...about the creator...

Hello friends... my name is Matt, the mastermind behind this whole idea of ...defying the odds...

I know that deep down everyone has a desire to "do something bigger." And I as well, want to leave a legacy of hope and help. We don't have to "save Africa", or feed the entire homeless population by ourselves! I wanted to create a way for GenY, or X to network with each other in order to accomplish their goals of helping others. Every act of kindness doesn't go unseen. It could be as easy as holding a door for an elderly lady, or gentlemen, opening the car door for your friend.

A little about me... I'm a student at Lindenwood University who is currently studying in the Communication program. I currently work at St Charles River Church in their music department. But you see, this idea, this blog, its not about me! Its about what WE can be, what WE can do together to help others.

Comment. Tell me about yourself and what you can offer to help others. For some, it'll be as simple as holding a door for someone in a hurry, for others like myself, maybe you own a business and can offer your assistance if someone is in need of that...

For example, comment like this...

Your Name: Matt Swaringim

Your Job: IHS Properties, LLC

Location: O' Fallon, MO

Network: Lindenwood, University

Contact: Visit my personal Blog!

Other: " In the these hectic times, the simplicity of a simple act is timeless."

NOW ITS YOUR TURN!! COMMENT!

YOU ...defying the odds...

These posts are for you to network with each other and possibly get the help you need this holiday season! Leave a comment of things you're in need of this year. Or if you can help, leave a comment of things you can do or contact the others who left comments that you can assist in helping... don't be shy, "...defy the odds..."

Story of the Week!

This weeks story comes to us from Wentzville, Missouri. The Hope Ministries, at First Baptist Church Wentzville, has an annual Secret Santa. This year was no different!! The story goes a little something like this....

One of the ladies on the "help needed" list asked for nothing more than some clothes for her son. The family who had the opportunity to help wanted to go above and beyond. They knew that the lady was in need of more than just clothes. Her car was in need of some dire attention. All four tires needed to be replaced, new break pads needed to be installed, and the heater was broken. The family wanted so badly to fix the car for her, but it was a bit out of budget. They visited the local tire shop and the manager heard their story and wanted to help himself. He offered to give the tires at cost and labor for free! Needless to say, the family had the opportunity to get all four tires for the car. Others who heard, collected enough to pay for brake pads, and the owner of the shop picked up the tab on fixing the heater.

What a story! Comment about what ya think! Get out there and ...defy the odds...

We re on Facebook!

O.k.! With the technology we have access to, why not use it!! There has been a group on Facebook created for us, GenY, to network together and spread the word of ...defying the odds... What are you waiting for?? Go join the group. And while your at it please put a link to this blog in your status bar... for a couple days, please! The more followers, the bigger our networking connections become, and the faster and more efficientlythe word can spread... join the group and join the party!

Ideas to be considering...

Hey friends, so with ...defying the odds... comes opportunities for us to join together and perform service projects in our community. Not only as a way of beautification for our community, but for an outlet to get the name out in the open in hopes that the desire and drive to help others would spread like wild fire.

This post is simply us asking you "what do you feel needs to be done in our "Community?" Comment! Tell us what it is that you feel needs to be done....here's your shot to begin to make a difference. It all starts with you making the first step, and others will follow....

the goal::

Our number one goal is for those who need a helping hand to get the help they need. This blog is just a networking source for that to happen....but we set other goals too, fun ones...

the goal for december::

1000 followers to this blog by Jan 1st! Can you do it?? of course you can...

- share with your friends the idea and join the following of others who want to help...

the idea::

So here it is, a blog to expose the good in people, and the needs in other. This blog is dedicated to showing you, weekly, a story about someone in the area who had a need that was met by someone else. Whether it was someone paying a families mortgage for the month so that the family could buy gifts for their children for the holidays, or just a guy opening a door for someone in a hurry. Here's your job!

- Tell US! Tell us if someone's done something for you and your so grateful you want to get the story out for all to know so they can, pass it forward...

- Tell US! Tell us if your someone in need of something, maybe you need new tires on your vehicle and you just can't afford it.

-- Weekly we will feature a story from the week before. Telling you the story of what others are doing for others --

Check out the other post to get the idea of how things will progress! Weekly I'll feature a story that you can see and comment on.

But the best part...!!

The post right after will be open for those who 'need' to post what they need most. They'll be available to read, if you can meet that need, you can choose to contact that person and maybe your good deed will be featured here!!

Go out and good luck! So many are in need, if we can slow down enough to open a door for someone, or pay for the car behind you in the fast food line... the world can be a better place. It starts with you. Don't sit back and wait for someone to start the trend, ...defy the odds..., show this hectic world that the simplicity in a good deed can change the world! Go! Get at it...