Charity Matters
Category

Holidays and Holiday Giving

Category
Holidays and Holiday Giving

Labor Day

Its Labor Day and I hope this finds you enjoying those last precious moments of rest and relaxation as we celebrate the opposite today, hard work and labor.

I saw these notes from Katie Couric and thought they were well put. So enjoy your holiday and here is to our great nation and all of us who have worked so hard to make it that way.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYSU2fkTitA&feature=fvst]

Happy Labor Day!

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2012 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.

Keep Reading
By
Holidays and Holiday Giving

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

“Labor Day is a glorious holiday because your child will be going back to school the next day.  It would have been called Independence Day, but that name was already taken.”  

Bill Dodds

Wishing you all a wonderful Labor Day Weekend!

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2012 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.

 

Keep Reading
By
Holidays and Holiday Giving

How Do You Eat an Elephant?

“How do you an eat an elephant?” One of my husband’s favorite phrases. The answer, “One bite at a time, of course.” As a triathlete, he is accustomed to breaking down his goals and resolutions into small steps or bites. Something particularly relevant as we all set our plans in motion for the New Year.

I recently read about a girl from London, Alexis Liming, who has created a large New Years resolution called 2012 for 2012. Alexis is planning on running 2,012 miles this year for charity. Her motivation, giving back to the hospital that helped her little brother during his battle with neuroblastoma. Her little brother didn’t survive his battle but his older sister, Alexis will run for him and others with the disease. A resolution as big as an elephant.

As we all set goals, big and small, its important to celebrate each step, each mile or each bite of our accomplishment. Whether you run 2012 miles, enter a charity race, give more time at your child’s school or just support something that touches your heart. Celebrate each moment, each step and every bite. Before you know it in 2012 you might be able to eat an elephant and make Charity Matter for something you care about.

Copyright © 2012 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.

Keep Reading
By
Holidays and Holiday Giving

Attention K Mart Shoppers!

“Attention, K Mart Shoppers! It’s almost here! We are just two days til Christmas.” Whats really happening at K Mart? It is much more than holiday chaos, it’s giving.

Hundreds of stories of holiday giving  have been spreading across our country the past few weeks at K Mart stores. K Mart shoppers who have been putting their children’s Christmas gifts on lay away, due to these difficult economic times, have been showing up to find their accounts have been paid in full by anonymous donors.

The executives at K Mart said it appears that this mystery giving began in Michigan and has now spread across 7 states according to the retail chain. Salima Yala, the Vice President of the company’s lay away division said, “It is honestly being driven by people wanting to do a good deed at this time of year.” These “Secret Santa’s” have been targeting lay away items that are specifically toys or children’s clothing.

So as you stop and drop money in the red buckets to ringing bells,  send a little something extra to your favorite cause or even buy a sweater for that relative you rarely speak to, remember that giving is a wonderful feeling.

“So attention K Mart Shoppers, be on the look out for generous souls trying to spread holiday cheer. They could be in line behind you or the person in the parking lot. Goodness is everywhere and beware, its contagious too!”

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and thank you for making Charity Matter!

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.


Keep Reading
By
Holidays and Holiday Giving

My Two Front Teeth. Org

When I heard the name of this great organization, My Two Front Teeth.Org I was so excited to share it with you all this holiday season. This Bay Area non-profit organization reached out to needy children during the holidays to fulfill Christmas wishes. However, I received a present and a true symbol of the season when I discovered that this small non-profit merged with a bigger non-profit called The Family Giving Tree.  The selfless reason, is that by merging and combining resources they would be able to reach even more children in need during the holidays.

The Family Giving Tree began in 1990 as a San Jose State University MBA class project. Jennifer Cullenbine and Todd Yoshida were asked to “create a program that adds value to someone else’s life.” They created the Family Giving Tree with the hope of providing holiday gifts to 300 children in East Palo Alto. Encouraged by the success of the first year, Jennifer decided to continue and expand the organization. In the 20th year of the program’s existence, the total number of gifts and backpacks donated had grown to over 700,000, making the Family Giving Tree the largest gift and backpack donation program in California.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRy96OTM_o4&feature=related]

So, whether its your two front teeth or a giving tree this holiday, it all gives to the magic of the season. Smiles on children’s faces is Charity that Matters!

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.


Keep Reading
By
Childrens' Causes

A Little Christmas Cheer

I love that everyone is in the spirit of giving this time of year. I thought I would share with you Jack Johnson’s latest Christmas Album, This Warm December. 

Twenty-five percent of the proceeds from this album benefit Little Kids Rock.Org which is a national nonprofit that transforms children’s lives by restoring and revitalizing music education in disadvantaged public schools.

In 1996, an elementary school teacher, David Wish, grew frustrated with the lack of funding for music education at his school. Realizing that he would have to take it upon himself to make sure his kids got a chance to explore music, David began offering an after-school guitar class to interested students. The classes became wildly popular, and as more kids sought to enroll, he decided to take the program national.

In 2002, with initial support from musical luminaries BB King and John Lee Hooker, Little Kids Rock was born. What began as an informal project led by a single school teacher and a handful of volunteers has since evolved into a nationally recognized not-for-profit organization that has served tens of thousands of students across the country.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qu_U-YV4yA8]

So buy a little Christmas cheer and in the process make Charity Matter for thousands of children across this country with the gift of music.

