What can you do to make a difference?

Meet Melissa.

Melissa is a friend of mine who is also a mother, a realtor and a blogger. And, she just launched a charity called Beautiful Feet Global Outreach.

Melissa has always had a soft spot in her heart for children, especially those who don’t have the benefits of a mom and a dad.
 Because of this passion, Melissa felt called to help orphans in Africa.

She made her first trip to visit Zimbabwean orphanages three years ago where she met beautiful children who face troubling circumstances – AIDS, poverty and lack of food – all without the support of a family.

Now, she is hooked.

She is truly and utterly passionate about making a difference in the lives of children who have the odds stacked up so high against them. She’s willing to make incredible sacrifices to give them a better life.

Melissa has raised money for a truck and a computer for the orphanage director to use. She’s made multiple trips to orphanages in Zimbabwe to love on the children and minister to them. Now, she is raising money for food, educational materials and HIV anti-viral medication for the children.

And she does it all for free.

I’m truly in awe of her.

So, why am I telling you all of this?

No, I’m not asking you to give them money. Though, the organization desperately needs funds to provide education and food for the children.

What I am here to tell you is that YOU can make a difference.

Melissa doesn’t have a fancy degree or a background in non-profit management. She didn’t wait around for someone else to start an organization to impact the lives of hundreds of orphans.
 She just saw a need and filled it.

We all have talents to give. Even you.

You might not be equipped to start a charity, but maybe you have extra time to volunteer. Maybe you have the resources to donate to a cause that’s important to you.

As for me? I have a voice.

I want to use my voice to highlight good people and amazing causes that are striving to make a difference in this world. I think instead of promoting ourselves, maybe we can promote someone else who really needs it.

Are you with me?

If you’re in, here’s what I propose…

If you’re on Twitter, you’re familiar with the concept of #FollowFriday. I’d like to turn that concept on its head and start something new.

Instead of recommending a laundry list of friends or businesses, I’d like to encourage you to point out a cause you’re excited about or a person who is out there working to make a difference.

Let’s call it Follow Friday for Good (or #FF4Good).

To get this started, share your favorite cause, charity or volunteer in the comments. And then, tweet your recommendations with the hashtag, #FF4Good!

I’d love to hear some great stories about people doing good in the world!

Let’s highlight some folks who could really use some help calling attention to their cause. Together, let’s make a difference.