Everyday PR

Following a recent fundraising dinner in which several people were recognized for their contributions to the cause, a colleague remarked that he would never be honored for anything because he had never done anything.  Well, gee, who’s the best person to change that?

The children of Straseni Orphanage in Moldova.

I just returned from a mission trip to help orphans in Moldova, a tiny Eastern European country best known for human trafficking. The decision to go wasn’t easy.  I would be out of pocket for a week; the cost of a trip halfway around the world isn’t cheap; and I don’t even have children so how could I possibly help kids who didn’t speak English?

Several things fell into place that made the decision to go an easy one.  Among them were trip sponsors, the availability of translators, and sound advice to make sure I wouldn’t kick myself later for not going.

There aren’t many things I’d kick myself over. I could live the rest of my life without ever experiencing a jail cell or an onion-eating contest.  But do NOT make me miss an SEC football game or homemade ice cream.

I wasn’t going to miss out on the trip to Moldova either.  I wanted to do something, to make some kind of difference.  Now that I’m back, I don’t know if I’m a better person or if I had a positive affect on a child.  But I do know the children made a meaningful difference in me.  I’m so glad I’m not kicking myself.