Posts Tagged ‘charity’

Givimo.com

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

It is difficult times.  Many non-profits managed their entire budgets from funding from big donors or from endowments and trusts.  Enter 2008 and 2009, the housing crisis, the bank failure debacle, the loss of market share by American auto makers, etc and you end up with endowments that had huge losses of income.  Further, even the most well invested around the globe suffered huge losses and could not give to charity the way they once did.  So keeping good things going and starting new grassroots organizations is the key to supporting charities.  Enter Givimo.com.

I got this email and decided to check them out:

About a month ago the team at Mindbox Studios launched Givimo.com. Givimo is a social-giving community that brings causes and activist together all over the web. We’re passionate about giving nonprofits tools to make fundraising easier, and empower generous givers to become activists for their favorite causes.

I need your help! You can help by simply signing up on Givimo.com (free), share the site with your friends, and tell nonprofits or causes you know about us. We’re meeting with the Fine Arts Fund- Cincinnati (they raise $15 million every year) and others next week and want to get 200 generous givers on the site by then to show them an already vibrant growing giving community. We have 55 givers right now and have raised just under $1k (with no marketing).

I’d also appreciate your feedback. Use the “feedback” tab on the left side of the site if you have ideas, questions, or experience any problems.

Here are just a few of the features built into Givimo.com:

Features for Givers

  • Facebook Connect (login or sign up using Facebook)
  • Recurring Giving
  • Save Multiple Giving Methods
  • Giving Reports (download CSV)
  • Save your favorite causes and campaigns
  • Become an activist for your favorite campaigns (fund raising using your social networks)

Features for Causes (personal or nonprofit)

  • Create and manage causes
  • Create and manage campaigns
  • Customize gift page
  • Goal setting
  • Local nonprofit directories (example: http://cincinnati.givimo.com)
  • Recurring giving
  • Giving reports
  • Share with Facebook and Twitter

Thank you for your help and joining the cause of making a more generous world using Givimo. We hope it make giving and fund raising easier for you.

I signed up myself, but haven’t really looked too hard.  I like the idea that you can easily raise money for your favorite start up charity ideas, like my pals’ charity, Feed a Friend.  They just got together and decided to feed the local homeless int heir neighborhood.  They could easily benefit from small amounts like $5 and $10 dollars.  What’s more, since it is all volunteers, everything will go directly to those in need.  As large charities are becoming less mobile and have less resources, smaller more nimble charities are filling the void left behind as these charities cut services.  A charitable group is trying to do the outreach that was cut by other groups in outreach to LGBT youth.

I think this is great.   Sign up and help them out.  Help them know that you care and help support a good idea.

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Posted in Arts & Culture, Cleveland, Technology and the internet | 2 Comments »

As the weather warms, things are heating up!

Tuesday, April 13th, 2010

Now that the snow has stopped falling (we hope) and everyone has started to look at their spring tasks, more events seem to be popping up on the calendar. Here are some that you should think about trying to squeeze into your schedule:

Wednesday, April 14

Cleveland Composts! 8:30 – 11 am  Trinity Commons, 2230 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115 A Zero Waste NEO Network Event

This looks to be another great event by E4S.  I have been so happy to have connected with Annabel and Victoria at E4S.  It was through these guys that I was able to hook up with all the contacts that I needed to make the Hospitality Headquarters reduce its waste to almost zero.  It should be fun, we will be hearing from people who are experts in this area: Nancy Hughes, Compost & Recycling Coordinator Cleveland Metroparks Zoo; Jessie Jacobson, Director of Premium Services Aramark – Quicken Loans Arena; Dave Pindel, LEED AP, Herschman Architects, Inc.; Denise Stoudenmire, The George Gund Foundation; Josh Steffen, Hershey Children`s Garden Manager-Cleveland Botanical Garden and Jill Ziegler, LEED AP, Program Manager, Sustainability Initiatives Forest City Enterprises, Inc. Many of these companies are already composting or are finishing their plans to implement a composting program. Cost is $25 for E4s members, $35 for non-members. Register online to pay by card or you can pay by check at the door.

