Earth Day Means Caring for the People of the Earth, too

Today is Earth Day. Along with caring for earth's natural resources, we need to care for the people of the earth. We Catholic and Orthodox Christians just completed Lent. During this time, we give things up and sacrifice pleasures in imitation of Jesus's sufferings. Just because we're in the Easter feasting mode, doesn't mean we should forget Lenten virtues.

The Bible enjoins us to sacrificial giving year-round. Sacrificial giving isn't just giving of our excess. It's giving till it hurts to help someone else. Like Lenten fasting--it's giving up FOR someone else. We should feel the burn. That's how we know it's genuine. This is just a little example.

I gave up buying coffee shop coffee. Actually, I've cut down on all coffee. I love it, but the caffeine makes me jittery. Then I'm not very nice. Also, Starbucks (et al) is expensive. I save that money to give for hungry kids. I think I can do without a luxury, so children can have necessities.

At mass on Ash Wednesday, Father preached about how feeling temptation was integral to our Lenten journey. This year, that came home to me in a very personal way. I've noticed that I struggle more with temptation, sin, depression, even despair during Lent. I think that temptation, to drink coffee or indulge, is part of what makes giving sacrificial and meaningful. Read on.  How Temptation Makes for Better Lenten Fasting, Sacrifice 

Giving to Panhandlers is Not Good Stewardship, It's Dangerous

I'm generous. I give to known organizations and many random causes. But I will not give to panhandlers for several reasons. We stopped in Grand Rapids, Michigan yesterday for a bite to eat.
A guy approached the car shouting, waving his arms and begging for money. He was wandering in the street disrupting traffic, accosting passers-by. We didn't give anything. But he kept following. I know we feel sorry for panhandlers. But giving them money is enabling and not good stewardship. It's also dangerous. Think hand up, not handout.   Panhandling Is Getting Out of Hand

Advent Almsgiving, Service Project for all Ideologies

If we're not careful Christmas ends up being more about receiving than giving, with adults as much as kids. It's not that kids are so selfish, it's that marketing campaigns target children and bombard them with images of thousands of 'must-have' toys, gadgets and goodies. Who can blame kids for wanting all that cool stuff? To say a child is selfish is to state an obvious, but not necessarily negative, fact of childhood. Being self-centered is how they learn to care for and protect themselves. But excessive selfishness is taught, not inherent. So do how do we teach empathy? By telling kids not to want things? Nope--shaming is unhealthy. It's also counterproductive. Better to teach positive, proactive sharing and caring.  Here's a printable advent almsgiving activity. And you don't have to be Catholic or Christian to observe advent virtues. I have friends in every faith group and ideology--Jewish, Muslim, Atheist, Buddhist, Wiccan, Bahai, Sikh, Hindu, animist--all practice similar acts of mercy and charity. This can activity can be used with children, no matter what their family creed. Advent Giving

Free Stone Soup Lesson Plans to Teach Sharing

When I was in kindergarten we did a classroom Thanksgiving activity that has stuck with me all my life. We made Friendship Soup, also called 'Stone Soup' (taken from the old legend retold by Marcia Brown). Perfect for schools, scout troops, church groups, day care and homeschool, making Friendship Soup or Stone Soup shows what wonderful things can happen when people share. Here are Stone Soup lesson plans to build community, develop awareness and teach social responsiveness. Friendship Soup and 'Stone Soup' Classroom Lesson Plan Activities for Thanksgiving 

Kids and social justice: How parents should teach awareness, develop empathy

Sensitivity training isn't just for adults. It has to begin in childhood. It's essential that parents teach awareness--especially of social justice issues like poverty--early and often. When teaching compassion and empathy, here are things to keep in mind.  Kids and social justice: How parents should teach awareness, develop empathy 

2012 Back to School Giveaway Events, School Festivals in Detroit

Charity begins in our own neighborhoods. Several organizations in Detroit understand this. They're hosting back-to-school events that give back to the community. According to the Detroit News, shoppers will spend an average $688 per child on back-to-school purchases. Several organizations in Detroit are hosting back-to-school giveaway events to help defray expenses for parents. Here's a list of school supplies giveaways and back-to-school festivals in downtown Detroit. 2012 Back-to-School Giveaway Events, School Festivals in Detroit 

Fair Trade Website Provides Food, Health, Literacy, Breast Cancer Support, Animal Rescue, Rain Forest Preservation, Veterans' Assistance

We've seen images of suffering: Japan and Haiti earthquake Darfur, Katrina, tsunami, economic oppression, refugees, war, deforestation, demilitarized, zones, oil spills. Children learn geography by war and disaster zones. Want to help? Here's how. Very few of us have the resources to make a huge difference. Nor can we leave our homes and families to provide physical help. Here are ways to help that cost nothing. How? With 7 clicks of your mouse each day. Be sure to check their breast cancer research and veterans' assistance site, too. Read more at  Fair Trade Website Provides Food, Health, Literacy, Animal Rescue, Rain Forest Preservation 

Parents Benefit Giving, Receiving Operation Christmas Child Shoe Boxes

Parents Benefit from Giving, Receiving Operation Christmas Child Shoe Boxes For some parents, the holidays represent more poverty and struggle. For others, it's a time to reach out and share. Here's how Operation Christmas Child helps parents in need and those with resources to share. Read more...

