Some of you may have noticed that there has been a distinct lack of posts over the past week, and there is a good explanation, I assure you! Over the holidays, I have been predisposed, and we still have New Year's Day coming up this Sunday. Christmas was last Sunday, thus striking out two post days for holiday here on Brighter Earth.
Do not fret, though; the Sunday following New Year's Day will see another post up, as per schedule (hopefully! haha). For now, though, I am afraid you must be content with a "Merry Christmas, and a happy New Year!" Have a great holiday, regardless of what it is you celebrate. Hanukkah, Kwanza, Lunar New Year's; it is all a part of the global culture!
Merry holidays, and try to do something good in the spirit of the season. ;D
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Make-A-Wish Foundation
"Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation® has given hope, strength and joy to children with life-threatening medical conditions. From our humble beginnings with one boy’s wish to be a police officer, we’ve evolved into an organization that grants a child’s wish in the U.S. every 40 minutes."
Today's non-profit feature is about one I have been hoping to review for quite some time now, and really reaches out to a lot of people. While their methods of charity may not be what some consider the best, it is definitely at least creative and inspiring.
Just about everyone knows how Make-A-Wish Foundation works, at it's most basic structure: a kid gets terminally ill, and the foundation uses donation money to grant the wish of the child. It is fairly simple, and sometimes even narrow-minded, but it does give the kid one last chance to do what he or she has always wanted to do.
First off, the child that has been terminally diagnosed must be referred to the foundation. Parents, other children, and the medical professionals involved with that child can refer someone they think is eligible to have their wish granted. "Between 2½ and 18 years of age at the time of the referral," and, "have never received a wish from another similar organization," are the two requirements.
Next, the child is then determined to be either medically eligible, or not. Life threatening conditions are a must for any approved submissions. Then, volunteers try to figure out what it is exactly the child wants, and finally, they do it for that child. They give kids a second chance to do what they want the most.
Check out Make-A-Wish Foundation, and maybe even help a kid out today who just wants to get in a final wish.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
LAMBDA GLBT Community Services
LAMBDA GLBT Community Services
Homosexuality, bisexuality, and transsexualism were all, at one time not so long ago, despised by the majority of people in not just the U.S., but throughout the world as well. Though many places around the globe have stepped up their tolerance and even acceptance of differing sexual resolves, the U.S. still remains a threat to the lifestyles so many now live.
Political conservatives, almost exclusively backed by the logic of a specific religion, aim to fight the GLBT community in every way possible, much as they fight all of the other political parties. A refusal to even understand the reality behind the situation continues to put the nation farther and farther behind the other, more progressive nations.
LAMBDA is a secular non-profit that aims to eradicate the stigma attached to gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender people. Much in the same way African Americans and women were restricted and even mistreated, the GLBT community must struggle each and every day for their rights, simply because of their sexual preference.
I, for one, am surprised it is even an issue. As many people have put it, politics should not rule the bedroom. What people do for fun on their own time is their own issue, regardless of the religious belief (and perhaps especially because of religious belief), though many Americans do not seem to grasp that small truth.
The hope is that non-profits like LAMBA can put together a sizable force and argument to bring down all of those people around the world who may seek to do harm to a gay, lesbian, bi, or transgender person because of their sexuality. With any luck, and with your help, they can succeed.
"LAMBDA is a non-profit, gay / lesbian / bisexual / transgender agency dedicated to reducing homophobia, inequality, hate crimes, and discrimination by encouraging self-acceptance, cooperation, and non-violence."
Homosexuality, bisexuality, and transsexualism were all, at one time not so long ago, despised by the majority of people in not just the U.S., but throughout the world as well. Though many places around the globe have stepped up their tolerance and even acceptance of differing sexual resolves, the U.S. still remains a threat to the lifestyles so many now live.
