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Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Question of the day. Should good deeds be recorded?

I want to take a rare moment to post as Tyler's mom. I am the voice behind his causes. I want to thank you for being here! Something was on my mind this morning. Is it approrpriate to document good deeds? This reflection was inspired by a post that I read about someone helping a homeless man, while it was being recorded. I can't say what is right or wrong for someone else to do, but I want to share several points. 

In Tyler's case, I show what he is doing so that his supporters know where their donations are going, and that he participates in doing real work on his projects. He is five years old, but I require him to do as much as he can, after he comes up with his own ideas. We also want everyone to know that all of the money that he raises for things like Give Back to Veterans Day is only used to help veterans, especially since everyone in this world is not honest about fundraising. People often work very hard for their money. They want to feel like donations are being used properly. We greatly appreciate individuals who participate in helping veterans. It is not taken for granted. Both of our parents served in the military. 

I also want to document my son's progress as we work on the next step for his project. Some grants require documentation, and perhaps Tyler may even inspire someone to take action to try something they would like to do. Creating a platform is not a contest. There is enough room for anyone who wants to participate in doing good deeds to take action and do it. Everyone has a purpose and may be called to do different things. Not every journey will unfold the same. That is okay. In fact, the beauty of it is terrific. I hope that more people look at their hearts and remain true to why they began volunteering in the first place. My parents were active volunteers in different capacities, when I was growing up. The values that I learned are what I try to pass on to my son. Making money is important, but where would we be if no one stopped to help anyone in the world? No one can do it all, but one small act of kindness can go a long way.

Based on the response, we want Give Back to Veterans Day to grow. Raising money online was hard to do, and the call to help collect items was unanswered,  that's why I accompanied Tyler to safe places that he could go with a donation can. He works on his project when no one sees him or hears his conversations. Some days when the weather was bad, we had to work around that. Lots of people ignored him when he tried to talk to them about helping veterans. Some people promised to help and never showed up, after meetings were scheduled. I taught Tyler how to deal with that and more, too. He is learning many lessons at an early age. 

Social media is a great tool to raise awareness about a cause, but it can require skill. People share videos of people fighting and doing unkind things. In my book,  exhibiting bad behavior should not be regarded as entertaining. There are so many negative things going on in the world. Perhaps it is time to share more kind gestures, too. People mess up. People do good stuff. What we as users of social media share is powerful. 

Anything we post here has been cleared by someone who agreed that we can. If someone does not want anyone to know that help was given, it is okay. Anyone can need help in life. Who has not been there? If the situation is very sensitive, we do not want to post faces or names either. Letting people keep their dignity is important. Everything is not meant to be shared online. At the same time, when people see results, it helps Tyler to get more support from people who make decisions. 

If you want to join the "Do Something Good Network" in 2017, I hope this post helps to give you some things to consider. Establish your guidelines while putting together your project, then use technology as a tool to spread the word. This is my tip of the day! 

--Tyler's mom
co-founder of Give Back to Veterans Day
www.kidtimeenterprises.com


Thursday, December 22, 2016

I was interviewed on WJZ-13 when I made the delivery to veterans in need. This is a story link.

Hello Friends,

I am grateful that WJZ-13 interviewed me at MCVET. Please watch the video and read my story by clicking this link: http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2016/12/21/kid-preneur-works-to-help-maryland-veterans/. I will continue to donate money to help homeless and elderly veterans. Each book sale or GoFundMe donation helps me to fund this goal. Also, please consider supporting MCVET. The details are in the link.

Merry Christmas!

Tyler

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

My superehero visit to MCVET, Give Back to Veterans Day 2 a success

Although I am just five years old, I know that Christmas is about more than asking Santa for toys. It is also about celebrating Jesus' birth, helping others, and giving back to the community. When I was four years old, I wanted to do something to help homeless veterans, after seeing a video on YouTube about them. With my mom's assistance, I created Give Back to Veterans Day, before launching Kid Time Enterprises, LLC.

My first event provided items to elderly and homeless veterans in the District of Columbia and Anne Arundel County, just before Easter. Give Back to Veterans Day 2 was held at MCVET (Maryland Center for Veteran Education & Training) in Baltimore, Md., during the nonprofit's holiday party on December 19, 2016. After taking a tour, and learning how homeless veterans can get help there, I knew that it was the perfect place to support through donating items.
I am a CEO who gives back to the community. 

 15 boxes of items were packed for the delivery. 

Just before the 2016 holiday party began at MCVET, I arrived early to prepare for my superhero delivery. I was happy to assist veterans, by helping to lift boxes that I packed at home with my mom.


I helped veterans load my donations to take them inside of MCVET.

I entered the building as a superhero. I pushed a cart with my donated computer.
I had an opportunity to donate a variety of items to homeless veterans, including a new computer, which will be used for their employment program, hats, gloves, scarves, soap, shirts, undergarments, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, backpacks, and thermals. 

I presented my donated computer to individuals who run MCVET's job program.

