BegsList

Tim Tebow Announces the Tebow CURE Hospital of the Philippines

2011-12-14T10:56:00.000-06:00

Tim Tebow Announces the Tebow CURE Hospital of the Philippines from Tim Tebow on Vimeo.

NFL Quarterback, Tim Tebow, announces the Tebow CURE Hospital of the Philippines, the first project of the partnership between the Tim Tebow Foundation and CURE International. Learn more at cure.org/tebow or timtebowfoundation.org

Jobless over the holidays? Tell Us Your Story

2011-12-12T15:05:00.000-06:00

Ah, the holidays! A time for reindeer, mistletoe and over-eating. But the season isn't all comfort and joy. Gifts for family and friends, entertaining, travel--the costs pile up quickly, for all of us. And if you're one of the more than 13 million Americans who are unemployed-- especially if you're among the roughly 5.7 million who have been out of work for six months or more--even an ordinary Christmas celebration could blow your budget. We would like readers who had been jobless for a while to tell us about their experiences. We receive a flood of affecting, thought-provoking responses, which turned up on our website, www.begslist.org. Now we want to hear about how being unemployed is affecting your holiday celebrations this year. Among the things we want to know: • How are you cutting back or economizing for your holiday? Are you spending less on gifts? Staying home instead of traveling? • If you have children, how are they reacting to the situation? Do they understand? • Do the holidays come as a welcome period of rest and relaxation, or do they feel like just one more cause of stress? • What are some free or low-cost ways to celebrate that you've found and want to share? • Are there any upsides? Have you found that you've focused less on consumerism, and more on family and friends? • What are your resolutions for 2012? Be sure to tell us some basic details about yourself: your age, where you're from, how long you've been out of work, where you were working previously. And include any other information that gives us a sense of your situation and how you're getting by. Post a comment to this blog to share your experiences.

Secret Santa picks up 3 layaway bills

2011-12-09T13:42:00.002-06:00

Kindness 'Restored faith in people'

PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - Christmas came early for three people in West Michigan when a stranger picked up the tab on some presents.

It happened Monday night at the Big Kmart on the 4000 block of Plainfield Avenue in Plainfield Township. A woman, described only as "being in her 30s," walked up to the layaway desk, pushing a shopping cart full of toys she planned to donate.

"This lady came up randomly and said, 'Can I, you know, pay off some people's layaway?'" said Dannell Goddard. Goddard works at Kmart in the layaway department. She told 24 Hour News 8 that when she first heard the request, she was a bit confused.

"I was like, 'Well, are you trying to pick them up? 'Cause you can't pick them up if you don't have an ID," Goddard said. "And [the mystery woman] replied, 'Nope, I just want to help people.'"

The woman looked through several of the about 800 layaway contract tickets at the store. She randomly picked and paid the bill on three of them. She paid about $500 between all three of them and left a $10 balance on each of the accounts.

The woman's only requirement was that there were toys in the layaway orders.

"It was really crazy the way she did it. She was so excited and so happy to do it," said Goddard. "She had a great heart, and I told her that I felt like she had a great heart, and she said she doesn't want to take appreciation for it. She just felt that she was blessed and she wanted to bless others."

One of the recipients of that kindness was Mary Chapin. She told 24 Hour News 8 the act of kindness "restored her faith in people."

Chapin had put about $200 worth of toys on layaway for her son, David, Monday afternoon. She said she hoped she'd be able to pay off the balance by the week before Christmas.

Then she got a call from Kmart that changed all that.

"They said that someone had paid $180 on my layaway and there was only $10 left," said Chapin. "I thought it was a joke."

Chapin wanted to say thank you, but the only clue to the woman's identity was a message on her receipt that read, "Happy Holiday from a friend."

"I thank her. It's the best gift that I ever received, and it's the gift of believing in people," said Chapin. "And believing that there's good out there, 'cause you don't always see that."

The entire layaway order was for 12-year-old David who has autism. Chapin told 24 Hour News 8 she was so excited she gave her son one of those toys, a brand new LEGO set.

Chapin has her own name for her family's Secret Santa. She calls the woman "an angel" for her family. She said that angel gave her family a far bigger gift than the toys themselves.

"Even though we're all in the same boat, nobody's thinking about anyone else, it's every man for himself," said Chapin. To have somebody come along behind, and just do something that's totally unnecessary but so appreciated, it just really made a difference."
--
The day after the story aired on 24 Hour News 8, another secret Santa went to the Plainfield Kmart and offered to pay off 13 more layaway bills -- to the tune of about $2,000.
It was the largest layaway payoff in the history of the store.

This Holiday Season (November through December), the Founder of Begslist pledges to donate 50% of all online donations received directly though our Begslist Donate Page to the following charities: American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and Disabled American Veterans.

My Story

2011-12-09T13:39:00.000-06:00

I know what it is like to go through hard times, so I thought i would tell everyone my story. Let everyone know that i know what there going through and im here for them.

How to Help The Less Fortunate During the Holidays

2011-12-06T11:37:00.000-06:00

Introduction

If you are thinking about doing something to help those in need, the holidays are the perfect time to open your heart and wallet to give back. For advice and tips on how you can give back, see our page on How to Help The Less Fortunate During the Holidays.

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, the holidays can be a time to reflect on all of the things that you have to be thankful for (Friends, Family, Food, Work, etc). But it can also be a great opportunity to turn your attention to individuals and families who may, for one reason or another, not be as fortunate as you. Although the holidays can often be a hectic time, taking some time out to help those who are less fortunate can serve to remind you and your family of the true nature of the holidays. Here are some tips on giving back this holiday season.

One of the most popular ways to give back during the holiday season is to volunteer your time at a local soup kitchen, food bank or charity. The holidays are a particularly busy time for most charitable organizations and any amount of time, energy or expertise you can provide will be extremely appreciated.

[Continue to full story...]

Non-Proft Organizations That Help Single Parents in Chicago

2011-12-06T11:32:00.001-06:00

Being a single parent can be challenging both emotionally and financially. Single mothers and fathers are often solely responsible for providing food, shelter and clothes for their children, while also finding time to drive the kids to sports practice, help with homework and tuck them in at night. If you're a single parent struggling in the Chicago area, there are resources available.

The Courage Program reaches out to single women who are the sole caregiver of a child due to unplanned pregnancy, death of a spouse, or divorce. Since money can often be tight for a single parent, the organization helps women connect to available resources. The program scouts out affordable housing and can also help pair up roommates. Single moms can receive donations of baby food, diapers, warm clothes and other products given to the Courage Program. Courage also has a loan program that single parents can utilize for emergency expenses and pay back at an affordable rate. The program is also a great place for single parents to meet for emotional support.

It can be difficult to find safe and affordable housing in an urban area, especially if you are a struggling single mom with kids to provide for. HOW is an organization designed to help women and children in the Chicago area fight homelessness. HOW not only places women and their kids in a residence, but also helps to provide job training for these moms. The group also has special programs for disabled single parents who can only work part-time or not at all due to a health condition. HOW also helps children living in low income, single parent households find positive activities to do after school or in the summer.