West Side Coop Meeting- 6pm Gypsy Beans and Baking Company. If you have a vested interest in seeing a co op come to Cleveland’s west side, then you should come by and find out where the group is at these days in its plans.

If you have ever thought about volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, then come by their location for a volunteer orientation.  It is scheduled to run from 6-7  and is a prerequisite for volunteering with them.  You don’t have to commit now, but if you think you might want to help them out this summer, get your orientation out of the way now.

Thursday April 15

Now that the taxes are mailed, come to Shaker Sq-area Movers and Shakers at Sarava.  This new group will be meeting to network from 5-7:30 pm.  I was invited by my pal Rachel Downey of Studio Graphique, so it is sure to be a great mix of people.  Come by and meet some great folks!

Friday April 16

If you are interested in learning more about  80 green area businesses, then come to the Green Dream at the Beachwood Community Center, 23235 Fairmount Blvd. from 1-7 pm. Between 1 and 4 each attendee can bring up to 3 boxes of paper to be shredded, so get out your old receipts and bring them by. We exhibited here last year and it was great fun. We will only be spectators this year, but I can’t wait to see the Tesla Roadster that will be on display ans see who is new to the area.

If you do not know of Keller Williams, they are moving into the area like gang busters. They are celebrating the grand opening of their downtown office from 5:30-10 pm. Find them at 700 Johnson Court  and help celebrate this contributor to the local economy.

Then it is time again for the 78th St Experience.  This open house is in the former American Greetings Creative Studios building between W 78th and W 80th Streets (1300 W. 78th St to 1305 W. 80th St) I always enjoy this show.  There are always a ton of great pieces and plenty of good artwork at this show.  Check out their Facebook page to see who is being featured this quarter.  The event runs from 5-9 pm.

Saturday April 17

Art Cares Initiated by the Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA) in 2003, ArtCares is a collaboration between the CIA and the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland. Born out of the awareness of the devastating impact the AIDS epidemic has had on the world of art, and out of a consequent awareness that artists can contribute to the fight against HIV/AIDS, ArtCares celebrates contemporary art by providing opportunities to bid on original works in a variety of media, while enjoying wine and savories at an elegant reception. All proceeds from the event benefit the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland.

Tickets for this event are $50 per person, and $100 per VIP.  Please contact Rebecca Strong at the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland to order tickets. Call 216-621-0766 ext. 255, or email atrstrong@atfgc.org.  I have a few donated pieces up for sale here.  Last year the turnout was great and the art was phenomenal.  There were some incredible deals as well.  I had a hard time not going away with more that I donated.

Sunday April 18

Earth Fest: Earth Day event at the Zoo.  This is another great event.  You can see most of the zoo, visit the exhibits by 175 participants and have a great time.  I will be at the NEO Green Building  table in the afternoon, so stop by and say hello.  If you want to get in free, simply ride the shuttle from public square.  Last year, I got a ton of free stuff, too.  Granola bars from Whole Foods, shopping bags, CFL bulbs, and more.  I ran into so many friends that it was just one big party!  Come join the fun!

Tuesday, April 20th

E4S networking meeting at the Tasting Room of the Great Lakes Brewery.  This event is the Small Business Showcase and will feature start ups in the area that are worthy of watching.  Great Lakes beer, appetizers, great networking and a good program.  Never disappoints. 5:30-8:30 pm.

A Designer’s Footprint is a panel discussion of the creative industry and how it impacts consumer experiences in our city.  This event is at the CIA Aitkin Auditorium and starts at 6pm.  Come early to see a special viewing of the CIA Spring Design Show.  Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the event and will be followed by a meet up at the Greenhouse Tavern.  I know most of the panel, so I am sure it will be an informative and lively discussion.  Panelist include, Bill Doty of Doty & Miller, Dan Cuffaro of the CIA, Susie Frazier Miller an environmental artist, and Jonathan Sin-Jin Satayathum a designer ans sustainability director of the Greenhouse Tavern.

