ORG Community Charity - We can give as good as we get!

[honkifuluvGG]

For seven wonderful seasons Gilmore Girls gave us first class entertainment.  A show steeped in people and their closest relationships.  A show that in itself had an extremely tight-knit community.  And for just as long, GilmoreGirls.org has been around to give us this amazing home, that we as a community have come to participate in, to cherish just as much as our Girls!  We have been so fortunate to receive all of this from a common interest, and now members want to give something back.

You may have noticed some discussions taking place around the boards about an ORG supported charity.  This thread is dedicated to discovering if other members feel as we do.  To find out if, given the chance, members would truly put their money where there mouth is and help us choose and support an ORG charity collectively.

So in the first instance you probably have three things to consider….
1. Are you interested?
2. What charitable cause are we going to support?
3. How much do you want to/can you support?


Things to keep in mind when making decisions:
1. We'd want something that appeals to many ORG members since the goal would be to attract as much positive attention as possible.
2. A charity or cause that we can track the progress of over time may lend to a more ongoing participation level.

So what interests you?  Would you be interested in sponsoring a child?  Or are you more interested in supporting a cause that has a link to the show like Lauren’s support of Breast Cancer Research?  Do you have other ideas for a worthy cause?  Please make a post and let your feelings be known.  This show made a huge difference in our lives, and now I for one would like to do the same for somebody else.

[kamibeaR]

I was wondering when a thread for this cause was going to be made.

I know that you guys were talking about sponsoring a child in Heidi's Soapbox, but this struck my interest.. 

Or are you more interested in supporting a cause that has a link to the show like Lauren’s support of Breast Cancer Research?

Supporting any type of cancer has always been something of my interest. Especially breast cancer. In fact, just last month I sent in a whole bunch of pink yogurt lids to help with breast cancer research. Myself, I'm going for this choice. But I'll be down for anything.


BTW, the Rory and Paris picture made me crack up. One of my favorite episodes and scene.

[GGfanemma]

I'd love to do something like this. I heard of this one charity that gets kids from broken homes into music, you know they give lessons and things for free. Would anyone be up for that? If not, any type of breast cancer thing would work too.

[wmushell]

Thank you so much, Caryn, for bringing this project to the forefront and giving it it's own thread!  

I love everything you said in your post about how it is so rewarding to give - especially to something that has given us so much (this amazing show).  I, for one, would be proud to be a part of a donation given in the name of this site.  What a wonderful way to feel like you're part of something that's just a bit bigger than yourself.  Just think, if we could get enough participants to give just a litte we could really make a positive impact.  We are stronger as a group than as individuals.

I know that you guys were talking about sponsoring a child in Heidi's Soapbox, but this struck my interest..

Or are you more interested in supporting a cause that has a link to the show like Lauren’s support of Breast Cancer Research?

Supporting any type of cancer has always been something of my interest. Especially breast cancer. In fact, just last month I sent in a whole bunch of pink yogurt lids to help with breast cancer research. Myself, I'm going for this choice. But I'll be down for anything.

This is a cause I'm very interested in supporting too, Kami!  It's just a cause close to my heart and it does have a great GG connection as Lauren Graham's mother passed away due to breast cancer.  

Another concept I would be interested in is supporting something that deals with the building of schools or donating of books to an underdeveloped area (because education is really what is going to turn around the cycle of poverty more than anything).

Obviously, these are just my personal preferences but I would support any charity that ends up being chosen.

Emma, I love your ideas too!  What does everyone else think?  Any more ideas for charities to support?

[Sooks]

Caryn, thanks for opening a thread dedicated to this topic! It's a great feeling to know that the org is in support of such a cause and making a difference in more than just the lives of those members who have been lucky enough to find this amazing site! It makes me even more proud to be a member here!!

I've done as you suggested and brought a few of the posts I made in Heidi's Soapbox thread here, so as to reference what I've brought fourth. It might not be anything we want to use, but it's here nevertheless.

I love that this conversation is still going!!

I did a little research and found these two sites as the best ones that I could tell.

SOS Villages SOS Villages is an organization that helps children and keeps them in families, those that are natural siblings are kept together. They build schools for children and allow others in the community use them as well. They looked like a pretty nice organization. They have a nice recording on the main page of their site that they tell you all about SOS.

Plan USA is another site that looked interesting and quite nice. It's $24/ month to sponsor a child.

What is child sponsorship?
Child sponsorship is the best way to help a child, family and community build a future free from poverty. Sponsorship connects you with one needy child in a developing country. That little boy or girl becomes your ambassador to a place and culture you might otherwise never know. Through letters, pictures and small gifts you’ll get to know your sponsored child and be a part of his or her life.

