Hi, my name is Tom Bice. In October 2013 on a trip to the Philippines to conduct a leadership conference, something happened, something so profound that it changed my life. A few days before I was scheduled to leave, a new friend asked me to go with him to an area of the city that was very poverty stricken. I'll admit, I was tired, having spoken five times in a week and I was almost ready to pack up and go to the airport. I really wanted to just rest for a couple of more days and enjoy the tropical climate and the slow paced days, as I knew when I got back to the United States that my days would be back to the hustle and bustle of work, phone calls and meetings.
My friend had been very gracious to me, so I consented to go not really knowing what I was going to see. We arrived unannounced and as we got out of the car, I couldn't believe my eyes. I was almost shocked. My friend looked at me and said, “Tom, the reason I brought you here was to show you that these people are being neglected by society. No one really cares about them. They don't have the skills needed to get good jobs and many are women and children just living their lives in despair, not knowing how they will eat from day to day.”
As we walked into the area where they lived, my friend showed me the only running water that they had coming from a pipe that ran freely into a canal. I was silent, not knowing what to say. My heart was broken for them. I had never seen anything like this. I had heard about it on the world news on TV, but until you see something like I was witnessing first hand in person, your mind is numb to the living conditions of other people in third world countries.
As we walked around, my friend introduced me to several adults and a dozen or so children all with smiles on their faces. They were happy to see us. We talked with them for a few minutes as they shared their stories with us. They wanted to work and wanted to support their families. They wanted to have a better life for their children.
I made a decision right then and there that I would do something that would have an impact on their lives, and in the lives of other people in the Philippines. I vowed to go back and partner with churches and businesses to feed the poor, and to teach them new skills so they will be able to get jobs and support their families. I have been taught that you can give a man a fish and feed him for a meal, or you can teach him to fish and he will feed himself for a lifetime.
This is where I need your help. I will be going back on July 9 to help these children and their families. By doing this one thing you will help change lives. What is that one thing? You can help by giving your best gift to help change the life of a child, a family, and a community. You can make a difference in the world. You can help change the life of someone.
I want to ask you to give your best gift now. I need your help. These families need your help. These are real people just like you and I who were left alone with no one to care for them. I care for them and I know that you care for them, too. Please don't delay. Give your best gift now.
Can you give $10, $20, $50 or even $1,000? Your very best gift of any amount will go towards helping feed children and their families, as well as will help teach them new skills to either get a job, or to learn how to start a business so they can earn an income to feed their families. Please give your best gift today.