I love Thanksgiving. The cool weather, the FOOD, the four-day holiday, ballgames, friends and the kick-off to the whole holiday season.
I especially love it because it makes me stop and reflect on all my blessings and realize that there are those families that are really struggling.
Most of us have had to really take a look at our spending habits, driving habits and various other bugetary items and make adjustments.
With that thought in mind, I thought that I would offer a true Thanksgiving type giveaway.
The prize is a gift certificate to, oh I hate this, Walmart. I am a Target girl but not every place has a Target and not all Target stores have groceries. Unfortunately, WM is everywhere.
The idea is, you win a gift card for some Thanksgiving groceries and I will send an extra one to you to GIVE to someone else. Preferably to someone that could use a little extra grocery money.
Here are the rules: sign up and tell me what you are thankful for. Leave me a way to contact you (very important). Also, tell me how you would give away the extra card. Be creative. Mr. Random will do his thing. I would really like the winners
to inspire us by telling of your giveaway opportunity/experience in a later comment.
Easy peasy.
Contest will close Saturday night at 6 PM CDT and winners will be announced later that evening.
I love you, Peeps!
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70 comments:
What an awesome idea for a giveaway!!
If I won I would give the extra gift card to a girl that I work with every day. She's a single mom who's doing everything she can just to keep afloat and make a life for her and her son and is so deserving, and she hearts Wal-Mart! :o)
Sorry, wish I could be more creative, that part of my brain doesn't kick in until later in the day LOL
There are so many things I am thankful for it's hard to pin it down. I guess since I work at Hospice and see people my age die all the time, I am thankful for my health and especially the health of my family. I am thankful for my salvation and that I live in the greatest country in the world.
Oh, I forgot to say what I would do with the extra card...I would give it to a bag-boy I've been witnessing to. His mother is mentally ill and he has to help support the family at 18 yrs. old. They have no windows on their house-they are all boarded up because they can't afford to replace them. He is cold all winter. It's so sad!
I love the pay it forward idea!
I am thankful for my Irishman, friends, family, and that I have a job that I love.
If I win I will send the card to Laine. I knew Laine in college and though we were not close, I know she has a heart of gold. Please pray for her family - her story is here:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/leightonharper
Beachy Mimi,
You really do have the spirit of Thanksgiving in your heart. What a wonderful idea. If I were to win, I would give both gift cards to our church. We have a new outreach program called Women in Need (WIN). We provide them and their family with a weekly hot meal, some fellowship and groceries for the week. These women will also let us know their needs for other things including Christmas presents for them and their kids.
I'm thankful that God has given me a wonderful provider for a husband, a warm house, and all the other conveniences that I take for granted sometimes. With these uncertain economic times we can't forget to help the poor.
God Bless you!
Hey Mimi,
Love your give away. First, let me say that I am thankful for bloggy friends that inspire, encourage and CRACK ME UP on a daily basis. I am thankful for salvation and God's grace.
What to do with the other gift card? I think I would give it to either our local food shelf or to a needy family.
I love Walmart's food prices - they can't be beat in our area. But, the store does make me want to say unChrist-like things sometimes.
I'd actually give away both giftcards. First, I'd give one to my sister. She's an awesome, Godly single mom. She works hard but lives paycheck to paycheck. This would be a wonderful time of year for her to receive this card to spend on herself and my nephew.
The second, I'd send to Kristen at We Are That Family to give to her friends from the persecuted church.
We're not wealthy by any stretch, but God has blessed us abundantly and it would be fun to be able to "pay it forward" with the cards!
My first comment on your blog - I found you through your daughter's blog. Love you both! I am thankful for so many things -- it's hard to choose one. I'm thankful for each and every one of my children, for their own special gifts they bring to the family.
I would give away the cards to some person I see who looks like they could use a little lift and gift. I've always loved those stories about the man who gives hundred dollar bills to random people at Christmas time, and I think that would be so much fun!
