In every town, big and small, there are people feeling turmoil and fear. Maybe they lost a job, a home, or a loved one. Maybe they struggle with disease or economical hardship. In every case, hope is needed. In every case, hope can be shared with a very simple action.

We hope this homemade sign donated to the local Salvation Army will be viewed at moments when it is needed the most and that it can provide the simple word someone needs in their darkest hour.

The sign reads ‘HOPE’. The Salvation Army Captain in the Wisconsin town had an idea where to put it as soon as he read it. The look on his face showed appreciation, with a touch of bewilderment. This organization sees first hand the struggles of so many people. The reason for the sign is to help lives who are in need of believing in a better tomorrow. A simple word can say so much. Life dishes out hard hits and unjust situations for all of us at one time or another. We hope for an answer, a change of circumstance, or even a miracle. Some are hanging on to hope with all the strength they have.

What would life be like, living with no hope? What would the world be like? I have often heard ‘there is no hope’ for some people or circumstances. I do not believe it. I have seen that things can change.

We spent about 6 hours making the sign. Each letter was cut out, sanded, stained, and made to spell out the word. You’d think that it would be hard to part with something upon which we worked so hard. It wasn’t.

A car was filled with people outside this building. Everything they owned was tied to the top. I felt bad that I could not give more. I wanted to reach in my pocket and give them the money needed. My pockets were empty though. I’ll probably never forget the looks of despair on their faces.

I am not one who can walk away and pretend that I didn’t see someone hurting. I was asked by one of the people if I could help them out with some gas money. I told him that I was flat broke today and had brought only a sign saying the words ‘hope’. I felt stupid and it was clumsy. I was sure they were thinking that ‘hope’ would not fill their gas tank. The answer back I will also always remember “Thank you. Hope is what we need most right now”. With that our lives went two separate directions.

What an uplifting project this would be for craft hobbyists. Maybe someone reading this will work on a similar sign. The places that can use these simple messages are all around us. It will make a difference.

UPDATE: The response received from Captain Brian was what fuels this project.

Thank you so very much. I read your post on the blog and was very touched by it and the comments posted by others. My plan is to place “Hope” in our homeless shelter in such a way that it’s the first thing the residents see as they walk in the doors, ushering them into a place of hope.

–Capt. Brian

This story has also been featured at a website which has brought over 5000 viewers since September 13,2009. Skipping a stone takes on a life of it’s own.  Thank you.

Visit the Sequoia Project

They are miserable-looking creatures. Featherless, off-balance, skittish to the point of terror. Also, incredibly lucky. These are “rescue” chickens, formerly caged as egg producers in an industrial hatchery somewhere in southern Ontario.

The chickens are being used as therapy animals to treat a small group of troubled children living in a nearby group home. Shepherd thought interacting with the chickens might help teach the boys empathy. “But they were already so gentle with them, right from the start,” she says. “They worry if the chickens are afraid or if its sweater is too tight.”

(Continue reading in the Toronto Star)