I have shared some exciting things with all of you over the past year as a Sharing the Savings Sam’s Club blogger. I have had a great time with all of the campaigns, but this latest one has topped it all I think.
I love giving back and I am so excited that Sam’s Club gives back so generously as well. Sam’s Club is partnering up with Off the Field professional football players? wives association to host the 4th annual Dream Drive this year.
“Sam’s Club and Off the Field professional football players? wives association will host the Fourth Annual Dream Drive for The Salvation Army and its Adopt-a-Family program. Through this program, 10 pre-selected families in 10 cities across the country will receive $1,000 worth of food and holiday gifts, including clothes, personal items, electronics and toys from Sam’s Club.“
This years Dream Drive will take place December 16th in select Sam’s Clubs locations in the following areas.
- Baltimore
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Dallas
- Houston
- Miami
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- San Fransisco/Oakland
- Washington DC
Some of the shoppers this year from Off the Field include Roxi McNabb in Washington, D.C., Dottie Palmer in Cincinnati, Denise Clark in Chicago and Kimberly Alexander in Dallas.
I am so excited about this program and even more excited to help spread the word about it! You never know how much you can really help a person. This time of year is especially hard if you don’t have much money, especially if you have kids. They could be making their Christmas wish lists and you’d be sitting there watching, wishing you could give them even one thing on their list.
That is what’s so wonderful about this program, because 100 families that wouldn’t be able to afford a Christmas will have all of their dreams come true. Sam’s Club, Off the Field and The Salvation Army will be making dreams come true for 100 families this Christmas season, and that is absolutely amazing!
One of the bloggers, Brandi from Not So Average Mama will actually be on site attending the event and following the NFL wives during their shopping experience! How exciting!
I may not be going on site, but I did get to sit in on an interview with some of the wives including Romonda Jordan from Houston, Ericka Lassiter from Phoenix and Tammi Trotter from Philadelphia. Here’s some Q&A from that phone call!
Kim from What’s That Smell asked:
How were the 10 families selected? Did the NFL Wives participate in selecting them?Kristy Reed from Sam’s Club answered: The Salvation Army chose 10 families in 10 cities through the Adopt a Family program that they thought would benefit most from $1000. Sam’s Club is donating $100,000 all together.
The NFL wives had nothing to do with the selection process and have never actually “met” the family they helped shop for. They just get basic information like gender and age for each family and what their needs are. They want to help keep the privacy of the donors and families, so it is all kept confidential.I asked:
How does helping out with this drive make you feel?One of the NFL wives {I forget which one} answered this. She said “I can’t even describe. To see a smile on someone’s face and knowing that I helped makes me feel great.” She said something about her children being active in community service and by her doing this is gives her an opportunity to teach her children that community service isn’t a chore, it’s something that they enjoy to do.
I just think this is such a wonderful cause and I would absolutely love to see the smile on the faces of the families that are going to get all of these wonderful Christmas gifts. Christmas really is the time of year for giving, and so many people forget that. We as people need to try to reflect more on what we can do to help others that are in need, not just around the holidays, but always.
The Salvation Army red kettles and bell ringers will be outside Walmart and Salvation Army store fronts nationwide between November 26th and December 24th.
I’d like to encourage all of you to Pay It Forward this year and post your own personal experience with giving, whether you helped someone or they helped you, through Facebook and Twitter. You can connect with Sam’s Club on Facebook and Twitter.
There really are so many ways that you can give back, even if you think you don’t have a lot to give. every little bit helps and you don’t just have to give money to help someone. Just do something nice for someone like shoveling snow for your elderly neighbor, spend time with someone who’s lonely or donate your time to a soup kitchen. These are just some suggestions, but I’m sure you can come up with even more if you put your mind to it!
Sam’s Club compensated me for my participation in this campaign. Opinions expressed are my own or my families and are not influenced by any form of compensation. Take it or leave it. Click here to view my full acknowledgment policy