Oh, BM, you are awesome!!
I'm thankful for 3 precious grandkids, my health, that retirement is just 29 days away, and God's grace.
I would give the extra gift card to a young family at church, who have almost nothing and are in danger of losing that (the husband's company is threatening to lay off workers, and he's the low man on the totem pole).
Wait ... in spite of the stock market tumbling and interest rates dropping, we are still blessed beyond measure ... I'll give them BOTH gift cards! ;)
A great idea! I would give the extra card to my daughters sunday school teacher. Her husband lost his job (builder) and they have 4 kids. She has been such a great role model for my daughter and has such a giving heart it would be great to give to her.
Michelle
mich.cook@sbcglobal.net
You always blow me away! BM = rock star!
I am so thankful for my husband. We have been through so much and always come out on top. So many friend are getting divorces for selfish reasons. I am so thankful he supports me no matter what.
The extra card I would use to bless one of our needy familys at church. Living in Michigan so many people are losing their jobs. Its a scary place to live right now. No one is safe.
I am so thankful for my family and good friends, because without them, what would we have? They are the core of our very lives. If I won, I would give the extra card to my niece, who lost her mother this year, and a couple of months later, lost everything in their home from the hurricane that hit the Houston area.
Both of mine will go here:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/joeypaulin
I dont know these people, but my brother does (he works for the fire dept that gets little Joey's emergency medical calls) and I keep up with them through caringbridge. They dont know me and I'll keep it that way and send the cards annoymously.
Paula
songwriterville-at-aol-dot-com
Such a wonderful idea! I am thankful for my employment, which allows us to eat and live. So many of my friends are now unemployed due to layoffs, and they are struggling this holiday.
I would give to a friend who was laid off this summer. She has been struggling to make ends meet, and isn't sure where the next meal is coming from. She is in need of this wonderful Pay it Forward.
I am so thankful for a husband who is a great father to our son, and a family that I could go to for anything.
I would give the extra card to my best friend who is currently a single mom of 3 kids under the age of 4 while her husband is deployed to Turkey.
You are wonderful Beachy Mimi. I am most grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ. I came to a stronger realization this morning that we need Him to work out our shortcomings, problems, inefficiencies that would keep us from returning to our Heavenly Father. That He truly is the mediator between us and God. Sorry this is so preachy but it is what I am truly most grateful for, because I do have my shortcomings!
If I won the gift cards I would give it as an extra gift towards our giving tree in church. Our church takes care of the families that are in need, making sure they have food etc. This would be a little extra, for the extra things, for fulfilling a few of the "wants" since the needs will be taken care of.
Thank you so much for inspiring the rest of us to do good things.
I am grateful for all my friends and family that make my life happy and fun. I am so glad I'm not alone in this life!
Oh Mini, you are wonderful! I love the idea of giving the extra card to someone who could use it. I am thankful my bloggy friends. All of you have been blessings to me during this time of rebuilding from Hurricane Ike. Each one has blessed me with prayer for me and my family. Each of you has shown true concern as if we have been friends for years and not months. I love that. If I win I would give the card to a place here locally called "Some Other Place". It is a shelter for abused and battered women and children.
I am so thankful for my family who have supported me through some tough times recently. I would give the gift card to my mom--she does Thanksgiving for a lot of people. klbeaver64@yahoo.com
I am thankful for my baby on the way. I am thankful for my husband. I am thankful for our faith in God.
I would give the extra card to a coworker who works hard yet can never seem to get ahead. I know it would really help their Thanksgiving out!
There are a few people I would like to send it to but one is a recently divorced mother of (either five or six) who works full time, goes to school at night, and still manages to raise amazing children.
I love the thought of your giveaway. You've always been very giving on your blog but this is just a great way to make a difference.
The other person who really comes to mind is a dear friend of my dear friend's husband. She's 25 with a baby and a husband and less than 6 months to live due to cancer.
