tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79343657751262237172024-02-02T10:55:16.471-05:00Change 101"Recognizing that something is wrong is the first step toward changing the world."
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-Shane ClaibornePlease send any questions, ideas, suggestions and other comments to helpchange101@gmail.com.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06226880572700834324noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934365775126223717.post-32061051181230730292009-11-15T11:38:00.004-05:002009-11-15T11:45:02.112-05:00Video: Meet EFI<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I realize I already blogged about </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://extendedfamilyinternational.org/">Extended Family International</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> (EFI) -- the nonprofit housing organization I work with -- but in case you didn't have the time to read through all of my <a href="http://helpchangeourworld.blogspot.com/2009/09/resurrecting-change-101.html">passionate babble</a> I thought I'd share this video with you. :)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We originally created this video to play at our first </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://extendedfamilyinternational.org/music-for-malawa">Music for Malawa</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> (malawa = the Kurdish term for "home") benefit concert, but updated it for general-use purposes. I could go on and on, but instead please take three minutes out of your day to watch this video and learn more about EFI and our first partner family, the <a href="http://extendedfamilyinternational.org/families">Mahmouds</a>.</span><br /><br /><object style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MIvxkVMI_rA&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MIvxkVMI_rA&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">-JLB-</span>Please send any questions, ideas, suggestions and other comments to helpchange101@gmail.com.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06226880572700834324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934365775126223717.post-37874709322268308212009-10-26T20:16:00.003-04:002009-10-27T08:21:25.976-04:00A home for Kenyan orphans<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">A friend of a friend is doing some pretty cool work in Boston. I wanted to share it with all of you and give you an opportunity to be a part of the change she's trying to make in the lives of orphans in Kenya.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIqiulTKmn_4IvKsT1Ad5fl9MXfQkZKMur3IaEcgW4SY4Tj4AH0oMIZwCfe0Z6VmzGyNr_qVF-wjxGQdwi5Mec3OZmFDjhrP7mtpmBWwcBXok4b_d5W1i0xGImscSffwUmQKgRbxXLx1-4/s1600-h/group_meet_girls.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIqiulTKmn_4IvKsT1Ad5fl9MXfQkZKMur3IaEcgW4SY4Tj4AH0oMIZwCfe0Z6VmzGyNr_qVF-wjxGQdwi5Mec3OZmFDjhrP7mtpmBWwcBXok4b_d5W1i0xGImscSffwUmQKgRbxXLx1-4/s320/group_meet_girls.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397067664408490802" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">A lady by the name of Dana Reichman has committed to raising $2,500 between Oct. 19 and Nov. 20th to help provide a home and an education for 32 orphaned girls in Mtwapa, Kenya. Dana lives in Boston and is raising the money for a new Boston charity, called <a href="http://www.onehomemanyhopes.org/index.html">One Home Many Hopes</a>. Its mission is to provide this home and education for these 32 girls in Kenya, who are currently sharing a four-bedroom home with three house mothers.<br /><br />The group is working to raise $70,000 by Nov. 20 to help build the girls their first proper home. The idea is that these girls, who grew up eating and sleeping alone in the streets, will eventually become women who will be able to keep other children from suffering similar childhoods in the future.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Dana has raised an amount just shy of $1,000 thus far. Please take a moment and a couple of dollars to help push her to her goal. You can visit her fundraising page and make a donation by <a href="http://www.firstgiving.org/onehome">clicking here</a>.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Donations of any size will help. Those who donate $100 or more will receive a limited edition One Home Many Hopes t-shirt.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />As Dana puts it, "If we give up a night out one week this month, or cook instead of going to a restaurant, we can do this."</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />To <a href="http://www.onehomemanyhopes.org/girls.html">learn more about the girls</a> or to find out how you can get involved by raising money for this cause, <a href="http://www.breakinggroundkenya.org/">click here</a>.</span><br /><br />-<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">JLB-</span>Please send any questions, ideas, suggestions and other comments to helpchange101@gmail.com.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06226880572700834324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934365775126223717.post-90372217948961263482009-09-22T19:51:00.004-04:002009-09-22T20:47:20.404-04:00Resurrecting Change 101<span style="font-family:georgia;">Shouldn’t bloggers blog every once in a while?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">It has been ages, dear readers. I could apologize for that, but instead I will share with you why I am not blogging so very often, or really at all, these days.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">I guess it all started with this blog. I had this idea to collect information that would help inspire people to initiate change. It just so happened that it worked extremely well, for me at least. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Back in February I was asked to join the board of a startup nonprofit based on an idea a good friend of mine had come up with. He came across a need in the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq near the end of last year and decided to do something about it. By bringing together a group of key friends back in the U.S., he was able to establish <a href="http://extendedfamilyinternational.org/">Extended Family International</a> (EFI).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">The group provides no-interest home loans to families in need of adequate shelter. While our work is beginning in Iraq, we dream of expanding the nonprofit across the borders of this particular country that is in such great need of compassion and a helping hand. You can learn more about our first partner family, the Mahmouds, by <a href="http://extendedfamilyinternational.org/families">clicking here</a>.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">It was a complete no-brainer for me to agree to join this amazing effort as their director of events. In fact, I think I leapt out of my chair and had to dance around – I was so filled with joy to be given an opportunity to be part of such a good thing.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">The entire experience quite simply has filled me with electricity. I have been living with a happiness I have never known before. I still remember feeling my blood pumping through my veins as I sat around a kitchen table one night near the end of winter with four other <a href="http://extendedfamilyinternational.org/the-team">board members</a> during our first meeting as we officially became board members of EFI and adopted our bylaws. Our founder, Bruce, was on speaker phone. It was 3 a.m. over in Iraq, where Bruce was sitting in a room lit by candlelight because his house was without power. The irony was beautiful and powerful. And the excitement of this journey we were about to embark upon was more real than anything I’d ever felt before.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">As the months have flown by, one by one the pieces of our puzzle have fallen into place. EFI became registered as a nonprofit in Pennsylvania back in January. We received our <a href="http://extendedfamilyinternational.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/efitaxexempt0001.pdf">501(c)3 tax-exempt status</a> from the IRS in August. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">And in September we celebrated the launch of our organization with the inaugural <a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=106011462550&index=1">Music for Malawa benefit concert</a> in Harrisburg, Pa. It was a great success as more than 100 people came out to support our cause at the Abbey Bar at the Appalachian Brewing Co. Sept. 5 – on a holiday weekend! Three <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/album.php?aid=104591&id=93902959636">amazingly talented local bands</a> came out and provided entertainment for the evening, for FREE. We raised nearly $1,500 at the door – right in line with our goal. Simply incredible.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">I had the great pleasure and honor of being in charge of organizing this event. I can’t properly describe the joy it brought me to be able to bring together so many good people to create an evening filled with so much love, support and the celebration of the ability to give and do good. It was one of the best nights of my life and I couldn't have done it without the incredible people I have in my life who helped me along the way. It is a humbling experience to find your calling – to discover what you are most passionate about – and to watch what can happen if you just simply try. Even more so, to understand that none of it had anything at all to do with you – and to know that that fact is the absolute best part of all.