it down.
"Those who have a sense of purpose are better equipped to help others."
If you don't believe in God that's OK. You don't' have to believe in a deity to believe in helping other people. I think it's all a part of the human condition. So won't you help me help others by spreading the word about this website that was started by four women (mothers) who were passionate about helping others? Not only does this help others but it helps our economy! If you go to www.lilyslist.com and read Beverly's blog she has posted some draw dropping statistics about student loan debt! As I have said before, some people need to take out loans to get their education. I understand that, but there is also the part of paying it back so that the people coming up next i.e. seniors in high school have that same opportunity to make this world a better place! Ok. That's all I will say on the matter...I'm stepping DOWN off my soapbox now and getting to the GOOD stuff!
What are you waiting for?
In my last blog post I discussed what I'd be up to next. So here it is. Friday I ordered my car decal for the back window of my car! Excited doesn't even come close to my anticipation to pick it up tomorrow or Tuesday! I haven't gotten door decals yet because I want to actually ask the sign guy what would be best and get Lily's List the most exposure....is it the back passenger windows? Is it car panel decals? I don't' know and since they are in the business of marketing....they are the best people to ask....don't you agree? Hey come to think of it...they might even want to advertise on Lily's List? I guess we will see on Monday or Tuesday....:-)
So I'm waiting for that....in the meantime I have been busily sending out emails to colleges around DFW explaining what Lily's List is and how it can benefit their students. On some colleges I felt like I hit the gold because they had EVERY SINGLE financial aid counselors email address....it's the law of multiples....some people may get your message and dismiss it right away, however the person right next door may get the message and say..."yeah...that's cool....lets put out some information for these student!" Especially the graduate students who I guarantee already have student loan debt and are incurring more by getting a Masters, Doctorate, or other advanced degree. There were 'on the other hand' those colleges who like to keep those fun emails to themselves and just give a generalized 'admissions, financial aid' email and who knows how many people see that. That's why it pays to go to the school and actually talk to the financial aid people in person(s). I was able to get a majority of the colleges not only in DFW but also a couple in Houston and Austin areas. I'm still working on sending out those emails as well tonight and through out this week. Whats the worst that can happen? They just don't read it and delete it. Like I said...I'm relying on the law of multiples. (btw...that's MY law....not an actual law...that I know of....) You "correctinators" out there don't quote me and tell me that's not an actual law you've heard of...I'm aware of this! What' is a correctinator? It's someone who has to correct every wrong or inaccurate thing you say. My husband is the WORST correctinator I've met....I still love him however...what are you going to do?
Here is a copy of my email to college financial aid and admissions offices if you would like to join me if you live in another state! I don't want to get a harassment charge against me or anything!
Hello,
I am sending you this
letter to introduce you to a new website called Lily’s List at www.lilyslist.com that can be used by students to pay down
their student loans. This is a free service! How it works is that a student can
use it as a gift registry for graduation, holidays, or any special occasion.
They can also use this website as a way to fundraise to pay down their student
loan debt. This website uses a unique donation plan that will benefit our
nation’s students struggling with student loans and help our struggling economy
right itself in this crucial time of unemployment. Lily’s
List is a unique opportunity for students to use during or after
college to free them of student loan debt.
Why help spread the word about Lily’s
List?
·
The
service is FREE and gives students all the tools they will need to get started!
·
Anyone
with a student loan is eligible to sign up
·
It
can be used as an important adjunct to “entrance/exit counseling”
·
Can
be used as a gift registry or as a fundraising tool
·
Every member gets a profile
page and financial thermometer
It is an easy, secure way to receive gift donations
directly into their student loan account
It’s the only website of its kind…no other website
offers what Lily’s list does.
Has been given an A
rating from the Better Business Bureau
Your help in getting the word out would be VERY
much appreciated. I am attaching some pictures that you can post outside your
office. I would love to come speak with you or students about this. I would
also love to post flyers for students in general areas if I can get your
permission to do that. I am a member of Lily’s List and am currently writing a
blog about my efforts to spread the word about this service and attempt to
fundraise through their Student/Business Partnership program. If you would like
to read about my journey, please feel free to visit my blog at elliejnorris.blogspot.com
I may have also mentioned that I sent about 100-150 letters out recently. I got a particularly funny call to tell me they could not "donate" at this time....however I appreciate the call. Like my husband said "at least you know they read it and now they know about Lily's List!" God love him! He encourages me even in a negative situation. I've gotten a couple back also on just bad mailing addresses but there have only been about 6! That's not too bad I think. It's pretty common for that to happen. People are always moving around! So here I am....waiting on people to sign up to Lily's List, waiting for positive or negative responses to my letters, and waiting for comments to a blog that I don't know if anyone reads! I was encouraged however by the movie Julie and Julia....she felt that way in the beginning as well. Granted she was writing about food and I'm writing about marketing/fundraising/being crazy....I see that draws a VERY different audience indeed but never the less....I'm not into the business of worrying about those things!
On a VERY positive note I got an email from Lily's List stating that someone had signed up and wrote my name as a referral! How awesome is that!?!? Thank you to you if you are reading this! I sent you a friend referral on Lily's List....friend me back and lets talk girl! Hey also to my fellow Lily's List members please friend me! On Beverly's blog she has listed a couple of people who have been quite successful in their journey's with Lily's List to raise funds. It's on my 'To Do' list to attempt to talk to them! We need to talk to each other and help each other out! We cannot have all the wisdom in the world....we need to share it with our fellow man! That's why we get an education in the first place! To learn from people who have come before us and traveled the road! Won't you join me? Won't you pass along your wisdom? Please leave a comment on any of the subjects I'm discussing. Would love your feedback!
What's next?
I'm always asking this question....what's next....what's the next move, the next step? Well, after emailing these schools I'm hoping to actually go and speak with someone regarding Lily's List. I am also planning on going and posting more flyers at local colleges in my spare time. Today I felt like staying close to home and figured with temperatures still high it may behoove me to send out some emails that people will see first thing Monday morning. We will see if that decision pays off! If you have any suggestions on my next move please place a comment or feel free to email me! Also I'm trying to decide what to do with next paycheck tithe money which is 10% of my take home pay. This week was the car decal with $38.00 left over....I will be thinking of ideas through out the week! Hope all of you out there in cyberspace have an absolutely wonderful week! God Bless! I end this post with this awesome quote from Elizabeth Kubler Ros...now that's wisdom!
"The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen." Elizabeth Kubler Ros
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