The more I think about this one, while we could definitely use it, we don't need it to survive. I'd just love to be able to gift both cards to different people. Thanks!
I am thankful for my family and for my friends.I would give the second card to my sister who is so broke that she comes to my house to eat every day.I think I would probably give her both cards.
I am grateful for my husband and daughter. If I win, I think I would give both gift cards to a family at my daughter's school, who just lost their father to liver disease.
We are so blessed. My kids are hubby are healthy. We have a nice house. I am able to be a stay at home mom. Life is just good :)
I would give the other card to my friend Jenn, who is a single mom of 2 (one of whom is an autistic/special needs child) who just lost her job on Friday. I know she is very concerned about how to make ends meet. I know it would help :)
Very Generous of you indeed. I would give the extra card to a single Mom at our church.
email = lstrevels@aol.com
I'm most thankful to see God at work in so many people's lives in my every day life--healing hurt, bringing maturity, and giving more grace than I every imagined. For all the days when I wake up and start to think, "what the heck is life all about" I see God's hands everywhere and realize it is about His glory.
Anyway...I'd love to give the cards to friends who are struggling to pay bills. The dad left his corporate job, after being called to teach school. I want to encourage their obedience despite tough times!
Thanks, BM...you are great!
What a FABULOUS idea Beachy Mimi!!
If I were to win, there is a family in Elm Springs, Arkansas ( I am from Fayetteville) that houses young women who find themselves unmarried and pregnant. They are a faith based ministry that is doing an amazing job. Currently, they are under construction and have been blessed with the funding to expand their facilities. The sweet family that "runs" and lives with these girls are so meek and humble. God gets the credit for EVERYTHING that is blessed to them. They are a young couple that have two precious little girls and their whole lives are devoted to truly caring for and ministering to these unwed girls. Our extended family is sponsoring them for all of their Christmas needs; as well as, helping to furnish some of the new rooms that are being built for the residents. These gift cards would come in handy to help feed these girls and the host family. They love to cook, so I know this would be greatly appreciated. A Thanksgiving feast would be a must!!
I am most thankful that OUR GOD REIGNS and that HE is in complete control. His promises are TRUE everyday!!!
THANK YOU BEACHY MIMI for being so kind and thoughtful during the upcoming Holidays!!!
Jen
thereedshouse@yahoo.com
I'm delurking for this. =) I'm grateful for my mother. This year she's had surgery to remove part of a tumor that has badly damaged her optical nerves leaving her legally blind. It has been a tough year for her physically and tough on all of us emotionally. The thought of losing my mother at such a young age (me 35 & her 56) has made me realize that no matter how many times I feel like she's driving me crazy I'm blessed every day she is her to make me crazy.
If I won I'd give her & my father one of the cards. Cancer treatment is expensive and they still have 6 weeks of radiation to face where she will have to stay away from home for the duration of it.
I love your blog, keep making me smile!
I am not sure who I would give the extra card too, But I would certainly pray about it and let the Spirit be my guide-the Lord knows who needs it much better than I do.
I am so grateful for my little boy- he lights up my life. :)
I am so thankful for my wonderful, awesome husband. He is always supportive, gives good counsel, is an involved father with our girls, and just fun to be with!
If I won, I think I would give the other gift card to my brother and sister-in-law. They have four kids (just adopted one of them, a foster child, earlier this year), and they are living apart right now as my brother is in Iowa at a new teaching job & the rest of the family is in Michigan waiting for their house to sell so they can be with him. They will most likely not come away with a dime when their house sells b/c of the economy.
Blessings to you!
Heather
You just made me cry. Your generosity is so inspiring to me, and I absolutely love this idea. It's really what Thanksgiving is all about.
Even though this past year has been tough financially for us, when I look around, we are so BLESSED. We have a home. We haven't skipped any meals. I have the amazing love of my family. I am truly grateful and humbled at what God has bestowed on us.
