Everyday Giving Blog

Let's Learn How to Help Ourselves & Others

Jen Lemen is my favorite artist for fun and inspiring artwork. One of her posters I own reminds me every day of the possibilities each day can bring.

Jen has now teamed up with author Odette Umurerwa and created a book with a message of self-confidence, determination and hope to encourage Rwandan and American girls (along with adults of all ages) to make the world a better place. It is based on an inspirational true story.

350 preview copies of Let's Learn How to Help Ourselves & Others have been made available at $10 this weekend only. There are only 43 left in stock at the time I am writing this. You need to click here and order your copy now.

Note: Proceeds from the sale of this book this weekend will go directly to Odette Umurerwa, the care of her daughter Grace and the Girl Power Rwanda Trip scheduled May 18-27.

Your Nonprofit Collaboration Could Be Worth $250,000

In Forces for Good, Leslie R. Crutchfield and Heather McLeod Grant discuss the top six practices of high-impact nonprofit organizations. Their findings were the result of a two-year study.

One of the six practices of high-impact nonprofit organizations is collaboration with other nonprofits. Viewing other nonprofit organizations as the competition to work against can be harmful to being the most effective. The study found that high-impact nonprofits build nonprofit networks and help the competition to succeed.

Collaboration is a key ingredient to maximizing the impact of your nonprofit organization. That should be a huge incentive to start building your network.

Do you want an additional incentive?

The Lodestar Foundation has just launched a competition called The Collaboration Prize. A $250,000 award will be presented to the collaboration that best puts cooperation above competition.

If you have a collaboration that should be considered for the award, go to http://www.thecollaborationprize.org for all of the competition details.

What nonprofit organizations do you currently consider your competition that you should start working with?

Dave Webb Interviews Dr.Mani on Pupose, Vision, Mission and Impact

Dr.Mani is passionate and enthusiastic. He maintains several roles in life. Some of these include being an internet marketer, nonprofit leader and heart surgeon. I have the utmost respect for Dr.Mani.

Dave Webb had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Mani. You need to click here and read the question and answers.

What will you get from the interview?

• Knowledge of the difference between purpose, vision and mission
• Instruction about the power of giving
• Understanding of the impact an individual can make when you follow your heart
• Example of making a profit while making a difference
• Inspiration to change the world

You can follow Dave Webb, Dr.Mani and myself on Twitter at http://twitter.com/DaveWebb, http://twitter.com/drmani and http://twitter.com/rogercarr, respectively.

Will Your Mission Statement Send People To The Moon?

On May 25, 1961, President John F. Kennedy used a short speech to motivate an entire nation to "put a man on the Moon and return him safely by the end of the decade." His goal was turned into a reality on July 20, 1969 when Neil Armstrong put his footprints onto the Moon.

What if President Kennedy was a typical, modern-day CEO? What would his speech have sounded like? Would it have been as effective? These are questions that Chip Heath and Dan Heath asked in their bestselling book Made to Stick.

They postulate that CEO Kennedy's speech would have gone something like this:

"Our mission is to become the international leader in the space industry through maximum team-centered innovation and strategically targeted aerospace initiatives."

Do your vision and mission statements have the ability to motivate and inspire? If not, consider a change.

Can Money Buy Happiness?

Yes. But not in the way you are thinking about it.

In the WebMD article Unselfish Spending Boosts Happiness, Miranda Hitti reports on a study that examined the connection between money and happiness.

What was the bottom line? Money increased happiness when it was given to others. It didn't matter how much the person earned or how much was given.

Do you want to be happier? Give to help others!

Note: Thanks to my friend Martin for bringing the article to my attention.

December Giving Carnival

Christopher Scott did a great job capturing the entries for the December Giving Carnival. Go to his blog post at http://christopherscottblog.typepad.com/blog/2007/12/giving-carnival.html and learn how leadership impacts fundraising.

Razoo is Sending Me to Australia

...if I win the Razoo Good Travels contest. My friends at Razoo.com will send you to a destination of your choice if you win.

