non-profit blog – Page 4 – Charity Matters

Uncategorized April 17, 2013

Boston

I had another post prepared for today but in light of what happened in Boston on monday, it somehow no longer felt relevant. On monday I said, “We should care for each other more and tax each other less.” Never was that more true than in Boston moments after the bombings. The sight of people running towards the injured renewed my faith in humanity as much as the evil behind the terror made me question it.

We were in Boston a couple of summers ago and every time I am in that city, I am renewed with patriotism. I am proud of who we are and where we came from as a nation. I am reminded of the continued price our freedom has. Monday’s bombings tells us that we can never stop the work of our forefathers. Although, we all grumble about paying taxes, we still know how blessed we are to live in this great country.

As a nation, Americans always come together, especially in times of tragedy. We need to continue to remember who we are, be proud and most importantly continue to care for one another.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Quotes April 15, 2013

April 15th, its here

“We must care for each other more, and tax each other less.”

Bill Archer

Well said.

Charity Matters.

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Uncategorized April 12, 2013

Tax time? A little charitable advice

Hopefully you are not like me and your taxes were done in January and you are simply waiting for the mailman to arrive with a refund. However, if you are a bit more last-minute (just signed my taxes today) than perhaps a little simple charitable deduction advice isn’t too late.

I came across this, and although it might be a bit remedial for some I thought it might be helpful for others. Disclaimer: I am not a tax expert. However, for some, charitable deductions can be perplexing. so here it is, a simple little guide.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bNqj49mVe4]

Hopefully, this weekend won’t be spent rummaging through old receipts and donations but if it is, remember all the great deeds you did this past year and the lives that you touched. Isn’t that whats really important?

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Inspiration April 10, 2013

Prom night

You remember your prom don’t you? The big hair, cheap tux, taffeta and a whole lot of memories. This is my pic and memory above, both are fuzzy. Well, my oldest son has his prom this weekend and the expense of the whole shindig got me thinking. How do families do this?

My quest lead me to many amazing organizations that help assist with prom but one in particular really spoke to me and that was Becca’s Closet. The person behind this non-profit was then 16-year-old Rebecca Kirtman. Becca, had heard about kids who had started a prom dress drive at another school and she wanted to bring it to her high school, as a freshman. By her sophomore year Becca had already provided over 250 dresses for girls less fortunate.

Then on August 20, 2003 a tragic car accident took Becca’s life at just 16. It became clear that keeping Becca’s dream alive would become her legacy.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYX_y9sWt8g]

Today, Becca’s Closet has over 81 chapters across the country and their mission has expanded to offer additional opportunities for deserving young people. Becca’s Closet also awards educational scholarships to young men and women who demonstrate Becca’s spirit of generosity in their own communities.

Prom season may come and go but just like our memories of those fun-filled days, Becca Kirtman’s spirit lives on in all those lives she continues to touch with her legacy of compassion.

Charity Matters.

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Health April 8, 2013

World Health Day, a day late.

Okay, so I know I am a day late on this one. Like many of you, I just got back into town from Spring break, so I am a day late. Yes, yesterday (April 7th) was World Health Day but just in case you missed it, like me, then I think it’s never too late to learn something important, even life saving.

WHO or the World Health Organization was started by diplomats from the United Nations on April 7th, 1945 and ever since we have celebrated World Health Day on that day….except today of course:)

Each year a different topic of international health is chosen and this year’s theme is blood pressure. I have to say after spring break and getting into some bad habits in a few short days, this message is more relevant than ever.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIiYLY-Wyx0]

So enjoy World Health Day and remember it’s never to late to take of yourself or someone you love, even a day late!

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Inspiration April 3, 2013

Tree of hope

I read something today that moved me to tears, although anything involving the Holocaust and Anne Frank usually does. The story that I read told about the Chestnut tree which was in front of Anne Frank’s Amsterdam Annex, during her two years of hiding from the Nazis. This beloved tree which was one of Anne Frank’s few comforts, died in August of 2010.

