Showing posts with label charity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label charity. Show all posts

Monday, March 30, 2015

Operation Smile Brings Smiles to Kids



Operation Smile is such an amazing charity. Operation Smile helps correct Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate in babies.  It’s a congenital birth defect that hinders baby’s ability to suck and eat and even speak. When the baby is in their mother’s womb, sometimes their mouths or lips do not form and there is a hole.  Babies born with Cleft Lip or Cleft Palate do not have the ability to smile. Parents are not able to see their baby’s first smile as other parents do.  1 in 10 children with Cleft Lip or Cleft Palate don’t get to celebrate their first birthday. It is incredibly sad, thankfully Operation Smile is there to save the day. Operation Smile goes to third world countries where doctors are not an option. It’s a really simple and inexpensive surgery that they just cannot afford. It’s roughly $240 per surgery, and while that doesn’t sound like much to us, in some countries it may as well be ten thousand dollars.  Babies with Cleft Palate or Cleft Lip will experience ear problems and dental problems too. Thankfully it is curable and they can live normal lives. 1 in 700 babies will have Cleft Lip or Cleft Palate. That is so heart breaking because so many babies won’t get surgery without Operation Smile. Operation Smile needs our help, it takes a village to help others.  There are many volunteers and doctors who volunteer their time to travel to third world countries to help these precious little babes.

Campus Book Rentals has teamed up with Operation Smile to help donate smiles. For every text book you rent, Campus Book Rentals donates to Operation Smile. I think that’s so wonderful. So, if you are in college or have a child in college, check out Campus Book Rentals and consider renting text books from them and help support Operation Smile.

For more information and to learn about what they do, please visit Operation Smile

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Fat Quarter Shop Announces 2015 Snapshots Quilt Along

 Hey Quilters!

Fat Quarter Shop is starting their Snapshots Quilt Along in January.  They are releasing the first pattern and video tutorial on January 15th, 2015, and all the other patterns and videos on the 15th of every month.

You can help St. Jude's Children's Hospital by donating $5 with every order.

Fat Quarter Shop is  taking pre-orders for Quilt Kits and Backing sets at our shop as well. These kits will ship early February.

 If you want to play along on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram be sure to use the hashtag #fqssnapshots for your posts so that people can find them!

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Helping Children Smile with Operation Smile


Every child deserves to smile. A smile is a great joy to see. Smiles make you feel better when you are down. It makes others feel better when they are down. A smile is the universal hello. You don't have to understand the language the other person speaks. You don't even have to speak. The shyest person can smile. A smile says it all. Unfortunately, some babies are born with a Cleft Lip or a Cleft Palette. It is a congenital birth defect that happens in 1 in 700 babies. 1 in 10 babies with Cleft Lip or Cleft Palate will die before their first birthday. When the baby is formed in their mother's womb their mouth or lip does not form properly leaving a hole. Babies with Cleft Lip or Cleft Palate have trouble sucking, eating and talking. It can also lead to ear infections and problems with their teeth.  It is definitely curable through surgery. My sister's best friend in high school's little brother was born with a Cleft Lip. He had the surgery and I didn't know until my sister told me. The surgery is pretty easy but not everyone can afford it.

Thankfully there is an organization called Operation Smile who correct Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate for those who can't afford it. They go to a lot of Third World Countries where a simple surgery is not an option. Many have never even seen a doctor.  Operation Smile not only helps with providing the surgery but they also provide other services and information about nutrition and emotional support.  The surgery costs typically $240 per child. Operation Smile has a bunch of volunteers including doctors to provide these children with a smile. They rely on donations from caring individuals and businesses. I know that Campus Book Rentals is donating a minimum of 80 surgeries by June 2014. They donate to Operation Smile for every text book rented.  I think that Operation Smile is an amazing charity and Campus Book Rentals is awesome for supporting their cause.

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

MIRACLES HAPPEN HERE






By Robin Dickson, Pres./CEO

DOGS FOR THE DEAF, INC.

Dogs for the Deaf has been making miracles happen every day for over 35 years.  Dogs are rescued from shelters and receive medical care and special training so they can go on to help people with various disabilities.

