I'm sure many of you are haunted by the images from Haiti and wondering how in the world you could do anything to help them. Please don't stay immobilized. Every little bit helps. Thanks to the blog Ask Moxie for this post on simple ways to help:
The easiest way to help is to text the word YELE to 501501 and a US$5 donation will be made to Yele Haiti, Wyclef Jean's foundation, with the money billed to your next mobile phone bill.
You can also donate through the Red Cross, either at redcross.orgor by texting the word HAITI to 90999 to have a US$10 donation made to the Red Cross International Relief Fund.
You can also donate through the Mercy Corps: https://donate.mercycorps.org/donation.htm?DonorIntent=Haiti+Earthquake
Cool Mom Picks offers other suggestions in this post.
Showing posts with label charities to support. Show all posts
Showing posts with label charities to support. Show all posts
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Gift of Giving - Will You Join In?
At my workplace, the owners began a Gift of Giving program last holiday season. They give each employee $100 and ask that the employee use the money to help an individual or family in need. The only parameters are that the person(s) must be outside your family, and it cannot be an organization - it must be an individual or family. Employees are then asked to write their stories anonymously in a shared document on our network. A couple of those stories are below.
Doing this small, simple act can have such an impact on people in need. We are allowed to give whatever message we want when we gift the money. I have asked recipients to pay it forward. I would now like to see how many of you are willing to pay it forward. Would you join us this year and gift $100 of your money to a person or family in need? If so, would you please write your story in the comments section here. You can remain anonymous if you would like.
A couple of stories from employees at my workplace:
A friend of mine volunteers for an organization called Mary Queen of Angels. They help mothers with young children who can’t afford the things they need to take care of their children. They help them provide food, diapers and wipes, etc for their children. I gave my $100 to a 30-year old single mother of two small children who is unemployed. She does not own a car so her father has to take her places. She receives no child support from the father. She said her children don’t have many clothes so she is constantly washing their clothes so they at least have clean clothes to wear. She is living with her cousin because her heat was turned off. Her refrigerator recently broke and she lost about $70 worth of food. One of her children has severe adhd and she can barely take him out in public. She said she hadn’t bought her kids any Christmas presents yet. She was very grateful and surprised by the $100 gift and was going to buy food and Christmas presents for her children.
A local charity put me in touch with a woman in need who lives in my area. She is 53 years old and single. She recently had hip surgery and is unable to work because of her physical condition. She has fallen behind financially. She doesn’t have any family in the immediate area. She tries to have a positive outlook but sometimes gets discouraged about what the future might hold. She was surprised when she received the $100 bill. She said she plans to use the money to buy a winter coat and shoes. It also gave her hope for the future and made her want to spread the joy by performing a random act of kindness for someone else.
Happy Holidays!
Doing this small, simple act can have such an impact on people in need. We are allowed to give whatever message we want when we gift the money. I have asked recipients to pay it forward. I would now like to see how many of you are willing to pay it forward. Would you join us this year and gift $100 of your money to a person or family in need? If so, would you please write your story in the comments section here. You can remain anonymous if you would like.
A couple of stories from employees at my workplace:
A friend of mine volunteers for an organization called Mary Queen of Angels. They help mothers with young children who can’t afford the things they need to take care of their children. They help them provide food, diapers and wipes, etc for their children. I gave my $100 to a 30-year old single mother of two small children who is unemployed. She does not own a car so her father has to take her places. She receives no child support from the father. She said her children don’t have many clothes so she is constantly washing their clothes so they at least have clean clothes to wear. She is living with her cousin because her heat was turned off. Her refrigerator recently broke and she lost about $70 worth of food. One of her children has severe adhd and she can barely take him out in public. She said she hadn’t bought her kids any Christmas presents yet. She was very grateful and surprised by the $100 gift and was going to buy food and Christmas presents for her children.
A local charity put me in touch with a woman in need who lives in my area. She is 53 years old and single. She recently had hip surgery and is unable to work because of her physical condition. She has fallen behind financially. She doesn’t have any family in the immediate area. She tries to have a positive outlook but sometimes gets discouraged about what the future might hold. She was surprised when she received the $100 bill. She said she plans to use the money to buy a winter coat and shoes. It also gave her hope for the future and made her want to spread the joy by performing a random act of kindness for someone else.
Happy Holidays!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Honestly Grateful
I awoke this morning after a night of restless sleep due to the six-point turns I have to make to turn over in bed. It is like backing a semi-trailer into a "Compact Only" parking space in New York City. Feeling big, grumbly, and just generally uncomfortable, I had the sense that this could be a miserable day.
Just as I was at the peak of feeling sorry for myself, an angelic little face holding a well-worn puppy dog greeted me with a matter-of-fact "I need to go potty." I proceeded to execute (rather skillfully) my six-point turn and hoisted myself out of my comfortable bed. Just a few moments later, as I listened to her laugh and watched her welcome the morning with joy and openness, I realized just how much attitude influences the day.
The discomfort and pain of my state is just a reminder that a healthy baby girl is growing inside of me, relying on me to keep her safe and healthy. I am reminded of dear friends who would love to feel that discomfort, if it meant everything would be okay. Dear friends who are so filled with love and gratitude despite their own loss and their own pain. Out of love and respect for them, I am honestly grateful this morning.
If you are in the market for a charity to support, here are a couple that have been top of mind for me lately:
Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep
March of Dimes
Just as I was at the peak of feeling sorry for myself, an angelic little face holding a well-worn puppy dog greeted me with a matter-of-fact "I need to go potty." I proceeded to execute (rather skillfully) my six-point turn and hoisted myself out of my comfortable bed. Just a few moments later, as I listened to her laugh and watched her welcome the morning with joy and openness, I realized just how much attitude influences the day.
The discomfort and pain of my state is just a reminder that a healthy baby girl is growing inside of me, relying on me to keep her safe and healthy. I am reminded of dear friends who would love to feel that discomfort, if it meant everything would be okay. Dear friends who are so filled with love and gratitude despite their own loss and their own pain. Out of love and respect for them, I am honestly grateful this morning.
If you are in the market for a charity to support, here are a couple that have been top of mind for me lately:
Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep
March of Dimes
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