I would love to give the card to a needy family in our church - I would probably talk to my pastor and see if he know of someone who could really use it.
I am thankful for "K", my baby on the way and my amazing husband...give the extra card to an anonymous person on the street...watch them smile!!
I think you have to be thankful for what you have right this second. Nice idea for a giveaway! I'd give the second card to a family in the WalMart.
Well, I am thankful for people LIKE YOU!
I am also thankful that I am blessed beyond measure and if I were lucky enough to win, I would give one card to my sister since she is disabled and her husband carries their load. She feeds a lot of children and grandchildren each holiday.
The extra one would go to my daughter who is a recent college graduate who is struggling with unemployment in this economic crisis.
One day, I may need them to feed ME.
Trying this again. Maybe this time I'll remember to answer both the questions. Shesh!
Love love love your giveaways Beachy Mimi!
I'm thankful that my whole family is home this thanksgiving!
I would give the extra card to a family who is trying to adopt from Ethiopia. I'm sure that they could use the extra money since their adoption expenses are so huge.
jubys1mom(at)yahoo(dot)com
I am blessed beyond measure- I am facing a job lay off in 2009- However, I know that God will open another door- So right now, I will just be thankful!
I would give it to the new animal shelter in my neighborhood that just opened- They are struggling financially right now- It was not supposed to open til 2009- However, they opened early to take in animals affected by the hurricanes this summer!
They are always begging for food for the animals- This would help them out a bunch!
I am SO thankful for a healthy family. We take our health for granted until something gets our attention, like our scare with JellyBean a few weeks ago! I'm thankful & praise God for a healthy hubby, healthy Girlie, healthy JellyBean, and healthy me!
I would probably give the gift card to my parents - my Dad has been out of work since May, and despite his searching, has no leads right now. They could use a boost.
Of course I am most grateful for my beautiful children.
As to who I'd give my extra card to? As I've done in the past, I'll probably mail it anonomously to a family I know in need. They would be too proud to accept it directly, so anonomous works best. They have 11 kids total (a blended family and several are grown)yet they still foster children as well. It's not easy, I know, but they make it all seem so worth it. Wish I could make myself be more like them.
I am thankful for numerous
things, you know what they are. I just want everyone in Peep Land to know that what you
give away on this blog comes
straight from your little pea
picken heart! You truely are an
amazing person. I do not want
to be entered, just wanted everyone
to know.
Something I have noticed on 99% of the blogs I read, as well as the comments, is that all these people are Christians. That amazes me. Do non-Christians not blog?
I am thankful for my family and for all of our good health. We are blessed beyond measure. Even though I've lost much of my retirement in the stock market, I am thankful for my current job.
I would give the extra card to a student's family (my daughter is his teacher).
Beach Mimi, how many times can I say it? YOU ROCK!
prlin at suddenlink dot net
I am thankful for my beautiful family, my health, God's continued provision and the smiles and laughter of my children.
I would give the extra gc to a friend of mine that just got laid off from her job. Her last day is this Friday and she has yet to find a new job. She has registered with several temp agencies, but all of them have no current positions to fill. She is really relying on faith right now and could use both the pick me up and the money.
Seriously, didn't Oprah do a show like this?
I've missed you Mimi!
My husband has to let go of 8 people this week and we are praying that after he does that for his company he isn't promptly shown the door too. Scary times in this economy.
I would actually give the other gift card to my brother in law...he is a single dad raising 2 girls because his wife decided she 'didn't want to be a mom anymore' and she left! Just like that! Don't get me started...
Anyway he just lost his job due to Wachovia getting out of mortgages and with the housing market the way it is now, needless to say there is not really a big need to hire mortgage people right now!
Awesome giveaway, Mom. That is such a great idea.
I think we should all do something like this...my wheels are spinning now...
Great idea for a giveaway!
I would give one to my daughter who is struggling to support herself; the second one I would give to the local Food Bank. I read that they are in need of donations now.
