Giving Without Spending

Giving Without Spending: Pray for Stellan

2009-04-01T01:19:00.003-04:00

Little Stellan has been in the hospital now for a week and half. He continues to fight, fight, fight. What a strong little guy! His story is amazing. If you're not familiar with Stellan's story, go here and watch the news story that aired tonight. Then, click the image above to visit Jennifer's blog. Most of all, don't forget to pray for Stellan.

Giving Without Spending: Help a fellow blogger make her dream come true

2009-03-31T00:17:00.003-04:00

First, I'd like to apologize for missing the Random Act of Kindness Friday for Bloggers last week. I haven't been feeling well and my blogs have suffered due to this. I'll try to do better this week.

Yesterday, I received an email from Christy asking for my help and yours in the Name Your Dream Assignment contest sponsored by Lenovo and Microsoft. She wrote:

Melanie,

I had an idea a last Christmas. I wanted to give the kids in my life a Partners International or Heifer International catalog, with a gift certificate, so they could choose a cause they connected with and would get excited about helping instead of getting. I was disappointed in the catalogs, though. They were to adult and not things that would connect with kids. I decided then that I wanted to partner with different organizations and create a catalog JUST FOR KIDS.

I recently entered the "Name Your Dream Assignment" contest. If I win I will receive $50,000 to make this catalog a reality. (I won't get to keep any of the money. All of it, up to $50,000, has to be used to make the dream a reality.)

You can read more on my blog:

http://lazyperfection.com/i-need-your-vote.htm

Christy needs over 500 votes to be in the top 20 by Friday. So head on over
to her blog, read more about her idea, and help her out. I've submitted my vote
already and it was super easy. I know she will appreciate it.

An Award!

2009-03-25T23:45:00.003-04:00

Krissy over at Thinking of Blue has bestowed an award upon me. I feel so honored! This is Giving Without Spending's first award. Thank you Krissy!

The rules of this award are to list seven things you love and pass it on to seven bloggers you love. So here we go. :)

7 things I love:

-My family
-My friends
-Long naps
-A good movie
-Kindness
-Honesty
-Long relaxing, hot showers

7 blogs I love:

Is It Just Me?

The SAHM's Review

Tales of the Tightwad

It's Lovely, I'll Take It!

Sex Educations Perfect Example

On His Terms

HippyChick

Giving Without Spending: Plant a Tree

2009-03-23T23:24:00.003-04:00

Help Celestial Seasonings plant 50,000 trees! For every virtual tree planted, they will plant a real tree up to 50,000. It is simple and easy to do. I've already planted mine! Click here to plant your tree now.

Random Act of Kindness Friday for Bloggers

2009-03-20T08:21:00.004-04:00

Well, another Friday is upon us. Time for us bloggers to share the love once again. The blog I want to share with you today is The Stay at Home Mom's Review. This is a fairly new blog in which Hollie, the author, reviews different products for her readers. I'm enjoying it very much. Please pop over and say "Hi". I know she would be thrilled.

What blog would you like to share today? I always look forward to checking out new blogs!

And...if your blog was listed, feel free to grab the "Blessed by a RAOK" button on the left.

Giving Without Spending...Much: Wish Upon a Hero

2009-03-19T16:52:00.002-04:00

Wish Upon a Hero is a website that allows registered members to place up to 3 wishes at a time. There are many wishes asking for financial assistance and although you may not be able to pay the full amount, a dollar or two would be very helpful. People also ask for clothes, birthday cards for friends and family members, and much, much more.

Click the image above to check out the site. You never know...someone may be requesting an item you want to get rid of.

Giving Without Spending Much...Help an Orphanage

2009-03-18T18:17:00.004-04:00

Dawn, a GWS reader, sent me this email about a week ago:

This is not an organized program but just a way to help bring Christmas cheer to an orphanage in Mexico. A friend of mine knows a family of missionaries in Tijuana, Mexico (border of CA). This would be a great project for families to do together. Here is a quote from the email I received "If you have Christian Christmas cards that you rec'd in the past, can you cut the pretty fronts off and send them to us before next Christmas? I noticed this year that the kids here love to decorate with them! They have a few from somewhere that they decorated the church with and they all think they are so pretty. They also write on the back of the and give them as gifts to their teachers and friends. It's a nice way to recycle and the kids here love it. Its also good for telling the Christmas story. I would have never guessed how much joy a child could get from a recycled Christmas Card! They don't have to be religious, they can be pretty or cute or wintry, just no Santa Clause, the culture of the church here is very "anti-Santa"."

