Now to use this award to lift us to new and amazing heights... I know it has certainly inspired me to keep writing. And volunteering, of course.
We're as happy as this chicky, and we didn't even get an actual ribbon!Photo courtesy of BandanaMom.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
The winner of Best Hobby Blog is...
...Volunteer Boston!!! Thank you so much for all your votes. Your dedication made a difference - it showed that volunteering is important, and, um, can be a hobby?.
Now to use this award to lift us to new and amazing heights... I know it has certainly inspired me to keep writing. And volunteering, of course.
We're as happy as this chicky, and we didn't even get an actual ribbon!
Photo courtesy of BandanaMom.
Now to use this award to lift us to new and amazing heights... I know it has certainly inspired me to keep writing. And volunteering, of course.
We're as happy as this chicky, and we didn't even get an actual ribbon!Photo courtesy of BandanaMom.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Bikes Not Bombs
Bikes Not Bombs “promotes bicycle technology as a concrete alternative to war and environmental destruction.”For over 23 years, Bikes Not Bombs, in Jamaica Plain, has been a center for bike recycling and community involvement. Bikes Not Bombs’ programs recycle approximately 5,000 used bicycles every year. Bikes Not Bomb’s has sent over “33,000 bikes to Central America, the Caribbean and Africa (and New Orleans) in the last 24 years.”
On Sunday, June 8th from 12:00-5:30PM Bikes Not Bombs is holding the Green Roots Festival. The event is free and open to the public. They will have live music, food, speakers, workshops on environmental issues, information booths by environmental groups, and children's activities. Check this for a full schedule.
Need a new bike? Check out their retail shop. Want to donate your old ride? Bike Not Bombs accepts donations. Feel like getting involved? Volunteer here.
It is the belief of Bikes Not Bombs that “lasting peace and social justice require equitable and sustainable use of resources. Bikes Not Bombs provides community-based education and assists development projects with recycled bicycles, related technologies and technical assistance, as concrete alternatives to the militarism, over-consumption & inequality that breed war and environmental destruction. Their organization is part of a worldwide movement for peace and responsible stewardship of the earth.”
Related Posts: Biking to Work in Boston; Was it Green?; The Greenest Generation
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Don't Forget About Your Pet
Some would say that our economy is currently in recession. Whether you agree with it or not, you will have heard that the economy outlook is not so good for 2008. With people concentrating
on making payments to their adjustable rate loan rate they may not have money to pay for food for their beloved pets.
Some pets even become abandoned, according to Brian Adams, Spokesman for the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Mr. Adams continues to say, "We've seen dogs that have either been chained up outside or left in the yard when the people have left, we've seen cats who are just set free''.
If you own a pet and can no longer pay for their food or shelter here are some places you can take your pet so they can find a new loving home.
on making payments to their adjustable rate loan rate they may not have money to pay for food for their beloved pets.Some pets even become abandoned, according to Brian Adams, Spokesman for the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Mr. Adams continues to say, "We've seen dogs that have either been chained up outside or left in the yard when the people have left, we've seen cats who are just set free''.
If you own a pet and can no longer pay for their food or shelter here are some places you can take your pet so they can find a new loving home.
- MSPCA
- Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center (617) 522-5055
- Metro South Animal Care and Adoption Center (508) 586-2053
- Nevins Farm (978) 687-7453
- The Animal Rescue League of Boston (617) 426-9170
- Dedham branch: (781) 326-0729
- Lower Cape Cod branch: (508) 255-1030
If you also have the time and resources available may I also suggest to use petfinder.com to find the pet you are looking for. That's how I found my rescue dog, and couldn't be more happier with her. I mean, who is going to say no to that face!
Related Posts: Moose Plays Dead; Recycling Dog; Sock monkeys for charity;It's the economy, stupid; What is this credit crisis you speak of, and why do I care?; An economic recovery plan, in a cup; The R-Word; Penny Pinchin' Times
Photo Coutesy of: Moi
Monday, June 2, 2008
Volunteering at Lunch: It's reading time!
Every other Friday, I go to elementary school for a little learning.
Not because I failed to learn my multiplication tables or because my family died of dysentery on the Oregon Trail and I need to repeat 4th grade, but because my employer participates in the Everybody Wins! Power Lunch program.
It's not some corporate networking event where bigwigs pow-wow.
It's not about teaching elementary school.
It's not even about lunch.
It's about reading to the kids.
Specifically, the kid you have been paired up with for the year. Once a week, each of us volunteers comes to the school at lunchtime, collects our mentee from the cafeteria, and heads over to the library for a little one on one reading time.
Why reading? Well, according to the Everybody Wins! website, in two independent evaluations,
Power Lunch emerged as one of very few programs documented to effectively impact low-income students in reading comprehension, motivation and achievement, as well as overall academic performance, classroom behavior, self-confidence and social skills.
Wow. I can do all that just by showing up once a week at lunchtime to read to Melissa? Not only that, but I get to field some pretty funny questions. We've talked about why 3rd graders don't need padded bras, why her sister came back from Russia, and how to pick how an interesting chapter book.
