500 Days of Giving

In 2011, Stephanie started on a giving journey. She gave a gift every day for over 500 days. This journey inspired her upcoming book, The Giving Challenge:40 Days to a More Generous Life. Order now!

Here is a list of her 500+ days!

Day 1 – A phone call to friend and did my husband’s laundry.
Day 2 – Hershey Kisses to a friend
Day 3 – Recycled Christmas cards – St. Jude's Ranch for Children (SJRC).
Day 4 – Homemade treat bags for cleaning ladies
Day 5 – Dinner and gave my friend a copy of the book Mums the Word, by Kate Collins
Day 6 – Dunkin Donuts to nursing staff who gave me my mammogram and to my husband
Day 7 – Sent my favorite recipes to friends
Day 8 – Donated my time and talents to Success Trek
Day 9 – Donation to Living Hope Church & diapers & canned goods to our local food pantry
Day 10 – 9.11 socks to my husband
Day 11 – Between Me and You – Bought breakfast for a friend
Day 12 – Prayers to Washington – Letter of encouragement to Mary, I lady I have never met.
Day 13 – UPS Man – I gave him a box of South Bend Chocolates
Day 14 – Donated magazines to the local library
Day 15 – Financial donation to Global Outreach
Day 16 – Boys Scouts – I made treat bags filled with homemade chocolates.
Day 17 – The "to do" list will have to wait! – Spending the day with girlfriends – The gift of time.
Day 18 – Charity Miles – Donated United Airline miles to the Ronald McDonald House
Day 19 – Sent a magazine clipping to a friend and sent an article to another friend
Day 20 – Bought a hot breakfast for the men of the local homeless shelter
Day 21 – Bought a pair of TOMS and donated a pair of shoes
Day 22 – Gave a 20% off coupon to someone at Pier One & took my nephew to dinner & movie
Day 23 – National Marrow Donor Program® – Signed up for a friend who’s husband needed a
transplant
Day 24 – The Thin Blue Line – Letters of support to families who have lost loved ones that were killed in the line of duty.
Day 25 – Accountability – Call with a friend
Day 26 – Polar Plunge – Charitable donation to Special Olympics
Day 27 – A Salute – Letters to a son whose father, Master Trooper Greene, was killed in the line of duty in 1993
Day 28 – Dog window clings for my niece
Day 29 – Turkey pot pies from Strongbow Inn for my family and friends
Day 30 & 31 – Baby clothes for friends that just had babies
Day 32 – Children's Hospital – Sent gifts to a cousin who was in the hospital
Day 33 – Blizzard 2011 – Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies for my hubby
Day 34 – Shoveled my husbands side of the driveway for him
Day 35 – Spent the evening with my husband
Day 36 – Donated old eyeglasses to Lions Club
Day 37 & 38 – Ear candles and wings for Mike
Day 39 – More letters and another tip – Letters to families of fallen officer
Day 40 – Pamper Night – Donated items to a church so they could pamper women of a domestic violence shelter
Day 41 – Tips to the staff at Now Sapphire Riviera Cancun
Day 42 – Carlos our tour guide a big tip!
Day 43 – English Lesson to our guide on the four – wheeling tour
Day 44 – Gave the day off our to our housekeeper at Now Sapphire Riviera Cancun.
Day 45 – Sweethearts to the staff at the resort
Day 46 – Coupons to couples at the resort for dinners, spa services, and wine.
Day 47 – Mexican hot sauce and a case of beer for our friend who took care of Boss while we were in Mexico.
Day 48 and 49 – Girl Scout Cookies
Day 50 – Cooked dinner for Mike
Day 51 – Run 2 Remember
Day 52 – Bob Evans – Bought breakfast for a friend
Day 53 and 54 – Sent referrals for business to small business owners
Day 55 – Gave a ride to school to one of my friend’s children
Day 56 & 57 – Birthday gifts to my brother – in – law and niece
Day 58 – A nice tip to my massage therapist
Day 59 – – Gave my husband a Guardian Bell for his motorcycle
Day 60 – Gum to a child on an airplane
Day 61 – Bought lunch for a friend
Day 62 – Helped a woman at the airport who could not speak English translate a phone call
Day 63 – Make – A – Wish Foundation – Made a donation
Day 64 – Snacks for my hubby’s trip, created a Facebook page for Valparaiso Noon Kiwanis Club and attended an event for The Caring Place
Day 65 – Awakening the Past – Promoted a friend’s blog
Day 66 – Referrals – Sent referrals for business to small business owners
Day 67 – Took care of the fish and Boss for Mike while he was out of town.