Here is the address:
Barbarita Lee
P.O. Box 530038
San Diego, CA 92153

Do you still have cards leftover from Christmas that you have no use for? Think about sending them to these children. Sounds like they will be much loved and appreciated! And thanks Dawn for sending that in.

If you know of any programs or charities that fall into the Giving Without Spending/Much category, please let me know. Just click on the envelope in the left column to contact me.

Giving Without Spending: Answer Trivia to Feed Dogs and Cats

2009-03-15T14:40:00.003-04:00

I saw this over at Tales of the Tighwad and had to share.

Click the buttons below to answer a dog and cat trivia question and freekibble.com will donate 10 pieces of kibble for each. You can only answer one question per day. It's easy and fun, so click below to help feed our furry friends!

Giving Without Spending: Pray for Jonah

2009-03-13T23:31:00.003-04:00

I've seen many "pray for" buttons on blogs recently and decided that I'll be adding them to the Giving Without Spending sidebar as I feature each one. After all, prayer is powerful and its FREE. Since this blog is all about giving, I want it to be a vessel for these families in need of support and love.

Now on to baby Jonah. First I just have to say that he is so beautiful! What a sweet little angel. Little Jonah was born with a very rare genetic skin disorder called Epidermolysis Bullosa. He is currently in Brenner Children's Hospital, "fighting for his life." He turned 2 weeks old today. He seems like quite the little fighter and you can tell he is extremely loved by his mom and dad. Click on the button above to visit with Jonah, see pictures and read updates on his progress. And most importantly, keep this little guy in your prayers.

RAOK Friday for Bloggers

2009-03-13T13:23:00.003-04:00

It's Friday...time to share a blog! This week I'm featuring Full Bellies, Happy Kids. Sandra is an air force wife with 2 kiddos. She cooks wonderful meals for her family. I'm trying to expand my menu so I love checking out her recipes. The pictures make my mouth water. Go check out her blog and say hello. :)

Share a blog with us. Don't forget to let them know you featured them too. It makes peeps feel good to get some recognition!

And if you're a featured blog, feel free to grab the "blessed by a raok" button in the left column.

Giving Without Spending: Become an Organ Donor

2009-03-11T23:03:00.000-04:00

Did you know:

-Almost 100,000 men, women and children currently need life-saving organ transplants?

-Every 12 minutes another name is added to the national organ transplant waiting list?

-An average of 18 people die each day from the lack of available organs for transplant?

-90% of Americans say they support donation, but only 30% know the essential steps to take to be a donor?

If you're not already an organ donor, or want to make sure you are registered as one, go here to get started. Another great site to get information from is Donate Life America. Just look at organ donation as recycling your body parts. :)

GIVEAWAY IS OVER

2009-03-11T00:56:00.006-04:00

I'm so glad you've stopped by to enter my giveaway! I hope you'll also check out my blog and find out inexpensive ways you can help those in need. :)

If you've never heard of SITS. Click the button below, visit their site and consider joining the SITStahood!

Now on to the good stuff. I'm giving away a Blockbuster Night Card that includes 2 movie rentals, 2 twenty ounce coca-cola beverages, and 1 tub of popcorn. Perfect for a "stay at home date night" for you and the hubs! To enter, just leave a comment.

Random Act of Kindness Friday for Bloggers

2009-03-06T08:45:00.004-05:00

If you'd like to participate, read this to get started. It's simple and easy.

The blog I'm choosing for today is Monkeybox authored by the "Junkreator". Why do I like reading her blog? Well, she collects all kinds of things. I collect nothing. So maybe I'm living vicariously through her. hehe I enjoy reading about her shopping trips and viewing pictures of what she has bought to add to her collections. Head over and say hello. Check out her sidebar too. She has lots of pictures of items she has acquired.

If your blog was featured today, grab the "blessed by a RAOK" button for your blog.

Your turn! Share a blog with us. :)

Giving Without Spending...Much: Operation PAL

2009-03-06T08:24:00.002-05:00

Operation PAL "provides support to injured or ill Marines and Sailors who have previously served in combat zones through prayers and letters from the general public and to encourage support of our wounded military personnel in communities throughout the United States."

You can find a list of names here along with instructions on where to send your cards/letters. At the least, just say a prayer for these brave soldiers.

