She Gives Back

I used to think he was a little conceited and, well, a real jerk after dumping Jennifer Aniston. I also saw him on a Charlie Rose interview and he came across as a bit pretentious, especially when discussing his knowledge of architecture.

Well, he sure knows how to Make It Right. This foundation, which combines his passion for building design with his need to give back to the New Orleans victims of Hurricane Katrina, has made him all right in my book.

Check out the link to donate, take action and learn more how you and I can help make it right too!

You would think it’d be easy to find people in need of baby clothes–I’ve spent a long time searching online, and so far have only come up with Red Cross clothing donation bins (a company sells the items and the Red Cross receives a portion of the income).

I really don’t want to just dump them in a container. I’d like to know they’re going directly to someone who needs them and can use them right away.

Ideally I’d like to send baby clothes to Katrina survivors, but if that’s not possible, then to a single mother or family who’s struggling to get by. Please send me your suggestions!

When I watched this amazing video of an elephant painting its self-portrait (or maybe one of its pachyderm pals), it made me want to cry.

They’re such gentle, beautiful and intelligent creatures, and to know they face abuse, neglect and extinction is just heartbreaking.

First I investigated the video on Snopes.com to make sure it’s authentic, and it is. Read about it and get links to related information here.

Then, of course, I had to find a way to help support elephant conservation. Here’s a link to the Elephant Nature Foundation as well as the Asian Elephant Art and Conservation Project to find out more and how you can take action.

What a great cause–and, if you can afford the art, a great gift for the nature and animal lovers in your life.

Watching the video was a great way to start my day. I hope it touches you as much as it touched me.

Here comes one of my favorite events of the whole year–Earth Day, April 22nd, 2008!

This link lets you find out more and search for all the things you can do near you!

 And if you’re on the East Coast, the WBOS Earth Fest 2008 has been scheduled for May 24. Save the date!

If you have an old mobile phone you want to get rid of, Collective Good makes it completely easy!

Send them your old phone (you can also drop it off at Kinkos or Fedex–the web site gives you all the details), choose which charity you want to give to, help save the environment and get a tax credit too.

It’s also a great link for learning about local and national charities, and what you can do in addition to donating old phones!

Knit one, help two!

If you know a knitter, consider letting them know about this wonderful organization that makes everyone feel all warm and fuzzy! It lists local charities (by State) that accept finished knitted goods and knitting supplies.

What a great way to get those needles going or to get rid of all that extra yarn you know you’ll never use!

It’s so easy to get caught up in our daily lives and all the things that detract from what matters most.

Take a minute today–and every day–to see if there’s something you can do, however small, to give back. Even things that seem like nothing to you can send off a huge chain of events that make the world a better place.

This can be as simple as letting someone cut in front of you in traffic, smiling at the grouchy grocery clerk or dropping off a bag of clothes that no longer fit to your local charity. These small gestures are also proven to make us happy and healthier people!

If you and your family are looking for a worthy cause, check out this organization, which gives children in need warm, fuzzy pajamas and brand-new books for bedtime.

I got the idea from Oprah (which is where I seem to get all my warm fuzzies lately) around the holidays and added the site to my list of favorites because, once again, it really made me want to do something, especially as a new mother and knowing how important little things like snuggly pjs and books are to kids.

Even if you can’t donate now, save the link or pass it along to your friends. It’s a great cause to get your friends, children or group involved with.

There’s a really cool sanctuary in Florida that provides lifelong care for chimpanzees rescued from research laboratories, the pet trade and the entertainment industry. 

I saw a documentary on it on CBS and immediately bookmarked the site because it was so fascinating, and because I wanted to get involved somehow. If you’re interested, here are ways you can help in this effort.

…I just can’t stop thinking about the awful footage on the news this week of cows being tortured and abused at the Hallmark Meat Packing Company. It was first on Inside Edition a couple weeks ago and I wondered why it wasn’t a bigger story.

Finally all the news networks have picked it up. The focus of the stories has been on the fact that this company supplies meat to our school lunch program made from these downed animals, “but don’t worry, so far no one has gotten sick from the meat.”

Well, what about people getting sick from seeing the eyes of those sad and gentle creatures looking into the camera as they’re being electrocuted, kicked and bulldozed into piles while they’re still alive? 

I’ve never been a big meat eater anyway, but this really makes me want to become a strict vegetarian.  I’m glad there’s organizations out there like Farm Sanctuary, that rescues and cares for abused and “downed” farm animals.

I’ve donated to them in the past and have always wanted to visit and volunteer there–I’ve heard it’s an incredible place. But in the meantime I’ll just have to settle for visiting their site, doing what I can to take action, and helping spread the word to  save animals like these who can’t save themselves.