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">And this, my friends, is why I have been so absent from Change 101. It seems that I have inspired myself to do more than just write about all of the things that need to be done in the world. I’ve decided to try my hand at helping out a little bit, albeit I have the help of a ton of awesome people I feel blessed to be surrounded by. EFI will continue to take up most of my spare time, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ll try to update you every now and then, but really, what are you waiting for? There is plenty of work to be done. Won’t you join us?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">-JLB-</span>Please send any questions, ideas, suggestions and other comments to helpchange101@gmail.com.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06226880572700834324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934365775126223717.post-80796433744446580592009-06-03T14:18:00.006-04:002009-06-03T14:23:12.908-04:00Resource center for homeless being built in Cumberland County<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Here's some exciting news from The Patriot News in Harrisburg. <a href="http://cares.carlislegrace.org/">Carlisle CARES</a> broke ground today in Cumberland County on a resource center aimed at providing homeless individuals with access to various resources. What a great idea!</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2009/06/carlisle_cares_breaks_ground_o.html">Click here to read the full story.</a><br /><br />-JLB-Please send any questions, ideas, suggestions and other comments to helpchange101@gmail.com.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06226880572700834324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934365775126223717.post-31368168242153345062009-05-17T14:40:00.003-04:002009-05-18T22:17:44.557-04:00Harrisburg group supports at-risk youth<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I wanted to share another of Harrisburg’s somewhat hidden treasures with you. The <a href="http://www.joshuagroup.org/index.html">Joshua Group</a> is a mentoring organization located along Market Street in Allison Hill. The group supports and works to rescue the futures of street kids in that particular neighborhood. They offer hope in the form of educational and vocational opportunities. You don’t get much more important than that around here. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">One branch of the group is the <a href="http://www.joshuagroup.org/joshua_house.html">Joshua House</a>, which provides around-the-clock supervision and an intensive life-skills support program to non-adjudicated males in need of guidance and counseling. The goal is for these young men to become self-sustaining members of a community.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The Joshua Group also organizes a <a href="http://www.joshuagroup.org/sos.html">Save Our Students Fund</a>, which has enabled the group to place more than 20 deserving, at-risk high school students into a private city school. This intensive mentoring program gives potential drop-outs a chance to set higher educational standards for themselves without having to face the obstacles of the local public school system.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The organization operates a <a href="http://www.joshuagroup.org/joshua_resource_center.html">resource center</a> where more than 150 streets kids come each month to take advantage of tutoring opportunities, job search and placement programs, and classes to help prepare for GED and SAT testing. It also includes a walk-in counseling service for those in immediate need of help. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Another component is the <a href="http://www.joshuagroup.org/j_crew.html">J-Crew</a> – an after school mentoring and tutoring program that partners 7th and 8th grade students with a group of older Joshua Group kids. They spend time together working on at-risk youth prevention skills, homework assignments and recreational activities. The program is successful because the kids are eager to seek the advice and encouragement of someone who can directly relate to life growing up in Allison Hill.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The group also offers a <a href="http://www.joshuagroup.org/joshua_transition_house.html">transitional home</a>, which allows youth to experience the responsibilities of self support and paying rent while still having the support of the Joshua family when they need it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The final element of the Joshua Group is its <a href="http://www.joshuagroup.org/joshua_farm.html">urban farm</a>, which grows and sells organic vegetables while providing education, service and vocational opportunities to youth.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Many of the children the Joshua Group comes in contact with are simply looking for a way to put some sanity back into their lives. If you find yourself wanting to reach out and further support this initiative, there are a number of avenues you can take. To find out how you might be able to help, call (717) 236-4464 or send an e-mail to joshcenter@comcast.net.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I invite you to find a way to <a href="http://www.joshuagroup.org/involved.html">connect yourself</a> to this group and help to support it. Their donation needs include school supplies, office supplies, household and cleaning supplies, personal care items, cold-weather items and gift cards. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">To make a monetary contribution, please <a href="https://co.clickandpledge.com/advanced/default.aspx?wid=22535">click here</a> or send a check made payable to The Joshua Group to 1442 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">-JLB-</span>Please send any questions, ideas, suggestions and other comments to helpchange101@gmail.com.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06226880572700834324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934365775126223717.post-55490854187908662372009-05-14T21:33:00.003-04:002009-05-18T22:26:09.856-04:00Clean up the streets of Harrisburg<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">My sphere of influence in the Harrisburg area recently allowed me to discover a group that I am rather excited about. Floored about, in fact, particularly because of what they're trying to accomplish within the local community.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">First, let me tell you how you can help. Then I'll tell you about the group.</span><br /><a href="http://thesycamorehouse.blogspot.com/"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://thesycamorehouse.blogspot.com/">Sycamore House</a> is organizing a Trash Away Day and Neighborhood Bar-B-Q for Saturday, May 30. Allison Hill is often known as an area where some shameful individuals choose to randomly dump their garbage and unwanted possessions. The group hopes to help reverse that trend a bit by cleaning up the alleys of this neighborhood between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. that day. They will concentrate on the areas from Market Street to Regina Street, between 18th and 20th streets. Trash bags and a free lunch at noon will be made available to all who are able to attend.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The group will meet at the corner of Market and 19th streets in Harrisburg at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. A Bar-B-Q will take place around 4 p.m. at this same spot following the clean-up as an opportunity to socialize and spend some quality time with your neighbors. What a great way to make a difference -- at no cost whatsoever -- while interacting and connecting with the community. I invite you all to come out and help clean up the streets.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />So what in the world is the </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Sycamore House? It is an intentional Christian community that calls Harrisburg home. The idea is for members of the house to help each other, their church and (perhaps most importantly) the surrounding community in any way, shape or form possible. In essence, they’re looking to make a positive difference in the lives of those less fortunate living within our own community. This is at the very essence and core of what Change 101 is all about.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The group began with its first community downtown about three years ago along Front Street in conjunction with <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=St.+Stephen%E2%80%99s+Episcopal+Cathedral+harrisburg+pa&sll=40.27026,-76.861424&sspn=0.008104,0.019312&ie=UTF8&ll=40.267738,-76.885843&spn=0.032418,0.077248&z=14&iwloc=A">St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral</a>. This year a sister community erected in the Allison Hill neighborhood of Harrisburg next to <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Andrew%27s+Episcopal+Church+harrisburg+pa&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=34.450489,79.101563&ie=UTF8&ll=40.27026,-76.861424&spn=0.008104,0.019312&z=16&iwloc=A">St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church</a>. The church allows the house members to live in the rectory rent free in return for a certain number of hours of community volunteer work each week. I love it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">If you can’t make it May 30, perhaps you’ll have some time to stop by the group’s used book sale the weekend before during <a href="http://www.harrisburgarts.org/artsfest/">Artsfest</a>. The festival is scheduled for May 23 through May 25 along Riverfront Park in Harrisburg. The book sale will take place at 223 N. Front Street, in front of St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The proceeds will benefit Sycamore House.