Wenesday April 21

GCA and TiE Ohio Portfolio Showcase. This event should be interesting.  I will be going to see the portfolios of local entrepreneurs and see what the local talent is working on.  I wrote about Sunflower Solutions and they are likely to be showing off their portable solar array.  The event is at the GCA offices-10550 Carnegie Avenue, at kicks off at 5pm.  Presentations will start at 5:45 and an open house will follow at 7pm.  Register here and join me for an interesting evening.

Thursday, April 22

Crain’s Cleveland Breakfast Series at the Doubletree downtown from 7:30-9:30 am.  This month will be a look at the Environmental Economy and Clean Water at a valuable asset.  This should prove to be another valuable topic!  Tickets are $35, register in advance.

Saturday and Sunday, April 23-25th

Synergy Fest is the weekend long sporting event at CSU.  Local area teams and athletes will compete and the Synergy Foundation will hone their skills for the upcoming Gay Games in 2014.  The inaugural SynergyFest will host individuals and teams in the following sports: Volleyball, Billiards, Tennis, Flag Football, Racquetball, and Squash.  Come for the fun and watch the sports, or if you like you can still sign up until the 16th.  Visit the Synergy Fest site for more details.

Saturday, April 24th

Come turn Compost! Last November a group of Cleveland Greenhouse Project members set up Compost Bins at the Trinity Community Garden at East 35th and Cedar.  Now we plan to turn and combine the bins and do a site clean-up in preparation for planting.  Rain or Shine! Bring rakes and shovels! Refreshments and education provided!

Then on Monday I will be on a panel for the Ohio Museums Association to discuss Going Green at museums.  As you can see the calendar is getting pretty stuffed, so sorry I haven’t had the time to post much.  In addition, I am planting a large garden (two in fact) in an effort to grow my own food.  Let me know if you are planning on going to one of these events, maybe we can meet up.  Also, be sure to become a fan of ours on Facebook to see daily posts of interesting articles and things I come across.

Great lakes Green Pages Fan Page

Great Lakes Design Collaborative Fan Page

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Posted in Arts & Culture, Cleveland, Green | 1 Comment »

TEDxCLE lawyer is not a bad word

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

Here is a list of addresses, emails and phone numbers that you can use to support SB157 and HB 427.

I have to preface these post with a shout out:  the images are from Kyle Roth, a local photographer who does beautiful work and who is a big champion of Cleveland, be sure to read his blog at North Coast Lifestyle and Epstein Design Partners.

The most moving and inspiring talk of the entire TEDxCLE event was Patrick Perotti, Esq. While normally the word lawyer makes people cringe, Mr Perotti and his firm, Dworken & Bernstein company actually are giving lawyers a good name. They founded a group called Lawyers Give Back.

This video explains their work better than I can, but I will give it a shot. Dworken & Bernstein settle class action law suits. If you have ever gotten one of those long papers in the mail, then you know that for a couple of bucks, it hardly seems worth the effort. Thus, many times that money gets left behind. Plaintiffs are not found, paperwork is not sent in, people move or pass away. So when the lawsuit is settled, usually only 20% is actually paid to the plaintiffs. Where does the rest go? Usually back to the company that was paying it out. If you think that doesn’t seem fair, then you are right. Dworken & Bernstein uses something called cy pres to take that left over money and use some or all of it to give to charity.  They do this not because they make any more money, but because it is the right thing to do.  In fact, they make less money, because a cy pres lawsuit takes more time and effort to settle for the same fees.  Checkout Patrick’s explanation:

In a time when there is less and less money to go around, why not get those corporations who are supposed to be paying, to pay their settlement to charity? It only makes sense, but many lawyers do not take the extra time and effort to do what is right. Corporations hate the idea of cy pres, because if money is left unclaimed, they can get it back. Knowing that, they will settle faster and for more money, knowing that most will come back to them. But watch this video to see why this is so important.

