Beloved CIDI followers, friends and fans, 
Valentine’s Day is a perfect occasion to tell you that…well…we love you!
And there is much to love about you, but we’ll count just three ways:
- You care about others. You feel other people’s suffering, especially that of vulnerable people, and want to alleviate it. Your focus on other people makes you an enduring hero in most faith communities, in the philanthropic world and likely among your family and friends – the lucky ones who get the best of your love.
- You are smart about giving. And that’s the trick, isn’t it? Making the most of your resources to maximize the good you can do. You are talented at this; you do your homework on what’s needed and the best way to satisfy the need. You ask questions, you probe, you apply your mind and your heart to giving smartly.
- You put the needs of others before your own. This is advanced placement giving, and not every donor does it. Especially after disasters, many donors feel emboldened by watching TV or reading the newspaper to collect things that may seem like a sensible reaction to a video clip, but do not answer complicated realities on the ground. These donations are satisfying to the donor but rarely answer emergency needs. But you – you go deeper and support people and organizations that work directly in disaster-affected communities. So smart of you, and we love you for it.
Audrey Hepburn once observed that true beauty originates in the soul. This Valentine’s Day, know that you are beautiful to us, that we respect your desire to give, honor your Smart Compassion and admire the good that you continue to do in the world.
Big love to you!
Juanita Rilling
Director
Center for International Disaster Information (CIDI)