During their four-six months in training, all the dogs learn obedience skills and each dog enters one of three different training programs in order to learn how to be a Hearing Dog, an Autism Assistance Dog, or a Program Assistance Dog.  The training is all done with positive reinforcement, using toys and treats to motivate the dogs to learn.  The dogs enjoy the new “games” they learn, not realizing that these “games” will be extremely important, even life-saving, once they are living with and helping their new partners.

Once each dog is completely trained, it is matched with one of the applicants on our waiting list.  It is very important to place each dog in the home and with the client where its skills will be best utilized.  The trainer then takes the dog to the person’s home, wherever the person lives in the U.S., and spends a week training the person how to maintain the dog’s training.



Hearing Dogs are trained to alert their trainer to a variety of household sounds—door bell, door knock, oven buzzer, alarm clock, smoke alarm, telephone, someone calling the person’s name, etc.  These normal household sounds are taken for granted by people who can hear.  We don’t realize how important they are to living safely and securely in our world.  Once our Hearing Dogs are trained and placed with their partners who have hearing loss, the dogs alert the people to all of the sounds that occur around them.  Suddenly, with the dog there, the person is aware things happening around them and the needs of people around them.  Our Hearing Dogs have alerted parents to their crying children who are in trouble, to the smoke alarm (saving lives and homes), to family members needing help, to the alarm clock so they can get to work on time, and so much more.  One client was thrilled when her dog started alerting her when the ice cream truck went by outside the house.  It wasn’t that she needed or wanted ice cream; it was about being aware of the things around her—just like all the rest of us are—she was part of the real world.  Another of our clients said that the best thing about her Hearing Dog is that he allowed her to relax.  Because of her deafness, she had always been tense and “on guard.”  Once, she had her Hearing Dog, she was able to relax because she knew Harley would alert her to any sounds or happenings around her.  These dogs provide self-confidence, security, and safety—truly miraculous.

Autism Assistance Dogs are trained to help children with autism.  They help calm the children and lessen meltdowns and tantrums.  They help the children with eye contact and bonding, and they are trained to serve as an anchor to prevent the children from bolting and running.  The tendency of children with autism to bolt and run causes a great deal of stress for parents and many injuries and even deaths for these children.  With the dogs anchoring the children, they are not able to bolt and run away into unsafe situations.  These dogs provide countless miraculous benefits to the children and their families.

Program Assistance Dogs are trained to help professionals (teachers, counselors, therapists, physicians, court room advocates, etc.) with their students, clients, and patients.  The dogs are individually trained to increase the effectiveness of the professionals’ work. Nelson is a Program Assistance Dog we placed with a teacher of a special needs class at a middle school.  Nelson is trained to help the students focus on their work and motivate them to behave appropriately.  Nelson is enhancing the students’ learning and also increasing their social skills.  The school Principal told us that Nelson has changed the relationship between the students in the special needs class and the students in the regular classes.  He said that the students in the regular classes are no longer making fun of the special needs students.  With Nelson in their classroom, they have become the “cool” kids, and the rest of the students want to interact with them.  This is truly miraculous and helping students learn both in the classroom and in society.

Besides the dogs we save and the clients we serve, there is another miracle at Dogs for the Deaf—the faithful and generous donors who support our work.  You see, there is no charge to the people who receive these dogs.  Yes, you heard it right; we give them the dogs free of charge (except for a $50 application fee).  Our work is totally funded by people who want to help us create these miracles. Donations come from all across the U.S. and dogs are placed with applicants nationwide. 

 

If you would like to learn more about the miracles that happen at Dogs for the Deaf, check out our website www.dogsforthedeaf.org or call us at 541-826-9220.  Maybe you or someone you know could benefit from a specially trained dog; maybe you would like to help us save a dog’s live and help someone with a disability.  Contact us and become a DFD Miracle Worker.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

WeCare Card Giveaway



I was always taught that it is better to give than receive. My grandma Rose opened a soup kitchen that still feeds thousands today. She also did all sorts of charity work and fundraising efforts.  She is my role model and who I strive to be like. There are so many people hurting. I always try to help those in need.  I would love when he did fundraisers at school to raise money for things.  We all know that there are many great charities but what about those who are our friends and families and neighbors?  We went to the St. Patrick's Day event in our town and there was a booth with art work for sale to donate to a teacher with cancer. The art work was done by the children at the elementary school she taught at. I had Noah pick out a picture and I asked them how much for the painting? They said two dollars and I said no. Its ten dollars. I am pretty sure I made their jaw drop. Noah now goes to the elementary school. It made me feel so good to help someone else.  I was also teaching Noah the importance of helping others.

