Everyday Giving Blog

Celebrate World Laughter Day and Change the World

Today is World Laughter Day. It is celebrated each year on the first Sunday of May. Today, many people around the world are getting together to discuss and experience the positive effects of laughter.

Laughter can help reduce stress and improve attitudes. What would happen if people from every part of the globe laughed together? An outpouring of kindness and joy beyond anything imaginable could be the result. That is what World Laughter Day is all about.

Laughter can also provide many medical benefits. Laugh therapy is becoming more widely accepted as a way to help those who are ill. Watch the following video to better understand how laughter affects our bodies and well being.

Are you ready to experience how quickly laughter can have a positive impact on you? Regardless of your current mood, watch the following video. Laughing is contagious!

Check out http://www.laughteryoga.org/world-laughter-day.php and http://www.laughterfoundation.org to discover more about World Laughter Day. Celebrate World Laughter Day with someone and consider making laughter with others a frequent habit.

Reasons to Give in December 2006

There are countless times that you might consider giving to someone. You don't have to look very hard to find one or more reasons every day. Be creative in finding reasons to do something for someone when they won't expect it. Pick one or more of these upcoming observances as reasons to help and surprise others with an act of kindness:

• Dec 1 - World AIDS Day - http://www.worldaidsday.org
• Dec 2 - Together We Can Change the World Day - http://www.togetherwecanchangetheworldday.com
• Dec 3 - International Day of Disabled Persons - http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/disiddp.htm
• Dec 4 - National Cookie Day
• Dec 5 - International Volunteer Day - http://www.worldvolunteerweb.org/intl-volunteer-day.html
• Dec 16-Dec 23 - Hanukkah/Chanukah - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chanukah
• Dec 25 - Christmas - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_Day
• Dec 26-Jan 1 - Kwanzaa - http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org

Award-Winning Social Entrepreneurs Encourage Reading

Can you imagine what your life would be like if you were not able to read?

Reading good books is one of the best ways young people and adults can better themselves. Reading good books can:

• Inform
• Inspire
• Motivate
• Advise
• Entertain
• Expand our minds

Reading is also a critical skill for school, work and all areas of life. Although the ability to read is extremely valuable, there are a significant number of youth and adults in the United States and around the world who are illiterate today.

It is exciting to know there are organizations doing something about the problem. Some of these organizations have earned the Fast Company/Monitor Group Social Capitalist Award.

• First Book has given more than 40 million books to low-income kids in the United States since 1992. Go to www.FirstBook.org to learn more about First Book.
• Raising a Reader also encourages children in low-income families to read. They provide books and specialists that work with the children. Go to www.RaisingaReader.org to learn more about First Book.
• Room to Read publishes books and builds schools and libraries in several countries. Go to www.RoomToRead.org to learn more about First Book.

Consider providing some of your time and/or wealth to helping others learn to read.

Do you need some suggestions? Consider these ideas:

• Volunteer at your local school
• Volunteer at your local library
• Mentor a child or adult who needs help developing reading skills
• Donate or raise funds for an organization that encourages reading
• Donate books

You can make a lifetime difference in a person's life. Decide how you want to get started and do it. You will be glad you did.

Successful Internet Marketer, Willie Crawford, Aids the Homeless

What comes to mind when you think of successful Internet marketing gurus? If you receive as many emails as I do pressuring you to buy very expensive products you don't need; greedy, arrogant and unapproachable are probably words that come to mind.

However, this past weekend I participated in a conference of many successful Internet marketers. It was The Internet Success System Master Mind Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.

Here are some examples of popular speakers at the conference that impressed me:

• Willie Crawford is using his skills and fame to support and promote a project to create a new homeless shelter. He also discussed the need to build solid relationships to be successful.
• Mark Hendricks discussed the need to do things for others without any expectation of him or her giving back to you.
• Elsom Eldridge discussed giving back to others as a critical element of anyone becoming an Obvious Expert.

The participants spent more time finding ways to help each other than anything else at the conference. It was a wonderful experience.

Make sure you follow the example of these generous experts and share the wealth of your success with others.

Pumpkin Festival Sets Record and Raises Funding for Charity

What does pumpkin carving, Guinness World Record-breaking and raising funds for charity have in common? They were all done at the Life is good: Pumpkin Festival this year.

On October 21, Life is good: Pumpkin Festivals took place across the country. Over 100,000 people carved pumpkins at the Boston Commons festival site and 30,128 pumpkins lit up the grounds to set a new Guinness World Record!

The Life is good: Pumpkin Festival, across eighteen sites, also raised $554,211 to support kids in need.

You now know a pumpkin festival can set a world record and raise over a half million dollars for a worthy charity. What events can you think of and start that can also make a difference?

