LET's STOMP AND SHAKE

"I alone cannot change the world, but i can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples"Mother Teresa.

Ms. Holliday, the Grades 6-8 teacher at Yellowstone College Preparatory Charter School, in Houston, Texas, made a pitch for high top sneakers for the cheerleading squad. She stated that these shoes are specifically designed for performance, safety and comfort during practices and will allow the athletes to jump, tumble and dance with confidence, while protecting their feet and ankles, She desperately needs the shoes for the cheerleaders who are wearing worn out, mismatched and ill-fitted shoes.

Donors Choose(donors choose.org)is a trusted classroom funding site for teachers, that makes it for the public to sponsor a public school classroom nationwide and provide much needed resources.

Choose To Care(choosetocaresite.org) is our nonprofit that provides a brand new pair of shoes for children in need. We are eager and excited to help this caring teacher and her deserving students. We certainly promote safety and try to build confidence among students and hopefully bring joy and pride to the entire school community as they stomp and shake.

Our deepest gratitude to our supporters who have always recognized the importance of giving a chance to every student in every community, so that they can obtain the tools to set them up for success.

Wishing everyone a holiday season filled with joy, peace and love.

A FRESH START

 "If what must be given is given willingly the kindness is given"Publilius Synis Maxims

It's September already and a new school year has started, with great anticipation from students, parents and teachers alike. We at Choose To Care(CTC),(choosetocaresite.org) are eager to give a helping hand, as we do every month. Donors Choose(donorschoose.org), a trusted organization allows public school teachers to create a classroom project for their students in need and submit their requests for resources. Anyone can help by giving any amount they wish to donate.

We are on our way to North Clayton Middle School, in College Park,Georgia. The very compassionate Coach Hills is awaiting a delivery for his grades 6-8 students. He described his scholars as eager to participate in their various extracurricular activities but lack the necessary athletic shoes. He said that they deserved to participate in these valuable experiences the promote teamwork, discipline and personal growth, wearing proper footwear.

We agree wholeheartedly and are glad to give them the chance to be decked out in their new shoes.

The environment is also on the minds of the Choose To Care team. We really want to keep this earth as intact as possible and thriving for everyone to enjoy.

Thanks to our supporters who believe in our efforts.

Much Love.

ENERGIZED AND PERSISTENT

"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us" J.R.R Tolkien

It is August and the sun has been harsh, in my part of the world. This has not stopped CHOOSE TO CARE(CTC)from getting on the road to fulfill their mission of providing a brand new pair of shoes for the children in need.

We heard the call from the very sincere teacher, Ms. LeDoux, who wanted her Grades 9-12 students at Burkeville Junior Senior High School, Burkeville, Texas, to participate in cheerleading without the heavy burden of the cost of this activity. She requested shoes because she thinks they deserve a new pair. This loving and committed teacher did her research and found an affordable pair on Amazon, she said.

Through Donors Choose(donorschoose.org), which is a classroom funding site for teachers, she was able to make this request for her students. We applaud Ms. LeDoux for investing in the lives of these precious children.

CTC strives to end poverty, one pair of shoes at a time and make every attempt to create lasting change in the children's lives. Thank you donors for contributing to our mission. You have truly helped us to give care, love and hope to these students.

CTC also uses its platform to advocate for Mother Earth. Each of us is responsible to keep this place we call home in good shape and give a helping hand in its preservation, no matter how small.

You Have Been A Blessing!

WE ARE ON OUR WAY

Choose To Care(CTC) loves to put a brand new pair of shoes on the feet of children and young adults in need, satisfying the organization's mission. For years CTC has answered the call of public school teachers, through Donors Choose organization(donors choose.org). Donors Choose is a very trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

The organization allows public school teachers to request resources for the students in their classrooms. This month we traveled to Appleton, WI. We visited the Kaledscope Academy, where we met Mr. Gibson. This teacher teaches Grades 6-8 described the situation many of the students are facing. He stated that some of the students show up to class with holes in their shoes and wearing slides during the winter months, which they also use of physical education because they cannot afford anything else. This kind teacher wants his students participation a safe way, with safe shoes. He also wants to erase the embarrassment these students experience.

