Charities Blog

Giving Something Back

EarthShare.org

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earthshare.jpgEarthsahre is a network of nationwide non-profit organizations that are represented in 18 states in America. Their goal is to empower the individual, business and other groups in their drive to help the earth with regards to the environment. The environment’s health is our health and Earthshare knows that and applies recourses to programs that helps save the environment. Global warming is a real issue that must be addressed, the impact of which is currently being felt with severe weather, unprecedented environmental destruction and many more issues such as uncontrolled pollution and misdirected government expenditures that should otherwise be directed at preserving this earth of ours. Considered to be a respectable group with a four-star rating from Charity Navigator and it is registered and recognized to be a reputable charity organization by the Better Business Bureau.
Their main target is to raise awareness in the workplace through campaigns that encourage them to take part in environmental protection. They work to safeguard the health of everybody including nature’s fragile balance. Years of neglect has led to many natural disasters, many of which have not been seen in recent history. The Antarctic ice melting, the tops of Mt. Everest without it’s glistening white crown and many more changes in the environment are warning signals of the pending danger we are going to face if we do not take action now. From recycling programs for your cell phone to volunteering they enjoin everybody to join in the effort to save the earth which we have neglected for so long. They also offer nifty tips and tricks on how you can become more friendly to the environment. Save the Earth, take action now.

Originally posted on March 25, 2008 @ 8:17 am

Earth Day 2008

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earthday08.jpgThe Day is barely in and preparations have already begun in preparation for Earth Day 2008 when the world celebrates old Mother Earth as the promotion of environmental awareness expands into our lives. Similar to Earth Hour which happened a few months ago, the move is to promote an earth-friendly approach in all of us. The amount of damage we have done to this earth has amounted to so much damage that we have changed it, literally. The Earth Day Network is committed to enacting change which is to be done in order to halt further degradation of our planet which if not controlled, would end up in us in the losing end. TV networks have been showcasing the day for a week with most search engines doing the same. Earth Day is the time to think, talk and enact change in our daily lives where simple things can have bigger impacts. Lowering your carbon footprint is one way of helping the earth and many have taken up the call. In the US and other major Western nations, the switch to Biodiesel opposed to more traditional types of fuels is one of many alternative fuel technologies that have been in effect. True to this, in the far off land of Africa, one of the first commercial Biodiesel generation plants has been put up to cater to biodiesel needs that has been growing steadily. Alternative fuel cars for private and commercial use have also been growing in their numbers as more and more people shift towards the earth friendly approach to driving in their everyday forays into the urban concrete jungle.
Much has been gained by the raising of awareness but the areas which would have the most impact are also the hardest to reach, the parts of the earth where environmental awareness takes second seat to existence. Much of the world which belongs to the under developed world are the ones who have heavy reliance on earth-impacting technology, technology that came from the developed world and have been making money on. Developed countries can afford to tax their people for using plastic bags but in other countries that would be like telling people to bring home their grocery in their clothes. That is why much has to be done to get these people on the same level as those who live in developed countries so they can focus more on protecting the earth rather than using it for their short-term needs – existence.

Originally posted on April 16, 2008 @ 7:56 pm

Charities… For Real!!!!! ( Part 1)

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Kids.jpg
There are millions upon millions of charities out there and the new year is the best time to begin with a helping hand to those who needs it the most. True, charity should have no suspicion and other nuances but with the many fraudsters out there, one simply does not know whom they can trust to get their money to those they aim to help.

Best to get information from the many online charity organizations and web sites to get a glimpse at the scope and type of work the said charity does for your country of choice or target field. You can check out America’s Charities, Give.org, The Charity Navigator, Just Give.org, The Angel Network among some of the many charity resources out there that can help you in your quest to a more oriented and hassle-free drive to help others.