Razoo is conducting this contest to encourage each of us to be good travelers. They want travel to be an experience, not just a mindless stop at a destination.

It's simple to enter the contest. There are four steps to complete on Razoo.com, which takes about 10 minutes. Go here to get started.

Here is a list of the prizes being offered:

• The grand prize is a "good travels" trip from among the thousands of offerings on ResponsibleTravel.com.
• Five 2nd prize winners will receive the new XO laptop, from the One Laptop Per Child intiative.
• Ten 3rd prize winners will receive the new Flip Ultra camcorder.
  

Go to http://beta.razoo.com/good_travels and enter the contest now. Tell them Roger Carr sent you.

The only thing that would make me happier than winning a trip to Australia is knowing that you were the grand prize winner and traveling to your dream destination.

Razoo Makes A Difference

Razoo gets people together who are making a difference. They are doing this in multiple ways.

I took notice of Razoo when they launched their social networking site at http://beta.razoo.com a few months ago. I am impressed with the quality of their staff and the members of the community who are active on the site. Members are able to meet like-minded people and support important causes by using the website.

Another way Razoo is getting Do-Gooders together is by holding events. I recently had the privilege of attending one of these events called Brewing Good in Washington DC. I enjoyed meeting several people on the Razoo team and other Do-Gooders at the event. Several nonprofit organizations had displays describing their charitable projects.

They did an activity during the event called Speed Granting that was both educational and entertaining. Attendees had the opportunity to talk about a cause they were passionate about with an opportunity to win a grant for that cause. Each person was allowed one minute. Jars representing each cause were set out on a table. After all of the presentations were given, each person voted for the one they felt deserved the grant money the most by dropping a penny in the appropriate jar. The one with the most pennies won.

Check out Razoo and join the community of those making a difference. You will connect with some wonderful people and organizations as you participate. While you are there, be sure to go to my Razoo profile page at http://beta.razoo.com/members/rogercarr and add me as a friend.

Are You Ready For Blog Action Day?

Can you imagine a day when thousands of bloggers will unite to discuss the environment?

That is exactly what will happen this year on Blog Action Day, which is scheduled for Oct. 15, 2007.

Are you interested in participating?

Major blogs already signed up include: Lifehacker, Dumb Little Man, Lifehack.org, Get Rich Slowly, Web Worker Daily, GigaOm, The Simple Dollar, Zen Habits, Freelance Switch, LifeClever, Unclutterer, Pronet Advertising, Wise Bread and many more.

Go to http://www.BlogActionDay.org to register your blog and discover other bloggers who are participating.

I look forward to participating here at the Everyday Giving Blog.

If you have a suggested environmental topic you would like me to discuss on Blog Action Day, leave me a comment.

Promoting Positive Change at TryChange.org

Peopleized by: rogercarr - Saturday, 15 September 2007

Vince Stubbs is an entrepreneur who is promoting positive messages and stories. Go to www.TryChange.org to learn more about Vince and his inspirational products.

rogercarr: Hi Vince, please tell me about yourself.

Try Change: I'm originally from New Jersey but I currently reside in Northern Virginia. I am the director of sales for a hotel in Springfield as well as the president of the local chamber of commerce. One of my main interests besides Try Change is going to the gym as often as I can, usually four to five days a week.


rogercarr: Briefly describe TryChange.

Try Change: At Try Change we seek to inspire ourselves and others to seek positive change that will not only benefit ourselves but society as a whole. Through the sale of inspirational t-shirts we hope to spread our message of hope, peace, faith, diversity and positive change. We share new inspirational stories on our website and blog just about everyday.


rogercarr: What gave you the idea for starting the company?

Try Change: I was inspired to start Try Change after a trip to our local supermarket where I encountered a young lady wearing an obscene t-shirt. It was a Sunday afternoon and there were many families with children also at the store. The very next week I was in the mall and I saw a young boy that couldn't have been older than 7 or 8 wearing a shirt promoting the use of marijuana. I thought to myself that I had to do something about this. That there had to be something more positive out there for all of us.


rogercarr: What makes TryChange different from other t-shirt companies?

