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Heidi McNiff Johnson

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Charity Matters Quotes

Service

“Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.  ”

Martin Luther King

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.

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Charity Matters Inspiration

Kindness Girl

“What Wisdom can you find that is greater than kindness?”

Jean Jacques Rousseau

Kindness. Just the word makes the corners of your mouth turn up just a bit into a smile. Without kindness there would be no charity or non-profits. It all starts with kindness.

So the other day as I was reading a magazine I came across the story of Patience Salgado, the Kindness Girl.

While, Patience doesn’t run a non-profit she helps people spread her message of random acts of kindness through her blog KindnessGirl.com. She shares basic ideas that she calls Guerrilla Goodness, which she describes as “intentional, anonymous acts of kindness performed in playful, creative ways for strangers, friends and family. Take a look.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Va6TksxffNw]

Patience recently said in an interview, “The beauty and power of kindness, is that it doesn’t take a lot of money. It takes a willing heart.” That is Charity that matters in its truest form. Kindness and a willing heart.

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.


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Technology that Matters

Generation On

I am involved with a number of non-profits but the ones that inspire me the most are the organizations that plant the seeds of compassion in our children. Generation On is just that.

October 16th-22nd is Make Your Mark Week at Generation On. They are asking our kids to visit their website, pick a cause (Animals, Homeless, Hunger, Literacy) and make a difference. The site gives children simple ways to impact others.

Maybe your children want to Make their Mark this weekend, it’s never too late to help someone.

Charity Matters

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Poverty

Homeboy Industries

Here in LA, Father Greg Boyle is a bit of a local legend. I had the opportunity to meet him yesterday and hear his incredible message of hope.  He spoke to my Alma Matter and said, “We are all called to create a community of kinship.”

Father Greg has created that “community of kinship” with thousands of local gang members in Los Angeles.  He not only gives them a chance for a fresh start after life on the streets or in prison but a chance to feel their worth.

He started Homeboy Industries in 1988 as a job project through the Dolores Mission. Their motto is “Nothing Stops a bullet like a job.” Homeboy serves as a place of hope and opportunity for those trying to leave gang life where there is no other way out.

Homeboy Industries is recognized as the largest gang intervention and re-entry program in the county and has become a national model. Father Greg has created a community of kinship and at the end of the day isn’t that what we all want to be a part of?

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.

 
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Cancer

I’m Going to Love You through It

Sometimes, there are just not words….when someone you love is sick and diagnosed with breast cancer.

I think this just says it all.

Remember to love those through it.

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.

 
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Cancer

LiveStrong

I’m married to a cyclist, a crazy passionate cyclist. He not only loves cycling but also Lance Armstrong. As a result, I have read Lance Armstrong’s book, It’s Not About the Bike, I spend the month of July every year waking to the Tour de France, I have washed countless loads of spandex cycling clothing and I have even been to Paris to watch Lance Armstrong win his fifth Tour de France.

Lance is a hero in our house. My sons love him and he is an American hero. His heroism is more about his fight with cancer than about his cycling. He is a man who just refuses to give up.  This past Sunday, Oct. 2nd,  was the 15th anniversary of Lance Armstrong’s cancer diagnosis.

He has taken his story, his suffering and created an example for fighting this disease and inspiring thousands of others to join him.  Lance’s LiveStrong Foundation has changed lives and the term Live Strong has become a part of our everyday vocabulary.

 

Ultimately, a real hero is someone who makes a difference. That is exactly what Lance Armstrong has done.

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.

 
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Childrens' Causes

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.

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.

 
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Raising Philanthropic Children

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.


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Microfinance

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.

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Technology that Matters

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!

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Cancer

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.

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Charity Matters Inspiration

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.

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What Matters?

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.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZU-iwxl4EYI&feature=player_profilepage]

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.


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