Ask your family and friends if they have knowledge in the area and to allow you to get more of the localized resources available. Don’t have much to give but still want to help and have spare time? Donate your time and help make the world a better place. There are many charities that allow volunteers to play parts in their various activities. Volunteer your services which may prove to be indispensable during their many outreach programs. Mostly any skills can have a place in charitable organizations, many of which rely on other people like you to provide the bulk of their manpower needs.

Still not sure who to trust? Ask the government social services organizations or other Non-Government Organizations on who they work with (many of them work in coordination with others to provide or make up for needed resources). Companies who have or sponsor charities are more likely to get help from the government in the form of many benefits which can be seen in the many tax-deductions and other perks.

Originally posted on October 17, 2007 @ 8:00 pm

Charity All Over the World

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We all want to do our own simple part in contributing towards the needy organizations. A lot of them have sites over the web which can be easily located through proper input of keywords as optimized using affordable search engine optimization techniques which is highly practiced today. Hence, without these aids, chances are people would not be able to connect with the actual organizations that are sincerely doing their part in contributing towards the charity works we hear of today.

Surely, a lot of countries all over the world have a bunch of charitable institutions all aiming to contribute whatever they can. Finding them is like looking for a needle in a haystack. However, with proper categories, people can surely find out what organization they can surely lend a helping hand. Whatever form of support and assistance will surely be appreciated since most charities welcome everything and anything coming from people for a cause.

Originally posted on September 1, 2007 @ 7:22 pm

Sleeping Children Around The World

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Here is a charity that will probably appeal to any parent or any person who cares for children. Called Sleeping Children Around the World (SCAW), this organization aims to give a bedkit to needy children in developeing countries.

Their Dream: A world in which every child benefits from the comfort of a good night’s sleep.
Their Mission: Through free-will donations and in partnership with our volunteers, we give bedkits to needy children in developing countries such as India, Pakistan, etc., thus helping them to face the challenges of the coming day.
SCAW began from Murray Dryden’s hobby of photgraphing sleeping children (his own and those of friends). This later inspired his retirement project with his wife. They decided to provide 50 bedkits to children in India. Bedkits consist of a mat or matress,bedsheet, blanket, pillow, mosquito net (where applicable), and school supplies.

They have been doing this since 1970. They were able to provide a total of 53,000 bedkits in 2005 with the help of many generous souls.

For those who do want to share their wealth, SCAW assures that every bit of the money goes to the children’s needs. A $30 tax receipt is given to the donors as arecord of the transaction. The bedkits are bought or manufactured in the destination country which means there is increased commerce and industry which is also necessary in a develoing country.
So for those who believe that every child should have somewhere decent to lay their head down to sleep on, please do check out Sleeping Children Around the World. Click here for more information.

Originally posted on December 22, 2006 @ 4:23 pm

Volunteer At Barnardo’s Charity Shops!

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Taking the cue from my last post, here’s an idea for volunteering if you’ve always wanted to play “shopkeeper” – at Barnardo’s Charity Shops. This is an especially good idea for students, and a wonderful way for your teenage children to start on charity work in a way they understand.

In case you didnt know, Barnardo’s has been helping abused and disadvantaged children and the youth since 1867, when young Dubliner Thomas Barnardo set up a school for poor children. When he later found children living in London’s streets, he opened his first home for boys in 1870, and a girls’ home soon followed.
Since then, Barnardo’s has been at the forefront of Children’s issues today, following Mr.Barnardo’s vision: that the lives of all children and young people should be free from poverty, abuse and discrimination.

If this is an issue close to your heart, or something you would like to learn more about, read on:

Volunteering in a Barnardo�s shop

Whether you�re good at counting pennies, you�ve got a creative streak or you�re good at sales, there�s a whole range of exciting tasks awaiting you in our shops!

Pick out the best from the shop floor to create innovative window displays; work on the till and meet people from all walks of life; or even rummage through the donated items in search of all sorts of treasures. There may even be the opportunity to run events within the store. Managers are always looking out for good new ideas, so will be open to any suggestions you may have.