What Does A Wealthy Heir Do?

What does a twenty-something who inherits a fortune do with his money? In the case of Ben Goldhirsh (son of Inc. founder Bernie Goldhirsh), you start a magazine promoting philanthropy.

I heard about the launch of GOOD magazine from Joanne Fritz at nonprofit.about.com. The launch of the magazine has just taken place. However, the first issue is already starting to sell out at some locations. Subscriptions are available at their website goodmagazine.com.

The magazine is targeting a younger crowd with entertaining content that matters and makes a difference.

The promotion of GOOD is different than other magazines. 100% of the charter subscription fee ($20) is donated to one of a dozen nonprofit organizations that you choose from. Their goal is to raise $1 Million dollars and 50,000 new subscribers. The amount raised for each nonprofit organization is shown right on the website.

I have paid for my charter subscription to GOOD magazine. You should visit their website and consider it as well.

Reasons to Give in November 2006

There are countless times that you might consider giving to someone. You don't have to look very hard to find one or more reasons every day. Be creative in finding reasons to do something for someone when they won't expect it. Pick one or more of these upcoming observances as reasons to help and surprise others with an act of kindness:

• Nov - National Alzheimer's Disease Month - http://www.alz.org
• Nov 4 - Together We Can Change The World Day - http://www.togetherwecanchangetheworldday.com
• Nov 11 - Veterans Day - http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday
• Nov 12-18 - National Hunger & Homeless Awareness Week - http://www.nationalhomeless.org/getinvolved/projects/awareness
• Nov 12 - Chicken Soup for the Soul Day - http://www.chickensoup.com
• Nov 13 - World Kindness Day - http://www.actsofkindness.org
• Nov 14 - World Diabetes Day - http://www.worlddiabetesday.org
• Nov 15 - National Philanthropy Day - http://www.nationalphilanthropyday.org
• Nov 18 - National Family Volunteer Day - http://www.pointsoflight.org/programs/seasons/NFVD
• Nov 18 - National Adoption Day - http://www.nationaladoptionday.org
• Nov 19-25 - National Family Week - http://www.nationalfamilyweek.org
• Nov 19-26 - National Bible Week - http://www.nationalbible.org/index-3.html
• Nov 21 - World Hello Day - http://www.worldhelloday.org
• Nov 23 - Thanksgiving Day - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving

The Caring Institute Names Most Caring People in America for 2006

Seven adults and six youths were named the 2006 inductees to the Hall of Fame for Caring Americans by the Caring Institute. You will probably recognize some of the names. The accomplishments of those chosen will certainly inspire you.

If you don't believe kids can make a difference, think again. Some of the award winners are as young as age 14. Consider these:

• Daniel Kent, age 17, from Carmel, IN, formed Senior Connects -- now Net Literacy Corporation -- to bring senior citizens into the computer age. While teaching a computer class for adults, he realized that many seniors found it hard to attend his sessions. He recruited and trained friends to help him teach Internet classes, built a website, and raised over $110,000 for equipment. His efforts have put computer labs in 70 retirement facilities and helped 11,000 seniors get online.
• Brittany and Robbie Bergquist, ages 15 and 14, from Norwell, MA, founded Cell Phones for Soldiers to help U.S. troops stay in touch. They decided to support the war effort after hearing about the many soldiers who couldn't afford to call home. Their idea has inspired donations of cash, prepaid phone cards, and used cell phones that the kids recycle and sell to raise funds. So far, they've collected over $1 million, sent over 80,000 calling cards to troops in the Middle East, and established over 8,000 recycling sites.

Go to http://www.prweb.com/releases/2006/10/prweb447741.htm to discover the other 2006 inductees to the Hall of Fame for Caring Americans and to learn about the Caring Institute.

October is Family Portrait Month and Photographers are Joining Together to Support Operation Smile

The month of October is National Portrait Month. Photographers from across the United States have joined together with the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) Charities to make a difference in children's lives. They are conducting a fund-raising effort to support Operation Smile. Participating photographers have pledged to contribute a portion of each October family portrait sale to PPA Charities, which has chosen Operation Smile as its charitable partner. More than $15.000 was raised for Operation Smile during this event last year.

Operation Smile is a non-profit organization which treats children around the world who suffer from cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities. Operation Smile has treated more than 100,000 children worldwide and has programs in 25 partner countries.

To learn more about National Portrait Month and the photography studios that are participating in this fund-raising effort, view the press release at  http://www.prweb.com/releases/2006/10/prweb450004.htm.

The Holiday Season is Almost Here

I couldn't believe it. I was doing some shopping this past weekend and discovered that many of the stores are already putting Christmas items on their shelves! The traditional holiday season is just around the corner. Have you considered who you are going to give to this season? Have you considered what you are going to give?

