Thursday, November 09, 2006

Ways to Help even while less abled

Every once in a while I like to list links and info on ways to help. I am no longer able to volunteer at more active things, but I am blessed that there are many sedentary ways to feed my need to contribute a little bit to the larger world out there. I'm certain most of you will be familiar with some of the links I list today, but, hopefully, there will be one or two new ways you can help if you wish.
One thing I do every day is visit and click on a series of linked sites, where my caring enough to click means they earn benefits for folks who need some extra help. I usually start with THE HUNGER SITE which in turn links to the Breast Cancer Site, the Child Health Site, the Literacy Site, the Rainforest Site and the Animal Rescue Site. I have it set as one of the tabs on my Firefox home page and its easy to start my day with that as I take my first sips of coffee. Its also a rockin' place to buy Yule gifts.

If you want to help in a patriotic way without beoming embroiled in politics you could become involved with OPERATION MILITARY SUPPORT There are a number of ways to help listed on the website, including requesting the name and address of a soldier who doesn't receive much if any mail from home. Their primary purpose is listed as " To give our thanks for the great job our military is doing. To give every military man or woman support.To let our military have positive feedback from home. To show our appreciation for what they are doing."

I learned recently about a program called AFGHANS FOR AFGHANS. The deadline for the current shipment has just passed, but there are other ways to help on the website. They send hand knit and crocheted blankets, sweaters, hats, mittens, socks, vests, slippers and other items to charitable groups who distribute them to children, mothers and other folks who need them in Afghanistan. The next shipment is projected to be in February or March. The site has some wonderful guidelines on what to make, and feedback from people who have received the items. One of the things I (selfishly) like best is they PREFER natural fiber items. Many of the state-side charities ask for acrylic and other fake washable fibers to be used, which my choosy fingers find yucky to knit.

Another program I learned of this past week is the RED SCARF PROJECT for the ORPHAN FOUNDATION OF AMERICA Even if you don't knit or crochet, the care package program woudl be easy and fun to become involved in.


Hopefully, even if these projects don't inspire, you will keep your ears open or actively seek out ways to lend a hand whether it be globally, nationally, locally or just helping out someone down the street with something. Those of use who are disabled gain so much by helping out. It makes me feel like less of a lump, like I can still be an active force in my world. It makes me think less often of what I can't do and more of what I can. What a win win situation!
So, I'm off to find some red yarn :-}







2 comments:

Ysabeau said...

I do the same thing with the linked sites, but I start with the Animal site, and work my way around. I get a reminder every weekday because I signed up for it, but I don't get them on the weekends, so I save Friday's to remind me until Monday. I'll check out the other groups you mentioned, but my personal favorite is Friends of Pine Ridge Reservation (Native American reservation where Wounded Knee happened). There are about 40,000 people living there, they have drives for things that are badly needed, like books, or Yule gifts for kids, or slippers, laprobes for seniors. I try to send something out pretty often, in fact I just picked up some gloves on sale at the store, to keep some hands warm. I agree, it makes me feel like a less useless person to try to help... last Winter, I made small flannel blankets for naptime at the school. B*B, Ysabeau

Diana Troldahl said...

Also a great organization! I;ve sent a quilting frame, and two covers (and I think some quilting material, but I don;t remember) to them. Here's their site!
Friends Of Pine Ridge
http://www.friendsofpineridgereservation.org/