Charities Blog

Giving Something Back

Putin Paints For Charity

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r330606_1490102Who would have thought that the former Russian president and current Prime Minister has such a soft side to him? Many of us know him for being a tough politician but this piece of news goes to show that even the toughest of people have hearts and compassion for the less fortunate.

A charity auction is going to be held today in Saint Petersburg, Putin’s hometown. The charity auction is going to feature 28 works of art made by well known celebrities and politicians. The theme is based loosely on Nikolai Gogol’s The Night Before Christmas. As for Putin’s handiwork, it is a painting featuring a yellow window with embroidered curtains flapping in the wind. The scene outside the window is a winter landscape. Putin’s work is titled Uzor (Embroidery).

According to Nadezhda Anfalova, the curator of the exhibit and a painter as well, Putin painted the picture within 15 minutes, without anyone else’s assistance. The proceeds from the sale of the painting – and the other paintings to be auctioned off – will be given to two local children’s hospitals as well as a church that needs to be restored.

We may not be Putins or other celebrities but this is a prime example of the fact that we can all do little things to help those who are less fortunate around us. Perhaps painting and the arts is not your thing but I am sure that if you look hard enough, you will find some way by which you can help out.

Originally posted on January 17, 2009 @ 8:04 am

Corpses to Rise at Princess of the Stars Tragedy

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After months of planning and waiting, the bodies of the victims of the Sulpicio Lines Princess of the Stars tragedy will finally be retrieved. The question is, isn’t this a bit too late?

We have heard the cries of many Filipinos in the past months and apparently this stems from the fact that they lost their loved ones but have yet to determine if they are indeed among the casualties. Expecting that most of the corpses that they will find will be beyond recognition, retrieval operations are expected to have their work cut out for them especially upon identification of the bodies that are sure to have decayed beyond recognition by now.

Issues such as poisonous chemicals and all have delayed the retrieval operations in Romblon and to safeguard the nearby areas, the need to first take out the chemicals was the priority. It is indeed hard to accept and understand the logic but basing it in general, it would be best to look out for the safety of the nearby towns before addressing the bodies of the dead who were trapped inside the vessel.

For proper identification of the bodies, requirements such as birth certificates, dental records and blood samples were required before the bodies can be released to their families. At this point, you would have to wonder if it still makes sense since the only confirmed thing is that they lost a lot of loved ones from this unexpected tragedy.

Originally posted on October 25, 2008 @ 9:36 am

Zo’s Million Dollar Golf Shootout Charity

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Miami Heat’s Alonzo Mourning is a familiar figure when it comes to organizing charity events and apparently he has another project coming up this year. But this time, his event is not going to take place on the hardcourt. Rather it will be on the greens, a second sport that has been fixed at most basketball stars today.

The 5th Annual Zo’s Million Dollar Shootout will be held at Trump National Golf Club in Winchester New York on August 18. This annual event held by Mourning has solicited quite a big following. Most of them join not primarily to show off their golfing skills and golf swings but also to give support for Mourning’s worthy cause. It is not all about playing to win since in these events, giving is winning already in its own.

“We know there’s a million dollar shooter out there waiting to show off his or her skills so we encourage you to leave your business suits behind for the day and join us on the greens,” said Alonzo Mourning, Founder of Alonzo Mourning Charities. “Your support helps positively impact the youth we serve who might not have a chance to advance without our assistance. With increased financial resources, we’re able to change the lives of so many deserving children through education and mentoring.”

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So if you are in the area, why not join. The cause is for helping out the people in need and it will really feel good doing it all for a worthy cause.

Originally posted on August 6, 2008 @ 7:40 pm

Fewer Donations Coming in This Year

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Is it surprising to note that donations that are usually aplenty once the holidays are nearing are dwindling in numbers? Considering the state of the world today, it should not really be surprising. People are having a hard time coping with the economic crisis and before good deeds can be done, they have to look out for their own means of survival.

This is not an act of being selfish. Times are really hard and the charity groups just have to accept that fact. Over the years more charities have been blessed with donation in the form of money and in kind but today, the best they can hope for are perhaps in kind donations.

