When I heard Seal sing this song, I had to share it with you. Regardless of who you are and where you are in life, remember that everyday brings an opportunity for change. I am so blessed to see the changes in my life. I am thrilled to be right where I am right now. We fed over 2000 people and the number is rising everyday. Enjoy the song and Take Action with your life.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Friday, December 5, 2008
Earl W. Stafford gives/donates $1 million for the People's Inaugural Project
Earl Stafford is GIVING hundres of people the chance of a lifetime. This man knows that investing in people will give you the best return. I nominate, Earl Stafford as the Giving Movement's Giver of the week. Congratulations to Earl Stafford for using his life to make a difference. Who knows maybe I will meet him.
Here is the article that appeared in CNN regarding Earl Stafford and his 1 million dollar donation. How amazing is he? One day I will be able to do the same thing.
Until then, tomorrow I will feed 800 families and I will be excited about it.
Source CNN:
Virginia businessman Earl Stafford has spent $1 million to give hundreds of poverty-stricken and terminally ill Americans, along with wounded men and women in uniform, an inauguration experience that won't cost them anything.
Stafford's event is one of the splashiest inauguration packages out there. It includes high-end hotel rooms and luxury suites, food and drinks, a heated viewing spot right above the parade route, even gowns and tuxedos to wear to celebratory balls and a beautician to help attendees get ready.
Hours after the election, Stafford, a 60-year-old businessman and son of a Baptist minister, invested in what the JW Marriott billed as its $1 million "build-your-own-ball" inaugural hotel package.
His family's nonprofit foundation, the Stafford Foundation, is footing the bill for what it is calling the People's Inaugural Project, but it is also hoping to get money from sponsors.
Stafford said Thursday that he hopes the balcony terrace is filled "with those who are disadvantaged, those who are distressed, mingling with those who aren't so. And we hope to see on their faces a sense of excitement."
"I was inspired to do this by the Lord. ... It's not about us but about us helping other people," he said.
At least third of the tickets to the event will go toward people who are needy or underprivileged, and the rest of those participating could be people from sponsoring foundations, companies or volunteers.
Everything, he said, will be taken care of: transportation, evening gowns and tuxedos for the ball.
He hopes that providing a front row seat to history will inspire those invited to do good things in their communities.
Stafford said he began thinking about the project in March. He voted for Barack Obama, and records show he contributed $4,600 to the Democrat's campaign, according to the Post.
Stafford, a retired Air Force officer, noted that he does not agree with all of Obama's positions. But, he told the paper, he decided the inauguration would be "a transition in history, if you will ... and everyone should be included."
Here is the article that appeared in CNN regarding Earl Stafford and his 1 million dollar donation. How amazing is he? One day I will be able to do the same thing.
Until then, tomorrow I will feed 800 families and I will be excited about it.
Source CNN:
Virginia businessman Earl Stafford has spent $1 million to give hundreds of poverty-stricken and terminally ill Americans, along with wounded men and women in uniform, an inauguration experience that won't cost them anything.
Stafford's event is one of the splashiest inauguration packages out there. It includes high-end hotel rooms and luxury suites, food and drinks, a heated viewing spot right above the parade route, even gowns and tuxedos to wear to celebratory balls and a beautician to help attendees get ready.
Hours after the election, Stafford, a 60-year-old businessman and son of a Baptist minister, invested in what the JW Marriott billed as its $1 million "build-your-own-ball" inaugural hotel package.
His family's nonprofit foundation, the Stafford Foundation, is footing the bill for what it is calling the People's Inaugural Project, but it is also hoping to get money from sponsors.
Stafford said Thursday that he hopes the balcony terrace is filled "with those who are disadvantaged, those who are distressed, mingling with those who aren't so. And we hope to see on their faces a sense of excitement."
"I was inspired to do this by the Lord. ... It's not about us but about us helping other people," he said.
At least third of the tickets to the event will go toward people who are needy or underprivileged, and the rest of those participating could be people from sponsoring foundations, companies or volunteers.
Everything, he said, will be taken care of: transportation, evening gowns and tuxedos for the ball.
He hopes that providing a front row seat to history will inspire those invited to do good things in their communities.
Stafford said he began thinking about the project in March. He voted for Barack Obama, and records show he contributed $4,600 to the Democrat's campaign, according to the Post.
