Holly's Highlights: Faith, Hope & Purpose for Everyday Life

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Today is #Giving Tuesday (which happens to follow the frenzy of Black Friday and Cyber Monday each year). Giving Tuesday was created back in 2012 to help "unite countries around the world by sharing our capacity to care for and empower one another."

According to Neon CRM, the winter months are reported to be the best fundraising months. November accounts for 46% of annual giving and December 30% of annual giving.  However, with tax returns coming up, this Spring can also be a good time to fundraise as people have cold, hard cash in hand and can often be more likely to give to various causes.

If you take part in annual events such as 5 or 10ks, half-marathons, or other fundraising events for non-profits, chances are you are starting to look ahead and put those events on your calendar now. But when do you start promoting and raising funds for such events?

Well, today we have special guests, Jen Murano-Tucker, Director of Events, and Raegan Erickson, Event Coordinator, from Huntsman Cancer Foundation with us to speak to all things fundraising. From what should we look for in organizations to support, red flags that should alert you when choosing a non-profit to raise money for, to overcome some of the biggest fundraising challenges, and what counts as a charitable contribution write-off - we'll learn the ins and outs of fundraising from these foundation pros.

Now, listeners, I can tell you firsthand how fabulous Jen and Raegan are and what a solid, reputable organization both Huntsman Cancer Institute and the foundation are to work with. My father was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma five years ago and my mother with Glioblastoma brain cancer last year. Both of my parents have received treatment from Huntsman and the care that is received there is just top-notch. Each time our family has walked into Huntsman (which has been A LOT) we have truly counted our blessings that my parents have been able to receive their treatments there. Huntsman Cancer Foundation holds an annual Sports Festival each year for walkers, runners and cyclists to take part in raising funds to help find a cure for cancer - if you are looking for an organization to get involved with I would personally invite you to join the cause through that Sports Festival. You can take part in any state and HCI makes it so simple to collect donations and apply them to your fundraising account.

Don't want to raise money, but just want to find a worthy cause to donate your hard-earned money to all while knowing you make a positive impact through your giving? Whether to Huntsman or the American Heart Association, Food Banks, or other passion of yours - what better day than on this Giving Tuesday.

Link to see if companies will match donations: https://ww2.matchinggifts.com/search/rit

Connect with Jen or Raegan at [email protected], https://www.HuntsmanCancer.org or https://www.Huntsmanheroes.com
Donate on this Giving Tuesday at:
https://give.huntsmancancer.org/page/23698/donate/1?ea.tracking.id=lightbox&utm_source=lightbox&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=nov2020&utm_content=gt

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Visit www.hollycurby.com for more information and to sign up for the monthly Holly's Happenings e-newsletter. Holly's Highlights podcast and the opinions and ideas shared within it are for entertainment purposes only. The advice should be confirmed with a qualified professional.

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The other day my kids and I were at a local event when we saw a girl crying as her mom was dragging her out the exit door. The little girl asked "why are we leaving" to which the mom frustratingly replied, "Because you're not appreciative." The little girl wailed, "But I AM appreciative." As I watched this sight unfold before me I had to laugh - as a mom I can totally relate. Isn't that how life can be? We try to do something nice for others and it just isn't enough. I guess it's part of the whole "keeping up with the Jones'" mentality of not every having enough, comparing what we have with others, or even being jealous of what others do have in life. It boils down to, "Are we content?"

I heard a quote once that went a little something like this, "If you woke up only having what you thanked God for the night prior, what would you still have?" That's pretty convicting. On this episode we are going to take a look at four ways we can have a grateful heart. 

First - creating habits. Perhaps this is journaling or simply writing it down. Maybe it's as you get up out of bed in the morning or before you go to bed at night. For me and my kids one way is around the dinner table each night we discuss one thing that was the worst part of our day and one thing that was the best part of our day. This helps me know their perspective as to what the weight of the world on their shoulders looks like to them, but also for us to end on a good note of counting our blessings of what went well in the day. Perhaps this may even involve getting back to the old fashioned custom of writing a handwritten thank you note to those who have done something for you either of a gift, word, or simply time.

Second - surround yourself with reminders.  This may be quotes that you put around your home or even photos displayed. There are so many places to put photos too - from your phone, your computer, to even a frame on your desk at work or hung on the wall at home. These photos might include trips you've been on or places you'd like to go, pictures of your kids, spouse, parents, pet, or wherever your happy place is.

