Moving back into a house has given us peace as we look forward to the arrival of our third little girl this April.

That being said, our adventure is far from over. We plan to continue to give together as a family whenever we can – whatever form that may take.

We came to understand this year that one of the most effective ways to help others is through regularity. Random acts of kindness are powerful and often needed, but the most influential givers we came across were doing it in a much more personal way.

In a nutshell, we learned that many of the most effective places to give are likely already part of our lives. It is loving our neighbors, caring about our co-workers, and being selfless enough to discover the needs of the people around us.

The post the adventure continues in Vail, AZ appeared first on Give Every Day.

Inside our RV

Traveling fulltime forces a person to experience an unprecedented amount of change. “Consistent,” “regular,” and “predictable” are a few words that were absent from our vocabulary this year. We’ve know an evolving lifestyle that has changed who we are.

Change is a positive thing. It provides new perspective and increased potential, but today we long to once again be settled. To live in the same house, go to the same grocery store, and live near the same neighbors.

All that said, we have decided to sell our rig and move back into our house in Tucson, AZ. Stephanie is 10 weeks pregnant with #3 and we want to be in our house when the baby is born.

Right now we are visiting friends in Camano Island, WA. Our prayer is that we sell the trailer here and then head straight to AZ. Our renters are moving out at the end of this month and we will move back into our house this October. If the RV does not sell before we leave Washington, we will sell it once we get back to Tucson.

If you are interested, we have a 36′ 2001 Cameo LXI Carriage with 3 slides.

The post Selling The RV appeared first on Give Every Day.

Yellowstone National Park

To date (since we left Tucson in February), we have driven about 17,000 miles.

Here is a quick recap of some of the things we have done together as a family.

So far:

• We have traveled through 26 States.
• We have learned a whole lot about RVing.
• We have volunteered with over 40 non-profit organizations.
• We did a project where we intentionally gave every day (as a family) for 150-days.
• We have visited 18 different churches (ranging from small home churches to the largest mega-churches – in a variety of denominations).
• We have seen more of the USA and experienced more famous places than most people do in their entire lives.

There has been so much learning this year that Stephanie and I haven’t processed it all yet. The last 6 months have been extraordinary and, simultaneously, one of the most exhausting ventures we have ever attempted. Our hearts and minds have been stretched and changed forever.

Over the next few months, I will posting here less frequently as we strive to live in the present and as we pray/plan for the future.

Through it all, we will continue to live each day consciously holding to our pledge.

The post An Update From Montana appeared first on Give Every Day.

These four things seem to be characteristic of the more impressive organizations we visited.

1) Effective organizations hire the right people. Nearly every CEO and executive director that we interviewed was friendly, but only a small percentage of them could clearly and passionately articulate the history, mission, and strategies of their workplace. The wrong employees, even with golden hearts, will bring down the organization.

2) Effective organizations evolve. The majority of non-profits that we encountered were founded decades ago. Many of the tactics that were used then are inadequate today, yet many of the organizations persist with the same techniques. Because it worked then, they presume it should work now. For an organization to effectively influence the population they serve, they must stay relevant.

Failure to stay current also directly results in an unconvincing argument for support – causing donors to send their money elsewhere.

3) Effective organizations are willing to cut stale programs. Just like good-intended people don’t always make the best decisions, good-intended programs don’t always help the cause. There is a danger for organizations to side with what they have always done…instead of taking a risk and trying something new. If a program cannot be done well, it should be eliminated or restructured. Keeping the wrong program alive is organizational suicide. Removing it will free up funding as well as staff to focus on more productive goals. Also – it is important to remember that it is better to do a few things with excellence than to do a lot of things poorly.

4) Effective organizations are organized. The word “organization” isn’t synonymous with being organized. So many non-profits that we visited were a mess. A clothing bank should have clean clothes organized by size, season, and gender – not mounds of stained clothes waiting for someone in need to pick through. A food bank should have healthful food organized by category – not expired cans, tossed haphazardly in bags. An office space (even if modest/small) should be clean and pleasantly decorated – not cluttered with stacks of paperwork and 70’s wallpaper. Keeping order as well as cleanliness communicates more than just a well-managed facility – it gives value and respect for everyone involved, including the people needing the service.

