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Charity Matters Inspiration

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September 11th

Sept 11th faces

We all know where we were that fateful morning twelve years ago today. A moment burned in our minds forever. I will never forget taking my oldest son on a trip to NYC a few years after 9-11 and going on a tour run out of the temporary makeshift 9-11 museum.

The tours were lead by the victims spouses, brothers and first responders who lead us through the surrounding buildings of the World Trade Center. They shared their stories, their day and the legacy they were left with. Their pain was still palpable and they wanted to share it with us, so that we never forgot that these were not buildings but people.

 

We will never forget.

Charity Matters.

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Big moments in small packages

jeffrey, loyolaThere are so many ways our lives touch others. It seems that the big moments that touch us often come from the littlest people. Last friday night my son’s football team had their first scrimmage. Lined up in crisp new uniforms were 86 big varsity high school football players and in the front of team stood a 9-year-old boy. The 9-year-old is our new team captain. His name is Jeffrey and he is teaching our football team about courage, toughness, perseverance, dedication and overcoming adversity.

Jeffrey knows about these traits because he has cancer.  Less than two years ago, he was a typical 8-year-old boy who loved playing baseball and flag football and then everything changed. Jeffrey was diagnosed with DSRCT (Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor), an extremely rare and aggressive cancer.  In just over a year he has completed about a dozen rounds of chemotherapy, five surgeries, numerous procedures and five weeks of radiation therapy.

In honor of our mighty new captain, the team will wear Jeffrey’s initials on their helmets this season in honor of his courage and tenacity, as well as to bring much-needed attention to the lack of funding for pediatric cancer research.  Jeffrey  received the signed game ball and his very own football jersey with the number 11, that represents the date of his diagnosis, 11/11/11.

This little package has already showed our sons how to be strong, courageous, and to face adversity with a smile and can do attitude. Jeffery’s family has a web-site and the quote on the site reads, “Let your dreams be bigger than your fears, your actions louder than your words, and your faith stronger than your feelings.”

We have yet to play our first game but it is already a winning season.

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2013 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.

Suggestions for Success

success

They say that copying is the highest form of flattery. I can honestly say in over 300 posts I have yet to “flatter” a fellow blogger…..until today. I must admit that I came across this reading one of my morning guilty pleasures, a blog called Habitually Chic. I thought this was simply too good not to be shared and besides I needed to follow tip number 15!

 

21 Suggestions for Success

by H. Jackson Brown Jr. 

 

  1. Marry the right person. This one decision will determine 90% of your happiness or misery.
  2. Work at something you enjoy and that’s worthy of your time and talent.
  3. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
  4. Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.
  5. Be forgiving of yourself and others.
  6. Be generous.
  7. Have a grateful heart.
  8. Persistence, persistence, persistence.
  9. Discipline yourself to save money on even the most modest salary.
  10. Treat everyone you meet like you want to be treated.
  11. Commit yourself to constant improvement.
  12. Commit yourself to quality.
  13. Understand that happiness is not based on possessions, power or prestige, but on relationships with people you love and respect.
  14. Be loyal.
  15. Be honest.
  16. Be a self-starter.
  17. Be decisive even if it means you’ll sometimes be wrong.
  18. Stop blaming others. Take responsibility for every area of your life.
  19. Be bold and courageous. When you look back on your life, you’ll regret the things you didn’t do more than the ones you did.
  20. Take good care of those you love.
  21. Don’t do anything that wouldn’t make your Mom proud.

I hope you enjoyed these fabulous tips for success and have a wonderful week.

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2013 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 Cycle of Goodness

Charity bike rideHave you ever done something good and then had it come back to you even greater? Some call it karma, I like to think its kindness but whatever you call it, it makes you think. I have had more than a handful of these experiences in my life but one that happened the other day that I thought was worth sharing.

I have a friend named John, from spin class, who writes for a big newspaper.  A few months ago, I desperately wanted his paper to cover a cause I care deeply about. I harassed poor John for a few weeks and finally followed him out of spin class pleading for his help. He caved and called a new young writer to come to our event, which was now just hours away. The reporter’s name was Angel, by the way.

Well, Angel fell in love with our cause and spent a month down in Watts following the story. She submitted an amazing article to her editors and then nothing.  I began to give up the idea that the story would ever appear.

In the meantime, my friend John lost his mother to cancer and his nephews were diagnosed with this horrible disease. John, decided to use one of his skills (cycling) to raise money for cancer. Well, last friday the long-awaited article appeared on the front page of the paper. I cried, John cried and if you read the article here, you will cry too.

On monday, back in spin class, I said that John deserved a round of applause for his upcoming ride and raising thousands of dollars for cancer. The next day he received a lovely donation from someone neither of us knows from class, saying what a beautiful thing he is doing in honor of his mother.