Giving Without Spending...Much: Sewing for Charity

2009-03-04T13:47:00.003-05:00

I really wish I could sew. However, with 2 small children, I don't think my brain could hold any extra information right now and that includes learning how to just thread the sewing machine. Pitiful, I know.

I'm always amazed to read craft blogs and see what sewing folks can produce! I've seen some cute stuff. Well, if you can sew, there are many charities that could use your talent. Go here for an awesome list of them.

Random Act of Kindness Friday for Bloggers

2009-02-27T11:05:00.005-05:00

Here it is! Giving Without Spending's first RAOK Friday for Bloggers! If you'd like to participate, read this to get started. It's simple and easy.

The blog I choose for today's RAOK is Tales of the Tightwad. Michelle is a mom of 4 kiddos and is a very sweet gal. Check out her blog to read about her shopping trips, personal challenges and goals, and some great freebie lists too. I know she'll appreciate you stopping by to say "hi!".

What blog would you like to bless today? Just make a post on your blog about it, link back here to Giving Without Spending, and fill out Mr. Linky's widget (linking to your post). You can use the RAOK Friday for Bloggers button if you'd like. Just copy the code and you're set! If your blog was chosen for RAOK Friday, you can use the "blessed by a RAOK" button in the left column. :)

Giving Without Spending: GoodSearch

2009-02-26T18:14:00.004-05:00

Their concept is simple: "You Search, We Give". And it really is that easy. When you get to the site, choose the charity or casue you wish to support. Everytime you do a search, they donate money to them. They now have over 76,000 non-profits to choose from. You can also shop through their site and up to 30% of your purchase will go towards your charity of choice. Click here to get started!

Giving Without Spending...Much: The Pajama Program

2009-02-25T15:16:00.003-05:00

The Pajama Program is so sweet. They provide new, warm jammies and books to children in need worldwide. If your child received some jammies that will not fit him/her, or a book that is duplicate of one he/she already has, consider sending it to the Pajama Program. These items will put a smile on a child's face. Please note, they only collect pajamas and books that are new. If you would like to donate items to the Pajama Program, email kathleen@pajamaprogram.org. If you'd like to read more about them, check out their site: Pajama Program.

Giving Without Spending...Much: The Birthday Giving Box

2009-02-24T14:01:00.003-05:00

I ran across the Birthday Giving Box a couple of years ago on the Ebay Giving Board. It really stuck out because I had some Disney Princess party items leftover from my daughters first birthday. I contacted Janet, the lady in charge, and she emailed the address where I could send them.

The Birthday Giving Box is intended to provide a little help for those who may need it by supplying party items and/or a small gift (value of a box is usually $15-20). If you have anything to contribute, you can find her email address here. I know she would greatly appreciate it! Also, please make sure items come from a smoke free environment due to allergies and the boxes going to children.

Giving Without Spending...Much: Donate Your Shoes

2009-02-21T13:55:00.004-05:00

Did you know there are that charities collect new or gently used shoes and distribute them to those in need not only in America, but other countries as well? If you have 1 or 2 pairs (or even more!) in good shape that you know you'll never wear again, check out the sites I'm listing below. They'll appreciate you sending them their way!

Samritans Feet

Soles 4 Souls

The Shoe Bank

Soles United (Collects worn out Crocs)

Donate Your Old Shoes

Shoes for Orphan Souls

Announcing: Random Act of Kindness Friday for Bloggers!

2009-02-20T09:02:00.004-05:00

Giving Without Spending is proud to host Random Act of Kindness Fridays for bloggers.

What the heck is it?

RAOK Friday for bloggers is a chance for you to perform a RAOK for another blogger.

What will I do?

It's super simple! Each Friday, you choose a blog that you adore and create a post about it on your blog. Include a short description, why you love it, and don't forget the link! ;) Also, I'll ask that you post a link to your RAOK Friday blog post here using the widget I'll have in place. That way, we can check out other bloggers faves.

What's the purpose?

Most bloggers work really hard on their blogs and many go without much notice. This will help drive traffic to their site and get some attention! In addition, since this blog is all about giving, this is an easy way to do so. It feels great to bless others!

This will start next Friday. In the meantime, I am going to try and get the word out. My goal is to have at least 3 other bloggers participate for the first RAOK Friday event!

I'll be adding buttons to the sidebar for those participating and for the bloggers who are recipients of the RAOK Friday.

Hope you'll join me!

