HOW CAN YOU HELP? - September

What's only three months away? That's right!  It's Christmas!  It's a little early to already be thinking about the holidays, but planning early is a great idea.

Christmas isn't all about you.  Christmas isn't all about me.  It's about GIVING, not receiving.  We all remember that old saying!  Though it may have seemed silly or unusual back when we were younger, we get the point more and more as we advance in age.  Helping others have a great holiday season is actually more rewarding than any gift!

An awesome and even FUN way to help out your charity of choice during Christmas and New Years is to set up a wrapping station!  People bring gifts they wish to be wrapped, and they donate however much money they choose. 

Why does this work so well?  First off, putting aside time to wrap gifts for Christmas can be difficult during the holidays.  Between schedules, shopping, and finishing up work before celebrations, gift wrapping is often at the bottom of one's priority list!  People will be glad to give that workload to volunteers, especially those working for a good cause.  Secondly, money adds up fast!  People's generosity will flourish when you put your decorative wrapping skills to work. 

Tips to keep in mind:

• Set up your station in a shopping mall, church, school, or some place where the public has easy access to your station.  The more convenient for the customer, the better!
• Make sure each customer understands your purpose for setting up your wrapping station.  It's only human nature to desire to help others in times of need, especially during the holidays.  Making your customers aware of the charity is very, very important.

Good luck & have fun!

HOW CAN YOU HELP? Set up a wrapping station!

The Rebekah G. Leithren Foundation, Inc.

Have you ever heard of Protein Losing Enteropathy or PLE?  I had not heard of this illness until today.  Though this illness isn't common, The Rebekah G. Leithren Foundation, Inc., is working to increase awareness and raise funds for those with PLE.

PLE, or Protein Losing Enteropathy, is a loss of blood protein (albumin) through the intestinal tract. When the protein level in the bloodstream falls, blood plasma begins to leak into the tissues of the body. This process is evidenced by edema (swelling) in the abdomen, the extremities and face. Current treatments include steroid therapy, hormone therapy and blood thinners each of which has negative consequences with long term use, and painful intravenous albumin boosts which are essentially “band-aid” fixes. None of the treatments really addresses the root cause. As this disease progresses the body begins to turn on itself by attacking internal organs and other structures as sources of protein. (via website)

The Rebekah G. Leithren Foundation, Inc. was established in honor of Rebekah Gabrielle Leithren who was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome on August 2, 1993 and after 12 years of a semi-normal life died from the effects of PLE after a heart transplant on November 8, 2005. Rebekah never liked to dwell on her illness but wanted to be treated like a normal child as does any PLE patient. Bekah considered it a pleasure to help others and it is in that spirit that her helping legacy will live on through this foundation. (via website)

The Rebeckah G. Luithren Foundation, Inc., helps others while honoring one special girl who passed away as a victim of the illness.  I can't say I understand what it's like, but I can offer my prayers and support.  Thank you & best wishes to the RGL Foundation.

Visit the website to learn more: http://www.rglfoundation.org/about_us

Some Gone, None Forgotten - Remembering 9/11

Throughout today, we have been thinking about the lives lost in the tragic 9/11 attacks eleven years ago today.  As the day comes to an end, remember to pray for the families and friends of those who so terribly lost their loved ones that day.  May you all find comfort in knowing that the legacies of those who were killed still live on even eleven years later.

So much inspiration was found on September 11, 2001.  Think about the firefighters who went in to save others.  Think about the couragous Americans who took down one of the hijacked planes in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, not allowing the terrorists to damage any more than what had been done.  Think about the people who read names this morning, all being family members or friends of victims. 

It takes courage, and it takes a true American spirit to be as strong as the heroes of 9/11.  You all inspire me more than you know. 

GOD BLESS AMERICA.

Charleston Area Therapeutic Riding - Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston Area Therapeutic Riding exists to improve the lives of children and adults with disabilities.

CATR staff and volunteers are dedicated to helping students find joy and accomplishment through Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies.  This nonprofit has been serving individuals with a variety of disabilities and conditions since 1991.  A team of staff members including certified instructors, physical therapists, doctors, psychologists, and special education teachers, along with a well-trained volunteer corps, work together to serve over 140 children and adults per year.

CATR has worked with individuals with disabilities such as:

Autism

Cerebral Palsy

Downs Syndrome

Intellectual Disabilities

Learning Disabilities

Mental Health Illness

Multiple Sclerosis

Speech/Language/Hearing Impairments

Spina Bifida

Seizure Disorder

Traumatic or Acquired Brain Injury

Visual Impairments

A true inspiration!  Congratulations to Charleston Area Therapeutic Riding for impacting the lives of so many in a special and significant way. Best wishes!

Check out the fantastic video about CATR.  You'll love it!
Video link:  http://youtu.be/T6cLdV4lx28

Learn more about CATR here:
http://www.catrfarms.org/

Adopt-A-Native-Elder Program - Salt Lake City, Utah

The Adopt-A-Native-Elder Program creates relationships between Native Americans and people of other cultures. 

This program supports the Native Americans in multiple ways.  Clothing, food, simple machines, and fabric are provided to the Natives.  This allows them to continue living in their traditional lifestyle without encouragement to change or adapt to new ways of life.  We need to embrace individuality sometimes over change.  Adopt-A-Native-Elder Program is setting a wonderful example.

Visit their website to learn about specific events/missions within the program:
http://www.anelder.org/

HOW CAN YOU HELP? - August

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!

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