For only $24 a month — less than $1 a day, the cost of a soft drink — you can make it possible for your sponsored child and his or her family to benefit from our programs.

That can mean safe, clean water to drink for the first time, a school to go to, nutritious food and health care, and much, much more.

OK...there's one more that looked pretty good called World Vision

I'm also researching other ways we could make a donation to a charity and watch it's progress. There's many things like adopting a village or a school/ class or things like that.

I was also really interested in the microloan charity that B we talking about earlier. That sounded good too, but I don't know that people would be as interested as the sponsoring a child. It just seems there's more that would relate to or have a special place in their hearts for a child. Just my thought.

So, that's all I have for now! I won't let this discussion die! It's great to see interest! Thanks for getting it going again, B and for supporting it Heidi!

This was in response to Heidi's post about making one up front donation and then ongoing donations if possible...

I like the idea of making one up front donation and then people could donate throughout the year if they wish to. I also agree, that the total of $200 - $300 is a reasonable goal. I think that we definitely want to stress that there's no pressure to donate. Some don't have much money and can't afford it and that's totally understandable. I think this is a great idea, guy!! I'm so excited about it!

I'll think about the two questions that you posed, Heidi and write more later. I think they are good questions and will help us focus/ narrow things down a bit.

I really hope that this motivation won't die! We need to keep rallying everyone together! What a great thing!

I was wondering when a thread for this cause was going to be made.

I know that you guys were talking about sponsoring a child in Heidi's Soapbox, but this struck my interest.. 

Or are you more interested in supporting a cause that has a link to the show like Lauren’s support of Breast Cancer Research?

Supporting any type of cancer has always been something of my interest. Especially breast cancer. In fact, just last month I sent in a whole bunch of pink yogurt lids to help with breast cancer research. Myself, I'm going for this choice. But I'll be down for anything.

I think that cancer would be a great cause to donate to! I think that's one area that could always use the support! I'm up for anything too, but this links to the show and the actors, as well I think would speak to many.

*The one thing that I agree with Heidi about that she commented on was how it would be nice to donate to something that we could see progress with, or that we would get to see how our contribution has helped. Some place or some way that we would know exactly what our money was going to and how it was used. I think for a situation like this, with a bunch of people donating for a cause, that might be a good thing. It would be nice for her to report back to us on how the money was used and what was done, how things improved or were helped.

I know this isn't often the reason one donates. In my personal life, I tend to donate to causes that are near and dear to my heart. And I only assume that my money is going to something that will make a difference in the area. However, it's great to hear from the child that I sponsor and see how he's doing too! So, I understand both ways! I just think it would be fun to see progress here!

I was also saying over there, that I think we need to make the donation to an organization that the actors of Gilmore Girls would appreciate or support. That would also perhaps get more support from members here. Just a thought.

SPREAD THE WORD!!

Thanks for entertaining the idea, Heidi!! And thanks to QweenB for bringing this back up again! It had been awhile since we talked about it! It's never a bad thing to give and give and give a little more! Makes my heart happy! :heart:

[QweenB]

Hey,

I am glad this thread has come to fruition! If you dont know what fruition means you should visit www.freerice.com and expand your vocabulary (actually it really would be beneficial to a lot of members here!)

Sarah (Fantasy) suggested the site about a week ago and I had a look, it really is an amazing site and it costs nothing so it would be good for our members who dont have any disposable income - its also something that we can trace our impact - for example, I was just on there for twenty minutes before my internet dropped out and I managed to raise 2700 grains of rice! My mum and sister were playing along with me and they plan to go there too whenever they are bored and want a challenge.

It wouldnt hurt to go there while we are tossing around ideas for the org charity and maybe Caryn could keep a tally in the original post!

Thanks for the idea Sarah

B xxx

EDIT: Got another 9180 which makes...11880 Yay me!

[Miranda]

That site is amazing, thanks for sharing!!!

[QweenB]

And another 4000 makes 15880!

I am working on some figures as to how much of a difference a few grains of rice make but I am sick and not with it enough to do the math so sit tight, they will be posted when I am better.

B xxx

[Sooks]

WOW, B and Sarah this site is awesome!!! Freerice.com I'm raising grains of rice and learning vocabulary words to expand my knowledge! It's a win-win for everyone! (B I like your comment about the vocab in your first post, by the way! ) I think it's a wonderful site! I hope that it really works! I just jumped right now and started playing and didn't read about all the details like I probably should have! But it's wonderful!

It's addicting!!! You just want to keep going and going! Did you know moony means dreamy?!

I think we should definitely pass along the word! It's great to do while we figure out what we are going to donate to financially!