Day 68 – Letters to families of fallen law enforcement officers
Day 69 – Care package to my friend Dan who was being deployed
Day 70 – Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast – Volunteered at this event and donated tickets for free breakfast to friends and strangers!
Day 71 Call with Emily
Day 72 – Bought coffee for a friend
Day 73 – Letters to families of fallen law enforcement officers
Day 74 – Bought breakfast for a friend
Day 75 – Dinner to a friend and her family
Day 76 – Cupcakes to the neighbor boys
Day 77 – Letters to families of fallen law enforcement officers
Day 78 – Call with a friend
Day 79 – Shared my Edible Arrangements fruit with my neighbor.
Day 80 – Letters to families of fallen law enforcement officers
Day 81 – Invited a friend to hear Chief Justice speak at a Kiwanis event
Day 82 – Red Cross Japan – Made a donation
Day 83 – Thank you to Indiana State Police Chaplain
Day 84 – Scouting for Food – Kouts Food Pantry
Day 85 – Took my niece to Michael’s craft store and let her pick out some of her favorite things!
Day 86 and 87 – Letters to families of fallen law enforcement officers
Day 88 – Corner Bakery Caf gift to nurse
Day 89 – Donation to Kris Brown Family
Day 90 – Nurse Jodi – Sent her a gift card to the Corner Bakery Cafe
Day 91 – Letters and thank you to friends
Day 92 – Letters and thank you to friends
Day 93 – Susan G. Komen – Race for the Cure – Made a donation
Day 94 – Letters to families of Officer Schaberger, Officer Breitkopf, Deputy Justus, Deputy Stiltnerand Officer Brown
Day 95 – Kiwanis Foundation/Juvenile Diabetes
Day 96 – Paid for the person behind us at the DQ
Day 97 – TripAdvisorreview for Carlos
Day 98 – Give travel size stuff and magazines for care packages for Cystic Fibrosis patients
Day 99 – Call with a friend
Day 100 – Paid for breakfast with a friend
Day 101 – Directions for Mom to Ft. Wayne
Day 102 – Paid for dinner with friend and Mom
Day 103 – Gave a dollar to the Vera Bradley Foundation
Day 104 – Called lady who sent fax to the wrong number
Day 105 – Supported Kate Collins at a book signing event and attended a FOP Beanbag fundraiser
Day 106 – Mike's family for Easter and Easter basket for niece and nephew
Day 107 – Letters to families of Officer Gibson, Officer Dunn, and Deputy Diana
Day 108 – Letters to families of Deputy Britton and New York State Trooper Dobson
Day 109 – Kiwanis Foundation/Juvenile Diabetes Day
Day 110 – Bath and Bodyworks to Massage Therapist
Day 111 – Easter Baskets for children at The Caring Place and Mike's Easter Basket
Day 112 – Easter Baskets for niece and nephew
Day 113 – Easter gifts for mom and dad
Day 114 – Took my niece shopping and to lunch and then paid for dinner with a friend
Day 115 – Paid for breakfast for a friend
Day 116 – Babysat my niece and nephew
Day 117 – Volunteered for Impact Porter County
Day 118 – Attended Black Tie Bingo fundraiser for The Caring Place
Day 119 – Participated in the Run 2 Remember
Day 120 – Donated purses for a purse auction for charity
Day 121 – Survey Monkey Contribute
Day 122 – Cooked dinner for Mike
Day 123 – Kiwanis Foundation
Day 124 – Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Day 125 – Cooked dinner for Mike
Day 126 – Clothing for tornado victims
Day 127 – Mothers Day – Wine and Flowers
Day 128 – Birthday Bags – The Caring Place
Day 129 – Time with Mike (Dinner at Joe's and Relaxing outside)
Day 130 – Survey Monkey Contribute
Day 131 – Gave picture frames to a friend
Day 132 – Donated to ICADV Race Away From Domestic Violence
Day 133 – Gave a child a free Bop It at a yard sale. Gave a donation to the Children's Miracle Network
Day 134 – Baby shower gifts to a friend and Cystic Fibrosis care packages
Day 135 – Cooked dinner for Mike
Day 136 – Volunteered for Impact Porter County
Day 137 – Volunteered for United Way of Porter County
Day 138 – Designer Desserts Cupcakes and Mom's Mothers Day Gift, Gifts for niece
Day 139 – Albanese Candy Factory – Bubbles and Water Balloons
Day 140 – Grape honey sticks for my niece
Day 141 – Lunch and dinner for Mike and washing Mike's laundry after camping trip
Day 142 – Child Hunger Ends Here – You have just helped provide one meal to Feeding America in the fight to end child hunger in America.
