The Merry Band of Schemers

Each month, a group called The Merry Band of Schemers uses Skype to plan out how they will change someone's life. And each month they amaze each other and everyone else they work with, including Nate St. Pierre, with what they can accomplish together. Nate is the founder of Love Drop, the organization that inspires and guides The Merry Band of Schemers in their work.

As the leader of Love Drop, a micro-giving network of people who unite as a community to help one person or family a month, Nate appreciates how precious a group of volunteers like The Merry Band of Schemers is. "They take pleasure in finding unique ways to surprise our families with unexpected, touching gifts," he says.

While Love Drop launched in January 2011, The Merry Band of Schemers grew organically during the organization's third "Drop" in March 2011, to help Katie in Dallas. Katie was a single mom struggling through multiple brain tumors and other serious medical conditions. While determined to maintain a positive outlook, Katie wasn't sure how she'd pay her gigantic medical bills while supporting her two children, and she was feeling very alone.

By coordinating via Skype and Love Drop's official forum, the Schemers were able to do an incredible amount for Katie and her family using their own time, connections and even money. From tickets to Disneyland and to baseball games, to baskets full of gifts for Katie and her kids, to surprise visits from Katie's friends from all over the country, The Merry Band of Schemers certainly lived up to their name.

Love Drop, with the Schemers, is now planning its sixth Drop to help alleviate a family's grief after a tough loss by giving support both financially and emotionally. "With so many people doing just a small part, and then focusing it all on one family, we can literally change their lives," says Nate.

Nate and his co-founder run Love Drop, but it's volunteers like The Merry Band of Schemers that give the project its power. "Love-scheming with the Love Drop team is my one ‘just because' project," says one member of the Schemers. "Focusing on one family for a full month, and how we can best bless them, makes my day so much brighter."

Another Schemer talks about how she got started: "I became involved with Love Drop when my friend, Katie was the recipient. I had no idea how amazing it would be to watch everyone come together to bless her in so many amazing ways. I also had no idea that Love Drop is just as fun and heart warming even when you don't know the recipient! I think they're kind of stuck with me now."

"Everyone gives just a little bit in money or time," explains Nate, "but the total effects of all that giving add up to something truly life-changing for the families we work with each month."