We at CTC are very happy to fulfill Mr. Gibson's request and we are sure we have put a smile on their faces. This pair of shoes we hope will develop their confidence and have them arriving at school with their heads held high and ready to learn. This pair of shoes is designed to take them on a journey to find and embrace opportunities.

CTC also uses its platform to bring attention to the importance of caring for Mother Earth. It is our responsibility to do our part, no matter how small, to protect the planet we call home.

Thanks to all our supporters for believing in our mission.

Peace And Love

TAP AWAY AT LIFE'S JOYFUL MOMENTS

"Divide each difficulty into as many parts as is feasible and necessary to resolve it" Rene Descartes

It's not that I didn't know it was coming but May seems to just creep up on me. Choose To Care(CTC), the nonprofit, that provides a brand new pair of shoes for children in need, was almost caught off guard. Each month the organization travels to a different State to deliver much needed supplies to a public school of choice.

Through Donors Choose(donors choose.org), a trusted classroom funding site, teachers are given the opportunity to submit projects, requesting basic supplies, nationwide, for their students. Anyone has a chance to support a classroom of their choice also. We are heading to Los Angeles, California, to the Loyola Village Elementary School, where the Grades 3-5 teacher, Mrs O'Quinn, teaches.

She has dubbed her project:The Love Tap Club. She stated that she would like to create a lunch time tap club but only one student has her own tap shoes. This passionate teacher is pleading for proper shoes because the students are now practicing in tennis shoes.

CTC will happily fill that gap and assist these talented and eager to learn children, as their very supportive teacher described them.

As usual CTC is making a plea to all our supporters to keep Mother Earth green, Go discover for yourself what moves you and let's  do our part, no matter how small, to keep the environment as healthy as possible.

With deep Gratitude

GOING THE DISTANCE

 "My heart leaps up when I behold a rainbow in the sky" William Wordsworth

Choose To Care(CTC), the nonprofit was founded in 2008 with the mission to provide a brand new pair of shoes for the child in need.

Donors Choose(donors choose.org) is the organization that allows public teachers nationwide to apply for resources for their classroom. Anyone can contribute to this worthy cause.

The month of April found us heading to Oklahoma City. We responded to the PreK-2 teacher, Ms. Torres, from the Mark Twain Elementary School, who requested tennis shoes for her students. She described them as economically disadvantaged and are dependent on the community to provide them with essentials such as clothes and shoes during the school year.

CTC did not hesitate to answer the very kind and caring teacher. We know that this delivery would put a smile on their faces. We also believe that each child should have the resources they need to further their education. A good fitting pair of shoes can build confidence, while protecting the feet of the young children. Shoes that are worn out or do not fit correctly, could put them at risk for injuries, such as, blisters, calluses, and increased strain on their feet.

Of course, you the supporters have helped us to achieve our goals and we are filled with gratitude.

We also lean on you, to help us keep Mother Earth healthy. CTC uses its platform to promote the well-being of our environment and each of us is responsible to do our part, no matter how small, to save this planet.

Peace And Love

AN ABUNDANCE OF JOY

"What we know is a drop. What we don't know is an ocean" - Isaac

I have said it out loud so many times that I am passionate about protecting the feet of the children with proper fitting shoes. We do this work through Choose To Care(CTC)(choostocaresite.org). This is a nonprofit that I founded in 2008. CTC's mission is to provide a brand new pair of shoes for the children in need, globally. However this is about more than shoes. We aim to improve the students lives, one pair of shoes at a time.

Each month CTC sponsors a public school teacher's classroom, nationwide, connecting with

Donors Choose(donors choose.org). This organization is a trusted teachers' sponsored nonprofit that makes it easy for anyone to assist a teacher who has presented a project requesting resources for the students, enabling them to have a chance to attain a great education.

For the month of March we are traveling with an abundance of joy to Weller Elementary School, Fairbanks, Alaska. Their very dedicated teacher, Ms. Janega, has requested, as the title of her project has stated:PE Shoes For Everyone! CTC is very happy to deliver.

We also use this platform to ask our supporters to adopt a planet friendly behavior. It's important to work every day to reduce our environmental footprint. It doesn't matter how small our contribution is. Thanks for joining toward a better planet.

We appreciate you dearly for your support of our efforts and mission.