Day 143 – ISP Memorial
Day 144 – Taste of Porter County (purchased tickets)
Day 145 – Picked up friends from bus stop
Day 146 – Dinner for friend
Day 147 – Joplin Tornado Victims (Pencil Collection)
* Washcloths, toothpaste, toothbrushes, pencils, pens, folders, paper, toilet paper, contact cases, soap and ponchos
Day 148 – Lunch for Mike
Day 149 – Lunch for Mike
Day 150 – Relay for Life (BJ Myers) – Back went out
Day 151 – Mike's birthday gift
Day 152 – Relay for Life (Josh Otto)
Day 153 – Coffee at South Bend Chocolate Factory for Andrea
Day 154 – Annual Party
Day 155 – Call with friend
Day 156 – Child Hunger Ends Here – Ravioli can
Day 157 – Graduation Gift to Jordan
Day 158 – Adopt without Debt to Matt Barcalow
Day 159 – Letters to families of LEO KLD – Game Warden Gorden, Officer Birkholz, and Senior Officer Christian
Day 160 – Donuts for Mike for helping me with my back
Day 161 – Wedding Gift – Rich and Christy Amburgey
Day 162 – Letters to families of LEO – Deputy Stein, Trooper Fotiou, and Sgt. Chapin
Day 163 – Raffle Tickets for K – 9 Fundraiser
Day 164 – United Way Board Meeting
Day 165 – Birthday gift for Scott Patrick
Day 166 – Letters to families of LEO – Officer Schmidt, Officer Johnson, and Officer Cooper
Day 167 – Albanese Candy for Josie
Day 168 – Liz's wedding gift
Day 169 – Carson’s birthday gift
Day 170 – Trooper Werda, Deputy Sherri Jones
Day 171 – Paid for dinner with friend
Day 172 – Officer Zapata
Day 173 – Impact Women's Fund
Day 174 (Friday) – Magazines to Library
Day 175 – Tips in Vegas
Day 176 – Money to homeless
Day 177 – Campus Crusade for Christ – Darren
Day 178 – Tips traveling home from Vegas
Day 179 – Pampered Chef Party for Barb
Day 180 – Letters to Families of Deputy Taylor and Officer Kilcullen
Day 181 – Grants to Discoveries Unlimited, Brenda for Service Dog and Mike to Service Dog
Day 182 – Silent Auction Requests 18
Day 183 – Friends to house for 4thof July
Day 184 – (Monday) – Subway for the Westmeyer Family
Day 185 – Cookies for physical therapist
Day 186 – Breakfast with Winston
Day 187 – Toilet Paper to Housing Opportunities
Day 188 – Baby Gift to Capri
Day 189 – Season's Best Recipe Books
Day 190 – Wedding Gift to Angela and Derek
Day 191 – Frosty's for Team in D.C. (purchased after dinner)
Day 192 – Sent a Missing You card to Mike
Day 193 – Cookies from the office for the hotel staff
Day 194 – My flowers from Mike to the "information guy" at the airport (he was going to give them to his wife)
Day 195 – Goodwill Clothes to Emily (dress and shirt)
Day 196 – Goodwill Clothes to Cort and wagon for Carson
Day 197 – Carol and Cort spent the night (offered our home)
Day 198 – Letters to families of Sgt. Vann and Officer Garton
Day 199 – Letters to families of Officer Phillips and Trooper Hunter
Day 200 – Letter to families of Officer Tirado
Day 201 – Letter to the family of Capt. Braden
Day 202 – Stuff for care packages to Riley for kids with cystic fibrosis
Day 203 – United Way Silent Auction at the Porter County Fair
Day 204 – United Way Silent Auction at the Porter County Fair
Day 205 – Letters to families of Officer Hall and Sgt. Dulle
Day 206 – Letters to those in the military (Sent 10 letters): http://amillionthanks.org/send – letter – guidelines – get – started.php
Day 207 – Upgraded Cortney's NKOTB ticket and paid for parking
Day 208 – Vest ‘N P.D.P., inc. donate@vestnpdp.com
Day 209 – Hosted Mom, Cort and the kids at the house
Day 210 – Craft Store and fish for Josie
Day 211 – Giving Jar donation to Josie
Day 212 – Sent card to Josie because she wanted to receive mail
Day 213 – Network for Good – The Good Card – Margaret Mary Community Hospital – In Honor of Christina Sutton
Day 214 – Bob and Becca over for dinner
Day 215 – Donated my United Airline miles
Day 216 – Cookies for Mike from Designer Desserts (movie night with Susan)
Day 217 – Hot Meals
These little girls enjoy hot meals as part of a ministry outreach in Calcutta, India. At the same time, they are feasting on God's Word, learning Bible stories and Gospel songs. Around the world, Samaritan's Purse supports a variety of feeding programs like this that enable local believers to serve hot meals to malnourished children and impoverished families. Just $7 can furnish a week's worth of dinners, so we can tell of the gracious Lord who "fills the hungry with good things" (Psalm 107:9, NIV).
