- My proposal idea is based on the program that I have been running at my school for approximately seven years. It is called ‘Berean Blessings’
It is a very simple ministry and teaches students to think about others on a weekly basis as well as blessing their community.
Throughout the school year, the students tell their teacher about people in their lives that need help. It might be a medical need or a family who has lost somebody or a house fire or anything really.
I keep a list of nominations and each Monday I announce the nomination to the school.
On Fridays, we do a collection and most all the kids bring in one dollar or whatever they would like to donate. We are a fairly small school so we raise about $500 each week.
The student that nominated the chosen blessing gets to go give the check or gift basket or whatever the need was, to the family the following week. Their friends get to go with them also.
It is so precious.
The students will remember this for the rest of their life as well. The people who were blessed will also.
It has been so successful that I encouraged my church , Compassion Church, to do this also, and so once a month, we do a collection for somebody in the community. We called that ministry ‘Compassion Cares.’
My vision is that every school and church in the nation would be encouraged to consider this ministry.
It is so very simple. It just needs one person to coordinate the nominations and the collection, and everybody brings in a small amount which adds up quickly.
I believe an idea like this could change the hearts of our nation 
When you do an event, it can be forgotten about, but if you do a kindness on a weekly basis, then it has a lasting impact.
I understand that this is not necessarily a policy, but simply a leadership idea. If this idea was announced nationwide, there would be so many that would run with it.
Here are a couple of pictures of blessings that we have done.
The first one was the biggest one we have ever done. It was for our former student, Ryan Knauss. He was one of the 13 left in Afghanistan. That Friday we raised $8500. We have a memory bench and flag and created a scholarship fund for those going into the military out of the donations.
My son is in the picture below. He is so taken by this program that for his birthday for the last three years, he has asked to go downtown Knoxville and be given money for his friends to bless strangers. This is a picture of a waitress who he gave $75 to as a tip for giving him a glass of water.
This is our Tshirt that we wear and give to those we are blessing…
- My second idea would be an annual nationwide event.
It would be called ’Free Day.’
This would be a day where people put items at the end of their driveway that they are willing to donate or want to get rid of.
Those in need would have the opportunity to drive around the town and pick up what they need to either survive or flourish.
I understand that there would be those who take advantage of an idea like this but I don’t believe it’s worth ignoring an idea that could bless so many.
This idea would also give the people the opportunity to get rid of the things that they do not want and also an annual chance for them to see how blessed they are.
Another simple idea that could change hearts.
If you want a country to change, then the heart should be the focus.
Thank you for considering!
“All People will know that you are my followers, if you love one another”
“ It is better to give than receive “