Every now and then I stop and ask myself what it is I'm doing with these Christmas Jars. What am I truly trying to accomplish and is it worth all the time and effort I put in to sharing the story of The Christmas Jar? "Sharing" can include talking to customers at the store, mailing out a jar, a copy of Christmas Jars, or jar wrapper, answering emails that come in from all over the country, addressing philanthropic groups, visiting schools, talking to people on the phone who want to start "a Christmas Jar Campaign", and talking to the media. Some days it takes up a considerable amount of time and other days none at all.
There are days I wonder how many people I'm reaching? Are people really as excited about the Christmas Jar as I am or am I just being a pain to those around me? Does this little tradition of taking spare change and turning it into a miracle for someone else really matter?
I think it does!
Here's proof:
Today I was at the drugstore filling some prescriptions when I heard, "Hey, Laurie". I turned around and saw the pharmacist waving at me. I walked down the aisle and stood at the counter figuring there was a problem with one of the medicines. She said, "Tell me about these Christmas Jars". Now I have purchased my prescriptions at this drugstore for a lot years and I have talked about Christmas Jars to a lot of people but I have never spoken to the pharmacist about Christmas Jars! I giggled and proceeded to give my little spiel. As I did I could see out of the corner of my eyes other people moving closer pretending to shop but really trying to listen in on our conversation. Normally, I would think this behavior was rude but when I'm talking CJ's and I see people moving closer, I get excited and start speaking a little louder! I don't know how she heard about Christmas Jars and it doesn't really matter. She's filling her first Christmas Jar and it makes my heart sing!
This evening I went into Dairy Queen to get the wisdom toothless child some ice cream and I heard, "Laurie Paisley"! I turned and there was a friend of mine with her husband! I gave her a hug and she introduced me to her husband as Laurie Paisley and we exchanged "nice to meet yous". She then told him I was her "Christmas Jar lady!" His response was a little bow followed by, "Then I'm REALLY glad to meet you!" Again, I just giggled! The coolest part of this story is that I met this girl because her mother in Nebraska received a copy of the book, Christmas Jars. Her mother told her daughter she had to read it. She came into my store asking for a copy, we chatted and the rest, as they say, is history! I can't tell you how many people I have met along this journey who have remained close friends.
I think there is an amazing bond that occurs when people come together for a common goal. The Christmas Jar tradition is really about individuals across the world coming together as a group to do one thing......spread hope to others.
It's days like today that reinforce my passion for the Christmas Jar. Today was a true blessing. Today I experienced a little bit of Christmas in July!
Friday, July 30, 2010
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Video from 2009 Christmas Jar Campaign!
http://smilebox.com/playEmail/4d5445784e544d784d5468384d6a45344d4451794d7a673d0d0a&sb=1
Check out this little video of images from last year's Christmas Jar Campaign. Turn up the volume and enjoy!
Check out this little video of images from last year's Christmas Jar Campaign. Turn up the volume and enjoy!
Monday, July 5, 2010
Following up on a Christmas Jar!!!
Wanted to share this with you...The family we gave our jar to was beyond appreciative---a grandmother who is raising her two granddaughters. Her daughter died of a drug overdose and the father is not allowed to raise the girls because he has sexually abused them. The grandmother has a very small house and no car. She makes money mopping the church floors and helping others clean their homes. This woman has worked hard her whole life and gives everything to these little girls. When the girls received their jar on Christmas Day their grandmother told them that angels had left the jar just for them (she actually caught us leaving it on her doorstep late Christmas Eve). All three of them decided to save the jar for summer so they had money to have a little fun (the town is small, there is not much to do, and there's no car to take them places). So, they ended up buying a small swimming pool with the jar money. The grandmother told my mom that it's been the best summer the girls have had in their lives. She can't get them out of the pool to get them ready for bed. Makes my heart sing.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
2010 Christmas Jar Campaign
Well, here we are again! May 2010 is almost upon us and I have decided to make May 1st the start date for my 2010 Christmas Jar campaign! It will actually start a few days earlier as I have been invited to speak to a local philanthropic group about the power of The Jar on Monday, April 26th.
Now all of you who are rolling your eyes, shaking your head and saying, not again, not so soon, here we go again....you can all just relax!! The goal this year is to continue to increase awareness of the book, Christmas Jars, by Jason Wright, and the tradition of filling a jar. We won't be counting jars but I would love to know the different cities where jars are being filled.
