Archive

July 2016

Browsing

Humanity

“When we recognize our love of humanity, we do whatever has to be done to express that love to and with others. That is called service.”

John Roger

humanity

Traveling the past two weeks and seeing how people live, both past and present, was a renewal in my appreciation for humanity. Our creativity, dedication, fortitude and love for one another. The story of love and kindness simply never gets old.

 

Charity Matters.

 

Copyright © 2016 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.

The gift of perspective

gift of perspcective

Everybody needs a little time away…or so the song says. Time to step away from our everyday routine, the busy rush of our lives and a time to relax…..something we ironically never have time to do.

Once we take that first step out, a whole new world opens up before us. Travel, learning about other people, both past and present, is an endless source of inspiration for me. This recent trip was no exception.

To celebrate some big milestones in life, we celebrated with a big adventure, which started in Venice, Italy.  A city so rich in history, culture and a feast for the senses. In Croatia, seeing remnants from the Bosnian war and learning how the reminder of that war still lingers with so many. Visiting tiny fishing villages in Greece and seeing the beauty of nature and the joy of simplicity. Then in the chaos of Athens, will all the financial uncertainty, the kindest of strangers who saw I was lost, walked me to the store where I was looking for a gift. The couple ordered it in Greek taking 20 minutes from their Sunday to help a lost American.

In all my travels, the reminders of kindness, compassion and humanity are and always will be the most beautiful of all.

Charity Matters.

 

Copyright © 2016 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.

Happy Anniversary Charity Matters!

 

I am a big believer in celebrating milestones. Everything little and big should be celebrated. Life is short and when you have a milestone whether it’s a 25th wedding anniversary or a 5-year blog-a-versary…well they should be revered….and lucky for me this year I have both!

Both anniversaries have taken commitment, love, dedication and hard work. So to acknowledge these milestones, I am taking my first real blogging vacation in 5 years, just a week off, not too worry. I promise to be rested, relaxed and ready to tackle year six, with renewed enthusiasm once I return.

Thank you again for five incredible years of dedication to Charity Matters, for inspiring me to be my best and for sharing ideas, posts, and friends. My heart is full of gratitude to you all.

 

Charity Matters.

 

 

Copyright © 2016 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.

 

 

 

 

One Hope

one hope

A few weeks ago I was at a charity event and was offered a glass of wine. Nothing better than a chilled glass of chardonnay on a warm summer night, after a day of work. The wine was delicious and I asked the woman behind the bar about it. Her reply, was surprising because the wine was made to benefit charity….which just made it that much more delicious.

The story behind it is just as good. In 2007, Jake Kloberdanz  had an idea, 168 cases of wine and eight friends just out of college. No, it was not a party but the beginning of his company, OneHope that’s mission is to make the world a better place through every product they sell.

OneHope‘s core product is wine but they have expanded their brand and their charitable donations along with it. Every product benefits a cause and to date OneHope has donated over one million meals to the cause Why Hunger, 65,000 diapers to help premature infants, planted 52,000 trees, provided clean drinking water and the list goes on.

More than that, OneHope has donated over $1.6 million dollars since its inception. Now that is a cause worth raising your glass for!

 

Charity Matters.

 

Copyright © 2016 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.

Remembering Elie Wiesel

“Once you bring life into the world, you must protect it. We must protect it by changing the world.”

Elie Wiesel

This past week we lost a legend. A Holocaust survivor, a witness to man’s darkest side, and was called a “messenger to mankind” for his observations on humanity.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner and the acclaimed author used his voice to inspire people to remember the atrocities of the Holocaust and to move forward in peace.

In light of this last few weeks events, in Orlando and Dallas, and the growing separation our country is experiencing, never have Elie Wiesel’s words been more relevant and true.

“The time must come. It’s enough — enough to go to cemeteries, enough to weep for oceans. It’s enough,” he said. “There must come a moment — a moment of bringing people together.”

We must never forget.

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2016 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.

Drops.la

drops la

All of you who know me, know that I am technically challenged. From the TV remote and beyond, technology and I continue to struggle to work together. And yet, every once and awhile, something comes along that inspires me to take on my tech challenges.

This past week, a friend of mine, a USC student, reached out to share a new app called drops.la Not being much of an app person, I was a bit unsure. However, I love what they are doing. They are dropping the change into a non-profit/charity/cause of your choice every time you shop.

Not being a big fan of extra change myself, I am the first person to add my quarters to the tip jar at the coffee counter. Well, that’s what drops does by rounding up your purchase and giving the change to a cause. It is all done with your credit or debit card. You pick the causes, you can give your drops for a few  days, weeks or more….and stop when you want.

A simple, brilliant and easy way to create change for others, one drop at a time. Now that is a tech challenge worth taking.

 

Charity Matters.

 

Copyright © 2016 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.

Happy Happy 4th of July!

“From every mountain side
Let Freedom ring.”


Samuel F. Smith, “America”

Happy happy 4th of july

The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays, everyone is happy. There are no gifts to buy or wrap, no fancy meals to make, a barbecue and watermelon is enough and of course, its summertime.

More than any of that, the 4th is a time to celebrate our great nation, to feel that pride and love of country. Right now in a world and country divided over so many issues, this is a day when we are all one…we are simply and proudly Americans.

I hope your 4th is filled with fireworks, family, fun and a moment to feel grateful to live in this remarkable country.

Let freedom ring!

Happy 4th of July!

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2016 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.

July

“It’s July and I have hope in who I am becoming.”

Charlotte Erikkson

july

 Well hello July!

I have never been so happy to see a month.

July first means summer, fireworks, sun, fun, friends and vacation……

all such happy things!

I hope this finds you planning your long holiday weekend and looking forward to some fun.

Here is to a wonderful and very happy July!

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2016 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.