CAWC: Connections for Abused Women and their Children
- CAWC, Connections for Abused Women and Children, is helping women in the Chicago area to improve their situation after escaping from domestic violence. The organization provides shelter, health care assistance, and more for women and children striving for a violence-free life. CAWC gives counseling to the moms and kids to address the emotional aspects of domestic violence. CAWC is aware that domestic violence situations can cause substance abuse, poverty and physical injuries to both the battered parent and traumatized child. The agency helps single moms and their kids rebuild their lives and move past these challenges.
  
  CAWC is located at:
  
  1116 N. Kedzie, 5th Floor
  
  Chicago, IL 60647-7916
  
  773-489-9081

Holiday Help For Domestic Abuse Victims

2011-12-06T11:26:00.002-06:00

The advocacy group Healing Abuse Working for Change offers shelter and court advocacy for people, including many from Swampscott, who suffer domestic abuse.

This holiday season they are asking for donations for their clients so they can meet their needs and those of their children.

Swampscott police Det. Ted Delano, who works with victims of domestic violence, is promoting the HAWC's holiday program.

He says the advocacy group does a lot of good for people who, often, are scared and may not know where to turn.

This good includes maintaining a hotline for those in need, finding them emergency shelter, helping them file restraining orders or providing them counseling.

People who seek these services include a number of Swampscott people, more than some people might think, the detective said.

So far this year Swampscott police have responded to 139 reports of domestic disputes

Each time police respond the person who called for help gets a follow-up letter from the department that offers ways to help and among them is contact information for Healing Abuse, including their hotline number.

The 24-hour hotline is 1-978-744-6841 . They can also be reached via email at www.hawcdv.org. The main office is located at 27 Congress St, Salem MA. The office number is 978-744-8552 .

The executive director of the Healing Abuse group, Candace Waldron, said the organization responded to about 5,000 requests for help this year in the more than 20 towns and cities it serves.

And about 350 to 500 clients of Healing Abuse need material help this holiday season, whether it is for basic necessities such as food, shelter and heat or to buy their children gifts, she said.

The best way to help is to donate gift cards, Waldron said.

Below is information from a flier detailing ways to contribute to the HAWC Holiday Program.

Wish List for Parents:

• Gift certificates to department stores, movie theaters, restaurants, drug stores, book stores, Walmart, Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks

• Bath & Body products

• Make up kits/cosmetic bags/ handbags

• Disposable cameras, photo albums, picture frames

• Bathrobes and slippers- all sizes

Wish List for Teens:

• Gift certificates to music stores (Best Buy, Newbury Comics, iTunes)

• Gift certificates to Target, Old Navy, Gap, Kohl’s, Barnes & Noble, Borders

• Bath & Body products

• Jewelry, hair accessories, make up kits

• Electronics: iPod, gameboy, etc.

Wish List for Children:

• Multicultural dolls: baby dolls, fashion dolls, doll strollers/cribs/clothes (Hannah Montana, Twilight themed, superhero toys)

• Arts & crafts items

• Educational toys/games

• Cars, Trucks, Fire Engines

• Linkin Logs, Legos, other building

blocks

• Disney or children’s program DVDs

• Sports equipment: basketballs, soccer balls, footballs, baseballs, team apparel

Empowerment is central to our operating philosophy at HAWC, and we respect the right of our clients to choose what is best for their families this holiday season and always.

We invite you to assist us by purchasing gift cards for our clients, so that they can prioritize their needs and choose accordingly.

A gift card is truly a gift, both of generosity and of empowerment.

Here is a list of frequently requested gift cards:

*Market Basket/Stop N Shop/Shaw’s*Target*Marshalls*TJ Maxx*Gas cards*Best Buy

Food Wish List:

• Canned and Jarred Goods: Fruits, Vegetables, Sauces

• Dry Storage: Rice, Pasta, Snacks

• Any Holiday Themed goods: cranberry sauce, gravy, Thanksgiving or Holiday Baskets

All items must be new and unused; gifts with violent themes or graphics will not be accepted.

Gifts should NOT be wrapped, but wrapping supplies are welcome!

Gifts can be dropped off Monday through Friday from 10:00 am—4:00 pm at:

HAWC

27 Congress Street, Suite 204

Salem, MA 01970

978-744-8552

www.hawcdv.org

BEGSLIST.ORG SEEKS HELP FOR THE NEEDY DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON

2011-12-06T11:21:00.001-06:00

With the holidays fast approaching, many people are doing their shopping online - but the Internet is also a very popular place for people in need asking for a handout on Begslist.org.

There are thousands of pleas for help on Begslist.org, an online donation website, which is dedicated to helping people in need through online begging via the Internet. Most of us this year will be enjoying a wonderful holiday dinner with our friends and family, but for millions of families across the country, Christmas will be like any other day; a struggle to make ends meet.

The stories from people asking for help are heartbreaking. A recently widowed dad who lost his job; a failed businessman with no money and no hope for a future. And, of course, stories of so many families who can't afford gifts for Christmas.

"We are a family of 9, and my husband lost his job, so we didn't have Christmas last year. This year we were lucky enough to find a place to live, but no money for Christmas..."

"I am a single mother of six and I am seeking help to have a Christmas with my family. I have been laid off from work and I experienced as a child not having many Christmases, but I don't want that for my kids..."

Others post stories asking for help, not for themselves but for others in need. Charities, organizations or everyday people just wanting online donations for various causes will try begging on Begslist.org to help others.

"Help the Children of Chicago - My deepest wishes for the spirit of Christ and Christmas. Can you help the needy children this season with a small donation, any amount.. because it the thought that counts. It's better to give than to receive as our children are the future and needy families need help."

"This is a Memorial to my brother who died of Cancer in 2006. We wish to aid in the support of Community Hospice groups everywhere. Hospice is currently undergoing a financial hard time and needs our help. Hospice does a job that really helps. Take it from one who knows what they do. During my brother's final time, they provided many services that we the family could not."

Begslist.org is an online donations website dedicated to helping people in need through the use of free cyber begging. Try something different this Holiday Season and take the time to send donations whether it be toys, food, clothing or financial support to those less fortunate. One of the most effective and timely ways to donate to people who desperately need help is to make monetary or holiday donations online by going to www.begslist.org.

For more information about Begslist.org , donations or cyber begging, please visit http://www.begslist.org/. And please show support for people in need this Holiday Season!

About Begslist.org

Cyber begging, Internet begging, or Internet panhandling is the online version of traditional begging or panhandling where people can ask strangers for money, food, clothing, or shelter. Begging online has a clear advantage to street begging or panhandling where it can be done with relative anonymity, thus eliminating or reducing the embarrassment, shame, or keeping one's dignity that associated with begging in public. Begslist.org is a free way to ask for donations online, maintain privacy, and protect one's pride when begging for help.

Since 2007, Begslist.org has tried to keep the reputation of establishing itself as free cyber begging website that allows access to anyone who needs help as compared to a paid cyber begging (pay-to-post) website by offering users FREE postings to ask for help.

Join us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Begslist/48221925633

SOURCE Begslist.org

Osama Bin Laden Dead

2011-05-01T22:57:00.002-05:00

May 1, 2011, 11:29 pm

Osama Bin Laden Dead, U.S. Official Says

By HELENE COOPER

WASHINGTON — President Obama announced late Sunday that Osama bin Laden, the leader of Al Qaeda responsible for the Sept. 11 attacks, was killed in a firefight during an operation he ordered inside Pakistan, ending a 10 year manhunt for the world’s most wanted terrorist. American officials were in possession of his body, he said.