Consider adding at least one new person to your gift giving list this year. Think about those that you know who have had a rough year or are in need of support. Think about those who have helped you in the past.

Giving can be a way of helping, encouraging and thanking. Make your holiday giving meaningful this year by planning ahead and doing something special for others.

Reasons to Give in October 2006

Be creative in finding reasons to do something for someone when they won't expect it. Pick one or more of these upcoming observances as reasons to help and surprise others with an act of kindness:

• Oct - Lupus Awareness Month - http://www.lupus.org/education/LAM_main.html
• Oct - National Breast Cancer Awareness Month - http://www.nbcam.org
• Oct 6 - World Smile Day - http://www.worldsmileday.com
• Oct 1 - International Day of Older Persons - http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/ageing/index.html
• Oct 2 - World Habitat Day - http://www.unhabitat.org/categories.asp?catid=490
• Oct 5 - World Teachers Day - http://www.ei-ie.org/worldteachersday
• Oct 9 - Columbus Day - http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/oct12.html
• Oct 10 - World Mental Health Day - http://www.wmhday.net
• Oct 15 - Sunday School Teacher Appreciation Day - http://mysundayschoolteacher.com
• Oct 15-21 - National Food Bank Week - http://www.secondharvest.org
• Oct 22-28 - Kids Care Week - http://www.kidscare.org
• Oct 22 - Mother-in-Law Day
• Oct 24 - United Nations Day - http://www.un.org/events/unday
• Oct 28 - Make a Difference Day - http://www.usaweekend.com/diffday
• Oct 31 - Halloween - http://www.BooksForTreats.org

Bid on Immortality for Charity

Have you experienced the SCI FI Channel reality television show called Who Wants to be a Superhero? Several people compete against each other to determine who has the best superhero persona. What prize could possibly be worth getting into a superhero costume and compete against others in tights on national television? The prize is to be immortalized in a new comic book by the famous comic book creator, Stan Lee, and also appear in an original movie!

Is the thought of dressing up as a superhero and having your bravery tested not in your top ten list of things to do? There is another way to be "immortalized" and support a charity at the same time.

Why not bid at an auction for charity that will get your name in a best-selling book or allow you to appear on a television show? Competing in a costume is not required. One auction site that I have discovered that regularly offers these kind of opportunities is Charity Folks. They have recently auctioned off walk-on roles to the television shows The Shield and Desperate Housewives.

You get your moment of fame that you have been dreaming about and charities benefit at the same time. If you want your name in lights, consider participating in a charity auction that will help you and others at the same time.

Reasons to Give in September 2006

When do you get the most benefit from receiving a card from someone? Is it when you receive one for a major celebration or holiday? Or is it when you receive one that is totally unexpected?

For me, it's when I receive one that is unexpected.

Be creative in finding reasons to do something for someone when they won't expect it. Pick one or more of these upcoming observances as reasons to help and surprise others with an act of kindness:

• Sept 1-7 - International Enthusiasm Week
• Sept 2 - Together We Can Change The World Day - http://www.togetherwecanchangetheworldday.com
• Sept 4 - Labor Day - http://www.dol.gov/opa/aboutdol/laborday.htm
• Sept 4 - Newspaper Carrier Day
• Sept 8 - International Literacy Day - http://www.un.org/depts/dhl/literacy/
• Sept 10 - National Grandparents Day - http://www.grandparents-day.com/
• Sept 11 - One Day's Pay - http://ww.onedayspay.org
• Sept 16 - Wife Appreciation Day
• Sept 17 - International Day of Prayer and Action for Human Habitat - http://www.habitat.org/cr/day_of_prayer.aspx
• Sept 21 - International Day of Peace - http://www.internationaldayofpeace.org/
• Sept 21 - World Gratitude Day
• Sept 24 - National Good Neighbor Day - http://www.natgoodneighborday.org/

Charity Donations Have Entered the Housing Market

When you are searching for a new home, what are some of the things you consider in deciding which house to buy?

• location
• size of house and property
• condition
• appeal of house design

A couple in Lansing, Michigan hopes that another factor will be added to the list. They are promising to donate a portion of the sale to charity. You can read about their efforts at http://www.wilx.com/news/headlines/3477472.html.

They want this to become a trend in the housing market. Do you think it will catch on?

The NonProfit Times Announces Power and Influence Top 50 for 2006

The NonProfit Times has announced their Power and Influence Top 50 for 2006. I recommend you read their article at http://www.nptimes.com/Aug06/sr1.html to discover some of the most influencial people (and otheir respective organizations) in the nonprofit sector. If you are interested in the changes to this Top 50 list from previous years, go to http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/news/story.jhtml?id=153100009 for a great analysis in the Philanthropy News Digest.