The quick test that I give to every organization is to ask if what they are offering would be competitive in the business world. Just because there are no “profits” involved shouldn’t mean there is less quality or competence of services.

What non-profit organizations do you think would be competitive if they turned “for-profit” and sold their products/services?

The post 4 Traits of Effective Non-Profits appeared first on Give Every Day.

Big Prairie, Ohio

We arrived in Big Prairie, Ohio yesterday. We will be here a couple more days and then head to Cincinnati. As we head west, we are looking forward to more familiar territory.

Here is a quick update about Give Every Day.

• The past 6 months have reminded us that giving happens first and foremost through relationships – with our family and local community (more on this later).
• As we travel through the central states, we will be going at a faster pace. This is due to campground availability, weather, and the sparsity of organizations, businesses, and people compared to the coasts.
• Next week our truck will be in the shop for a few days getting engine work done and Stephanie will be going to her final dentist appointment for her root canal/crown.
• This past week, giving in our family looked like: writing thank you cards, reading book to our girls, praying for our friends, giving encouraging comments to some neighbors, and donating clothes + books.
• While I am not going to be writing every day like we did for the first 150 days, we will continue to give daily as a family. Upcoming posts will be more reflective about what we have learned. I will also be spotlighting businesses and  non-profits when we discover ones that stand-out in their mission or strategies.

The post Big Prairie, Ohio appeared first on Give Every Day.

This Sunday (July 10th), we will begin our voyage west. Please continue thinking of us and praying for us as we travel, learn, and strive to stay true to our pledge.

Leave a comment below if you want to meet as we move west or if you know of a non-profit organization or a business that we should visit on our route.

• July 1-5 Lancaster, PA
• July 6-10 Lebanon, PA
• July 10-14 Millersburg, OH
• July 14-19 Cincinnati, OH
• July 19-23 Batesville, IN
• July 23-27 Garden Prairie, IL [near Chicago]
• July 27-30 Rochester, MN
• July 30-August 3 Sioux Falls, SD
• August 3-7 Rapid City, SD
• August 7-8 Overnight
• August 8-12 West Yellowstone, MT
• August 12-13 overnighter
• August 13-16 Spokane, WA
• August 16-18 Leavenworth, WA
• August 18-31 La Conner, WA
• September 1-7  TBD, WA
• September 7-24 La Conner, WA

The post Heading West: July – August – September appeared first on Give Every Day.

Happy Independence Day! 

The post Day #150: Give Pause to Appreciate Freedom appeared first on Give Every Day.

The post Day #149: Give Your Family Rest appeared first on Give Every Day.

It turns out, the mom had brought her son there for his 22nd birthday.  He had a cognitive disability and was excited to tell us all about whoopie pies and the upcoming fireworks show on 4th of July.

As we were leaving, I wished we had something to give as a birthday present. When we got in the truck, I found a coin that I had brought back from Ukraine last summer. Kayla and I took the coin back inside and asked him if he liked to collect things. He said, “oh yes.” We gave him the coin as a small birthday gift.

The post Day #148: Give a Birthday Present To a Stranger appeared first on Give Every Day.

Before we arrived at their house, we stopped by Panera Bread and picked up some muffins. The girl behind the counter put them in a gift box and we gave them to our friends when we arrived.

Our friends gave us the greater gift by visiting with us and providing dinner, but we wanted to give a small token of appreciation as well.

What host/hostess gift do you like to give when you are a guest for dinner?

The post Day #147: Give Your Host a Gift appeared first on Give Every Day.

To say “congratulations,” we wrote them a letter and included a gift card.

We wish we were nearby and could bring them a few meals. That was the best thing anyone did for us right after each of our girls were born.

Congratulations, Josh and Kelley!

The post Day #146: Give a Gift for a Newborn appeared first on Give Every Day.

World Vision always sends us a pre-made birthday card that we are invited to sign and mail back. The card is then delivered to our sponsored child for his birthday.

In addition to signing the pre-made card, Kayla and Olivia worked on two special homemade cards for him tonight.

Our sponsored child will receive all three cards wishing him a happy birthday!

The post Day #145: Give a Birthday Card appeared first on Give Every Day.