Stafford, a retired Air Force officer, noted that he does not agree with all of Obama's positions. But, he told the paper, he decided the inauguration would be "a transition in history, if you will ... and everyone should be included."
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Making a Living thru Giving - What if
I read the quote "Making a Living thru Giving" on an email that I received from Tish today. I loved it so much I thought I would use it too.
Don't you love this season? Everywhere I go I see happy people smiling, opening doors and I hear laughter in the air. I stopped and begin to imagine the what if's. Today I appeared on Good Morning Texas and after that I was the keynote speaker at the annual Allen Chamber W.I.S.E womens expo.
What if I had never met Gary Cogill. What if he would not have asked me to audition for GMT? Where would I be today?
What if I had never met a beautiful lady named Lauri at Viewpoint Bank, what if she had not told Anne at the chamber my name? I am sure that I wouldn't have had the opportunity to meet the most powerful entrepenuers in Allen, Texas today.
Life is full of what if's. Your life depends on the what if's that you will do today.
My webmaster is one of the smartest men that I know. I met him because he lost his job and I offered him a hand up by giving him food from our pantry. After he got back on his feet, he called me and offered me his services. Do you like my website? What I like is that he didn't forget the person that helped him, I had no idea of his talents.
Some people watch it happen. some people ask what happened, and some people Make it Happen- which one are you? What would you receive if you received everything that you have given. The photo you see are from Generous strangers that appeared at our pantry and gave us food to help feed the hungry. What if your photo was here
When you learn, teach- When you get, GIVE.
Don't let giving be a season. Let it happen everyday!
Action Jackson
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
YES WE CAN! Cheryl Jackson interviewed by Megan K. Scott Read the article below
Over the last year we heard millions of people repeat the chant that President elect Barack Obama said in every state "Yes We Can"! The chant was echoed in every state in the country.
As President of Minnie's Food Pantry, I am pleased to announce our new campaign. YES we CAN ( with cans of corn, meat, and fruit) end hunger in our country. It begins with each one of us. I challenge you to find a food bank in your community and donate at least one CAN of non-perishable food to their shelves. The need is great but together we CAN and will make a difference.
Please read the article by Megan Scott and in the words of Mother Teresa " If you can't feed 100 people, then feed just one." I'm smiling in the photo because Frito Lay and it's employees donated food to put on the shelves of Minnie's Pantry behind me. That means I can make it one more month! 
Food banks brace for a long winter - MSNBC Wire Services- msnbc.com
Thursday, November 13, 2008
You get what you give! Thanks Frito Lay 23 baskets and all systems GO
I'm not sure where to begin this story. It started a few days ago when Laura called me to ask about Minnie's Food Pantry and if we needed help. I pictured the empty shelves at the pantry and I said YES! I HAD NO IDEA what would happen today.
The Frito Lay team came to the Pantry and where do I begin? They embraced my vision as though they had started the Giving Movement. They immediately broke into teams. You can't imagine what it felt like to have 25 of the most skilled, educated people in your organization offering help and advice. It was incredible.
Moments that I remember:
The F250 truck that tiny Heather had to park as she pulled up smiling and the team anxiously awaiting her arrival.
The hugs that I received from all of the muscle bound men of Frito Lay (smile)and how they didn't mind picking up and emptying boxes after boxes.
Laura- telling me to breathe -- don'tdo the ugly cry she said- just breathe and enjoy the moment (I will upload pictures later so you can determine if I was successful)
Pam- taking the bull by the horns and organizing teams that put together the thanksgiving dinners that we will be serving this Saturday at 1:00 and how her team came together and acheived every task that I sat before them ( AMAZING)
Annette- who kept pinching me to make sure I wasn't dreaming and for giving me a reason to want to do even more
Wyn- How ironic that a young student who thought of how to protect the integrity of our program was actually a Frito Lay employees son ( how proud he must be of him)
Gosh Suzanne- who is coming back to the pantry Saturday and is bringing teddy bears for all the children that we will serve - I AM SOOO PUMPED
I am also sleepy really I am sleep typing FYI--You know you are spending alot of money in the grocery store when they take your shoes and put them on top of the soda machine so you don't forget them.
