Apr
05

Help Change Lives in Your Area

By | General

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A local charity may be just what you need to change the way you see your life and activities. Charities are one of the most fulfilling opportunities available today. By offering your time, money, or other gifts, you may be able to change the life of other people who are less fortunate than you are. However, most people want to feel a bond with the organization they work with before giving to the organization.

Finding Your Charity

To find a charity that can inspire you, consider a variety of organizations. You can use services such as Canada 411 to find local companies to consider. This service will provide you with a list of available charities, including the charity’s phone number, website, and location. Once you have a list of options, consider the following.

  • What type of services does the facility provide to those in need? Do these relate to you in any way?
  • Will you get to work with people when volunteering your time? If so, be sure you are working with the type of people you want to, such as children or the elderly.
  • What type of volunteer opportunities does the facility offer? You may also want to call the facility to find out if they actually need help.

Before you invest your time or money into any organization, know about that organization and the work it does. How active is it? How much does it do for the local community? You may also want to ensure the organization is a recognized charity. Then, choose one or two that you relate to, for any reason. The right charity can add value to your life.

Mar
27

Donating to the ASPCA

By | General, Low-Income Housing

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The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was founded in America in the mid-1800s by animal lover Henry Bergh. Since then, they have assisted countless pets, farm animals and wild animals who had been abused or could be subject to inhumane treatment. In addition to a number of other programs, they also work to help support and insist upon laws and regulations that will contribute to the humane treatment of animals. Visiting the website for the ASPCA supplies answers, suggestions and advice for a large number of situations involving the safe and ethical treatment of animals. Subjects such as found pets, orphaned wildlife animals and local strays are covered in their Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section.

If you would like to donate to the ASPCA, the simplest method is by giving cash. If, however, your resources are limited, you can also donate gently used items, pet food, or–best of all–your time. Working as a volunteer for the ASPCA will allow you to give back to the community at large while helping to ensure safe and ethical treatment for animals. If you have ever lost a pet, you understand how important they are to their owners. Working as a volunteer for animal shelters can provide you the means for helping abandoned pets find new homes, and helping lost pets find their original owners. Donating your time to activities sponsored by the ASPCA is ultimately fulfilling and rewarding, and many people continue to volunteer evenwhen they could afford to simply give money instead.

Mar
25

March of Dimes Supports Moms and Babies

By | General

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The March of Dimes, formerly known as the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, was founded in the 1930s by President Franklin Roosevelt. Because he suffered from polio, Roosevelt was highly invested in the fight against that disease, especially among children. Since then, the charity has evolved into the March of Dimes that most of us are aware of today, an organization that is focused on fighting birth defects by education and pre-natal care. With several fundraising events each year, this charity has contributed a huge sum of money toward its goal of ensuring healthier babies.

The March of Dimes also supplies money to research for child development, genetic issues and other pediatric concerns. Additionally, it has supported neonatal units for those babies who are born premature, sick, or with life-threatening defects. While the March of Dimes has come under fire for its use of animal testing, it insists that the tests are necessary to make progress toward their end goal of healthier human babies. Another criticism they have faced is for not disbanding after their original goal of ending polio and child paralysis had been met. However, infant health and mortality will also be a concern, and because the organization had such a great reputation for fundraising and raising awareness of issues, it is beneficial to American society that they have adopted a new cause, changed their name and continue to provide help where they are needed. Just as mothers and babies cannot be too healthy, the March of Dimes will probably never be obsolete.

Mar
21

How to Find Government Programs

By | General

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If you, like a great number of Americans, find yourself in need of assistance, you may be able to turn to a number of governmental programs designed to help those in need. Whether you have become disabled, widowed, orphaned, homeless, jobless or otherwise in dire straits, there are governmental assistance programs that you may be able to qualify for. The first step in searching for government programs is to identify your specific need. If, for example, you are a single mother and struggling to make ends meet, you should check with your local department of human services to apply for the food stamp program, WIC, Aid for Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), child care and even cash assistance. If you have become disabled or are experiencing medical problems and cannot work or pay your health-related expenses, you should inquire at your nearest Social Security office. Even if you don’t qualify for SSI benefits, you may be able to find out more about job training for employment that you can do.

