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Brian and I believe in giving, whether we have a lot or a little. The mystery of giving and provision has pulled us through many tough times in our years of marriage and business. I remember our first year of marriage. Brian was making $12 per hour, and we were really short on funds with me in graduate school. I came home from class, picked up the mail, and inside was a $200 Safeway check. I totally cried.
Stories like this are endless in our marriage. So it is with great passion that we give to others in need.
This is why we wanted a Giving Back section. We want you to know that every time you sign up for a workshop or purchase a 101 Kit or DVD, 5-10% of your purchases will be set aside for someone in need. We may even do another bike race to raise funds for a great cause like this last summer (if Brian still doesn't have saddle soreness).
Our wonderful Associate photographer, Yuiry, me and Brian at the Ride4Us race! Me Ra Koh Photography raised over $500 for this 62 mile race thanks to our blog readers!
Recently, we were able to set aside 10% from every workshop registration for three workshops. These funds went to help our dear friend Jennifer Cuellar, who is fighting cancer. To read more about Jennifer's story, click ***HERE***.
Brian and I also decided to set some of the workshop funds aside for our first Running on Empy Contest. This paid for one mom to attend our Two Day Workshop and have her room and board covered too!
You can read the amazing story of strength that these two women have on our blog! Their names are Jess (above) and Kari (below), and they are winners for their children and spouses on countless levels.
I say winners because two anonymous moms donated funds for a second mom to attend a workshop for free. Isn't that wonderful! We will do the Running On Empty Contest again for Upcoming 2008 Workshops, so be sure to check the blog for updates on how you can nominate a mom who really needs a break and some time away. Or maybe you know that you just need to nominate yourself. That's okay too!
If you are part of an organization or know someone who is need of financial help, you can always email us at
support@refusetosaycheese.com
. Brian and I are very open and always praying about who and what we can help support. We can't respond to all your emails, but we promise to prayerfully consider each one. It doesn't have to be a nonprofit. If it is a nonprofit, this helps with tax purposes, but as you can see from above, it doesn't always work that way. And that is just fine.
Brian and I will keep you posted on who we are giving support to. In the meantime you can know that for every purchase made on our estore will have 5-10% set aside to help someone in need.
With much love,
Me Ra and Brian
Me Ra Koh Photography Inc.
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