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />-JLB-<br /></span>Please send any questions, ideas, suggestions and other comments to helpchange101@gmail.com.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06226880572700834324noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934365775126223717.post-22574067576414025672009-05-06T21:14:00.004-04:002009-05-18T22:30:52.380-04:00Shopping for good causes<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I recently came across a couple of Web sites I thought I would share with you all. It's not always the easiest to choose a cause out of thin air, so why not do some browsing? <a href="http://www.thepoint.com/">The Point</a> and <a href="http://www.madebig.com/default.aspx">MadeBig</a> appear to allow you to do just that.<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0uIquMMffSZbV3Pe34nEcWkkDgPDcXhAFMpGvq2xIJdQqds54Wy4pQSReJJjXCpf0AHIRRCGuLLnzsToAxlgE0O2oAwTTosibzuqB6Uv3rAnTaQnNrh7mgXgUUqyW6d-_gBjM3lqrgFhI/s1600-h/bag.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 190px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0uIquMMffSZbV3Pe34nEcWkkDgPDcXhAFMpGvq2xIJdQqds54Wy4pQSReJJjXCpf0AHIRRCGuLLnzsToAxlgE0O2oAwTTosibzuqB6Uv3rAnTaQnNrh7mgXgUUqyW6d-_gBjM3lqrgFhI/s200/bag.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332894768875540706" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Now I'll be honest here -- I haven't spent a ton of time on either site. Right off the bat, The Point makes a lot more sense to me. The site allows you to start your own campaign and raise money or contribute to a cause that has already been created. There are a couple of featured campaigns, but there is <a href="http://www.thepoint.com/campaigns">a handy spot where the causes are broken down by categories</a> -- <a href="http://www.thepoint.com/campaign_channels/education">education</a>, <a href="http://www.thepoint.com/campaign_channels/international">international</a> and <a href="http://www.thepoint.com/campaign_channels/health">health</a> are just a few examples. Some of the causes within the categories request donations -- others are merely looking for support. But don't listen to me -- go have a look-see for yourself.<br /><br />Another site I came across this week is MadeBig. You'll have to do your own research to decide if this is something that you want to spend some time on, but if you find yourself playing games online a lot, why not see if you can simultaneously do something good for the world. Basically, the idea is to create an account and then play a bunch of games. As you win and collect tokens, you can pick causes to which you can contribute your tokens. When you pledge support to a cause, MadeBig commits to supporting the cause. The site also offers various categories of causes, including <a href="http://www.madebig.com/givebig/BrowseCauses.aspx?cate_id=3">arts and culture</a> and <a href="http://www.madebig.com/givebig/BrowseCauses.aspx?cate_id=7">hunger and poverty</a>. Go check it out.<br /><br />If you don't decide to use these sites, perhaps you'll at least come across a cause that you rings true with your own ideals so that you can find your own way to support it. Whatever it is, get out there and give it everything you've got. I promise you won't regret it.<br /><br />Happy changing,<br />JLB<br /></span>Please send any questions, ideas, suggestions and other comments to helpchange101@gmail.com.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06226880572700834324noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934365775126223717.post-81925000886493543282009-04-19T09:52:00.010-04:002009-05-18T22:34:15.829-04:00Isaac's aims to help feed the hungry<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Lancaster-based <a href="http://www.isaacsdeli.com/">Isaac's Restaurant & Deli</a> is looking to raise $50,000 to <a href="http://www.isaacsdeli.com/baghunger">help feed the hungry in Central Pennsylvania</a>.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.isaacsdeli.com/baghunger"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 311px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7pgYwDkI5AYzSfk2o1IEAH7Ro_7WZ-WRaibxlX_yiVnJ-M72EqFU3yFD7Nnrd3o1CMQ8RXsqJ1K3OjpJ9cnXQ0XSOlKHdqX52gJC1W8dwA7JJ8WL9Ft96JAGialdo4l-UkgKV16hK6ZY/s320/Front-Page-bag-hunger.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326405552103984754" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">During the month of April, visit one of Isaac's <a href="http://www.isaacsdeli.com/locations">20-some restaurants</a> and purchase a bowl of soup. For every bowl sold, Isaac's will donate $1 to feed the hungry. They'll also donate $2 for every quart sold and $4 for every gallon of soup that is purchased during the month.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Isaac's also is selling $1 raffle tickets towards the prize of a $50 gift card to its restaurants. All of the proceeds will go towards their soup fund. </span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The fundraiser will benefit the <a href="http://centralpafoodbank.org/">Central Pennsylvania Food Bank</a>, the <a href="http://www.berksfoodbank.org/">Greater Berks Food Bank</a> and <a href="http://www.philabundance.org/">PhilAbundance</a>.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So far they've raised <a href="http://www.isaacsdeli.com/baghungergoalmeter">just over $25,000</a>. I realize there's only a couple weeks left to April, but we can still help this business reach -- and surpass -- its goal.<br /><br />The group is fairly well known for their delicious Pepperjack Tomato soup, so why not enjoy a bowl of this old favorite or tantalize your taste buds with a new flavor if you've never tried it before. What are you waiting for? Make plans this week to head out, buy yourself, your friends and your family some soup and enjoy your meal -- knowing that you did a little something for more stomachs than just your own. Oh, and don't forget to pick up a couple raffle tickets!</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />To donate directly to Isaac's soup fund online, <a href="http://centralpafoodbank.org/promo/donate.asp">click here</a>.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">-JLB-</span>Please send any questions, ideas, suggestions and other comments to helpchange101@gmail.com.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06226880572700834324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934365775126223717.post-63105212910314941942009-04-16T12:12:00.004-04:002009-05-18T22:37:26.084-04:00More than two months later...<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Worst. Blogger. Ever.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">That would be I.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I haven't forgotten about this blog, nor have I forgotten about those who have been so kind as to read the words that I write here. I have, however, been overwhelmed with volunteer projects. One of these projects is particularly exciting and is linked directly into the purpose of this blog. I will share more information on this shortly. In the mean time, I ask that you please bear with me and accept my apology for neglecting Change 101. I'm working on resurrecting it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">As such, here is a sampling for you. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I just came across this article and thought I would share it with you all. It appears that the federal stimulus money might be able to help out some of the homeless folks in the Cumberland County area. </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2009/04/cumberland_county_eyes_homeles.html">Read more about that here</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Also, Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Harrisburg Area recently launched a new Web site. </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.harrisburghabitat.org/">Check it out here</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. It includes information about how the group will begin construction tomorrow on two new homes in the Allison Hill neighborhood of Harrisburg. Exciting stuff, I tell you.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Even as the economy continues to slow down, it warms my heart to know that there are still groups working to change the world for the better.</span> I hope you can find a way to pitch in.<br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">-JLB-</span>Please send any questions, ideas, suggestions and other comments to helpchange101@gmail.com.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06226880572700834324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934365775126223717.post-79688351843307424992009-02-04T08:14:00.013-05:002009-05-18T22:41:57.053-04:00Lend a helping hand to Habitat for Humanity<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Two Sundays ago I had the privilege of hearing <a href="http://www.habitat.org/how/millard.aspx">Millard Fuller</a></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">, founder of <a href="http://www.habitat.org/default.aspx">Habitat for Humanity International</a>, </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">speak</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> during a Sunday morning service at Silver Spring Presbyterian Church</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> in Cumberland County. What an inspirational man.