The fate of Ayman al-Zawahiri, the Al Qaeda number two in command, was unclear.
The death of Mr. Bin Laden is a huge punctuation in the American-led war on terrorism. What remains to be seen is whether the death of the leader of Al Qaeda galvanizes his followers by turning him into a martyr, or whether it serves as a turning of the page in the war in Afghanistan and gives further impetus to the Obama administration to bring American troops home.

One American official said that American forces, acting on intelligence, launched a “targeted assault” that killed Mr. Bin Laden, whose ability to elude capture for so long deeply frustrated the Bush administration.
The news of the death of the leader of Al Qaeda was bound to electrify the world, particularly as it comes a full decade after American forces, under President Bush, launched their all-out assault to find the man responsible for the Sept. 11 attacks.

Since those attacks, Mr. bin Laden was able to elude capture by hiding out in the mountains of Afghanistan and elsewhere. He initially escaped from Tora Bora in the mountains of eastern Afghanistan after an American invasion routed the Taliban, his protectors. Since then, he issued some 30 messages, in audio, video or electronic text. Intelligence officials believe they were passed from hand to hand repeatedly to obscure any trail back to his hiding place. Even while in hiding, he remained a potent symbolic figure. And American officials believe, based on intercepted communications from second- and third-tier Qaeda operatives, that he also still helped shape Al Qaeda’s strategy.

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Tuesday's Children, a non profit family service organization founded by family and friends of the 9/11 victims, has made a long-term commitment to meet the needs of every family who lost a loved one in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2011.

The past decade, providing consistent services to more than 1,400 families, including more than 3,000 children and more than 5,500 individuals from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Washington, D.C., has garnered the trust of this bereaved community and given us an intimate understanding of the problems and realities in the days, months and years after a tragedy.

Our foundation of community based programs addresses challenges our families face as they arise and provides direction and encouragement to each member of the family. These programs bring families together, helping them recover from their loss and develop a sense of future. Individuals of all ages can benefit from our programming.

To Donate, Go To: http://tuesdayschildren.org/

Direct Relief Delivers Medical Aid to Affected Areas

2011-05-01T20:56:00.000-05:00

$36 Million in Medical Inventory Made Available; Healthcare Companies and FedEx Step in to Help

April 29, 2011
To help people across the southeastern U.S. who have lost their homes or been injured in tornadoes and other severe weather, Direct Relief USA is delivering specifically requested medical aid to clinics and shelters throughout the south.
Direct Relief is the only nonprofit organization licensed to distribute prescription medications in all 50 states and maintains an ongoing support program with more than 1,000 nonprofit clinics and health centers across the country, including 168 facilities in the six states affected by recent tornados.
In the past week, Direct Relief USA completed a distribution of medical aid this month through its nationwide Safety Net Support program, delivering more than $756,000 in medical material to 39 health facilities in Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee.
In addition, emergency shipments have been provided to facilities in North Carolina and Arkansas following tornados that struck in the past two weeks.
In response to the devastating tornadoes this week, Direct Relief has activated its entire network to prioritize emergency assistance to the affected southern states.
The organization has made its current inventory of $36 million in medicines and medical supplies available for the response. Text message alerts have been sent to community clinics and health centers notifying them of available resources.
In mobilizing private resources for the response, Direct Relief has joined with a vast array of nonprofit and public agencies to coordinate assistance, as well as with dozens of healthcare companies that have offered assistance and released previously made product donations to assist in the southern states.
Damon Taugher, Director of Direct Relief USA, says: “Our hearts go out to those who have been affected by this awful tragedy. Direct Relief has worked closely with partners in these communities over the past six years and will continue to provide medical resources to assist in recovery efforts.”
As needs assessments and relief operations have begun, Direct Relief is coordinating efforts with several national contacts, which include the National Association of Community Health Centers, National Association of Free Clinics, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), through the Private Sector ESF-15 National Response Coordination Center, and Rx Response.
In the affected states, Direct Relief is coordinating its efforts with the Georgia Primary Care Association, Community Health Centers of Arkansas, Mississippi Primary Healthcare Association, and Alabama Primary Care Association.
Many clinic partners across the southeast are conducting damage assessments and identifying needs. One organization has made a specific emergency request for assistance, which Direct Relief will fulfill with transportation services donated by FedEx:

Semo Health Network, Sikeston, MO – Due to flooding, the Semo Health Network is housing 100 evacuated families in nearby hotels, and specifically requested maintenance medications for evacuees. Continuity of care and the availability of needed medicines are important for people with chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and asthma, which are seen in relatively high incidence among partner clinic patient populations.

Another clinic partner has made a request to assist with families whose homes have been destroyed:

Conway Interfaith Clinic, Conway, AR – An estimated 50 to 60 displaced people are staying in shelters after a tornado swept through the town earlier this week, damaging about 500 homes. Personal care and hygiene items ($14,382 wholesale value) are en route to the clinic today to help the people living in the shelter.

These states have been hit by the recent spate of storms, in which more than 300 people have been killed and thousands of homes destroyed, according to news reports.
Direct Relief’s emergency relief efforts and ongoing assistance to partner clinics in the U.S. facilitate a fast, efficient response when a disaster strikes. The organization’s Hurricane Preparedness Program equips clinic sites across the Gulf States each year with medical material aid that is pre-positioned before hurricane season starts. Direct Relief’s response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005 has been one of the organization’s largest, rivaled only by the Haiti earthquake response in 2010.

Incident: Severe weather, including tornadoes and heavy rain, hit the southeastern U.S. April 2011
Human Cost: More than 300 people killed and hundreds injured and displaced across six states
Direct Relief Response: Medical aid offered to partners across affected states through local, regional, and national associations, including Primary Care Associatios, the National Association of Community Health Centers, and the National Association of Free Clinics.

Easter Donation Pick Up

2011-04-23T11:10:00.000-05:00

Easter Seals Thrift Stores and Charity Information

Make your clothing donations, household items donations, shoe donations and furniture donations to the Easter Seals by scheduling a free Easter Seals donation pick-up. Donation Town will give you all the information you need to schedule an Easter Seals donation pickup. Visit the Donation Town donation pick up webpage to learn more.

Easter Seals Donation Pick Up Service

Donation Town has gathered scheduling information on local Easter Seals charity donation pick up services all over the country. Simply enter your zip code on the donation pick up scheduling webpage. We are busy writing articles on many of the individual local Easter Seals chapters. Keep checking for more information.

Easter Seals Charity Good Deeds

For nearly a century, Easter Seals has been aiding individuals with special needs and disabilities, as well as their families. Easter Seals has a variety of programs aimed at helping children and adults with disabilities, both physical and developmental. Easter Seals operate through centers in over 550 cities all over the United States. All centers are tailored to meet the specific needs of the communities. From people with Autism to veterans and military to young children and to adults, Easter Seals is there to help! Creating revenue for their programs, Easter Seals operate their own thrift stores around the country, as well as participating with Saver's thrift stores or Goodwill Industries. Your household item donations and clothing donations will go towards helping those will disabilities all over our country. Don't delay, plan your Easter Seals donation pickup today!

