Save The Date 8/24/06 Summer Nights, City Lights!
Mood:  not sure
Now Playing: Theme song to Grey's Anatomy
Topic: Events
Date: Thursday, August 24, 2006, 6:00 - 9:30 pm

What: Boston Cares Summer Celebration and Auction
Extraordinaire

Where: Fenway Park, State Street Pavilion

Featuring tours of Fenway Park, fun food, soft drinks, and cold Samuel Adams beer.

Tickets: $50 in advance / $65 at the door
Host Committee Includes Pre-Event Reception: $125
per individual / $200 per couple

Purchase your tickets by August 1, 2006 for a
chance to win a pair of tickets for the
Sox-Yankees game on Saturday, August 19 at Fenway
Park!

For more information or to purchase tickets, go to
http://www.bostoncares.org/AboutUs/index.php/sncl06.htm
or contact Darcy Madden at dmadden@bostoncares.org or 617-422-0910, ext. 204

Save The Date 8/24/06 Summer Nights, City Lights!
Mood:  incredulous
Now Playing: Theme song to Grey's Anatomy
Topic: Events
Date: Thursday, August 24, 2006, 6:00 - 9:30 pm

What: Boston Cares Summer Celebration and Auction
Extraordinaire

Where: Fenway Park, State Street Pavilion

Featuring tours of Fenway Park, fun food, soft
drinks, and cold Samuel Adams beer.

Tickets: $50 in advance / $65 at the door
Host Committee Includes Pre-Event Reception: $125
per individual / $200 per couple

Purchase your tickets by August 1, 2006 for a
chance to win a pair of tickets for the
Sox-Yankees game on Saturday, August 19 at Fenway
Park!

For more information or to purchase tickets, go to
http://www.bostoncares.org/AboutUs/index.php/sncl06.htm
or contact Darcy Madden at dmadden@bostoncares.org or 617-422-0910, ext. 204

Save the Date! 9/16/06 Eagle Eye Institute's Hike-A-Thon
Mood:  incredulous
Now Playing: She's Lost Control by Joy Division
Topic: Events
Saturday ~ 16 September 2006 ~ 8am-4pm

Mark Your Calendar!

Its Eagle Eye Institutes 4th Annual Hike-A-Thon!

Join other Eagle Eye supporters while hiking the
beautiful Tully Trail at the Trustees of
Reservations Tully Lake Campground in Royalston, MA

Whether you hike 5 miles, 8 miles or 22 miles, all
of the funds you raise go to support Eagle Eye
Institute programs, which to provide life-changing
environmental learning and career-bridging
programs for urban youth!

Last year, supporters raised $15,000. This year's
goal is to raise $35,000.

Sponsorship and volunteer opportunities are also
available.

Please contact hikeathon@eagleeyei.org or call
617-666-5222 for more information.

Come hike and have fun!

Emails
Mood:  not sure
Now Playing: Feel Good, Inc by Gorillaz
Topic: Random Observations
There is such as thing as too many emails. In one account alone I receive emails from many wonderful organizations who thank me for my past support but then remind me that there are other people who have it tougher than I do (maybe) and wondered if I could give a little more to help them in their mission? I feel so overwhelmed sometimes-especially from the ones that I give my time to already. The phrase "give until it hurts" takes on a more sinister meaning. Knowing when to say "no" or to how to set boundaries is the only way to sort it all. You can't save everyone and if you put yourself in dire straits-financially and/or mentally-then you are no good to anyone.

The Legacy
Mood:  quizzical
Now Playing: Right on Time by the Brothers Johnson
Topic: Random Observations
"I am leaving this legacy to all of you to bring peace, justice, equality, love and a fulfilment of what our lives should be. Without vision, the people will perish, and without courage and inspiration, dreams will die - the dream of freedom and peace."
-Rosa Parks, 1988

Volunteers Needed to Help with Katrina Relief Drive for Mississippi
Mood:  lazy
Now Playing: Speed of Sound by ColdPlay
Topic: Katrina
(This volunteer opportunity came from another yahoogroup that I belong to. The Harriet Tubman House is T-Accessible-it's across from
Wally's Cafe and not too far from Symphony Hall.)


Volunteers Needed to Help with Katrina Relief Drive for Mississippi

A number of different non profit organizations are coming together to
send clothes, food and care items to a grass roots organization
helping Katrina survivors in Mississippi.

We need volunteers to help us pack up the boxes.

Volunteers are needed on Sunday, September 25th from 8am to 4pm ~ volunteer positions will be broken down in to 2 hour shifts. We are meeting at the Harriet Tubman House/ United South End Settlements, 566 Columbus Avenue (on the corner of Columbus and Mass Ave.)