Try Change: At Try Change we do not consider ourselves a t-shirt company. Rather, we are messengers of positive change. The t-shirts are one of the vehicles that we use to spread our mission as well as help our community. We have sponsored the local Springfield Bridge Walk, we are members of the local chamber of commerce, we are involved with Volunteers of America and are participating in the adopt a highway program.


rogercarr: I understand you donate a percentage of all profits to Volunteers of America Chesapeake. What percentage is donated? Why did you select this charitable organization?

Try Change: Since we are not purchasing our shirts wholesale at this time but rather per order our profit margin is limited so our current donation is 5% of all profits. Our goal is to sell our shirts directly to the consumer through local shops which will increase our profits and in turn will increase the amount we donate to Volunteers of America Chesapeake. We have also recently set up a link on our blog with Network for Good that allows people to donate directly to Volunteers of America. We selected Volunteers of America because it is one of the oldest and most respected charities in the US. They also run the local shelter which we are planning a garage sale with that 100% of the proceeds will go to Volunteers of America Chesapeake.


rogercarr: Is there anything else you would like others to know about you or TryChange?

Try Change: I would like others to know that Try Change is made up of me and my fiancé and we are very much a grass roots organization. The success of Try Change hinges on the support that we receive from our local community as well as individuals such as yourself and our online community. In the short time that we have been in existence we have been featured on the front page of the Springfield Times, appeared in the Potomac News Pulse and were the Legal Zoom Spotlight LLC. We are constantly seeking out new inspirational stories and community members. In closing, I would like to invite everyone to join our community. We currently have 25 members and our goal is to reach 200 community members by 2008. Finally, you can support us and Volunteers of America by simply investing in one of our many inspirational t-shirts.

Try Change's Page: www.trychange.org

Authors Page: rogercarr

powered by Peopleized!

Change Your World Contest At Razoo.com

Social networking has become extremely popular on the web. Some of the most popular web sites are now social networking sites. These websites include MySpace, YouTube, Orkut, and Facebook. These social networking sites allow people and organizations with common interests to meet.

There is a new type of social networking gaining popularity and it is changing the world. Do gooders and organizations that do good are meeting online to join forces and find ways to make a difference. My recent involvement with some of these sites has resulted in a number of people helping me with causes I am passionate about, meeting celebrities who are doing charitable work, and even discovering a new nonprofit organization that I have joined as a board member.

One of my favorite social networking web sites is Razoo. You can check out Razoo at http://beta.razoo.com. Razoo's founder and CEO, Sebastian Traeger, is developing a winner. The website makes it easy to find others who are interested in the same causes that you are.  It also makes it easy to encourage others to join you in taking action. What I am most impressed with is character of the leadership and membership.

Razoo is currently promoting the Change Your World contest. You can earn your chance to get $10,000 for your favorite charity. All you need to do to qualify is to start a group to support your favorite cause it and get at least 100 members to join your group before September 15, 2007. That is only two weeks away. Go to http://beta.razoo.com/win10k and http://blog.razoo.com/articles/2007/08/02/10-000-contest to learn more about the contest and joining Razoo.

Be sure to add me as a friend when you join. You can find me on Razoo at http://beta.razoo.com/members/rogercarr.

Update: The contest has been extended to October 1 and additional prizes have been added.

Rescuing Homeless And At Risk Youth To Make A Difference

Russell rescues youth. Russell Hartsaw has a burning passion for making a difference in the lives of homeless youth, at risk youth and their families. He experienced firsthand what it means to be homeless and abused. He also knows the potential dangers that lie ahead for kids who are homeless and at risk. But what can one person do?

Russell discovered an area in his city where homeless youth hid and supported each other in order to survive. He took food to them that he paid for and received from friends also wanting to help. Eventually, a few of these kids began to trust Russell. They were Gerald and nine of his friends, all between the ages of nine and fifteen years old.