Easter Seals Charitable Services

Easter Seals runs various services and programs that aid people of all ages with disabilities of all kinds, ranging from birth defects to disabled veterans, to those disabled by aging. Some of the programs for those with disabilities and their families include:

Medical Rehabilitation Services
Workforce Development for adults with disabilities
Children's Services for all types of disabilities
Adult and Senior Services
Camping and Recreational Activities for children and adults with disabilities

Easter Seals Acceptable Donations

Easter Seals Thrift Stores and their partners, such as Saver's and Goodwill, accept a variety of household good donations and clothing donations. Your charitable Easter Seals donations will help in providing services for those in our communities that need special assistance. With DonationTown.org, you can find your nearest Easter Seals thrift store or branch. Schedule a free Easter Seals clothing donation pickup today.

Easter Seals Thrift Stores Accept the Following Types of Donations

Easter Seals Donation Pick Up Area

Schedule a free Easter Seals donation pickup online today. Donation Town is there to point you in the right direction. Your charitable donations can be picked up from your home or place of business in communities all over the country. Schedule your Easter Seals donation pick-up for a Easter Seals branch in a community near you.

Schedule a Easter Seals Clothing Donation, Toy Donation or Household Item Donation Pick Up

Schedule your first free Easter Seals donation pickup online today. DonationTown.org is there to point you in the right direction. Your charitable donations can be picked up from your home or place of business in communities all over the country. Schedule your Easter Seals donation pick-up for a Easter Seals branch in a community near you.

Schedule a Easter Seals Clothing Donation, Toy Donation or Household Item Donation Pick Up

Schedule your charitable Easter Seals donation pickup for an Easter Seals Thrift Store in a community near you. You can schedule a free Easter Seals donation pickup for the time and place that is most convenient. The charity is responsible for leaving you a tax deduction receipt upon your Easter Seals clothes donation pick up.

Make a Tax-Deductible Gift to Easter Seals

2011-04-23T11:00:00.001-05:00

Make a Tax-Deductible Gift to Easter Seals

Your generosity helps Easter Seals provide help, hope and answers to people living with autism and other disabilities and the families who love them.
More than 90 percent of Easter Seals’ revenue supports services in the area where funds are raised. We also exceed all of the Standards for Charity Accountability set by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance.

Donate Now -- Make a secure online gift.

Make a Tribute or Memorial Gift -- Donate in memory or in honor of someone special. We will mail an acknowledgment card, or click here to make a gift and send one of our eCards right now.

Create a Personalized Web Page -- Raise funds in honor or memory of friends and relatives, to celebrate birthdays or weddings or simply to tell your own story about Easter Seals.

Donate to a Friend’s Personal Fund Raising Web Page -- Find a friend's or family member's personal fund raising page and donate online to support them.

Transfer Securities to Easter Seals (PDF*) -- Have you ever considered donating your securities (i.e. stocks and mutual funds) to Easter Seals? There might be additional tax advantages associated with donating securities instead of cash. Download our instructions.

Wills, Trusts & Annuities -- Meet your financial, tax, or estate planning objectives while providing critical support to children and adults with disabilities.

Register for an Easter Seals Walk With Me Event Near You -- Raise funds as an individual or as part of a team.

Sponsor a Walk With Me Participant -- Support friends participating in an Easter Seals Walk With Me event.

Join the Presidents' Council -- Make a vital difference in the lives of people living with disabilities with a donation of $1,000 or more.
If you prefer, you may also donate by mail or phone:

Easter Seals
Attn: Online Giving Coordinator
233 South Wacker Drive, Suite 2400
Chicago, IL 60606
1-800-221-6827

Click here to download a mail-in donation form* to send with your gift.

*This document is in the Adobe PDF format. If you do not have Acrobat Reader, you can download free Adobe Acrobat Reader software (link will open in new window) to view this document.

Salvation Army asking for Easter donations

2011-04-23T10:39:00.000-05:00

TUCSON, AZ (KOLD)- The Salvation Army is asking for donations of pre-cooked, boneless hams, eggs and assorted pastries for this year's 2nd Community Easter Breakfast.

With just one day to go, the agency says donations are nearly non-existent.

The Salvation Army expects to feed 500 people Sunday morning.

"The numbers of hungry people in-need are a harsh reality. Easter is a perfect time to come together and help others less fortunate." says Salvation Army Public Relations Director, Tamara McElwee. "The Easter breakfast is a warm, healthy meal that serves, homeless, in-need people on this special day. The food donors and volunteers help make it all happen!"

Food donations may be dropped off at The Salvation Army, 1001 N. Richey Blvd. and The Hospitality House, 1021 N. 11th Ave.

Financial donations may also be mailed to 1001 N. Richey Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85716. Attn. Easter

Begslist, Inc. Announces Launch of Scamslist.com

2011-04-23T10:34:00.001-05:00

CHICAGO, April 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Begslist, Inc. is pleased to announce the successful launch of its new website, http://www.scamslist.com.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101115/BEGSLISTLOGO )

Begslist, Inc. has been known to help people through free cyber begging, online donations, and giving to charity through its websites Begslist.org and its blog website begslist.blogspot.com. RJ Camposagrado, the founder of Begslist, stated: "We receive inquiries from our users asking us advice about responses to their postings. To protect our cyber begging community, we felt it was time for Begslist to add another website to our family- http://www.scamslist.com. Scamslist is a informative site with the main purpose of teaching you how to avoid scams and frauds of any type. You can read or post experiences, or see tips on how to prevent scams and fraud. Report any scam, fraud, complaint or review on any type of company, individual, service or product on ScamsList."

Scams are designed to trick you into giving away your money or your personal details. Scams and frauds come to you in many forms — by mail, email, telephone, over the Internet and door-to-door. There are several methods that scammers use to steal your money or personal details.

Learn more about scams and frauds from the creators of Begslist by going to: http://www.scamslist.com.

About Begslist

Cyber begging, Internet begging, or Internet panhandling is the online version of traditional begging or panhandling where people can ask strangers for money, food, clothing, or shelter. Begging online has a clear advantage to street begging or panhandling where it can be done with relative anonymity, thus eliminating or reducing the embarrassment, shame, or keeping one's dignity that associated with begging in public. Begslist is a free way to ask for donations online, maintain privacy, and protect one's pride when begging for help.

Begslist is proud to announce its newest website Scamslist.com. Scamslist is here to help inform people about scams and frauds. The more knowledge you have about scams and frauds, the more you will be protected from them.

Scamslist is now available in the social media:

Join us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Scams-and-Frauds/166381443418512

SOURCE Begslist, Inc.

The Jimmy Fallon / Stephen Colbert Donation Project

2011-04-19T23:55:00.006-05:00

Help a classroom in support of The Jimmy Fallon / Stephen Colbert Project

Help Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert raise money for DonorsChoose.org and Stephen Colbert will sing Rebecca Black's "Friday" with The Roots!

Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert recently announced that they've become Best Friends Forever (for Six Months) and are generously donating each others' time and money to DonorsChoose.org.

Last week, Stephen announced that Jimmy had matched Stephen's gift of $26,000 from the proceeds of a Colbert portrait sold at auction. Unfortunately, ...Stephen did not tell this to Jimmy.

However, Jimmy is very excited to raise the money for DonorsChoose.org and greatly appreciates the work his BFF (for six months) has done on his behalf.