Third - be present. Put down your phone, put away your computer, and simply be in the moment. My dad's dog does this to us where he'll nudge away our arm from the computer or physically get inbetween us and our phone as if to say, "pay attention to me." Be in the moment.

Fourth - refocus your thoughts. Basically change your attitude and perspective from the negative to the positive. Look for the good in even the toughest times. I have a verse next to my bedside that reads "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, think on these things" Phil. 4:8. This helps me to take any frustration of the day and refocus my thoughts on what is good. After all, gratitude is a choice.

I hope that in the days ahead you'll implement these four tips to change your frown upside down and CHOOSE to have a grateful heart. 

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Visit www.hollycurby.com for more information and to sign up for the monthly Holly's Happenings e-newsletter. Holly's Highlights podcast and the opinions and ideas shared within it are for entertainment purposes only. The advice should be confirmed with a qualified professional.

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With Thanksgiving and Christmas upon us, we often start looking for ways to get involved with giving to others. From Angel trees to food drives and even secret Santa projects. This week is the national collection for Operation Christmas Child.

According to Samaritan Purses website, "In the summer of 1993, Samaritan's Purse President Franklin Graham received a call from a man in England asking if he'd be willing to fill shoeboxes with gifts for children in war-torn Bosnia. Franklin agreed but figured Christmas was months away. He forgot about the promise until he received a call back around Thanksgiving asking about the gifts. Franklin asked his friend, the late Pastor Ross Rhoads of Calvary Church of Charlotte to see if he could help with the need. A Sunday shortly afterward, Pastor Rhoads demonstrated for his congregation how to fill a shoebox with simple gifts and encouraged them to include a letter to the child as well. Within weeks the church had 11,000 shoe boxes lining their hallways. Due to the generosity and additional gifts from Canada, Samaritan's purse sent 28,000 shoebox gifts to children in the Balkans that Christmas. Every year since, Samaritan's Purse has collected shoebox gifts filled with toys, school supplies, and hygiene items for children around the world. Since 1993, more than 178 million children in more than 150 countries have received an Operation Christmas Child shoebox. The project delivers not only the joy of what, for many kids, is their first gift ever, but also gives them a tangible expression of God's love."

It's an honor to have a special guest, Ilona Penner, join me today as she was a recipient of an Operation Christmas Child shoebox years ago. Ilona grew up in Ukraine and now she packs shoeboxes and delivers them to Ukrainian children. Join us as Ilona shares with us about her upbringing in Ukraine, the memories of receiving a shoebox while living in a Ukrainian orphanage, and even provide suggestions on how to pack your own shoebox for a child in need. Hear of her story of hope, the heart of giving, the gift of time, and how one simple act made her feel like she wasn't alone.

It's perfect timing as this week, the third week of November, is the national collection drive for Operation Christmas Child.

Find out more about how you can take part in the shoebox drive or find a location to drop off your donation here.  Would you like to connect with Ilona Penner or perhaps have her speak at an event? You can reach out to her here on Facebook or on Instagram @ilonochka96.

Related Holly's Highlights podcast episode:
Season 3 Episode 6 - How to Help Ukraine

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Visit www.hollycurby.com for more information and to sign up for the monthly Holly's Happenings e-newsletter. Holly's Highlights podcast and the opinions and ideas shared within it are for entertainment purposes only. The advice should be confirmed with a qualified professional.

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As leaders aim in taking good care of their teams, often they will hit challenging times. Those challenging times will reveal the character of a leader. As so many eyes are on the leader - it's obvious that leaders have influence. So how can a leader be one of strong character? 

We'll take a look at how we can have a positive influence on our character through the use of our time, our attitude, and how well we are a team player. We'll learn that at the root of it all may be the factor of forgiveness - even when our feelings aren't on board with such action. 

As result, we'll discover how we can best cheer each other on through our own humility, serve those we lead, and do our part in pouring our experiences, education, and knowledge into those around us as we seek to serve as a mentor.  

No matter the leadership position, as Nona Jones says, "You don't have to have all the power, just recognize the power you do have." Former Hewlett Packard CEO, Carly Fiorina, wraps that up quite nicely for us by reminding us that the "greatest power is the character we reveal."

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Visit www.hollycurby.com for more information and to sign up for the monthly Holly's Happenings e-newsletter. Holly's Highlights podcast and the opinions and ideas shared within it are for entertainment purposes only. The advice should be confirmed with a qualified professional.