When Russell received money for a gift from a friend, he chose to use it to take these ten kids out to a local restaurant for a meal. It turned out to be a tremendous experience. The manager at the restaurant matched the money so it provided meals for the group and allowed them to take food back to other kids who remained in seclusion.

Providing meals for this group of friends was only the beginning. Due to Russell's enthusiasm and initiative, area churches and members of the community tirelessly knocked on doors until they found homes for all ten kids!

Russell Hartsaw has now founded an organization to provide resources and support for homeless youth, at risk youth, their families and related organizations. The Invisible Youth Network is made up of volunteer members from every continent in the world. Go to http://www.orgsites.com/ca/youthoutreachinternational and learn more about the mission of the Invisible Youth Network and how you can get involved.

What can one person do? Russell has proved you can change lives!

© 2007 Roger B. Carr

Roger Carr is the founder and owner of Everyday Giving and board member of the Invisible Youth Network.

Giving Thanks, Love and Appreciation Is Powerful

Thanks, love and appreciation are powerful words when expressed from the heart.  How many times have you used these words today?

I recently received two thank you notes in the mail on the same day. Both of them were thanking me for the volunteer work I have been doing with the Arthritis Foundation. One of those notes was from a girl that suffers from juvenile arthritis. It was unexpected and really touched me. It also motivated me.

Saying "thank you" is powerful.

When I'm talking on the phone with my wife or son, I always tell them that I love them at some point during the conversation. If I'm on my cell phone in public during the phone call, heads turn in my direction with a smile when I say those words.

Recently I read a book by Dan Baker, Ph.D. and Cameron Stauth entitled "What Happy People Know: How the New Science of Happiness can Change Your Life for the Better." I highly recommend the book. They discuss love being the opposite of fear. The best way to overcome fear is with love.

Saying "I love you" is powerful.

Several months ago I sent an e-mail to my clients and subscribers entitled "I Appreciate You." I received a larger response to that e-mail than any other before or after it. It obviously struck a positive chord with many readers.

In the same book mentioned above, Baker and Stauth wrote "Appreciation is the highest, purest form of love...Appreciation asks for nothing and gives everything."

Saying "I appreciate you" is powerful.

Share your feeling of thanks, love and appreciation with others through notes, telephone calls and face-to-face conversations. These simple acts of kindness have the potential to change lives and make the world a better place.

Corey and the Do-Gooders Celebrate 75th Show

Corey Pudhorodsky and some do-gooders (everyday philanthropists) celebrated the 75th 501c3Cast show and two years of inspiring and informing the nonprofit community. The 501c3Cast is a biweekly podcast that provides the best in websites, commentary, interviews and quotes related to giving back and making a difference. Corey is the host and producer of the 501c3Cast.

Corey invited listeners to participate in the 75th episode in celebration of the two year milestone. Check out this special episode at http://www.501c3cast.com. While you are there, listen to some of the other shows and discover why the 501c3Cast should be a part of your life. It is useful for nonprofit professionals, volunteers and anyone wanting to make a difference.

Congratulations to Corey Pudhorodsky and the 501c3Cast team!

2007 Walkathon for Hope Video

In a previous post I discussed my experiences while participating in the 2007 Walkathon for Hope. This special event was organized by the Students Helping Honduras organization.

You can now get a glimpse of what occurred at the event. Enjoy this new video that shows some of the ways the Students Helping Honduras organization was able to raise their goal of $200,000 to build 72 homes in Honduras.

Vote for Your Favorite Kindness In Focus Photo

The entries are in and the best have been selected. Choosing the final winners of the Kindness in Focus contest is now in your hands.

VolunteerMatch and Squidoo joined together to sponsor this unique photo contest. The contest winner will name the charity that will receive a $1000 donation.

Vote for your favorite photo. Be sure to click on each photo to view the full size image and description. Voting ends on Tuesday, May 22nd, 2007, at midnight EST.

Have fun!

