The Gentle Barn
Our friend Dana led us to this wonderful organization. The Gentle Barn rescues, rehabilitates, and gives sanctuary to abused animals. But then they don't stop there. They combine that with working with
children from the inner-city, group homes, mental health care facilities,
foster homes, and schools to interact with the rescued animals so that both can heal and teach each other. How marvelous a thing that is!
Friday, November 30, 2012
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Day 5
PBS
Do you remember the book All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten by Robert Fulghum? Well, I think he got it wrong. I would have called it All I Really Need to Know I Learned from Watching PBS ;-)
I was watching Charlie Rose last night and he was interviewing Justice Antonin Scalia. At one point they were talking about textualism and originalism - 2 subjects that I never gave thought to before. But to my surprise I was really intrigued with the conversation and found myself so drawn in to it that I actually contemplated buying Justice Scalia's new book to learn more. If Charlie Rose was the only show on TV, all the time, every channel, I'd be okay with that :-)
Anyway, all of this made me think about how much PBS has been such a valuable part of my life all these years. It's something that most of us probably take for granted. I grew up watching Sesame Street, The Electric Company, 3-2-1 Contact, Marty Stouffer's Wild America, The Joy of Painting, and Nature (to name a few). As I reflect on it now, all of these shows made a significant impact on me and I truly believe have shaped me in to the person I am today. And it hasn't stopped as I continue to enjoy what PBS has to offer as an adult.
So on this day of giving I am taking the time to celebrate PBS and to give back. PBS is a resource that needs to continue for every generation. Thank you PBS!
Do you remember the book All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten by Robert Fulghum? Well, I think he got it wrong. I would have called it All I Really Need to Know I Learned from Watching PBS ;-)
I was watching Charlie Rose last night and he was interviewing Justice Antonin Scalia. At one point they were talking about textualism and originalism - 2 subjects that I never gave thought to before. But to my surprise I was really intrigued with the conversation and found myself so drawn in to it that I actually contemplated buying Justice Scalia's new book to learn more. If Charlie Rose was the only show on TV, all the time, every channel, I'd be okay with that :-)
Anyway, all of this made me think about how much PBS has been such a valuable part of my life all these years. It's something that most of us probably take for granted. I grew up watching Sesame Street, The Electric Company, 3-2-1 Contact, Marty Stouffer's Wild America, The Joy of Painting, and Nature (to name a few). As I reflect on it now, all of these shows made a significant impact on me and I truly believe have shaped me in to the person I am today. And it hasn't stopped as I continue to enjoy what PBS has to offer as an adult.
So on this day of giving I am taking the time to celebrate PBS and to give back. PBS is a resource that needs to continue for every generation. Thank you PBS!
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Day 4
Samahope
We came across Samahope in a recent Indiegogo campaign:
We're building a site called Samahope that uses the power of the web to fund life-saving surgeries and health interventions in poor parts of the world.
You can read more about how they operate on their Web site. We simply love the idea of using "the power of the web" to Give Life. Organizations like Samahope are leading the way in building a model for sustainable giving in a connected world.
We came across Samahope in a recent Indiegogo campaign:
We're building a site called Samahope that uses the power of the web to fund life-saving surgeries and health interventions in poor parts of the world.
You can read more about how they operate on their Web site. We simply love the idea of using "the power of the web" to Give Life. Organizations like Samahope are leading the way in building a model for sustainable giving in a connected world.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Day 3
New York Philharmonic Education Fund
Having just returned from another wonderful evening with the New York Philharmonic (Mendelssohn, Shostakovich, and Dvořák's New World Symphony), I thought it would be appropriate to dedicate day 3 to the New York Philharmonic. It also just so happens that they have a specific program that covers something very near and dear to my heart - music education :-)
In the words of one of the great music directors of the New York Philharmonic, Leonard Bernstein:
The joy of music should never be interrupted by a commercial.
Happy Giving Tuesday everyone!
Having just returned from another wonderful evening with the New York Philharmonic (Mendelssohn, Shostakovich, and Dvořák's New World Symphony), I thought it would be appropriate to dedicate day 3 to the New York Philharmonic. It also just so happens that they have a specific program that covers something very near and dear to my heart - music education :-)
In the words of one of the great music directors of the New York Philharmonic, Leonard Bernstein:
The joy of music should never be interrupted by a commercial.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Day 2
Kids in Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.)
We discovered K.I.D.S. when researching ways to help out during Hurricane Sandy. They led numerous efforts to bring much needed supplies to those children impacted by the storm by partnering with several organizations. You can see some great pictures of this on their Web site.
They also have a 10 to 1 system of matching $10 worth of product for every $1 donated. So that means a $10 donation will provide $100 worth of brand new merchandise to victims in need!
We discovered K.I.D.S. when researching ways to help out during Hurricane Sandy. They led numerous efforts to bring much needed supplies to those children impacted by the storm by partnering with several organizations. You can see some great pictures of this on their Web site.
