Gypsy– a nomadic or free-spirited person
Giver– to present voluntarily and without expecting compensation; bestow
Gypsy Giver– one with the universe; always finds beauty in everything. We are fearless because we follow our hearts. We are rebellious wanderers who love to give back to the places we call home and the places we have yet gone. We love life and show our upmost respect for our Mother Nature. We are here because something needs to happen, because we can be the revolution.
We (Lindsay, Mel, and Scarlet, our VW van) are ready to take the road! Our paths crossed in third grade for a reason. We are soul mates with a dream. We are from rural New Jersey and left-handed. We love music, traveling, the sun, NYC, helping others, and having fun! Much like our similarities, our differences complement one another. Everything from our height difference and hair color to our zodiac signs, our differences mend us together.
We moved to New York City when we left high school to fulfill our passion for fashion and the busy city lifestyle. We met, created and accomplished many dreams of ours here in New York City. Something that has always been in our hearts and souls is the love of helping those around us. We started to realize that we were waking up on days feeling a lack of drive in our corporate jobs. We asked ourselves, why waste such a short life with the drama of corporate America? Day in and day out, we found ourselves in a rut, a rat race that we didn’t want to win because winning meant selling our souls for something we didn’t believe in. We craved a slower, more soulful lifestyle where we can use our best attributes. After finding some solace in running, something just came to us, a calling if you will. Why have we stopped following our dreams? It’s time we gave back to the world that has given us so much, so many chances to be who we want to be. We love to make others smile and sometimes that can make all the difference. We are going to let our souls shine while we give back to the cities, people, and places that have touched our lives. We are going to volunteer our time and energy; hoping to enlighten others to follow their passions and make a little difference in the world.
Our goal is simple, to help others. Whether we volunteer at a food pantry, donate our time to aid those who can’t do things on their own, work at national parks or music festivals, our intentions are the same. Simply, help. We are in it as long as we can do good, spread good karma, and take it with us on the road.
gypsy givers 
Just saw the red VW-Scarlet as we drove through Covington, LA. today and immediately looked you up! Love your outlook!! Wonderful Love so glad you have made it to our state.
If you are here for anytime we would love meet you a share some of our resources and offerings. We operate a 100 acre Community in Abita Spring, LA. and work with unsettled youth in the outdoor environment. We wish you well in all your endevors, keep spreading the love!🙏💓
Kat & Tim
Be & Be
Abita Springs, LA. 70420Just saw the red VW-Scarlet as we drove through Covington, LA. today and immediately looked you up! Love your outlook!! Wonderful Love so glad you have made it to our state.
If you are here for anytime we would love meet you and share some of our resources and offerings. We operate a 100 acre Community in Abita Spring, LA. and work with unsettled youth in the outdoor environment. We wish you well in all your endevors, keep spreading the love!🙏💓
Kat & Tim
Be & Be
Abita Springs, LA. 70420
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Kati, this made my day! Hearing from you is the entire reason for our trip! We are hanging in abita springs for the afternoon. Would love to meet you! Does this afternoon work? Or possibly friday morning? Looking forward to hearing from you.
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Please contact me at stillness@live.com
Or let me know where you will be on Wednesday so hopefully we can meet up
Thanks,
Kati
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Or if you are interested Tim teaches a great (small) yoga class on Wednesday nights at 6:30 in downtown Covington at a place called–
‘Our Place’
338 North Vermont Street, Covington, LA 70433
(985) 875-1182
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Dear Gypsy Givers,
Yesterday morning, Sunday 5 April, I was driving an iconic yellow Crown Victoria for 1800TAXICAB, from Pinon Hills to Corona, and I came across Scarlet, your culturally resonate and passionately red VW van.
The first time I was homeless was when my very young parents decided to move from Ohio to the upper peninsula of Michigan with me, almost 4, and my brother, 20ish months, and we all lived out of a VW microbus in a state park while my Dad looked for work and my Mom looked for a place to call home … and I’ve been a sojourner since, moving 49 times with 9 periods of genuine homelessness (once as a fulll time volunteer activist in DC).