PEACE AND LOVE

STEPPING CONFIDENTLY

"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Let the journey begin! CHOOSE TO CARE(CTC), the nonprofit founded in 2008 with a mission to provide a brand new pair of shoes for the child and young adult in need, globally.

Donors Choose is a trusted teachers' sponsored nonprofit that makes it easy for anyone to help a teacher in need to enable students in every community to have the resources they need for a great education. 

Each month CTC finds a public school nationwide to assist with their needs. For the month of February we are traveling to Harvest Best Academy, located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. We have chosen the grades 3-5 classroom of Ms. Matthews. She wrote this about her students:"Wrestling teaches discipline and accountability within our students"  "Wrestling helps students have leadership within their own lives."

CTC would like to see these deserving students stepping confidently to find their space in this beautiful and sometimes harsh world of ours. We hope to improve the students lives, one pair of shoes at a time. These students that are gifted with a brand new pair of shoes will have the opportunity to travel to other schools and get a chance to compete. 

CTC also uses this chance to ask our supporters to care for Mother Earth. We are reaching out with a plea for you to adopt a friendly behavior towards the earth.

Thanks for joining our mission.

PEACE AND LOVE!

CREATING WHAT I DREAM OF

"Earth has no sorrow that Earth cannot heal" John Muir

January came around and we are all enjoying the festivities but Choose To Care(CTC) has an errand to run. CTC is a nonprofit that provides a brand new pair of shoes for children and young adults in need. Each month we visit Donors Choose website. This is a teacher-founded nonprofit that allows public school teachers nationwide, to request resources for their classrooms.

This month CTC is visiting Bronx High School for Medical Science, located in the Bronx, New York. Ms Mieses, the Grades 6-8 teacher presented the SHOES 4 BOWLERS initiative. She asked for high-quality bowling shoes for for her students, whom she said deserved to have the opportunity to enjoy the sport of bowling regardless of their financial situation.

We at CTC agreed and it was our honor to sponsor her classroom so that the students can participate in physical activities, encouraging a healthy lifestyle and social interaction. 

CTC is also passionate about saving the environment. We are appealing to everyone to do their part, no matter how small to protect Mother Earth.

A deeply appreciated thank you to our supporters for helping us to reach our monthly goal of sponsoring a public teacher's project. We hope you will come along as we continue to create what we dream of, that is making this a better world.

PEACE AND LOVE

SERVING UP JOY

This is a month of festivities and so the CHOOSE TO CARE(CTC) Team is in an extra cheerful mood to deliver athletic shoes for some deserving students.

CTC(choosetocaresite.org) is a nonprofit organization that provides a brand new pair of shoes for children in need, globally. Each month we sponsor a public school classroom project through DONORS CHOOSE(donors choose.org)

Donors Choose is a trusted classroom funding site for teachers in public schools nationwide. Mr. Thackeray, the teacher for Grades 6-8 students at Granite Park Junior High School, Salt Lake City, Utah, was passionate about looking out for his students. He stated that most of them are not in a position to purchase quality shoes for their practices and games, where they excel on the court and on the field. He wrote about a student wearing shoes that is too small and has torn-up soles that offer little or no protection for the feet or against the winter weather.

We at CTC are just as passionate about keeping Mother Earth green and hope you will join us to do whatever you can to boost this effort.

Thanks to our supporters for helping us to make a difference in the lives of so many children in need.

HAPPY  HOLIDAYS

PEACE AND JOY

Come Aboard With Us On The Kindness Train

 "The moon stays bright when it doesn't avoid the night" - Rumi

A lot is going on in the world. Each day we are served up a load of news, that is hardly ever pleasant. But even in the craziest of times, the Choose To Care (CTC) team remains focused on our goal. CTC is a nonprofit that was founded in 2008 with a mission to provide a brand new pair of shoes for the child and young adult in need. 

Each month, through Donors choose(donorschoose.org), a nonprofit that provides resources for public school teachers, nationwide, we honor a teacher's request for her project. For the month of October, we are traveling to PS45, John There, Staten Island, NY. The very kind teacher, Mrs Midttveit, asked for help for her 3rd -5th grade students. She requested tap shoes for their tap lessons.  She is enthusiastic about bringing the art of dance to her deserving students and she feels that tap would be an engaging form of dance and a fun way to engage her students in some exercise. We are glad to deliver these tap shoes for children in need.

