In Keith's words this is "a real good story and an example of how fate works."

Last week Fred Snyder, Regional Manager, sent to all division managers a website and the name of an organization that provides bags and other supplies to agencies and individuals going through the adoption or foster children programs ... We learned that the children's personal belongings are indeed put in brown paper, or plastic garbage bags, for their transferal from location to location.

In the process of cleaning out and updating samples at Geiger MPI office, I came upon several bags that were discards or old samples, some with missing straps or unidentifiable logos. Jo-an Lantz, Executive VP, had shared her recent experiences with Department of Human Services in her area, so I placed a call to Mississippi DHS, Adoption and Child Placement Division, to see if they could use any bags that we might provide. The answer was YES! My contact, Mrs. Clark, said the bags would be wonderful - they generally use whatever is at hand to move the belongings of the children, often done very quickly and in a hostile environment.

Today, December 3, 2004, was delivery day. Mrs. Clark greeted me upon arrival at the DHS building. When she learned I had several large boxes to donate, she introduced me to her Department Director. Once he looked at my delivery, he asked me to appear before the meeting of Department Directors and explain my story and how I had come to call at DHS with this donation.

I explained who Geiger was, our history, and how giving back to the community is important to the firm. This lead to the story of Jo-an and the recent adoption of her two sons. Donald Taylor, Mississippi's Executive Director of Human Services, asked the Media Director to take pictures for a press release on our generous donation. Department Directors shared that their agency placed 288 children for adoption in 2004 and described how much the bags will mean to their program and the kids. What a wonderful feeling to drive away from that office, knowing that we may have touched the hearts of some child somewhere in our state.

Our timing on this couldn't have been any better ... holiday season giving, meeting with Directors, the unsolicited press release, and the appreciation of the Mississippi Department of Human Services. It doesn't get much better than that!