Making it easy to help

The strength and success of Koner's idea is that helping those in need doesn't take a lot time, nor does it require spending much money. The average donor family spends about $35 to $40 each month. Donations of new and gently used items, including books for the "Books for Life" program, are always sought for the adults and kids in the communities served by Family-to-Family.

Koner thinks her idea caught on so quickly because it enables families to make a difference through personal action. "What I hear all the time is, 'I've been looking to do something like this with my family.' It's not just talking about wanting to make a difference, or taking five minutes to write a check," she says, making certain to emphasize that monetary donations are very much appreciated, as well.

Pam Koner

"It's mostly people who want to make a commitment to take an hour a month to go shopping, pack a box, and deliver it to the chapter person." And, since there is no commitment, donor families can decide to work with another family at any time, or stop participating in the program, altogether.

Expanding into business services

These days, Koner comes up with ideas faster than her fingers can churn out e-mails. "Right now I'm trying to find 10 sewing machines for an Appalachian community so they can renew their quilt-making traditions."

She also has connected people who need loans for their small businesses with the nonprofit Kiva organization (kiva.org) which acts as a conduit between individuals who want to donate money and entrepreneurs who require start-up funds. While Kiva works with people all over the world, Koner connected Kiva with individuals in the counties with which she is working.

Koner also helps to empower entire rural communities by linking their leaders with other nonprofit groups, such as the Heifer Organization, which provides assistance and resources to people so they can start sustainable food programs and businesses such as hog farms, vegetable gardens, and businesses that center around egg-laying chickens.

"I try to find solutions," she explains, clearly delighting in the knowledge that her efforts have made a huge difference in people's lives. Since starting Family-to-Family, nearly 25 families have left the program and become self-sufficient. "It's always such a wonderful feeling when they do," she says.

Helping kids help, too

Yet another notable part of Family-to-Family is that it provides a way for children and teens to experience the joy of helping others. The organization's Web site suggests options for Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, church and temple groups, students whose schools require participation in community service, and activities for Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah or Confirmation group projects.

For example, the site suggests several ways to provide packaged "Birthday Boxes" for underprivileged children who otherwise would have no celebrations. The children can select the age and gender of those whose parties they want to help create. They can provide party boxes for all the children in one community whose birthdays fall within the typical four months of participation. And they can decide to send the boxes to shelters or simply to communities served by the organization.

Suggested birthday party kits contain boxes of cake mix and canned frosting, birthday candles, wrapped, gently used books and a wrapped gift that costs about $5, plus a package of streamers or balloons, or perhaps a "Happy Birthday" banner, along with personalized birthday cards from the children.

While Koner has created many ways to help improve the lives of hundreds of adults and children, she recognizes that her efforts have enriched her own life tremendously. She puts it simply: "If I didn't wake up tomorrow, I would know my life wasn't wasted. I feel like I've fulfilled a purpose on this planet. It's given me personal definition. The more I do, the more capable I become."