Click through to see the plexo

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.

Win $1000 For Your Favorite Charity With A Photo Showing Kindness

VolunteerMatch and Squidoo have joined together to sponsor a new photo contest. The contest winner will be able to name the charity that will receive a $1000 donation.

The photos you submit need to capture the fun and impact of giving back. Acts of kindness occur all around us and they occur frequently. Capture those kind acts in photos and enter the contest.

Don't worry if you are not a professional photographer. I'm certainly not and I entered my first submission today.

If you work for a nonprofit organization, you need to:

• Go to http://www.squidoo.com/kindnessinfocus and read the contest rules
• Get the word out to your volunteers. Have them snap pictures when they see kindness in action
• Carry a camera with you and catch your staff and volunteers doing what they do best
• Dig through photos from previous events and activities
• Submit your best photos to the contest

If you are a volunteer, you need to:

• Go to http://www.squidoo.com/kindnessinfocus and read the contest rules
• Inform your favorite nonprofit organization about the contest so they can "motivate the troops"
• Keep attentive to kind acts going on around you. Capture those acts in a photo
• Be creative when taking pictures
• Sift through previous photos for possible submissions
• Submit your best photos to the contest

Have fun and feel good about supporting a great cause. Even if your entries don't win, you will raise the awareness about your favorite cause just by doing this simple act.

Don't wait any longer. Pick up your camera and start taking pictures of people making a difference. Submit your favorites to the contest. You will be glad you did.

Interview With Author of "Do I Have A Birthday Too?: The Cheerful Givers Story"

Cheerful Givers is a nonprofit organization that has impressed me due to their powerful mission and their enthusiasm. I mentioned them in a previous post at http://www.everydaygivingblog.com/2007/02/cheerful_givers.html.

A new book is published that shares the story of Cheerful Givers. I had the privilege of interviewing Melane Bower. She is the author of Do I Have A Birthday Too?: The Cheerful Givers Story.

Go to http://www.everydaygivingradio.com/2007/04/interview_with_.html to listen to the full interview.

The Happy Monkey Is Out

Be happy! Click here to claim your free sample of The Happy Monkey.

Is the President’s Volunteer Service Award a Part of Your Volunteer Recognition Program?

Keeping volunteers on your team can be a challenge. You worked hard to recruit them and they are making a difference. Now, you should be doing as much as you can to retain them. One thing you should do is to find opportunities to recognize their efforts.

I recently learned about a volunteer award that you should consider for recognizing your faithful volunteers. What is the award? It is the President’s Volunteer Service Award.

This award has significant meaning. The recipient has to earn the award through volunteering a specific number of hours to community service. The volunteer hours have to be tracked and certified. There are different levels of the award based on the number of hours given. The award is not limited to adults. Children are eligible as well.

For details on presenting the awards or becoming a Certifying Organization, visit presidentialserviceawards.gov. If you are a volunteer, make sure the organizations you support are aware of the award.

My thanks to Kelly Perdew for making me aware of this award. Yes, he was the winner of the second season of "The Apprentice," with Donald Trump. He has also been appointed as a member of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation.

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

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

Smiles Are Contagious is Featured in New Artella Newspaper

How would you describe the staff and members at Artella? One look at their website and your description will include:

• Creative
• Artistic
• unique
• Charitable

The latest product at Artella is a daily newspaper called The Artella Daily Muse. In its pages are sections that contain news and resources that the creative artist within you can use. It even has a section on making a difference. The Everyday Giving idea Smiles Are Contagious is featured in the Creative Quickie section of the Oct. 20, 2006 issue.

Go to http://www.artelladailymuse.com to check out The Artella Daily Muse and Smiles Are Contagious. Artella is giving away a free 2-day subscription that allows you to check it out.

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.

Does Your Teenager Need An Attitude Adjustment?

Does your teenager seem grouchy, lazy, and apathetic some or most of the time? Your desire is for him or her to have a positive and charitable attitude. Does the possibility of this happening seem almost impossible? I just finished reading a book that could make a remarkable difference in your teenager's life (and yours as well). The topic of the book is not what you think it is.