Despite the heavy weight of this year, these words sum up CTC and its supporters:

Kind hearts are the garden

Kind thoughts are the roots

Kind words are the blossoms

Kind deeds are the fruits

Melissa K. Sharp

We still have a favor to ask, while you are busy spreading kindness, please put in a good word about Mother Earth. Let everyone know that each of us has the responsibility to keep the planet we live on, in a healthy state.

Thanks for the incredible impact we are making together.

Peace and Love

ON THE MOVE

"The question isn't who is going to let me, it's who is going to stop me" Ayn Rand

It is the month of September and Choose To Care(CTC) is staying close to home. CTC (choosetocaresite.org) is the nonprofit that provides a brand new pair of shoes for children and young adults in need. Every month we hit the road and travel to another State to deliver supplies for a deserving teacher's and students' classroom.    Through Donors Choose (donors choose.org),

 CTC chooses a school to sponsor, each month. Donors Choose is a very trusted classroom funding site for public school teachers, nationwide. Ms. Moreland, of PS49, located at Willis Avenue, Bronx, NY; requested tap shoes for her PreK-2 students. She described her students as having boundless energy with an urge to learn new techniques. She is in awe of their commitment and she sees it as her duty to help them reach their full potential.

We agree wholeheartedly with this kind teacher who sees her students potential and CTC is eager to join and help them grow also. These deserving students will receive the tap shoes to help them fully experience the art of tap dancing.

This project I am sure will help the students develop new skills that will serve them in many areas of their lives. CTC is excited and honored to fulfill its mission and to serve this diverse group of individuals as they explore tap dancing in a meaningful and unique manner. 

CTC also uses its platform to encourage all of us to take care of Mother Earth in whatever ways we can. Thanks for all the support you have provided over the years, while strengthening your belief in CTC's mission.

Yours In High Spirits!

WE HAVE GOT YOU COVERED

 "This time like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it" Ralph Waldo

Choose To Care(CTC) has welcomed the month of August and is ready to make this trip. CTC is a nonprofit with a mission to provide a brand new pair of shoes for the children in need, globally. Each month the organization sponsors a public school through DONORS CHOOSE; a nonprofit created for public school teachers, nationwide. This organization allows any interested person to sponsor a classroom, supporting a teacher who has made a request for resources for their students in need.

Each month CTC joyfully selects a school to deliver brand new pairs of shoes, putting a smile on the faces of the teacher and students. For the month of August we are heading to Frances Polytechnic High School, Sun Valley,Ca. Their kind teacher, Mr Moore, has expressed the need for running shoes for his Grades 9-12 students, who are preparing for the LA Marathon 2025.

What an important goal to look forward to! The teacher's compassion shone through. He stated that our support for their endeavor will not only help his students reach marathon goals but also inspire them to push through the many challenges they face.Indeed, he wants the best for his students. We hear you Mr Moore and we truly believe in your journey and we eagerly contribute to you and your students marathon dreams.

CTC also uses its platform to advocate for care of Mother Earth. Each of us is responsible to do our part, no matter how small, to ensure an improved environment and halting of the constant deterioration, observed.

Thanks to the supporters of CTC. Your generosity has allowed us to carry out our mission, successfully.

Peace And Love!

DEEDS OF KINDNESS

 "Where there's hope, there's life. It fills us with fresh courage and makes us strong again"   Anne Frank

The month of July came so fast, it seems. I went scrambling to find Choose To Care's(CTC)(choosetocaresite.org) choice of public school for sponsorship. Our mission is to provide a brand new pair of shoes for children in need. An avenue by which we provide this service is through Donors Choose(donors choose.org), a nonprofit organization nationwide that allows public school teachers to present projects requesting resources for their classrooms.

This month's selection is: Reconverte Elementary School, West Virginia. The teacher, Mrs. Sara Hill, described her grades preK-2 students always in need of shoes, so she needed help to obtain new tennis shoes for the clothing closet. There are children she said who sometimes come to school in worn out or too small shoes and they may not have the right shoes for gym class. She stated that a child should not have to go without basic necessities.