Please contact me if you are interested. My name is Gabrie'l, and I can be reached at 617-698-9938 or at
gabriel@cambridgewomenscenter.org.

Thanks.

Hurricane Katrina relief effort at Cradles to Crayons
Now Playing: Golden Dreams by David Bowie for the Trainspotting #2 soundtrack
Cradles to Crayons is organizing a Hurricane Katrina relief effort this weekend in response to the calls and emails they received from people wanting to help. Cradles to Crayons is planning to get essential children’s items to families who have been displaced by Hurricane Katrina in two ways: 1-They are going to get deliver donated items to the Cape where 2500 evacuees will be housed. 2-They plan to arrange a later delivery of essential products to direct service agencies in Baton Rouge or New Orleans. You can help by pitching in this weekend. You can donate new or barely used clothes, shoes, backpacks, toys, school supplies and/or volunteer your time at a Cradles to Crayons drive. Contact information: 617-471-8417 www.cradlestocrayons.org Cradles to Crayons is a organization that is committed to providing poor and homeless Massachusetts children, from infancy to age 12, with great everyday essential. Their definition of "everyday essentials" covers clothing, books, school supplies, safety equipment, arts and crafts, and toys. Most parents would probably agree that the bare minimum just isn't enough for a child. Cradles to Crayons is T-accessible. It is located 10 minutes from the North Quincy stop on the Red Line.

More about Hurricane Katrina and what you can do to help
Mood:  crushed out
Now Playing: Wouldn't it be good by Nik Kershaw
To begin with, it is great to see many high traffic websites such as Yahoo and Google, partnering with the Red Cross to insure that people will be able to donate.

I could lament that we always wait until catastrophies such as this in order realize how valuable the work that relief organizations do.

That would be neither here not there.

The internet has been one of the best resources of disseminating information. I have gathered some information and though it can definitely be found in other places and though none of it is new, nevertheless I want to do my part in sharing, since it is what I do.


Up to the Minute Information:
NOLA.com is published by the New Orleans Times Picayune.

Up-to-date information on the situation in New Orleans as well as links to emergency services, postings for lost family and friends and available emergency housing can be found here.

The Times-Picayune has temporarily ceased publishing print editions but reporters are publishing electronically to provide the most important information to those affected by the situation in New Orleans. Please check this site for all things related to the disaster effort.

Transport out of New Orleans:
Only essential emergency services are allowed into the affected areas of New Orleans and martial law has been declared.

Only relief flights are currently allowed into (or out) of New Orleans. Flight space is restricted. Charter flights are not even possible at this time.
P
The FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) website is a great resource for information about emergency transport and breaking information:
http://www.fema.gov

Other Resources for Breaking News:

http://www.cnn.com/

Fema has listed organizations accepting donations: http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=18473

Emergency contact numbers for people in distress

These numbers are from the U.S. Coast Guard. The Coast Guard strongly urges people in distress in the greater New Orleans area contact the emergency search and rescue phone lines for the state Office of Emergency Preparedness:
(225) 925-7708
(225) 925-7709
(225) 925-3511
(225) 925-7412

People inquiring about family and friends that did not evacuate the greater New Orleans area should contact the American Red Cross at (866) 438-4636.


Other Resources from other sources
The Boston Event Guide has posted a listing of relief organizations that their readers can donate to.

The Truth Laid Bear has not only posted charities that are providing relief for the victims of Hurricane Katrina but also organized a Relief Day for bloggers:
http://www.truthlaidbear.com/katrinacharities.php


Tony Maciulis at MSNBC pointed out in his listing of resources that text messaging is a possible way to reach loved ones. Not a "for sure" method but it is something.

HurricaneKatrinaSurvivors.com is one website with message boards and information.And there are message boards for survivors and people looking for family members.
http://eyesonkatrina.blogspot.com/2005/08/im-ok-line.html

Hurricane Katrina
Mood:  sad
No doubt if you logged on, you saw the link to allow you to donate to the relief effort for Hurricane Katrina. I just wanted to second the call to support the Red Cross and its programs. Many people are at a loss as to how to help from so far away, especially when they hear about the hunger and the desperation. All donations big or small would be appreciated at this time. Sovereign Bank is matching the first $50,000 donations that are made at their branches that are payable to the Red Cross. I have often enough said that I had family that came from Mobile. Thankfully, no one was hurt or is suffering. People are down there without power which is actually considered good in comparison to New Orleans and the state of Mississippi. So...I made my contribution. I hope that others will make theirs if they can: http://www.redcross.org/ Addendum Okay...maybe the bulletin read a bit like the solicitation that organizations send out on a monthly basis but hey, my heart was in the right place even if I am not very original.