It is important to know that there are governmental assistance programs for many other areas of need. For instance, those who are interested in attending college should fill out the FAFSA, Federal Applicaton for Student Aid. Using that form, you can apply for several different educational grants and loans. If you are a homeowner and having trouble making your mortgage payments, there are also programs to help you refinance and get caught back up without the danger of losing your home. If you take the time to do a little searching and ask around, you will find the programs that offer the help you need.


Mar
16

Programs for Disaster Assistance

By | General

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There are times when weather or other disasters may cripple a community, causing havoc for businesses and residents alike. If your community has recently experienced a disaster, it is important to understand that there are many different federal and state governmental disaster relief programs that can help. You may find yourself without a home, a job, or any means of supporting yourself or your family. You may also find yourself unable to begin putting your life back together. That’s where disaster relief assistance can help.

One of the most important considerations in a disaster is knowing whether to stay where you are, or to evacuate for a safer location. Local authorities will usually make announcements concerning the advisability of evacuating via radio or television programs. You should also know how and where to obtain emergency food and water immediately following a disaster. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) can offer advice in this area, as well as many others. There are precautions that you can take, especially if you live in an area prone to tornadoes, floods or other natural disasters. Keeping homeowner’s insurance information like policies, contact and account numbers online or in a safe deposit box can speed up the wait on insurance claims. You should also have lists of family members, any health issues or allergies and a pre-determined spot to meet up in case you are separated in a disaster. If your home is uninhabitable, you should seek shelter by contacting FEMA, the Red Cross, or the Salvation Army. Branches of each of these organizations are located throughout the country.

Mar
07

History of the Salvation Army

By | Community Service, General

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When most people think of the Salvation Army, either a thrift store or a red donation kettle is the first thing that comes to mind. Many Americans do not understand what the Salvation Army is as an organization, including its history, beliefs and practices. The Salvation Army began in the United Kingdom in the late 1800s as a Christian volunteer group. The original structure of the organization was very like the military with uniforms and ranks, from soldiers all the way up to generals. Shortly before the turn of the century, the Salvation Army had spread to other countries, including the United States, Ireland and Australia. Members of the Salvation Army were dedicated toward helping the poor, the destitute, and other ”undesirables.” By the early 1900s, the Salvation Army had distinguished itself in America as a source of disaster relief, working in areas that experienced tornadoes, floods and earthquakes. In fact, they were among the first and most active organizations on scene following the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center buildings.

The Salvation Army is now a huge organization operating in countries all over the world. In addition to thrift stores in which they sell donated items, the Salvation Army also generates revenue during the holiday season with ”bell ringers,” volunteers who stand outside of many stores, ringing bells and collecting the spare change of passersby. While the Salvation Army continues to work towards helping the disadvantaged, they also adhere to a number of Christian values that are not completely accepted by the U.S. government, including their stance on abortion, homosexuality and euthanasia. They are, however, continuing to provide relief where ever disaster strikes and contribute large amounts of money toward re-education and training the poor for job skills.

Mar
05

Family Bonding Through Volunteering

By | Community Service, Volunteering

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Volunteering is many things to many people. Some people volunteer to gain skills, others volunteer to add it to their resumes. Often, people volunteer as families to create better bonds. Volunteers may be specifically trained in the areas they work in such as firefighters or may be used on an as needed basis.

There are many different activities families can do to volunteer and strengthen their family bond. It is all about spending time together as a family and maybe learning something about each other you did not know. It feels good to volunteer and even better to volunteer together as a family unit. It will probably be surprising to families the conversations they will have and the humor they will share while volunteering. There are all sorts of volunteer and donation opportunities available to families like the wonderful charity Kars for Kids.

Families can volunteer at their local soup kitchen. At a soup kitchen people may prepare the food, serve the food or clean up the food. Volunteers may also solicit donations or distribute information about the soup kitchen.

There are many outside opportunities for families to participate in. Many parks need cleaning up and many elderly people need their lawns tended.

Families can also join together to make a worthwhile donation to a charity or help a charity obtain donations. Organizations such as Kars for Kids send kids to camp each year and make a difference in their lives. They help children address all sorts of issues in their lives such as educational, family or social issues. Families can help solicit donations or educate others as to what Kars for Kids does. Families can even save their extra change to purchase an older car or truck to donate to an organization such as this.

Families can volunteer at local churches as well. They can contact the ministerial alliance in their community to explore what churches would benefit from help.

