People are always talking about donating money to different organizations and charities. Of course, most of these places could really use the money, but throwing money at something is not the only way to show support. And many of us, especially in the current economic situation, cannot afford to hand out money, even to the people and places we love. But this doesn't mean we can't help out a meaningful cause.
So consider donating something else-- your blood. Sound freaky? We all need blood to live, and its something that cannot be manufactured. Most of us have plenty of it, yet there's not enough to go around.
Every two seconds, there is someone who needs blood because of an accident, surgery complication, or illness. However, there is a blood shortage in this country. Only around 5% of the eligible population donates blood, and the demand far outweighs the supply with the majority of us needing blood at some point in our lives.
Where will your precious life-sustaining fluid go? To help save the life of a woman in a terrible car accident, a newborn struggling to make it to the next day, an elderly man undergoing surgery, anyone who could use it. You can rest assured that your blood will go to someone who truly needs it, something that you cannot always be sure of when donating money to an organization. Talk about a sustainable gift!
So check out your local blood bank and make a donation if you are able. Check out https://www.givelife.org/index_flash.cfm?thisHB=09/30/2009%2008:26:55 to find one near you. You don't have to be rich to save a life.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Do Your Part to Promote Sustainability
At Blue Kitabu, we're all about sustainability. We know that throwing money at a project, while helpful, isn't the most effective way to achieve long-term success. It's about getting an entire community involved in a common cause, and then educating them on smart business practices that promote sustainability.
Environmental sustainability has become a bit of a buzzword lately, but doing good for Mother Earth doesn't need be a daunting task. In fact, if we all leave our cars at home and use alternative means to commute to work as our one good deed for the day, we'll be saving the environment from a lot of pollution and reducing our carbon footprints considerably. Here are 5 simple suggestions on how you can make your commute more sustainable:
1) Carpool--Do you live nearby any of your coworkers? Ask around. Not only does this benefit the environment, but access to carpool lanes during rush hour traffic will do wonders for your nerves, too!
2) Walk or Bike--If you live within a couple miles of your workplace, just walk or bike to work today (or everyday!). That's one less car on the road, and it's an easy way to get exercise.
3) Use public transportation--Sure it might take longer, but if you do some research and know when busses and trains are coming when, you can really get sustainable commuting down to a science.
4) Switch to a four hour work week--Sound crazy? A lot of people are putting in four ten-hour days in the office in exchange for three day weekends. Talk to your boss about this option.
5)Telecommute--Does your job involve a computer or a phone? It might be possible for you to do a lot of work from home!
Try and be as sustainable as you possibly can for a day. Who knows, maybe you'll be inspired to bike to work once a week, or use public transportation every day? Getting creative about your commute is fun, and easier than you'd think.
As for some added motivation, check out (http://www.b-e-f.org/carbon) for a fun carbon footprint calculator and to learn more about how you can be more sustainable. Then check out a video that illustrates what sustainability means to BK: (http://www.vimeo.com/3704804)
Environmental sustainability has become a bit of a buzzword lately, but doing good for Mother Earth doesn't need be a daunting task. In fact, if we all leave our cars at home and use alternative means to commute to work as our one good deed for the day, we'll be saving the environment from a lot of pollution and reducing our carbon footprints considerably. Here are 5 simple suggestions on how you can make your commute more sustainable:
1) Carpool--Do you live nearby any of your coworkers? Ask around. Not only does this benefit the environment, but access to carpool lanes during rush hour traffic will do wonders for your nerves, too!
2) Walk or Bike--If you live within a couple miles of your workplace, just walk or bike to work today (or everyday!). That's one less car on the road, and it's an easy way to get exercise.
3) Use public transportation--Sure it might take longer, but if you do some research and know when busses and trains are coming when, you can really get sustainable commuting down to a science.
4) Switch to a four hour work week--Sound crazy? A lot of people are putting in four ten-hour days in the office in exchange for three day weekends. Talk to your boss about this option.
5)Telecommute--Does your job involve a computer or a phone? It might be possible for you to do a lot of work from home!
Try and be as sustainable as you possibly can for a day. Who knows, maybe you'll be inspired to bike to work once a week, or use public transportation every day? Getting creative about your commute is fun, and easier than you'd think.
As for some added motivation, check out (http://www.b-e-f.org/carbon) for a fun carbon footprint calculator and to learn more about how you can be more sustainable. Then check out a video that illustrates what sustainability means to BK: (http://www.vimeo.com/3704804)
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Welcome!
Hey bloggers!!
Blue Kitabu here with our first "good deed of the day." Why? Because we could all benefit from some more kindness in our everyday lives. Many of us have a daily "luxury" we allow ourselves to indulge in. Think: $4 dollar latte from Starbucks, $10 lunch from a local restaurant, an expensive magazine-- you get the point. Today, lets take the money we would normally spend on our lunch or coffee etc. and donate it to a local charity in need. While it might only be a few dollars, this money can go a long way and add up, especially if a lot of us get involved. Don't know what charity to give to? You can visit http://www.idealist.org/if/as/Org/npo to search for local nonprofits in your area, all of which I'm sure would be grateful for some extra cash! And hey, Blue Kitabu wouldn't mind some extra donations too for our school in Ghana (http://www.bluekitabu.org), but the choice is yours ;-)
Blue Kitabu here with our first "good deed of the day." Why? Because we could all benefit from some more kindness in our everyday lives. Many of us have a daily "luxury" we allow ourselves to indulge in. Think: $4 dollar latte from Starbucks, $10 lunch from a local restaurant, an expensive magazine-- you get the point. Today, lets take the money we would normally spend on our lunch or coffee etc. and donate it to a local charity in need. While it might only be a few dollars, this money can go a long way and add up, especially if a lot of us get involved. Don't know what charity to give to? You can visit http://www.idealist.org/if/as/Org/npo to search for local nonprofits in your area, all of which I'm sure would be grateful for some extra cash! And hey, Blue Kitabu wouldn't mind some extra donations too for our school in Ghana (http://www.bluekitabu.org), but the choice is yours ;-)
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