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> Regretfully, he <a href="http://www.habitat.org/how/millard_feb2009.aspx">passed away yesterday morning</a></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.habitat.org/how/millard_feb2009.aspx"> </a>at</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> the age of 74. The legacy of this man will continue</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> to live on in the form of the organization he created in 1976.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> Habitat for Humanity changes the world one family at a time by</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> bringing hope in the form of affordable, simple homes to those without</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> sufficient housing. The homes are not free, but come with</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> interest-free mortgages</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> Millard formulated this mission in line with his strong faith in God,</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> which led him from a life of material riches to one of material</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> modesty and spiritual wealth. It was his hope to end poverty housing</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> throughout the world. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I would love for all of us to join in.</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />My favorite part of Habitat for Humanity is that volunteers help the families to build these homes. Some of the best moments of my life have been spent on Habitat construction sites in the Allison Hill area of Harrisburg. Driving through that neighborhood, it is absolutely awe inspiring to see how the Habitat houses stand out amongst some of the destruction and devastation of that portion of the city. The homes are transforming that neighborhood, as well as the lives of those who dwell within them.<br /><br />I invite you to give your local Habitat for Humanity chapter a try. I</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> have met so many wonderful friends through my work with the</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> organization. And there is something satisfying about a hard day's</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> work helping to build a home for someone in need.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> One of the best parts is that related skills are not required.</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> Obviously, they're helpful, but I personally had no idea how what I</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> was doing when I first volunteered.</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> It can be a long day </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">and you're likely to get a little dirty, but please believe me when I</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> say you will be so glad you did it. You might even find yourself with</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> a case of Habititis. :o)</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Really not into the idea of getting dirty on site? There are many other ways you can help out at Habitat through various committees. Please see the volunteer links below. To make a general donation to Habitat for Humanity, <a href="http://www.habitat.org/donation/">click here</a></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">.</span><o:p><br /><br /></o:p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The affiliates also host fundraising events throughout the year. For example, if you live in the </span><st1:place style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" st="on"><st1:city st="on">Harrisburg</st1:city></st1:place><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> area, I invite you to attend the fifth annual art auction of Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Harrisburg Area. The event is scheduled for March 7 at the </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.hersheypa.com/accommodations/hershey_country_club/">Hershey Country Club</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">.</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> I attended last year and plan to be there again this year – it makes for a lovely evening!<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> Below is some information to help get you started. If you don't</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> see information for the affiliate near you, <a href="http://www.habitat.org/cd/local/">please visit this Web site</a> </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">to find one.<br /><br /></span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.harrisburghabitat.org/">Habitat for Humanity of the Greater <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Harrisburg</st1:place></st1:city> Area</a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">(717) 545-7299</span><o:p><br /><br /></o:p><st1:place style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Cumberland</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Valley</st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> Habitat for Humanity</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">(717) 258-1830</span><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="mailto:%20ed-cvhfh@embarqmail.com">E-mail</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> (no Web site available)</span><o:p><br /><br /></o:p><a href="http://www.lancasterhabitat.org/contact.html"><st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Lancaster</st1:city></st1:place> Area Habitat for Humanity</a><br />(717) 392-8836<br /><a href="http://www.lancasterhabitat.org/volunteer.html">How to volunteer</a><br /><a href="http://www.lancasterhabitat.org/contributions.html">How to donate</a><o:p><br /><br /></o:p><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.yorkhabitat.org/index.html">York Habitat for Humanity</a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">(717) 854-6168</span><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.yorkhabitat.org/id44.html">How to volunteer</a><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.yorkhabitat.org/id7.html">How to donate</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.habitatlebanon.org/">Habitat for Humanity of Lebanon County Inc.</a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">(717) 228-1490</span><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.habitatlebanon.org/index_files/Page554.htm">How to volunteer</a><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.habitatlebanon.org/index_files/Page652.htm">How to donate</a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">-JLB-</span>Please send any questions, ideas, suggestions and other comments to helpchange101@gmail.com.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06226880572700834324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934365775126223717.post-8316396045566237782009-01-19T08:16:00.006-05:002009-05-18T22:45:46.015-04:00Food for Thought on Martin Luther King Day<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Happy Monday, friends. I hope the weekend treated you kindly.<br /><br />I thought I'd help you start your day off right with a serving or two of change-inducing inspiration.<br /><br />First off, head on over to <a href="http://sethgodin.typepad.com/">Seth Godin's blog</a> to read <a href="http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2009/01/national-day-of.html">his proposition</a> 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.<br /><br />When you're finished reading, why don't you give <a href="http://ydr.inyork.com/ydr/rss/ci_11480506?source=rss&jmid=291&j=228063172">this article</a> 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 "<a href="http://ydr.inyork.com/ydr/rss/ci_11480506?source=rss&jmid=291&j=228063172">Without a home, 'surviving' the cold: Local homeless centers cope with sub-freezing temperatures</a>."<a href="http://ydr.inyork.com/ydr/rss/ci_11480506?source=rss&jmid=291&j=228063172"></a><br /><br />You may also want to read "<a href="http://www.pennlive.com/news/patriotnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1232154626288470.xml&coll=1">Out of the Cold: More homeless seek shelter from frigid air</a>," which was written by Ford Turner of the Patriot-News in Harrisburg.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />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).<br /><br />-JLB-<br /></span>Please send any questions, ideas, suggestions and other comments to helpchange101@gmail.com.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06226880572700834324noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934365775126223717.post-27952194107877261882009-01-14T23:44:00.003-05:002009-01-14T23:56:11.273-05:00Who is the author of Change 101?