B would you post more about the loan donation that you talked about on the other thread? I can't remember exactly what it's called but I really thought it was interesting and want to go back to Heidi's thread and get that website too! I want to learn more about it and think it's a good idea for this thread.

What else are people thinking?? And if you're interested, spread the word for others to stop by this thread! 

Edit: When I reading the FAQ on the freerice.com site...I came across this site http://www.one.org/[/ur] which you can place your name on and help as well as learn more about ending world hunger. It's not something that we'll end overnight but with most everything, everyone makes a difference! Another site to go to that you contribute to without any financial means. Great to do for anyone!

[I LUV JESS~!!]

Or are you more interested in supporting a cause that has a link to the show like Lauren’s support of Breast Cancer Research?

Supporting any type of cancer has always been something of my interest. Especially breast cancer. In fact, just last month I sent in a whole bunch of pink yogurt lids to help with breast cancer research. Myself, I'm going for this choice. But I'll be down for anything.

Yeah, me too, I'm down for anything but I'm more into the supporting a type of cancer idea. Two of my aunts have had breast cancer, and my family isn't the healiest, and I actually go to a camp for kids with cancer (And their siblings) so I like that idea.


www.freerice.com  I like it! Almost all of the words I just got I've never even heard of before, but I already got 200 grains of rice! 

[Heidi]

Hi gang,

My personal preference for a charitable cause would be something that we could track over time.  Of course it's fantastic to donate X amount of money to a non-profit, but it might be a little more engaging if we're able to know exactly how the money is spent or if we're kept up to date on details. 

Sponsor a child, adopt a village, donate items to a school, etc.  We have many options. 

~Heidi

[Lovefiend]

Yeah I've been going to freerice since Sarah first mentioned it, it rocks so much!!

I like Michelle's idea about building a school, it's eomthing I've been involved in before, and it's really worthwhile. Education is just so very important
"Nothing wins more hearts and minds and nothing gives more freedom than education and nothing is a better deterrent for conflict than an educated child."
It's also something that can be tracked over time, and for many, many years to come.

[Fantasy]

::slaps self in head::

What the heck was I thinking? I haven't been on this forum in, oh, forever? I totalllly missed all you! And thank you for using that site! I am so glad that we are spreading the word. I have a couple other charity options I've seen, I don't know if they are up our alley or whatnot, but it can't hurt to look, no? Lasting options seem best. OKayy. My computer is apparently having a spat with me, probably since I've ignored you all. Anywho, that means I can't see my favorites. The only website I can recall off the top of my head is the one below. I'll get back to y'all on the others.

http://www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/b.3538797/?msource=kw2001&gclid=CMm97P_8-5ACFTyKOAodVX6p3A

Hmm..go there. I don't know if that link works, if not, go to www.heifer.org   
Browse around, see what you see. I don't feel like typing a description, as I don't know a heck of a lot about it. Okay. I'll be on later. Not that you would know when later is. (I've also picked up a bad habit of rambling....anywho.)

[QweenB]

Hey everyone, dont have much time, I have a doctors appointment for my throat infection. Hopefully this time they will give me drugs or something, hehe.

Sooks the website with the microloaning is www.kiva.org

Glad you are enjoying www.freerice.com

B xxx

[Lovefiend]

Ok, so on the school-building front Here's The SoulieJOlie project website, here's the info on  it:
 
About Us

In July 2005, Katja, a member of the SoulieJolie forums, made a post regarding Cambodian Vision In Development (CVD) and we decided we wanted to help by getting the whole site involved and help the CVD spread the word of their good work. This in turn will hopefully bring more awareness to the plight of the Cambodian people and what they need.

Katja provided us with the information we needed and we discovered that one of the overlooked aspects is education.

As education is important to all of us, SoulieJolie decided that we wanted to help the Cambodian people get the education that they need and more importantly deserve. With all of this in mind, the SoulieJolie Project was born.

In Cambodia a child only needs $5 to receive a school uniform, pen, notebook and ruler. We were surprised by how cheap this cost is compared to that of the western world so we decided not to just settle with helping to raise money for these basic needs we decided to go true ‘Jolie’ style and push the boundaries and not only giving them the basic needs but help raise money to build them a school as well.

This is no small task as we need to raise around $25,000.

When we reach this goal, CVD will assign one full time member of their staff to keep updating of report, photo, and interview with beneficiaries (SoulieJolie) on a regular basis in order to provide a journal of how the members money is being spent on the school. The school will also be tagged with our name (SoulieJolies' school) and the amount that the members donated. We have even been invited to go and inaugurate the build when it completes.

Then it's over to the Cambodian government, who will be responsible to pay for teachers etc.
 
And Here's the company that they work through in Cambodia. Just to give ya'll some more info about how that kinda thing is done, if that's what you're into.