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Allergies invite a mitzvah from a stranger

February 2, 2010 by 1000mitzvahs

Last Thursday, we got some important news. We found out that my son who had been struggling this fall with many stomach aches has multiple food allergies including eggs, wheat, dairy and citrus. It was quite a revelation and one that impacts our entire family. Since I am the chief shopper and cook, I knew that I needed help. The initial shock wore off after 24 hours and I realized I would need to find replacements for many of the daily items we were used to eating. Luckily, I like to cook and instead of letting the initial discovery overwhelm me I decided I should try and have a “can do” attitude as my naturopath doctor suggested.  I put out the call to friends and family and solicited their help.

Facebook post, dated January 29th: Just found out my son has several food allergies including eggs, wheat, citrus and dairy. Wow, the reframes how I cook in a big way! Need websites, recipes, support and hand holding.

The help came in many ways. The customer service representatives at our local New Seasons Market gave me their undivided attention as we walked through the store  discovering suitable replacement options for items I was used to buying and cooking. Friends from Facebook sent me names of websites and cookbooks. A business colleague even connected me with one of his associates who has auto immune problems and has had to cut out many of the same things as my son. She sent me several detailed emails with information about tasty brands she recommends, several insider tips as well as a few websites.

I could not be more thrilled. Initially, I felt like I had walked into a familiar world where the rules had all changed. My initial anxiety has turned into possibilities and gratitude. I am grateful for the friends and strangers who are there to offer help and advice. I am also grateful that it’s only a food allergy and while it’s complicated, it’s not the end of the world.

Posted in friends mitzvahs | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment »

Selling Your Home for Charity

January 28, 2010 by 1000mitzvahs

Have you heard about the family that decided to sell their home in Atlanta and give close to a million dollars away to several projects in Africa?

A few Sundays ago, Parade magazine featured their story. Since I am working on a book to describe my journey through grief after my father died through my 1000 mitzvahs project, my husband figured I would be interested in reading their story and learning about their forth coming book, the Power of Half.

The Salwen family of four lives in Atlanta. A few years ago, while waiting at a stop light, their 14-year-old daughter Hannah commented to her father about the unfairness of life when she saw a man driving a black Mercedes on one side of the street and a homeless man begging for food on the other.

Later, when Hannah continued this conversation at home with her mother, her mom asked what she might want to do, “Sell their house?”

Eventually that is what they did, selling their 6,000 square foot home and relocating to one half the size and pledging to give $800,000  to several programs in about 40 villages in Ghana.

When I first read this article I thought it was an amazing story. However, my husband like many others have had some differing opinions. He  commented that most of us don’t live in 6,000 square foot homes and can’t easily sell our luxurious homes for ones that are more reasonably sized. He pointed out that our current home is still smaller than the Salwens “modest” home. Second, does sharing a story like this really inspire people or make it seem like the Salwen’s are show-offs.

Perhaps most of us don’t have a luxurious home we can downsize from. So what? Does that belittle what this family decided to do. Absolutely not, they reached a point where what they were doing wasn’t working and wanted to find another normal.  Through this experience they have found a way to connect more fully with each other – they discovered their luxury home actually made them more disconnected with each other.

Even if the average American family can’t duplicate this kind of giving, maybe a few can. Their story has already inspired another  family. The family who sold them their new home committed  $100,000 to the Salwen’s project.  So maybe it takes a crazy wealthy family to use their wealth in new ways, to impress on others that it’s not all about the stuff you have in this world. By sharing their story they just might help other families in that financial category to make some changes too. We really never know how we can influence others. Personally, I think it’s great that the Salwen’s decided to share their story. Even if it isn’t replicable but the masses, it’s their story and it’s certainly one worth telling.

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Mobile Giving

January 15, 2010 by 1000mitzvahs

Since Tuesday afternoon, when an earthquake struck Haiti, we have seen an amazing humanitarian effort come to life in a new form of fundraising: mobile giving. This wasn’t the first time that mobile giving was available to Americans. Following the 2004 Tsunami in South Asia, mobile giving via cellphone texts began with the formation of the Mobile Giving Foundation in Bellevue, Wash. However, the tragedy in Haiti this week catapulted mobile giving to another level.

