jxbx
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The easiest way to dread is to let it go. The hardest way to dread is to let it go.
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Post by jxbx on Oct 24, 2016 19:11:28 GMT
I must admit my contribution is small but here's what I do.
Currently, my wife and I volunteer time/work/$$$ to my kids' high school band. I still (albeit sporadically) volunteer time for to our local youth soccer program. I run 5ks/10ks races that benefit and support one charity or another. Lastly, there are a number of causes and candidates that my wife and I donate straight up $$$ to as well (not our favorite way of contributing, but some are physically distant so it's the easiest way for us). Lastly, in the past, we have participated in petition drives and have canvassed neighborhoods in order to raise funds for and against CA propositions.
So what are ways others are giving back?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2016 19:25:07 GMT
I volunteer at ma local humane society. Foster animals who are close to euthanization... and... I just enjoy going to visit the sweet babies in cages who are looking for good forever homes. They need love too ♡ I also take trash bags when hiking to pick up the litter around ma nature trails. You'd be shocked to see all the trash people leave behind. Just sickening!! I adopt unfortunate families to give gifts around Christmas time... I don't have much, but I try to make families who have less than I try to enjoy the holidays... Donate can goods on Thanksgiving for the less fortunate... Recycle... I don't do as much as I should though.....
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jxbx
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The easiest way to dread is to let it go. The hardest way to dread is to let it go.
Posts: 1,093
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Post by jxbx on Oct 24, 2016 19:32:41 GMT
Hehehe...nice! We camp at this one spot ever Labor Day weekend. Last time we were up there, the ranger came by and said, "We love it when you guys come up here. You always leave this camp ground cleaner than when you came." It's true too! The group of people I go with, we comb the whole site and pick up any trash before we leave.
I like that idea of hiking in/out with a trash bag! It's so true!!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2016 19:36:22 GMT
Cool man! It's really a necessity in Alabama to carry a trash bag! Everywhere really! Ha. These people live in some of the most beautiful nature around, and what do they do? Add they own flava of nastiness! Mostly beer cans... Silly humans!!
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Post by saralcat on Oct 24, 2016 19:40:50 GMT
I tend to volunteer more because I generally don't have extra cash, though I do regularly give a nominal amount to Shelter, a UK homeless and housing charity. I also regularly go trawling charity shops for clothing and costume pieces.
I was a guide leader for several years for one of the local guide units, then the ranger unit, but had to give it up for various reasons. These days volunteering activities tend to be tied up with the historical interpretation gigs I do. Some of those are pro bono because the funding just isn't there to pay us, but it's a worthwhile event anyway. One of our local yearly cultural events that we do the maypole for has been struggling for funding in recent years, so we've waived our fee for the last two. Unfortunately it looks like next year will be the last after 50 years, and similarly with the choir I'm in, we regularly put on concerts where money goes to charity. There's a big event in Prudhoe Castle next month for Children in Need that they've requested costumed volunteers for, so I'll be going along in Medieval gear for that.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2016 23:10:57 GMT
My wife and I ran an outreach to homeless folks for about 4 years. We provided a weekly hot breakfast to about 50-60 people at a local park, year around, as well as sought donations of winter gear for people living rough. We decided to take a break for a few months, but will likely get back to it next year. Currently we support a group of people who help homeless people take care of their animal-friends.
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Post by fantasticdamage on Oct 24, 2016 23:42:35 GMT
I teach dance here in Japan, planning to open full on dance studio soon. My dance classes are free and gives children an opportunity to express themselves creatively. Japan, as you know, is a very introverted society and 'self expression' is almost suppressed. My program breaks the chains and encourages kids to just have fun and dance. our FB page is www.facebook.com/breakdancecircle if anyone wants to check it out
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jxbx
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The easiest way to dread is to let it go. The hardest way to dread is to let it go.
Posts: 1,093
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Post by jxbx on Oct 24, 2016 23:44:59 GMT
My wife and I ran an outreach to homeless folks for about 4 years. We provided a weekly hot breakfast to about 50-60 people at a local park, year around, as well as sought donations of winter gear for people living rough. We decided to take a break for a few months, but will likely get back to it next year. Currently we support a group of people who help homeless people take care of their animal-friends. Wow! That's a lot of good work right there! A break has to be essential, 4 years is a long tour of duty! Sadly, I've done nothing with the homeless personally other than donations of food or $$$.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2016 23:49:18 GMT
It was humbling. Hard to get too stressed about dumb things when you're around people who have to squat or sleep outside every night. I miss it.
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jxbx
Alumni
The easiest way to dread is to let it go. The hardest way to dread is to let it go.
Posts: 1,093
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Post by jxbx on Oct 24, 2016 23:55:34 GMT
I teach dance here in Japan, planning to open full on dance studio soon. My dance classes are free and gives children an opportunity to express themselves creatively. Japan, as you know, is a very introverted society and 'self expression' is almost suppressed. My program breaks the chains and encourages kids to just have fun and dance. our FB page is www.facebook.com/breakdancecircle if anyone wants to check it out That's great! I like working with kids. I don't know how it is in Japan, but anything "arts" related in the US is usually the first to receive cuts in funding at our public schools. So any little bit we can do for kids help. Daaangg...that dance floor looks really nice!!
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jxbx
Alumni
The easiest way to dread is to let it go. The hardest way to dread is to let it go.
Posts: 1,093
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Post by jxbx on Oct 25, 2016 0:34:20 GMT
It was humbling. Hard to get too stressed about dumb things when you're around people who have to squat or sleep outside every night. I miss it. I appreciate your perspective. It's so true!
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Post by heidij4 on Oct 26, 2016 19:59:31 GMT
I volunteer my time at a shelter for women that are victims of domestic violence.I also speak out to teen girls that are sexually active sleeping around and having unprotected sex.Tell them my story that I ruined a part of my teen life becoming a teen mom when I was 16 years old and then when I was 19 years old
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Post by danzia on Oct 27, 2016 12:01:47 GMT
All wonderful things you're all doing.
I volunteer doing advocacy work for individuals after brain injuries. I am involved with a race for recovery each year from planning to running registration to running it. We have a hot line for folks after brain injury so I help them out a lot for that. I also take on a masters level social work student to supervise them completing their clinicals each year without reimbursement. It's also not enough but it's something
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jxbx
Alumni
The easiest way to dread is to let it go. The hardest way to dread is to let it go.
Posts: 1,093
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Post by jxbx on Oct 27, 2016 19:18:50 GMT
I volunteer my time at a shelter for women that are victims of domestic violence.I also speak out to teen girls that are sexually active sleeping around and having unprotected sex.Tell them my story that I ruined a part of my teen life becoming a teen mom when I was 16 years old and then when I was 19 years old Yep pass it on! With your experience, you can relate. In return, it can be a healing process as well.
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jxbx
Alumni
The easiest way to dread is to let it go. The hardest way to dread is to let it go.
Posts: 1,093
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Post by jxbx on Oct 27, 2016 19:22:23 GMT
All wonderful things you're all doing. I volunteer doing advocacy work for individuals after brain injuries. I am involved with a race for recovery each year from planning to running registration to running it. We have a hot line for folks after brain injury so I help them out a lot for that. I also take on a masters level social work student to supervise them completing their clinicals each year without reimbursement. It's also not enough but it's something You too!!! Next time I bash my head skateboarding, I'm calling you directly
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