Phoenixville, PA

Today, the four of us visited a medical facility that provides “quality health care to the uninsured.” It looked just like any other doctor’s office, but one thing was different – it is free!

The Clinic was founded in 2002 with a goal to provide necessary medical treatment to people that do not have health insurance. Patients are asked to pay “what they can afford.” Sometime that means they pay nothing. Last year the clinic saw over 10,000 patients. About 59 million Americans are without health insurance.

Volunteer medical staff provide specialty services which include: ophthalmology, urology, gynecology, physical therapy, psychology, pediatrics, and dermatology.

We were happy too see an organization serving the needs in their community with volunteers who have unique professional skills.

Do you know any other medical clinics that offer free care?

The post Day #144: Give with The Clinic in Phoenixville, PA appeared first on Give Every Day.

Annie’s story:

I don’t necessarily like to say what “I” give. I feel very privileged that I was given the vision and the passion to bless families who have babies born too early to survive. Whether a miscarriage or a baby born at 25 weeks gestation, those babies absolutely mattered to their family. I can’t fix the pain or take away the grief, but I can love them, pray for them, and send them a hat that is small enough to fit on their child.

What started at as one hat for my best friend’s son, Calvin, has grown into a world-wide non-profit. We provide hats to hospitals so that those little ones will have at least one thing that truly fits on their tiny heads and we send hats to individual families who request them.

I can’t make a hat no matter how hard I try. Yarn does not listen to me. But I can love people… and coordinate those with the ability to make the hats. Calvin’s Hats is an absolute joy and makes my heart smile on a daily basis.

To share your idea for giving, you can leave a comment on igive.

Thanks to the The Old Spaghetti Factory for this week’s prize! The pasta-based family restaurant offers freshly made pasta and spaghetti sauces served in an atmosphere of antiques and fun. You can follow The Old Spaghetti Factory on Facebook.

The post Day #143: Give to Annie appeared first on Give Every Day.

NYC, NY (Central Park)

***We have committed to give our family rest each Sunday. Read more here.

The post Day #142: Give Your Family Rest appeared first on Give Every Day.

A man driving a Toyota Camry stalled his car less than a 100 yards from the pumps. He had completely run out of gas. I saw one of the fuel station employees walking over to the vehicle so I followed. The car was on a slope so I new they needed more man power.

A minute later our friends that we had been riding with also came over to help push. While Stephanie watched all the kids, the 5 of us were able to push the car up the hill and to the gas pump.

Have you ever run out of gas?

The post Day #141: Give a Push When Someone Runs Out of Gas appeared first on Give Every Day.

1980's Macintosh

A friend called me this morning with questions about his computer.

He recently started using Apple’s OSX and wasn’t sure how to sync his MP3 player to iTunes or burn his music from his existing music collection.

I walked him through each step.

Sometimes we forget that skills that seem second nature to us can be a big help to someone else.

The post Day #140: Give Technical Support appeared first on Give Every Day.

• ParkGrades.com – “Offers the largest, most accurate directory of city parks in the United States. Before ParkGrades, you might have been able to look at a map and see if any parks were nearby. But you wouldn’t know if the park is what you’re looking for — if it’s clean, if there’s a view, if it has both a basketball court and a tot lot, or a tennis court and a swingset. Now, with ParkGrades.com, there’s one-stop searching for parks, playgrounds, beaches, and museums across the country!”

• Camano Island Coffee Roasters – “If you like to have your coffee the way you want it, you want your coffee shipped to your door, on the cycle you specify. You don’t want to worry about commitments. You want to be able to try coffees from around the world, and once you find a couple, be able to lock into them or just stay on tour; either way, it’s how you want it. You are the VIP.”

The post Two New Sponsors appeared first on Give Every Day.

Lebanon, PA

The campground where we are staying has a family center. It is a favorite place for our girls. Inside, there is a section just for kids. It has toys, puzzles, and books specifically for younger children.

Today, we picked out some of the girls’ books that are no longer on their most-liked list and donated them to the family center.

The post Day #139: Give Used Books appeared first on Give Every Day.

Beginning on day #151, we will be expanding our perspective to the for-profit world. Many companies have philanthropic goals to create social change. We want to learn from them as well and retell their stories. We also want to be able to compare and contrast models of giving.