Fundraising Is Alive in the Virtual World

I am not totally clueless about the virtual worlds that real people from around the world participate in. My son has fun playing in these worlds. Runescape is one that comes to mind that he and several of his friends spend time in. However, I am amazed and excited that fundraising for charities has become a real part of some of these virtual communities. Second Life has a virtual Relay for Life event that has raised real money for the American Cancer Society. There are several more charities that have benefited as well. Check out the article at http://www.onphilanthropy.com/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=6643 to learn more.

Did You Miss Your Lawn and Landscaping Service on Monday?

Hundreds of lawn care and landscape professionals, industry suppliers and manufacturers swarmed the Arlington National Cemetery and the Historic Congressional Cemetery for a day. It was not an organized protest in Washington DC. They donated their time to improve the grounds of these National landmarks! Check out the details regarding this act of giving at http://www.lawnandlandscape.com/news/news.asp?ID=4550.

Huge numbers of visitors visit each of these locations. Just at Arlington National Cemetery,      more than four million people visit  every year. Many of these visitors are from other countries.

You may not think of lawn care and landscape companies making a difference by helping to improve the world. Their desire to voluntarily shut down their businesses for a day and give back in a way that directly influences how these National sites are seen by millions of people each year was nothing short of outstanding.

Want to Meet James Blunt in Person?

James Blunt is raising funds for charity by auctioning himself off on his North American tour. Read about it at http://breakingnews.iol.ie/entertainment/story.asp?j=190112386&p=y9xyy3x9z.

Auctioning off personal dates or meetings has been a way some celebrities have been raising a significant amount of money for worthwhile causes. Hmm...I wonder how much I could raise for a lunch meeting? Don't answer that!

Celebrities Can Make a Difference

Celebrities are sometimes viewed as greedy stars who are only out to make millions of dollars for themselves. For those who put their wealth to good use, I am glad they are making those millions of dollars each year. Many celebrities are getting more exposure than ever for donating some of their wealth to great causes.

However, donating their personal wealth is not the only thing celebrities are doing. It can take a celebrity to get the World's attention and support regarding serious needs.

An example is what Michael J. Fox is doing for Parkinson's disease. Much more attention to Parkinson's research has resulted from Michael's involvement. Both in the public eye as well as in the political arena. I have a long time friend that suffers from Parkinson's disease that I hope will benefit from the added attention. Go to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research website at http://www.michaeljfox.org to learn more.

Another example recently occurred. Diane Lane had her hair cut off on national television for the purpose of donating her hair to a to a charity that gives wigs to women battling cancer. The result was a different kind of celebrity donation than we normally hear about and world-wide publicity about the cause and how others can get involved. Check out www.beautifullengths.com to learn more about this charity and Diane's gutsy donation.

The next time you hear about a celebrity reaping significant rewards for their work, first think about the potential they have to help the world. Many of them are making a difference by using their fame and wealth to help others and the world around us.

Volunteerism Publication Available

If your interests include the area of volunteerism, then you will want to check out the new professional journal entitled "The International Journal of Volunteer Administration." The first four issues of the journal in 2006-2007 will be available on-line for free. If you serve in some capacity in the global volunteer community, go to http://www.ijova.org to learn more about the journal and view the first issue that is already available.

Insurance Agency to Donate Half of Profits to Charity

A new insurance agency has recently been started that is going to donate 50% of the profits to charity. Go to http://www.courant.com/hc-goodworks.artjul15,0,7393991.story?coll=hc-headlines-home to read an article about this philanthrpic promise by GoodWorks Insurance. They are going to do it without adding any additional costs to the consumer. Will this start a trend? Maybe the gasoline companies will be next...

The Top 25 Most Generous Companies

The top 25 most charitable corporate foundations were announced this week at Forbes.com. The results You can view a slide show describing the level of giving for each at  http://www.forbes.com/leadership/citizenship/2006/07/10/leadership-corporate-citizenship-cx_intern_0711quietersidephilanthropy.html. You might want to consider this list in your decision when you are shopping for your next product or service.

World Leaders Donate Items for Charity Auction

Are you interested in possessing an item that was donated by a true world leader and supporting a charity at the same time? Now is your opportunity! Youth Challenge Singapore is auctioning several items donated by world leaders. The auction started today and will end on July 23rd. My favorite item is an autographed pen by Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Tony Blair. Go to http://pages.ebay.com.sg/worldleadersauction/ to view and bid on the auction items. The proceeds will go to easing the suffering in regions including Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mongolia and China.