'One Warm Coat' Drive Begins

'One Warm Coat' Provides a Winter Necessity for Children, Adults For many families, winter poses especially serious financial problems. Added fuel costs, vehicle and home maintenance and other expenses drain a family's budget. Sometimes, the budget just won't stretch to cover winter clothing. Every winter, thousands suffer for want of a something that many take for granted: a warm winter coat. One Warm Coat is gearing up for the 2011-2012 winter season. Read more...

Good News from Haiti Updates One Year Later

Wednesday marked the one-year anniversary of the massive earthquake that rocked the island country of Haiti. Haiti was already the most impoverished nation in the western hemisphere when the devastating quake left 1.5 million people homeless. What progress has been made in clean up and relief efforts one year later? Read more...

Best Gifts to Fill Operation Christmas Child Boxes

Best Gifts to Fill Your Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child Box
Looking for a great Christmas giving opportunity? Operation Christmas Child is a charitable giving outreach ministry of Samaritan's Purse. Each year OCC ships thousands of boxes children around the world. Here's a list gift suggestions to fill your box.
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Best Toys and Gifts for Toy Drives and Toys for Tots

Best Toys to Donate for Toys for Tots and Giving Tree Childrens Christmas Gift Drive
One of my favorite parts of Christmas is choosing gifts for the Marines Toys for Tots drive and church missions Giving Tree childrens gifts. Sometimes it's difficult to know what kind of gift to choose. Here are some considerations to help.
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Make a School Supplies Kit for Children in Need

Back-to-School Shopping: Donate a School Supplies Kit for Those in Need
School supplies are pricey, but happily for most Americans, we live in a country where we can find great prices on back to school supplies. Not all nations enjoy free public education. How about making a back to school supplies kit for a child in need?
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Volunteer Ideas for College Majors and High School Volunteer Credit

Volunteer Ideas for Education Majors
Volunteer opportunities abound but the following volunteer programs allow education majors to obtain hands-on teaching practice. Read more for some great volunteer ideas! Read More

Hair, Fur and Feathers Donations for Gulf Oil Spill

Hair, Fur, Fleece, Feathers, Nylons Donations for BP Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill
The BP (British Petroleum) oil well explosion has been leaking oil into the Gulf of Mexico at a rate of 5,000-70,000 barrels per day. BP is using toxic Corexit to 'dissipate' the oil. Are there safe oil spill clean up methods? Yes. Hair, fur and nylons.
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NASCAR and Indy Cars Raise Relief Funds for Haitian Earthquake

Haiti Relief Fund Fueled by Motorsports Racing Community
NASCAR and Indy Car race teams, sponsors and fans are fueling Haiti relief fund raising efforts by joining forces with trustworthy charity organizations. At present, the motorsports community has donated over $2 million to Haiti relief organizations.
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Florida Foodies and Stage 84 Florida Unite to Help in Haiti

Florida Foodies Unite to Raise Money for Haiti Disaster Relief Fund
Throughout the state of Florida, restaurant owners, chefs, staff members, food purveyors and patrons are uniting to raise money and organize food drives for the Haiti Disaster Relief Fund.
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Haitian Earthquake Relief Update: 5 Great Charities to Donate to

Helping Haiti: Five Great Charities to Donate Through
The first earthquake in Haiti was bad enough. An estimated 200,000 dead and 1.5 million people homeless on this little nation broke the heart of the world. As of January 19th, 2010 a 6.1 aftershock only brought more pain.
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LGBT Cruises Donate Tens of Thousands for Haitian Earthquake Relief Funds

Historic LGBT Effort for Haiti
A historic LGBT effort for Haiti has been created by gay and lesbian cruise companies.
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Should We Donate to Haitian Earthquake 2010 Relief Efforts?

Does the 2010 Haitian Earthquake Merit Our Donations?
The Haitian earthquake of January 2010 comes at a time when many in the U.S. feel battered and bruised by the economic turmoil of the past year. Should we help Haiti now?
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