Day 218 – Promoted Giving Hearts a Hand Golf Outing
Day 219 – Postcards to Soldiers (31 Navy Seals and Army killed)
Day 220 – Postcards to Soldiers
Day 221 – $1 donation to Riley Children's Hospital (Long John Silver) and Miracle Network Children's Hospital (Dairy Queen)
Day 222 – Kiwanis Foundation/Riley and Card to Josie
Day 223 – Volunteer my time to make updates to the Kiwanis Club Facebook page
Day 224 – School supplies for three children
Day 225 – Magazines to Kouts Library
Day 226 – Finished Angela's manuscript
Day 227 – Financial Contribution to the Barcalow Adoption Fund
Day 228 – Took parents out to dinner for at Wagners for their anniversary
Day 229 – Wrote letters to those in the military
Day 230 – 231 – Took days off work to spend time with parents
Day 232 – Sponsor of Gary's Ride – Gary Dudley Scholarship Fund
Day 233 – OCC (developed invitation and asked for donations for OCC)
Day 234 – Sent Card to Josie and Dinner for Mike
Day 235 – M flag for Mike
Day 236 – Shipping for 2 – OCC boxes
Day 237 – Breakfast with Winston and Dinner to Jeannie's family (pizza)
Day 238 – Day of Caring – Housing Opportunities – Food Pantry and Pulling Staples so the files could be scanned
Day 239 – Youth Day of Caring – National Lakeshore
Day 240 – Panera – Make a Wish Foundation
Day 241 – Found a boy in the middle of the road and took him home.
Day 242 – Letters to soldiers
Day 243 – Appetizers for the group
Day 244 – Dinner for Shelly and Emily
Day 245 – Frozen Yogurt for Carson and Cortney
Day 246 – Starbucks gift card for mom
Day 247 – Donation to Red Cross – Hurricane Irene
Day 248 – Donation to Wives Behind the Badge for a volunteer who lost everything in a house fire.
Day 249 – Skip going to party to stay home with Mike
Day 250 – Went to the store for Mike to get bacon!