I raised over $1,000 by donating a portion of the proceeds from my book called "Tyler Goes Around the World," relaunching my GoFundMe campaign   https://www.gofundme.com/uxs2hbcs, and also by requesting donations in-person at shopping centers with my special fundraising can. Burgundy Wear of Laurel donated boxes of items such as hoodies and shirts. Thanks to Pam Dyson, I was able to increase the impact of my project. Distributed items were valued at over $2,000.
Veterans at MCVET thanked me for creating my giving campaign.



I met more great people who support veterans and volunteer.



I learned that kids can give back, too. This project helps me to understand how important it is to help people like homeless and elderly veterans. Additionally, I am flying around the beltway to make final deliveries to veterans and their family members who reside in Md.  I would like to thank everyone who donated to this campaign to help veterans, in addition to individuals who encouraged me. Start A Snowball invested in my idea when I was four years old. Others help allowed me to establish my project.

I will continue donating money from books sales to help veterans in need. A portion of the proceeds of "Tyler Goes Around the World" helps me to get a financial start to give back to others. I believe that veterans deserve help from superheroes. It is my job to spread as much goodness as I can.

FOX 5 DC interviewed me about my fundraiser/ Photo credit- Ashley Graham
Please visit these links, if you missed the new stories about my Christmas fundraiser:  http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2016/12/21/kid-preneur-works-to-help-maryland-veterans/ and  http://www.fox5dc.com/news/local-news/223783896-story  .

Also visit www.mcvet.org, if you would like to donate to MCVET.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Tyler Stallings
CEO, Kid Time Enterprises. LLC
Author of "Tyler Goes Around the World"

Thursday, December 15, 2016

FOX 5 DC interviewed me and my mom about helping veterans.

Dear Friends,

I had a very busy night on a superhero mission to help veterans. You may see the Fox 5 DC interview here: http://www.fox5dc.com/news/local-news/223783896-story.

Have a terrific day.


Tyler

Photo credit: Ashley Graham

Monday, December 12, 2016

This is a status update about Give Back to Veterans Day. Please donate.





I would like to thank Burgundy Wear in Laurel, Maryland for supporting Give Back to Veterans Day during the Christmas fundraiser! The donation of hoodies and shirts helped so much! Burgundy Wear specializes in embroidery, custom decorated apparel, banners, and promotional products for sports teams, businesses, and individuals. Please look them up via www.burgundywear.com if you need to buy this kind of merchandise. 

The picture in this post shows some of the donations and items that I purchased for homeless and elderly veterans. I also purchased a computer for MCVET. The majority of items will be donated to their nonprofit which helps homeless veterans. 




Plus, I will be honoring several veterans and their families. I will post more about the honorees soon. I already helped to fund the purchase of a new pair of glasses! 




The Christmas drive can help many veterans and their families who need items.
This is the last week to donate for my Christmas drive. Please help if you can and have not donated. You may use this link www.gofundme.com/uxs2hbcs. Thanks for your support. 



Tyler

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

My interview with my mom on Celebrity Spotlight LIVE Talk Show

Hello Friends,

If you missed this interview about me in October,  I want to share the link with you. You may listen to it via https://fccdl.in/lVHk9vLpi. I want to also thank Ms. Modesty for donating to Give Back to Veterans Day! She is the host of the show.

Have a terrific day.

Tyler

Saturday, December 3, 2016

Do you know a homeless veteran? Please read this important information.

Dear Friends,

Some of you who follow my Give Back to Veterans Day campaign may wonder how you can help homeless veterans if you encounter them.  Please tell them about the Maryland Center for Veterans Education and Training, Inc. (MCVET) in Baltimore, Maryland. I took a tour of it last week.




Help is available through the nonprofit. Services include: case management,  meals, tuition instance,  benefits assistance and recreational activities. Emergency, transitional, and single room occupancy options are available services for homeless men and women who are veterans. They even have a day drop-in center where homeless veterans can receive crisis intervention counseling, take showers, obtain water and fresh clothes. MCVET is a national residential and support program where veterans help veterans. It was also founded by veterans!

MCVET can provide assistance with coordinating a veteran's transportation to Baltimore. Help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please call 1-410-576-9626 X244 (Intake). MCVET also wants to know the names of human service organizations in your hometown who serve the homeless. Call 410-576-9626 ext. 235 with any information so MCVET can make sure they know about their services. Please visit www.mcvet.org for more information.



I decided to donate the majority of my donations from my giving holiday for Christmas to MCVET. I purchased a new computer for homeless veterans who live there to use so that another work station can be set up. I am currently buying hygiene products and items such as socks, thermals, and gloves. Please donate to my fundraiser if you can help me to thank veterans in need. This is my first veteran Christmas celebration and I want to make Give Back to Veterans Day 2 extra special. My GoFundMe link is
https://www.gofundme.com/uxs2hbcs Thanks for your support. Happy holidays.

Tyler
Honorary CEO
Kid Time Enterprises, LLC