<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">My friend and fellow blogger, <a href="http://brickthroughwindow.blogspot.com/">Ken Mueller</a>, 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, <a href="http://helpchangeourworld.blogspot.com/2008/01/getting-to-know-jess-o.html">please click here and enjoy</a>. :o)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">-JLB-</span>Please send any questions, ideas, suggestions and other comments to helpchange101@gmail.com.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06226880572700834324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934365775126223717.post-71001907406452994142009-01-13T22:04:00.003-05:002009-01-13T22:13:53.947-05:00Unveiling the needs of the world with video<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">A coworker of mine recently introduced me to <a href="http://flipvideospotlight.com/">Flip Video Spotlight</a> -- 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.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />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?</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicmB1CejcxpUkClvEzMgKSoCIauqo6FMeEcMG-kgwAISsKDdEJ5hHMbQhodwPZsSK06j-qFaiSmDSIXFE2TnJWYc7UaYSAdUxdDy2KlbQnL-mRXoERDpGvh6ODlJqHpagQZ4iygFoiVZnK/s1600-h/flip.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicmB1CejcxpUkClvEzMgKSoCIauqo6FMeEcMG-kgwAISsKDdEJ5hHMbQhodwPZsSK06j-qFaiSmDSIXFE2TnJWYc7UaYSAdUxdDy2KlbQnL-mRXoERDpGvh6ODlJqHpagQZ4iygFoiVZnK/s200/flip.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290982274502984802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The program was implemented by <a href="http://www.puredigitalinc.com/">Pure Digital Technologies Inc.</a> -- creators of <a href="http://www.theflip.com/">Flip Video Ultra camcorders</a>. The camcorders are high-quality devices with built-in software that allows editing, organizing and video publishing through <a href="http://www.youtube.com/">YouTube</a>, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/">MySpace</a> and other video-sharing spaces online. Plus they’re compact, lightweight and easy to operate.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">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 <a href="http://www.networkforgood.org/Default.aspx">Network For Good</a> or <a href="http://www.justgive.org/">JustGive</a> to make Spotlight Kit donations online.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The cost for a kit is $150. Each kit contains two 60-minute Flip Video Ultra camcorders and various training materials.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Organizations interested in receiving a kit can <a href="http://flipvideospotlight.com/flip-video-spotlight-program-application">apply here</a>. Eligibility requirements can be found <a href="http://flipvideospotlight.com/flip-video-spotlight-program-application/program-guidelines-for-eligibility">here</a>.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /></span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">-JLB-</span>Please send any questions, ideas, suggestions and other comments to helpchange101@gmail.com.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06226880572700834324noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934365775126223717.post-62810331605274959432009-01-07T13:04:00.003-05:002009-01-07T13:07:51.182-05:00Community love for a 4-year-old cancer patientAn entertaining and easy way to do a good deed is coming <st1:placename st="on">Lancaster</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">County</st1:placetype> way this Saturday, Jan. 10, at <a href="http://www.bubesbrewery.com/">Bube’s Brewery</a> in <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">Mount</st1:placetype> <st1:placename st="on">Joy</st1:placename></st1:place>. It’s also cheap, thanks to a $5 cover charge that will go directly to the cause at hand. <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal">Beginning at 9 p.m., a benefit concert will begin in the Bottling Works at Bube’s to support <a href="http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/hannahgarman">Hannah Garman</a>. At least nine local bands will be performing.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSbSpvak7KSOiCSqzLl9pZlk0yWTvo5QnRfR_GDM5zxaw2Jwx0GAPv1EBzDi70vzn3Xk2KbxtFL_NhEUSqDlgbJbjrjbF38Rw-EVHns9owCnfHLkxBsqp0aD-nu1FhkAZde-MACUB4ekiw/s1600-h/benefit_web.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSbSpvak7KSOiCSqzLl9pZlk0yWTvo5QnRfR_GDM5zxaw2Jwx0GAPv1EBzDi70vzn3Xk2KbxtFL_NhEUSqDlgbJbjrjbF38Rw-EVHns9owCnfHLkxBsqp0aD-nu1FhkAZde-MACUB4ekiw/s400/benefit_web.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288614848776836466" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal">Hannah is a four-year-old native of <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Lancaster</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">County</st1:placetype></st1:place> 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.</p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal">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.</p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal">More information on Hannah’s situation can be found by watching <a href="http://www.wgal.com/video/18313753/index.html">this video</a> or <a href="http://www.wgal.com/slideshow/news/18317029/detail.html">this slideshow</a>.</p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal">More information on the event can be found on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=42459997425&ref=nf">Facebook</a>.</p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal">-JLB-</p>Please send any questions, ideas, suggestions and other comments to helpchange101@gmail.com.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06226880572700834324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934365775126223717.post-44478551191579020952008-12-30T15:31:00.003-05:002008-12-30T15:38:20.721-05:00Helping the homeless of Harrisburg<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">A quick Tuesday afternoon serving of inspiration:</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.pennlive.com/news/patriotnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1230517513195970.xml&coll=1">Surviving on the streets: Woman goes on weekly crusade to help homeless</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> by Mary Klaus of The Patriot-News</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Kelly Shaffer spends her Sundays feeding and clothing the homeless on the streets of Harrisburg. What do you do on Sunday? Maybe we all need to head out and help Kelly change the world.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Take note of this excerpt from the article: </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: trebuchet ms;">"Kelly's Christian Crusade to help Harrisburg's homeless can use new or gently used items such as wool blankets, sweat shirts, sweat pants, jeans, long underwear, socks, sleeping bags, hats and gloves. It also needs toiletries such as nail clippers and travel sizes of deodorant, toothpaste and shampoo. To arrange a drop-off for donations, call Kelly Shaffer at 903-3262 or 367-8211 or e-mail her at kelly@rt230church.org."<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">-JLB-</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span>Please send any questions, ideas, suggestions and other comments to helpchange101@gmail.com.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06226880572700834324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934365775126223717.post-24923277434712838362008-12-28T20:39:00.007-05:002008-12-29T16:52:51.225-05:00Stoves for Women in Darfur<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So, I was flipping through the television this weekend and came across a <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/12/27/stoves.darfur/index.html">CNN story</a> about a 17-year-old who is single-handedly doing what he can (a whole lot, it turns out) to change the world. His name is Spencer Brodsky and his story is truly inspiring.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDaWS99lReVnurgK4SzE_4BWvrqrqu6Pr8XP6uVWtexIANb7gGbdCssC1ZtM0lvoT_gC1mivKnEB715iktkQAGZ7YKkkD07GcCFD2NOFBNdV17n53FAlUCJkSv22Fl_egFNeLkfyG4Iga/s1600-h/6319_file_IMG_0084_copy_with_shadow.preview.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 242px; height: 305px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDaWS99lReVnurgK4SzE_4BWvrqrqu6Pr8XP6uVWtexIANb7gGbdCssC1ZtM0lvoT_gC1mivKnEB715iktkQAGZ7YKkkD07GcCFD2NOFBNdV17n53FAlUCJkSv22Fl_egFNeLkfyG4Iga/s320/6319_file_IMG_0084_copy_with_shadow.preview.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285030595015247874" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Brodsky has been raising funds to purchase fuel-efficient stoves for women living in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darfur_conflict">Darfur</a>, where war is raging. To learn more about the situation in Darfur and what is being done by at least one group to stop it, <a href="http://www.savedarfur.org/content?splash=yes">click here</a>.<br /><br />The Maryland resident started <a href="http://www.stovesfordarfur.com/">his project</a> in 2007. He has raised enough money to purchase more than 400 stoves, which go for $30 a piece. The importance of the stoves goes beyond face value. A little research (or a visit to <a href="http://www.stovesfordarfur.com/">Brodsky's Web site</a>) shows that families in Darfur must travel far into dangerous territories to collect enough wood to build a fire and cook their food. The stoves Brodsky supports requires 75 percent less wood to cook the same amount of food.