Today is Veterans Day, a day to remember and honor those who work to protect our country at home and abroad. President Obama made a speech today to commemorate our soldiers at the Arlington National Cemetery: “They have protected us from danger and they have given others the opportunity for a better life. To all of them, to our veterans, to the fallen and to their families, there’s no tribute, no commemoration, no praise that can truly match the magnitude of your service and your sacrifice.” While some people might not support the current ongoing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, we can come together to support and appreciate the men and women that risk their lives in order to serve the U.S. Veterans Day is a day to acknowledge the tremendous sacrifice that those in the armed forces, and their families, have made.
In the spirit of Veterans Day, consider helping out a local organization dedicated to assisting veterans and their families. A simple monetary donation is always appreciated, but lending a hand is invaluable. There are many organizations dedicated to helping those who have served in the armed forces such as D.A.V., Disabled American Veterans, which aims to serve disabled veterans and their families. Consider volunteering with D.A.V. or another similar organization. You could drive veterans to hospitals and health clinics, visit with sick or disabled veterans, or be part of their advocacy efforts. To find out more about D.A.V., please visit http://www.dav.org/. You don't need to support the war to support our troops.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Be a Little Brother
Hey BK-ers,
The holidays are coming up, and if you live in New England right now, you can definitely feel it by the sudden chill in the air. For many of us, the holidays are associated with large gatherings of family and friends and food. But for some, the holidays are painfully lonely and go uncelebrated. This is especially true for many elderly folks who live in isolation with no nearby friends or family members. Dedicate some of your Thanksgiving this year to spend time with someone who might really appreciate your company!
Consider volunteering with Little Brothers, Friends of the Elderly, an organization dedicated to offering relief from loneliness and isolation for elderly people. Little Brothers motto is "flowers before bread," which showcases their "core belief that sharing love and respect and bringing beauty into the lives of the elderly is as essential as meeting their physical needs" (from their website). Little Brothers has a network of volunteers who visit with the elderly, help them with everyday tasks, and organize special events for them to participate in. For the holidays, volunteers are sent to as many homes as possible to visit and deliver flowers and a warm and delicious meal. Especially with the current state of the economy and the cutback in social services, the number of low-income senior citizens living in isolation is increasing. If you would be interested in volunteering with Little Brothers for the holidays or as a regular volunteer, please visit http://www.littlebrothers.org/.
The holidays are coming up, and if you live in New England right now, you can definitely feel it by the sudden chill in the air. For many of us, the holidays are associated with large gatherings of family and friends and food. But for some, the holidays are painfully lonely and go uncelebrated. This is especially true for many elderly folks who live in isolation with no nearby friends or family members. Dedicate some of your Thanksgiving this year to spend time with someone who might really appreciate your company!
Consider volunteering with Little Brothers, Friends of the Elderly, an organization dedicated to offering relief from loneliness and isolation for elderly people. Little Brothers motto is "flowers before bread," which showcases their "core belief that sharing love and respect and bringing beauty into the lives of the elderly is as essential as meeting their physical needs" (from their website). Little Brothers has a network of volunteers who visit with the elderly, help them with everyday tasks, and organize special events for them to participate in. For the holidays, volunteers are sent to as many homes as possible to visit and deliver flowers and a warm and delicious meal. Especially with the current state of the economy and the cutback in social services, the number of low-income senior citizens living in isolation is increasing. If you would be interested in volunteering with Little Brothers for the holidays or as a regular volunteer, please visit http://www.littlebrothers.org/.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Stand up for action on climate change!
We have all heard about global warming and climate change. Sometimes the issue seems daunting and out of control, especially for those of us not in political power. That is why its so important to let our elected officials know that we refuse to continue harming our planet. The United States is a huge perpetrator when it comes to global warming. While we only make up 5% of the world's population, we contribute to about 20% of the world's carbon emissions. Unfortunately, our pollution does not only affect our country. Developing countries, especially those in Africa, are hardest hit by the changing climate of the earth.
In December, leaders from around the world will gather in Copenhagen to discuss possible solutions to climate change. We need to let our President know how important this issue is to us. The United States will play a HUGE role in negotiations and we need to make sure that rhetoric and words are turned into concrete actions. President Obama has publicly recognized the dangerous threat that climate change poses, and we need to make sure that he leads Congress in taking the necessary steps needed to stop this downward spiral.
Make your voice heard. Change.org has a petition for citizens to sign urging the President to take a bold stand on the issue. Sign it and make sure to pass it on to your friends and family: http://www.change.org/actions/view/tell_president_obama_its_time_to_act_on_climate_change?alert_id=TxIfaPjMvd
Take a stand today!
In December, leaders from around the world will gather in Copenhagen to discuss possible solutions to climate change. We need to let our President know how important this issue is to us. The United States will play a HUGE role in negotiations and we need to make sure that rhetoric and words are turned into concrete actions. President Obama has publicly recognized the dangerous threat that climate change poses, and we need to make sure that he leads Congress in taking the necessary steps needed to stop this downward spiral.
Make your voice heard. Change.org has a petition for citizens to sign urging the President to take a bold stand on the issue. Sign it and make sure to pass it on to your friends and family: http://www.change.org/actions/view/tell_president_obama_its_time_to_act_on_climate_change?alert_id=TxIfaPjMvd
Take a stand today!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Drink water
Water is something most of us take for granted on a daily basis. We wash our hands, flush the toilet, take a shower, do a load of laundry, and drink clean water from the faucet without much thought. However, crises over clean water and sanitation are one of the biggest up and coming problems this world is facing. Around 1.1 billion people lack access to clean and safe drinking water; that is twenty percent of the world's population. This lack of clean water leads to major sanitation problems, and it is estimated that forty percent of the world's population does not have access to adequate sanitation. Most experts agree that the lack of clean water and proper sanitation is one of the biggest (if not the biggest) challenge facing developing countries today. Around 4,500 children die each day due to these problems.
So what can you do? The answer is quite simple. Try purchasing Tumai bottled water instead of your normal bottled water and help provide clean water, sanitation, education, and health care to those most in need around the globe. Proceeds from every Tumai water bottle will go to fund different non-profits that work on these issues. Bob Downey, President of Spero Group, the company that started Tumai Water, says "Tumai Natural Spring Water was created to allow anyone that drinks bottled water, to help make a difference. Drink water and help stem these global crises. It's as simple as that." To learn more about the company, or to find out where you can purchase some water bottles, visit http://www.tumaiwater.com/index.htm.
So what can you do? The answer is quite simple. Try purchasing Tumai bottled water instead of your normal bottled water and help provide clean water, sanitation, education, and health care to those most in need around the globe. Proceeds from every Tumai water bottle will go to fund different non-profits that work on these issues. Bob Downey, President of Spero Group, the company that started Tumai Water, says "Tumai Natural Spring Water was created to allow anyone that drinks bottled water, to help make a difference. Drink water and help stem these global crises. It's as simple as that." To learn more about the company, or to find out where you can purchase some water bottles, visit http://www.tumaiwater.com/index.htm.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Blood: Not Just for Vampires
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.
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.
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 ;-)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