Want to know how you can help? One letter. One phone call. That is all it takes for you to express your support of the bills in the state legislature. Here is a sample letter. Here is a list of addresses, emails and phone numbers that you can use. The Senate bill is 157 and the House bill is 427. Surprising to me is sponsors of these bills come from both sides of the political aisle, because it is the right thing for people and for Ohio. 60 million dollars is left on the table in Ohio and $12 billion across the country, so let’s put that money to good use. Last year, $14 million dollars was donated to 34 charities. Find out where it went in the video:

What more needs to be said here? If you need more reasons to send your support to the state government, then go to You Tube and search cy pres and you will find some great charities that being helped by this money. If you want to know more check out Dworken & Bernstein.

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Posted in Arts & Culture, Cleveland | No Comments »

What are you wearing to the Prom-the girls side…

Friday, February 26th, 2010

My friend Rebecca is an avid believer in charity works.  This dress sale is the same as what she and her friends and family worked so hard to put on last year.  It’s in Youngstown and will benefit a local non-profit called the Silver Lining Cancer Fund.  They provide financial assistance to Youngstown area cancer patients.  Typically it’s $150/month, and you can use it toward fuel for your car or transport service for your appointment (especially if your insurance doesn’t cover transportation), meds that your insurance doesn’t cover, supplies, groceries, etc.  They’re incredible!

My dad lost his 6 year battle with cancer in April of 2008.  Chemotherapy, radiation and two heart attacks took their toll.  In 2006, my aunt found out about the Silver Lining Cancer Fund.  They’re a non-profit designed to provide financial assistance to Youngstown/Warren/Western PA cancer patients.  They were a huge source of support to our parents.  We asked that instead of flowers for his funeral, people make donations to Silver Lining in our dad’s memory.

To honor him, we decided to host a recycled formal wear sale and donate 100% of our proceeds to the Silver Lining Cancer Fund.  We called it “Dress for a Dream”, and we made $1500 in donations.  Due to the success of last year, we decided to do it again this year.

On Saturday, March 27th we’ll be hosting our 2nd annual formal wear sale to benefit the Silver Lining Cancer Fund from 10am-2pm at St. Dominic’s Parish Center on Southern Blvd. We’re currently accepting donations of prom dresses, bridesmaid dresses and cocktail/party/formal dresses (shoes, jewelry, and purses too!).  The dresses are being sold for $10 per dress ($20 for a wedding dress) with 100% of the proceeds going to the Silver Lining Cancer Fund. With the economic climate as scary as it is, we understand that some families may not be able to afford a luxury item such as a prom dress.

People can feel free to check us out on Facebook at:

2nd Annual Dress For a Dream Sale

Or follow us on Twitter:

@dressforadream

Or call/email us:

Rebecca Murray-Strong (for Cleveland/Akron donations)

216-496-8442

strong.rebecca3@gmail.com

Rachel Murray (for Youngstown/Warren/Western PA donations)

Murray.rachel@att.com

330-402-7173

Cathy Murray (for Youngstown/Warren/Western PA donations)

330-501-8447

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Posted in Arts & Culture, Cleveland | No Comments »

Artist’s can help the hungry…

Saturday, February 13th, 2010

Trinity Lakewood Community Outreach is a dynamic, diverse collaborative of engaged Northeast Ohio residents working towards a single goal: to provide nutritious food in a dignified, respectful and supportive environment to those neighbors in need in our community.

Our effort, based out of Trinity Lutheran Church, located at 16400 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood, takes many forms throughout the year: community gardening, nutritious hot meals, free produce distributions, live music, nutrition information, vegetarian meal options, groceries, books, and health screenings.

On Saturday March 20, 2010, we will be hosting Soul Food, a benefit for the local hunger relief efforts of Trinity Lakewood Community Outreach, at Local Girl Gallery in Lakewood.  The night will be highlighted by an auction of live auction with pieces donated by local artists and will include food, music, and a raffle.

We need your help.  As an artist in the community, would you be willing to create and/or donate a piece of your work?  We are asking that donated pieces incorporate the event theme of “food,” but we understand that you are busy and we are happy to accept anything you may have readily available.

Your donation entitles you and a guest to attend the Soul Food Benefit on Saturday, March 20, 6:30 – 10:00 p.m., at Local Girl Gallery (16106 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood).