It's pretty simple, really. Since I've partnered up with one of my co-workers, I only read every other week, which allows for any intervening work issues. It all takes place during lunch - when I'd normally be drinking my Fresca and chatting with co-workers anyway. All I had to do before being qualified as a reader was to show up to a brief orientation and complete a CORI background check.
And, the whole thing was relatively easy for my employer to set up. Everybody Wins! simply asks for a small annual donation from the employers to help support the program. The staff then assigns the employer's interested volunteers to an elementary school nearby that participates in the Power Lunch program.
Really, Everybody does Win. Corporations are able to give back to the community around them. Employees are able to volunteer within their often busy work schedules and home life. And the kids, well, the kids are the real beneficiaries. More than 87% of Power Lunchers improved their reading comprehension, and were five times more likely to have improved classroom behavior.
So. Get your employer involved. Everybody Wins! is a national non-profit - bring it to your area. Make the difference in the life of a child. Make a difference in your own life.
Related Posts: Public libraries are your friend; Hats off to the Italian Home for Children; YouthBuild; Hearts and Crafts; Eyes Wide Shut
Photo courtesy of Crimfants.
Not because I failed to learn my multiplication tables or because my family died of dysentery on the Oregon Trail and I need to repeat 4th grade, but because my employer participates in the Everybody Wins! Power Lunch program.
It's not some corporate networking event where bigwigs pow-wow.
It's not about teaching elementary school.
It's not even about lunch.
It's about reading to the kids.
Specifically, the kid you have been paired up with for the year. Once a week, each of us volunteers comes to the school at lunchtime, collects our mentee from the cafeteria, and heads over to the library for a little one on one reading time.
Why reading? Well, according to the Everybody Wins! website, in two independent evaluations,
Power Lunch emerged as one of very few programs documented to effectively impact low-income students in reading comprehension, motivation and achievement, as well as overall academic performance, classroom behavior, self-confidence and social skills.Wow. I can do all that just by showing up once a week at lunchtime to read to Melissa? Not only that, but I get to field some pretty funny questions. We've talked about why 3rd graders don't need padded bras, why her sister came back from Russia, and how to pick how an interesting chapter book.
It's pretty simple, really. Since I've partnered up with one of my co-workers, I only read every other week, which allows for any intervening work issues. It all takes place during lunch - when I'd normally be drinking my Fresca and chatting with co-workers anyway. All I had to do before being qualified as a reader was to show up to a brief orientation and complete a CORI background check.
And, the whole thing was relatively easy for my employer to set up. Everybody Wins! simply asks for a small annual donation from the employers to help support the program. The staff then assigns the employer's interested volunteers to an elementary school nearby that participates in the Power Lunch program.
Really, Everybody does Win. Corporations are able to give back to the community around them. Employees are able to volunteer within their often busy work schedules and home life. And the kids, well, the kids are the real beneficiaries. More than 87% of Power Lunchers improved their reading comprehension, and were five times more likely to have improved classroom behavior.
So. Get your employer involved. Everybody Wins! is a national non-profit - bring it to your area. Make the difference in the life of a child. Make a difference in your own life.
Related Posts: Public libraries are your friend; Hats off to the Italian Home for Children; YouthBuild; Hearts and Crafts; Eyes Wide Shut
Photo courtesy of Crimfants.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Pick Our New Partner
It is coming time for On Your Feet Project to select another partner and we want YOUR help! We partner up with other non-profits in the Boston area to help them get on their feet.... get it?
Our current partners are Christopher's Haven & the Italian Home for Children, which are both spectacular causes that help children, and that we are proud to support.
For our next partner, we are looking to broaden our focus because there are so many other great causes that we would like to be a part of. So which one do we focus on, which one do we put our energies into?
Perhaps you care about Mother earth and think we should focus on getting Boston to be more green? Maybe we should help those in underdeveloped nations with the basic necessities? Maybe you are an animal lover and would like us support animal related causes? You can help us choose which great cause we will focus our energy into by voting in our pole to the right.
You can also help us if you are a part of/or know of a non-profit in the area who could use our help in creating awareness to their cause. The guidelines for OYFP partners:
- MUST be 501(c)(3) certified.
- Have a volunteer component that is not stuffing envelopes, or cold calling.
- Preferably have a Boston chapter or be located in the metro Boston area.
So take a minute, place your vote. I promise you will be done by the time you finish your coffee. Also while you are in the voting mood, don't forget to vote for this blog as the Best Hobby Blog for 2007!
Photo courtesy of libertymemorialmuseum.org
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Earthier than Earthfest?
Hats off to John R, whose post about the not-so-green EarthFest was mentioned in a Bostonist round-up of links today: Series of Tubes. We're fans of Bostonist - glad to see they may feel the same way. :-)Apparently John has also received some correspondence from select environmentalists in the Boston area. And who said the voice of the people was dead? Well, no one, I suppose. But know this - if you have a reaction to one of our posts, don't be shy. We respond to all comments and emails.
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