Contributions to Others

Ok so I could use some distraction right now. I also think it would be great to have some shift in the way conversations have been on here lately. There's been all sorts of conversation about negatives and what people don't do or should do.

I know from talking with some in chat that there are a lot of people on here who do all sorts of things to contribute in very positive ways on all different levels (neighborhood, community, regionally, globally).

How about sharing the things you've done in the past and currently...maybe hope to do in the future, how and why.

 

I helped construct a playground for a daycare center, in my neighborhood before, as part of my high school's Army Junior ROTC

I also worked with Temple's security with flow control, during a function the mayor had, back in 2000, along with helping other schools with security at their functions, while in the JROTC as well..

I was going through a phase some while ago, where I was going to go into college ROTC to become an officer..JROTC during highschool opened me up to current temple rotc members, training (had a marine come in before to give us PT, nothing special :wink: ), etc.

But, being in JROTC was good on its' own, as it really got me involved with my community, and the city, as far as helping others out of the compassion of my heart, instead of the prospect of money in my pocket.

 

Interesting question...

I'm not sure I've done a lot. Technically sometimes I feel I'm working for charity sometimes (!) because I work in criminal legal aid as a defender, so I don't get paid very much but work very hard. Not that I'm making a criticism about that, but I suppose it's worth considering on a larger scale, because I have to have quite a modest lifestyle, but I enjoy giving something back - it is rewarding to provide people with a decent chance at a defence, and it is rewarding to have so much human contact with people in the justice system.

When I was still at law school, I was also able to take part in a lot of pro bono legal advice which I really enjoyed, and would like to go back to when I have a bit more experience.

Apart from that - I've done campaigning with Amnesty and a couple of other charities at university. And I donate a portion of my salary every month to four different charities - to appease my conscience for not getting involved more actively!

 

KnCA - you also have to reply to your qustion hehe.
And great idea, too, by the way. Although I feel a little narcissistic writing all these things.

I'm a bit slack at the moment, not doing as much as I should.
I have a sponsor child in Tanzania through World Vision and have done for about 3 years.
www.worldvision.com.au

I tutor a refugee family from Liberia in English and other things they need to know about life in Australia like tax, social security, jobs, etc.
www.refugeetutoring.org

In approximately 7 weeks I will be shaving my head to raise money for cancer research! (I will post photos and link here, if anyone is interested)
www.worldsgreatestshave.com.au

I have previously organised this when I was at school. We got over 200 boxes - not bad!
http://www.samaritanspurse.org/OCC.asp?MPGID=1

 

narcissistic about doing things, to help others..

never!



They used to have posters at my hospital for marathons in philadelphia...I thought about running in some...they were for cancer awareness and the sorts..

my hospital usually sends out information, about developing teams to train with for those long runs...

running over a bridge would be cool..and different..think they run over the ben franklin every year..

 

I know! I have to write it up.

I love hearing about all the stuff others do. I get inspired!

It's funny though, bit ago I was talking with my son and I brought this up and I did feel sortof odd about making up a list!

 

still waiting on your reply..

you got us spilling our souls...

now spill yours

 

Im donating old shoes that I dont wear anymore to this charity called Samaritan's Feet.

I saw a segment on ESPN about this coach named Ron Hunter who's going to coach one game barefoot to bring awaremess to the charity. He's trying to gather 40,000 pair of shoes to send to Africa for those who are not fortunate to have shoes.

I also volunteered in low income areas helping with voter registration.

 

that's not a bad idea..

about the shoes...

i'm sure someone could use them

 

Ok warning - it's a lonnnng one!