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Join me as we talk with a special guest, Shante Johnson, about how to make a positive impact in your community.

Shante' is a local Real Estate Agent, Motivational Speaker, budding Author, and an Advocate for families of Fallen Officers and First Responders. Shortly after graduating high school, she married her childhood sweetheart Derek Johnson. On the morning of September 1, 2013, Shante's life was tragically turned upside down when her husband, who was a decorated Draper City Police Sgt. in Draper, Utah, was shot and killed while stopping to help assist with what appeared to be a disabled vehicle. - just 10 minutes before his shift was to end. The shooter then turned the gun on his girlfriend and himself. Both the shooter and his girlfriend survived. At age 31, Shante' was left to pick up the pieces of her and their son Benson's shattered lives. While caring for her son, she is now an active advocate for police officers, first responders, and their families. She sits on the Board for COPS (Concerns of Police Survivors) and is the Public Relations Director for Utah's FOP (Fraternal Order of Police). In 2015 Shante' partnered with local and state lawmakers to pass a new bill that would provide health benefits for the families of fallen police officers and firefighters up. Up until that point, all benefits for the surviving family members were discontinued at the time of death. She continues to push legislation to support the needs of the widows/widowers of all our first responders.

I've watched Shante' throughout these years and she's handled herself with such poise and strength for her son and others around her. She went on to truly make some commendable impacts in the community and state.

Join me as Shante shares with us what taking the step to get involved in her community has looked like, what has been most meaningful to her, what she's learned from it, and what she still hopes to accomplish as a result of her active involvement. She'll also share tips on how to balance it all - from being a mother and wife (as she has remarried), to out working in the workforce and engaged in community service.  Overall, you'll learn how to channel your passion and find how to light a fire under you so you can find what makes you happy, how to inspire others and make a difference.

Connect with Shante' at Facebook or Instagram. 

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Visit www.hollycurby.com for more information and to sign up for the monthly Holly's Happenings e-newsletter. Holly's Highlights podcast and the opinions and ideas shared within it are for entertainment purposes only. The advice should be confirmed with a qualified professional.

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Special guest, Scott Harding - General Manager of Larry H. Miller Honda, speaks with us about how to be a leader others follow.

All the years I have known Scott, he has always been a leader who others seem to want to follow. After serving 27 years in his industry, 26 of those years with the same company, Scott will give us an insight look into his experience and challenges in various leadership roles.

Scott’s tips and resources shared will help you learn how to become a leader others want to follow.

As mentioned in the episode, some leadership books Scott refers include: Relentless by Tim Grover, It’s Your Ship by Captain D. Michael Abrashoff, and The World’s Most Powerful Leadership Principle by James C. Hunter.

Connect with Scott on Facebook.com/scott.harding.3572

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Visit www.hollycurby.com for more information and to sign up for the monthly Holly's Happenings e-newsletter. Holly's Highlights podcast and the opinions and ideas shared within it are for entertainment purposes only. The advice should be confirmed with a qualified professional.

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Want to start your own business, but don't have a clue where to begin? I'll share tips on what I wish I would have known when I launched my business in coaching, consulting and motivational speaking. 

You may have a bright idea for a new business, but before you invest money in your great idea, do your research. We'll begin with how to perform a SWOT analysis and from there cover the following:
- Naming your business
- Picking the right entity
- Seting up all your financial accounts
- Securing your website and social media handles
- Obtaining necessary permits, licenses and insurance
- Creating contracts for services
- Setting up your promotional measures
- And so much more!

Keep in mind that it is always suggested you contact business professionals such as lawyers, tax advisors, and city offices for your state's policies when starting your own business.

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Visit www.hollycurby.com for more information and to sign up for the monthly Holly's Happenings e-newsletter. Holly's Highlights podcast and the opinions and ideas shared within it are for entertainment purposes only. The advice should be confirmed with a qualified professional.

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Now launching Holly's Highlights podcast. A podcast designed to encourage, inspire, and equip you to intentionally live your life full of purpose. In this trailer, we will walk through what to expect, a little bit about me, and how to engage further. I'd love to hear from you so feel free to leave a comment, rating, review, and subscribe. I look forward to connecting with you on Holly's Highlights.

Support the show

Visit www.hollycurby.com for more information and to sign up for the monthly Holly's Happenings e-newsletter. Holly's Highlights podcast and the opinions and ideas shared within it are for entertainment purposes only. The advice should be confirmed with a qualified professional.