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September 2011

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Children Mending Hearts

I am always amazed at how all of these causes come to me in such different ways. The beauty of this is that each day becomes a filter for all the goodness in this world, something we all need.

Children Mending Hearts is no exception. I was so intrigued by the concept of homeless and impoverished children in the United States being empowered by helping those children, even less fortunate than they are, in other countries.  The purpose of Children Mending Hearts is to give children worldwide the power to find and use their voices through creative expression.

If a homeless child creates something for a child refugee who doesn’t just have a hole in his/her shoe but is shoeless, then this disadvantaged child goes from victim to victorious.  Children gain a sense of being an advocate and knowing that even the simplest actions can make a difference.

They discover that their lives can feel different and that is what it’s all about.

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The Birthday Box Project

My 10 year old came home from school recently excited about his Student Council project entitled The Birthday Box Project. The children in his class will help this LA based organization provide birthdays for homeless children.

The concept is so simple and yet so powerful. A parent is given a box full of cake mix, frosting, candles, wrapping paper, a toy and a disposable camera. The parent then uses these items to create a special birthday for their child.

A memory, a moment and a celebration of life and all its blessings. Now that is a Happy Birthday!

Copyright © 2011 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.


Kiva

The other day I came home to find a picture of a woman on my husband’s computer screen.  No, it’s not what your thinking but I must admit I was curious.

I asked my husband who this person was and he proudly claimed that he had just given this woman, Ana a loan.  To understand how shocking this is you have to know my husband. He is a generous soul but likes to give to things that affect him and our family (kid’s school, local hospital and community-oriented giving).

This woman was a widow with two children from Costa Rica who needed money to buy chickens.  She would then sell the eggs to support her family. Through an organization called Kiva, which provides microfinance, he was able to help this woman with a loan, not a donation.

Kiva believes in a world where all people- even in the most remote areas of the globe- hold the power to create an opportunity for themselves and others. The smile of pride on my husband’s face told me he believes this as well. The power of one is indeed powerful.

Copyright © 2011 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

 

Network for Good

There is just goodness everywhere and it seems that our cultural pendulum is beginning to swing in really positive directions. The simple act of helping another has been around since the beginning of time but technology keeps coming up with innovative ways to help us, help others.

That’s exactly what Network for Good has done. They have brought together both places to volunteer and places to donate to over 1 million charities creating an amazing Network for Good.

This is just Good!

Copyright © 2011 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

 

Gabby Krause

Time and again I am inspired by those who take adversity and turn it into something beautiful. Kindness never gets old and always seems to multiply once it is delivered. A perfect example of this is Tammy Krause.

Tammy lost her 6-year-old daughter, Gabby, in September 2004 to brain cancer after a 19-month long battle. In her loss, she was determined to honor her daughter’s legacy in a meaningful way. Gabby always brought her “Bag of Fun” to the hospital for her chemo treatments. It was her wish that other children should have them too. As a result, the Gabby Krause Foundation was launched by her family.

Gabby Krause has been gone for 7 years now but her legacy has delivered thousands and thousands of sick children bags of fun.

911 Hero Portraits

A hero is someone who gives selflessly, who sacrifices and who makes a difference. On September 11th the stories of heroism and bravery were boundless.

Sometimes, however, heroes show up in unexpected ways. Darrell and Kimberly Lynn, received a call one night from the mother of a fallen soldier asking if they could paint a portrait of her deceased son. The Lynns not only painted the portrait but they started the non-profit HeroPortraits.Com with the goal of honoring all our nations’ heroes.

The goal of Hero Portraits is able to honor those who have sacrificed themselves serving in the Armed Forces, Police, Fire, Coast Guard, FBI, ATF, and the many other Civil Servants that protect us every day. Hero Portraits considers it an honor to give a portrait that will comfort the family of a hero and be handed down for generations to come of those who have helped to keep us safe, protect our rights, and serve the citizens of the United States of America and around the world.

God Bless our Heroes.

Copyright © 2011 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

 

911

Its hard to believe that 10 years has gone by since that fateful September day that is embedded deeply into our minds and our nation’s history. Each of us knows exactly where we were at that moment in time as we witnessed images still almost impossible to process a decade later.

Yet out of all the loss and tragedy a new hope and promise has emerged as our nation comes together for this anniversary. There is a movement underway way by 911day.org to reach out to all asking for a international day of service in remembrance.

Take a small moment to pledge a prayer, an act of kindness or just to look at all the love and beauty in our world which is so often overlooked. We may have lost 3,000 bright lights that September morning but their goodness shines down upon us as a beacon of hope.

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What will you do?

Copyright © 2011 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.


Do Something

As the lazy days of summer have quickly passed us by and images of students heading back to school surround us, I wondered what are the students of today doing? The amazing answer is that almost 2 million of them are part of DO Something.Org

DoSomething.org was started back in 1993 by Andrew Shue (yes, of Melrose Place fame) and Michael Sanchez. Their one goal was to make community service as popular and most importantly, normal as watching TV or playing sports—something so ingrained in young people that they wouldn’t think twice about helping others or volunteering.

Shue approached Aaron Spelling, the executive producer of Melrose Place, and asked for 30 seconds of air-time during the show to tell the world about Do Something. Spelling agreed and Do Something was officially launched!

Do Something has always been all about social change and when Nancy Lublin, came on board as the new CEO, she revitalized and transformed Do Something by moving the projects online and focusing on social changes 25 and under.

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It truly is amazing what happens when each of us just Do Something.

Copyright © 2011 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.