Picture by Michelle Marie Photography

When we first went through pre-marriage counseling (7 years ago), we dreamed of creating a fund to help others who are in great need. If a friend needed to fix a car, we could pitch in. If a homeless friend needed a meal, we could help provide. If a house in our community caught on fire, we could help in restoring that home and give meals to the family influenced by the disaster. This was a hope that we shared as a couple and an experience exemplified by our parents.

Our dream for a fund to help others in need has resulted into an organization that looks a little different than what we first imagined. We started giftcardgiver.com – a non-profit organization that collects unused gift cards and gives them to people and organizations in need. We started by thinking really small and giving to really unique needs locally. This year, our dream has turned into a national community contributing gift cards from all across the nation and being able to give directly to nearly 40 organizations in great need during a down economic year.

This past August, we received a call sharing the excitement of nearly 40 children rescued from a brothel in Kansas City. These kids had not talked to their parents in over three years and were from all across the world. They went on to ask if Gift Card Giver could contribute phone cards to connect the children to their parents over the phone? Within 48 hours of the rescue, these precious children were talking with their parents and we played a small part in this redemptive story.

Katie Traeger is a six year old that was diagnosed with a complicated medical situation resulting in her mother being forced to quit her job. We received an email telling us about the need to travel to a specialist from Alabama to Boston for the hope of healing this little child. We had the opportunity to send gift cards for gasoline and restaurants to pay for a major portion of their trip. This family sent us one of the most grateful and cheerful thank you’s we have ever seen. They are still in Boston and praying for recovery.

These are just two of many redemptive stories that we get to join in every week. We feel that this passion we had when we first were married has turned into a great responsibility to continue. We have never benefited from this organization; we have given everything to others and have personally invested both financially and with our time. The increase in awareness is resulting in greater opportunities for giving and greater time constraints for us personally.

We are in need of help. We have an incredible volunteer force nationally contributing gift cards and sharing the vision. But, as awareness increases we need cash donations to keep the administrative aspect of the organization running. We are hoping to raise $10,000 before the end of the year and would like to ask you to help us. Please consider us in your year-end giving and help us help others in great need.

With Joy and Hope,

Jeff and Andre Shinabarger