So, as announced on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, if the Fallon / Colbert Project can raise $26,000 by this Friday April 1st, Stephen Colbert has graciously agreed to sing Rebecca Black's "Friday" accompanied by the Roots.

Please donate! And thank you so much!

Update:

2,147 members $67,526 donated 30,603 students reached

http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/viewChallenge.html?id=157284#

Panhandling Decreases Downtown, Moves to Other Parts of Yakima

2011-03-31T14:33:00.000-05:00

YAKIMA - KIMA is following up on the panhandling issue in Yakima. Last year, new laws were passed banning aggressive begging and setting fines for violators. You told us the problem has gotten much better downtown, where we previously reported it was the worst. But police said panhandling hasn't gone away here in Yakima, it's just moved.

"They were pretty aggressive,” said Matt Klaus with the Committee for Downtown Yakima. “There were a few that were really well known here."

"They would follow you to your car and wait at your window,” said downtown worker, Barnaby Lang. “There were a lot of scared people."

Employees and shoppers in downtown Yakima said just a year ago, they were frequently approached by panhandlers. That’s not the case anymore. They told Action News they haven't seen someone begging for money in months.

"It's nice to be out here,” Lang said. “It feels safer coming to and from work."

But the same can’t necessarily be said in other parts of town. YPD said the problem hasn't gone away, it’s just moved to places like 40th and Fruitvale and First and Nob Hill.

"It doesn't matter what day of the year it is, rain or snow, sometimes there's even three (panhandling,)” said Maria Madrigal.

Police said the issue will likely never go away completely, but tighter regulations have helped curb the pushy behavior. KIMA was told simply asking for money is legal, but people are being ticketed for stepping into the road.

"It starts becoming a crime when they intimidate people into giving them something,” said Sgt. Lloyd George.

And that something they may or may not get from the public likely won't come close to covering the $56 ticket for panhandling.

Police said a good chuck of panhandlers are not from Yakima, and just passing through the area.

Cee Lo Green helps firefighting campaign

2011-03-31T14:21:00.000-05:00

Cee Lo Green is doing his bit to help US volunteer firefighters. The singer-songwriter is recording Thank You, another rewrite of his hit song that's known in its PG-rated version as Forget You, to publicise a battery donation campaign.

"I believe I can contribute a great deal more than mere entertainment," he said. Cee Lo is helping to promote Duracell's battery donation drive for volunteer fire departments in the States.

The firefighters use the batteries for flashlights and other equipment. In the US, the firm is donating one battery for every specially marked pack of batteries customers buy.

Cee Lo's mother was pulled by volunteer firefighters from a serious car wreck, and had served as a firefighter herself.

"I always wanted to be a fireman, like a lot of kids," he said.

"There are quite a few heroes out there," he added.

Cee-Lo, who is touring Europe, has been involved in a number of other charitable efforts, including plans to donate proceeds from his song It's OK to Japan's earthquake relief.

Spring HS seeks donations for Project Prom garage sale

2011-03-31T14:17:00.000-05:00

The Spring High School Project Prom committee is accepting donations to put up for sale at its community garage sale from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 9 in the school parking lot.

Donations of slightly used clothing, furniture and household items are now being accepted to be sold at the sale. Those who have items are asked to contact Stormy Noble at 832-257-3240 or stormyp73@hotmail.com, or Debbie Plyler at 281-615-4859 or debplyler@comcast.net. Items the committee have already received to sell include desks, restaurant tables and chairs, patio sets, baby-related items and clothing.

All proceeds from the garage sale will go toward funding Spring High School Project Prom, which provides a drug- and alcohol-free event where students can take part in activities as well as spend the night after prom. Students are welcome to attend regardless of whether they go to the prom.

Project Prom is organized and solely funded by seniors' parents. The total cost for a successful event is estimated at $40,000 to $50,000.

To make a monetary donation to Spring High School Project Prom, contact Melinda Magdaleno at 832-489-1525 or luvhaart@aol.com. Donations may also be sent to the attention of Earlesia Nowlin at Spring High School, 19428 IH 45, Spring, Texas 77373. All checks should be made payable to Spring High School Project Prom. A tax deductible receipt will be issued for each donation.

Good Karma: Colbert to Cover 'Friday'

2011-03-30T23:50:00.002-05:00

TV show hosts Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Fallon have teamed up to help raise money for DonorsChoose.org, an online charity that raises money for schools in need.

Fallon had promised that if fans could help reach the goal of raising $26,000 by Friday, April 1, Colbert would perform the viral hit "Friday" by Rebecca Black. Happily, that goal was reached days ahead of schedule. Colbert's backing band for the song will be Fallon's house band, hip-hop group The Roots.

DonorsChoose.org is an online charity that promotes fundraising projects for schools across the nation. Visitors can browse through projects on the site, and decide which project they want to donate to, receiving a breakdown of how every dollar was spent after the funding goal is reached.

For more information on donating, visit DonorsChoose.org.

Compelling And Successful Cyber Begging Campaigns

2011-03-30T20:50:00.000-05:00

Cyber begging and internet panhandling has many names and definitions, however the idea is the same; to ask for money on the internet. Just like everything else, the idea was taken from off the streets and into the long series of tubes known as the internet.

The exact first known instance of begging is unknown, however there are many articles that point to 1997 and 1998 where the early examples of cyber begging emerged. One particular case is that of Karyn Bosnak, who launched savekaryn.com, a website that blatantly explained that Karyn had accrued over $20,000 in debt and took her story to the internet. Over the course of several years, Karyn added new features to her website and updated the amount she collected and ways she was saving to meet her goal. After she finally conquered her debt, she turned her site to be more about the dangers of credit card abuse and about her experience cyber begging, but no longer accepted donations. She later earned a book deal and is now an advocate for saving and living a debt-free life.

Karyn's example of internet panhandling is one of millions these days. But why did her story work and so many others suffering with their donation pages.

It's the story.

Humans are attracted to compelling stories, as it is a natural evolution of our species. Sitting around hearing and listen to stories is as natural to us as yawning.

Karyn's story began with her problem. She knew she had an addiction to Starbucks and designer clothing and had accumulated tens of thousands of dollars in debt. She started a cyber begging website with the little money she had left. She truthfully explained her story and created an entertaining website. Her story was picked up my the media, and little-by-little she climbed her way to her goal. Upon completing her goal she reorganized her website to teach what she had learned.

Now that's a compelling story! There have been many other similar stories like this, and truthfully explaining your compelling story and following through with updates appears to be the most direct way to have a successful cyber begging campaign. Once again here is the essential list you need:

Truthfully explain your situation

Set a goal

Update your progress

Announce your success and pay-it-forward

If you plan on choosing the cyber begging route to reduce some of your financial pain, take the time to be honest, truthful, and explain your story and situation in a compelling way. Even if you know that you are the cause for your financial misery, many anonymous donors have sometimes been in your situation and are willing to help out. It never hurts to try.

AP-GfK Poll: Americans souring more on economy

2011-03-30T20:12:00.000-05:00

By LIZ SIDOTI, AP National Political Writer Liz Sidoti, Ap National Political Writer – Wed Mar 30, 5:13 pm ET

WASHINGTON – For all the talk of recovery, Americans are growing increasingly pessimistic about the economy as soaring gas costs strain already-tight budgets. But so far, people aren't taking it out on President Barack Obama, a new Associated Press-GfK poll shows. Even so, the survey highlights a central challenge Obama will face in his campaign for re-election. The president will have to convince a lot of voters who are still feeling financial hardship that things are getting better.