My original goal was to find 2,010 people to fill jars this year but after successfully finding over 1,500 people to fill jars in 2009, my very exhausted family and friends shouted a firm, loud and clear....."NO"! We'll keep it more casual in 2010 by not counting but I hope you will all join me in introducing The Jar to at least one new person this year. Remember, it only takes ONE person and ONE jar to make a difference in ONE person's life.
Let's all be that ONE person!
Here's to more jars (2,010 shhhhh!!!!) in more states and countries than in 2009 (1,500 jars in all 50 states and 13 countries)! As always, I have jars, wraps and books! Feel free to email me at paisleydl@sbcglobal.net or respond to this blog!
Thanks for helping make this Spare Change Movement bigger than ever!!!
LP
Now all of you who are rolling your eyes, shaking your head and saying, not again, not so soon, here we go again....you can all just relax!! The goal this year is to continue to increase awareness of the book, Christmas Jars, by Jason Wright, and the tradition of filling a jar. We won't be counting jars but I would love to know the different cities where jars are being filled.
My original goal was to find 2,010 people to fill jars this year but after successfully finding over 1,500 people to fill jars in 2009, my very exhausted family and friends shouted a firm, loud and clear....."NO"! We'll keep it more casual in 2010 by not counting but I hope you will all join me in introducing The Jar to at least one new person this year. Remember, it only takes ONE person and ONE jar to make a difference in ONE person's life.
Let's all be that ONE person!
Here's to more jars (2,010 shhhhh!!!!) in more states and countries than in 2009 (1,500 jars in all 50 states and 13 countries)! As always, I have jars, wraps and books! Feel free to email me at paisleydl@sbcglobal.net or respond to this blog!
Thanks for helping make this Spare Change Movement bigger than ever!!!
LP
Sunday, March 21, 2010
To Be Continued in 2010
As of Christmas Eve, 2010 I stopped counting the number of jars that were being donated. My last count was 1,500! My head was spinning and my heart was overflowing with joy!
Almost a year later I can look back.......
Probably what sticks out most in my head is the closeness that I felt to my family and friends during this project. It was a wonderful group effort. I was reacquainted with so many friends from my past. One of the miracles of "The Jar" is that it can bring people together....and it did for me in a very big way.
I "met" so many new friends through phone calls and the Internet. Many of them are starting their own "jar campaigns" for 2010 and it's so rewarding to sit on the sidelines and cheer them on!
I learned that one person can make a difference. It doesn't take 1,001 differences to have an impact. It just takes one. One person, one idea, one effort and a lot of heart, soul and determination.
I've had a lot of people ask me what I'm going to do for an encore in 2010. I don't have an answer. My goal is to continue to pass along the tradition of the Christmas Jar to as many people as I can, one person at a time. I will always have a car full of Christmas Jar books and empty mason jars. It will always be my personal journey, my personal ministry to see the Christmas Jar tradition spread far and wide throughout this country and others.
It's been an amazing journey thus far and one of the most rewarding experiences I've ever had. I look forward to carrying it forward for as long as I am able. My hope is that one day when I am gone, my children and their children will continue the tradition.
I will coninue to update the blog as the Christmas Jar season approaches but remember, a Christmas Jar can be given anytime throughout the year when the need presents itself. You can also visit these websites:
www.christmasjars.com
Become a fan on facebook of "I'm filling a Christmas Jar in 2010"
www.jasonfwright.com
God Bless
Almost a year later I can look back.......
Probably what sticks out most in my head is the closeness that I felt to my family and friends during this project. It was a wonderful group effort. I was reacquainted with so many friends from my past. One of the miracles of "The Jar" is that it can bring people together....and it did for me in a very big way.
I "met" so many new friends through phone calls and the Internet. Many of them are starting their own "jar campaigns" for 2010 and it's so rewarding to sit on the sidelines and cheer them on!
I learned that one person can make a difference. It doesn't take 1,001 differences to have an impact. It just takes one. One person, one idea, one effort and a lot of heart, soul and determination.
I've had a lot of people ask me what I'm going to do for an encore in 2010. I don't have an answer. My goal is to continue to pass along the tradition of the Christmas Jar to as many people as I can, one person at a time. I will always have a car full of Christmas Jar books and empty mason jars. It will always be my personal journey, my personal ministry to see the Christmas Jar tradition spread far and wide throughout this country and others.
It's been an amazing journey thus far and one of the most rewarding experiences I've ever had. I look forward to carrying it forward for as long as I am able. My hope is that one day when I am gone, my children and their children will continue the tradition.
