When I (Gretchen) was beginning to dream about starting a child sponsorship project, my friend Josie is one of the first people I talked to. Sitting at a café table after church I shared the vision. Without hesitation, Josie gave a heartfelt response. "I want to help! Let me know when you begin." She went on to share that she was excited about her own new venture she was starting (a  successful Thirty One Bags business) and how she had a desire to use her Thirty One business to help support children too.

 

Although she was busy with the business plus her full time work in healthcare, Josie said YES to being on our original planning team! We are so grateful for the countless hours she has spent offering wisdom and support to help us keep this project steadily going forward. In March, Josie made the decision to step down from the member planning team but to continue to support a child. We are sad to lose her from the team, but happy to have her continuing as part of our 360 family of sponsors. We will miss her positive attitude, fun sense of humor, compassion for the children and practical insights. 

 

When we asked Josie to share what being part of 360 leadership team and/or sponsoring a child through 360 has meant to her, this was her reply. "Having known Gretchen for many years and having her as a mentor, friend, co-leader and a faith-filled role model, it was easy and natural to want to partner with her in her child sponsorship vision! Watching Gretchen's dream, vision and passion has been an honor! To be close to the heartbeat of 360 has been such a gift! Thank you for letting me be a part of it!"

 

We offer our deep gratitude for Josie's three years of service on our team from January, 2018 - March 2021.  (Josie is shown with her daughters Callie and Morgan - both supporters of 360.) For anyone interested, you can find and support Josie's Thirty One business at mythirtyone.com/bagsaremybusiness.