Operation Give: San Rafael el Arado, Guatemala

Watch our video here: http://bit.ly/OperationGive_Video

MISSION: To raise $26,000 by January 2015 in order to help keep stomachs full of food and minds full of knowledge by providing school snacks and educational support for 600 children in San Rafael el Arado, Guatemala, Central America for an entire year!

WHO/WHAT: Money raised will help provide school snacks, family food bags, school supplies, books, uniforms, and additional educational support for 600 children, from the ages of 6 through 18, grades K-8. 

WHERE/WHEN: We are having a School Supply Distribution Day in January 2015 in San Rafael el Arado. I will be hand-delivering all the bags with school supplies to the children, along with Common Hope staff and volunteers. I will capture the festivities through photos and video so you can see the impact of your donation and just how special you made a child feel.

WHY: During the summer of 2012 my life and my world changed forever. I had the privilege of volunteering through Common Hope at the only school in San Rafael el Arado. I went there with the intention of teaching them but they were the ones who ended up teaching me. Each and every one of these children constantly had a big smile on their face. They are all so full of life, love, and happiness. This lesson of feeling joy and thankfulness in the present moment is one that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

DONATIONS: I'm reaching out to you for help, together we can do this! For example, just $40 provides one child with food & educational support for an ENTIRE YEAR! However all donations are welcome, big or small!! Every penny counts, and it is appreciated beyond words! The money you donate is going directly to Common Hope in Guatemala where they will be purchasing and replenishing the school supplies and food throughout the year. Please note that your donations are tax-deductible and you will receive a donation record e-mail after you contribute online.

SHARING: Most importantly-spread the word by sharing this link with friends & family! Statistically speaking 1 share generates an average of $18+! Once you donate, please make sure to ollow these 3 easy steps to help raise us reach our goal 1) Take a photo of yourself with a sign that says:I donated to #operationgiveguatemalahave you? 2) Write a caption that includes #operationgiveguatemala & the donation link (bit.ly/Donate_OperationGive) 3) Tag Operation Give -go like the facebook page if you haven't yet ;)-and then post on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter & LinkedIn)

SHOOTING FOR THE STARS: In 2012, my goal was $5,000 to throw 500 children in San Rafael a Christmas Party filled with gifts & food, which was a great success! All of the donors were more than supportive, together we raised over $10,000 - doubling the original goal! In 2013, my goal was to raise enough money/donated items in Guatemala to have a Luncheon for 1,000 women and children in San Rafael-which we pulled together in just 2 weeks! With high hopes and a can-do attitude, I am confident we can make this yet another successful year!

MY STORY: My name is Diane E. Phillips, and I am the founder of Give Photography and Operation Give. I was born and raised in Boston, then spent my formative years in California and graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a degree in Anthropology. I am the lucky product of two amazingly loving, supportive, and world-traveling parents: a beautiful Catholic Guatemalan, and a handsome Bostonian Jew who grew up in the Philippines. Growing up, it was important to my parents that my brothers & I remembered to be grateful for all blessings in life, and most importantly, to share those blessings with others. I have been travelling to Guatemala my whole life to visit my relatives but the summer of 2012 was the first time I volunteered there.  That is when I experienced a monumental paradigm shift.

SHOUT OUTS: To my family and friends who have all been so supportive & helpful with everything from helping with benefit events to sharing Operation Give with everyone they know! Major shout out to my boyfriend Johnny Wallace who has been through it all with me-from preparing, organizing & setting up benefit events to being my rock through thick and thin-I couldn't have done it without you, baby! To all my other Operation Give angels out there-you know who you are and how much you mean to me! Thank you all from the bottom of my heart!

FACEBOOK: To follow our progress, view photos/videos, and get news about upcoming fundraising events please visit and "like" our Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/OperationGive

SPONSORED BY: Fundraising campaign and photos are sponsored by Give Photography: http://www.facebook.com/GivePhotog