Day 251 – Impact Porter County Women's Tea – Donation, Table Captain, and speaker. Gave tickets to friends for the Chicken dinner and made a donation to Global Outreach
Day 252 – Northwest Indiana Raffle donation
Day 253 – Becca to the shooting range – Paid range fee, glasses, ears, and target
Day 254 – 911.memorial.org
Day 255 – Made dinner for Mike and Wolfe since they were cleaning their cars for inspection
Day 256 – United Way Board Meeting
Day 257 – Yams for 500 Turkeys
Day 258 – Tips for valet and extra tip for room service
Day 259 – Speaking of women's health and Women's of Hope journals (10)
Day 260 – Lion King movie tickets for Susan and Carter
Day 261 – Boy Scout popcorn for Carter and Jackson (military product donation – ship assorted popcorn products to the men and women of the U.S. Military. Shipped over 2000 tons of popcorn to Iraq, Afghanistan, overseas military bases, domestic military bases and military family
Day 262 – Make a Wish Foundation at Panera Bread
Day 263 – Trooper Patrick Flag Fund
Day 264 – Extra tip for hairdresser
Day 265 – Volunteer at Giving Hearts a Hand Golf Tournament
Day 266 – Cotton Candy for Josie at the Pumpkin Show
Day 267 – Sesame Street Books for Carson and Josie
Day 268 – Bailed a friend out of jail
Day 269 – Card to Josie
Day 270 – Refrigerator for Mike
Day 271 – Donation to Christian Educators Association International
Day 272 – Donation to Tory and Shelly Strong
Day 273 – Spoke at Becca's work on safety
Day 274 – Tip the cashier at Starbucks
Day 275 – Donation to friend walking in Alzheimer Association walk
Day 276 – Paid for ticket to Marci and Courtney Crozier for friend
Day 277 – Let someone cut in line so they can jump off the Stratosphere, helped a lady with her luggage
Day 278 – Tip to taxi cab driver
Day 279 – Tip to Taxi cab driver
Day 280 – Toiletries for domestic violence shelter in Las Vegas
Day 281 – Toiletries for domestic violence shelter in Las Vegas
Day 282 – M & M stuff for Adam and Alex
Day 283 – Tips money to friend
Day 284 – Money to friend for candy
Day 285 – $10 tip to cab driver
Day 286 – Dad's retirement party
Day 287 – $9 tip to pizza guy on a $20 bill
Day 288 – Omaha Steaks for dad's retirement
Day 289 – Tastefully simple party (food)
Day 290 – $5 tip for $10 (Jimmy Johns)
Day 291 – extra tip for waitress at Kelsy's ($6 for $10)
Day 292 – Invited college student to come over and do laundry
Day 293 – $10 tip and note to waiter at spice caf on a $5 bill
Day 294 – Girl Scout purchase for Katelyn
Day 295 – Halloween cards to family and friends
Day 296 – Tip to a massage therapist. Gave Mike money for dinner for Rick
Day 297 – Card to Josie with money for report card
Day 298 – Donation for trip to India for a friend
Day 299 – Donated canned green beans and yams for 500 Turkeys
Day 300 – Tip at Uptown caf and mall with Susan
Day 301 – Tip to valet in Chicago
Day 302 – Flowers for friend (mums)
Day 303 – Time folding 150 OCC shoeboxes
Day 304 – Full-size candy bars for Halloween trick-or-treaters
Day 305 – Prep for Operation Christmas Child
Day 306 – Asked girl in the airport if she was okay
Day 307 – Dannon national breast cancer foundation
Day 308 – $5 tip to bus driver with Coach USA
Day 309 – Operation Christmas Child – packing boxes and food for friends
Day 310 – Extra tip to waitress at Egg on Face and goodie bags for kids
Day 311 – Voted for Giving Hearts a Hand at the Pepsi Refresh Project
Day 312 – United Way Board Meeting
Day 313 – Undies to nephew getting potty trained
Day 314 – Donation of clothes to the Presbyterian Resale Shop
Day 315 – Let Boss sleep inside
Day 316 – UFC Party at house and food for friends
Day 317 – Volunteer at Power of Youth marathon
Day 318 – Indy to see Pappy and Chocolate Covered Cherries
Day 319 – Hospital with Pappy and family
Day 320 – Condi and Emily and 500 Turkeys Packing Party
Day 321 – Toys for Tots donation at Dollar Store
Day 322 – Movie with friend
Day 323 – Dropped off 208 OCC boxes
Day 324 – Volunteers with 500 Turkey's distributing meals to families
Day 325 – Lunch for Mike at DQ
Day 326 – Financial donation to Giving Hearts a Hand
Day 327 – Financial donation to Food Bank of Northwest Indiana
Day 328 – Birthday money to sister – in – law, Christmas countdowns to niece and nephew, coloring books and bracelet to niece and nephew and hotel room for mom, dad and I
Day 329 – Breakfast for dad, latte for sister and Starbucks apple cider for niece
Day 330 – Lunch for Mike
Day 331 – Tip at Red Robin
Day 332 – Bought breakfast to a highway worker with Mike's help
Day 333 – Starbucks coffee for friend
Day 334 – Support the ongoing work at MMO in a unique way. This Christmas gift, give a friend or family member the gift of knowing that they are making a difference for children in Zambia. I gave a chicken! Layer chickens lay an egg a day for a full year, so giving one chicken really means you are giving 365 eggs! These eggs are then eaten by children and staff at MMO, with additional eggs being sold in the market to help sustain operations.
Day 335 – Extra tip to the shuttle driver. His goal is to make 99% of his customers happy!
