I started a blog series entitled HOW CAN YOU HELP? last month. If any of you weren't aware of this last month, I'll proudly explain my aim for these posts again. Monthly, I plan to post a way you can help charities without holding major financial obligations. Many feel that the only way to help charities or organizations is to give large sums of money. That's not always true!
Today, I will share with you a fun and easy way to raise money for your charity or organization of choice. In your office or school, host a Dress Down Day. Dress Down Days are always fun for employees or students, and your donations usually add up quickly. Ask each person to donate $1-$5 to dress in their most comfortable of clothes. Ditch your suits, dresses, and school dress codes! Your co-workers or peers will love this idea. Wouldn't everyone pay a little to spend a day in a t-shirt and jeans?! Take the money raised, and donate to your charity or organization of choice. No one is forced to pay a large amount of money, but together, you can make a BIG difference!
HOW CAN YOU HELP? Host a Dress Down Day event!
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Friday, August 10, 2012
America The Beautiful Fund® - Washington, D.C.
Take a moment to think about the beauty of the the United States. When I think of amazing wonders in our country, I think of the snow slopes in the state of Colorado. I also think of the mountains in East Tennessee. Then my mind shoots down to the shimmering Florida beaches. Then you can't possibly forget about the wide, green plains in Oklahoma. No matter where you are or where you've been, I think we can all agree that America has natural beauty that can't be beat by any other country.
Unfortunately, even our nature can't be guaranteed to us forever. That's why the America The Beautiful Fund was created in 1965.
The America the Beautiful Fund® was born of a desire to preserve our national heritage by assisting community-level programs and projects to save the natural and historic environment and improve the quality of life. The America the Beautiful Fund now provides support and direction to volunteer community projects in all 50 states operating as a clearinghouse of ideas for thousands of community projects and as a catalyst for new ones. America the Beautiful Fund® now draws on over a third of a century of experience, knowing what works and what does not work.
When you're traveling for vacation or a road trip, don't forget to appreciate the beauties of nature. Keeping it there may be harder than you think! Thank you to America The Beautiful Fund for keeping our America BEAUTIFUL!
Visit their website to learn more: http://america-the-beautiful.org/index.php
Unfortunately, even our nature can't be guaranteed to us forever. That's why the America The Beautiful Fund was created in 1965.
The America the Beautiful Fund® was born of a desire to preserve our national heritage by assisting community-level programs and projects to save the natural and historic environment and improve the quality of life. The America the Beautiful Fund now provides support and direction to volunteer community projects in all 50 states operating as a clearinghouse of ideas for thousands of community projects and as a catalyst for new ones. America the Beautiful Fund® now draws on over a third of a century of experience, knowing what works and what does not work.
When you're traveling for vacation or a road trip, don't forget to appreciate the beauties of nature. Keeping it there may be harder than you think! Thank you to America The Beautiful Fund for keeping our America BEAUTIFUL!
Visit their website to learn more: http://america-the-beautiful.org/index.php
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Claire Donates Items to RMHC in Lieu of Birthday Presents
A young Ronald McDonald House Charities supporter by the name of Claire asked her friends to purchase items off of Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Carolinas' wish list instead of getting birthday presents for her. What an inspirational girl Claire is! Young and old, we have inspirational, selfless people everywhere willing to sacrifice a little to help a lot. Way to go, Claire, and Happy Birthday!
Monday, August 6, 2012
Blessings in a Backpack
It is that time again. Schools are getting back in session!
Getting prepared for a new school year isn't simple. You must purchase supplies, some new clothes, possibly shoes, and if you're feeling generous, a few wish list items the teachers want for the classroom. Have you ever put food into the mix of things you need? For most of us, likely not. For some, though, food is what is needed most.
Blessings in a Backpack started out as only serving two schools, but that number currently reaches up to 390 schools! Blessings in a Backpack serves in 35 states in the U.S. and in the countries of Canada, Columbia, and Haiti. This organization works to nourish children and wants all children to be ready to learn. An empty stomach is simply unacceptable for Blessings in a Backpack.
The backpacks include ready-to-eat food items such as granola bars, peanut butter, tuna, crackers, mac & cheese, cereal, juice boxes, etc. Blessings in a Backpack reviews its standard menu with a nutritionist annually to make sure the food is kid-friendly, nutritious, non-perishable and easy-to-prepare. Please be aware, most of these kids live in a world where some food is better than no food.
Students who participate in the Blessings in a Backpack program show marked improvement in school attendance, test scores, behavior, and health. Food is an essential building block, and in this case truly is a blessing, especially to a hungry child!
This organization does more than feed children. They nourish minds as well! May Blessings in a Backpack continue to make a positive change to students everywhere. Your impact is astonishing.