However, the tree will live on just as Anne Frank does. Seeds from the tree have now turned into saplings and the Anne Frank Center USA, has chosen the recipients of these saplings from a pool of applicants. These saplings will find new homes in a park in lower Manhattan honoring the victims of September 11th, as well as Little Rock’s Central High School, (a landmark for our country’s desegregation battle) and various Holocaust centers across the country.

In 1977, Anne Frank’s father, Otto Frank, founded the non-profit Anne Frank Center USA as a partner to the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. The center’s mission is to use the spirit of Anne Frank as a unique tool to advance her legacy. The goal is to educate young people and communities in the U.S. and Canada about the dangers of intolerance, anti-Semitism, racism and discrimination, and to inspire the next generation to build a world based on equal rights and mutual respect.

I think both Anne and her father would be thrilled that her beloved tree’s legacy will continue just as theirs has. Anne said it best in her diary when she said, “The best remedy for those who are frightened, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere they can be alone, alone with the sky, nature and God. For then and only then can you feel that everything is as it should be and that God wants people to be happy amid nature’s beauty and simplicity. As long as this exists, and that should be forever, I know that there will be solace for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances. I firmly believe that nature can bring comfort to all who suffer.”

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Quotes April 1, 2013

April fools

“April hath put a spirit of youth in everything.”

William Shakespeare

I hope today, has you celebrating the beauty and joy of Spring!

Charity Matters.

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Ways to make a difference March 29, 2013

Final Verdict: Kindness counts

More than 40 days ago I wrote to you about my Lenten pledge, which was to perform a random act of kindness everyday of Lent. Well, hippity hoppity Easter is on its way this weekend and here are a few things I have learned this past month.

First and foremost, kindness counts. No matter how big or how small the act of kindness, it truly impacts someone’s day. As you know, my first week in to this promise was a bit dicey. I had really believed that these opportunities would simply present themselves, that however, was not the case. I had to look for ways to be kind randomly.

At week two, I had redefined the word “random.” My slight tweaking of the definition was that it simply had to be random for the recipient, not a random act on my part. For example a friend was mentioning a book she had heard about. I got online ordered it and it just showed up at her house, no note but just “randomly.” I loved it, she loved it but let’s be honest, it wasn’t random.

By week three, what I noticed more than anything was that going out of my way for a stranger became more habitual. Each time I did something like send a note to a long-lost friend or pay the person behind me’s parking I felt amazing and the recipient was sadly, always truly surprised by my kindness.

As I entered the home stretch what became the single best part of my resolution was that kindness seems to be contagious. Who knew? When stuffed some money in a sleeping homeless man’s shopping cart,suddenly a ripple effect occurred, others looked at me and then did it too.

While, I must confess that I did not perform 46 random acts of kindness, I did come close with 37. At the end of the day it didn’t become about having to log my kindness, it became about how wonderful it felt to make someone’s day. Although, Lent ends on sunday, I think this resolution might just stay around a little bit longer.

Happy Easter Everyone!

Charity Matters.

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Causes March 27, 2013

Operation Photo Rescue

As we begin to get organized for Spring Break, a bunch of items start coming out for packing, the most important being the camera. Capturing memories of precious moments spent with loved ones is a universal tie that binds us all together. The nostalgia of past trips and looking back at photo albums (yes, real books….a thing of the past, I know!) lead me to this amazing story.

In 2006, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, one Kansas woman decided an important way she could help families suffering from their enormous loss and grief of the storm’s aftermath. She would restore some of their damaged photographs. That kind gesture turned into the non-profit Operation Photo Rescue.

When a natural disaster strikes, what is the first item we rush to save? Our photos, which hold the key to our history, our past and our lives. Once victims are safe and have their basic needs met, they begin the process of searching for any remaining possessions. At this point Operation Photo Rescue starts their online fundraising efforts to underwrite their work.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nO1QyyceRwA]

What began as a simple gesture has today turned into a global initiative. This entirely volunteer run organization now has a network of over 2,000 volunteers representing 77 countries where high end cameras digitally copy the damaged photos for restoration. Over 9,000 images have been restored in the past eight years.

The organization’s motto is, “Insurance doesn’t restore memories but we do,” The group’s President, Margie Hayes said recently, “As so often happens when people bring in their damaged photos, you learn that some of the photos are the only ones left of a relative that is no longer living. To be able to restore that memory is beyond words.”