Day 336 – Give an Orphan a Month of Loving Care – A gift of $35 can provide a child with a month of meals, lodging, healthcare, and education.
Day 337 – Salvation Army bell ringers $10
Day 338 – Drawing whiteboard for niece and book for nephew
Day 339 – Bought dinner for a friend
Day 340 – Chicago concert tickets and dinner for mom – Christmas present
Day 341 – Make a Wish donation at Panera and 20% coupon to someone at BBB
Day 342 – Subway gift card to Mike
Day 343 – Financial donation to the Kouts Fire Department
Day 344 – Christmas gift to friend (Happiness Project book)
Day 345 – Dinner for Mike
Day 346 – Christmas present for friend, UW Communications Taskforce and letter to the Missouri Board of Probation and Parole for the murder of Lt. David Kraxner in 1966
Day 347 – United Way board meeting. Stuffed lions for I Need a Hug program, and gummy bears for Mike
Day 348 – Merry Meals volunteer and dinner for Mike at Applebees
Day 349 – Breakfast for a friend
Day 350 – Gifts to Kouts School – 9 children
Day 351 – Volunteered at Shop with a Cop
Day 352 – Financial donation to the San Antonio Humane Society
Day 353 – Kiva.org
Day 354 – Salvation Army kettle at Walmart – $5
Day 355 – Christians presents for Isaac
Day 356 – Financial donation to family member for a new roof
Day 357 – Pappy's Christmas gifts
Day 358 – Christmas gifts for family
Day 359 – Christmas gifts for family
Day 360 – Cinnamon rolls and dinner for Mike
Day 361 – Tin of Pecan Patties to UPS man
Day 362 – Letter to Coach Bullock and cookie baking
Day 363 – Cookies to neighbors
Day 364 – Cookies to friends, toilet paper, paper towels, hats and cookies to Housing Opportunities, cookies to post office, magazines, and books to library, Goodwill donation
Day 365 – NYE party for friends
Day 366 – I took a tray of buffalo and bbq wings and chocolate goodies to the neighbors.
Day 367 – Recycled Christmas Cards – St. Jude’s Ranch for Children
Day 368 – Letters to families of fallen officers U.S. Border Patrol Agent’s Eduardo Rojas Jr. and Hector Clark
Day 369 – Five pair of shoes to Soles4Souls
Day 370 – Bible to Michelle Pendergrass
Day 371 – Bubble smoothie from Uptown Cafe for the owner of Simply Organized, LLC.
Day 372 – Cupcake to friend from Designer Desserts
Day 373 – Financial donation to Valparaiso Nazarene Church
Day 374 – Financial donation to Super Baskets of Hope
Day 375 – Volunteered for the United Way of Porter County – Board Meeting
Day 376 – Bought five (5) boxes of Girl Scout Cookies
Day 377 – Mailed a card to my niece – She loves getting mail!
Day 378 – Financial donation to the American Red Cross
Day 379 – Cupcakes from Designer Desserts for several friends and gave my birthday gift from Pier 1
Day 380 – Bought my mom breakfast at Silver Spoon and took Mike’s watch in to get a new battery
Day 381 – Financial donation to Patriot Rovers
Day 382 – Bought dinner for Mike, let Boss stay in the house and tipped the cashier
Day 383 – Financial donation to Global Outreach
Day 384 – Birthday gift to mother – in – law
Day 385 – Shoveled Mike’s side of the driveway
Day 386 – Financial Donation to Emily Huntington’s Scholarship Fund
Day 387 – Phone call and Sample Life Coaching session with friend
Day 388 – Bought my friend appetizers at girls night out!
Day 389 – Bought dinner for Mike at Smokey’s
Day 390 – Donated clothes to Life Bridge Church that will be distributed to women and children who are victims of domestic violence. I also gave a penny to a lady who needed one in line at Pier 1.
Day 391 – Gave a compliment to my bus driver to the airport. She was wearing a beautiful Valentine’s Day hat and scarf.
Day 392 – Tip to the bus driver.
Day 393 – Coordinated a date night to the UFC – Chicago for Mike.
Day 394 – Bought Christmas plates and napkins for my mom and then potatoes and green beans from Bob Evans for a family dinner.
Day 395 – Volunteered with Super Baskets of Hope.
Day 396 – Letter to a stranger who is battling cancer.
Day 397 – Donated 1000 Sky Miles to Make – a – Wish Foundation
Day 398 – Financial donation to Global Outreach to support my friends who are missionaries.