They also have a 10 to 1 system of matching $10 worth of product for every $1 donated. So that means a $10 donation will provide $100 worth of brand new merchandise to victims in need!
Sunday, November 25, 2012
37 days of giving
With 37 days until the end of the year (counting today), we are embarking on a group journey of discovery and giving. Each day we will be highlighting a different charity and we will be blogging about our discovery daily.
If anyone would like to share this journey with us we are always happy for help. In fact what we would be grateful for are suggestions. So just leave a suggestion in the comments below. We can't promise we'll be able to get to every suggestion but if we do select your choice of a charity then the donation for that day will be made in your honor.
Let's start with day 1 - Oxfam America Unwrapped: Gifts That Give Back
What do you think? A goat, a pig, a cow, or a sheep?
If anyone would like to share this journey with us we are always happy for help. In fact what we would be grateful for are suggestions. So just leave a suggestion in the comments below. We can't promise we'll be able to get to every suggestion but if we do select your choice of a charity then the donation for that day will be made in your honor.
Let's start with day 1 - Oxfam America Unwrapped: Gifts That Give Back
What do you think? A goat, a pig, a cow, or a sheep?
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Happy Thanksgiving!
The impersonal hand of government can never replace the helping hand of a neighbor.
- Hubert H. Humphrey
http://www.myfoxny.com/story/20161996/village-to-96-year-old-man-residents-clean-up-debris
"But despite everything that's happened, Picucci is very thankful for one thing: the support of his neighbors who have helped him get by. He said he never knew people could be so nice."
- Hubert H. Humphrey
http://www.myfoxny.com/story/20161996/village-to-96-year-old-man-residents-clean-up-debris
"But despite everything that's happened, Picucci is very thankful for one thing: the support of his neighbors who have helped him get by. He said he never knew people could be so nice."
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Perseverance
As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.
- John Fitzgerald Kennedy
On this Veterans Day we give thanks and express remembrance. One thing our veterans have taught us and bestowed on our American spirit is perseverance. For everyone out there who has given of themselves in support of Hurricane Sandy relief, please continue to persevere.
This weekend I witnessed many acts of humanity and kindness. In the spirit of Kennedy's words and in the spirit of all of the sacrifices our veterans have made for our country, the people who have performed these acts give hope and inspiration to all of us. They are true heroes and are fulfilling the legacy of everything that our veterans fought for.
Thank you America.
- John Fitzgerald Kennedy
On this Veterans Day we give thanks and express remembrance. One thing our veterans have taught us and bestowed on our American spirit is perseverance. For everyone out there who has given of themselves in support of Hurricane Sandy relief, please continue to persevere.
This weekend I witnessed many acts of humanity and kindness. In the spirit of Kennedy's words and in the spirit of all of the sacrifices our veterans have made for our country, the people who have performed these acts give hope and inspiration to all of us. They are true heroes and are fulfilling the legacy of everything that our veterans fought for.
Thank you America.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Hurricane Sandy
Many of you have recently been asking us the following:
If anyone has other ideas about what can be done, please feel free to share those in the comments below!
Finally, despite the recent events I thought Random Acts of Kindness month actually went very well. At least for me personally I can say that I am much more aware of my surroundings and I pay more attention to those small moments that can lead to new beginnings. And based on what I've heard from many of you it seems like collectively we really made a difference this month - something that I am glad to have been a part of. Indeed something that will stay with me and make me continue with #randomactofkindness :-)
So did anyone greet me with a hello or good morning? No, but to be honest I am not surprised (having worked in NYC for many years). Going in to this I had thought of 2 options: either continue and see if anyone does greet me, or at the end of the month simply give it away very randomly. Before the hurricane hit I was leaning towards the latter. Having been confined to my house for the past week I was unable to accomplish this in time for the end of October. But in a way now I'm almost glad (not for the circumstances but for the new opportunity) as I will now endeavor to reach someone impacted by the hurricane.
- How can we help with the relief efforts?
- What happened with your $500 random act of kindness?
If anyone has other ideas about what can be done, please feel free to share those in the comments below!
Finally, despite the recent events I thought Random Acts of Kindness month actually went very well. At least for me personally I can say that I am much more aware of my surroundings and I pay more attention to those small moments that can lead to new beginnings. And based on what I've heard from many of you it seems like collectively we really made a difference this month - something that I am glad to have been a part of. Indeed something that will stay with me and make me continue with #randomactofkindness :-)
So did anyone greet me with a hello or good morning? No, but to be honest I am not surprised (having worked in NYC for many years). Going in to this I had thought of 2 options: either continue and see if anyone does greet me, or at the end of the month simply give it away very randomly. Before the hurricane hit I was leaning towards the latter. Having been confined to my house for the past week I was unable to accomplish this in time for the end of October. But in a way now I'm almost glad (not for the circumstances but for the new opportunity) as I will now endeavor to reach someone impacted by the hurricane.
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