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Quotes March 25, 2013

Spring has sprung!

“Everything is blooming most recklessly; if it were voices instead of colors, there would be an unbelievable shrieking into the heart of the night.”

Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters of Rainer Maria Rilk

Spring is officially here and with it comes new beginnings, longer days, sunshine and a renewed optimism on life. It is a magical time of year when we need to reward our selves by taking a moment to stop, listen and observe nature’s beauty. It is a gift we all receive this time of year and one that should be treasured while it lasts.

So treat yourself, for all the good you do, by taking a moment to enjoy the beauty of this day.

Charity Matters.

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Ways to make a difference March 20, 2013

Why I write

Each week I sit down at my computer and write. Sometimes its a story about an incredible person who shaped our world and made an impact, other days its simply a quote or a thought that I feel compelled to share with you. And some days I wonder why? Why do I feel so compelled to do this?

Since I’m in the sharing mood, I think there are a few reasons that I write. First and foremost, at my core I am a communicator. Whether its my motor mouth, or talking with my hands or through these keys, it is simply who I am.

More than that, I write to remind myself of who I need to continue to strive to be and become. I write about my heroes, people who have taken a problem and turned it into a solution that impacts thousands of others in incredible ways.

Writing broadens my world and brings people and situations into my life, in ways I never imagined. Charity Matters has given me such purpose and my hope is that is has brought some to you as well. As I say every week, we all have gifts. Finding those gifts, recognizing what they are and sharing them in ways to make our world better is just simply what it’s all about.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Quotes March 18, 2013

What Matters?

“Do not think that love in order to be genuine has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired. Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.”

Mother Teresa

mother teresa baby Charity Matters.

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Uncategorized March 15, 2013

An Irish Blessing

Growing up I was always told I was as “Irish as Paddy’s pig.” I wasn’t really sure what that meant but I knew the stories of my relatives leaving Ireland and not with a pig to my knowledge. Regardless, St. Patrick’s Day is this weekend and I wanted to share this Irish Blessing with you.

May love and laughter light your days,

and warm your heart and home.

May good friends be yours, wherever they may roam.

May peace and plenty bless your world, with joy that long endures.

May all life’s passing seasons bring the best to you and yours!

Happy St. Patricks Day Everyone!

Charity Matters.

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Homelessness and Hunger March 13, 2013

March Madness

In our house we take March Madness seriously, no it’s not because of basketball, it’s because all three of my sons have birthdays this month…which of course leads to true March Madness. I am always trying to find ways to remind my boys how fortunate they are and birthdays are always a good opportunity for gratitude.

This year I wanted to find a cause that involved birthdays that the boys could contribute too and I came across the most remarkable cause called Cheerful Givers.Org and the person behind it all, just as amazing.

He name is Robin Steele and in 1994 she was touring a local shelter in her community in Minnesota and discovered that parents often looked for a favorite box of cereal or canned good to give their child as a birthday gift. Robin couldn’t bear the thought of a child’s birthday passing without any acknowledgement and immediately got to work assembling 12 birthday bags that she dropped of at her local homeless shelter.

The next day Robin received a call from the shelter to share the story of the birthday bag. A woman had come into the shelter looking for some sort of favorite food item to recognize her child’s birthday and panicked when there wasn’t anything. However, when the shelter gave her a birthday bag the woman replied, “The whole way over on the bus I prayed and prayed that there would be something here for me to give my child, but I never dreamed there would be something so beautiful.”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhsEld48tnE&feature=youtu.be]

Robin got to work, enlisted volunteers and began Cheerful Givers. However, three years later Robin still wondered if she was doing enough. So in 1997 she traveled to India to meet with Mother Teresa. Robin met with her hours before her death and returned with a message that we are all hungry for love.

She was more determined than ever to ensure that her birthday bags, “celebrates those lives that matter and that they are a symbol of unconditional love we have for our anonymous neighbors and their children.”

Today, over 622,045 birthday bags have been distributed and counting. March madness in all its glory. The celebration of birthdays is the celebration of life and Robin Steele reminds us all why it is such a gift.

Charity Matters.

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