Posts tagged philanthropy
Day 168: Run for Women / Run for Fun
Mar 16th
My Family of Givers!
Today my give landed right into my mailbox. My brother, sister-in-law and their two kids are participating in a fund-raising effort and I wanted to help.
Day 168 / Give 168
I love that I have a family that gives in so many different ways. My little brother (he’s 6’7 and 38 years old) and is a new Dad. He has a 3 year old and a 10 month old. Not may of us think about giving back when we are giving so much to your family. As I know with just one child, getting through the days is all I can do sometimes.
My mailbox had a great message from my sister-in-law requesting support for a Fun Run they are participating in April. All proceeds from the event are supporting the London Abused Women’s Centre. The great thing about these running events is how much they achieve in one morning.
1) Money raised gives the support to an organization that is helping others.
2) Participating in an activity with the whole family.
3) Teaching your kids about fitness, healthy living and giving.
As I sit here and write I just got a lovely email from my sister-in-law, Cat.
“Thank you so much for pledging us!!! Let’s just say you have inspired me with your blog and I am seeking ways to GIVE and have more charity and community as a part of our life. Thank you for inspiring us and doing all that you do with your family – you have shown us the path!”
It’s statements like this that keep me going every day. If I can inspire just one person to give more like my sister-in- law Cat, I feel like I have done the run with them. I feel like I have changed the world.
Time Commitment: 3 minutes
Cost $30 donation
Day 167:An Easy Solution to the Laundry Dilemma
Mar 15th
SmartKlean Laundry Ball
I have never done as much laundry as I have since having a child! I think we go through two changes of cloths a day just for him alone. This adds up to a lot of laundry every week. A number of years ago I switch to an eco friendly laundry soap but for my birthday last week I was given a gift I wanted to share with you that was the perfect GIVE for me.
Day 167: Give 167
I had never seen a product like the one I received from my Mother for my birthday last week. A company by the name of SmartKlean makes something called a Laundry Ball. Now I have used a product call a dryer ball for many years. If you have never seen a dryer ball you throw these two balls into the dryer and it removes any static cling from your laundry. A little less waste as a regular dryer sheet takes up precious space in our landfills and are not biodegradable. But this is not about a dryer ball. This is about a Laundry Ball.
SmartKlean has invented this product that resembles a small ball (my son wanted to play catch with it) and you throw it into your washing machine with your laundry and it acts as your detergent. Here is a how it works taken directly from their site:
Innovative The SmartKlean Laundry Ball delivers
an effective, toxic-free and soap-less wash by using physical properties rather than chemicals to clean.
Economic Its full power lasts up to 365 washes or more! Additionally, without suds or residue, it requires no rinse cycle – saving you ‘loads’ of water & energy! (we like this part 365 rings for us!)
Earth Friendly, People Friendly Derived from Earth’s minerals, its components are 100% FREE of toxins, petrochemicals, phosphates, parabens, pesticides, fragrances or allergens and leaves absolutely no residue behind – making it 100% safe for you and the environment. It is ideal for babies, kids and those with sensitive skin. Completely recyclable.
Healthy for your wardrobe The softness, elasticity and color of the fabric are maintained. Your clothes and linens will last much longer.
Easy to use No more messy powders or liquids to measure! Just toss it in the washer with your laundry.
How great is that. My Mom did a calculation with the owner of the company and he has figure this ball will last in our house for about 2 years based on the amount of laundry we do per week. I feel like I’m truly saving the planet by using the Laundry Ball. You can purchase this product right on line for yourself or as a gift. It’s the best GIVE you could give to someone in your life.
Time Commitment: 0 have to put something in the laundry every time I wash
Cost: A gift!
Day 156: Investors! It’s Time to Invest in the World
Mar 4th
Kiva Lending
It’s Kiva time! If you are not familiar with Kiva their mission is connecting people through lending to alleviate poverty. The concept is that you loan money to support a person or group of people trying to start or expand a business in poverty stricken countries around the world. I have some loans that have been repaid which I need to reinvest. Kiva is one of the easiest ways to GIVE back with lots of choice.
You can choose the exact person you are giving to, what type of business, what country and even gender. By investing in the people associated with Kiva, you are investing in the future of the world. If we want the world to be different we need to invest our money where it can do great good. Kiva gives people the opportunity to help themselves out of poverty. It gives them hope, confidence in their ability and the extra hand they need to feed, cloth and educate their children. What better investment can we make for our world.
Day 156: Give 156
One of the best things about Kiva is they remind you to spend your banked money. Most days I can’t keep track of my own money let alone what I have invested with Kiva. I have $67.00 in my Kiva bank account and I have chosen a group of women I am happy to support. My loan is dedicated to a group called “Las Damas de la Colosio” [The Ladies of the Colosio] in honor of their colony. The women are from the Quintana Roo State in Mexico and is made up of 11 members. Mrs. Francisca Acuna C. is one of them. She is 46 years old and attended school until the end of elementary. She has three children, two girls who are 17 and 14 and a boy who is 11 years old. She has been selling fruits and vegetables for three years.
Now this I can relate to. I am also a working Mom and all we want is to give our children the best life we can. Francisca Acuna would like to grow her business and needs some extra cash to do just that. I love helping hard working Mom’s every chance I can get and Mexico has a big draw for me. My sister lives in the Quintana Roo State and we visit often. The people are so lovely and kind. It was an easy loan to find and connect with in a personal way.
If you aren’t familiar with Kiva and you want to find a great organization to begin your philanthropic journey, it’s a great place to look. For as little investment as $25 you to can change the world!
Time Commitment: 5 minutes
Cost: $67.00 I had already spent with Kiva now reinvesting it. No additional funds spent.
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