Article by Ashley Puderbaugh.
"I first heard about sponsorship and Children International through an ad in Teen magazine," says Shannon Dillon. "I was excited that sponsorship cost only $12 a month – I got $5 each week as my allowance, so I could afford it with some left over."
So, in 1996, 14-year-old Shannon became the proud sponsor of 9-year-old Gisel from Colombia. Over the years, she has grown her "family" to (currently) include 17 girls from around the world!
The New York resident – who works as a ramp agent for Southwest Airlines – says she exclusively sponsors girls, because "in most of the countries Children International services, societies are still patriarchal, and girls from even well-to-do families face more challenges than boys."
Here, she explains how her relationships with them have changed her life for the better:
What is your favorite part of sponsorship?Knowing that I have the ability to make life better for somebody else is a powerful thing. I watch my girls grow from sad-faced, defeated children into confident, beautiful adults, and I think, "I helped them do that." It's an amazing feeling.
What has the experience taught you?
It has given me perspective. I used to dream about a giant house, a score of servants and nothing but free time to enjoy my hypothetical wealth. Now, I actually find myself looking at professional athletes' and movie stars' salaries and thinking, "They could do so much with that amount of money, but they just … waste it!" So yeah, it has definitely given me a different perspective about what's actually important.
Shannon Dillon has been a sponsor since she was 14 years old.
Shannon often sends Special Needs Gifts* to her girls, like this one for 13-year-old Cristine. Read her blog on how to send a gift at www.children.org/shannon.
How important is your connection with your kids?
It's almost more important than the monetary support. I think about them constantly and eagerly await letters to learn what they are up to and be reassured they are OK. (Especially in the Philippines, where natural disasters seem so frequent!) I want them to know I'm supporting them from afar ... and that I'm OK, too. (I know they worry when they haven't heard from me in a while!)
*Note: We now refer to SNGs as Extra Gifts.
*Note: We now refer to SNGs as Extra Gifts.