Volunteer Orientations
Mood:  lazy
Now Playing: Golden Dreams by David Bowie for the Trainspotting #2 soundtrack
For a reason that I cannot fathom, I signed up to deliver New Volunteer Orientations for a local organization that I volunteer through. Anyone who knows me is aware that I am a pseudo-extrovert. Speaking in front of groups of people is difficult. However, when "preaching the gospel," anything is easy. One of the pillars of marketing is that your customers are your best salespeople. There was a time where I was "evangelical" about the organization. Now my "religious zeal" is tempered with a kind of sobriety. I love the work and the opportunities that I have had because of them. I personally seek something more and as I go on, I find that what I am looking for is not necessarily found in volunteer work. So...my challenge is to get people excited while not betraying that I am not always. I do believe that these are to be my last two orientation for the year. Wish me luck.

Wanting to do good without being tired...
Now Playing: The Soundtrack to Trainspotting
In the bad old days, volunteer work meant feeding someone in a soup kitchen. Now, there are as many oppotunities as there are people. It's hard for a person to know where to go and what to do. One organization that I have volunteered for offers over 200 volunteer oppotunities per month! Each of those opportunities have the potential to offer additional opportunities and well, you have a loaded week and a very tired volunteer. Balance is the key to many things. You don't have to be a superhero to do good. You also cannot do any good or be any good unless you are well. It is one of those things that you learn over time as you grow.

Room to Read Boston Event- Libby Koponen and Children Helping Children at Porter Square Books (Cambridge, MA)
Mood:  chillin'
Now Playing: The way that you love me by Phyllis Hyman
Time: Sunday, June 12, 2005 3:00 PM
Place: Porter Square Books (www.portersquarebooks.com)
Address: 25 White Street, Cambridge, MA 02140


Join author Libby Koponen for an interactive discussion about Blow Out The Moon, her award-winning children’s book about the adventures an American girl who attends an English boarding school. Libby, who is a popular guest speaker at local elementary schools. Her presentations delight children and engage their imagination. Blow Out The Moon is the winner of the 2005 Massachusetts Honor Book Award for “outstanding achievement in children’s literature.” It was also chosen as one of the “100 Titles for Reading and Sharing 2004” by the New York Public Library.

There will also be a short presentation about the “children helping children” Read-a-Thon program sponsored by Room to Read.

Room to Read is an award-winning non-profit organization that has built over 1,550 libraries and 113 schools. Its mission is to help eradicate illiteracy across the developing world. Room to Read currently serves the following countries: Cambodia, Nepal, India, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Laos.

For more information about Room to Read, please visit www.roomtoread.org.
For more information concerning the "Libby Koponen and Children Helping Children at Porter Square Books" event, please call 617-764-1145
(ask for Jamie)

What can I say?
Now Playing: Silence
What can I say? I hope to be more diligent as the summer comes along...

Debrief- Tsunami Fundraiser hosted by Room to Read Boston
Mood:  blue
Now Playing: The Soundtrack to Garden State
In case anyone was wondering, the event was a success. Room to Read Boston raised $10,000 for the tsunami survivors in Sri Lanka. Dr. Ruffing and the Sackstein twins were a hit. They embodied what I think is the best in humanity. I don't say that lightly. In the case of the Sackstein twins, they saw a problem and came up with a solution. They did not let people dissuade them because they were kids, which can often happen. They run this venture more professionally than some adults I can think of. Ron Ruffing said something that I remembered hearing as a child. He said that his mother told him that, "those to whom much have been given are those of which much is expected." I was made to feel that way for most of my life. I think it is page three of the "Life as a Black person in America" handbook. I remember feeling very guilty at that point. I speak a lot about how people forget how lucky they are and recalled how I griped about my job, which I chose. I had the freedom to chose something. I complained about being tired earlier and remembered that I really had not a clue of what it meant to be REALLY TIRED. It was great to be surround by a good mix of people. People who were very well off, people who had a little more than enough and people who had enough but wanted to do for others because they realized that fate could have decreed that they could have been the unfortunate ones. If any of you were there and saw someone in a red top and black pants quietly policing the area, that was me. I would also like to hear from you if you were there. I am big on feedback. We are planning another mini-fundraiser in the fall. We also have 3 people who are interested in coordinating our Read a Thon effort. The Read A Thon is an initiative where elementary school kids will read book and collect pledges based on the number of pages that they have read. The proceeds will go to Room to Read to build a reading room. For those of us who are a wee bit older, it is similar to the MS read a thon. So far we have a school in Lexington interested. The three people who were interested last night came from Framingham, Worcester and Waltham. So in all, it was a good night and well worth missing Wife Swap.