Many teenagers are not getting enough sleep and it is affecting many areas of their lives!

Helene A. Emsellem, M.D. has written a book with Carol Whiteley called "Snooze... or Lose!: 10 "No-war" Ways to Improve Your Teen's Sleep Habits." It is a remarkable book and I strongly recommend any parent with a teenager to purchase and read it.

Are you aware that there are physical reasons why adolescents have a different sleep pattern from children and adults? The negative impact of this difference is multiplied by things such as early school start times, the perceived need to stay connected any time (day or night) with friends via technology, extremely busy schedules and school/job/family pressures. Just the knowledge that there is a reason normal sleep can be difficult for teenagers and how it can impact them will ease your mind. However, this book doesn't stop there. It gives many practical recommendations on how you can work with your teenager to get him or her better sleep. These recommendations come from a kid's perspective, a parent's perspective, and a doctor's perspective.

I am glad I discovered the book and I have already started implementing some of the recommendations. If you want to improve your teenager's life, you should consider reading the book as well.

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.

Martin Sabel Interview with Roger Carr

Martin Sabel interviewed me about why I started Everyday Giving, what it means to be a philanthropist, and some of the many ways a person or company can give to make a difference.

Go to http://www.EverydayGiving.com/martin_sabel.mp3 to listen to the interview.

A Great Way to Make a Difference on Halloween

When I was growing up, it was fun dressing up in costumes and going "trick-or-treating" door to door in my neighborhood on Halloween. Can you remember how fun it was doing that?

Unfortunately, a scare started one of those years because somewhere candy was handed out that was tampered with. After that time, we still dressed up and went out on Halloween. We still had fun. However, we limited our visits to people we knew or we participated in Halloween parties.

The joy of going out to "trick-or-treat" is still an ongoing tradition today. Many children stop by my house on the evening of Halloween to get their treats. You may have several happy, excited children visit you on that night as well. The smiles on their faces, as they receive your Halloween gift, can get you excited as well.

Do you consider the Halloween treats you hand out as gifts? You may not consider Halloween as a gift giving occasion. However, you might change your mind when you visit  http://www.BooksForTreats.org for a new twist on Halloween giving.

You can be helping children, taking away many of the worries parents have on that evening, while still providing long-lasting fun for the kids. The only danger is that you may have more children visiting your house next year when the children and their parents talk about how you celebrated Halloween.

Interview with Author of "What A Difference A Day Makes"

Last night I interviewed Kerri Cartelli. She is the author of What a Difference a Day Makes: A Survival Guide for Women. Go to http://www.everydaygivingradio.com/2006/10/interview_with_.html to listen to the full interview. I will be writing up a more extensive post for this blog regarding the interview, but I didn't want you to have to wait another minute to hear what she has to say.

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

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/

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.

More Reasons to Give in August 2006

Have you exhausted your brain trying to come up with new reasons to do something for someone?  There are always reasons to do something for someone (if you need an excuse). Take advantage of these upcoming observances for August 2006:

• National Back To School Month
• International Clown Week - 1-7 August 2006 - http://www.internationalclownweek.org
• International Friendship Day - 6 August 2006 - http://www.friendship.com.au/friendday.html
• International Youth Day - 12 August 2006 - http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/iyouthday.htm
• International Left-Handers Day - 13 August 2006 - http://www.lefthandersday.com
• Be an Angel Day - 22 August 2006
• Kiss and Make Up Day - 25 August 2006
• National Dog Day - 26 August 2006 - http://www.nationaldogday.com
• Women's Equality Day - 26 August 2006 - http://www.nwhp.org
• Be Kind to Humankind Week - 25-31 August 2006 - http://www.bekindweek.org

Youth Group Gives Hope for the Future

I was doing some research on my computer this morning and discovered a blog that got my interest. It was by a Christian youth group that traveled to Washington DC this past week. They made the trip to help others in a variety of ways while also finding opportunities to share their faith. You can check out the "One Step Closer '06" blog at http://onestepcloser06.blogspot.com. Make sure you submit a comment of encouragement to them while you are reading their posts.

