Today I walked out of my local grocery store, where kids were selling baked goods outside the door. The woman in front of me was approached by the children. In unison they chimed, "Would you like to buy some baked goods to support our group?" "I'm just too tired, leave me alone," was her response. I looked at her and she sure looked tired to me. She wasn't kidding. And the kids looked shocked.

An hour later I spoke with the director of a non-profit organization where I serve on the board, and she told me donations are down significantly from this time last year. The look on the kids' faces, after being rejected by the woman's cold hard truth, was still weighing on my mind. I grieved as I considered the options, should we not get needed donations. I now shared in the children's disbelief that someone would not want to help, or could be too tired to give.

I reached back into my memory to something I read in a book. I'm not sure who wrote it, but it was kind of a mantra of things to do. There were things like, call your mom often, watch a sunset and sunrise once a year, hold hands while crossing the street, and always buy things that kids sell in front of a store. I think Robert Fulghum may have written that list in one of his books. Wherever I read it, it seemed like a good idea. I try to buy things from kids when I have the money in my pocket.

On the same day that I went to the grocery store, I went to a local park with an equestrian club I belong to. When I saw the park maintenance guy, I went over and said, "Hello, I belong to an equestrian club that promotes trail advocacy and involvement. How are you doing with volunteers in the park these days?" He replied, "Not good." Somehow, today I was hoping for a better answer. I was now three for three and I felt I had to return to the dugout, because I was out of energy to swing any more. But I reached for my card and said, "Call me when the next volunteer day comes up or if you have something that needs getting done sooner. I'll get some friends together and we will come down and help."

My passion happens to be horses. Since you are reading this, horses may be your passion also. Although I try and spread around my contributions when I can, I do give more of my time to equestrian-based activities. I donate time and effort to the U.S. Forest Service in our national parks and local parks. But that should probably be considered a bit selfish, since I get instant gratification by experiencing the beauty of those places while working in them. I also donate several hours a week in a non-profit working with teenage kids and horses. I guess that shouldn't really count because again, I get to work with horses and again, I get the deep personal satisfaction of seeing young lives change and grow.

But I have also been on the receiving end of philanthropy. Years ago, I was going through some hard times. Money was pretty shy and I had three sons to raise alone. I told no one about my financial hardship. Yet at the lowest

Few of us have lived a life lacking the need of help from others, at some time or another. And when we can, most of us give. That's what is great about America. And our equestrian community no stranger to giving. Some have given a lot this past year, as there has been great need. Some may be "tired." But I have seen some incredible giving this last year and great things that occurred as a result of it.

The past two years I have worked with a seventeen-year-old girl who had previously lived on the streets. Addicted to crystal methamphetamine for several years, she started working with me and volunteering in a therapeutic riding program after she had seventeen months of sobriety. She told me that the greatest thing about being clean is being able to help others. She "gets it."

I remember a young boy who lived near me while I was growing up. His grandmother had come to live with his family. When you're a child you can ask inappropriate questions like, "Why?" Apparently she had been so giving so much to all her children and she had cut so deeply into her own budget that she was unable to support herself properly. She was close enough to hear my friend tell me the story and overheard him when he said, "Pretty dumb, huh?" His grandmother asked, "You think it was dumb to give too much? Now I get to live with you!" and she winked at me." Some things you never forget. That wink was one of them.

Of course, this story does have a lesson. We need to give within our means. Hopefully, we never give so much we have to shout out, "Leave me alone, I’m tired." And before giving, it is important to research the validity of the organizations receiving our hard-earned money. Ask many questions about the organization and see if information is given readily. Charities with nothing to hide will encourage your interest.

The Better Business Bureau has a brochure called "Giving Smart from the Heart" and you can request it from their website at http://www.dayton.bbb.org/cas_publications.html. They advise to not feel pressured to give money immediately. A legitimate charity will appreciate your donation just as much the following day.

I like to give to organizations dedicated to my passions, such as horses. Of course there are exceptions, but in the equine community alone there are many worthwhile causes. They include a wide range of groups from trail and "right to ride" advocacy organizations, horse rescues, equine therapy programs and equine wilderness programs for adolescents, as well as our parks and wilderness areas. There are many ways you can give and you will receive gratification in just as many ways.

It's funny that I thought about Robert Fulghum today. It was in one of his books where I first read about Mother Teresa receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. In "All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten," he wrote, "If ever there is truly peace on earth, goodwill to men, it will be because of women like Mother Teresa. Peace is not something you wish for; it's something you make, something you do, something you are, and something you give away."

This is a new magazine and this is our first issue. As we begin a fresh and exciting adventure, we will strive to be aware of ways we can help our equestrian community. We will try to do our part, and will encourage our readers to be involved in their communities for good.

It's a new year, and the last day for a tax deduction for 2005 is gone. But it is never too late to help someone. You will still pay taxes in 2006, right? I agree with Robert Fulghum. "When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands, and stick together." We really do need each other. And to whomever it was that sent that envelope to me back in the late 80's, "Thanks." I needed it.