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What do you want to do before you die?

I happened to be watching the Today show the other morning and caught these four young men discussing their “Bucket list” and their new book called What Do You Want To Do Before You Die?.

 What struck me most, was when they said they were lost until they realized their purpose in making a difference for others.  While this may not be my generation, their question and the compassion are timeless.

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

While I admit, I have started a bucket list I think many of us have the same goals….to live a life full of purpose. What’s yours? What do you want to do before you die?

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.


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100th Post!

“Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.“

William Wordsworth

I thought this was the perfect quote to celebrate todays 100th post of Charity Matters. Each week I attempt to pour my soul out for each of you by sharing the stories of the incredible heroes I cover, the non-profits.  These stories, people, quotes, inspire me as I hope they inspire you.

Thank you for being here with me and if you are inspired thank you for sharing CM with your friends, tweeting and liking us on Facebook. Its the communities that we build together that create change, thank you for being a part of mine.

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.


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Spring Break

In almost 90 posts, I have yet to take a break. How can I possibly slow down when all of you are out there giving, helping and doing so much for so many? So, I haven’t….until now.

We recently had a moment when we realized that our children are going to college soon and that this will be our last “Spring Break” for a while. So while I am re-charging my batteries I am encouraging you to do the same.

We all give and do so much, if your reading this..yes I am speaking to you. How can we keep giving if we don’t give to ourselves? Its much like the oxygen mask on the plane (and I really hope I don’t see those, by the way) you put the mask on yourself first before you can assist others.

I recommend we all put our oxygen mask on now.  By helping myself, I am resting, renewing and recharging so I can keep making a difference. I wish you the same, even if it’s a moment of silence, a hot bath, or a nap. You deserve it, you give so much, so please give to yourself too.

Charity Matters.

PS. If you you read Charity Matters via Facebook, please go to our site directly this next week to see our upcoming post at www.Charity-Matters.com or subscribe and they will come to you. Happy break.

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.


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Birthdays for Charity

Since today is one of my sons’s birthdays (all 3 have birthdays this month) it seemed only fitting, that rather than receiving something that he doesn’t need, I explore some charitable ideas. Thats when I found Good Card.

The Good Card is a gift card with stored value ( from $10 and up) that can be redeemed as a donation to any of more than 1.2 million charities.  You can send it via email or print it at home. Super easy and meaningful.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSSRtS9yhSU]

So, this year in addition to a little something for him he will get a little something to make a difference for someone else. That is a Happy Birthday! 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.


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Generosity Day

Sasha Dichter of Causes.Com is starting a movement.

He actually began last year and this is year two of rebooting Valentine’s Day as Generosity Day: one day of sharing love with everyone, of being generous to everyone, to see how it feels and to practice saying “Yes.” The goal is to make the day about love, action and human connection – because he believes we can do better than smarmy greeting cards, overpriced roses, and stressed-out couples trying to create romantic meals on the fly.

I love Valentines Day but think there is nothing wrong with a little Generosity Day either. At the end of the day, whichever one you celebrate tomorrow, its all about the same thing…love.

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.


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Three Jars

These past few weeks I have been looking at new and different ways for my children to give. In my research, I came across another great resource for parents to help show their children the power of giving. That resource is a great site called ThreeJars.Com

Three jars is an online tool that basically takes the philosophy of a jar for saving, a jar for spending and a jar for giving to others. It makes allowance a powerful tool for planting the seeds of compassion in our children.

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

So while technology isn’t always my friend. I really believe that it can be a powerful way for us to teach our children valuable lessons on compassion and finance. Both are keys to making Charity Matter!

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.


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I Have a Dream

Since this week was Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday I thought it only fitting to share with you my “I have dream” post.

I have always been labeled a big dreamer and as the years roll by, it is a label that I am increasingly proud of.  My dream is to continue to share with you inspiring stories of people that have taken their tragedy and turned into something much bigger. In many cases, it is the story of the small non-profit that began from someone’s pain.

I am familiar with this story and this journey because it it also my own. When life hands you a tragedy you are given a choice, to let it destroy you or to define you. I hope my life is used doing the latter. In these moments you realize just how little time it is that you have on this planet to really make a difference. As Dr. King said, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

Silent is not my strong suit. There is much that matters. There is much to do.  The non-profit that sprouted from my tragedy (created with an incredible group of people) is called The Spiritual Care Guild at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. Being a part of building a non-profit and being able to provide chaplains to children and families at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles has been a defining moment and a dream that has become a reality.

Like all big dreamers, somehow the dreams become bigger. That big dream is to help to give a voice to these stories with Charity Matters.  There are 1.7 million non-profits in the United States and many of them started from a tragedy, as mine did. These stories need to be told.

Dr. King used his voice to spread a message of hope. It is my dream to use my voice to continue to spread the message of these non-profits and the bigger message that Charity Matters. I think its a dream that Dr. King would approve.

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.


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All For Good

In the past few months since the launch of Charity Matters I have been asked by a number of people for resources to get involved. So many people want to help but just don’t know where to start.

There is a great resource called All For Good that is about a year old.  All for Good’s mission is to bring together volunteerism and community service. In order to do that they developed a custom volunteer opportunity oriented search engine that is powered by the largest database of volunteer opportunities on the Internet.

Translation: you can just plug in a date or a zip code and they can connect you with non-profits looking for help.

I think its All for Good and Charity that Matters!

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The Power of One

Can one person really make a difference? Take a look and see. Click below and enjoy!

http://www.bkconnection.com/stepping-up/steppingup.swf

We can all make the difference together or as one.

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.


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