Jada Rae meets Justus

Last weekend, Chuck and the emperor and I got to catch up with our old (but let us emphasize,young) college friends, Jeff and Andre Shinabarger, at a shower for their newly adopted bambino–Jada Rae.

(Or if you want to follow the brand expansion, you could call her the Shina-baby)

But this is not just a baby shower story.

This is the story of finding family in this world.

The Shinabargers are exactly the kind of people who know how to do that.

They, along with their friends, are the people behind Gift Card Giver, the non-profit that redistributes unwanted and unused gift cards (10% of the 60 billion dollar industry go unused) to those in need.

They are people who have learned to love a lot of people across the world a little more like family.

(Jeff also runs Plywood People, an organization that finds social needs that can be met through creative entrepreneurial thinking.)

Gift cards from Jackson, MI to Gift Card Giver

As you know, I’m convinced–along with Jeff and Andre–that loving people is the way to go. Convinced that God meant for his followers to lead the way in nurturing common good for all people.

So to add a very small incentive to the work they’re doing, we’re giving a copy of my new memoir, Picking Dandelions, to the first 200 people who donate $10 (in cash or gift cards) to Gift Card Giver.

You can also check out CNN’s coverage about their charity. And last but not least, their recent interview with me (Thanks, Gisele). And while you’re there, try to brainstorm some ways you can collect unused gift cards in your arena.