The man who sent me a reporter named Angel, continues the cycle of goodness. This weekend he will ride for all those who suffer from cancer. And so the cycle continues…..

Charity Matters.

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The Starfish

starfish1

The Starfish Story


It was still early.
The mist had not yet cleared from the sea.
In the distance, a solitary figure stood throwing objects out over the water.
Walking along the debris-strewn beach, I looked at the masses of starfish scattered everywhere.
The tide had thrown them in, stranding them on the beach.
As the sun rose higher,
they would perish.
Approaching the stranger, I could see that it was the starfish he was picking up and returning to the sea.
Our eyes met.
“Do you really think you can help?
There are millions of starfish on this beach.
You can help so few.
Does it really make a difference?
Does it matter?”
He reached down and picked up another starfish, looking at it intently.
“Oh yes,” he replied.
“It matters to this one!”

Making a difference is as simple as touching one other life than your own.

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2013 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!

blogaversary-signTomorrow marks the second anniversary of Charity Matters. All anniversaries are something to celebrate but when a dream becomes a reality, it seems like more than an annual recognition.  Two years ago, I set out to use my voice to make a difference. To tell the stories of small non-profits and the amazing people behind them.

I had a voice but didn’t know who was there to listen. You were. This second anniversary is as much yours as mine because you are the ones that have read almost 300 posts, you have shared them on Facebook and Twitter and emailed your friends. You stop me on the street and tell me about your favorite cause, which I love to hear. Most importantly you care, share and act.

When I began to write there were a few of you (thanks friends and family) and then there were a few hundred and today there a few thousand. So the love grows, the message spreads and more importantly there is action because of it.

Each of you have so many talents to share with the world. The more stories you read, eventually there is one that spurs you to action. That is the moment I live for. One reader was involved with fashion before being home with her children, a post on Closets for Causes inspired her to use her fashion skills to make a difference for others. Another reader boxed up all his medals to send to Medals 4 Mettle, a non-profit that gives athletes medals to seriously ill patients for inspiration. Those are the moments that show me we are all collectively making a difference, in whatever way we can.

Charity Matters is “a filter for goodness that connects people and causes that matter.” What really matters is that its working and that is because of you.  So thank you for two uplifting, inspiring and joyful years. I look forward to making a difference with you  and for you for many, many more.

 

Charity Matters.

 

Copyright © 2013 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.

 

Can you hear me now?

Starkey Hearing foundationThe universe works in mysterious ways and I continue to be in awe of how these stories come to my attention. This one is no exception and indeed a story that needs to be heard. I have to admit I know very little about hearing loss and the deaf but I do know the story of Bill Austin and his mission is one worth listening too.

Bill Austin is a doctor who wanted to make a difference in the world and he has certainly done that. What began with making one hearing device for an elderly man turned into a business that is the leader in hearing devices. What is so incredible about this man is that it wasn’t about the business, it was about making a difference.

So, in 1984 Bill Austin and his wife,Tani, began the Starkey Hearing Foundation. Their mission, “So the World May Hear,” is about bringing understanding between people through caring and sharing. They believe caring develops trust and by sharing we find our humanity.


Today the Starkey Hearing foundation has supplied over 1,000,000 hearing devices to people suffering from hearing loss all over the globe. Albert Schweitzer’s quote, “The purpose of human life is to serve and show compassion and the will to help others.” lives thru amazing people like the Starkey’s whose purpose is heard loud and clear.

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2013 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.

 

From trash to treasure

LANDFILL Philharmonic

 

I grew up the daughter of a trash man, as my Dad liked to call himself. Actually, my dad was recycling long before it was trendy. He was a paper recycler who started recycling in the mid-sixties until he retired a few years ago. So recycling is actually something I know a little bit about.

However, when I saw this piece, I realized that I actually knew much less about recycling than I thought.

Each week I write about people helping people in the United States. Not the environment or international causes, not because they aren’t important but with 1.7 million non-profits in the U.S. you need to whittle it down a bit. So, this story is a little out of my comfort zone but the beauty, brilliance, simplicity and hope it inspires, is not.

Enjoy….

Recycling, music and hope are universal and The Landfill Philharmonic simply made my day. I hope it does the same for you.

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2013 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.

 

Shark Attack at Childrens Hospital

paul de gelder-620x349Did that catch your attention? Well so did the inspiring man who brought his story to the children at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles last week, Paul de Gelder. Paul is an Australian Navy Seal (down under they are called Navy Clearance Divers) who was diving and lost his right arm and leg from a shark attack.

Paul’s life prior to his attack was one of extreme adventure, fun and about Paul. But as he spoke to some teen patients at CHLA. He shared what he has learned from his challenge. He recalled his naval training and the words the words he was taught, “Improvise, adapt and overcome.” How those words and the attack altered him forever.