Obama's approval ratings have held steady at around 50 percent over the past month. But the disconnect between negative perceptions of the economy and signs that a rebound are under way could provide an opening for Republicans at the outset of the 2012 campaign.

In the survey, just a sliver of Americans — 15 percent — said they believed the economy had improved over the past month, compared with 30 percent who had thought that in January. Only a third were optimistic of better times ahead for the country, down from about half earlier this year. And 28 percent thought the economy would get worse, the largest slice of people who have expressed that sentiment since the question was first asked in December 2009.

"It's in a poor state," said Billy Shirley, 74, a Democrat from Commerce, Ga. "Everything's going to the bad. Everyone's spending more on gas, food, everything. The prices on everything are going up, and that's hurting the nation."

Recent economic indicators paint a more positive picture: The unemployment rate, though still high at 8.9 percent, has been declining, and consumer spending and personal income were both up last month. The gross domestic product was growing at an annual rate of 3.1 percent as last year ended.

Americans are acutely focused on their financial well-being, even as turmoil in the Middle East commands international attention. And the foreign unrest is directly affecting them by boosting oil prices.

More Americans — 77 percent, up from 54 percent last fall — now say gas prices are highly important to them. Obama's job-performance ratings haven't suffered as people's attitudes about the economy have shifted over the past month. Half still approve of how he's doing his job, and half say he deserves to be re-elected. His rating on handling the economy was unchanged: 47 percent approved.

In fact, twice as many people said Obama "understands the important issues the country will need to focus on during the next two years" as said that about Republicans in Congress. That's not to say that Obama is escaping responsibility for the economic situation. Annale Iltis, 26, of Sarasota, Fla., faults big business, the federal government and, to a lesser extent, the president.

"I do a bit," she said, "but at the same time he has good ideas. He just doesn't have the backers in the House and the Senate to get them done." The self-described independent voter, who supported Obama in 2008 and says she would do so next year, is concerned that deep budget cuts that Congress is considering will hurt the fragile economic recovery.

"It seems stable now but I fear it's going to go downhill quickly," she said. Henry Kugeler, 49, of Chicago, likened the situation to the fable about the crawling tortoise that wins the race against the speedy hare, saying: "Right now, the country is the tortoise. I don't think the economy is getting worse. The recovery that's happening is real, but it's incredibly slow." The Democrat doesn't blame Obama or other politicians, saying: "They haven't helped but I don't know that they've hurt."

Obama inherited an economy in recession. Republicans angling for the chance to challenge him next fall have been blaming him for the slow recovery and arguing they could do better. Presidential advisers are hopeful that the positive economic trends continue, giving Obama an opportunity to make the case for keeping him in office rather than risk an economic backslide.

As the slow-to-start GOP nomination fight starts in earnest this spring, the poll shows that candidates clearly have work to do. More than or nearly half of Republicans surveyed say they don't know enough about the following potential contenders to even express an opinion about them: Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum and Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann. Roughly two-thirds of Republicans expressed favorable views of former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, while former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney got slightly lower marks. Even though many of the candidates aren't well-known, about half of Republicans say they are satisfied with their choices.

The poll comes just as Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill wrestle over the federal budget, and there could be a partial government shutdown without further action by Congress. The Republican-controlled House has approved some $60 billion in spending cuts. The Democratic Senate is looking at $33 billion.

Without agreement, some Republicans say they won't approve funding to keep the government operating. The issue of federal spending isn't just something lawmakers talk about. It's clearly weighing on the public. Roughly half in the survey said they expected enormous federal budget deficits to cause a major economic crisis for the country for the next decade, and most said they worry that mounting federal debt will hamper the financial future of their children and grandchildren.

In the shorter term, people in the poll view everyone negatively when it comes to handling the deficit, but lawmakers get worse marks than the president. Only about a third of those surveyed approve of how Republicans and Democrats are dealing with the issue, while 41 percent approve of Obama on the matter.

People also are evenly divided on which party would best handle the deficit. The Associated Press-GfK Poll was conducted March 24-28 by GfK Roper Public Affairs and Corporate Communications. It involved landline and cell phone interviews with 1,001 adults nationwide and had a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 4.2 percentage points.

Associated Press Polling Director Trevor Tompson, Deputy Polling Director Jennifer Agiesta and News Survey Specialist Dennis Junius contributed to this report.

Online: http://ap-gfkpoll.com

Website reviews: Begslist.org

2011-03-29T15:17:00.001-05:00

by Katerina Nikolas

Amidst the slew of online begging sites Begslist.org costs nothing for cyber beggars to sign up and post their pleas for donations. They hope to be found by one of the kind souls who scour the internet looking to give their cash away. Whilst other sites often charge a hefty sign up fee Begslist.org is still free, as its creator knows what hard times are.

Instead of the beggars paying to post, Begslist runs paid advertisements from businesses which include online gambling sites, pay day loan lenders and credit repair services. This could be convenient for one of the sites cyber beggars who pleads for money to fund his gambling trip, as he could save on the travel expenses and hit the online gambling instead.

Whilst the site is free it does promise to feature those that donate $9.95 when they post, that their begging post will be featured in the ‘Begslist Spotlight’. The site also gives advice to its online beggars on how to avoid being scammed by donors, though it doesn’t highlight the dangers of donors being scammed by beggars.

Common scams to look out for the typical email type which purport to come from Presidents and Doctors, and those who need your address to send you a check which will require a return check for the over donated amount once cashed. Beggars are also warned of the countries which most likely send scam mails, including Nigeria and the UK.

The site does not publish photographs or personal details of the beggars, though some do post their PayPal email address. Many choose to post their names though along with email addresses and place of work. Requests for cash are divided into various sections such as money for debts, students, medical bills, food, rent, toys and entertainment. The latter category includes requests for beer money, new computers and gaming consoles.

One cyber beggar who intends to run for public office soon seems to have misunderstood the nature of cyber begging and touchingly declares himself to be a “35 year okld mail” in need of a wife. Another poster has urgent need of $10000 “for breast augmentation. In return I will take naked pictures of myself, with my new breasts.” What voyeur could turn down an offer like that?

Cyber beggars have a varied international background with representatives of India, Canada, Bulgaria and the Philippines all featured. What they all have in common is a Pay Pal account and a sob story.

There is nothing to say that those who beg online will receive a cent from it but they are encouraged to click on the adverts to express their gratitude for the free service which Begslist provides. Donors on the other hand are more likely to avoid being scammed by giving directly to the poor, the needy, or a charity.

Recession Breeds Increase in Cyber-Begging

2011-03-29T15:13:00.000-05:00

ATLANTA, Ga.-- One post reads, "I was injured when a roadside bomb went off in Iraq. I need to save $13,000 for all four surgeries." An anonymous mother writes, "We fell behind on our house. We are now losing it and desperately need help."

They are among thousands of online posts asking for money. Their stories stretch across the internet and into your pocket. It's the rise of "cyber-begging" or "digital panhandling".

Begslist, Cyberbeg, and DonateMoney2me, are among the three million listings on Google under "internet begging". Most of the sites are linked to PayPal accounts.

As the number of beggars and donations grow, so do concerns about where the money is really going.

