It’s my pleasure to introduce you to Melinda T., our first Kindness Investor for Year 2 of the Year of Giving! I conducted a brief interview with her and would like to share it with you so that you can get to know her better.
Name: Melinda T.
Age: 31
Where do you live? I live in Xenia, OH.
Where were you born? I was born in Richmond, IN but grew up in New Paris.
What’s the highest level of education you have completed? Some college. I’m currently taking college courses for nursing.
Do you have a family? I’m married. No kids, but three dogs.
How did you hear about the Year of Giving? I heard about Year of Giving in an article in the Life&Arts section of the Dayton Daily News. This article was published in the paper on Sunday December 12th.
How long have you been unemployed? Since the fall of 2009.
What happened? I worked in sales for a company that relocated its office in Vandalia, Ohio to its Headquarters in Norcross, Georgia. I have been on unemployment since then.
Do you currently volunteer? Yes. In the past I have done volunteer work with people with special needs. One of our dogs helps children with autism and ADD at a local organization here in Xenia. I took Max (the dog) in and the children would read to him. This has been proven to help the children tremendously. One day there was a boy there named Bobby who was having a horrible day and they brought him down where Max was and Max got him calmed down.
Who have been your biggest influences? Both of my parents. They live in New Paris, IN on a grain farm where they lease their land to other farmers.
What is your favorite food? Seafood, especially crab.
What is the most meaningful gift you have ever received? Volunteering….it comes back two-fold.
Describe your ideal job: I want a job where I can feel that I am really helping people.
Year of Giving 
Way to go Melinda! Good for you for volunteering to carry on Reed’s idea for a week. And Reed, good idea to enlist others to give away $10 a day for a week.
Good for you, Melinda. I’m so happy to see the giving go forward. I’ve read your first two entries…you have the right spirit. I would have hated to see the blog end…it means a lot to me to read about people doing positive things with their lives. Thank you!
I agree, Melinda’s got the right spirit! -Reed
I have been reading about the original project since seeing it on the Today show……how interesting to see it is being carried on by a New Paris girl……I live in South Bend ……in the shadow of the Gokden Dome…..I think what you are doing us wonderful……may God richly bless you as you bless othees.
Pam
Thanks for the support and kind words Pam! Glad to have South Bend on board. -Reed
This is such a great idea. It will be so much fun to learn what each Kindness Investor experiences.