A message from Salley Gibney…
Worldwide “I Matter, You Matter” was initiated 12 years ago by the You are Never Alone Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, non-denominational organization I created in Manchester, VT. which fostered caring, connection and hope with the wooden Caring Coins as little gifts of hope. I chose March 28th simply because it was available on the world calendar as much as I could tell.
Over the last 12 years, thousands and thousands of people all over the world have celebrated this day of sharing the “I Matter, You Matter” message with family, friends and people they may not know. There is much to share about the impact of this day and its message.
My own personal experience has shown me that when I share a smile, a hi, a wave, a text people usually respond with the same. Many share a story…it may be a joyful story or a sad story of a loss or loneliness and sometimes it’s just a nod that it’s just nice to be acknowledged.
This year as in the past, individuals, families, schools, businesses, churches and more celebrated Worldwide I Matter, You Matter Day. I was so grateful to join in many of these celebrations and as always so inspired by what the “I Matter, You Matter” message means to all ages.
I especially enjoyed being back in Vermont and celebrating with some of my friends who were part of the very first celebration 12 years ago; hearing from then young international counselors, now adults with children who shared the message at Camp Agape, a camp for children with a parent in prison; a then college student who signed a card at Green Mountain College for a child in Bangladesh; a young student here who remembers me sharing the message with him at my grandson’s class last year.
It was so special sharing the “I Matter, You Matter” message with my 1145 Facebook Friends and receiving so many responses back including the RN ambulance driver I met while sharing Caring Coins with the immigrants in Mexico: or my friend who had just lost her Mother and requested Caring Coins with the Remembering Cards for her family…the list goes on and on with many examples of what the “I Matter, You Matter” message means…
So, my friends, I will let the pictures speak for themselves…