<br /><br />So, I propose we help Brodsky out by contributing $30 to his project. He'll take care of the rest, which results in making life a tiny bit easier for women and children who are experiencing a kind of life that most of us only visit in our nightmares. <a href="http://www.stovesfordarfur.com/Payment_Option.html">Click here</a> to buy a stove.<br /><br />Brodsky purchases the stoves by partnering with <a href="http://www.chfinternational.org/">CHF International</a> - an organization that has worked to improve the social, economic and environmental conditions in more than 100 countries over the past 50+ years. To learn more and/or donate directly to CHF's fund for stoves for women in Darfur, <a href="http://www.chfinternational.org/darfurstoves">click here</a>. To read what CHF had to say about Brodsky, <a href="http://www.chfinternational.org/node/21075">click here</a>. And to find out how else you can change the world by partnering with CHF, <a href="http://www.chfinternational.org/donate">click here</a>.<br /><br />Happy Changing,<br />JLB<br /></span>Please send any questions, ideas, suggestions and other comments to helpchange101@gmail.com.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06226880572700834324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934365775126223717.post-11441702546277371112008-12-22T22:26:00.004-05:002008-12-22T22:39:20.364-05:00Donate while you Celebrate the Season<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Christmas is upon us, people. What does that entail? Tons and tons of food consumed during numerous parties and gatherings.<br /><br />I've been attending a number of parties myself, and one recently took place that I thought I should share with the masses. While attending an event thrown by a couple of lovely ladies I graduated college with whom are now living in the Philadelphia area, I was struck by their cleverest of open-hearted ideas. Instead of asking their guests to bring along a dish or a beverage or anything else at all, they requested donations to pin to their Christmas tree.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-lU9Smjn9AJV9WFE-a1XAVrQVgayy5WG6qJ65dNKy86MYRuo1vz6-2n7kinw7yU_YEOvqREmmW-kNB5cx0IA5VRNG6Yr7ZIcE1u8TG7AsgYpzcKvWGOBNCy9Jgcc4medPOXi2qPlzfhC/s1600-h/n51400153_30816877_4818.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-lU9Smjn9AJV9WFE-a1XAVrQVgayy5WG6qJ65dNKy86MYRuo1vz6-2n7kinw7yU_YEOvqREmmW-kNB5cx0IA5VRNG6Yr7ZIcE1u8TG7AsgYpzcKvWGOBNCy9Jgcc4medPOXi2qPlzfhC/s320/n51400153_30816877_4818.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282824653657788114" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Not just any donation, mind you, but a combined donation that would be split between two causes chosen by the hosts. It was a somewhat small gathering, but the pair managed to raise $250. I think this is awesome. I also think you should follow suit. It is Christmas, after all...and those resolutions of change are just around the corner. Start early. Begin making your changes now.<br /><br />Already throw your holiday shindig? Not to worry. This is a great idea for any kind of party all year round. Tuck it in your back pocket, but don't leave it there. Do it.<br /><br />Wishing you the kindest of holiday blessings,<br />JLB<br /></span></span>Please send any questions, ideas, suggestions and other comments to helpchange101@gmail.com.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06226880572700834324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934365775126223717.post-4134381615123162012008-12-15T18:02:00.005-05:002008-12-15T18:15:18.923-05:00Urban Poverty in Central PA - Part 2<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The second half of The Invisible Workforce by </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.centralpennbusiness.com/">Central Penn Business Journal</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> reporter David Dagan published this past Friday. The <a href="http://helpchangeourworld.blogspot.com/2008/12/urban-poverty-in-central-pa.html">series </a>is focused on urban poverty and the resulting workforce issues in Central Pennsylvania.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.centralpennbusiness.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 251px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37oU98o0ZcbkZwvUlxmkDkMqBUlUYv6AM4UKhZ0TuzOZCvrAnKpAU8rX1_h4cCCChN13BPI46Utl_Is3ilFWXFBExnTWnOQNKYGLFF0AaLiDswTPTifkZW1vJevtlCHcoVlv6gygwM0i6/s320/cpbj.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280158534076300754" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Here is the second half of The Invisible Workforce:</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">--</span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.centralpennbusiness.com/weekly_article.asp?aID=59665186.7242045.904995.1485957.9705759.656&aID2=69606">Redefining recruiting: Outreach, workforce-system changes target underemployment</a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">--</span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.centralpennbusiness.com/weekly_article.asp?aID=89665077.6895694.905008.8565048.5348368.399&aID2=69607">The skeptical view: Long odds and disputed assumptions</a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">--</span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.centralpennbusiness.com/weekly_article.asp?aID=1966512.9205136.905021.9708012.2705608.456&aID2=69608">Reporter's Notebook: In search of malaise – an enlightening walk</a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">To read the first part of the series, please visit my</span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://helpchangeourworld.blogspot.com/2008/12/urban-poverty-in-central-pa.html"> previous post</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. New videos and other information are available <a href="http://www.centralpennbusiness.com/section.asp?secID=45">here</a>. My favorite piece of the series can be found <a href="http://www.centralpennbusiness.com/article.asp?aID=69514">here</a>.<br /><br />Read it. Educate yourself. Let it sink in. And let it motivate you to make a change.<br /><br />-JLB-<br /></span><span class="subhead"><em></em></span>Please send any questions, ideas, suggestions and other comments to helpchange101@gmail.com.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06226880572700834324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934365775126223717.post-44273637198688648102008-12-05T13:13:00.007-05:002008-12-05T14:45:25.760-05:00Urban Poverty in Central PA<span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >Today's post is made possible by the hard work of an esteemed reporter at the <a href="http://www.centralpennbusiness.com/">Central Penn Business Journal</a>. David Dagan spent many months this year investigating the topic of urban poverty as it relates to workforce issues within the Central Pennsylvania region.<br /></span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >I invite you to take a close look at the results: <a href="http://www.centralpennbusiness.com/article.asp?aID=69497">The Invisible Workforce</a>. You will find some compelling information about why change is necessary, not just in this region - but across the country and into the world.<br /></span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >Here is what published today:<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">--</span><a href="http://www.centralpennbusiness.com/article.asp?aID=69513">Uninspired: Communication gaps, apathy clog labor pipeline, advocates say</a><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">--</span></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://www.centralpennbusiness.com/article.asp?aID=69514">A fragile Future: Between courts and jobs, a young man stumbles</a></span><span class="subhead" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><em></em></span> <span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">(FYI - this one made me cry.)</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.centralpennbusiness.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 251px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8eKyb_Csqk920YUnmV0jP3Rdm5GTBZ0wDV6kMX711RQe9mXXx6e_rGZmIX5YYcGChnb0Af2YOsWmZCbXjWUZxvP6xDis5eHK3srXfpgJ-cDQtSkqdWN6XPRWDnkMDLRoEXoPnzrGpboc/s320/120508page1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276376282876643250" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >Videos and more information on the series can be found by <a href="http://www.centralpennbusiness.com/section.asp?secID=45">clicking here</a>. </span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >The second part of the series is set to publish a week from today. Stay tuned.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">-JLB-</span>Please send any questions, ideas, suggestions and other comments to helpchange101@gmail.com.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06226880572700834324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934365775126223717.post-44586611670691501742008-11-28T17:41:00.006-05:002008-11-29T11:17:07.987-05:00My UnBlack Friday<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Today is Black Friday. I could have went shopping today. But I didn’t. In fact, I did just the opposite.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I do not think it is insignificant that the color black is used to define this day. I have nothing against the color -- in fact, I’m wearing it right now -- but its symbolism is powerful.