What we do matters- and today Frito Lay ( Pam's team) Did something that will matter to over 5,000 people.
The Giving Movement -- Let's live it and breathe it
I will upload photos and video tomorrow I promise.
The Frito Lay team came to the Pantry and where do I begin? They embraced my vision as though they had started the Giving Movement. They immediately broke into teams. You can't imagine what it felt like to have 25 of the most skilled, educated people in your organization offering help and advice. It was incredible.
Moments that I remember:
The F250 truck that tiny Heather had to park as she pulled up smiling and the team anxiously awaiting her arrival.
The hugs that I received from all of the muscle bound men of Frito Lay (smile)and how they didn't mind picking up and emptying boxes after boxes.
Laura- telling me to breathe -- don'tdo the ugly cry she said- just breathe and enjoy the moment (I will upload pictures later so you can determine if I was successful)
Pam- taking the bull by the horns and organizing teams that put together the thanksgiving dinners that we will be serving this Saturday at 1:00 and how her team came together and acheived every task that I sat before them ( AMAZING)
Annette- who kept pinching me to make sure I wasn't dreaming and for giving me a reason to want to do even more
Wyn- How ironic that a young student who thought of how to protect the integrity of our program was actually a Frito Lay employees son ( how proud he must be of him)
Gosh Suzanne- who is coming back to the pantry Saturday and is bringing teddy bears for all the children that we will serve - I AM SOOO PUMPED
I am also sleepy really I am sleep typing FYI--You know you are spending alot of money in the grocery store when they take your shoes and put them on top of the soda machine so you don't forget them.
What we do matters- and today Frito Lay ( Pam's team) Did something that will matter to over 5,000 people.
The Giving Movement -- Let's live it and breathe it
I will upload photos and video tomorrow I promise.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Dallas Rocks with Russell Simmons Charity Gala
This weekend was incredible! I had the opportunit to interview Stars that shine right in Dallas Texas. Not because they are on Dancing with the Stars but because they give and make peoples eyes light up. The one and only Russell Simmons brought Dallas Rocks to our city and the red carpet was filled with people to honor the one and only Magic Johnson for his life of philanthropy.
Emmitt and Pat Smith were the co-chairs and Pat Smith was radiant as ever. Ray Crockett and his wife also chaired the event. I never dreamed I would be sitting at the table with the most prominent stars in the world, but I was there. I read something by Pat Reinke that sums up the evening and I want to share it with you its called BOLDY BE-
Whatever it is in you to be, whatever you love is your fire.
Ignite it, Trust it; it is a gift born of your spirit.
Be it in words, dance, colors, or a song...
Have ABSOLUTE faith in what you have been given; chase it, no matter how elusive;
Be it...however challenging; PURSUE it without pause;
seek to .... BOLDLY BE watever is in your heart to BE.
I have always wanted to be a philanthropist and a reporter. I have no college education but I have a heart and a spirit to connect with people. Friday night, I decided to be a reporter and I was. I had the opportunity to look into the eyes of the worlds idea of a superstar and I experienced what it must BE like to donate millions of dollars to charities. One day, very soon, I will BE one of those kinds of philanthropist.
I challenge you today to BE what others believe you can not become.
Cheryl "Action" Jackson
Emmitt and Pat Smith were the co-chairs and Pat Smith was radiant as ever. Ray Crockett and his wife also chaired the event. I never dreamed I would be sitting at the table with the most prominent stars in the world, but I was there. I read something by Pat Reinke that sums up the evening and I want to share it with you its called BOLDY BE-
Whatever it is in you to be, whatever you love is your fire.
Ignite it, Trust it; it is a gift born of your spirit.
Be it in words, dance, colors, or a song...
Have ABSOLUTE faith in what you have been given; chase it, no matter how elusive;
Be it...however challenging; PURSUE it without pause;
seek to .... BOLDLY BE watever is in your heart to BE.
I have always wanted to be a philanthropist and a reporter. I have no college education but I have a heart and a spirit to connect with people. Friday night, I decided to be a reporter and I was. I had the opportunity to look into the eyes of the worlds idea of a superstar and I experienced what it must BE like to donate millions of dollars to charities. One day, very soon, I will BE one of those kinds of philanthropist.
I challenge you today to BE what others believe you can not become.
Cheryl "Action" Jackson
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