Most sites have warnings like this one posted on Begslist: "we cannot guarantee that any beggar is legitimate and make no claim that they are."

"People have the best of intentions to help a good cause or a person in need," United Way of Atlanta's Donna Buchanan says. Established non-profits have an extensive vetting process. Without it, there's no way to filter people who are sharing their heart-breaking stories from those who are making them up.

"Our vetting process includes volunteers from the community. We make sure the people we work with, the non-profits, are accountable for their money," Buchanan says.

Some of the cyber-begging sites are advertisement-based and free, but others charge up to $34.95 to set up a site and up to $9.95 in monthly fees.

The numbers of postings grow every day. There are no solid numbers on how much people are giving. DonateMoney2Me.com claims they've raised more than $23,000. That success is not universal.

One Snellville woman posted her story that included her husband's near-fatal wreck, extensive medical bills and recent flood damage. She included a P.O. Box where people could send donations. We tracked her down via e-mail and she said "this did not work for me in the least."

To protect the identity of the online beggars, there is no personal information included in their postings. The only way to contact them is through the e-mail address connected with their PayPal Accounts. 11Alive contacted more than a dozen people that mentioned metro-Atlanta in their post. None wanted to participate in this story.

What do you think about cyber-begging? Would you ask? Would you give? We want to hear from you. Post your comments below.

35 Ways You Can Help the Homeless

2011-03-28T20:57:00.001-05:00

National Facts on Homelessness

Across the United States, about 660,000 people are homeless on any given night.
Over the course of a year, 2.5 to 3.5 million people will experience at least one night of homelessness.
Every year 600,000 families with 1.35 million children experience homelessness in the United States.
These families make up about 50 percent of the homeless population over the course of the year.

Reasons that lead to families becoming homeless:

Unforeseen economic crisis
Job loss
Serious medical condition
Death in the family

About Forty percent of children in families experiencing homelessness are age five and under.
It is estimated that between 1 and 1.5 million teenagers experience an episode of homelessness each year.
On any given night approximately 131,000 veterans are without housing in the United States.

CARDBOARD REQUEST - Tim, a 44-year-old homeless man, holds a cardboard sign as an individual walks by in downtown Lincoln. A new campaign aims to direct people to give donations to Lincoln organizations that help the homeless rather than giving directly to panhandlers. Photo by Troy Fedderson/University Communications.

1. Understand Who the Homeless Are - Help dispel the stereotypes about the homeless. Learn about the different reasons for homelessness, and remember, every situation is unique.

2. Respect the Homeless as Individuals - Give the homeless people the same courtesy and respect you would accord your friends, your family, your employer. Treat them as you would wish to be treated if you needed assistance.

3. Respond with Kindness - We can make quite a difference in the lives of the homeless when we respond to them, rather than ignore or dismiss them. Try a kind word and a smile.

4. Develop Lists of Shelters - Carry a card that lists local shelters so you can hand them out to the homeless. You can find shelters in your Yellow Pages.

5. Buy "Street News" - This biweekly newspaper is sold in almost every major American city and is intended to help the homeless help themselves. For every paper sold, the homeless earn five cents deposited in a special savings account earmarked for rent. What an impact!

6. Bring Food - It's as simple as taking a few extra sandwiches when you go out. When you pass someone who asks for change, offer him or her something to eat. If you take a lunch, pack a little extra. When you eat at a restaurant, order something to take with you when you leave.

7. Give Money - One of the most direct ways to aid the homeless is to give money. Donations to nonprofit organizations that serve the homeless go a long way. Find one that's right for you in our Homeless category.

8. Give Recyclables - In localities where there is a "bottle law," collecting recyclable cans and bottles is often the only "job" available to the homeless. But it is an honest job that requires initiative. You can help by saving your recyclable bottles, cans, and newspapers and giving them to the homeless instead of taking them to a recycling center or leaving them out for collection. If you live in a larger city, you may wish to leave your recyclables outside for the homeless to pick up -- or give a bagful of cans to a homeless person in your neighborhood.

9. Give Clothing - Next time you do your spring or fall cleaning, keep an eye out for those clothes that you no longer wear. If these items are in good shape, gather them together and donate them to organizations that provide housing for the homeless. You can also check our list of organizations that accept donated goods.

10. Give A Bag Of Groceries - Load up a bag full of nonperishable groceries, and donate it to a food drive in your area. If your community doesn't have a food drive, organize one. Contact your local soup kitchens, shelters, and homeless societies and ask what kind of food donations they would like.

11. Give Toys - Children living in shelters have few possessions --if any-- including toys. Homeless parents have more urgent demands on what little money they have, such as food and clothing. So often these children have nothing to play with and little to occupy their time. You can donate toys, books, and games to family shelters to distribute to homeless children. For Christmas or Chanukah, ask your friends and co-workers to buy and wrap gifts for homeless children.

12. Volunteer At A Shelter - Shelters thrive on the work of volunteers, from those who sign people in, to those who serve meals, to others who counsel the homeless on where to get social services. For the homeless, a shelter can be as little as a place to sleep out of the rain or as much as a step forward to self-sufficiency.

13. Volunteer At A Soup Kitchen - Soup Kitchens provide one of the basics of life, nourishing meals for the homeless and other disadvantaged members of the community. Volunteers generally do much of the work, including picking up donations of food, preparing meals, serving it, and cleaning up afterward. To volunteer your services, contact you local soup kitchen, mobile food program, shelter, or religious center.

14. Volunteer Your Professional Talents - No matter what you do for a living, you can help the homeless with your on-the-job talents and skills. Those with clerical skills can train those with little skills. Doctors, psychiatrists, counselors, and dentists can treat the homeless in clinics. Lawyers can help with legal concerns. The homeless' needs are bountiful -- your time and talent won't be wasted.

15. Volunteer Your Hobbies - Every one of us has something we can give the homeless. Wherever our interests may lie -- cooking, repairing, gardening, photography -- we can use them for the homeless. Through our hobbies, we can teach them useful skills, introduce them to new avocations and perhaps point them in a new direction.

16. Volunteer For Follow-Up Programs - Some homeless people, particularly those who have been on the street for a while, may need help with fundamental tasks such as paying bills, ballancing a household budget, or cleaning. Follow-up programs to give the formerly homeless further advice, counseling, and other services need volunteers.

17. Volunteer At Battered Women's Shelters - Most battered women are involved in relationships with abusive husbands or other family members. Lacking resources and afraid of being found by their abusers, many may have no recourse other than a shelter or life on the streets once they leave home. Volunteers handle shelter hotlines, pick up abused women and their children when they call, keep house, and offer counseling. Call your local shelter for battered women to see how you can help. Find an organization in JustGive.org's Women area.

18. Tutor Homeless Children - A tutor can make all the difference. Just having adult attention can spur children to do their best. Many programs exist in shelters, transitional housing programs, and schools that require interested volunteers. Or begin you own tutor volunteer corps at your local shelter. It takes nothing more than a little time.

19. Take Homeless Children On Trips - Frequently, the only environment a homeless child knows is that of the street, shelters, or other transitory housing. Outside of school -- if they attend -- these children have little exposure to many of the simple pleasures that most kids have.

Volunteer at your local family shelter to take children skating or to an aquarium on the weekend.