Past:
Moderated and Administrated various large online communities for medical support groups.
Participated in numerous medical charities in many different capacities (organized and participated in various events, etc). We’ve been Team Leaders numerous times for various medical walks. (March of Dimes, Arthritis (JRA), Lupus, diabetes being medical areas that we are pretty consistent in working with)
Volunteered numerous hours in skilled nursing facilities doing a wide variety of activities (reading, exercise programs, cooking, sewing, crafts, gardening, etc).
Solicited funding, and organized the construction for various projects for under privileged children (playgrounds, etc).
Contributed in various ways to a variety of women/children’s shelters
Served food and donated many items for homeless shelters.
Taught Sunday School
Coat drives, blanket drives, bicycle drives, food, and clothing drives
We’ve helped with several “wishes” for the Make a Wish Foundation
Assisted others in adoption processes.
Helped at voting poles
Gathered donations of household items for foster children aging out of the system

Past and currently:
I donate and raise money for various organizations but that’s not really the way that I prefer to contribute. I would rather give of my time and abilities. While I think the money is an important factor….it’s very important to me that my children are raised knowing how important it is to give of ourselves. I’m all for people writing out big fat checks….I just want to get their time and expertise in the process also!

With my children, we do gift boxes for orphans in Africa, also through Samaritan Purse, every year. My 15 year old daughter helped coordinate a large group this year. She also sponsored a family in the US for Christmas, earning the money and purchasing and making all the items needed for them.

I make blankets, diapers, and bandages for AIDS orphans in Africa, and orphans in South America. I also have made blankets and diapers for those in need in the US

We host a Christian college group several nights a week at our home. (includes feeding them) My son organizes various activities for the group.

I sing with a local Worship Team.

My youngest son (4 years old) helps make blankets and teddy bears that are sent to orphanages in various countries.

We sponsor a variety of missions and missionaries in different ways.

We make up food baskets to be distributed locally. Also compile clothing to help women and children who are survivors of abuse.

My daughter is going to be donating her hair for Locks of Love. http://locksoflove.org/

In the future:
There are certain issues that will always be close to my heart.

I’ve always wanted to create a cross aging center for young children and elderly.
I’m taking a look at what I want to do in regards to some specific projects going on in Africa right now.
I’m planning to write some children’s books (and coloring/activity books) for children who are being admitted to hospitals, and also for those children who battle chronic illnesses. Probably also books for children entering foster care or shelters from situations of abuse.
I had planned to adopt again…this time through the foster/adopt programs. I don’t know that I will end up doing that. But I would like to do something to contribute in that area in the US.
I’d like to do some more “wishes” for children and young adults dealing with chronic and/or terminal illnesses.
I’d like to create an online community for women…women helping women. (there are some out there but not what I would like to see)


(Ok I need to check out the shoe thing...I have some children's shoes I'd love to give to someone! Some were never worn.)

 

you ain't eva lied...

 

The website is "samaritansfeet.org." (I hope I spelled it right.)

 

I know I got some old stuff around, that I don't use anymore...

it would be of more use in better hands, right...

 

I deliver meals on wheels, play cards and board games and teach yoga/stretching at a old folks home, walk dogs at the shelter occasionally and give airplane rides/ground school to some kids around the block as incentives. I have also organized bike rides for kids, anything to get them out their houses and active.

I also am very active in drug sentencing reform and other stuff. I write so many letters and make so many phone calls that I am on a first name basis with most of my state and national representatives.

I also do a lot of protests/pickets like the one in Jena, La.

 

Negative things get so much press and take up so much space, that I would like to take to time say something positive.

Converse (which is owned by Nike) donated 15,000 pairs of shoes to samaritansfeet.org. A representative of Converse saw the piece on ESPN about the organization and fell in love with the cause.

Thanks, Converse. :smt038

 

i will just tell you about the most recent contribution that my son and i did together...the week before christmas, spencer and i started sorting/cleaning in his room through an over abundance of toys, clothes, shoes, games etc...we hauled everything to the living room...i placed an ad on craigslist in the FREE section...set a date/time...cleaned up all the toys, rewashed all the cloths...checked all the games for pieces...set the front living room up like a store...invited 5 families to come and shop...greeting them at the door...gave them each a couple of large leaf bags to put stuff in...the families took turns shopping...each left with 2-4 bags of stuff...then i call my friend wally to get the rest...wally distributes used items to families in need...we filled up wally's car...a couple of days later he let me know that an additional 3 families enjoyed getting some much needed items before christmas!

i was so proud of spencer! the kid would give the shirt off his back if he thought someone needed it more than he did...the bonus for me was getting his room cleaned up...organized and looking more like a teen room then a little boys room...