Everything And Nothing

Recycle cards year-round through St. Jude's Ranch

Instead of throwing out old greeting cards, send them to St. Jude's Ranch for Children, an organization that cares for children who have been neglected, abandoned or abused. They have been collecting the cards for more than 30 years. The kids reattach the front of the card to a new card that is then sold in retail establishments to benefit the home. The kids learn work skills and are paid a salary for their efforts.

Here are some important points to remember, though, according to Hints from Heloise:

• They accept cards yearround.
• They need all types of greeting cards (thank-you cards, birthday cards, holiday cards, all-occasion cards, Easter cards, etc.)
• Only the front of a card is used. Please make sure there is no writing on the card.
• Hallmark, Disney, and American Greetings cards cannot be accepted.
• Sizes of 5 inches by 7 inches and smaller are best.

Mail the card fronts to  St. Jude Ranch for Children, Recycled Card Program, 100 St. Jude's St., Boulder City, Nev. 89005. You can also reach them at 1-877-977-SJRC.

Oxford climber tackles Kiliminjaro for Angel Ranch fundraiser

 
Photo via Oxford Eagle

Janice Carr walked for six days up Africa's tallest mountain, Kiliminjaro, to help raise funds for Angel Ranch, an emergency shelter for the victims of child abuse and neglect.

Carr trained for more than a year for the trip, walking back and forth from Abbeville to Oxford, even during the hottest of days this summer. She asked people to pledge a donation to Angel Ranch if she made it to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.

She returned home on Sept. 28 and hopes all will make good on their promises (and is hoping to attract a few more too). You can make a donation via PayPal here or make checks payable to Angel Ranch (note in the memo, “Mt. Kilimanjaro”) and mail to PO Box 120, Oxford, MS 38655. All donations are tax deductible, 100% of which go to Angel Ranch.

CitizenGulf National Day of Action set for Aug. 25

On Aug. 25 (in alignment with the fifth anniversary of Katrina), the Citizen Effect has slated a national day of action to help raise funds for educational programs designed to help fishing families impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf Coast. Citizen Effect, together with several support partners and volunteers, is organizing several online and local event fundraising efforts across the U.S.

Catholic Charities of New Orleans is the beneficiary of all CitizenGulf National Day of Action donations. Citizen Effect will send 100% of donations, less credit card fees, directly to Catholic Charities to support education programs for fishing families

What You Can Do To Help

1. Attend Or Host Local Events Around the United States.

With the help of local chapters of the Social Media Club, members are volunteering to organize New Orleans-themed events with live jazz, blues, or Zydeco music along with speakers who will talk about the environmental consequences in the Gulf. Event hosts are asked to suggest a $10 donation as a cover charge, which will be donated to directly benefit fishing families. (To organize an event, sign up here.)

2. Donate Direct To Citizen Effect CitizenGulf.

Citizen Effect has created a donation page, with a goal to raise at least $10,000 by Aug. 25. These funds, which will also be donated to Catholic Charities of New Orleans to help fund educational programs and provide hope for the future, will directly touch more than 10,000 lives.

3. Vote For Gulf Coast Solutions On Pepsi Refresh.

Currently, the Pepsi Refresh Project is committing an additional $1.3 million toward ideas that specifically benefit the Gulf Coast. These ideas will be open for voting on Aug. 2. Votes will be tallied through Aug. 31. Please vote for the Gulf Coast Benefit.

4. Write A Post Or Tweet About The Event.

Another way to help generate awareness for this event or the dozens of local events taking place across the country is to write a post, share a tweet, and tell your friends. Together, we can help fishing families that have lost businesses that have been around for generations find new opportunities through education, good will, and support. (Hashtag is #citizengulf.)

Sign up as a blogger or participate in other ways to help families and wildlife impacted by the BP oil spill on the Gulf Coast. Join the CitizenGulf National Day of Action on August 25, 2010!

[ via bloggersunite.org ]
 

Mardi Gras for a Cause

Hal and Mal's will host a fundraiser on Feb. 24 to help pay medical bills for Austin Clark, a 5-year-old Florence boy with autism. Mardi Gras for a Cause, which requires a $10 donation, will feature a silent auction and live music from Jackson band Cool Papa Bell.

The auction will begin at 5 p.m. with the performance to follow at 8 p.m. Austin's mom, Ruth Carter, is hoping the event will raise about $3,000 to take Austin to specialists in Florida for treatment. (The treatments costs between $6,000 and $10,000.)

Donations can also be made to the For Benefit of Austin Carter charitable fund at any Regions Bank.

[ via Chris Liuzza, Rankin Ledger ]

Pearl police, fire departments host toy drive

The Pearl Police and Fire departments have organized a holiday toy and supplies drive to help the Center for Violence Prevention.

Drop boxes are set up at the city's four fire stations, which will be taking donations until Dec. 10. People should bring a new, unopened toy.

