02/01

Holla Atcha Girl! … or Your Fave Charity…

I suck at finding time to volunteer. 
I have the time. I just forget to sign up for things.
Plus, a lot of events happen on the weekends,
when I’m traveling…
SO the next best thing is donating to charities… 
#payingmywayin
I got a few charity auction invites this week, 
none of which I could actually attend, 
soooo sending money via the intronet!
My good friend, Lynn has an annual wine auction for her birthday. Each year she selects a charity to benefit and this year’s was the Flagship Program. This program sets up cultural, physical, social, and academic activities for youth in Missoula, MT. I couldn’t attend because she lives in Montana and I live in Kentucky, but sending money via PayPal made me feel somewhat involved. Great job, Lynnie! 
Donate here. 
Charity #2: Nanz & Kraft Florist and Maker’s Mark Four Roses 
(Because your heart is important and bourbon is yummy!)
An invite, in case you live in Louisville and you can go: 
To donate, mail your dolla dolla bills (not really, write a check)
to the address above or stop in and drop it off! 
Charity #3: Huntington’s Disease Society of America
(Wisconsin chapter, specifically)
My good friend and colleague, Shana Martin is a strong advocate for Huntington’s Disease research to find a cure. Her mom has the disease so it’s possible that she could have it too, though we’re all hoping she doesn’t! Shana does a lot of great things in the community, including a Re-Prom that will be a fundraising auction, an excuse to dress up and re-live Prom for a night, (maybe better than your first prom?) as well as have a generally kickass good time, I’m sure. I’m bummed I can’t make it to Madison, WI for what seems to be an awesome evening, but donating will help. : ) 
Donate here. 
So if you’re looking to lend a hand in any way, 
give a couple bucks to these guys.
It’ll be fun!
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Filed Under: charity, donations, Shana Martin
03/18

For Japan, With Love

I’m a big fan of donating to the Red Cross in times of emergencies, but this page, For Japan With Love allows you to donate money for families in need in order for them to receive a Shelter Box. The amazing thing is that Ever Ours and Utterly Engaged set this page up to raise enough funds to cover 5 boxes: $5,000. The site had already raised over $30,000! At least by the time I donated… So head on over and donate whatever you can afford. It’ll go a long way.
“Shelter Box provides emergency shelter and lifesaving supplies for families around the world who are affected by disasters at the time when they need it the most. Eash large green ShelterBox is tailored to a disaster but typically contains a disaster relief tent for an extended family, blankets, water storage and purification equipment, cooking utensils, a stove, a basic tool kit, a children’s activity pack and other vital items. A whole box costs $1,000 (USD), so we’re hoping to raise enough to send 5 boxes. “
Please donate what you can and join the world to let Japan know they are not alone.


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Filed Under: disaster, donations, Japan, Red Cross
11/27

Angel Tree

The Salvation Army has one of the best donation programs for kids! It’s called the Angel Tree. It’s a program that helps local children who are in need of clothes, shoes, winter coats, and of course, toys! I had never been able to participate when I was younger (poor college kid, you know…) but now I’m able to and it’s been so much fun!

Here’s how it works, you go to the website and find an area near you to ‘adopt and angel’. It’s usually a local mall, but anyway, you pick out a child profile and sign up. Then you get to go shopping! The child’s profile will have all their sizes for you, (shirt/pant/dress/coat/shoe) and what they’d like for Christmas this year. Most of them just say ‘toy’ so it’s up to you to pick out something good. Now, you don’t have to go spend a million dollars on your angel, but they ask that you at least pick up one item of clothing and one toy. Once you’ve got all your goods, just drop them back off at the same point you adopted your angel. They take it from there!
I got Destiny, a 5 year old girl. I had a great time picking out an outfit, a pair of shoes, and some toys for her. I even found a mini bathrobe! It’s always funny to think about who this girl might be and what she’s into. I decided to go with a couple really girly toys and a couple tom-boy-ish things, just in case (’cause I was that kid).
Now, I could never find this program when I lived in San Diego so I just did Toys for Tots. (donate some dough. Every little bit helps! If you’ve got a little to spare this holiday season, please try to remember the Angel Tree. No kid should ever do without.
p.s. I had such a fun time playing Santa that I’m going to adopt another angel when I drop my things off tomorrow. This time, a boy!
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Filed Under: Angel Tree, charity, Christmas, donations, kids

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