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.


Keep Reading
By
Holidays and Holiday Giving

Holiday Goodspotting

The Case Foundation is asking people who witness random acts of kindness this holiday season to capture those moments in photos and post them on their favorite social network.  They may get a nice reward for that good deed: up to $500 for themselves and up to $5,000 for their favorite charity.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=–bkjUPrje4]

So do some good, spot others doing good and spread some good, its all good Charity that  Matters!

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.


Keep Reading
By
Holidays and Holiday Giving

Charitable Ideas for the Holidays

Since starting Charity Matters a few months back, I have had a number of requests for charitable ideas for the holidays.

It’s never too early to show and share and power of giving and isn’t that what the season is all about?

Here are some ideas that matter:

  • For The Art Connoisseur- Give them the gift of their favorite museum membership for the year. All are non-profits that survive by donations so a great gift. Here are a few; Moca, The Huntington Library, and The Getty.
  • The Animal Lover- Giving an animal lover a gift that takes care of animals like The American Humane Society is a gift that keeps giving.
  • The Finance Guy- Kiva is a non-profit that connects people worldwide through small micro finance loans. You select who you want to loan money too in order to change a life. They pay you back in ways bigger than money.
  • The Teen Activist-The Hole in the Wall Camps where terminally ill and very ill children get a chance to “be normal” and have a real camp experience. Teach your teens how to give and be grateful for their health.
  • The Reading Enthusiast- First Books is a non-profit that has distributed more than 85 million books and educational resources to schools serving children from low-income families throughout the United States.
  • The Adventurer- Outward Bound is a non-profit educational organization and expedition school that serves people of all ages and backgrounds through learning expeditions that inspire character development, self-discovery and service both in and out of the classroom.
  • The Person With Everything- We all know that person that is impossible to buy for and here is the solution. Charity Gift Certificates. Org this website will give you a list of over 250 non-profit organizations and one is sure to fit your person with everything. You donate an amount and they can select who to give it too.

So whoever you may find on your list this season, share with them the true meaning of the holidays….giving.  Know that your Charity Matters! Happy Shopping.

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.

Keep Reading
By
Holidays and Holiday Giving

Thanksgiving Gratitude

“Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow.”

 Edward Sandford Martin

Tomorrow is a day created for thanks and gratitude. I wanted to take the time to thank each of you for joining me in this journey of Charity Matters. You have been here as I have strived to find my voice and share the inspirational messages of incredible people doing amazing work for others.

I am grateful for you joining me every week and it is my hope that Charity Matters has touched your heart, inspired you or maybe just made you grateful.

I would be honored if you would consider sharing Charity Matters with your friends so these messages of hope can continue to spread. This year we all have much to be grateful for, please know how grateful I am for you.

Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving.

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.


Keep Reading
By
Holidays and Holiday Giving

Happy New Year!

“Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man.”  ~Benjamin Franklin

2012 is here and with it comes a slew of goals, lists and resolutions for the New Year. The beauty of New Years is the endless opportunities it provides. Hope for the future, like a blank piece of paper so ripe with possibilities.

My goals are to continue to find inspiring stories of goodness and people that are making a difference, to share with you. A thought, a quote, a person who makes Charity Matter. So, whatever you find on your to do list for 2012, make sure to find sometime to help someone in need. As Ben Franklin said, “May each New Year find you a better man.”

Copyright © 2012 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

Keep Reading
By
Holidays and Holiday Giving

Happy New Year!

“Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man.”  ~Benjamin Franklin

2012 is here and with it comes a slew of goals, lists and resolutions for the New Year. The beauty of New Years is the endless opportunities it provides. Hope for the future, like a blank piece of paper so ripe with possibilities.

My goals are to continue to find inspiring stories of goodness and people that are making a difference, to share with you. A thought, a quote, a person who makes Charity Matter. So, whatever you find on your to do list for 2012, make sure to find sometime to help someone in need. As Ben Franklin said, “May each New Year find you a better man.”

Copyright © 2012 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

Keep Reading
By
Holidays and Holiday Giving

There is always a second chance

“Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.” Oprah Winfrey

The other day in all my excitement to write about the New Year I hit “publish” instead of “save”. As a result, my dear friends, you all received your New Years wish a bit early. In the sense of timing and a fierce determination to start 2012 out correctly, I am resending you the New Years message again because I believe in second chances and hope you do too.

On the bright side, as I hit that fateful button, I received a Congratulations message from WordPress on the 50th post of Charity Matters. So thank you for taking this journey with me and for granting me a second chance to get it right.

Wishing you all a New Years filled with mistakes, life lessons and understanding friends. Happy New Year…again!

“Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man.”  ~Benjamin Franklin2012 is here and with it comes a slew of goals, lists and resolutions for the New Year. The beauty of New Years is the endless opportunities it provides. Hope for the future, like a blank piece of paper so ripe with possibilities.My goals are to continue to find inspiring stories of goodness and people that are making a difference, to share with you. A thought, a quote, a person who makes Charity Matter. So, whatever you find on your to do list for 2012, make sure to find sometime to help someone in need. As Ben Franklin said, “May each New Year find you a better man.”Copyright © 2012 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

 
Keep Reading
By