Everyday Baby Steps

I know I say it constantly, but time and time again, something happens to remind me that things happen for a reason; I don't believe in coincidence. And you may not either after you hear my story.  It all has to do with my online friends and my offline friends and how they've come to intersect.  Are you interested?  Let me tell you more!

If you are a blogger, you've probably heard of the HP Magic Giveaway, you know the one where HP and Microsoft have given $6000 worth of computer equipment to 50 bloggers to give away on their blogs.  If you haven't heard about it, you'll want to check it out, as I believe there are several contests still going on.

Regular readers of my blog may hear me mention my blogging friends every now and again.  Well, Caroline from Morningside Mom is one of my favorite online friends.  I admire her dedication to various causes and how she genuinely cares about people.  I enjoyed her blog for some time, but after interviewing her for my Friday Feature Profile series, I realized we had many things in common, including a professional background in higher education.  Another thing we share is the belief that things happen for a reason.  We've had a number of conversations online and off about how we're meant to be blogging because of the wonderful opportuntiies and community it has brought to us.

So when I found out that Caroline had the opportunity to be involved in the HP Magic Giveaway, I was thrilled.  The premise of the giveaway is to share the magic with those less fortunate, and I knew lots of ways I could share that $6000 prize package.  Then I read her rules, which said that Caroline didn't want friends to enter her contest because she didn't want her ultimate decision on the winner to be prejudiced in any way.  That's just the kind of gal Caroline is.

Even though we've never met in person, I do consider Caroline a friend.  So I knew I couldn't enter her contest.  But that didn't mean I couldn't pass the word onto the real-life friend I had intended to nominate for the prize.  So that's exactly what I did.  I sent my friend Laura, who has recently started a non-profit organization for teenage mothers, a link to Caroline's contest.

Imagine my surprise when Laura called to tell me that she won the contest! Amazing. (By the way, that's Laura next to me in the short sleeve black top) What are the chances?  Neither Laura nor I told Caroline of our association with each other. Let me repeat, Caroline had no idea that Laura and I knew each other and was, therefore, unbiased in making her decision. After talking to Laura, I called Caroline right away - I couldn't contain my excitement.  Neither could she.  Caroline received over 300 entries for her contest and agonized over the decision. But she said she kept coming back to Laura's organization, Moms Without Moms, specifically The Laura Walker Project, the maternity group home named for Laura's mother who was tragically killed by her father when Laura was just a little girl.

Caroline was relieved to know that I am friends with Laura and that she has proof her decision was a good one.  She now knows without a shadow of a doubt that the organization receiving this computer equipment will benefit from it and that it will be used to help educate young mothers and to help them learn skills to enhance their lives. Isn't it amazing?  Again, I ask, what are the chances?  Coincidence?  I don't think so.  What do you think?

If you'd like to learn more about The Laura Walker Project, go to the web site.  Also, check out Caroline's post detailing the prize winner.  I can tell you the prize package is going to a well-deserving organization.  Though I know there were others just as deserving, it's apparent to me that Caroline made a well thought out decision that happened for a reason.

Also, if you're looking for a charity to donate to for the holidays, please consider the Laura Walker Project.  Thank you.