About Us
Finding Inspiration in Every Turn
Our Story
I've traveled to the Middle East and several times to Europe, but when I visited Kenya for the first time, I was struck by two things: (1) the extremes in economic status plainly visible and (2) the amount of help a small contribution could make because of the favorable exchange rate. As a professional actor/singer for most of my life, I have not lived a life of luxury. Most of the time, in fact, I lived from paycheck to paycheck, without a rainy day fund to fall back on.
Through circumstances that had very little to do with fore-planning and very much to do with luck, I ended up making a modest profit on the sale of my Seattle home. Because I live a simple life and have learned to be content with the material possessions I've had the good fortune to acquire, I have helped several people in both Kenya and the Philippines to help themselves. Seeing how little it took, I decided to establish 1 BY ONE as a charity where those who don't have a lot to give can still feel like they're making a difference.
Small donations are as welcome as large ones. And, if you are unable to donate, perhaps you could share our mission (and website!) with a friend or two to further the cause.
Thank you for stopping by. Please scroll down for a story
that inspired me to make a difference by helping people 1 By One.
Finding Inspiration in Every Turn
The SEA STAR Story
It was a fine summer day and the beach just after dinner was not crowded. The high tide had left a variety of driftwood and shells and stones and tide pools to explore. After a time strolling and watching the waves rise and fall, I saw on the sand in the distance a small, solitary figure doing what I thought were calisthenics on the shore, or a strange sort of dance. As I neared, I noticed that the sand was covered with sea stars stranded by the tide. Not just a few, but dozens and dozens. As I got closer, the moving shape morphed into a girl who was picking up the starfish, one by one, and flinging them out into the sea, as far as she could.
Was she trying out for pitcher on a softball team? Was she avoiding doing her homework? Did she not like sea stars? My curiosity got the better of me. "What are you doing?" I asked.
"I'm throwing starfish back into the ocean," she replied. When I cocked my head, as if to say that seems obvious, she explained, "The sun is up and the tide is going out."
I must have had a blank look on my face, because she looked at me and said, "If I don't throw them back, they'll die."
I admit I was a little ashamed of my lack of sea star knowledge and consideration for the animals, but I was also in a pragmatic mood, and I replied, "But there must be hundreds of starfish stranded here. And who knows how many more farther up the beach? What difference does it make?"
The girl looked around her at the sea stars sprawled as far as she could see, and for a moment her face sagged at the sheer immensity of the task she'd set herself to. Then she took a deep breath, shook her head, smiled, and bent down to pick up another starfish and toss it as far as she could into the ocean.
She turned to me and said, "I made a difference for that one."
Words caught in my throat and I was taken aback by this girl's quiet determination.
Before I could respond, she turned to me, smiling, and said, "Would you like to help?"
Adapted from an original story by Loren Eisley.
Meet The Team