Political conservatives, almost exclusively backed by the logic of a specific religion, aim to fight the GLBT community in every way possible, much as they fight all of the other political parties. A refusal to even understand the reality behind the situation continues to put the nation farther and farther behind the other, more progressive nations.LAMBDA is a secular non-profit that aims to eradicate the stigma attached to gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender people. Much in the same way African Americans and women were restricted and even mistreated, the GLBT community must struggle each and every day for their rights, simply because of their sexual preference.
I, for one, am surprised it is even an issue. As many people have put it, politics should not rule the bedroom. What people do for fun on their own time is their own issue, regardless of the religious belief (and perhaps especially because of religious belief), though many Americans do not seem to grasp that small truth.
The hope is that non-profits like LAMBA can put together a sizable force and argument to bring down all of those people around the world who may seek to do harm to a gay, lesbian, bi, or transgender person because of their sexuality. With any luck, and with your help, they can succeed.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Teens Express
Today's post is about an organization called Teens Express, once known as Songs with Meaning, Inc. (SwM). Teens Express has provided "its program participants with a reliable, secure, and productive environment," for not only academic pursuits, but also for their life and creative skills, since 1998. They utilize practical and artistic workshops to better the youth of the area, as well as the adults charged with the care of those youth. 
The Teens Express organization serves all youth in the Washington metro area, specifically in Wards 7 and 8, as well as Prince George's County, Maryland. The participants come from all sorts of ethnic and lifestyle backgrounds, including about 80% of whom are at risk of "not reaching productive adulthood, or falling prey to crime," and "other obstacles to obtaining a degree, or successfully entering the workforce."
The Teens Express organization serves all youth in the Washington metro area, specifically in Wards 7 and 8, as well as Prince George's County, Maryland. The participants come from all sorts of ethnic and lifestyle backgrounds, including about 80% of whom are at risk of "not reaching productive adulthood, or falling prey to crime," and "other obstacles to obtaining a degree, or successfully entering the workforce."
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Restore the Pledge
If you would rather not read all the way through the post, the link can be found here: Restore the Pledge [http://www.restorethepledge.com/]
Can you recite the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance? If you are an American, chances are it will be very easy for you. Now, for a trickier one: can you recite the original U.S. Pledge of Allegiance, as written by the first author to dream it up? I bet you had no idea that there were ever any other versions of our famous pledge. I would also bet that you are surprised to see one element missing:
If you didn't catch it, nowhere in there does it mention God, either under or over.
Can you recite the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance? If you are an American, chances are it will be very easy for you. Now, for a trickier one: can you recite the original U.S. Pledge of Allegiance, as written by the first author to dream it up? I bet you had no idea that there were ever any other versions of our famous pledge. I would also bet that you are surprised to see one element missing:
"I pledge allegiance to my Flag and to the Republic for which it stands: one Nation indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all."
If you didn't catch it, nowhere in there does it mention God, either under or over.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Ronald McDonald House Charities
Ronald McDonald House Charities
The Ronald McDonald House Charities is a charitable, non-profit group headquartered in Oakbrook, Illinois, USA, whose goal it is to "provide families stability and resources so they can keep their child healthy and happy." True to their mission, the RMHC has opened more than 290 chapters in more than 54 countries and regions, with 309 Ronald McDonald Houses, grants to various non-profit organizations for the needs of children, and even scholarships.
Ronald McDonald House Charities donation boxes can be seen all over McDonald's fast-food restaurants across the United States and other countries, counting up the change until they can help a child somewhere grow up that much more healthily; a truly admirable cause that often does not receive enough support or attention from the first-world.
Don't let me keep you here -- Get over to Ronald McDonald House Charities to help now!
"The mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) is to create, find and support programs that directly improve the health and well being of children. Guiding us in our mission are our core values:
- Focusing on the critical needs of children.
- Celebrating the diversity of the programs we offer and the staff, volunteers and donors who make them possible.
- Staying true to our heritage of more than 36 years of responsible stewardship.
- Operating with accountability and transparency."