Visit their website to learn more, form your own Blessings in a Backpack where you are, or donate:
http://www.blessingsinabackpack.org/
Getting prepared for a new school year isn't simple. You must purchase supplies, some new clothes, possibly shoes, and if you're feeling generous, a few wish list items the teachers want for the classroom. Have you ever put food into the mix of things you need? For most of us, likely not. For some, though, food is what is needed most.
Blessings in a Backpack started out as only serving two schools, but that number currently reaches up to 390 schools! Blessings in a Backpack serves in 35 states in the U.S. and in the countries of Canada, Columbia, and Haiti. This organization works to nourish children and wants all children to be ready to learn. An empty stomach is simply unacceptable for Blessings in a Backpack.
The backpacks include ready-to-eat food items such as granola bars, peanut butter, tuna, crackers, mac & cheese, cereal, juice boxes, etc. Blessings in a Backpack reviews its standard menu with a nutritionist annually to make sure the food is kid-friendly, nutritious, non-perishable and easy-to-prepare. Please be aware, most of these kids live in a world where some food is better than no food.
Students who participate in the Blessings in a Backpack program show marked improvement in school attendance, test scores, behavior, and health. Food is an essential building block, and in this case truly is a blessing, especially to a hungry child!
This organization does more than feed children. They nourish minds as well! May Blessings in a Backpack continue to make a positive change to students everywhere. Your impact is astonishing.
Visit their website to learn more, form your own Blessings in a Backpack where you are, or donate:
http://www.blessingsinabackpack.org/
Thursday, August 2, 2012
The IBC Network Foundation - "The Bride Who Wore A Mask"
I usually would post about foundations, organizations, or inspirational people in my own words. This organization, though, has a moving story which I hope you all take time to read. We all know too many extraordinary women who suffer from forms of breast cancer. I was deeply touched, and I know you will be as well. Here it is, "The Bride Who Wore A Mask"
This lovely young bride noticed her dream wedding dress was not fitting correctly. Something was wrong. Only 29 years old, Casey had been to the doctor a few months earlier. She was worried that one breast had undergone some unexplained changes, so an ultrasound was performed. The doctors were not too concerned, and her condition was chalked up to “fibrocystic changes.” With a sigh of relief, she went back to her wedding plans.
Who worries about serious health threats at 29 years old? For most young women, breast cancer is not even on their radar. They are focused on fulfilling dreams: wrapping up college, launching careers and starting families, and Casey was no different. Or so she thought. But something very different was happening in her body. Casey had Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC), a rare and highly aggressive form of breast cancer, but she didn’t know it yet.
Her nagging concern led to a second visit to the doctor. More testing was ordered, and then she learned the news- - she had IBC and the cancer was a stage 4, now in her bones. With no time to waste, she immediately began treatment.
One month later, the day Casey dreamed of arrived-- her wedding day. Casey and her husband smiled for the photos, and hope for the couple was high. With her best face forward, she braved the future. Naturally, her smile must have masked at least a tremor of fear. What was to happen to her, fighting a cancer, with a very low survival rate, a cancer that most have never heard of?
Casey was ready and determined to beat this cancer. Although treatment had begun, the cancer continued to show its highly aggressive nature, moving quickly into her brain.
The battle was raging, and Casey then put on a real mask, a mask to hold her head in place as she was given radiation for the large tumors growing in her brain. So, Casey, the bride went from the smiling mask at her wedding to the mask she had to wear to try to save her life.
Why are we telling you this tale?
To scare you? No.
To move you? Yes. To move you to care. To move you into action.
Who worries about serious health threats at 29 years old? For most young women, breast cancer is not even on their radar. They are focused on fulfilling dreams: wrapping up college, launching careers and starting families, and Casey was no different. Or so she thought. But something very different was happening in her body. Casey had Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC), a rare and highly aggressive form of breast cancer, but she didn’t know it yet.
Her nagging concern led to a second visit to the doctor. More testing was ordered, and then she learned the news- - she had IBC and the cancer was a stage 4, now in her bones. With no time to waste, she immediately began treatment.
One month later, the day Casey dreamed of arrived-- her wedding day. Casey and her husband smiled for the photos, and hope for the couple was high. With her best face forward, she braved the future. Naturally, her smile must have masked at least a tremor of fear. What was to happen to her, fighting a cancer, with a very low survival rate, a cancer that most have never heard of?
Casey was ready and determined to beat this cancer. Although treatment had begun, the cancer continued to show its highly aggressive nature, moving quickly into her brain.
The battle was raging, and Casey then put on a real mask, a mask to hold her head in place as she was given radiation for the large tumors growing in her brain. So, Casey, the bride went from the smiling mask at her wedding to the mask she had to wear to try to save her life.
Why are we telling you this tale?
To scare you? No.
To move you? Yes. To move you to care. To move you into action.
*
Please take time to visit this foundation's site. They are newly formed, so your donations are especially appreciated at this time. Link: http://www.theibcnetwork.org/
Visit their Facebook page for updates: http://www.facebook.com/fightibc/info#!/fightibc
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