He learned gratitude for everything, he learned to smile at everyone, he became gracious and giving. So many people had reached out to Paul and helped that he was now compelled to do the same. Paul committed to inspiring others and now his work is primarily motivating and uplifting others.

The moment that made Wednesday so powerful was when a young patient came up to Paul and shared that he had just found out he was going to lose his kidney.  He told Paul, ” I am going on a donor transplant list and dialysis and before you spoke, I was having a very bad day. But if you can improvise, adapt and overcome, than so can I. I am going to be fine.”

It was a beautiful moment and a perfect reminder of the power we all have to shift and impact someone’s life when we open ourselves up to give.

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2013 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 Lulu and Leo Fund

LuluandLeoFundI am forever inspired by people’s ability to funnel their pain into good. It’s like being an alchemist, someone who can turn metal to gold. This story is just that. Turning pain into joy.

The Krim family were a happy family  with three young children when tragedy took two of their children away. Lulu (6) and Leo (20 months) were killed by their nanny while their parents were at work. A loss so huge, violent and beyond any comprehension, it seemed beyond unbearable for any parent to survive.

Yet, rather than turn to the sadness, the Krim family has decided to turn towards the light and honor the beautiful lives of their son and daughter by creating the LuluandLeoFund. Their children loved their art classes at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and when the Krim’s realized that many children didn’t have access to such programs they decided to act.

“We created the Lulu & Leo Fund to help more children benefit from these education experiences in art and science. ”

May 28th would have been Lulu’s 7th birthday and the Krim family has just announced that they are expecting a baby boy in the fall. It is pure alchemy. Metal to gold and pain into joy.

Charity Matters.

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Just one more..

malibu class of 2011Trust me, I know graduation week is a long one. So many speeches, so many ceremonies and so much celebration. So when a friend of mine sent this to me…I thought I can’t do it..not one more speech…..but then when I heard this little boy speak, he opened my heart with his words.

A week ago I asked each of you to give yourself the gift of listening to Steve Job’s speech and thousands of you did. So  today, I will ask you to do the same….just one more. His message is a gift.

 

In the wise words of young Winston Churchill, what have you learned today? More importantly, who have you helped?

Charity Matters.

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A message from the grave

steve-jobs-stanfordIn the spirit of the season, with graduations everywhere, I decided to take a stroll through some epic commencement addresses, a journey longer than most graduation ceremonies I might add. Of all the speeches I listened to the one that I simply could not walk away from, fast forward or forget was Steve Job’s speech at Stanford.

I have written and delivered many speeches in my lifetime but never a graduation speech. Steve Job’s words, ideas and stories spoke to me from the grave. So, I know it isn’t short but if you give your self a gift today, a small moment. Make it this.

 

As Steve Jobs said, “Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.” Using your time to do what you love and make a difference for the world is a choice and a gift.

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2013 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.

A little inspiration

STEMI am a communicator, connector and doer. I’ll admit some of these traits are good to have, but truthfully, none of them in excess is fantastic. So, when I was invited to an amazing event at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles on Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. I was excited to be able to use of few of these traits in one place.

No, I don’t possess any math or science skills but I wanted to connect some high school girls from my alma mater to a place I love, CHLA. These five women panelist were everything from MIT robot inventors, researchers studying the impact of pollution on Autism and even non-profit founders.  Each woman on her own was beyond impressive but collectively, they were remarkable.

They were not remarkable because of their science, educations, impressive resumes or their White House honors. The reason each speaker was so impressive was that they all independently had the same message. The message was, “Do something that matters. Have a purpose and make a difference. Find your gifts and use them towards the greater good.”

Now, it doesn’t take a scientist to figure out just how brilliant that advice is? Simply genius.

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2013 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 Gangsta Gardener

Ron Finely, LA Gren Grounds

I know what your thinking, did I read the title of this correctly? Isn’t that an oxy moron? Gangsters and gardeners are usually not lumped into one category, until now. That is until you meet the renaissance man of South Central Los Angeles, Ron Finely.

Ron, a native of South Los Angeles, was tired of seeing what was happening in his community. Not only the violence and crime but illness due to disease like childhood obesity and diabetes. He decided it was time to change that and founded the non-profit, LA Green Grounds. They are a volunteer group in South Los Angeles that builds gardens to serve low-income residents and others with scarce access to fresh, affordable food.

Founder, Ron Finely says, ” Gardening is gangsta because you are empowering yourself. Growing your own food is like printing your own money.”

 

In addition to growing gardens in South Central, LA Green Grounds is expanding to other low-income areas of Los Angeles. They are on a mission to advocate for the underserved in the communities by promoting gardens, open spaces and general wellness. LA Green Grounds wants to help eliminate the crime and disease by bringing the community together planting the seeds of love. There is nothing Gangsta about that!

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2013 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.