Giving Tuesday! Pimp your favorite org here!!

[bimbi284]

Hey all, I know this is a shopping board, but I also know we are a bunch of generous ladies as well, and many of us like to give back this time of year. 

I figured I would start off by mentioning an org near and dear to me, of which I am on the board of directors (and hopefully this time next year, will be a staff member - more to come on that once I know more!!  ).

Students for Sensible Drug Policy is a great organization that gets young people involved in the political process by working to change our country's (and the world's) horrific drug laws in order to obtain a better quality of life for all. 

I have been involved in SSDP since 2009, and in that time have helped to change laws in Illinois and policies on my campus. I am happy to share more about why this org means so much to me, but essentially, as a clinician, I find prohibition to be the biggest barrier for the improvement of my clients, as it prevents many of them from obtaining essential and effective treatment, employment, housing, and more. Without those basic needs being met, many of my clients will stay stuck in a vicious cycle of addiction and incarceration, when we know that this is not the most effective way to treat addiction. As such, I volunteer my time to SSDP to change the laws that keep the people I care about stuck. 

If I've got you intrigued, please consider making a small donation in my name (PM me and I'll get it to you, or you can see it on the S&B gift exchange if you are a participant).

There are several ways to donate, but the most direct, and the way I can get credit for your donation, is to do a one-time donation for any amount here: ssdp.nationbuilder.com/donate and include my name in the "why donate?" box at the bottom.

If you are feeling extra generous, you can make a recurring donation here: ssdp.nationbuilder.com/sensible_society

Last year, several of you were awesome enough to donate, and I am so grateful!! Thanks again for your support

[watermelon620]

While I work for a nonprofit, I am choosing to support one that helped me in the past. It is an organization called Hope for Two.

Hope for Two...The Pregnant with Cancer Network offers free support for women diagnosed with cancer while pregnant. We connect women who are currently pregnant with cancer with other women who have experienced a similar cancer diagnosis.

I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer while pregnant with DS and a friend told me about this organization which she also used. It was so nice to be supported by someone who had been through this and understood what I was going through. I am now a support woman for them. It's a scary time, but gave me so much hope.

hopefortwo.org/donate.php

[treedimensional]

www.treefund.org/
TREEfund, tree research and educational endowment fund. I owe my whole career to them.

[kris356]

Dec 1, 2015 22:55:08 GMT -5 cab1217 said:

I don't want to post where I work, but I do want to mention that foster children could really use things like pajamas, shoes, diapers, formula, etc... This time of year and really all year round! Toys pf course are also awesome and make the kids feel special. I suggest contacting your local county or non profit foster agency and donating a gift to a child! Sometimes these kids are in limbo at the time of removal from their home and literally have nothing, while having to sleep in offices waiting for a home to go to

There is a great organization in my city that at Christmas collects bags for foster organizations. They are a bag so things aren't thrown in a trash bag, a blanket and pillow, new pj's, underclothes, maybe an outfit, a toothbrush and other hygiene items, a stuffed animal, and some other things. It is an awesome project. They also collect gift cards for restaurants and grocery stores.

This was last year's:

During the Christmas season, I love seeing many people being generous to particular needs. Do you have a special give back project as a family? I have a suggested one! As a foster mom, I have seen 7 little ones show up on my door with only the clothes on their backs, maybe a few dirty belongings in a trash bag. This holiday season, I want to create awareness through the Foster Love Project of a great need out there that we can all give a little towards and make a big difference for these little ones. A Placement Bag is something that a case worker can grab and take with them when they take a child into a foster home. It will instantly be something new & clean that they can call their own. A new blanket, a stuffed animal, some pajamas, a book of their own....



Would you consider adding a Placement Bag to your holiday shopping list for local foster kids that have to leave their homes without any belongings?



Maybe you can fill a complete placement bag, maybe your budget only allows for a few items. Every item helps!



Items needed for each Placement Bag:

• Small duffle bag (backpacks also accepted)

• Blanket

• Stuffed Animal

• Pajamas (any size: baby, toddler, kids, teens)

• Toothbrush & toothpaste (fluoride-free or Toms of Maine preferred)

• Kids bath soap / puff

• Book



*New items do not need to be washed and with tags on is preferred.



If you are packing a teen bag, you are welcome to make adjustments such as a small pillow instead of a stuffed animal or adding in deodorant, lotion, feminine products, comb, ect....



Can't fill a Placement Bag? 3 other ways to help:

• Diapers (any size) can be left at Drop-Off Locations

• Restaurant Gift Cards

Because getting a foster child can be a chaotic time (think of getting a newborn with an hour's notice or 3 children with a few hours to prepare), gift cards to local restaurants for families during this transition time are also appreciated. Places like Subway, Boston Market, Burger or Pizza chains, ect.. are all good options. Gift cards can be left at the drop off locations or directly mailed to the address below (please note they are for the @[null:@[null:#fosterloveproject]]).

• Target / Walmart Gift Cards - will be a benefit to foster families during these times of transition.




We have EIGHT drop-off locations 

[pooh8402]

My current charity of choice is Through the Heart, which is started and run by a GBCNer. They provide pregnancy loss support and education, including Comfort Kits.

www.throughtheheart.org