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Did you know that </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.newsday.com/news/local/nassau/ny-limart1129,0,167903.story">someone was killed</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> by a crowd rushing the entrance to a Wal-Mart this morning? I don’t even know what to say to this. It completely blows my mind that our world has reached a point where we are so desperate for material items that we could take the life of a human being this way. This is what this blog is all about: we seriously need to wake up.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">When I woke up this morning, instead of standing in line for a deeply discounted television I started packing garbage bags with old blankets, pillows and stuffed animals that my mom and I found in our attic last night. (<span style="font-style: italic;">Disclaimer: I'm not saying this was an easy decision or that you made a bad one if you were out shopping. There were a lot of good deals and I don't blame you for taking advantage of them. Plus, you can do what I did any day. That's the beauty of it.</span>)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I began my adventure in giving by taking a car load of items to </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.safeharbouronline.org/">Safe Harbour</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> in Carlisle. The nonprofit group provides an </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.safeharbouronline.org/shelters.htm">emergency shelter</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> for those in need of a secure place to live. It also provides long-term housing and offers programming to help individuals master basic life skills so they may eventually live independently. A list of items you can donate to them can be found </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.safeharbouronline.org/donate.htm">here</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. To give money directly to Safe Harbour, </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_flow&SESSION=ShnqWhaI5SLGr3XzvPT0PmDAS-LPNsTOcf7LOLyWlrJBBz3KmygqgO8Y1-W&dispatch=5885d80a13c0db1f9fecf49521b3f5af8500b6262ba08c6a6c42096c47a6d044">click here</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">For those of you who don’t live near Carlisle, you’ll have to do a little research of your own. </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.google.com/">Google </a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">is a fantastic creation. Try typing in “where to donate [insert item you’d like to donate] in [insert city and state here]." A couple other midstate places I found were </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.delta-community.org/">Delta Community Inc.</a> at 2041 N. 2nd St. in Harrisburg and the <a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.bethesda-mission.org/">Bethesda Mission</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> at 611 Reily St. in Harrisburg. More later on those groups and any others I come across. No matter where you live, there are similar organizations out there. Go find them.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">After dropping off my goods at the shelter, I returned home to refill my car -- this time with old comforter sets, curtains and clothing (oh yes, we have unbelievable amounts of stuff in our attic - I had no idea). I hauled this stuff over to </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf">The Salvation Army</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. Perhaps you read my recent post about their </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://helpchangeourworld.blogspot.com/2008/11/red-kettle.html">Red Kettle program</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. The group also operates </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf/vw-text-dynamic-arrays/E3610FB5DDD550A1802573250030E32A?openDocument">thrift shops</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">, the proceeds from which support their </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf/vw-text-dynamic-arrays/8326D9D2FE6B4C05802573250030A6E1?openDocument">Adult Rehabilitation program</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. They accept clothing, furniture and many other items. To find a shop near you, </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.satruck.org/usw/www_usw_arcdonate.nsf/vw-dynamic-index/A70EEF20B4BB6A5388257447006E84DC?openDocument">click here</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. To donate directly to the Salvation Army, </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://secure.salvationarmy.org/donations.nsf/donate?openform&t=US_USC*USE*USS*USW">click here</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I hope my small amount of effort today brings some warmth and comfort into the lives of those in need. I invite you to give it a try.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">-JLB-</span>Please send any questions, ideas, suggestions and other comments to helpchange101@gmail.com.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06226880572700834324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934365775126223717.post-22929054394215459532008-11-22T13:48:00.007-05:002008-11-22T14:03:39.494-05:00The Red Kettle<span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Has the economic slump got you down? Feeling the need to pinch your pennies this year? I know the feeling. But like me, perhaps you also would still like to make a change here and there. This week I'm going to focus on some less expensive ways to make a difference.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br />First up, </span><a href="http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The Salvation Army</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">.<br /><br />The Salvation Army has a variety of programs that help communities across the country in so many critical ways: <a href="http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf/vw-text-dynamic-arrays/3C5471700B61E262802573DF0063B7C8?openDocument">disaster relief</a>, <a href="http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf/vw-text-dynamic-arrays/1BBBA1A419F8030C8525742D0050BDD2?openDocument">prisoner rehabilitation</a>, <a href="http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf/vw-text-dynamic-arrays/8326D9D2FE6B4C05802573250030A6E1?openDocument">drug and alcohol rehabilitation</a>, <a href="http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf/vw-dynamic-index/8081A4079639D55A802573E000530965?Opendocument">human-trafficking prevention,</a> <a href="http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf/vw-text-dynamic-arrays/071E537F0ACA6EC5802573F50057A93F?openDocument">elderly services</a> and much more. For more information on the various programs, click <a href="http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf/vw-local/Programs">here</a>.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2QxBAFkogHmmKaLEeFIR0yLOURP_vBhEVU5-cJP2OKHM3UDKlOLD8pn1zENfAcLqD2OWurV7FyImE7V6gY_BCEXuOxWASakv0tg_Axq4FauSrv2eDOt2Dgpynw5i0zbDKv3HewHpSVlw/s1600-h/kettle2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 155px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2QxBAFkogHmmKaLEeFIR0yLOURP_vBhEVU5-cJP2OKHM3UDKlOLD8pn1zENfAcLqD2OWurV7FyImE7V6gY_BCEXuOxWASakv0tg_Axq4FauSrv2eDOt2Dgpynw5i0zbDKv3HewHpSVlw/s200/kettle2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271558346882471074" /></a></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">And when the air becomes frigid and your thoughts begin to turn to the upcoming holiday season, out comes those easily recognizable red kettles. Ever wonder where the money you drop into the kettle goes? Through the group's <a href="http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf/vw-text-dynamic-arrays/4A2D2520606517C4802573F5005661DB?openDocument">Christmas Charity</a>, your donations provides Christmas dinners, clothing and toys for needy families, seniors and the homeless. Volunteers distribute the gifts to shut-ins in hospitals, nursing homes and shelters that are open for sit-down dinners.<br /><br />So the next time you pass by the man or woman ringing the bell outside the grocery store, why don't you take a moment to slip a few dollars into the kettle? Think of all of the food you were just able to buy, and find just a little bit more to give someone in need a warm meal this holiday season.<br /><br />To volunteer with the organization, visit the group's main <a href="http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf">Web site</a> and enter your zip code into the box at the upper right hand corner of the screen to find a location near you. Give them a call. Reach out your capable hand. Take some time and make a change.<br /><br />To donate directly to The Salvation Army today, click <a href="https://secure.salvationarmy.org/donations.nsf/donate?openform&t=US_USC*USE*USS*USW">here</a>.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">-JLB-</span></div></div></div>Please send any questions, ideas, suggestions and other comments to helpchange101@gmail.com.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06226880572700834324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934365775126223717.post-45508611132477585752008-11-14T14:49:00.005-05:002008-11-14T18:46:48.310-05:00Gifts that give in Central PAThe Christmas shopping season is upon us. For some, this is a joy; for others, it is a frustrating, expensive time of year. I felt a wave of relief upon discovering the <a href="http://www.theladieshalf.org/giftsthatgive.html">South Central Pennsylvania Alternative Gift Fair</a>.