In kind means of course stuff like used clothes or even gadgets that are no longer in use. While many of these charities need money to finance their operating expenses, the best they can do is perhaps to conserve or cut down on some of them.

There is the issue of food allocation as well, a part that is sure to be affected. Rising prices are not helping and surely, a lot of cuts will be done. Until the economic issues stabilize, everyone is affected and this includes the good causes.

Charities mean well but it needs the support of generous donors. But while they cannot be forced, it remains that people are not hesitant to share. The factors affecting giving is just something that they cannot override at this point.

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Originally posted on November 7, 2008 @ 1:58 am

Why are Plane Crashes Becoming Rampant?

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If you have noticed, a large part of the mishaps and tragedies we hear of these days are plain crashes or malfunctions. The bad part of it is that innocent lives, mostly out to have a vacation or free time have seen their pleasures turn into shambles. In fact, such experiences will forever be in their memory if they come out from it alive.

True enough, many have suffered and died. Recently we have heard of the Spanair debacle and now we see a couple more tragedies that are all caused by aircraft crashes. At this point, you may wonder, who is to blame?

The first people who would come to mind would be the aircraft management and authorities. Assuring that their crafts are safe and ready to travel the long stretches using air should always be given premium. But for some reason, there are foul ups like perhaps preliminary technical failures, to which they take for granted. While they can easily lay claim that these situations have been addressed, the real question is that are they good to go?

Having delays is better than encountering tragedy by air. It will be a discomfort but compared to loss of life, which would you choose? The obvious answer is the former and while airlines are concerned about being bugged, maybe a little bit more of care and understanding would be in order. You are dealing with life and life is irreplaceable. Avoid the risk of stealing others lives since you are getting paid for it. Perhaps most airline owners should give this much thought.

Originally posted on August 29, 2008 @ 7:06 pm

Corruption Money Given to Charity

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There will be always money coming from unknown sources. Usually, these originate from people who are up to no good like felons and convicted people, definitely welcome but not needed as far as campaign procedures are concerned.

Much of these have been traced to reach the U.S. presidential candidates, Barack Obama and John McCain. And while these transactions were traced, it is apparent that to avoid any untoward audit of campaign funds, such amounts are said to be headed for a worthy cause; charitable institutions.

There was no specific number specified although there was one felon who admitted wiring $7,000 and structuring financial transactions. At least you know that $7,000 is on its way to these charity groups, names of the organizations of which were not divulged.

Was it done intentionally or another publicity stunt to look good in front of the potential voting population of America? If perhaps there would be a probing team released to audit and oversee these funds, then perhaps the real intent and amount of funds disbursed will surely be seen.

This is not to question the integrity and character of the presidential candidates. But once news like this leaks, it is something that can work against people considering money is a very tedious word in the industry today.

But as far as the charities are concerned, as long as they can get support and help for their cause, all is welcome. If there is one group that needs help these days, that would be the charities.

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Originally posted on November 3, 2008 @ 12:57 pm

Thank the Hurricanes for Charity Woes

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We have been hearing it a lot lately. Aside from the credit crunch that has been preventing or downsizing the sizable amounts for people to make donations and all, the natural disasters hitting one country after another are not helping. The number of people left homeless and having to deal with injuries and illnesses are growing and the Red Cross can only do so much. Besides, they thrive mainly on generous donations, something that has apparently dipped thanks to the current crisis that has claimed most businesses today.

We should also remember that the Red Cross is a purely voluntary organization. It thrives on some key donors but even these donors are likewise auditing their current finances for fear that this economic breakdown may hit them as well. If it does, it will not be surprising. If the bigger corporate giants are closing shop or even looking for life support, how can an organization which is losing its main financers continue to survive and do its part for charity and disaster aid needs we all need?

Apparently the call is for real. The wrath of nature is something that is becoming serious. Worsening situations have made disasters occur in multiple instances. Being able to address most of these situations simultaneously may diminish in time. But the real score is to find new donors who can help keep these needs up. Hopefully it comes soon as the threat for having to say NO to people in need may soon be realized with lesser understanding from people becoming victims of these hurricanes and disasters.

