A story in the news last month broke my heart.  A little 10-year-old girl riding her bike to school was run over by a school bus.

Her helmet saved her head and neck but because of the lack of blood flow to her spinal cord, she will most likely never walk again.

Two of her school friends decided to do something to help her.  To turn their sadness into action and make a difference.  Along with their moms, they organized a raffle and bake sale. They found a venue at a local store and started planning.

When I heard about the event through a fellow dance mom who is part of that school community, I donated a necklace and bought some raffle tickets.  A few days later I was at my hair salon and I mentioned the story.  The girl doing my colour said she would donate a gift certificate for a service. The lady sitting beside me at the salon, who was a stranger before I started telling the story, said she imports furniture and would donate two leather chairs.  By the time I picked up the chairs, she had mentioned the story where she was having lunch and the restaurant owner gave her a gift certificate for the raffle as well.  A grocery store where I often shop also donated a basket to the cause.

Strangers rallied.  Friends organized.  People donated.  Cookies were baked.  Tickets were bought.

And at the end of the day, $18,000 was raised for little Rosie.

There are so many good people out there.  Every single person can make a difference in this world.

As Helen Keller once said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”

There is no greater gift we can give this season than the gift of ourselves.

We are sending you positive thoughts Rosie.  Be brave and remember that anything is possible.