We thank you in advance for your donation to the Soul Food event.  To learn more about our efforts or for benefit details please visit www.trinitylakewood.org, or contact thirdsat@gmail.com.

I found a couple fo things to donate to this sale.  I encourage all my fellow artists to support those less fortunate…..

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Posted in Arts & Culture, Cleveland | No Comments »

For Valentine’s Day give to your Big Brother or Big Sister

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

I got this email and wanted to pass it along.  Stop by and check them out.  While you are at it, be sure to make a donation to Big Brother/Big Sister-a great organization that truly helps kids grow.  At the same time, you can get that special shirt for that special someone….

Show some love!

MLangBigBrothersBigSisters[2]

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Feed your inner shopper and Feed a Friend.

Thursday, December 17th, 2009

n196926824666_6389 I wrote a couple of posts about my new friends and their plan to feed Ohio City homeless for Thanksgiving.  We had a great time and it was so nice to see some regular people pulling together to do what they can for those in need.From their facebook page:

Feed a Friend is a grassroots community outreach that is designed to remember and help our friends in need this Christmas holiday. As we prepare to spend time with our friends and family, we ask that you take time to remember those in our community who are not as fortunate. These are friends that many of us have yet to meet but they live in our community, on our streets and in our hearts. If you have it in your heart to help with your time or a donation of food or funds, please call Tracey Dillard at 216-210-9069.

A little more information…Tracey and Mischelle are putting together a plan to make and deliver Christmas care packages and dinner to the homeless in our community where they live on the street as opposed to providing meals within the shelter. If you are interested in helping or blogging about the effort, please contact Tracey or Mischelle directly and they’ll be thrilled to give you more information.

Donations from Starbucks and a couple of fruit/vegetable vendors from the West Side Market have already been secured but anything that you can do to help make as big of an impact as possible would be appreciated. Whether it’s helping with your time, food donation, suggesting friends that might be able to help, blogging about it, spreading the word through your status update, giving thoughts on places where the most impact might be made during this time frame, and/or thoughts on where this might be needed most, etc… every little bit you can do will go a long way.

We are looking for your Help with these items : Coats, Gloves, Scraves, Mittens, Blankets, Sleepingbags, Bookbags, Sweathers/Sweatshirts, Food and/or Funds.

WE TRULY APPRECIATE THAT ALL THE HELP AND SUPPORT FOR THANKSGIVING, IT WAS AMAZING!!!!!

Thank you in advance for your assistance with Christmas! Remember a little can go a long way!

So I know that you have an extra coat that you don’t need, an ugly Christmas sweater that you can get rid of without guilt, or a scarf that you are not wearing anymore. Why not collect all your unused clothing items and help these folks make the holidays a little bit nicer for those who will truly appreciate it. Ask your family and friends and see what they can spare. No extra clothes? What about a blanket, sleeping bag, or hand warmers. Even an old pillow can be a gift from heaven for someone living on the streets. Get some extra toothbrushes on sale? Deodorant? Soap? What we take for granted can be mean a lot to someone whose whole life fits in a bag-for that matter, a backpack can be a great gift for someone who keeps everything they own in one. Don’t worry, it will all go to a good cause. If there are leftovers, we know of several great churches and service agencies who can use any leftovers! Pick up a cheap scarf or an extra bar of soap for someone who needs it…stuff someone’s stocking with hope. Since Thanksgiving, they have also set up an email address and paypal account. You can send your words of encouragement to feedafriend@email.com and use that email address if you can spare a few dollars to help buy food for the Christmas dinner. This is a grassroots organization. All money raised will go directly to help Cleveland’s homeless. Let me share an email that I got after Thanksgiving:

We cooked and prepared food and care packages through the night and on Thanksgiving day all of the volunteers arrived at the house ready and eager to help. By noon, we hit the streets on the near west side where we found a lady going through a trash can near Fulton Park. We approached her and offered her a care package and hot coffee. She was completely caught off-guard but, at the same time, so grateful. At first, she wouldn’t make eye contact. She just kept her head down repeating “thank you, thank you!”. She finally looked up when we told her “Happy Thanksgiving”! The look of gratitude and appreciation on her face is one that we will never forget. Our spirits soared! We covered areas from the streets of the near west side to downtown Cleveland at the vents, where people sleep at night to stay warm. Everyone we encountered had the same reaction – surprise at first and then just complete gratitude. Many wanted to know if we were affiliated with some group or program. We just told them we wanted to do what we could to help a friend.