I will coninue to update the blog as the Christmas Jar season approaches but remember, a Christmas Jar can be given anytime throughout the year when the need presents itself. You can also visit these websites:
www.christmasjars.com
Become a fan on facebook of "I'm filling a Christmas Jar in 2010"
www.jasonfwright.com
God Bless
Saturday, January 23, 2010
My Goal Should Have Been 500 Jars
Back to the story....
I believe it was July or early August when I finally told author Jason Wright about my project. He was creating a virtual map of all the places jars were being donated and received. I had truly hoped to keep it a secret until he visited our store in November but I wanted him to be able to add our jars to the map! I really struggled with telling him because I had visualized the whole surprise in my head. In the end I think the decision to tell him early was the better choice but I was bummed it wasn't going to be a surprise anymore! He offered to help in many ways but I turned him down. I had started this project and I wanted to see how far I could get on my own. I kept telling myself that I would be happy with the end results, whatever they happened to be (But I wouldn't have been)!
I believe in July or early August we were approaching 600 people/jars. My family was hard at work in Ohio passing jars out to friends, employees, business owners, Rotary group members, Optimist Groups, church members, and my dad sent one over to Ireland. During one of those nights I couldn't sleep, the thought occurred to me that we didn't have to stay in the US. First we were working towards 1,001 jars, then added jars in all 50 states, and now Christmas Jars were going international!! Very quickly we had jars in Canada, England, Ireland, China, Taiwan, Thailand, Ukraine, Holland, Italy, France, and several others!
Around the 600 mark things stalled a bit. I felt like I was out of options. I had reached out to all my friends and family and 1,001 just seemed so far away. It was too large a goal and I lost a little motivation, wished I had set a goal for 500 instead, and just really felt like giving up. I hit these plateaus many times throughout the seven months but something always brought me back.
I remember being at work and getting a phone message on my cell phone. I listened, and then I listened again. This was what I needed to know that I was making a difference. It as a lady I didn't know who lived in New Orleans. She had received an empty jar and a copy of Christmas Jars in the mail from someone as part of project 1,001. She explained to me that she and her husband had lost everything in hurricane Katrina. There were three people who had stood by them and helped them through the rebuilding process. She wanted to repay them somehow but she had no extra money. She couldn't give them full jars so she wanted to pass along an empty jar and copy of the book but couldn't afford it and could I help her? I said absolutely, took down the names and addresses of the three people in New Orleans and Florida, purchased three copies of the book and packed them up with jars and mailed them out. This was the sign I needed to keep going.....and onward I went!!
To be continued....
I believe it was July or early August when I finally told author Jason Wright about my project. He was creating a virtual map of all the places jars were being donated and received. I had truly hoped to keep it a secret until he visited our store in November but I wanted him to be able to add our jars to the map! I really struggled with telling him because I had visualized the whole surprise in my head. In the end I think the decision to tell him early was the better choice but I was bummed it wasn't going to be a surprise anymore! He offered to help in many ways but I turned him down. I had started this project and I wanted to see how far I could get on my own. I kept telling myself that I would be happy with the end results, whatever they happened to be (But I wouldn't have been)!
I believe in July or early August we were approaching 600 people/jars. My family was hard at work in Ohio passing jars out to friends, employees, business owners, Rotary group members, Optimist Groups, church members, and my dad sent one over to Ireland. During one of those nights I couldn't sleep, the thought occurred to me that we didn't have to stay in the US. First we were working towards 1,001 jars, then added jars in all 50 states, and now Christmas Jars were going international!! Very quickly we had jars in Canada, England, Ireland, China, Taiwan, Thailand, Ukraine, Holland, Italy, France, and several others!
Around the 600 mark things stalled a bit. I felt like I was out of options. I had reached out to all my friends and family and 1,001 just seemed so far away. It was too large a goal and I lost a little motivation, wished I had set a goal for 500 instead, and just really felt like giving up. I hit these plateaus many times throughout the seven months but something always brought me back.
I remember being at work and getting a phone message on my cell phone. I listened, and then I listened again. This was what I needed to know that I was making a difference. It as a lady I didn't know who lived in New Orleans. She had received an empty jar and a copy of Christmas Jars in the mail from someone as part of project 1,001. She explained to me that she and her husband had lost everything in hurricane Katrina. There were three people who had stood by them and helped them through the rebuilding process. She wanted to repay them somehow but she had no extra money. She couldn't give them full jars so she wanted to pass along an empty jar and copy of the book but couldn't afford it and could I help her? I said absolutely, took down the names and addresses of the three people in New Orleans and Florida, purchased three copies of the book and packed them up with jars and mailed them out. This was the sign I needed to keep going.....and onward I went!!
To be continued....
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