THE STORY

As Americans, we live in the most affluent country on the face of the planet ... and yet there are thousands, even millions of people who go without basic needs everyday. Moms who can't buy their kids shoes, or new clothes for school. Parents who have to choose between paying the electric bill and buying groceries to feed their children. Immigrants who often times flee from tyrants and dictators in their own countries, or religious and political persecution, trying to find their way in our culture, cities, and suburbs. For some of us, we go on living our lives. But for others, this is unacceptable. Somewhere within the human spirit is a desire, a need, an "ought" that presses in on us from without, and requires us to act.

GiveYourselfAway08 is a response to this desire. A way for those who must act, to act.

The genesis of this adventure begins with a band from Texas called the Robbie Seay Band and a song entitled "Rise" The chorus says; Rise rise / people of love / rise / and give your self away / give yourselves away. A small group of us who follow the way of Jesus in Burnsville, MN thought, "What would happen if we actually did this?" We wondered what would happen. We wondered if we could actually change our small corner of the world for the better. We intend to find out.

 

THE VISION

Our desire is to connect people with resources to people who have needs.

Through unique partnerships with local non-profit businesses and agencies, we intend to identify people who have the means to meet needs and the will to act, with those in our community who have needs.

GiveYourselfAway08's part is to be the hub through which those of you with resources can get connected with people in our community, whether it's financial advice, help in negotiating mortgage/real estate needs, a good carpenter, electrician, plumber, lawyer, dentist, tutoring students after school, baking, gardening, classes, food, clothes, appliances, or helping an immigrant get a driver's license or navigate our systems to assimilate, to life in the US. .