Children of the World, Part Deux
My main dream is Children of the World, but I did not provide as much detail as I might. Instead of voting for this dream, please vote for the original (link below). Thank you.
The children of the world are the future of our planet. In their faces are the dreams and hopes for us all.
I am retired now, but I have been an ordained minister for 32 years, in which time I have seen children of all ages, financial status, needs, and wants. I have conducted funerals for children and marriages for young people. I have Christened infants and children. It has given me a love for children and a desire to do for them.
A few days after my mother died in March 1995, she came to me in a vision and told me to be Santa Claus. Now, this struck my family as odd because I always stressed out during the holidays and I was the last person they imagined to be Santa. But I heeded the call and this will be the 15th consecutive year I have played Santa. The children have removed my stress and have given me a joy I cannot describe. And my mother is with me more than she ever could be in the flesh.
Me the first year I was Santa (with my wife): http://www.grandmemories.com/images/background_change.jpg
In September 2000, my wife and I joined 38 other people on a trip to the People's Republic of China with world-renowned doctor, Hunter "Patch" Adams - the man the movie starring Robin Williams was made about. Patch and I sat together on the plane and talked about everything under the sun, including how to love those who need us and how we are all the same at the basic levels.
The forty of us dressed as clowns and visited hospitals, a hospice, a school for blind children, orphanages, and more. We spoke almost no Chinese, but communicated through laughter, song, gestures, magic, and touch. It was inspirational. When we got back we did volunteer clowning at local nursing homes and elsewhere. In March 2003, we joined 28 other clowns for a trip to Mexico to visit orphanages, schools, hospitals - the same as China.
Us as clowns: http://www.grandmemories.com/PixieJohnnyBalloonsWeb.jpg
In 2004, I was named the winner of the City of Mesa's volunteer of the year award, the Spirit of Caring.
My photography has been a part of my life since about 1974. My focus has been landscapes and life, but I have also shot people, including the church directory for my parish. My experience as Santa and a clown helps me elicit great expressions. My experience with birds and wildlife has given me a knack for grabbing the moment when it is there.
One such shot: http://www.grandmemories.us/Animals/Cherished.jpg
Some more of my photos: http://www.grandmemories.us/gallery/
In the hopes of winning this contest, I have written to UNICEF to ask what places they would recommend that I visit. My goal is to get children facing needs, children being cared for, and children looking to the future. Each location will dictate how many and what kind of photos meet these criteria.
I wrote to Save the Children International with the same questions.
I am pursuing other research now as well.
I am good with financials and budgets - one reason I could retire early to pursue this dream (and others). When I know which places I will visit, then I will plan an itinerary and plot out expenses to not exceed the $50,000 prize. I will not use the money for camera equipment; I have that already including Canon L-Series IS lenses.
If you can support this dream, please support my first one: http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/FatherJohn/children-of-the-world
I am only sorry I didn't spell the detail out better in the first place.
Rank: 141 |
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30 Comments
I like it even better then part 1..You have my vote .please go and vote for me.
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Best of Luck, your idea can could create real change!
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TY Father. Please help promote my idea.The rules do say major vote. A dream. I used to dream of being a clown.First Casino i took my daughter to visit here in R,NV was the Circus Circus to watch the acts. The clown on the outside is the best part besides the midway.
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Pic'd!
Thank you for stopping by...
"Dreaming together is more powerful than dreaming alone!" ~Henie~
Good luck!
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Best of luck, John!
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It seems some great ideas are getting lost from lack of votes so if you can take a look at my idea, I voted for you. Thanks for your idea and vote... Jkava888
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I like your idea!
I voted for you; will you vote for me? Let's do this and see how it turns out. Let's help each other!
Good luck!
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Very cool. Please, check me out too when you've got the time.
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I voted for both of them! Go F.J.!!!
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This is a great Idea! Check mine out too and if you like it...return the vote! Mine is about exposing a fatal conflict taking place in the Congo.
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Thanks, It's a start! Good luck to you too!
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Good Luck!
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I love kids and have your back on this one. Maybe your mom didn't mean "SANTA" in a literal sense. Either way, you can never go wrong with helping kids. It truly is an investment in YOUR future...
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Good ideas like yours that are not in the Top 100 are nearly impossible to find. This is unfair as many great ideas are hidden. Those of us in the “Sub-100” should work together to promote the best projects of the Sub-100 so that they can be in the Top 100 and be seen. Please vote for best Sub-100s!
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Hello There,Father John,
Voted for both of your ASSIGNMENTS already. The Best of Luck.
Blessings on you from above, amd may GOD grant you all your desires of trying to help ALL THE CHILDREN OF THE WORLD.
(ALSO WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR VOTE ON MY HOLY LAND ADVENTURE.
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Hey would you take me with you?? I m serious. I like your idea, but cant steal it.
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Thank you for your vote sir, I have voted for you also. Your idea is an important one. Keep up the good work! Hope you win.
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I voted your two ideas, good luck sir, and thank you
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Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. If a dream is shared, should it not receive a vote? And if I do not share votes, am I worthy of receiving any? If you love only those who love you, what reward will you get? Vote freely, as a gift to all dreamers. Thanks and God Bless.
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Picd both of your dream!
you may want to add me on flickr my username is ronangara
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Good luck
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It's good to see so much representation for kids in the world. Good luck to you.
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Right Back at you FatherJohn!!!! Thanks so much for the support!
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great dream and thank you for voting for mine!
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What a wonderful idea! I voted for both.
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Good luck with your project. Here is my vote for you.
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I voted for you. Good luck.
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Hey there Father John.. what is going on with the voting? Its' sure not leaving many of us a chance :( but since you are in the top ten.. i wish you luck!!
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Hi ally. If I could vote for you again legally, I would. So many good dreams here. No matter who wins, I am happy for them.
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Ready to win? Get in there. 
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FatherJohnMore ideas from this user
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Good Luck John.
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