The Ronald McDonald House Charities is a charitable, non-profit group headquartered in Oakbrook, Illinois, USA, whose goal it is to "provide families stability and resources so they can keep their child healthy and happy." True to their mission, the RMHC has opened more than 290 chapters in more than 54 countries and regions, with 309 Ronald McDonald Houses, grants to various non-profit organizations for the needs of children, and even scholarships.
Ronald McDonald House Charities donation boxes can be seen all over McDonald's fast-food restaurants across the United States and other countries, counting up the change until they can help a child somewhere grow up that much more healthily; a truly admirable cause that often does not receive enough support or attention from the first-world.
Don't let me keep you here -- Get over to Ronald McDonald House Charities to help now!
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Bhookh.com
Bhookh.com
Here's a little fact for you: hunger is the number one cause of death in India.
Have another: 1/3rd of the world’s hungry live in India.
One more?: 5 Indians die every minute from hunger.
This stark reality is hard to grasp for first-world citizens, because having food is the basest of necessities for us. We never worry where the next meal is going to come from, or even if it will be safe to eat. We have practically conditioned ourselves free of the worry of hunger.
"Feed a Child with a Click"
Here's a little fact for you: hunger is the number one cause of death in India.Have another: 1/3rd of the world’s hungry live in India.
One more?: 5 Indians die every minute from hunger.
This stark reality is hard to grasp for first-world citizens, because having food is the basest of necessities for us. We never worry where the next meal is going to come from, or even if it will be safe to eat. We have practically conditioned ourselves free of the worry of hunger.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
TheNonProfits.com
TheNonProfits.com
"Free Donations Directory"
Quite a few of these links actually showed up on my blog as well, so you will recognize them while you are looking through if you have been following Brighter Earth even a little closely. I think that this list holds many future recommendations, so keep an eye out for them!
TheNonProfits.com is just a click away (literally!).
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Rescue Ocean Wildlife
Today's Brighter Earth free non-profit charity website gives aid to
the oceans and marine wildlife. The website goes by the name of Rescue Ocean Wildlife, and it's one more simple click-to-give site made by care2, a charity social network group of sites that bring together charitable people to find a good charity.Here is an explanation of their site's mission, taken from the Rescue Ocean Wildlife front page:
"Your free click generates donations from our sponsors. You may click once a day, every day. 100% of the donations raised go directly to Oceana to save our oceans through policy, advocacy and research. Oceana's scientists, lawyers and advocates work around the world to protect corals, make seafood safe, save sea turtles and more!"
You may remember the care2 social community from a recent post by the name of Stop Violence Against Women, which was another one of care2's projects. If you're interested in learning more about care2, see the linked page to read about the charity network more in-depth.
All it takes is a click to save the ocean -- so why haven't you done your duty yet?
Sunday, October 16, 2011
JustGive
JustGive
"The Destination for Charitable Online Giving."
This site is not quite like the rest of the organizations I post about, as it's not exactly free to donate. If you wish to donate to a specific charity, you will need to offer up the money yourself (or, of course, find someone else to offer it). Now, there are a billion charities out there to donate to, so why use JustGive?
JustGive can be imagined as a sort of 'hub' for charities, where donators in search of the perfect charity to contribute to will have no problem finding one. This is largely thanks to the GuideStar service, which provides access to almost two million different non-profit organizations!
If you have felt like it's time to make donations, then you definitely need to check up on JustGive!
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Stop Violence Against Women
"Your free click generates donations from our sponsors. You may click once a day, every day. 100% of the donations raised go directly to Amnesty International to end the systematic violation of women's basic human rights."
Stop Violence Against Women is a simple click-to-give charity website that aims to end the horrible violence against women around the world. According to the TopTenz.net article "10 Best Creative Charity Websites" (which is a good read, by the way):
"Violence against women in cultures throughout the world seems to be an ever-growing problem. The website provides a button that you click that donates money so that women are able to write and send letters, explaining their abuse and situation in hopes for the problem to come to the forefront."
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