Giving Without Spending: Donate Blood

2009-02-18T16:07:00.001-05:00

If you aren't a blood donor, give it a try! I know, I know...you don't like needles but who does? When I go to give blood, I'm not excited about getting a big needle stuck in my arm either. :P Just think of all the potential lives you could be saving. Find out more at https://www.givelife.org/.

Giving Without Spending: Bereavement Photography

2009-02-18T15:10:00.001-05:00

If you are a photographer who would like to donate your services to an invaluable cause, consider bereavement photography for parents with stillborn or dying babies. Find out more here: Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep.

Giving Without Spending...Much: Holiday Helper

2007-11-13T23:47:00.000-05:00

Each year, Mothering (http://www.mothering.com/) has a Holiday Helper program where you can help families in need. Many of the requested items can be used. I'm sure we all have clothes or other things collecting dust that are in great condtion. With that said, please take a moment to check out the list of families that need help. After reading their stories, you will realize just how blessed you are. Even if you only send one item, every little bit helps. Let's help these families have a good Christmas.

Giving Without Spending: Donate your breast milk

2007-11-12T18:21:00.001-05:00

If you have an abundance of breast milk with no end in sight, consider donating it. The La Leche League website has a great page about breast milk donation here. Also included on this page, are a list of milk banks in the U.S. and other countries. If you go this route to donate, you may have to pay for shipping and packaging if you don't live near a bank.

There is another option for donation with The International Breastmilk Project. The milk they receive is sent to Africa for children who have been orphaned due to poverty and disease like HIV/AIDS. If you qualify for the program, they send you a cooler and cover the cost of shipping. Therefore, you pay nothing with this program.

Makes me want to start lactating! I really wish I would have known about this when I was breastfeeding my youngest.

Giving Without Spending: A hairy proposition!

2007-11-11T21:30:00.000-05:00

Are you contmeplating chopping off your really long hair? Along with making yourself feel good, how about making someone else feel good too? There are many women and children that have lost their hair due to medical reasons and treatments. Please consider donating your hair to help boost their self-esteem and give them a sense of feeling normal again.

Programs:

Locks of Love

Beautiful Lengths

Wigs for Kids

If you know of any more, please feel free to leave a comment with the info. :)

Giving Without Spending: Calling all labor doulas

2007-11-10T12:58:00.002-05:00

From the site:

Operation Special Delivery provides trained volunteer doulas for pregnant women whose husbands or partners have been severely injured or who have lost their lives due to the current war on terror, or who will be deployed at the time that they are due to give birth.

If you're not a labor doula but know someone who is, tell them about Operation Special Delivery. This is a great service. I couldn't imagine going through labor without my husband!

Giving Without Spending...Much: Toys for Tots

2007-11-10T12:05:00.001-05:00

It's that time of year again. I've been seeing the Toys for Tots boxes at my local wally world for a few weeks now. As I was perusing the toy section, I saw some really cute ones for $5. The hubby and I wound up getting one that was $10 to donate. It's up to you what you get but you don't have to spend a lot to give a needy child a great Christmas. Next time you're in a store that has a Toys for Tots box, give up something and use that $5 and purchase a toy to donate.

Giving Without Spending: FreeRice.com

2007-11-10T12:03:00.001-05:00

(Originally posted on my blog The Adventures of Frugal Girl )

I love this! You will not only help donate rice to the hungry, but learn vocabulary as well! For each word you get right, they will donate 10 grains of rice to the United Nations World Food Program. Click here to get smarter and help others.

Giving Without Spending: The Bible Site

2007-11-10T12:01:00.001-05:00

(Originally posted on my blog The Adventures of Frugal Girl )

This site is similar to the Hunger Site in that all you have to do is make a click to make a difference. The Bible Site donates Bibles and books of the Bible to persecuted Christians in other countries. Click here to visit the site and click now. Make sure to bookmark the page and click daily!

Giving Without Spending...Much: Make a child smile

2007-11-10T11:58:00.001-05:00

(Originally posted on my blog The Adventures of Frugal Girl )

Make a Child Smile is such a sweet, wonderful program. Each month, 3 children who are suffering from chronic or life-threatening diseases, are featured on the site. A mailing address and biography is provided so that you may send these children a card and/or a small gift to brighten their day. What a blessing for these kids who should not have to be going through what they are. With stores like the Dollar Tree, you can send a card to all 3 children for less than $5. Or if you have the time, you can handmake your own cards. I'm sure no matter what, anything would be very much appreciated.