Across America, on twitter, Facebook and news broadcasts, Americans were told to text 90999 on their cellphones and the American Red Cross would receive a donation of $10. The American Red Cross announced yesterday that it had raised a staggering $4 million dollars through texting. Following the text donation, the cellphone account will be charged. Because of the dire situation in Haiti, the charity will not have to wait the normal billing cycle to receive payment, rather they should be receiving up to 80 percent of the money immediately.

This new form of giving offers people something other kinds of giving might not. It’s effortless. No checks, credit cards or stamps. Since most Americans already carry a cell phone with them typing in a quick number to give makes it that much simpler. By the sheer numbers of people who have already donated we know that this is an effective mode of fund raising. What we don’t know yet  is whether mobile giving actually generates more donations, or simply redirects money that otherwise would have been made online or by mail.

Posted in Ideas, mitzvahs | Tagged , , | 2 Comments »

Funny – I thought so too!

January 12, 2010 by 1000mitzvahs

This morning, I read an editorial in a monthly parenting magazine. The author had made a  New Year’s resolution to laugh more. I thought that was a pretty good resolution. Ironically, this afternoon, while searching for quotes for my book , I came across these actual announcements in synagogue bulletins and newsletters.  Even spell check wouldn’t have helped these funny sentences. These were so funny I wanted to share.

Found in synagogue newsletters and announcements:

1. Don’t let worry kill you. Let your synagogue help. Join us for
our lunch after services. Prayer and medication to follow. Remember in prayer
the many who are sick of our congregation.

2. For those of you who have children and don’t know it, we have a nursery
downstairs.

3. We are pleased to announce the birth of David Weiss, the sin of Rabbi and
Mrs. Abe Weiss.

4. Thursday there will be a meeting of the Little Mothers Club. All
women wishing to become Little Mothers please see the rabbi in his private
study.

5. The ladies of Hadassah have cast off clothing of every kind and they may
be seen in the basement on Tuesdays.

6. A bean supper will be held Wednesday evening in the community center.
Music will follow.

7. Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the Jewish Community Center. Please use the large double door at the side entrance.

8. Rabbi is on vacation. Massages can be given to his secretary.

9. Mr. Cohen will be entering the hospital this week for testes.

10. Please join us as we show our support for Amy and Rob, who are preparing
for the girth of their first child.

11. We are taking up a collection to defray the cost of the new carpet in
the sanctuary. All those wishing to do something on the carpet will come
forward and get a piece of paper.

12. If you enjoy sinning, the choir is looking for you!

13. The Associate Rabbi unveiled the synagogue’s new fundraising campaign
slogan this week: “I Upped My Pledge. Up Yours.”

My source was: emailjokes.com.

Posted in Jewish information | Tagged , | 1 Comment »

Flying Chihuahuas

January 8, 2010 by 1000mitzvahs

I can’t say that I am a huge Chihuahua fan. I did see the  movie “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” a few years ago but only because my kids wanted to see it.  But this inspirational story was one I had to share.

This past  year, California has seen an overwhelming number of Chihuahuas filling their shelters. They have become a well known breed since their appearance in feature films like “Beverly Hill Chihuahua” and “Legally Blonde” as well as commercials like Taco Bell. They are perceived as  “purse dogs” and constant companions to many of the rich and famous.  Puppy mills and backyard breeders have capitalized on an opportunity to make hundreds of dollars per dog. But  the novelty has wore off, and whether owners didn’t know enough about the breed or were forced by the recession to abandon their pets the reality has meant that many of them have ended up in shelters.

Last year, Los Angeles  shelters alone had taken in 4,700 Chihuahuas. An increase of 1,000 Chihuahuas over the previous year.

Many of these dogs were slated for euthanasia. The problem. Geography. Many east coast states have a bigger demand for smaller dogs but just didn’t have the supply. Enter Project Flying Chihuahua.

Through Project Flying Chihuahua, dogs were relocated to east coast states where they could be adopted. Teaming up with actress Katherine Heigl, Kinder4Rescue, Los Angeles  Animal Services, American Airlines and Virgin America a large group of  pups otherwise slated for euthanasia were relocate to east coast states where the Chihuahua ratio is in their favor.

With the love of East Coast families these small cuties will find loving homes on a new coast in 2010.

Posted in mitzvahs | Tagged , | 1 Comment »

Gift Card Giver

January 4, 2010 by 1000mitzvahs

Just learned about a non- profit doing great work recycling and redistributing gift cards.

