It’s easy to accept favors and gifts. We love opening packages or having a special meal prepared in our honor. On our birthday we enjoy the cake and the singing of family and friends, all done in our honor.

However, how often do we give to others? Perhaps we hand over a house-warming bottle of good wine or a carefully wrapped gift for a baby shower. Maybe we mow the neighbor’s lawn when she’s broken her hip and can’t do it herself.

Considering how many worthy causes there are and how many financially-strapped families, what have we done to improve the lives of others?

Your task is to write a story in which a gift of some kind is freely given, not expectations of reward expected. Your character sees a need then organizes a fund raiser to fulfill it. Such generosity doesn’t come easy. Friends might scoff. Neighbors might complain. Helpers might fail to appear. Government entities might not give permission.

Remember the tension makes the story interesting, so give your character obstacles to overcome. Or not. People your story with helpers and detractors.

At the end the question must be answered: is she successful or not? Why? What makes things go right? What devilish things make it go wrong?

Have fun with this one.