Thanks.
ptice.08 @ gmail.com
BM, you are so wonderful and the Lord does love a cheerful giver. And that is YOU!
I am thankful for my salvation and for God's grace and love.
I would have to say I would probably be inclined to give both cards away to someone who needs it more than I.
What a nice idea for a giveaway... TY!
It sounds so cliche' but I am truly thankful for my family. I have a loving husband of 11 years. I have two wonderful kids. Through adoption and years of infertility...my family is complete. :)
As for the extra card, definitely to a needy family.
I am very thankful for a healthy family. My kids are healthy and so am I & my husband too. That is a BLESSING.
As for the card...I already have someone in mind who could use it. I like to do things anonymously so no-one knows where it came from. So it would be alonh those lines for sure.:o}-
My e-mail is tlb3405@yahoo.com
What a great giveaway! I'd love to be able to bless someone with a giftcard. There is a family I have in mind where they have 9 kids and are always, always struggling --yet -- they are always doing things for other people. Truly they have servant hearts.
Thanks (if) I have that great opportunity!
This is a great giveaway. When I first read it I was blank on who I'd give the card to...my brain was in low gear I guess.
Yesterday at bible study a woman who is like a mentor to me shared that her husband had lost his job. She shared how God had been providing for each of their needs.
I would give her the gift card, maybe I should buy one for her even if I don't win.
I am thankful for my family. If I win I will give the other card to our church to give to someone in need. Thanks for the opportunity.
I am thankful for so many things right now. Unfortunately it took my husband not having any work coming in (he's self employed) for me to realize how ungrateful I am. I will never, ever take things for granted again.
I'm thankful for having gas in my car to get me to work, having an employer who provides health insurance for me even though I'm only part time, healthy children, food in my freezer and pantry.
My best friend just lost her job and her husband is on disability, so a Wal-Mart gift card would be a HUGE blessing to them!
What a fabulous idea!!!
Every year our town identifies families in our town that need help at the holidays. I would definitely give it to them. There is a WM right here and they could go get whatever they needed.
THank you Mimi!
Oh, I am thankful for pretty much my entire life. My kids, my hubby, my home and a grace giving BIG God.
Oh Mimi..you make me want to be a better person. This giveaways are wonderful.
I am thankful for the health of my family. Keeping this in mind, I already know who I would give the cards to. I say "cards" because if I could win, I would give to two other families that needs it more than we do.
Great idea!
I'm thankful for all of the important stuff like family, dogs, health, food, USA, the beautiful seasons, our house, etc. But that's pretty standard... I'll say I'm thankful for the little things that make my day better: coffee, morning breeze, super cute stuff in the dollar section of Target, scrapbooking magazines in the mailbox, painting a piece of furniture a bright color, eating out, Cokes from McDonalds, checking projects off of my long list of to-do's, ETC! :o)
As for the "extra" gift card. It would have to go for a young family I know trying to stay afloat by having the mom stay home with three young children all while struggling to pay the bills because she knows she wants to be home with the kiddos.
Thanks so much for the giveaways! You're awesome!
Smiles,
Jen
gordostyle@rap.midco.net
Well, I have so much to be thankful. I have 3 beautiful children and an amazing husband. I have a house and my husband has job security. I feel like we have been given so much. Even after the week of cleaning up throw up, I am still grateful for my life. I would love to give a gift certificate to my friend she is a single mom. She has to save every penny, and eats ramen and mac and cheese because that is all she can afford. She really deserves a break in life.
You're awesome, Mimi... definitely I desire to be more like you.
I am so thankful... for so many things, it's overwhelming. Tonight, following school conferences, I am especially thankful for being blessed with such bright, loving, sweet kids.
Our pastor's family recently took in our other pastor's family when a housing dilemma arose. I would give the GC to them... 10 people living under one roof. :)
Thanks again, Mimi. :)
Beth
Hey there, BM, I totally forgot to enter this giveaway! Well, here you go...