The Gift Card industry is a 60 billion dollar industry. Ever wonder how many gift cards are unused? More than 10%. That means billions of dollars are waiting to be used for good on Gift Cards.In fact, I bet if you looked in your purse or wallet right now you would have at least one or more unused gift cards.  Gift Card Giver is a new form of giving. Here’s how it works:

WHAT DO YOU DO?

STEP 1: Use as much of your card as you want (or send a full card).
STEP 2: Write how much is left on your card using a permanent marker.
STEP 3: Place the card in an envelope and send it to Gift Card Giver at:

Gift Card Giver

PO Box 17628

Atlanta, GA 30316

WHAT THEY DO?

Gift Card Giver collects all the cards and organizes them in secure bins by company name. Then Gift Card Giver gives the total amount of those cards toward a project, person or organization that can best use that gift card for a significant need. Sometimes, Gift Card Giver buys the gifts themselves and delivers the gift directly.

FULL CIRCLE

After Gift Card Giver contributes cards to projects, they share the experience on their website for others to read about. Want to read about some of their Giving Stories or how you can host your own Gift Card Party visit: giftcardgiver.com.

Posted in Resources | Tagged , , | 4 Comments »

A sudden snow storm

December 29, 2009 by 1000mitzvahs

Apparently, snow brings out the best in people. At least that’s how it was felt today in Portland, Oregon. We had a SUDDEN and unpredicted snow storm that dumped several inches of snow on our city in a few short hours. When the storm started mid-afternoon my daughter and I were beginning to do our grocery shopping and gather a few party supplies for a New Year’s Eve celebration. In the course, of our driving to our two destinations, we saw at least four  people helping strangers with vehicles struggling in the snow. Portland, as you can imagine, is ill-equipped for snow storms and very few people have proper snow tires or four-wheel drive to get around. Even my daughter noticed everyone helping each other and said,” Snow makes the worries of the world disappear.” Well of course unless you really do have to drive in it, but for today we will just enjoy the beautiful white snow that fell and the people we saw helping each other get around safely.

Posted in miracles | Tagged , | 2 Comments »

Holiday Concert Becomes an Impromptu Fundraiser

December 18, 2009 by 1000mitzvahs

Last night, we attended our first holiday concert at my daughter’s new arts focused public middle school. While we were all waiting for the set change and the accompanist to arrange her small electric keyboard, the band leader casually  mentioned that hopefully by next year we would have a new acceptable piano. She mentioned that the PTO had already started fund raising. From the audience someone yelled back, “How can we donate?” The teacher answered that the office would gladly take our checks or we could give them to the principal that evening. Someone else said, “Pass a Hat”. From the back of the room, a third person held up two buckets and said he would place one by each door. He went on for another minute  thanking  the school and the principal for the amazing opportunities this school has provided his child.  One of the buckets passed around the room and later in the night, before the end of the concert, he announced that we had raised $650 from the approximately 200 people in the room. I had thrown in our five bucks and there were literally chills up my spine when he announced what we had collectively and organically collected.  Heartfelt and impromptu solicitations may work as well as anything planned.

Posted in mitzvahs | Tagged , , | 2 Comments »

Solicitation Calls

December 15, 2009 by 1000mitzvahs

Mitzvah for the day:

Today, I made solicitation calls to raise end of the year funds for a non profit summer camp. My kids have attended this camp for years and it plays a pivotal role in our family each summer. Many people shy away from these kinds of duties so perhaps I am an unusual person, but I love calling people even it it’s to ask for money. If you care about something passionately you won’t mind asking others to help support it. I suppose if you aren’t all that passionate it would be much more difficult.

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When is a wrong number a mitzvah?

December 14, 2009 by 1000mitzvahs

Sounds like a great joke doesn’t it? But today I received a voice mail on my cell phone from someone calling to set up transitional housing for a client. The message sounded important and I knew I had to call back and let the counselor know she had reached a wrong number. I left a message and told her to call me back if she had more questions. We did talk again and she was baffled that my number wasn’t correct because it was all over the client’s file. If I had chosen to do nothing the counselor would have thought her client was being irresponsible. Atleast now she knows she needs to get the correct information. Sometimes taking the extra time to pass on important information even for a wrong number is crucial.

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