If we come across a particularly unique non-profit, we will be sure to volunteer and spotlight them just like we have up until this point…but our new focus will be on businesses doing good.

Along with this change, I am also going to refrain from writing every day in order to more intently reflect on what we are learning about philanthropy. While our family will continue to give every day, I want to free up our schedules, minds, and hearts to be able to write more analytical posts [rather than daily reports].

Do you have any questions about Phase II of Give Every Day? Do you have suggestions about which businesses we should feature? Leave them here and I’ll respond in the comments or a future post.

The post Phase II: Expanding into the For-Profit World appeared first on Give Every Day.

Lebanon, PA

As we drive across America, we get to see many different places. Out of our windows we’ve passed swamps, mountains, and beaches. Some have been uninviting; others breathtaking.

Every so often Kayla will look out her window and shout, “Daddy! Mommy! look! Isn’t that beautiful?”  She is right – America is beautiful and we are blessed to be able to enjoy it.

As a family, we try to be conscious to keep our environment as healthy as possible. We don’t litter and we recycle when we can.

There is an aluminum can drop-off here at our campground so we have been saving cans to donate. Today, we dropped off the cans. A local volunteer fire department benefits by cashing in the cans to be recycled.

Do you recycle? Why or why not?

The post Day #138: Give Cans For Recycling appeared first on Give Every Day.

Lebanon, PA

This afternoon, I went on a tour at a non-profit behavioral healthcare organization that offers a wide range of services for children 3-years-old through senior adults.

It was founded in 1952 by a group of Mennonite men who chose public service instead of joining the battlefields of WWII. They discovered how horrible living conditions were for people in psychiatric institutions and they birthed the vision to create a hospital full of love and gentleness.

After walking around the facility and listening to stories of recovery and healing, I was impressed by the magnitude of impact that Philhaven has on their surrounding community.

With over 1000 employees, they manage a 55 million dollar budget that serves 25,000 admissions through 54 programs each year.

Today, I was at their main facility built on a 160 acre farm that has 99 inpatient beds. Other locations serve as outpatient services.

One unique thing is that employees at Philhaven can choose to donate blocks of time. For example, someone may decide to give 15 minutes each paycheck back to Philhaven. That money is used for charity.

This past year Philhaven gave more than $1 million to charity care for people with financial hardships.

The post Day #137: Give with Philhaven in Lebanon, PA appeared first on Give Every Day.

Marlena’s story:

Our neighbor was diagnosed with ALS about one year ago.  She has lost her ability to talk and misses interacting with our two toddlers.  We bring her and her husband treats and send them pictures of the kids.  Her husband says that it brightens her spirit.  Just a small gesture to make her tough journey a little bit easier.

A new prize winner is selected each week! To enter, you can leave a comment on igive any (or every) day of the week.

Our next prize is another gift certificate for Four at The Old Spaghetti Factory! The pasta-based family restaurant offers freshly made pasta and spaghetti sauces served in an atmosphere of antiques and fun. You can follow The Old Spaghetti Factory on Facebook.

The post Day #136: Give to Marlena appeared first on Give Every Day.

Lebanon, PA

***We have committed to give our family rest each Sunday. Read more here.

The post Day #135: Give Your Family Rest appeared first on Give Every Day.

Tucson, AZ

I talk to my parents on the phone often. I call them and they call me. They never seem to tire of hearing my voice or wanting to know how our family is. They enjoy talking to me, to Stephanie, and – of course – their grandkids.

Today, I called my mom. Like always, she was excited to talk. She asked how we liked our campground, where we would go to church tomorrow, and when I would be going back to the dentist.  She told me, “Happy (early) Father’s Day!” I had forgotten that is tomorrow until she mentioned it.

Stephanie and I talked afterward about how we hope that our girls will always want to involve us in their lives – even when they are adults and have families of their own.

We believe the best way to ensure a strong relationship with our kids when they are older is to have an awesome relationship with them now. We’re doing our best to be intentional about that (In fact, that’s one of the reasons we piled into an RV together this year!).

How often do you talk to your parents on the phone?

The post Day #134: Give a Phone Call to Your Parents appeared first on Give Every Day.