We need your help. One of my favorite people I met in 2009 is in a contest to win $250,000. I wouldn't normally send this, but her winning this money may benefit Motor City Connect.

If you just want to do your part and vote, click HERE and you will be whisked away to the Pepsi Refresh Everything contest where you can vote for the Journey Institute.

If you're the type who loves a good story, read on...

In 2008 an amazing woman embarked on a more amazing project. Dafna Michelson was tired of hearing about how bad the economy is and how people had to wait to see what the Government would do about it. She knew that there had to be people taking matters into their own hands. She decided to find them and expose them to demonstrate the true power of determination. After all, isn't that what our Country is about?

2009 saw the 50 in 52 Journey come to full realization. Daphna, a single mother of two, set out to meet and connect with everyday Americans who had stepped up and were doing great things for their community. These were everyday people who were leading with what they have from where they are.

It's called the 50 in 52 Journey because last year Daphna went to every state in our country. She would spend two days of the week away from home and in a new area. I know when she was here in May, she and I met on a Wednesday evening in Bloomfield and she was in Grand Rapids on Thursday. And that's how it went, driving great distances across states interviewing (with video camera in hand) people that were taking inspired action.

The idea was after interviewing these 300+ people all over the country was to find a way to give back to them. To help them support their missions. Most of the folks interviewed had invested their own time/money to get their ideas moving forward.

Daphna has created the Journey Institute to help these community leaders connect with the knowledge, resources and even continued inspiration to move their projects forward. This Pepsi contest that offers $250k would go along way in making her dream and dreams of so many come true.

So will you please take a moment RIGHT NOW and Vote. Just click HERE. It will take you less than 35 seconds to do it. You can vote once daily between now and the end of February. Please take a moment to do so.

HERE is a link to where all of the videos from each state are. I promise, you will laugh, you will cry, you will find it better than cats. HERE is a link to the home page where you can learn about Daphna and her vision for the journey.

I really appreciate your time, consideration and vote for this important cause.

As always, do let me know what I can do for you.

Oh Yeah, tomorrow's meeting in Commerce will talk about the importance of giving. It's a great opportunity to share information about your favorite cause and maybe enroll some new folks to it or find a new favorite for yourself. Click HERE if you would like to join us.

Should probably mention Tuesday's meeting in Royal Oak while I'm at it. Click HERE for that.

Be Connected-

Terry Bean