We at CTC are very happy to take the journey that we know will warm our hearts, to deliver the resources for this kind and thoughtful teacher's deserving students. We certainly want them to succeed in their studies and have less worries about things they need, such as a simple pair of shoes, guaranteed to make a difference in their lives. Thanks to the supporters for helping us to be of service to those in need.

CTC also uses their platform to highlight care of the environment. We have embraced the planet earth and would like to keep it in top shape. You can do your part also to keep Mother Nature green; no matter how small that action may be.

IN SERVICE AND GRATITUDE

Every Child Deserves Shoes That Fit

 "What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?" George Elliott

The month of June was a day away when I began searching for the next school Choose To Care(CTC) would sponsor through Donors Choose(donors choose.org)

Donors Choose is a teacher-founded nonprofit that allows public school teachers, nationwide, to submit their projects to obtain resources for their classrooms. CTC whose miss is to provide a brand new pair of shoes for children in need, looks forward to this monthly trip to fulfill a public school teacher's request.

This month's request came from the Grades 3-5, very compassionate teacher, Mrs King. She teaches at PS98, Shorac Kappock, located in Inward, New York, right here at home. I was curious about the name and with a little investigation, I discovered that this school is located on a burial ground for slaves. This historical tidbit came as a surprise.

The title of this instagram post came from the title of the teacher's project and is so appropriate because it also reflects CTC's belief: Every child deserves shoes that fit" We agree that ill-fitting or worn out shoes cause discomfort. The teacher described her students as having challenges accessing  basic necessities. We at CTC, eagerly answered the call to give these deserving students the chance to participate in physical activities and increase their self esteem and overall wellbeing.

The CTC platform also celebrates the power of greenery. We live on this planet that needs environmental protection. This is everyone's issue and we can each contribute.

We trust that this month finds you in good health and high spirits.

Thanks to you our supporters for being the driving force behind CTC's mission.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT SHOES

 "Every act of love is a work peace, no matter how small" Mother Teresa

This may not be exotic travel but nevertheless each month, we at Choose To Care(CTC)(choosetocaresite.org), look forward to a new destination with gusto. We "saddle up" and prepare ourselves for the new location.

Through Donors Choose(donors choose.org), a trusted classroom funding site for teachers, CTC decides where we will land, by choosing from the number of requests shown. For the month of May, CTC traveled to Kipp Columbus School, Columbus, Ohio, where we found, Ms. Vivian, who was seeking shoes for her grades preK-2. Despite the gloom described, such as students sitting out recess because their feet are hurting from their ill-fitting shoes; and also that the children face bullying from peers when seen in shoes that are not appropriate; her plea for shoes for her students oozed warmth. They are very lucky to have such a caring teacher. She has become an ambassador for these children who are in desperate need.

Driven by CTC's mission to provide a brand new pair of shoes for children in need, we were eager to fulfill this change in the children's lives. Their teacher wants them to focus on learning so their lives will improve.

Thanks to the incredible community of CTC's friends, whose generous support has given us the ability to carry on with our vital mission. We have wholeheartedly embraced this honor to be of service to the youth.

Our other responsibility that we approach with as much passion is the desire to keep Mother Earth as healthy as possible. We are asking that you seek out ways to protect the planet we call home, no matter how small the actions may be.

Gratefully,

PEACE and LOVE

MORE THAN A BRAND NEW PAIR OF SHOES

 "The smallest deed is better than the grandest intention" Anonymous

Friends and family, you know that for years Choose To Care(CTC) has been taking a monthly trip to fulfill its mission of providing a brand new pair of shoes for children in need.

We are inviting you to take this journey with us. We have checked in with Donors Choose(donorschoose.org), an organization dedicated to finding resources for public school teachers and their students, nationwide.

For the month of April, we are making our way to Nicholas Senn High School, Chicago, IL. There we found Ms. L, the 9-12th grade teacher who pleaded for shoes for her students, described as newcomers in need, who arrived with limited personal items. A brand new pair of shoes she said,  along with other necessary items, will allow the students to remain in school each day.

We at CTC are enthusiastic to make Ms. L's wishes come true. We salute this kind teacher for taking the extra steps to embrace the immigrants seeking refuge. We aim to lift kids out of poverty, one pair of shoes at a time. This simple act of kindness will allow the students to gain confidence so they can concentrate on their education.