<br /><br />The fair is an opportunity to make donations (varying from $10 to $250) on behalf of someone you want to give a gift to. That person will receive a card telling them about the gift.<br /><br />A number of local nonprofits use the donations to meet various community needs, including a hot meal for a homeless individual, clothes for someone in need, one hour of counseling for a survivor of sexual assault, and much, much more. For an example of the shopping list, <a href="http://www.theladieshalf.org/docs/20081115-GTG-Hbg-form.pdf">click here</a>.<br /><br />And if you can’t make it out to a fair, I am told you will be able to <a href="http://www.theladieshalf.org/giftsthatgive.html">shop on their Web site</a> from Nov. 16 to Dec. 15.<br /><br />Two fairs will take place this year:<br /><ul><li>The <a href="http://www.theladieshalf.org/docs/20081115-GTG-Hbg-brochure.pdf">Carlisle-Mechanicsburg-Harrisburg area fair</a> is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow, Nov. 15, at the <a href="http://www.centralpenn.edu/">Central Pennsylvania College Conference Center</a>. Click <a href="http://www.centralpenn.edu/newsandevents/directions.shtml">here </a>for directions or <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sll=40.303598,-76.933112&view=text&hl=en&q=Central+Pennsylvania+College&ie=UTF8&latlng=40304469,-76934809,2012110706191583198&ei=--JGSInqLpbWqgKE0YzqDA&cd=1">here </a>for a map.</li></ul><ul><li>The <a href="http://www.theladieshalf.org/docs/20081122-GTG-Lanc-brochure.pdf">Lancaster-Elizabethtown area fair</a> is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22 at the <a href="http://farmandhomecenter.com/">Farm and Home Center</a>. Click <a href="http://farmandhomecenter.com/directions.php">here</a> for directions or <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sll=40.303598,-76.933112&view=text&hl=en&q=Farm+and+Home+Center,+1383+Arcadia+Rd,+17601&ie=UTF8&latlng=40069771,-76326141,6844659215311343013&ei=CNqPSKjpGoOOqgLrp_n9Ag&cd=1#">here</a> for a map.</li></ul>The event is hosted by <a href="http://www.theladieshalf.org/index.php">The Ladies Half</a>, a women’s giving circle that provides funds and assistance to enhance the lives of families and organizations in south-central Pennsylvania. If you’re interested in joining the group, <a href="http://www.theladieshalf.org/join.htm">click here</a>. To donate funds directly to the organization, <a href="http://www.theladieshalf.org/donate.php">click here</a>.<br /><br />See you at the fair,<br />JLBPlease send any questions, ideas, suggestions and other comments to helpchange101@gmail.com.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06226880572700834324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934365775126223717.post-48157258817274566452008-11-14T12:06:00.001-05:002008-11-14T12:12:22.250-05:00Why should we change?<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">For those of you in need of a little motivation, I’d like to give you a good reason every now and then as to why our world is in need of change. Today, I ask you to <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2008-11-14/the-new-shanty-towns/#">click here</a> and get a taste of what I mean.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">These photos were taken in America. There are U.S. citizens living in tents as a result of the financial crisis that has shaken our economy to its core. This is just one example of why it’s so important that we do something to help turn our neighborhoods, our states, our country, our world and our entire society around.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">So go ahead. Read through the rest of this blog. Check it regularly. Begin taking the baby steps necessary to change this world.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">-JLB-</span></span>Please send any questions, ideas, suggestions and other comments to helpchange101@gmail.com.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06226880572700834324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934365775126223717.post-31367375092384447012008-11-12T21:01:00.007-05:002008-11-12T21:40:21.687-05:00Protect youth from violence with lipstick<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">ATTENTION LADIES:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Purchase a tube of the perfect shade of lipstick and, in return, 100 percent of the proceeds from the sale will be donated to a charitable organization that supports women and children.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Sound too good to be true? Well, for once, it isn’t.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The profits from every $13 tube of </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.marykay.com/">Mary Kay Inc.</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">’s Apple Berry lipstick sold will be given to charity. That may be a hefty price to pay for lipstick, but keep in mind it's for a good cause. It also helps to know that, according to Mary Kay, the Apple Berry color best suits all skin tones. Sold? If so, click </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.marykay.com/color/lips/berries/10022682/default.aspx">here</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ofp50n4hrnD7By0JNEuwctKwXZ1JKEttjon2ELXiFsahFOpQ-BnrIi3LWPaMHR0Q7Nb_1q8byJlkHJRq9F3wSqxaU9uFlY7Uv6CeQxpEEawHDKi-D9rYEoxSsigJVDRhG_nEujxVuXNT/s1600-h/apple-berry-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ofp50n4hrnD7By0JNEuwctKwXZ1JKEttjon2ELXiFsahFOpQ-BnrIi3LWPaMHR0Q7Nb_1q8byJlkHJRq9F3wSqxaU9uFlY7Uv6CeQxpEEawHDKi-D9rYEoxSsigJVDRhG_nEujxVuXNT/s320/apple-berry-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267960240089409714" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Mary Kay began </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.marykay.com//content/company/appleberry.aspx">this global initiative</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> May 1st, but you only have until the end of the year to take advantage of it. The effort is part of the company’s corporate commitment to change the lives of women and children around the world. And I like it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">In the United States, the proceeds will be donated to </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.breakthecycle.org/">Break the Cycle</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> -- a nonprofit organization that engages, educates and empowers youth to build lives and communities free from domestic and dating violence.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Would you rather make a contribution directly to Break the Cycle? If so, click </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.breakthecycle.org/donate.html">here</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. Go ahead, take some action.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">-JLB-</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Note: After you choose to purchase the lipstick, you will be prompted to choose an independent beauty consultant. If you don’t have one already, please take the time to search and find someone in your area. This is the person who will process your order and deliver your items. I know it’s a pain, but think about the outcome. You basically get the lipstick for free because your money goes to helping youth by fighting domestic violence. It’s worth it.</span></span>Please send any questions, ideas, suggestions and other comments to helpchange101@gmail.com.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06226880572700834324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934365775126223717.post-34191068999803943962008-11-10T17:54:00.004-05:002008-11-10T18:00:48.531-05:00Feeding and educating children in needTOMS SHOES - Part 2<br /><a href="http://www.tomsshoes.com/">www.tomsshoes.com</a><br /><br />It turns out that <a href="http://www.tomsshoes.com/shoes.aspx">Toms</a> sells more than just shoes. They also sell trendy <a href="http://www.tomsshoes.com/productslist.aspx?CategoryID=11&selection=1">hats and t-shirts</a>, the proceeds from which also provide a pair of shoes for needy children. And at $28 each, they're a wee bit cheaper than the shoes.<br /><br />And then there’s my favorite part. I recently discovered that Toms also is selling a hip-looking <a href="http://www.tomsshoes.com/ProductDetails.aspx?CategoryID=11&productID=35">tote bag</a> that is designed to raise awareness and funds for feeding hungry children and helping them get an education.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyAE6FyD5B6aMyVMWC6ohrBBqUYYCP8Qi-OwMMsL4opSqgEAevZzzesgqteZzVvgRNX_FcwW4k-TvJcEcch_J7BPwHNM5VKIJHr0iBtYcuEc5DO5xo5okKgoiZVShL8xPmIbbYUwa9oWhQ/s1600-h/feedbag.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyAE6FyD5B6aMyVMWC6ohrBBqUYYCP8Qi-OwMMsL4opSqgEAevZzzesgqteZzVvgRNX_FcwW4k-TvJcEcch_J7BPwHNM5VKIJHr0iBtYcuEc5DO5xo5okKgoiZVShL8xPmIbbYUwa9oWhQ/s320/feedbag.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267167636812986706" border="0" /></a><br />I won’t lie - these are pricey at $65 a pop, but think about it: Each “Feed Project Bag” sold provides one school year’s worth of meals for a child in need. Your $65 not only gets you a bag in return, but it gives a child the hope of an education and a regular meal.<br /><br />Sign me up.<br /><br />-JLB-Please send any questions, ideas, suggestions and other comments to helpchange101@gmail.com.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06226880572700834324noreply@blogger.com4