How to Give Away Your Medal

Yes, you did read it right. I did say medal, not metal. Why would you want to give away your hard earned medal? Read on to find out why and where you can go to donate yours.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. There are many reasons people give away their medals. In a recent Self Magazine article, Meaghan Murphy gave her's away to a 7 year old who is battling leukemia. Meaghan sites the girl as her inspiration for running in the New York Marathon, and felt she deserved it more than she did. Many people feel this way. Perhaps it sits collecting dust. Perhaps you feel it's time to give away your purple heart to someone who should have gotten one--but never did.

2. So you now want to get started, but don't know how. It could be easier than you think. Perhaps an old teammate, coworker, friend, or soldier is someone you think deserves it. Perhaps you would like to donate anonimously to someone else. There are online sites like Medals4Mettle.org that allow you to honor people who are battling illness, have physical or mental disabilities, or have suffered great challenges in their life.

3. The last step is to think of a way to present the medal to this person in a way that would be meaningful and heartfelt. Every person is individual, and only you know your friend, coworker, or associate the best. Perhaps you frame your medal and explanation of why you are giving it to them so they can hang it on their wall to remember. Maybe you set up a function where you can publicly present it to them. Or maybe you arrange to have it in your will so it is passed on to them along with a note explaining why once you pass on as something to hand down for generations to come. Sites like Medals4Mettle.org setup how medals are given, making it easy for you to donate.

Resources

• Medals4Mettle.org Site

[soanyway]

on 6/22/2009 Cool! caring, heart wrenching. I have a dear friend that is in his 9th year of Chemo!