When I thought of how to do this challenge I really liked the concept of giving up something I enjoy for one month, and putting that money aside to help someone else.  However, when it came time for me to write my post… I struggled.  Not on the cause to give to – the charities and causes I believe in are numerous and I was not at lack of ideas for that part.  I struggled on the what to give up.

I enjoy coffee, but I make it at home and hardly ever go into a coffee shop.  I am not a big pop drinker, and I am not a smoker.  I thought about giving up book purchases for a month, but wasn’t sure how to monitor that.  I don’t buy a lot of shoes.

I do however – cave in for snacks, baked chips, candy, McDonalds Hot Fudge Sundaes…..     so that is what I am giving up for a month.  Whenever I crave a snacky item…. instead of giving in, the money instead will go into a jar for the cause.  I am afraid I may scare myself with how much I may spend in a month on snacky items.

My cause for the month is going to be Wild And Free.   Wild and Free is a non-profit organization, is dedicated to the education of the public regarding wildlife and their habitat, and relieving the pain and suffering of wild animals. Professional and humane care is provided in efforts to preserve our local wildlife.  We are a non-profit organization, supported entirely by grants and donations and the many hours donated by a talented group of volunteers. Wild and Free receives no federal or state funding for any portion of our program. We provide food, shelter, medical and surgical care to orphaned or injured wildlife under permits from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

I have always had a soft spot in my heart for suffering and animals are no exception.   We have used Wild and Free personally twice.  One time about 4 years ago we were on our way to a football banquet for our son in a snow storm and on the highway by our driveway was a pigeon that would not fly.  I shooed him off the road so he did not get hit by a car and we went on our way.  That night when we came home he was on our back deck hiding in the leaves that had gathered under our outdoor grill.  I put on big gloves, caught him, put him in a large box in our entryway for the night and in the morning took him to Wild And Free.  They do not charge for their services, but appreciate donations.  They fixed his broken wing, and brought him back to our house when he was healed to be released.  It was an amazing experience.

I hope you will consider joining me in this challenge.  Click here for more details.