A (9-year-old) Superhero Sparks a "You'e LOVED"​ Movement this Thanksgiving... Pass it on!

Reason #109: why I love Thanksgiving week... There seems to be more good news flooding my feed... And this superhero story, my friends, is no exception. Plus it pairs perfectly with that extra slice of pumpkin pie. 

This fall we (The Greater Purpose Project) teamed up with the Valley of the Sun YMCA, to support the You’re Loved (organization) in accomplishing its Love Your Neighbor Project. The mastermind of this project is Fisher, McPhearson, the 9-year-old founder of You're Loved... Fisher’s greater purpose is equal parts profound and simple - making everyone from all walks of life feel loved - especially our homeless neighbors. BTW Fisher started his organization when he was 7 years old! (#GOALS). 

​(In case you're new to our story; the mission of GPP’s School Heroes Program is to empower youth through service projects. We help kids discover their superpowers (AKA talents, skills and differences) that make them unique and special. Then we give our young leaders the tools they need to utilize their superpowers to serve their communities (in a student-lead service project that benefits a local or global cause.) 
The Y’s superheroes hosted an item drive for our homeless neighbors, so we threw them a Superhero Assembly starring them!

After the YMCA kids completed their GPP Superhero Training, we introduced them to a real-life SUPERHERO, 9-year-old Fisher McPhearson, the founder of the You’re Loved (organization). 

As Fisher made his way to our interview set, the kids cheered and clapped for him like he was Tony Stark. (It was AWESOME.) After I asked the young superhero some questions, the press pool of elementary school correspondents took over. 

“What made you want to help homeless people?”

“How do you get all of the things you give to the homeless?”

“If you’re giving all of these things to the homeless, do you ever run out of your own food to eat?”

“What is your favorite color?” 

​“Are you famous?” 

Mic Drop. 

One of the super cool things about The Greater Purpose Project is that we introduce kids to real-life superheroes (like Fisher) whom they can look up to and emulate. 

And… It’s working…After our interview, the kids made their way to the craft tables where they made “You’re Loved” cards for our homeless neighbors. They spent thirty minutes drawing, coloring and creating love-filled messages to share with strangers. A little boy named Alex came up to me and said, “I want to give the homeless people my crystal rock.”

  He opened his small palm and handed me a heavy rock with a hollowed-out center   full of glittering sparkles.

I was in awe of his kindness and told him that he didn’t need to give his special rock away. But he was persistent. “They need it more than me.” 

During another interview, some older girls told me they wanted to help Fisher hand out their cards to the homeless during his “Love Your Neighbor” event happening on Black Friday this year. 

Now for my plug…If you or any of your coworkers, friends or family want to recharge your superpowers by sharing them with others - please join us for the Love Your Neighbor Event - presented by You're Loved.

Event Details: 
We will roll up our sleeves, and pack lunches with love notes in the morning at Illuminate Community Church (Scottsdale) and then head to Phoenix to hand out the lunches to our neighbors.

RSVP HERE: https://www.youreloved5.com/volunteer-experiences
If you’re not able to make it, stay tuned for The Greater Purpose Project’s - coverage of the event. I cannot wait to share this episode of GPPTV with you! 

​*** A heaping helping of gratitude to The Valley of the Sun YMCA, You’re Loved, and all of GPP’s volunteers, supporters, and contributors. Thank you for supporting our mission!***

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