We all have times in our lives when we need a little help. Unfortunately bad things happen to good people and they are left with bills and other needs. There is a random acts of kindness movement that I would like to start. I have the opportunity to share with you about a website called WeCare Card They help you collect donations to help your loved ones.  The best part is the recipient receives 100% of the money.

Have you ever wanted to donate money for something but didn't have the cash on hand? Instead of going to the bank or ATM you can donate online through your credit or debit card.  It also gives your friends and family that might not live close to you a chance to donate too. Sure there is the mail but that can take a while when you don't have a lot of time to wait. Most times they are emergencies . Emergencies do not wait until you can afford it. Signing up is easy. If you have a cause that you would like to raise money for just create an account and share your cause with everyone. I am sure you are wondering how they can claim the money. There are two options. They can request a check or do direct deposit.  There are 16 causes already and they all are definitely worth a donation.

Every Wednesday, is WeCare Wednesdays. WeCare gives away giftcards on their Facebook page every Wednesday. Like them on Facebook so you don't miss out!!

You can also follow them on Twitter to get great updates!!

I have a very special giveaway for you. This isn't the normal giveaway where you win something like a product. I know that sometimes you want to give back to someone and you don't really have the money to do it.  Today is your lucky day! WeCare Card is giving one of my readers the chance to create a cause of the winners choice and WeCare Card will match donations up $100. Of course anyone can share a cause but I think that it is awesome that they will donate too.  I love this idea so much.

Here is how to enter:
Just leave me a comment about the campaign you would like to start to raise money and why it's important to you.

Please remember to leave your email address so I can reach out to you. This will be a quick giveaway!

This giveaway will end September  September 19, 2012 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Make a Difference with Giveback.org


Giving back to others is very important to me. I know that I always try to give back when  I can, I have been the recipient of a good deed. I have also done good deeds for others. I think that giving to charity is really important because unfortunately there are people that don’t have as much as you do. Things that we take for granted like TV, the occasional meal at a fast food restaurant, or more important things like shelter or clean water. There is an awesome site called Giveback.org, where you can start foundations to support the causes of your choice. I was able to put in my zip code and find local charities. Many of them I haven’t heard of. So, if you want to support a local cause you are able to find which ones are in your area. You can choose whatever ones that appeals to you. Maybe you have a cause that is dear to you, and has affected your life you are able to donate. I love this idea. Everyone knows about the main charities, but not always the local ones.

I found out there is an organization for ducks.  Ducks Unlimited stands today as a global force in wetlands and wildlife conservation. DU''s conservation programs have evolved and expanded over the years to address the habitat needs of waterfowl and other wildlife on ever changing landscapes. Today, DU and our many partners utilize space-age technology and cutting-edge research to conserve habitat as efficiently and cost effectively as possible.  I think that is awesome that people are looking out for the ducks. My son and I enjoy the ducks on our pond and we love seeing the baby ducks each year. If it weren’t for Ducks Unlimited the ducks might not be there.

You can find so many charities and causes on Giveback.org I hope you check it out and start your own foundation and donate to those who are in need. All of the charities are tax deductible.

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Friday, December 31, 2010

With One Click, One Dollar Goes to Toys for Tots

The holidays are coming to a close, and hopefully the season was very merry for you. But for some kids, Santa doesn’t make a stop at their house. Which is where Toys for Tots comes in – helping provide thousands of toys for families in need. It’s really a wonderful program.

To help this great cause, CouponMountain.com (an online coupon code site) has pledged togive up to $50,000. But it’s up to you how much Toys for Tots will get. Because they’re going to give $1 for every Facebook Fan they have on Dec. 31.

So please – take a minute to log on and “Like” CouponMountain. Then pass it on.

