Don't ignore your calling

Editor's note: Boesch and Kendra Faulkner co-founded the local nonprofit OHgo, whose charitable efforts in Erie County include a mobile food pantry, the Project Happy Christmas gift-giving drive, and more. If you wait until you have it all figured out before you begin, it'll probably never happen. I was teaching kindergarten at the time. I was noticing an increase in basic needs not being met and was feeling a call to help others in a new way. After all, how can I expect this little student to be active at recess in her loose shoes that are two sizes too big, or learn subtraction through her hunger pains? I knew there was more that could be done outside the four walls of that school. To quit my job was a risk, but it didn't seem so risky knowing it was a risk for others. My friend, Kendra, was feeling the same calling. One late evening on my back patio she and I had a deeper conversation. We had discussed a few times before why the families we really hoped would benefit from the free resources and programs in our community weren't attending. That night we began considering a few real barriers such as lack of transportation or living with a chronic condition, for example. "How do we reach those who can't get to us?" Kendra asked. What if we converted trucks and busses into things such as traveling libraries and free grocery stores on wheels, to reach those most in need? We had no idea what it would take. We had no idea how to begin a nonprofit. We had little money. We had little experience. But we did have one very powerful thing — a "yes!" We left each other that night saying "We will go." That very next morning, my husband — who was completing his Master's education online at the time — opened his laptop to see what his next six-week course was going to be. I heard him mumble "nonprofit law? What does that have to do with anything?" Surprised, I asked, "what did you say?" He confirmed that his next course was in nonprofit law and that his instructor was a lawyer who also operated a large nonprofit in Cleveland. We were sent a helper! I told my husband about my conversation with Kendra the prior night and we knew this was confirmation to begin a new journey. His instructor told us he would help us through it. We didn't feel ready, but we felt excited and willing. That was the date we proclaimed it. I drew the OHgo logo on a napkin at dinner that night, and five weeks later we had our nonprofit status. Doors continued to open, one after another. God had been connecting the dots long before. I often think, "What if we didn't say 'yes?' What if we had ignored the calling because we thought we had to have it all figured out?" For us, it began with a tiny corner of a willing heart to believe something great is possible. Soon that willingness turned into an eagerness to learn and improve, which guided our emotions, our motivation and plans. That eagerness resulted in action, and with every action step came more clarity. Today we have around 60 dedicated volunteers that spread love through the community every month. We partner with over 70 local churches, schools, organizations, clinics and foundations. We stock 32 school pantries, distribute enough food through mobile pantries to provide over one million meals to families in need every year, and 400 senior food boxes are delivered to homes every month. Thousands of books are gifted to children every summer through our traveling bookmobile, 3,500 Christmas gifts delivered door-to-door every December, and we host field trips at our warehouse, among other programs. Do you see a need or have a dream? What do you believe is possible? You don't have to have everything figured out today. Give yourself permission to start out a little messy, and just be willing.