Wo while you are out pick up a spare stocking cap for that friend you haven’t met.

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Posted in Cleveland | No Comments »

The real meaning of Thanksgiving…

Thursday, November 26th, 2009

For most of us, Thanksgiving is about family and friends and stuffing ourselves silly, while planning out our Black Friday shopping sprees. But when you have no home, no food, and no one who cares, Thanksgiving is just one more day to try and keep out the cold. Luckily there are shelters, churches and missions out there for those less fortunate, and they take this day to try and give back. But I just spent an hour with some folks who are reaching out on their own.

I wrote about the Feed a Friend program. I call it a program, but it is just some folks who have big hearts. Familiar with the homeless in their neighborhood, they know many of them will not visit a shelter today. Rather than let them go without, they decided to do something. They got on the phone and made some calls. They started with friends and family. Then they called some stores and some vendors at the market. Next thing you know, they had a real meal going. The plan was to invite a couple of homeless people in to have a meal, but the outpouring of love and support was so great that they had to think bigger. Why not go to them?

I was so privileged to be asked to join them. I already had plans, but thought, “I can squeeze out an hour and a hlf.” I am so glad I did. I knocked on the door of my new friends Tracey and Mischelle at about 10am. I was so warmly greeted that you would have thought we were related. On the stove was a beautifully prepared turkey. At the table were family, prepping containers for the holiday meal. We were joined by more volunteers. Young kids diligently carved the turkey while the adults ladled gravy over dressing and scooped up cranberry sauce and veggies-all prepared by friends out of the goodness of their hearts. I was given the easy task of doling things into the 25 reusable shopping bags. I meted out toiletries like soap, mouthwash, shampoo, disposable washcloths, napkins, and cleanser. Then came apples, bottled water, snack packs and the like. We even raided the fridge and cupboard for more fruit and granola bars. When I left they were brewing the coffee donated by a local Starbuck’s and wrapping the dinners in foil. More people were arriving as I pulled away-ready to chip in help with the deliveries. The outpouring of love and support was simply amazing! They even had enough food to do a follow up run on Saturday with sandwiches and soup.

The response to this idea was so overwhelming, that these gals decided to see how much more they could do. They are planning now for a Christmas dinner. They want to start a coat and clothing drive. Now when you live under a bridge, you may only have the clothes on your back. They are gladly going to start taking in donations of clean usable coats, hats, blankets, gloves and the like for these neighbors without an address.

How can you help? Got an old warm coat? How about a pair of gloves? When you pass those cheap scarves at Marc’s, why not pick up one for someone less fortunate. If you live in or around Ohio City, then you are directly helping out your secret neighbors. Why not ask your favorite retailer if they have anything? Stores often have rolls of toilet tissue or paper towels that arrive in broken packaging. What about dented cans? Most retailers are going to be closed on Christmas, so ask them if they would be willing to donate their left over bakery items on Christmas eve? These are tough economic times, as we all know, so why not try a do one small thing to help someone else? If everyone that reads this blog post were to give one loaf of bread, think of how many people would be fed. You don’t have to be a saint. You just have to be human and reach out. Who knows how much can happen.

Feed a Friend is a grassroots community outreach that is designed to remember and help our friends in need this holiday season. As we prepare to spend time with our friends and family, we ask that you take time to remember those in our community who are not as fortunate. These are friends that many of us have yet to meet but they live in our community, on our streets and in our hearts. If you have it in your heart to help with your time or a donation of food or funds, please call Tracey Dillard at 216-210-9069.