How You Can Give $1 to Toys for Tots:

Go to: www.Facebook.com/CouponMountain

Select “Like”

CouponMountain will donate $1

Spread the word to your friends

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Check Out This Amazing Blogger and Friend

Everybody is always asking me and other bloggers who their blogging idol is or who they look up to the most? Normally I don’t like to single people out because feelings get hurt and egos get bruised. Most people say it is some really well known blogger but for me it is Mommy Niri. I had the pleasure of getting to know Niri from a PBS Sprout Band of Bloggers telephone conference. She is an amazing person and she is so intelligent. She has a really cool accent too. She was full of great ideas and I knew during that phone call that I wanted to get to know her. I immediately started following her on Twitter and I started tweeting back and forth with her. I really enjoy talking to her.

The world according to Mommy Niri.

She is such a kind person. She is doing all these things to help others and she is such an inspiration to me. She is such a great blogger and an even better person. She is one of those bloggers that truly want to make a difference like I do. I hope I have the opportunity to meet her someday soon. I can’t say enough good things about Niri. She is the blogger I strive to be like; she has such a big heart like I do. I bet we could do a lot of good in this world together. Everyone should check out Mommy Niri’s blog because she is such an awesome blogger and friend.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Flash Mobbing for Haiti

There was such a horrible tragedy that happened in Haiti. The earthquake killed many and left even more people homeless. I am sure you have heard of many different ways to help like text messaging and just plain donating. Helping those who are in need is such a wonderful thing; I have major respect for those that took time to donate to Haiti. I am sure you remember my post about Oscar Meyer and Flash Mob America. Well Flash Mob America, has done it again, this time they danced for Haiti! 100% of the donations went to Yele Haiti's Earthquake Relief Fund.

Flash Mob America gets a group of people together in LA and they all dance for causes and for other events. They surprise LA with the Flash Mobs. It looks really cool. I wish I could have been there to dance with them, but I can’t dance and I don’t live in LA. It looks like a lot of fun. Maybe those who live in LA can dance in the next one. They had rehearsals and even a Henna tattoo artist before the event. They also raised a lot of money for Haiti.

Here is the video for you to check out. It looks like a blast don’t you think?

They raised over $3,000 for Haiti and the Yele Haiti's Earthquake Relief Fund during the event through the dancers having people sponsor them for donations. It is such a blessing that all of these people took the time to put on this event and we can’t forget those who donated. The Flash Mobbers helped brighten the day of the people of LA and of course those suffering in Haiti.

For more information on Flash Mob America please visit HERE.

You can donate to the Yele Haiti’s Earthquake Relief Fund by visiting their website.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Don't forget to pick up something for the food pantry

Tonight I was watching The 700 Club. I love watching it. I have been watching it for four years now. I think Pat,Terry, Gordon and Kristy are awesome. My mom has seen the show many times because she went to Law School at Regent University which is the college that the show is filmed and where Pat Robertson is president and founder of. Tonight they had on Stephanie Nelson aka Coupon Mom who is an author of a really cool book called The Coupon Mom's Guide to Cutting Your Grocery Bills in Half: The Strategic Shopping Method Proven to Slash Food and Drugstore Costs that teaches people about using coupons and saving money. We all know how much I love coupons. Terry and Stephanie talked about how if everyone in the country donated a food item that they got with a coupon for free to a food pantry it would fill the food pantries up. Food pantries are really hurting right now with all the people out of work and without the means to feed their families.

You guys know how passionate I am about feeding the hungry. I challenge you all to get something extra and donate it. It doesn’t have to be caviar or escargot, just something nonperishable. Perhaps a few boxes of macaroni and cheese or something like that. If you have a coupon that would be great but just something to help someone else would make a world of difference. If we all do our part than it will move mountains and fill so many hungry mouths and stomachs. So, when you are at the store think of those who go without. It doesn’t take much effort to help.

You all should check out my friend Mommy Niri’s post about Joining her in the fight against child hunger. It is amazing. Mommy Niri is such a great person. I hope you all visit her blog and read about fighting child hunger with Con Agra and decide to participate.

Another really cool thing I heard about during Wheel of Fortune. When a contestant wins the bonus round, Maxwell House will donate $2,500 to a charity that feeds the hungry. I think that is awesome although I would like to see it donated each time someone goes to the bonus round personally. There are so many wonderful companies out there that love to help and I learn about them more each day.

There are so many people out there that need your help.