Mar
03

Best Charities for Giving

By | Community Service, General

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Nearly everyone is aware that charitable contributions to qualifying organizations can be deducted from one’s taxable income for the purposes of figuring federal income tax. What you may not be aware of is that there are charities for nearly every situation, including those that are affiliated with specific religions. Finding a charity that you feel comfortable supporting takes only a little time and research, and your contributions can do much to help improve the lives of others.

A large number of charities deal with adverse health effects such as AIDS, cancer, Parkinson’s disease and muscular dystrophy. If you have any family members who have experienced these or other health problems, you may want to focus your charitable contributions toward Bailey House, the Cancer Research Institute, or the Muscular Dystrophy Association. If you prefer a more general health-related charity, the Salk Institute for Biological Studies may be the answer you are looking for.

If you would prefer to donate to a charity that helps with social issues like human rights, world hunger or literacy, you can check out the Global Hunger Project or the Human Rights Watch. There are also several other good charities that deal with specific social issues like torture victims, homelessness and disabled persons. Likewise, you can also find charities that are aligned with or sponsored by specific religious organizations. The American Jewish Committee works for global Jewish advocacy, while the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging helps to remove barriers for both young people and the elderly. When choosing a charity to receive your donation, be sure to investigate it fully. Review their disclosures for the percentage of their donations that finds its way into the hands of the needy, as that is unquestionably the most important consideration.

Feb
23

Family Housing Projects on the Rise

By | Government Assistance, Low-Income Housing

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With many people losing their jobs and unable to stay in their homes, there has recently been a surge of shelters dedicated to family housing. This is a shelter that does not aim to help individual people by giving them a single bed, but aims to keep displaced families together. While most emergency shelters focus on helping unaccompanied adults, there are now plenty of transitional housing programs that allow families to stay anywhere from a few months to two years as they create a realistic budget, learn to manage their money, and save for a home of their own. Several charities also offer permanent affordable housing for struggling families.

As with emergency shelters and other housing programs geared towards single adults, family housing projects make it their goal to not just give a roof and food to a family, but to give them the tools they need to once again control their own lives. Two main ways that shelters do this is through counseling and education.

The counseling offered by a charity for displaced families can range from emotional support to financial classes and advice. Counselors work to address any issues in a counselee’s life preventing them from moving on. In most cases, this definitely means offering some financial structure and guidelines on how to manage spending, prepare for unforeseen expenses, and budget and save enough funds for housing, groceries, and other necessary household items and expenses.

Family housing shelters also usually have the need to address a level of emotional upheaval as well, as many families in these shelters are coming from a previously put-together or stable lifestyle. These residents can suffer extreme emotional distress at their present circumstances. Addressing any tension or emotional problems in children who find themselves at a shelter with their parents is usually necessary as well, as many children suffer from the instability and insecurity of homelessness, as well as the possibility of anger and distrust of their parent because of the change.  As the economic changes continue across the states, the need for charitable organizations to help and support these families will grow.

Feb
23

The Prepaid Cell Phone Experiment

By | Civic Duty, Homeless Shelters

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There are good ideas and then there are relevant and socially changing ideas. There are plenty of people with good ideas, but finding the idea that is socially relevant is not always easy. When Rosemary, Willy, and Robert met at an internship program at BBH New York, they never thought they would do something special, but that is exactly what happened.

The three of them were given just one objective “do something good.” And they decided to turn that good into a project to help the homeless. The problem was that soup kitchens, clothing drives, and shelters were all relevant but present. They would be bringing nothing new to the table, and fresh was the order of the day because their second directive was “do something good…famously.”

So they thought about the homeless and decided that they could make their stories heard. After all, the homeless were the lost and voiceless population in the United States. People cared, but not enough to listen. These three people equipped four homeless men with prepaid cell phones and gave them access to a Twitter account.

Not only did it give these gentlemen a voice, but it gave them access to tell their story 24 hours a day. It also gave those interested in hearing, which would grow exponentially as the project went on, a chance to hear them 24 hours a day from their phone.

These men shed light, not just on the feeling of being homeless, but the work involved in surviving the streets. It gave those listening a perspective that being homeless can happen to anyone. It’s part of what makes it such a scary epidemic.

The three interns set out to do good and to do it famously and they were able to accomplish both. They gave the voiceless a voice and it meant something to them and the people listening.

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