Day 399 – Bought dinner for a friend at Uptown Cafe
Day 400 – Gave an extra tip to our waitress at Pestos
Day 401 – Water to a homeless man (he wouldn’t take the food I bought for him) and cupcakes and food for a Super Bowl party at a friends house
Day 402 – Cupcakes to my friends three boys
Day 403 – Financial donation to Housing Opportunities for their food pantry
Day 404 – Letters to families of fallen officers.
Day 405 – Phone call with my dad
Day 406 – Bought gummy bears from Albanese Candy Factory from Mike and my niece and nephew. Also bought my niece a My Little Pony and a puzzle.
Day 407 – Had a birthday party and presents at my house for my niece.
Day 408 – Cooked and help serve a meal for several homeless women in Valparaiso.
Day 409 – Shared a recipe that I tried and like to friends and family.
Day 410 – Donated canned goods and pasta to the United Way of Porter County for the local food pantry. Also as a board member of United Way of Porter County, I donated my time for a board meeting.
Day 411 – Donated jeans and dress pants to Life Bridge Christian Church that will be given to survivors of domestic violence.
Day 412 – Financial donation to Housing Opportunities for the food pantry.
Day 413 – Extra tip to my waiter at Margaritas Bar and Grill
Day 414 – Donated food items and volunteered at Pamper Night. A night of pampering for women from the Caring Place. A local domestic violence shelter.
Day 415 – Financial donation to Valparaiso Nazarene Church
Day 416 – Phone call with a friend
Day 417 – Gave my knitting teacher at Sheep’s Clothing a box of “Thank You, Berry, Much” Girl Scout Cookies
Day 418 – Gave my swim instructor at Valparaiso YMCA a box of “Thank You, Berry, Much” Girl Scout Cookies
Day 419 – Extra tip to my waitress at Pizza Hut
Day 420 – Financial donation to Officer Down Memorial Page
Day 421 – Financial donation to two women who are walking the Susan G. Komen – 3 Day
Day 422 – Financial donation to Valparaiso Nazarene Church
Day 423 – Helped a young lady navigate through Midway Airport
Day 424 – Gave gum to people in a meeting
Day 425 – Tip to driver
Day 426 – Phone calls with family and friends
Day 427 – Took my husband out to dinner, paid and gave the waiter an extra tip
Day 428 – Bought raffle tickets from Giving Hearts a Hand
Day 429 – Donated shampoo, bar soap and laundry detergent to Valparaiso Nazarene Church’s dry pantry
Day 430 – Baby shower gift for family friend
Day 431 – Monthly file folders from Lillian Vernon as a prize for a speaking engagement attendee.
Day 432 – Brought Mike a Dilly Bar treat from the DQ.
Day 433 – Sponsored a scholarship for a Taylor University Maddawg Cross Country runner
Day 434 – Cooked dinner for Mike
Day 435 – Bought and gave away 23 tickets to the Kiwanis Pancake Day
Day 436 – Cooked dinner for Mike
Day 437 – Extra tip to waiter at Gelsosomos
Day 438 – Financial donation to Make – a – Wish foundation
Day 439 – Bought new phones for mom and dad
Day 440 – Time – Worked on backpacks for children who were affected by the tornadoes in southern Indiana
Day 441 – Bought breakfast for a friend and YoAmazing for a friend
Day 442 – Easter crafts for my niece and nephew
Day 443 – Sweatshirt and book for my mom
Day 444 – Sent a card to a friend
Day 445 – Sent a baby gift to friends
Day 446 – Sent a card to my mom and a financial donation to victims of the tornadoes in Holton, IN
Day 447 – Bought and took my friend to a cooking class. I also gave her a Word of the Day calendar.
