Day 26: Hello Somebody

This is just going to be the pre-curser, the real post will come next week when I clear up some communication issues.

Hello Somebody!

This wonderful organization was suggested to me by my friend Sarah. She is a huge fan of theirs and owns several of their apparel. Thanks Sarah!

What is Hello Somebody?
           At it's heart Hello Somebody is the result of a call to action. This specific call was to feed a million meals in one calendar year. The founder, Ben Pirtle, became inspired and plagued by a missions trip to Honduras, where the children didn't want to play with the toys he brought but instead ate the food offered behind him. Now Hello Somebody sponsors 100 street boys in Rwanda to go to school and eat twice a day.  They also are raising support for people who lost so much in the wake of the tornados that touched down in Joplin and Tuscaloosa.

Why Hello Somebody?
           Because Sarah is truly an inspiration to me and one of my dear, dear friends. I am so glad she is in my life and she greatly supports this ministry. I am very glad she suggested Hello Somebody because I have heard about the Hello Rwanda campaign on a traveling blog but not much of the charity helping it. When I read more on their website I couldn't believe what a coincidence it was! I found the story very inspiring and the products unbelievably cool. This is one nonprofit that I can get behind!

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*Coolness alert. They have artists write songs and then sell them on itunes. Genius!

i-Tunes

Remember, here is the pre-cursor, and familiarity starter. I'm going to revisit Hello Somebody on Thursday and aim to knock your socks off. :)

Day 25: Kiva

I am taking the lazy route on this one. But I don't have anything current to add on to the Y and I was very inspired by this video of how we can all be awesome bankers.

Since John Green explains everything (way better than I can) I am going to let him do the talking. Enjoy learning about both our current system of banking and a genius way to help eliminate poverty. Oh, and this is all under 3 minutes. :)

Awesome Bankers?

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*Note*

---I went to the Kiva website to research it after watching this video and I landed on a page that says all loans available were all ready taken care of! Isn't that amazing?! God is so cool like that. But bookmark this, because they will approve of more entrepreneurs who will need loans soon. And you can help!

Day 24: World Help

I would say I'm pretty familiar with World Help. But I guess it would be more accurate to say I am more familiar with Vernon Brewer, the founder and president of WorldHelp.

We both attended the same University, though the name has changed since he was a student. We both became passionate about world missions after a church trip to Mexico as teenagers. I have listened to Vernon Brewer speak several times, including at my baccalaureate service. His stories always inspire and astound. I have read every book he wrote that I could snatch up, always taking the time to sit down and read them even with my school schedule.

World Help is the real deal, and with Vernon Brewer at its head, I stand behind it. World Help is providing so much, physically and spiritually! Their project, CauseLife, is transforming entire communities in Africa by providing wells with clean water. The choir, Children of the World, is one of my favorites. I always want to take one (or two or three...) of the kids home with me. LOVE THEM!

Children of the World Promo Vid

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I meant to take a picture of the books I had from World Help... but the camera is downstairs and it's late. Oops. Next time.

Day 23: EatArt

Switching up the organization again, but I couldn't find my girl scout pictures. And I know I have badges around somewhere...

But today I found Eat-Art.org. I accidentally discovered it through twitter, though I don't remember who tweeted the link. I clicked on the website and was blown away by the art and the giving.

Now what is Eat Art?
          Eat-Art is an organization that is trying to artfully end hunger. What a slogan! Their branding is genius. Seriously, when you purchase any art or apparel, meals are sent to hungry children around the world. You get the art. The kids get to eat. *LOVE their business model!*

 Why Eat Art?
         Go to the website and you will immediately see why. Go on, click the link. I dare you. You can buy prints for $20, that goes on to feed 100 kids. My bank account is low, but even I can afford that! Now let's see you give an excuse.

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I wonder if anyone would be interested in buying some of my pictures. I probably wouldn't submit self-portraits, but then again...

Who knows? :)

Day 22: Wretches and Jabberers

I know, again I am switching out my nonprofit! WorldHelp will come up again, trust me.

But today I saw an amazing trailer that completely blew me away. Everyone wants to be accepted, wants to be heard. I was teased a lot as a kid, but at least I could communicate and rise above it. So many autistic children simply cannot, until they learn they have a voice.

Two of my close relatives are autistic. One had a mild case, and I have never had a problem (though I've heard stories...). The other, however, is severely autistic and I have a very difficult time interacting with him. My difficulty does not make him any less of a person, just a different one. :)

Watch the trailer and tell me in the comments what you think. Also, if you have someone you care for who is autistic let me know! It is amazing what these people can do... we think that they have a disability but then the sheer stroke of genius you never expect hits you out of nowhere.

Wretches and Jabberers

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Larry's Blog

Tracy's Blog

Day 21: Weekly List

SO much to do! But I'm grateful that I can do it. I just wish I could cut out the crappy parts though, like all the paperwork I'm behind in and the cleaning (i.e., chores). Blah.

Monday: World Help

Tuesday: Girl Scouts of the USA

Wednesday: Boy Scouts of America

Thursday: Y.M.C.A. Revisited.

Friday: Suggest your favorite nonprofit! :)

Day 19: Run for Their Lives

It feels like a Saturday. Maybe that's why I almost completely forgot about this post.

What is RUN FOR THEIR LIVES?
             (From the About page)

Run For Their Lives is a 10K race, 5k run/walk and Youth Run in Lynchburg, VA that aims to place the spotlight on sexual slavery worldwide but specifically in Southeast Asia.

Poverty in Thailand has forced hundreds of thousands of women into sexual slavery and prostitution. It is estimated that two children are sold into slavery every minute.

Run for them. Run for freedom. Run for their lives.

Why Run For Their Lives? 

          I think it's a genius way to raise money for a cause. Plus, I am running it in October. I really need to get back on track with training. 

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Since I've been running and gunning all day, I did not do any art for this npo. But I am in Kansas City for a work conference, and here is a little peek.

P.s., I got to meet Nancy Stafford tonight!!! Look her up if you do not know who she is, but she's been a Hollywood actress for years and has a new movie coming out soon (Christmas with a Capital C). She's very talented and I hope I get to talk with her more about the film industry!