Day 22- Whole Planet

My all time favorite way to make a difference in the world, is by helping others help themselves.  It allows for long lasting change & prosperity.  When checking out at Whole Foods, the cashier can scan however much a person wants to donate, and it simply adds it to the bill.  Very easy.

And yes, this means you caught me shopping at yet another grocery store!  But what can I say?  I like to shop around and get the best deals?? ;)

Day 21- You want fries with that?

While visiting our newly remodeled McDonalds, we decided to donate our change to the Ronald McDonald House.  You've probably seen the donation boxes, they are convienently located by the registers!  Makes for easy donations :)  For those of you who are unfamiliar with Ronald McDonald House Charities, it's worth a read: http://rmhc.org/who-we-are/

For more than 36 years, Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC, Inc.) has been working to improve the health and well being of children – touching nearly 4.5 million children worldwide every year.

We strive to be part of the solution to issues challenging families today. Families are challenged with how to stay near and support a hospitalized child, how to afford staying together in another city while a child is undergoing treatment, or even getting basic medical and dental care in underserved communities. We use our resources to help families gain access to health care services during critical points in their children’s lives

With a network of Ronald McDonald House Charities Chapters in 52 countries and regions around the world, we help children and their families through more than:
• 302 Ronald McDonald Houses
• 157 Ronald McDonald Family Rooms
• 43 Ronald McDonald Care Mobiles
• Grants and other programs and services

If you have ever had a sick child, you know just how hard it is to shuffle back and forth to the hospital, as well as afford all the expenses.  I'm glad that places like The Ronald McDonald House are there for families in tough times.

Day 20- Handwritten

Today we received a handwritten letter all the way from the Philippines. 

The letter was from the mother of Julius, a child we sponser through Plan. (Visit Day 5: http://onewomanblessings.blogspot.com/2011/03/day-5-plan-usa.html )

Julius' mom told us all about their life and how they live on a day-to-day basis.  We think about Julius often as we have the priviledge to drive back and forth to the school of our choice.  Isaac decided to color a picture of what it looks like in Georgia, and then dictate a cute letter to me on that we printed on the back.  Donating a small amount of money each month to provide so many things we all have available here in the States is one way we say can appreciate all the wonderful opportunities that we have available to us.

Day 19- Cell phones and Undies

Much like our clothes (visit Day 17) we also wear our cell phones into the ground. We recently switched cell companies and upgraded our plans. Our old phones were very old, and were on their last call, if not already broken. Our local Target has a recycling station with an area for cell phones. Off they went to be repurposed!

So quit hoarding your old phones and recycle them!  If they are in good shape, a lot of places will take them as donations and if they are worn out like mine, just drop them off.  For more info on the Environmental Protection Agency's E-Cycle program, visit their website: http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/partnerships/plugin/cellphone/index.htm

Happy calling!

Day 18- Firefighter down- remembering one of our own...

It's always a sad day when news comes of a firefighter passing away.  Hank Hopkins served in the same fire department my husband does, and the whole department felt the loss. 

Hank Hopkins was 53 when he passed away unexpectedly April 1, 2011. He was born September 28, 1957 at Georgia Baptist hospital in Atlanta GA. Hank was employed by the Cobb County Fire Department for 20 years. He enjoyed working in the fire department and loved helping others. He was awarded the Life Saving award by the Cobb County Police Department in November 1997.

(Please feel free to read more at:  www.jcollinsfuneralhome.com)




In order to assist the family, we donated money to help with funeral costs and provide short-term for his family. 

We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.  Cynthia Ozick

Thanks to all our firefighters worldwide.  Be safe.

Day 17- USAgain

There comes a time in everyone's life when you must face the closet- the closet where you've shoved worn out shirts to the back, hoarded way too many t-shirts and worn out jeans.  Most people find a way to donate these clothes or give to friends.... but what happens when you are like my family and literally wear things into the ground?!  LOL.  Seriously though, by the time we are done with clothes, it is usually because there are one too many holes in them!  Since no one else is able to wear them, now what?  We are all stocked up on 'shop rags' and so are the neighbors! 


Time to drop off at USAgain! 


USAgain (use-again) was founded in 1999, and now operates over 9,000 collection bins in 15 states. Our mission at USAgain is simple: to provide consumers with a convenient and eco-friendly option to rid themselves of excess clothing, which we divert from wasting in landfills for resale here in the US and abroad. In 2010 alone, the company collected 56 million pounds of discarded clothing. A profitable venture headquartered in Chicago, USAgain has 170 employees. For more information, visit www.usagain.com.

While some people have a hard time understanding why they are a 'for-profit' company, I look at it this way- they provide me with a free way of recycling that is beneficial for me, and they provide paid employment for someone else. It's a Win/Win. Plus, they are one of the few companies that will recycle too-worn clothes.


My closet is looking much more manageable, and I guess I will finally have to break down and buy some new undies ;)

How does your closet look?? ;)

Day 16- Fast Food, Fast Help

Change a life.

You might just change your own.

115,000 U.S. children are in foster care, waiting to be adopted. They have been removed from their homes as victims of child abuse, neglect or abandonment and are left without a family. The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption works on behalf of these children, because we believe every child deserves a permanent home and loving family.

Today it was just too easy to donate while indulging in a little Wendy's :) Like my change even had a chance- Isaac had snatched it up, and with a big smile on his face dangled it over the collection box, saying, 'Mommy, can I?' Who could say no to that? Foster and Adoption are a very important humanitarian effort in our household. I admire all those people who have adopted, or foster. Until the right time for us, we gladly support worthwhile organizations, such as the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. I am so glad there are charities out there that make donating as easy as dropping in some loose change :)