Spirit of Giving

Hi there! I hope by visiting this page you choose to find a volunteer opportunity perfect for you! Of course, donations don't hurt either. :)

[givingesprit]

You are needed. Volunteer.

[givingesprit]

Things like this make me smile. Donate. Volunteer. Adopt.

[givingesprit]

Learn more about how anyone 15 or older can volunteer abroad with Cross Cultural Solution!

I'm saving up for a trip to Ghana with a few friends now,and this may be the most excited I've ever been. :)

[attndotcom]

See anything wrong here?

[givingesprit]

These two gorgeous and adorable dogs were recently rescued from a puppy mill. They're ready to be given the happy life they deserved from the beginning. Things like this are why it is so important to adopt when getting a new pet.

[attndotcom]

Seriously.

[givingesprit]

For your birthday...

Ask for donations to charity of your choice, or to a travel fund for a volunteer opportunity...?

[attndotcom]

John Green makes a good point, as usual.

[givingesprit]

23,721 People who died of hunger today

Do something about it. Start here. 

Source.

[gaywrites]

Former Miss Kentucky comes out as queer

A former Miss Kentucky winner came forward as queer this past week as a response to a court ruling striking down the state’s ban on same-sex marriage. She was Miss Kentucky in 2010 and finished in the top 10 in the Miss America pageant the next year. 

I can’t do justice to her words with a summary, so here’s the best of it:

“I am queer,” wrote Djuan Trent on in a recent post on her blog, Life in 27. She then reported hearing many antigay comments in the wake of the federal judge’s ruling.

“What has prompted my writing today has been my questioning people’s constant assumption that a) I am hetero and b) I concur with their views,” she said.

It’s obvious to people who meet her that she’s black and a woman, she commented, “but sometimes, I forget to put the ‘QUEER’ stamp on my forehead on my way out the door in the mornings. So, on the mornings that I forget my stamp, I have realized that there is really no way for people to know that I disagree with their views or, even more so, to know that they are talking about me, unless I actually open my mouth and say it.”

She went on, “Ideally, I would love to one day live in a society where coming out is no longer necessary because we don’t make assumptions about one another’s sexuality and homophobia is laid to rest.” But society is not there yet, so she calls on others to make their presence known: “People can’t know that their best friend, brother, sister, co-worker, neighbor, news anchor, favorite singer, or local coffee shop barista is being oppressed and denied the rights [of] their heterosexual counterparts … unless you open your mouth and say it.”

You know what my favorite part of this is? “I am queer.” How often does anyone say that so bravely in the public eye? Congratulations to her! 

[thetrevorproject]

Congrats on being true to yourself, Djuan!

[doctorswithoutborders]

"I was shot, even though I wasn’t fighting anyone or committing any crime." - Munyasadimana, a displaced man in Mgunga camp, DRC. Hear the stories of some of the 2.96 million people currently displaced in that country. After 20 years of fighting, a lack of medical assistance and other needs, many displaced Congolese experience "Everyday violence".

[givingesprit]

Support these people by donating, fundraising and more here. 

[rubyredwisp]

[thetrevorproject]

Your dreams are valid.

Congrats, Lupita!

[brownbodied]

But we are more than our bodies.

[givingesprit]

This crazy lil' guy is Marco. He's a newbie at the animal shelter I volunteer at, rescued as a stray. Marco is adorable and he's so fun to hang out with. Volunteering at an animal shelter is super fun and rewarding. I strongly encourage everyone to volunteer at one, at least once a month. You won't regret it. :)

[givingesprit]

Sunday Giving

If you go to a church regularly, make it a habit to participate in the non-profit and charity opportunities at your church. And if your church doesn't have many of these opportunities yet, start some! You can find many collection needs, donation needs, and volunteer needs near your church online, including on VolunteerMatch.Org . :) Have a great day - and try to make it a great day for others too! :)

[attndotcom]

If you think it’s time for a change, click here.

[guatemelissa-deactivated2014110]

I’m laughing right now at #7. I’m saving plastic bottles, toilet paper rolls, cardboard boxes, and glass jars for some project that might happen someday… And I’m typing this from my cement house with electricity and access to internet :)