[ via The Rankin Ledger ]

United Way asks for Soap for Hope

The United Way of the Capital Area is launching a Soap for Hope drive for personal care items.

The drive starts today and ends Nov. 14.

Donation drop-off bins are located at area stores and businesses and at the United Way building, 843 N. President St. in downtown Jackson.

For a list of other donation sites and more information, visit www.myunitedway.com.

Put a cork in it

According to Real Simple magazine, you can turn your used wine corks into flooring and wall tiles by sending them to Wine Cork Recycling, Yemm & Hart, Ltd., 610 South Chamber Drive, Fredericktown, MO 63645.

You can also put them in a compost bin. They are natural and thus biodegradable. (But only cork ones - plastic corks can't be composted or recycled.)

Eat for a good cause

This week - Sept. 21-28 - you have an official excuse to eat out (not that I've ever needed one). Part of your tab may help a hungry child!

Share Our Strength has organized restaurants nationwide to donate a portion of sales to its cause - working to end childhood hunger. (Every day, more than 12.6 million U.S. kids are at risk of going hungry.)

The Great American Dine Out is supported by restaurants from national chains to locally owned fine dining establishments. Joe's Crab Shack is selling a special $10 T-shirt, and a percentage of proceeds will be donated.

To find participating restaurants in your area, visit www.greatamericandineout.org and enter your zip code.

Oct. 15 is Blog Action Day

On October 15, the second Blog Action Day will take place. 

Blog Action Day is an annual nonprofit event that aims to unite the world’s bloggers, podcasters and videocasters, to post about the same issue on the same day. Our aim is to raise awareness and trigger a global discussion.

Last year, the Blog Action Day theme was the environment. This year the focus will be on poverty.

He likes pina coladas and getting caught in the rain...

I have a friend, William Boren, who is participating in Dates for Leukemia. He's got a great personality - but I'm including a photo just so you can see that he's quite handsome too. (Because that's just the kind of girl I am. In fact, if you want more pictures, here's a bunch I took.) 

He has several packages up for bid that night and there are brief descriptions of them below.

The Party Barge package will be great fun - even if you don't need a date. Pool resources with friends or co-workers and bid together! It will be a great time for a good cause.

Please send this link to all of your friends and mark your calendars for Thursday, July 24. Dates for Leukemia will be held from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. at the Capital Club in Jackson. Tickets are $35 in advance or $45 at the door. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Jamie Woods at (601) 954-1717 or Tammy Bouchillon at (601) 573-4181.

Date 1: Party Barge

You and 46 of your best friends will be cruising on the  Friendship Barge 2 across the Ross Barnett reservoir. It  will be a 4 hour cruise with a live DJ, Ricky Romines, mixing the music along with catering by Buffalo Wild Wings  and Soulshine Pizza. There will be three kegs of ice cold beer provided by Southern Beverage Company. Security will be provided for your safety by David Stewart. No one will have to drive home intoxicated because Deluxe Cab Company and Shuckers shuttle service will be providing rides for couples up to a 25 mile radius. The door prizes will consist of $900 of value, including a spa package from the Imperial Palace in Biloxi (a one-night stay at a Jacuzzi suite, dinner for two at Fusion Asian Restaurant, a $100 voucher for the spa, and breakfast the next morning). Other door prizes include a one-month membership to Snap Fitness along with a session with a personal trainer and a one year’s supply of pizza from Little Caesar’s.

The first package is valued at $3,500.

Date 2: Casual Spa Date

You will start your morning with a fresh fruit bouquet from Edible Arrangements to be delivered at your convenience. Then you will be off to enjoy a massage, pedicure, and manicure at Be Knot Free in Ridgeland. After you are done with this, Sarah Matthews has donated a $120 gift certificate towards any services that you would like. Then you and a friend can use a $25 gift certificate for a healthy, light lunch at Beagle Bagel. Then rest up to get ready for your date - you will head to Lakeshore Pointe Clubhouse for a one hour couple’s massage with two of Jackson’s most seasoned massage therapists. Next, you will have wine on the deck overlooking the Ross Barnet Reservoir as Chef Eric Bach, owner of The Strawberry Café in Madison, prepares to entertain and enlighten you both with a four-course cooking class. The a la carte menu is guaranteed to be fresh and delicious and is compliments of The Strawberry Café and Paula’s Seafood. After dinner you are invited to go on a night cruise across the reservoir. Then when it is time to say good night, the Night Riders will take you and your car home safely.

This package also includes one personal class for you and four of your best friends at the Pilates studio in Old Canton Mart, a $60 gift certificate donated by Virginia Martella at Girl Friends Salon in Highland Village, a $40 gift certificate from Best of Health at Highland Village, and a $35 gift certificate from T&E Quality Mobile Car Wash and Pressure Washing by Tony Hickman.

The second package is valued at $2,000.