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Posted in Cleveland | No Comments »

Give thanks and Feed a Friend…

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

TurkeysetAs we prepare for the biggest feasting day of the year in America, it is easy to forgot about those who are less fortunate than us. While we think about how tough this year has been for us, with the recession, unemployment, rising energy costs, and other worries, the truth is that if you are reading this you have a roof over your head, a computer, and internet access. Around the corner from you may be a homeless person who has little more than the clothes on their back, so count your blessings and give thanks…

One person has decided to do something to help. Tracey Dillard thought to herself that many homeless could use a little helping hand. She realized that between lattes and cigarettes she was spending a couple of hundred dollars a month. What could that do for those less fortunate? So she and her partner called some friends, called some shops, and got some help. Now on Thanksgiving, she and a handful of volunteers are making a Thanksgiving dinner and making care packages for those homeless she knows could use a hot meal. In the planning, she realized that we may get snow on Thanksgiving. The one thing worse than being hungry is being cold and hungry. In addition to the meal, she is gathering donations of blankets, hats, gloves, and the like. So far she has some local business on board…Starbuck’s is providing coffee & some West Side Market vendors are offering up some fruit.

This is a grassroots campaign. That means that every little bit can help. More importantly, when we help out one on one, we can have a big impact on the lives of people right here at home. When you can see the appreciation of the man that lives under the bridge or in that alley, you can know that a real difference has been made. So what can you do? If you can donate food, drink, or time on Thanksgiving, they will gladly take any of the above. The plan so far is to work from about 11-2, so you don’t have to commit to the whole day. Can’t make it, don’t worry, there will be more opportunities to make a difference. Haven’t done all your grocery shopping? Pick up a few extra cans of corn. Going out shopping on Black Friday? Pick up an extra pair of gloves or a stocking cap. Next time you are buying toiletries, buy a few bucks worth of travel size stuff. Ask your favorite retailer or restaurateur if they have something they could donate. When you are homeless, a toothbrush or deodorant can be a real treat. Remember that this is a grassroots movement, so if you know others that can help, let them know! Thanksgiving is only a couple of days away, but Tracey and company are already planning a coat and blanket drive, as well as a Christmas meal.

Feed a Friend is a grassroots community outreach that is designed to remember and help our friends in need this Thanksgiving. As we prepare to spend time with our friends and family, we ask that you take time to remember those in our community who are not as fortunate. These are friends that many of us have yet to meet but they live in our community, on our streets and in our hearts. If you have it in your heart to help with your time or a donation of food or funds, please call Tracey Dillard at 216-210-9069.

Please think about how you can help this holiday season to make those who do not even have a home, have at least a hot meal. With this economic downturn, many more people are need of help than ever before. At the same time, services are being depleted of funds, and less donations are coming in. Give thanks for what you have, and think about what you can do for someone else.

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Posted in Arts & Culture, Cleveland | 1 Comment »

MVK

Tuesday, July 7th, 2009

So Michelle V over at Cleveland Foodie wrote this post. I stole it from her. Blatantly! No rewrite, just copy and paste…but somehow I don’t think that she will mind!

This has nothing to do with food, but everything to do with Cleveland. Jamie and I are both on the board of Most Valuable Kids (MVK), a group that provides underserved children throughout Cleveland the chance to see LeBron dunk, Grady homer (when healthy), Joshua Cribbs do just about everything and see the inside of the beautiful and magnificent Allen Theater or Cleveland Orchestra.
MVK takes unused tickets to any sporting or entertainment event and gives them to local kids so they can experience what many of us take for granted. Often for the very first time.

Think about it – how often do you decide to pass on the Tribe game or let the weekend orchestra tickets go unused? Same with season tickets where you work? This is such an easy way for people to help those less fortunate and it doesn’t cost a dime, which is something we can all appreciate during the current state of things.

So please help us spread the word. We have a lot of children waiting to go to a game, a play or the museum – we just need tickets! If you have tickets, or your company does, please visit the site and learn how to donate. It’s ridiculously easy and you’ll be responsible for some very big smiles throughout our city. Thank you.

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Posted in Arts & Culture, Cleveland | 4 Comments »