Originally posted on September 29, 2008 @ 7:56 pm

The Forgotten Places of Flooded Areas in the Philippines

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Can you imagine a place where it is practically like Waterworld? Well there is such a place in the Philippines. It is near the borders of Malabon and Navotas, two of the low areas where floods are sure to rise whenever the strong rains come in.

Normally, floods can die down after a couple of weeks after the rains have stopped. But it is really hard to believe that there are places that go through practically a year barely above water. For most of the residents in Malabon and Navotas, the site is something that really needs the attention of the local government considering that not only is it uncomfortable, it is entirely a health risk location as well.

But this place is not always that flooded. There was a time when people there could walk around and play ball even. However today, rafts are the common site to bring people to and from dry land. And with the series of rains hitting the area, it is not helping at all.

There is no doubt that among the causes for floods are the problematic issues of garbage and total disregard of the infrastructure of this place. But while that is already a given, should that allow the Philippine government from disregarding the welfare of these people? They are no different from the common ones living in the country today and apparently something has to be done. Calling President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, are you listening? It was in the news last night!

Originally posted on August 18, 2008 @ 11:47 pm

2008 Beijing Olympics: Some Consolation after the Strong Quakes

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Holding the Olympics in your country is an honor that will forever be cherished. Other than being among the elite group of countries given the said distinction, China for its part makes the current hosting of the 2008 Olympics pretty much memorable. This holds true especially for the earthquake victims that were devastated last May.

It seems like the price to pay for hosting the Olympics and getting popularity while you are at it seems to be harsh if you think of it. Just consider the fact that a lot of people perished and the survivors now are picking up their lives since that fateful May 12 of this year. But 3 months later, all eyes are on China once again, this time playing host to practically the world’s best athletes as well as billions of people all over the world watching them closely.

In Beijing, fireworks filled the sky and revelry filled the streets. But the party surrounding last night’s Olympic opening ceremony was hardly limited to the nation’s capital city. More than 900 miles away, in Sichuan province, an area that’s wallowed in grief and grown accustomed to loss found reason to rejoice – even if the kickoff to these Games did highlight disparity.

Since the May 12 earthquake, $10 billion has been devoted to relief and reconstruction efforts, a figure that pales in comparison to the money China has spent preparing for the Olympics over the course of the past decade. When the medals are handed out and the dust settles, the price tag on these Games will likely exceed $44 billion.

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If that is the price to pay then perhaps it would have been better to let another country host the Olympics. Life is more precious and no matter how prestigious hosting this event may be, the damage made is still too much. Well at least they get some sort of consolation from hosting this rare event.

Originally posted on August 9, 2008 @ 7:50 pm

Human and Nature – Will the conflict ever end?

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trout.jpgBad news for the Eastern Idaho’s Yellow Cut-Throat Trout, for they are becoming scarcer and scarcer. The culprit, crops and resort gardens along with their insatiable need for water to keep them growing. Runoff from farms are also becoming a problem for the run-off which is usually rich in nitrogen fuels the explosion in growth of blue green algae such as the case with the Gulf of Mexico. Nitrogen is a naturally occurring and present element that under normal circumstances is dealt with by bacteria and other micro-organisms in streams as they head to rivers and then seas. Too much, and the natural control and filtering system of these bodies of water diminish in effectivity resulting in too much nitrogen-rich water reaching the seas causing “Dead Zones” near the mouths of these river outlets.
In Montreal, Canada the problem is also attributed to too much nitrogen this time from golf courses that need green lawns to continue and attract customers. Previously rich waters are now turned into brackish rivers and streams that cannot support normal fish and plant life due to insufficient oxygen in the water. This might be one of the problems that were not anticipated by the clamor for such immediate solutions such as alternative fuel production.
It seems more education is needed for the balance between commerce and eco-friendliness would become a true reality for man has a lot to learn while he continues to poison the very earth that gives us all life. Let us just pray that we have enough resolve to initiate change before it is too late.

Originally posted on April 13, 2008 @ 7:31 pm