Giving Without Spending: Send a postcard to a soldier overseas

2007-11-10T11:56:00.001-05:00

(Originally posted on my blog The Adventures of Frugal Girl )

This cool program called "Lets say thanks" is sponsored by Xerox. Simply pick out which postcard design you want. Then choose a message from a list of pre-written notes or write your own. Click submit and you're done. It's really that simple and easy and it will be very much appreciated by the soldier that receives it.

Click here to send a card.

Giving Without Spending: Ronald McDonald pop tab collection program

2007-11-10T11:52:00.001-05:00

(Originally posted on my blog The Adventures of Frugal Girl )

The Ronald McDonald House is a "home away from home" for many sick children and their families each year. They are asked to make a $5-20 donation each day of their stay, but if they can't, their stay is free. What an awesome program!

You can help these families continue to have free or majorly discounted stays by saving the tabs on your soda cans, vegetable and soup cans, and pet food cans. Drop-off sites for pop tabs range in location, from the House to McDonald's restaurants, local banks and grocery stores.

Here's a picture of our collection so far. It's amazing how many aluminum cans have went into this small pile! We started doing this at the beginning of August when I was told about it from a friend.

Click here to visit the Ronald McDonald House website.

Giving Without Spending: The Hungersite

2007-11-10T11:49:00.001-05:00

(Originally posted on my blog The Adventures of Frugal Girl )

Frugal folks are some of the most generous people around. They may not have a lot, but they're willing to give what little they do have to help someone in need.

When most people think about donating to charities, they think the only way is by donating money. And since they don't have much money to spare, they feel like they are unable to help. This is far from the truth. You can donate things like your time, special services (computer, landscaping), and stuff you have stored up or laying around your house that isn't being used.

Each week I'm going to post a way to give to charity or your fellow man, without spending a dime in the process. The rewards in giving are priceless!

The first charity I'm covering this week is a website that contains several sites that you can visit and click daily to help feed a starving child, feed a starving animal, fund a mammogram, fund healthcare for a child, save the rainforest, and provide books for needy kids. Just go to http://www.thehungersite.com/ daily and click the "Help Feed the Hungry" button pictured below. After you have done that, visit each of the other sites by clicking on their tab at the top of the page which can also be seen in the picture.

One way to remember to visit everyday is to set it as your homepage. Remember, one click doesn't provide a free mammogram, a cup of food, etc. It takes many clicks to reach just one goal of each site so visit daily and click away. It's easy and free!

Giving Without Spending: Old glasses for new owners

2007-11-10T11:44:00.001-05:00

(Originally posted on my blog The Adventures of Frugal Girl )

This week's featured opportunity is the Lions Club. They collect used eyeglasses which are cleaned then sorted by prescription. The glasses are then distributed to those in need in developing countries.

So do you have an old pair lying around or know someone who does? Instead of letting them collect dust, let the Lions Club put them to good use. You will greatly improve the quality of someone's life. To find out where to donate in your area, go the Lions Club website at http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/content/vision_eyeglass_recycling.shtml and click on "Club Locator" located on the left portion of the page. You will be given contact information for your local chapter.

Giving Without Spending...Much: Movies for the disabled

2007-11-10T11:36:00.001-05:00

(Originally posted on my blog The Adventures of Frugal Girl )

Moviesforfree.org (http://www.moviesforfree.org/) is a program that sends out movies to people that are disabled and on a limited income. They accept donations of gently used VHS and DVDs to distribute to those eligible for the program. If you have a few movies you've only watched once or twice and have no plans to watch again, think about sending them to moviesforfree.org. You will have to pay for shipping but the cost shouldn't be much using media mail.

Giving Without Spending: IM'ing for a cause

2007-11-10T11:17:00.001-05:00

(Originally posted on my blog The Adventures of Frugal Girl )

This has got to be the coolest thing I've seen in a while. Yes, I live a sheltered life! I received an email from MSN Messenger stating you can now IM for a cause. From the site:

i’m is a new initiative from Windows Live Messenger™. Every time you start a conversation using i’m, Microsoft shares a portion of the program's advertising revenue with some of the world's most effective organizations dedicated to social causes. We've set no cap on the amount we'll donate to each organization.
The sky's the limit. So any time you have an i’m™ conversation using Windows Live Messenger, you help address the issues you feel most passionate about, including poverty, child protection, disease, environmental degradation and animal protection. It's simple. All you have to do is join and start an instant messaging conversation. We'll handle the donation.

Click here to get started.

I am IM'ing for the Red Cross.