Of course we have the most generous and passionate supporters who have helped us to bring this project to life. Thanks for the incredible impact we are making together.

We also use this platform to encourage an eco friendly environment. We must work towards a healthier planet and help to protect vulnerable landscapes for future generations. Our input, such as reducing water usage and energy consumption, etc; no matter how small will have an effect.

Until next month!

Peace, Love & Kindness

SHAPING THE FUTURE

 "The measure of a civilization is how it treats its weakest members, including the children" Mahatma Gandhi

It's March! Choose To Care(CTC) is prepared to to take its monthly journey to bring goodness to a teacher's classroom. CTC is a nonprofit organization with a mission to provide a brand new pair of shoes for the child in need. Through Donors Choose(donors choose.org), a trusted teacher-founded nonprofit that allows public school teachers nationwide to request funding for their classroom; CTC sponsors a teacher's project, monthly.

This month CTC is heading to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to answer the 4th grade teacher's request for tennis shoes, to help new students assimilate to life in the USA. She described the ill-fitting shoes that the newcomers, as she called them, wear to school. The shoes she said are inadequate, have ripped soles, full of holes, too tight, some too big, etc.

As usual our very generous and passionate supporters helped to bring this project to life. They are the driving force behind our mission. Thank you for being such a special part of our community. The many problems that arise from poverty may not go away through a brand new pair of shoes but you have helped to open doors for opportunities.

CTC is betting on the children seeing hope and potential in themselves. These journeys continue to warm our hearts. My gratitude for your offering to the children

Please don't forget today attention to the destruction of Mother Earth and do your part, no matter how small, to keep the planet earth nourished. Your involvement matters.

Peace and Gratitude!

IN YOUR HONOR

 Thanks for your support! I am filled with gratitude and pride for the projects we at Choose To Care(CTC) have been able to engage with.

1) We have continued to support public school teachers nationwide, through Donors Choose(donorschoose.org), fulfilling our mission to provide a brand new pair of shoes for children in need. We also spread our wings globally to assist children and young adults in need with a brand new pair of shoes.

2) We are aware of the inequities and pain of the world and extended our help for the many kids in need. We have been sponsoring children in need, through Children International and ChildFund International, two American based organizations. We support six children from various countries, including the USA. These organizations provide education, clothing and proper nutrition; so the children can thrive.

3) Through support we have built a restaurant in Arusha, Tanzania for a young couple. We encouraged the hiring of community based local people and drove home the multiplier effect of giving help to others, because they themselves have been given a chance to make their way out of poverty.

4) We are giving some assistance to a young college student in Dar Es Salam, Tanzania. This has helped her to focus on her studies.

We are deeply thankful for your support on these and other short term projects we have undertaken; whether it was giving a donation or spreading the words about our work. The impact you have made on the lives of the children and young adults we serve is greatly appreciated.

We also use the CTC platform to create awareness for the need to preserve Mother Earth, no matter how small your action is, it will make a difference. Once more, thanks for the incredible impact we are making together.

In Service and  Kindness!

WE ARE ROOTING FOR YOU

 "We do not need magic to transform our world. We carry all the power we need inside ourselves already. We have the power to imagine better." J.K. Rowling

We at Choose To Care(CTC) look forward to our monthly journeys to answer a public teacher's call for resources for students.CTC(choosetocaresite.org) is a nonprofit with a mission to provide a brand new pair of shoes for the child in need. We provide this gift through Donors Choose(donors choose.org), the organization that allows any interested person to sponsor a teacher's classroom project when a request has been made for assistance.

It is our passion at CTC to lift their spirits, induce smiles and restore hope for these children in need. We are grateful for the opportunity to change the lives of the students at the Doolen Middle school, Tucson,Arizona. The teacher for these Grades 6-8 students, Ms. Sarah, stated that many of the students depend on the school to provide them with basic necessities, including shoes. She also said that many students arrive to school in heavily damaged shoes and they are desperately in need of proper fitting new shoes. Our journey of changing their lives through the distribution of shoes has ben made possible by our community of supporters.

Thank you for being such a special part of our project, enabling us to make changes in these students lives and raise joy together.

Again, we are calling on you to do your part to keep Mother Earth healthy, no matter how small that action may be.

IN SERVICE AND GRATITUDE