Food for Thought on Martin Luther King Day

Happy Monday, friends. I hope the weekend treated you kindly.

I thought I'd help you start your day off right with a serving or two of change-inducing inspiration.

First off, head on over to Seth Godin's blog to read his proposition for transforming a national day of service into an everyday kind of mindset. He includes a list of 18 things that can be done to make a difference at little monetary expense.

When you're finished reading, why don't you give this article by Alex Muller of the York Daily Record/Sunday News a once over just in case you're not sure why you should do anything Seth suggested. Muller recently penned "Without a home, 'surviving' the cold: Local homeless centers cope with sub-freezing temperatures."

You may also want to read "Out of the Cold: More homeless seek shelter from frigid air," which was written by Ford Turner of the Patriot-News in Harrisburg.

While you're making an effort to stay warm this winter, please take a moment to think of your neighbors - next door, across the street, over in the city and around the globe. I've been compiling a list of shelters and services for our homeless friends over to the right side of this blog. Check it out (and please let me know what else I can add to it).

-JLB-

Who is the author of Change 101?

My friend and fellow blogger, Ken Mueller, has requested that I participate in a thread where bloggers introduce themselves to their readers by sharing seven interesting or weird facts about themselves. If for some reason you're interested in learning more about the author of Change 1o1, please click here and enjoy. :o)

-JLB-

Unveiling the needs of the world with video

A coworker of mine recently introduced me to Flip Video Spotlight -- a program dedicated to helping nonprofits make the world a better place by way of the power of video. Sounds interesting, right? Well, it is.

The program has a goal of delivering 1 million of their camcorders to qualified nonprofits over a five-year period, which began in Sept. 2007. The idea is to conceptualize the difference such videos could make if e very nonprofit had a camcorder to tell the world about problems that need solving, opportunities that need seizing, abuses that need correcting, stories that need to be told and so on. I think it could be incredible, don’t you?
The program was implemented by Pure Digital Technologies Inc. -- creators of Flip Video Ultra camcorders. The camcorders are high-quality devices with built-in software that allows editing, organizing and video publishing through YouTube, MySpace and other video-sharing spaces online. Plus they’re compact, lightweight and easy to operate.

So, how can you help? Individuals and groups can become Spotlight Sponsors and work directly with Flip Video Spotlight to donate funds to a nonprofit of their choice for the purchase of a Spotlight Kit. Or they can use giving networks like Network For Good or JustGive to make Spotlight Kit donations online.

The cost for a kit is $150. Each kit contains two 60-minute Flip Video Ultra camcorders and various training materials. Organizations interested in receiving a kit can apply here. Eligibility requirements can be found here.

Those interested in purchasing kits directly for an organization that might not meet the qualifications necessary to receive a kit can contact Marci Glazer, executive director, by sending an e-mail to spotlight@puredigitalinc.com.

-JLB-

Community love for a 4-year-old cancer patient

An entertaining and easy way to do a good deed is coming Lancaster County way this Saturday, Jan. 10, at Bube’s Brewery in Mount Joy. It’s also cheap, thanks to a $5 cover charge that will go directly to the cause at hand.

Beginning at 9 p.m., a benefit concert will begin in the Bottling Works at Bube’s to support Hannah Garman. At least nine local bands will be performing.

Hannah is a four-year-old native of Lancaster County who was diagnosed in October with a rare and aggressive cancerous brain tumor. The little lady has been through a few operations to remove the tumor, as well as some treatments in an attempt to cure her of the disease. The doctors have given Hannah 2-3 months to live without treatment. To boot, Hannah’s mother passed away several years ago from cancer, leaving father Darin to care for Hannah and her two older siblings.

All of the funds raised at the benefit concert will go to helping Hannah’s family with their tough situation. So come on out, have a couple of drinks and participate in the raffle. Anyone who wants to help out with the event (including making a donation for the raffle) can contact Todd Johnston at (717) 468-8807 or by sending an e-mail to todd@ksoundstudios.com.

More information on Hannah’s situation can be found by watching this video or this slideshow.

More information on the event can be found on Facebook.

-JLB-