The indefatigable Ella Salerno
Just in case you, like me, are having a difficult time completing your Christmas list, here are three beautiful examples of people who have decided to give the gift of giving… and what could be easier than to make one of their ideas your present to someone?
When Ella Salerno was not yet 8 years old, she learned in a school program that 1 billion people in the world do not have access to clean water. This completely flipped her out, and she decided to do something about it. She and her mom Maureen read about charity:water and Ella decided for her 8th birthday she would ask friends and relatives to make a contribution so she could build a well for 250 people in Africa. She hit up her grandmother, she went around and organized fundraising events with local merchants, and in the end, she raised $5,500. But Ella wasn’t finished. Now she’s 9, and she’s really on a roll.
Instead of asking relatives for funds, now she’s asking KIDS to get involved – hoping to inspire 100 children to commit to raising $100 each – that will build 4 new wells to provide healthy, safe drinking water to thousands of people in need. Your kid can sign up here – and what could be a more incredible Christmas gift of sharing??
Like Ella, social entrepreneur Tom Spargo is also knee deep in it – with a brilliant new rainwater collection system that he has just tested and promoted in Guatemala.
RainSaucers is a simple, stand-alone, clean, flexible solution that can make rainwater harvesting an economic reality in developing countries like Guatemala, where the bottled water industry is both expensive and unreliable. Poor families in Guatemala can spend up to $300/year on bottled water, yet for every inch of rain, a household can collect 6.75 gallons for use.
The RainSaucer is 4 feet in diameter, made of plastic, free-standing, rugged, and comes with (2) 4-gallon buckets for collection. It keeps the rainwater free from roof chemicals and run-off, and safe for drinking. You can help support Spargo, winner of the 2010 West Coast Village Capital program, in his mission to become the most affordable rainwater harvesting option in the world, by contacting him here.
And finally, if your tongue is about to fall off from licking Christmas card envelopes (I feel you), you can follow my reader Susan Laycock’s example:
“…this year, instead of spending the money on stamps and cards, I decided to take the lump sum and buy ducks from Heifer International instead. With our University of Oregon Ducks in the Rose Bowl, I thought this would be a good way to be a ‘Duck Fan’. My college roommate is on board …and she got her friends on board and we’re hoping that together, over the years, we can eventually build an Ark. We all still share the spirit of the season in a wonderful way and experience giving as the best gift of all.”
Can I get an “Amen” on that?
What Gives 
I personally feel that every time we read an inspiring story like this, we should get our competitive drive in gear and try to top it. Perhaps then we can really all make the world a better place.
Wow! All wonderful and inspirational! I can’t imagine what Ella will accomplish as an adult. Well, yes, I can. I imagine she’ll accomplish amazing things.
Here’s an Amen!! Wonderful to see kids getting involved so young.
I like giving to Seva, especially since having had lenses implanted after my cataracts were removed. The gift of SIGHT. Wow. they serve in Nepal. And also have Diabetes prevention programs with Native Americans.
In lieu of running about to buy things I am not sure will be wanted, I’ve given “in honor of” my family members for several years now.
Children such as Ella, give us great hope for the future. Great story!
Ella sure gives me hope .. what a face, eh?? Happy Holidays, Marcia, and thanks for the comment!!
What wonderful causes. God bless that precious little Ella. My partner is an international aid worker, so I love each of these. Happy Holidays.
Kathy
Kathryn, I think the people doing work on the ground in international aid are just about the most incredible people on the planet — so kudos to you and your partner! I loved these stories, too — thanks for the sweet comment! And Happy Holidays!!!
Amen! This year, I sent e-cards and bought a llama through Heifer Int’l. Yay!
You bought a llama? How cool — I’ll be going to Peru in March to visit the Heifer llamas … so stay tuned for that. You ROCK, IIWB… xoxoxo b
Amen! wonderful ideas and so simple to realize the benefits. Thank you
so simple, indeed — two words that you don’t hear very often in this overpacked holiday season …. wishing you the BEST in 2012, Meredith!!!
One goat and a flock of chicks later . . . my shopping is now done! Thanks for the reminder, Betty, and the great water ideas.
Happy Holidays!
Judy
Judy — you are the BEST ! Hope you have great holidays & we can get together in the new year… I miss you! xoxoox B
I just sent a package of books to Kenya, where I sponsor an Aids orphan through shareafrica.org. There’s so much good to be done in this world…
Ronnie
Ronnie — what a heart you have!! I love it…
Wonderful uplifting post Betty. All the best from Eastern Passage, NS
Thanks so much, Sybil — I’m always blown away by how far my little posts can fly! Happy Holidays & have a great walk on the beach!!
Ella is a nine-year-old Betty Londergan. Imagine what she’ll be up to in about ten years.
Wonderful post as always, Betty. I love the title.
Well, it took me 57 years to get to a point where I was anywhere near as thoughtful and compassionate as young Ella, so I’m not going to break my arm patting myself on the back (although it’s always such a great, macabre image, isn’t it??) I smushed together three stories I’ve been trying to get to … and then the title just wrote itself. Don’t you love when that happens?? Happy Holidays, BB – and thanks for the comment!!
Amen, from Life in the Boomer Lane! WordPress won’t post my comments anymore, so I must do so by being anonymous. Aaaargh. Have a beautiful, memorable, empowering, filled-with-love Christmas.
I didn’t know wordpress decided which posts to publish: why did they freeze you out of responding?
Ronnie
I can’t believe wordpress is muzzling you! Can we ask the Happiness Engineers why??