Hey everybody this is Steve, and the world would be a way more awesome place
if we just loved each other.
So...do we?
Love is more than just a feeling.
It's an action, it's something we put into practice.
That's why I'm so grateful to the Vlogbrothers for starting The Project for Awesome,
a chance for people to come together and raise awareness about awesome charities,
raise money, and then decide where that money goes.
And we want to be a part of it this year by encouraging you all to support FOCUS North America.
FOCUS is a national movement of Orthodox Christians,
united by Faith and by a desire to put that Faith into action,
by providing sustainable programs for homeless and struggling individuals and families
across the United States.
When we talk about poverty
it's easy to think about it as a thing that exists somewhere else
far away, as if it afflicts other people and other communities.
But poverty is everywhere.
It's in our communities, it afflicts our neighbors.
FOCUS is one of the groups tackling it head on,
helping people get jobs,
and putting families into safe and affordable housing.
And FOCUS does much more than that.
Aside from jobs and housing, FOCUS helps kids get an education,
and provides struggling families with groceries and help paying their bills.
FOCUS gives us a chance to live out our Faith,
by actively loving and serving our neighbors.
That something Christ didn't simply teach.
It's something He did, and so should we.
FOCUS has programs and activities across the country,
and with your help, and the help of The Project for Awesome,
they can do so much more.
In 2013 almost 7500 people across the country
volunteered in these hands-on programs.
Support for FOCUS is growing.
And it's easy to see why when 93% of all the money FOCUS raises
goes directly that those in need.
Like in Cleveland,
where FOCUS's Saint Herman House offers shelter to men without homes.
It also searched three hot meals a day
seven days a week, to men, women, and children in need.
In 2013 alone they served almost 70,000 meals.
And in Pittsburgh, FOCUS operates a free medical and mental health clinic
for people who are uninsured or underinsured focus provides
FOCUS provides comprehensive care from checkups to surgery,
so people can get healthy and stay healthy.
And across the country, FOCUS's Operation Lace Up is providing hundreds of thousands of kids
with new gym shoes, school supplies, and medical and dental checkups.
And FOCUS's Backpack Feeding Program is providing hundreds of families around the country
with much-needed food every week.
They're making sure that when kids go home from school on Friday,
they're going home with enough food to last their family throughout the weekend.
FOCUS feeds 500 families every week with this program along.
But there's so much more they can do.
There's so much more we can do. Together.
I hope that you all offer as much as you can to The Project for Awesome,
which has helped out so many amazing charities over the years.
And I hope that you'll offer whatever you can to help FOCUS North America.
Look into ways you, your family, your friends, and your parish
can be part of the amazing work FOCUS is doing.
And please, show your support for FOCUS by sharing this video,
And voting for FOCUS North America
at projectforawesome.com.
The world is a pretty awesome place,
and it can be even more awesome if share our blessings with others.
When we don't just talk about love or feel love, but act on it too.
When we truly love our neighbor. and work to make the world a more awesome place...
for everyone.
So let's Be the Bee, and act on our love.
Be the Bee, Live Orthodoxy, and Don't Forget to be Awesome.
Remember to like and subscribe.
I'll see you all next week.