I have a LOT to be thankful for...my children and my husband come first to mind. I am thankful that God has given me the strength to handle all of the things, big and little, that have come my way. I'm thankful that we have income, that we have a roof over our head, and that we have good food on the table every night. I'm thankful for my family and friends that are always there to help out when we need it. I'm thankful for the free market, the freedoms we enjoy, the military who preserve those freedoms. So much more, but this is getting long!
I have a job (I work from home), and we recently had to let someone go because of financial constraints. She is a single mother of a little boy, and I would give the card to her. In our industry, we're really taking a hit...lots of layoffs, and I don't know where she's going to find another job. I really feel for her. So she'd get the extra card.
Thanks for offering this giveaway, and I sure hope mr. random picks me!!!
dkkwhcs at yahoo dot com
What a great giveaway!
I am thankful for many things, but this year I am especially thankful for my mom. She is my hero. She is facing cancer for the third time, and I know she will win for a third time!
If I win, I would give the extra gift card to a friend of my husband. His wife just left him high and dry with three little girls, and it breaks my heart. This would be a wonderful blessing to him!
Wow, there are so many things I'm thankful for, but this year there's a clear winner - my husband and I, after being separated for a year, have just reconciled this week. So I'm thankful that we're a family again :)
As for the 2nd card - I have a friend from church whose husband left her with 5 kids - the youngest isn't even 2 - for our music minister's wife. She's been a full time mom since she got pregnant at 17, and he's not paying her a dime right now. So this would be fantastic for helping her get some food for the kids.
Thanks BM - you're the best!
I am thankful for the salvation that was offered to me through Christ's death on the cross. I am thankful for God's faithful love, mercy and grace. I am thankful for my wonderful husband and my beautiful daughters. There are just too many blessings to count.
I do want to add that I'm thankful for being able to connect with eople via blogging. Never knew it could be a blessing.
If I were to win, I would give the extra card to one of the families at our church that is dealing wtih unemployment at the holidays. I'd love to see the parents be able to provide a good Thanskgiving for their children.
I can be contacted at mtaylor918@bellsouth.net)
Well, I actually would give them both to my mom. She's alone & trying to make it on a tiny fixed income.
I'm thankful for my family, my friends, my job, my country and most of all that the election is almost over. Can I just say I am SICK TO DEATH of the mud slinging, name calling garbage????
I am so thankful for my dear son Christopher who is a blessing and my heart. I am thankful for my family who are loving and wonderful. I am thankful for Jesus saving me and I am thankful for God who loves me and looks after me.
The extra gc would definately be for my brother and his wife and their 2 little girls. No matter how hard they work, the bills keep piling up and they are having a rough time financially right now so anything to help alleviate that would be great.
Thank you Mimi for your contiuned generosity. Any man would be fortunate to find you! ;-)
I'm thankful the Lord called me to Himself and turned my heart of stone to a heart of flesh. I'm also thankful He stays with us through our sanctification process!
I would give the extra card to our neighbors - he is a plumber and was laid off this past week.
My email is pmharral@comcast.net
This is such a wonderful giveaway -- so thoughtful! I am so thankful for my loving family and friends. We live in a farming community and we all have "tighten our belts" lately -- so a grocery card would come in handy now. I would give the other card to my friend whose husband is serving in Iraq right now -- she has children at home and things have been pretty tight for them.
squirrelsmom*at*hotmail*dot*com
If I win I'd give mine to my aunt who is on a fixed income. She lives on very little money and doesn't even tell me when she is low on food or supplies.she's always happy and so appreciative for anything she has. I have a passion for elder people and how so many are neglected because people aren't aware of their situtation. Thanks for this contest.
I may be too late! But just in case...I'm most thankful for my salvation! So glad to be able to walk in hope and share that hope with others!
Kelli
kelcombs@hotmail.com
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