I give you this little snippet of my history because upon seeing Scarlet, and then your positively glowing smiling faces as you moved between deep conversation and quiet reverie (the blonde of your pairing was behind the wheel, and despite perusing this site, I cannot say if it was Lindsay or Mel, yet a sincere hello to you both =) I was reminded of that first journey away from home without a certain destination, and of my present crossroads, and I immediately wished you both well and celebrated your adventure. Did you notice the yellow taxi circling you for a mile or two, while headed south-west on the 215, before I accelerated ahead to return you to your private discourse?
A congratulations on impending aunt-hood, prayers and well wishes to your sister and her family as they prepare for birth and parenting … and my condolences to you and your family after having to say goodbye to your beloved Nan. The only person in my childhood to give me the gift of truly unconditional love was my grandmother Omie, the only one of my four grandparents to not die from alcoholism and live long enough for me to get to know, so I feel especially such a sacred loss.
Death and birth, and around Easter time too! What a universal yet timely blog you are sharing with the world. Thank you for reminding me that I drive a taxi because it suits my sojourner’s soul and recovering person by providing movement and service with earnings and freedom … but that it’s not the last step on the road. You see, I’ve been dreaming of getting a versatile van and setting up a micro charity to give people rides, or help people move, or whatever tranport service might be required and/or desired, allowing folks to pay what they can as tax deductible charitable donations so that I can help those who could truly use four wheels, two hands, and an open heart.
Anyway, you’ve reminded and inspired me, and if you’re ever in the Inland Empire area in need of a second vehicle, it would be my pleasure to give back.
Blessed be,
D
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Thank you so much D for taking the time to tell us your story. You inspire us as well and that’s what it’s about making the world a better place 🙂 If you get a chance read our post “Easter People”. This is what we were doing in town that very same day you saw us!
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Dear Gypsy Givers,
Thanks for your kind words, and for allowing my post to be a part of your site. Feels very special.
I did ready your “Easter People” post, and it reminded me of my time as a member of the Community For Creative Non-Violence (http://www.theccnv.org/) during 1989-1990 (before Mitch Snyder committed suicide ~ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitch_Snyder). The approach of the folks you volunteered with in LA is very different than the activism which informs my history, but at heart care is care, and the worst thing about being homeless is ceasing to be seen as a human being.
So, thanks again for all you are doing, and for letting our almost crossing of paths become part of your epic road trip!
Blessed be …
D
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Hi Gypsy Givers!
I am so happy to have found your website. I am also road tripping around the country performing volunteer work. I would love to join forces (volunteer / coffee / swap tales) if our paths should cross!! I think it is awesome there are so many of us out here. 🙂
Happy travels!
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Hi! Thanks for reaching out! So happy we share the same love of helping others and travel. We will be in Seattle by the end of this week. Summer travels should keep us on the west coast. Would love to hear your plans and hopefully our paths cross!
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It was so great to meet you both today! Thanks for the coffee, and good luck in all your adventures!
Jay
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Just reading your “about” page now, love it and all the pics and messages. Can’t wait to read your next gypsy story. Always thinking of you, and so incredibly proud of you, love telling others your story….stay safe xoxo Aunt Cin
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I live you my OWN special gypsies. Happy Vday a day late or early who knows Thailand time. Not me.
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Dear Gypsy Givers,
I’ve been following your blog since I got the link from a former co-worker last year, who (I think) is Lindsay’s sister (we both taught at a private school in Atlanta). I love your updates in my inbox! On another note, and the reason why I’m contacting y’all, I’m writing a story about vanlifers for a small alternative publication in North Carolina called Mountain Xpress. I’d like to interview y’all about vanlife if y’all are interested.
Please shoot me an email: hokey@freestylevan.com
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Hi there! How flattering you have been taking the time to follow our adventures. Thank you so much! We would to be involved. So happy you thought of us. We will send you an email now. Shine on!
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