A Savory Lesson in Giving

I always love a reason to go to Boulder's downtown, and it's also a special treat to take a visit to Savory Spice Shop. Another love of mine, as well as for most humans, is to hear about special things that people do for others. So, last week when I found myself purchasing Ceylon Cinnamon at the Boulder Savory Spice Shop, I got a three for one deal.

There's a chalkboard on the wall near the cash register, and as I overheard a little conversation the owner Dan Hayward had with a customer about it, I took a look myself and became interested. On it there was mention of contributions to Haiti with a dollar amount written.

I inquired more and learned that it was more than just his shop simply making a single donation. There was a kind of movement involved... an opportunity for more than one person to feel the effect of helping those in need.

Typically, every fiscal quarter Dan donates money in his employees' names to the charity of their choice. This time around, in light of events in Haiti, he asked them if they would like to collectively "pool" their money for relief efforts for the desperate Haitians in need. No questions asked, they all instantly agreed and Dan matched his employees' contributions 100%.

Donating hard-earned money is honorable, and a 100% match is incredible... but it didn't stop there this particular time. If that wasn't a nice enough thing to hear about, Dan continued to tell me that one of his neighbors told him that her company was also matching 100% for any funds they could generate for Haiti. Naturally, he knew what to do. He gave his and his employees' contributions to the other company, which essentially DOUBLED the contribution. It was a "nice way to make a positive impact for people in need", Dan told me modestly.

And... for me it was a perfect example to see that each person's action in helping others has the power to, not just contribute it's value, but to actually multiply.

Dan chose Doctors Without Borders because of their track record concerning natural disasters.

Mark