Day 448 – Donated 10 pairs of new children’s PJ’s to The Caring Place
Day 449 – Handed out chocolate mini – candy bars to those that attending my kitchen organizing session at the Lake County Home and Lifestyle Show
Day 450 – Gave an Edible Arrangements – Valparaiso to a friend for her birthday
Day 451 – Sent Easter cards to family members
Day 452 – Sent a card to my dad for being named Officer of the Year
Day 453 – Financial donation to March of Dimes
Day 454 – A bag of lifesavers for Mike
Day 455 – Hosted college friends in my home for the weekend
Day 456 – Hosted college friends in my home for the weekend
Day 457 – Mini Easter baskets with chocolate for a friends children
Day 458 – Wore blue in support of a coworker whose daughter has autism. This was Light it Up Blue day
Day 459 – Financial donation to the United Way of Porter County for the Golf Classic
Day 460 – Extra tip for waitress
Day 461 – Easter baskets for the children at the Caring Place
Day 462 – Carmel Apple Tartlets from Omaha Steaks for my dad
Day 463 – Made and gave apple chips to my niece
Day 464 – Financial donation to Housing Opportunities food pantry
Day 465 – Easter candy for Mike
Day 466 – Volunteered time for the United Way of Porter County Board Retreat
Day 467 – Tip to my massage therapist
Day 468 – Bought a K – 9 pup stuffed animal to support Vest Indiana K – 9s
Day 469 – Bought my friend a Teaspoon at The Container Store
Day 470 – Honey sticks for my niece and a Sticky Tie for my nephew
Day 471 – Phone call with my mom
Day 472 – Wrote a grant for my husbands K – 9 equipment
Day 473 – Volunteered time at the United Way of Porter County
Day 474 – Bought candy bars from my friends son who was selling them for his baseball team
Day 475 – Dunkin Donuts Munchkins for the nurses at my doctors offices
Day 476 – Bottled water for my friend at the movies
Day 477 – Chocolate chip cookies for Mike and stuffed animals for my friends son
Day 478 – Reviewed and edited a grant for Giving Hearts a Hand
Day 479 – Spent more time reviewing grant for Giving Hearts a Hand
Day 480 – Pistachios for Mike
Day 481 – Yo Amazing gift card for a friend
Day 482 – Magazine and books for a friend that had surgery
Day 483 – Officer Down Memorial Page donation
Day 484 – Survey Monkey Contribute that donates to charity and donated food for Feed the Need
Day 485 – Blueberry muffins for a friend, bread and cupcakes for neighbors and donation to church
Day 486 – Volunteered for United Way Communication Task force
Day 487 – Phone call with my dad
Day 488 – Cut off 16 inches of my hair for Wigs for Kids
Day 489 – Participated in Child Hunger Ends Here = 1 meal by entering code from a canned good
Day 490 – Donation to the Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Day 491 – Extra tip to the waitress at The Bird while on vacation in Wyoming
Day 492 – Extra tip to waitress while on vacation (extra tip for me is more than 15%)
Day 493 – Extra tip to waitress while on vacation
Day 494 – Extra tip to waitress while on vacation
Day 495 – Tip our guide on the float down Snake River
Day 496 – Left our unused can of bear spray for the renters after us and bought bread sticks for a lady at the airport
Day 497 – Harley Davidson t – shirt for Mike’s friend
Day 498 – Pistachios for Mike
Day 499 – Donation to Kiva
Day 500 – 500 days of giving!!! I made five (5) $100 donations to various organizations
Day 501 – Extra tip to waitress
Day 502 – Twilight sticker for friend
Day 503 – Extra tip for waitress
Day 504 – Extra tip for driver
Day 505 – Participated in the Valparaiso K – 9 5k run
Day 506 – Paid for hotel for mom and sister when we traveled to Ft. Way to see Mamma Mia
Day 507 – Cooked dinner for Mike
Day 508 – Extra tip for pizza delivery guy
Day 509 – Candy for Mike
Day 510 – Paid for a friends dinner when we went out for his birthday
Day 511 – Donation to Officer Down Memorial Page
Day 512 – Stuff animal moose for friends baby
Day 513 – Invited friends three boys over to house to use the pool
Day 514 – Invited friends and their daughter over to swim
Day 515 – I cooked dinner and dessert for Mike
Day 516 – Took Mike out to Chinese for his birthday. This was a major sacrifice!
Day 517 – Donation to Housing Opportunities
Day 518 – Pistachios and gum for Mike. I also took him out again for his birthday.
Day 519 – Phone call with mom
Day 520 – Phone call with friend
Day 521 – Tracked down man at the airport who had dropped his drivers license.
Day 522 – Talked to strangers in the elevators and told them to have a blessed day. Great reactions!
Day 523 – My (over) 500 days of consecutive give giving came to an end. I was so sad on this day.

In 2011, Stephanie started on a giving journey. She gave a gift every day for over 500 days. This journey inspired her upcoming book, The Giving Challenge:40 Days to a More Generous Life. Order now!

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