There are many other youth groups just like this team that are unselfishly giving their time for others. It is great we have parents, teachers and leaders that teach the importance of giving and encourage our youth to put it into practice. It was clear to me that this group of young people didn't take the time to help because their parents made them go. They were enthusiastic to go and do what they could for others they didn't even know.

Doesn't that give you hope for the future? Doesn't it encourage you to find other ways you can give to others? It should!

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.

Reasons to Give

Have you exhausted your brain trying to come up with new reasons to do something for someone? There are always reasons to do something for someone (if you need an excuse). Take advantage of these upcoming observances for the remainder of July. Some are serious and some are fun.

• World Population Day - 11 July 2006 - http://www.unfpa.org/wpd/index.htm
• National Ice Cream Day - 16 July 2006
• National Parents’ Day - 23 July - http://www.parentsday.com
• Cousins Day - 24 July 2006
• Father-In-Law Day - 30 July 2006

Interviews Available at Everyday Giving Radio

I am excited to announce an additional way to learn about giving back that we have started here at Everyday Giving. We have just launched Everyday Giving Radio! You will be able to listen to interviews of people making a difference. it is my hope that by listening to these interviews, you will:

• support the wonderful efforts being discussed
• learn that "everyday" people can do extraordinary things
• be challenged to come up with unique ideas for giving
• learn ways to overcome any challenges you might face
• be inspired to take action on your ideas for giving

We already have a couple of great interviews ready for you to listen to.

• One interview is with a terrific lady I met at Book Expo America this month. Cindy Katz has started a company called Plant A Tree USA. She has a very big goal to benefit the world that she is pursuing. She has already made significant progress towards meeting that goal.
• The second interview is with a young boy and his mother. Cole Hodges and Joan Crown are the co-founders of Donate Your Birthday. Cole has been donating his birthday since he was five years old. Cole and his mom have now set up a nonprofit organization to encourage others to do the same.

Check out the interviews at http://www.everydaygivingradio.com. Be sure to leave a comment on the website to let me know your thoughts on the interviews. I am also interested in knowing what you liked, what I can improve on, and topics you would like covered in future interviews.

Note: If you prefer to download the mp3 files of the interviews to your portable mp3 player, like I do, it will be easier to sign up for the Everyday Giving Radio podcast at http://feeds.feedburner.com/EverydayGivingRadio.

Passion or Not, Life Goes On

I was reading the May/June 2006 edition of AdvantEdge Magazine tonight and found a very interesting article. It is entitled "Do You Have Passion...for Your Profession?" It discusses the need to discover your passions and then align your job with those passions.

I agree with the author, William J. White. This concept isn't limited to just your job. It applies to everything you do. If whatever you are doing is not tied to a passion you have. you are going to have a difficult time doing your best. You are going to have a hard time staying focused. You are going to find it difficult to maintain the energy required for the task.

Discover your passions then work towards a life filled with pursuing those  passions.

AdvantEdge Magazine is my favorite magazine and should be one of yours. Check it out for great articles on improoving your life.

Mother's Day Special

Mother's Day is on May 14th. Do you have a gift in mind this year that really tells her how special she is and how much she means to you?

At the Everyday Giving Bookstore we have selected three inspirational books especially for her that she will appreciate and treasure for $14.95 (list price $39.92). If she doesn't live near you, have the books shipped directly to her.

Visit the Everyday Giving Bookstore at http://www.everydaygiving.com/bookstore to take advantage of this limited-time Mother's Day Special. Warm her heart through your thoughtful gift.

Gracious Giving Pod Started Today!

Check out the new Gracious Giving discussion board at http://pods.zaadz.com/gracious_giving. It is another great way for people to inspire each other to give and share ideas on ways to give. An increase in all forms of giving will result in a better world.