charity

‘Tis the Season…

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Its that time of year again, the time of spending money and excess and giving to those you care about. And I wish I had the money to buy everything I wanted to buy for my loved ones but I don’t. I know where it is going and I wish I could hold onto it all but I just can’t. In truth my money is going mostly to my personal trainer and trying to eat healthier. But nevermind on that, thats not what this post is about…

I have been trying to come up with ideas on gifts for this Christmas that aren’t going to cost me a whole lot and yet have more feelings and emotions behind it. From making something from scratch or buying something that means more then just another object in the house.

Now, this brings me to my nephew – I don’t know what I can really make him. I think a NASCAR pillow which all I need is the fabric, I have the pillow form already so that is one thing down. But as his Godmother and not being an overly religious person, I find that as a guiding force in his life that I want to impress upon him not religious or spiritual values so much as other ideas and thoughts as well as the value of learning. Which he does get from his parents but I can’t think of any other reason why my brother would want me as my nephews Godmother. He could of chosen my mom or someone else. But he chose me for a reason. So each year I make sure that my nephew gets certain items from me – books, educational toys, etc.

And this year I want to step it up a notch. He will be turning 5 on New Years Day and I want to start teaching him about the endangered species of the world and environmentalism. I was around his age when I started to notice the damage we humans do to the world around us and wanted to do something to change it. And I know my brother and sister-in-law are teaching him about recycling et al. So, what can I do? Well, this year his big present is going to be an adoption… a Wildlife Adoption. Now, I just have to figure out which animal and which level to adopt the animal at. Which is definatly not easy. And of course I am worried how he will take it. I mean its not a racecar or some crazy new fangled toy.

I am thinking then, maybe what I can do to make him understand a little more is to adopt an animal for each member of my family. Instead of a ton of little presents like I normally do I will adopt an animal for his mom and dad as well. And for both of my parents. Then I thought about it and it seems to be a good way to go. And not just for bringing more of something special to my nephew but its something that can be done and its not an excess. Its money I am spending to make the world a better place and not just giving things just to give something. So, what other ways can we give a present and have it mean more then just hey I saw this in a store and thought you might like it. Also, it may take a few bucks away or some time but buying something for someone you don’t know is a gift to yourself.

But here is a guide – Holiday Donations. I know I’m not the first person to think of this and I won’t be the last. I have wanted to do it in years past but I always let them buying of gifts outweigh the charity I wanted to do. This year, I can’t and don’t want to. I don’t know, maybe it will make a difference.

Wrockstock 2008

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While I have yet to be able to make a Wrockstock event, I can tell you – I wish I could. I just don’t have the time or the finances to go to one yet. But from what it sounded like last year – it was a complete and utter blast. The lady who is organizing the event is one heck of a lady. So if you love Harry Potter, Wrock Music (wizard rock), raising funds for charity  and like to meet just a few HP fans out in the woods, I say check it out. Main Website – Wrockstock 2008.

If you want to check out and find out more about the Wrock Movement go here: http://www.wizrocklopedia.com/

The Cradle Project Auction

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The Cradle Project is a local event to help raise awareness and funds for the children of Africa. From their website:

In Spring of 2008 one thousand cradles and cribs made by artisans from around the world will fill an abandoned warehouse in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  We call this vision The Cradle Project. 

The Cradle Project is a fundraising art installation designed to represent the plight of the estimated 48 million children who have been orphaned by disease and poverty in sub-Saharan Africa.

Our Mission is to promote awareness and raise financial support to help feed, shelter, and educate these children.

The Cradle Project’s vision is to utilize the symbolism of empty cradles and falling sand to represent the lost potential of these orphaned children.  Our goal is to amass a minimum of 1,000 cradles, all made out of scrap material.  We believe that if we can see enough potential in a piece of scrap to make a structure which cradles a child, why can we not see that much potential in our world’s forgotten children.  Empty cradles speak for themselves.  Juxtaposed to these cradles will be a wall of slowly falling sand, symbolizing how these lives, these cradles, this potential, will all be buried and never realized.

In an effort to raise funds, The Cradle Project is seeking sponsors for each of the cradles represented in this installation. Additionally, we will host an on-line auction where each of the cradles can be purchased.  Each cradle and artisan will be featured in our on-line gallery and auction. 

All proceeds from the sponsorship and purchase of the cradles will be donated to our partner organizations who work directly with orphans throughout sub-Saharan Africa to help alleviate the suffering caused by this dire situation.

People of all ages and from all around the world are invited to participate in this project.  If you are interested in making or sponsoring a cradle please refer to HOW TO HELP.

If you would like to propose or sponsor an exhibit please CONTACT US.

So the auction has started (on June 7th actually) and will run until June 17th. Unfortunatly, from what I can tell there aren’t a huge amount of bids on many of the cradles. Please take a look at the auction and bid if you can. There are some very interesting and beautiful pieces. And please pass the information on. Thank you!