"One of the things I keep learning is that the secret of being happy is doing things for other people." ~Dick Gregory~

For all of you travelers/vacationers out there: please collect the toiletries from your hotel room and donate them to your local domestic violence shelters.  Many women arrive at these shelters with absolutely nothing.  It's such a small thing, yet means so much to many others.

Give the Gift of Life

Article in the Times Union about local boxer, Shannon Miller (who is also one of our neighbors), donating half of his liver to his Uncle who was stricken with cancer.

http://www.timesunion.com/sports/article/Miller-faces-down-toughest-opponent-1011237.php

"No one has ever become poor by giving." ~Anne Frank

I cleaned out my hallway linen closet about a month or so ago and filled up an entire garbage bag with old sheets and towels.  I have had the bag in my car and kept forgetting to drop it off to the clothing bin.  Well, I took care of that this morning!
I clean my linen closet and clothes closet about twice a year and always drop off my old clothes in the clothing bin at the Oakwood Christian School mainly because it's convenient.  I just assumed they sold these old clothes at a garage sale and kept the proceeds to support the school.  Well, after reading their website, I found out that they bring the clothes/towels to a factory where they are weighed.  Oakwood Christian School receives 3 cents per pound on a monthly basis and the clothes are then donated to third world countries.  Pretty cool!

"The best way to find yourself, is to lose yourself in the service of others." ~Ghandi~

I started giving to the American Heart Association after my grandfather died from a massive heart attack.  I usually don't give to them until the summer, but yesterday when I came home, I noticed a donation form in the mail from one our neighbors.  I will be dropping my donation in the mail today.
If you are unable to make a monetary donation to your favorite organization, there are always other ways to give - just check out their website for ideas.

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." ~ Anatole France

First donation of the year goes to: The Mohawk Hudson Humane Society.

Thank you, Morgan, for contributing to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society.  The 
Society depends upon generous donors like you to support our lifesaving 
services.  Over 6,000 unwanted, abused and abandoned animals come to the Society 
every year and it is only with the support of our community that they have a 
safe place to go.

Your donation amount of $25.00 USD was received on February 9, 2011.

“No person was ever honored for what he received. He was honored for what he gave.” – Calvin Coolidge

Giving back is such an important thing to do, whether it's making a monetary gift to your favorite organization, volunteering your time, or putting a bag of clothes into a Salvation Army bin - it all helps.


I have been making monetary gifts to various organizations for years.


Adopt-A-Lab - where Sammy came from.
Mohawk Hudson Humane Society - where we adopted our little doodle bug, Grace.
The American Heart Association - I started giving to them when my Grandfather passed away.


And then there are the non-monetary gifts such as hotel toiletries that my mom collects for domestic violence shelters; clothes that I drop into clothing bins; and daffodils that I buy to support the American Cancer Society.


All of these gifts mean something to someone and that is such a rewarding feeling.  I feel good knowing that a dog will find a forever home with the help of my gift, or a cat will have a nice warm bed to sleep on, or researchers might be able to find new ways to prevent heart disease.


So, please follow this blog to find out ways that you can help.  If you have a story that you would like to post, just email me and I'll add it to this blog.  The more people that are out there helping - the better.