20. Volunteer At Battered Women's Shelters - Volunteers handle shelter hotlines, pick up abused women and their children when they call, keep house, and offer counseling. Call your local shelter for battered women to see how you can help.

21. Teach About The Homeless - If you do volunteer work with the homeless, you can become an enthusiast and extend your enthusiasm to others. You can infect others with your own sense of devotion by writing letters to the editor of your local paper and by pressing housing issues at election time.

22. Publish Shelter Information - Despite all of our efforts to spread the word about shelters, it is surprising how many people are unaware of their own local shelters. Contact your local newspapers, church or synagogue bulletins, or civic groups newsletters about the possibility of running a weekly or monthly listing of area services available to the homeless. This could include each organization's particular needs for volunteers, food, and other donations.

23. Educate Your Children About The Homeless - Help your children to see the homeless as people. If you do volunteer work, take your sons and daughters along so they can meet with homeless people and see what can be done to help them. Volunteer as a family in a soup kitchen or shelter. Suggest that they sort through the toys, books, and clothes they no longer use and donate them to organizations that assist the poor.

24. Sign Up Your Company/School - Ask your company or school to host fund-raising events, such as raffles or craft sales and donate the proceeds to nonprofit organizations that aid the homeless. You can also ask your company or school to match whatever funds you and your co-workers or friends can raise to help the homeless. Contact JustGive.org for more information about company matching.

25. Recruit Local Business - One of the easiest ways to involve local businesses is to organize food and/or clothing drives. Contact local organizations to find out what is needed, approach local grocery or clothing shops about setting up containers on their premises in which people can drop off donations, ask local businesses to donate goods to the drive, and publicize the drive by placing announcements in local papers and on community bulletin boards and by posting signs and posters around your neighborhood.

26. Create Lists Of Needed Donations - Call all the organizations in your community that aid the homeless and ask them what supplies they need on a regular basis. Make a list for each organization, along with its address, telephone number, and the name of a contact person. Then mail these lists to community organizations that may wish to help with donations -- every place from religious centers to children's organizations such as Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts.

27. Play With Children In A Shelter - Many children in shelters are cut off from others their own age. Shuffled from place to place, sometimes these kids don't attend school on a regular basis, and have no contact with other kids. Bring a little joy to their lives by taking your children to a local shelter to play. Plan activities such as coloring, playing with dolls, or building model cars (take along whatever toys you'll need). Your own children will benefit too.

28. Employ the Homeless - HELP WANTED General Office Work. Welfare recipient, parolee, ex-addict OK. Good salary, benefits. Will train. That's the way Wildcat Service Corporations's Supported Work Program invites the "unemployable" to learn to work. Best of all-the program works! More than half the people who sign on find permanent, well-paying jobs, often in maintenance, construction, clerical, or security work.

29. Help The Homeless Apply For Aid - Governmental aid is available for homeless people, but many may not know where to find it or how to apply. Since they don't have a mailing address, governmental agencies may not be able to reach them. You can help by directing the homeless to intermediaries, such as homeless organizations, that let them know what aid is available and help them to apply for it. If you want to be an advocate or intermediary for the homeless yourself, you can contact these organizations as well.

30. Stand Up For The Civil Rights Of The Homeless - In recent elections, for example, volunteers at shelters and elsewhere helped homeless people register to vote . . . even though they had "no fixed address" at the moment. Some officials would not permit citizens without a permanent address to vote.

31. Join Habitat For Humanity - Habitat for Humanity, a Christian housing ministry, builds houses for families in danger of becoming homeless. Volunteers from the community and Habitat homeowners erect the houses. Funding is through donations from churches, corporations, foundations, and individuals.

32. Form A Transitional Housing Program - One of the most potent homeless-prevention services a community can offer residents who are in danger of eviction is a transitional housing program. These programs help people hang on to their current residences or assist them in finding more affordable ones. The methods include steering people to appropriate social service and community agencies, helping them move out of shelters, and providing funds for rent, mortgage payments, and utilities. For information, contact the Homelessness Information Exchange at (202) 462-7551.

33. Write To Corporations - Some of the largest corporations in America have joined the battle for low-income housing. Through the use of the tax credit or by outright grants, they are participating with federal and state government, not-for-profit and community-based groups to build desperately needed housing in Chicago, Cleveland, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and dozens of other cities. Contact various organizations and ask them what they are doing.

34. Contact Your Government Representatives - Our legislators rarely receive more than three visits or ten letters about any subject. When the numbers exceed that amount, they sit up and take note. Personal visits are the most potent. Letters are next; telephone calls are third best. Housing issues don't come up that often, so your public officials will listen. Find your state representatives.

35. Push For State Homelessness Prevention Programs - While states routinely supply aid for the poor and homeless, many do not have programs provide funds and other services to those who will lose their homes in the immmediate future unless something is done. Homelessness comes at great financial and human cost to the families who are evicted or foreclosed.

Urgent appeal: Help the animal victims of the Japan tsunami today

2011-03-28T19:40:00.001-05:00

WSPA is on the ground helping thousands of animals affected by the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan, and we urgently need your support to continue our vital efforts.

It’s been almost two weeks since one of the largest earthquakes on record hit just off the coast of Japan. The quake, measuring 9.0 on the Richter scale, triggered a tsunami over 30 feet high that surged through the northeastern coast of Japan, decimating whole towns and villages.

Hundreds of thousands of people, with children and beloved pets in tow, fled to higher ground just in time – sadly, thousands more never made it.

Thousands of animals need your help

We’re estimating that approximately 30,000 companion animals are in need of emergency shelter in affected areas. Many of the region’s veterinary hospitals and animal shelters were destroyed, and countless pets and livestock were abandoned in the exclusion zone around the Fukushima nuclear power station after immediate orders to evacuate.

“Japan is a nation of pet lovers and many families affected have lost animals, been forced to leave them behind or have taken them to evacuation centers where there is limited space, food and water,” says James Sawyer, WSPA Head of Disaster Management.

“Local vets and animal organizations have been doing their best in an incredibly tough situation but we need to act now to make sure they continue to get the support they need to care for these animals.”

What is WSPA doing?

A WSPA Disaster Assessment and Response Team entered Japan just four days after the earthquake and tsunami struck. While government and humanitarian aid groups bring relief to the people affected by this tragedy, WSPA is working alongside them to help the animals.

In collaboration with the Animal Disaster Response Team (ADRT, a coalition of animal organizations including our member society the Japanese Animal Welfare Society), the Japanese government and local experts, we have developed a plan that will support animals in the disaster zone for the next three months.

We need your help to raise $150,000 and put this plan into action to make sure that every animal gets the care they so desperately need.

As part of the disaster plan, WSPA will establish 30 temporary animal shelters near human evacuation centers so that families can continue to visit and help care for their pets. We will use funding to supply essentials such as food,water, cages, bedding, litter and veterinary supplies.

In addition, we will help ADRT support local vets so that they can continue to provide veterinary care and treatment to animals injured in the tsunami.

For the next three months, your support is essential in helping this nation of pet lovers, and their animals, get back on their feet.

Please make a gift to the WSPA Disaster Relief Fund today and help the animals affected by the earthquake and tsunami.

To Donate, go to: https://www.wspadonations.org/pages/3655_japan_disaster_appeal_3_11_version_f.cfm

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Urgent appeal: Help the animal victims of the Japan tsunami today