How can WE make a difference???

[pandybat]

Just tossing this out here to see where it falls......


We're a pretty tight knit group here, right? We all have opinions and resources concerning different things, right?

What can we do as a group to make a difference? What could DODer's do together to help someone or help a cause or volunteer time doing?
I'd like to start a group of us doing something, anything, to help each other or help out a cause or other issue. Something substantial. Not just something that requires us to click every day or even sit at our computers at all. Something that we could do that we could come back here and report how it went or get ideas about what needs to be done. Something that would connect us all together towards a common goal and result in the end. Doesn't that sound cool? There are so many of us here and we are each diverse in so many areas. We have connections to doctors, lawyers, community resources, etc. And we are so spread out across the country that surely we can make a difference in anything we set our minds to!
I don't have any certain issues in mind. Feel free to throw one out there. We would weigh the issues of each idea brought to the table, figure out what needs to be done and tackle it with everything we've got!
I'm tired of sitting around talking about how things are and how they should be and not actually working on improving them. I don't feel like I can make a difference being just one person but with a whole group of us working together, there's nothing we can't do!
There's so many of us here that have kids or are unable to work so things like volunteering for GreenPeace is definitely out of the question (lol), but there are some things we could do in other areas. Mailing letters, making contacts, organizing fund-raisers, organizing clean-ups, loading companies with complaints about their practices so much that they reconsider how they do things, etc....stuff like that. I hope you know what I am trying to say here...lol

Anyone else feel this way?
Not sure how all this could work but any ideas would be appreciated.

Discuss........


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[bradedit]

Well. I do Meals on Wheels and I love doing it, they always need help, either in cooking or delivery. My kids make cards that I take with me to the deliveries and from there I am in their homes and the things that I see break my heart.

The temps here have been in the 90's and some do not even have fans(they can't afford them or the electric).so some of the houses are like ovens, some smell horrible, I usually ask if they need their garbage taken out or something cause sometimes its just too heavy.

I also read(me and the kids)to the migrant workers children cause they usually do not have alot of books with them. These kids are so well behaved I am amazed at the them. They laugh at my Spanish, but they try so hard.

I just think you need to start doing something small or you burn yourself out and it helps no one.


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[pandybat]

Wow! That's cool, Tami! I used to read to young kids a few years ago before my daughter was born. It was cool when you knew you had their complete attention and they were all so into what you were reading and sitting there with their mouths half hanging open...lol So cute!

I have volunteered in the past with several things and trying to make a difference by myself is hard, although rewarding. But what I want to do here is something big, something HUGE that we can all be involved in. Something we can look forward to talking about and organizing everyday when we come to DOD.


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[AndersonGal]

I think we help people everyday without being organized.
When I help somebody, make a stranger smile or laugh, be curtious driving, donate to the food drive, console someone that's down, give a much needed compliment, send in my donation or whatever.

I see nothing wrong with an organized effort.
I just prefer to freelance.

Good luck on the project you choose to go with!!!!!!


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[pandybat]

That's cool too, AG! If you can make a difference that way and it makes you happy, keep right on truckin'!

I am looking for something that we can all do together and it will make a difference for all of us, our communities or our country. Something that we can rally around. Anyone know of anything going on that they see the potential of all of us helping to make a difference with?

[Jennifer M.]

Well I have a soft spot for animals and I know alot of people on here do. I have always wanted to give food to local shelters. There are freebies on here all the time for free pet food, etc. Maybe we could do something like that?


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[ghostie79]

i like the idea of helping animals. either that or children.
i read something once about people who made warm blankets for shelter animals to lay on in their cages to make them more comfortable.

[pandybat]

This is what I am talking about! You both bring up good ideas!

I never thought to order those pet food freebies because my father-in-law owns a dog supply store so we always get our food for free. I could ask him to donate a bag a month (cat and dog) as a tax write off to our local shelter. I could also order those pet food freebies and when I get enough, take them to the shelter as well. I never thought of that! It's something that is available and they would never get otherwise, I might as well order it and give to them.
I'd like to challenge my fellow DODer's to do the same (even if you don't have a pet) and report back how it went and if there was anything else that your local shelter might be in need of that we can help with.

Blankets for cages....hmmm....I can't make blankets but I could be on the lookout for ones at yard sales that would work or watch for something that I would normally throw away that would make a nice blanket. Any ideas?

See!! This is what I am talking about! Simple things we can all do together to make a difference!

Anyone have any more ideas for animals or other issues we can work on?


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[ghostie79]

here's the link to the page where i heard about the blankets....
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i'll see if i can come up with any other ideas, too, after my rugrat goes to bed

[pandybat]

Originally posted by ghostie79
here's the link to the page where i heard about the blankets....
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My shelter is listed but does not have a red star so either they don't participate in the program or they don't know about it. I will call them tomorrow and find out. Thanks ghostie!

What other things can we do, peeps? It doesn't have to be all about animals. It can be about anything. And we can do several things at one time since not everyone will be able to participate in every idea.


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[3tbear]

I like doing things on my own too. Nothing wrong with organizing a group thing, but that's just the way I am.

For anyone who doesn't work full-time, you could always volunteer to drive the elderly to their doctor's appointments, shopping, whatever. There's is a big need out there for that.

[pandybat]

Originally posted by 3tbear
I like doing things on my own too. Nothing wrong with organizing a group thing, but that's just the way I am.

For anyone who doesn't work full-time, you could always volunteer to drive the elderly to their doctor's appointments, shopping, whatever. There's is a big need out there for that.

That's right! There are all kinds of things you could volunteer for in your area. But as far as a unique, spread out group thing, what do you suggest?

DODer's Unite!

[cata5]

Well,since we come here for deals, I like that angle of using our freebies or maybe buying really cheap and donating. I'll think about this more and see what I come up with.


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How about donating blood? The Red Cross is always in need of donors, and right now the shortage is critical. There are a lot of children in need of regular transfusions besides the many other uses, so the supply is always low.


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[elpe]

I don't post that often here, but just had to put a plug in for the Hugs and Hope Club for Sick Children, a nonprofit I found online and have gotten quite involved with.

Children fighting for their lives often have very little to smile about. "Happy mail" sent by volunteer "hug givers and hope builders" gives these kids a reason to get out of bed each day and something to look forward to. JOIN US! Together we can make a difference -- one smile at a time.

Plese visit their web site at: [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]


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