Volunteering in Barnardo�s shops is popular amongst students regardless of the focus of their academic studies, as a way of gaining some invaluable skills to boost their CV. You�ll develop your team working, problem solving and people skills amongst many others, and if you are eventually looking for a career in retail you can have experience in a wide range of areas that large high street retailers would not be able to offer.

Originally posted on November 11, 2006 @ 4:21 pm

Helping Pets This Holiday Season

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If you love animals, consider giving to a pet or animal charity this holiday season. In your community alone, there are various organizations who need your help. If you live in the UK, a good place to start looking is at Pet Charities website. This comprehensive site has listings of most animal charities in the UK, with contact details.

Here are some ideas that will give brighten up a pet’s life:

1. Animal Rescues and Shelters

These places are always in need of food, blankets, medicine, toys and other supplies. Visit or call your local one and ask what necessities they need most. Also consider putting your time to volunteer, act as a foster home, or better yet, adopt a pet yourself.

2. Animal Welfare Groups

Large organizations like the RSPCA (Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), The American Humane Society or the ASPCA are great places to start off finding ways you can help. Their websites are incredibly comprehensive and organized, and have a lot of facts and information and well as the latest news, programs and interesting stories.

You can even get your children involved by taking them to these sites and asing them how they would like to help. If finding a new family pet is in the picture, take your child to the American Humane Society’s website where they’ll find Clifford The Big Red Dog‘s Adopt a Dog Month.

Older kids can also give part of their allowance each month, or raise funds through selling their old toys, clothes or even having an old fashioned lemonade stand in the yard.
Through their sites, you can create direct debit accounts to give monthly donations, or even shop in their store for some great products which go to a worthy cause.

In the RSPCA shop site for instance, the Holiday Collection is out and worth a look. Here’ll you’ll find a wonderful one-stop-shop for a lot of your holiday needs. Fantastic Christmas cards with adorable illustrations of animals, wrapping paper, card holders, advent calendars, Christmas crackers, chocolate, even decorations for the home and much, much more.

There is also a massive selection of toys and personalised gifts for everyone in the family including pets of course!), as well as many other lovely home, garden and leisure items.

[tags]pets,animal cruelty,christmas,holidays,animal welfare,aspca,rspca[/tags]

Originally posted on November 9, 2006 @ 5:24 am

Holiday Giving: Whatever The Need

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In the next few weeks, I’ll be posting about several charities which can give you ideas for the Holiday season. Finding how and whom you can help is a good starting point if you want to GIVE at this very appropriate time, so read on.

Whatever The Need

Mission
“It is our priority to implement projects that will directly benefit individuals over the long-term in the most efficient way possible (�direct action�). This enables sponsors of the charity to respond specifically to the needs of local people (rather than indirectly through Governmental or large Non-Governmental Organisations) thus enabling, where wished, a connection to be established between those making the donation and those benefiting from it.”

Focus
A holistic approach in the use and provision of water.

How They Help
In tandem with the provision of water is the building of houses and community centres in areas stricken by disaster. All projects are approached in the most environmentally sensitive manner possible to further the Trustee�s aim to safeguard the planet.

History
The charity began in 1997 and became a registered charity the following year. We began by delivering aid to the Chernobyl region in Ukraine, and later to the Balkans. In 2000 we turned our attention to HIV/AIDS stricken Africa. Over time we began to identify that the underlying problem facing many of the people we were helping was a shortage of clean water and toilet facilities, and the inevitable onset of intestinal problems.

The focus of our projects therefore turned to providing long-term water supplies, safe sanitation and irrigation systems over many parts of the world. This is evolving even further to incorporate ways of using water to benefit the environment as a whole, i.e. adopting a holistic approach whereby water can benefit people, livestock, crops and local habitat.

This work will include education on how vital the earth�s infrastructure is at all levels of life and how these environmental values can become part of day-to-day living.

Online Donations? Yes

Originally posted on November 27, 2006 @ 4:44 pm