Look What She Did: Ashley Eide
January 01, 2017
By : Inspired Woman Magazine

img_8855It started with a simple writing prompt in a high school English class: Should we donate all the money we use on luxuries to people in third world countries?

Ashley Eide’s answer was no.

“If we work hard enough to afford luxuries, we should be able to reward ourselves, but there are also lots of people right here in Bismarck that need our help. We should focus on helping them,” she explains.

Ashley kept thinking about that long after she finished her essay. She decided to make “Blessing Bags” for Bismarck’s homeless.

“Everyone deserves their tummies to be full, toes to be warm, and most important, their heart to be loved,” she says. “I spoke at my church and visited elementary and middle schools, started a drive at my own school, told my friends and family, and created a GoFundMe account so I could get donations from anywhere in the world.”

The response took Ashley a bit by surprise. Her post was shared over a hundred times and people from across the country donated. Local dentists, salons, boutiques, and Mary Kay representatives donated toothbrushes, chapstick, makeup, face wash, and other beauty products.

Ashley delivered “Blessing Bags” to Ruth Meiers, Carrie’s Kids, and the Abused Adult Resource Center. She’s decided to make this an annual event and plans to collect donations year-round. You can donate at www.gofundme.com/bismanblessingbags. If you’d like to donate other items, or get more information, contact her at ashleyelizabeth011@gmail.com.

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