I am participating in another charity. The other three that I participated in were more close to my heart, being Breast Cancer and Children's Hospital Oncology... both of which have touched our family in one way or another. But from what I have read, this one seems like a really neat program as well. 100% of donations go towards the Cancer Coping Center. (We can also choose for a portion to go towards the Boys & Girls Club, but I will route my donation to the Cancer Coping Center, unless otherwise specified.)
Just wanted to throw this out there... if you are interested in donating to this cause, please email me. RNMeg@cox.net
Also, if you would like to donate a handmade item or a service, let me know as well.
They hold a silent auction and 100% of the proceeds go to the cause as well. Any handmade items or crafts are encouraged... last time there were some darling aprons and pre-made scrapbooks which fetched really high prices. If you provide a service in the San Diego area, you can also be creative and auction off your services or a discounted service. (i.e.: Last time I bid on 3 months of Stroller Strides, got it for $15!)
I don't like asking people for money or collecting donations, but the few times I have, there has always been someone who is excited about the cause or who donates monthly to another cause and would just re-route that months donation. So I'm not really asking, I'm offering an opportunity for those who are interested.
Ha! There! That makes me feel better about it! heehee
As always, after the event I will post the final amount of money raised.
Showing posts with label charity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label charity. Show all posts
2.07.2009
12.02.2008
11.10.2008
2 Pairs of Shoes for One Venti Cupa
Here is something WAY COOL!!!!! (Click on the banner below.) It's almost serendipitous that I ran into this just a few days after my last post!
This is the "Starbucks" that I'm not drinking tomorrow. Or the next day, or maybe even the next~*
Think about it. It just asounds me.
This is the "Starbucks" that I'm not drinking tomorrow. Or the next day, or maybe even the next~*
Think about it. It just asounds me.
11.07.2008
Megan getting philosophical at an extremely late hour... bad combo
When we went to Ensenada, I had a moment where a bit of reality hit me. I wanted to post about it when we got back in town but never had the time to sit down and write. And honestly, I didn't know exactly what to write. I was afraid of sounding cliche or trite. Why should I come here and tell a story and simply say, "It was sad."
Poverty is a reality that I feel helpless against, and a bit foolish even talking about since I'm not really backing it with action. I don't know how to deal with these things, especially coming from such a wealthy country and being surrounded by all the greed in the midst of excess. Many people either turn their heads or adopt an attitude of, "it's not my problem." I've never been one to turn my head (purposefully), this is just where my heart goes.
So that said, I had forgotten about this little (unwritten) post until the memories of these people popped back into my head as I was reading about the Compassion trip in the Dominican Republic.
Here's my little story. The poverty and this experience is not near comparable to theirs... not the point... but it just reminded me of it & so I decided to come here & reflect on it for a second.
We were at "Papas & Beer", sitting outside enjoying some food & drinks. There were a lot of people trying to sell things-- handmade objects, chicle, etc. I enjoyed seeing the people, exchanging a few words (between my {very} broken Spanish & their broken English), and trying to find a momentary connection through a smile or the meeting of eyes. I wanted to buy something from each of them, but, of course, couldn't. But I wanted them to know that I could see them, and that they mattered to me at that moment. (I felt angry at the people who ignored them!)
As Kevin left for the restroom, I asked him how much money he had. He said something like, "$20, why?" And he saw my face & said, "you can't have it!" To which I confessed, "because I want to give it all away."
We had been a bit stressed out about him only having such little cash on him because he had forgotten to tell the credit union that we were travelling internationally so some places weren't accepting his card. When we were exiting the boat I told him that I couldn't believe he didn't get more cash from the cruiseline's ATM, and he reassured me that there would be ATMs in Mexico.
Suddenly, though, $20 sounded like a lot. These people were begging for a dollar! It could truely make a difference in someone's day- maybe help feed their family for a day or buy some shoes for their children. ...Or we could have a few more drinks and buy a souvenir with it.
There were two young boys, maybe 4-5 years old. They were both barefoot in the streets trying to sell some things-- weaving in and out of the tables in the outdoor sidewalk patio. At one point there was a man (a P&B customer) who gave one of boys two chicken wings. The boy disappeared momentarily, sharing his prize with his envious friend. A minute later, the boy came back to the table & pulled on the man's pantleg. The boy was looking up at the man and was gesturing with his hand to his mouth.
My heart sank.
The man wrapped up a handful of chicken wings in a napkin & gave it to the boy. He & his friend ran to the curbside and inhaled them.
They are hungry. They are barefoot, and 4 years old, wandering the streets, and hungry.
I didn't want to cry. I didn't want to look at these people with pity or make them feel like I felt sorry for them. I had to look away to keep the tears from coming, and when my husband returned from the restroom, I had to hide my eyes with my sunglasses as I quietly relayed the story to him.
In the meantime, the waiters at Papas & Beer were shooing the kids away-- yelling and chasing them like stray cats.
They don't want the customers to see the poverty. They don't want anybody to feel guilty for spending money at their establishment.
I have been given a heart for the needy (as previously written here.) Being a mother, though, this little experience struck me a bit differently. Like the song/video (below) says, "I saw my son in a little boy's eyes."
That is what I felt as I sat at the table and watched that sweet young barefoot child gesturing his hunger. It tore my heart up.
I thought of my children.
I thought of their mothers.
When discussing such issues, often people retort that we have hungry & needy people in our own country, and why don't we take care of our "own" people. To which my heart cries, who cares what country we were born in! We are all on this earth together, mankind, God's children. I have never been able to understand this thinking.
I've been on mission trips and visited poverty-stricken areas throughout my youth. I still remember their faces and many of their names. They are each in my heart, family! Their love and warmth towards us, their grateful hearts and the joy that they had from the Lord despite their circumstances... it was astounding to me. We met some wonderful people and experienced a unity that crossed boundaries of language, economics, race, geographics, age, & gender.
My heart aches to do something. But my (beloved) just thinks it's sweet of me. The end.
I cannot seem to draw any conclusions based on my experiences or my current situation.
Except that I don't want to turn my head.
A few more unconnected thoughts... (to remain undeveloped because it's late & my train of thought is quite circular right now!):
Since I can't do anything with our money, maybe I can find a way to use my time, and could it really make a difference? Is this possible?
I'm also reading (Mission of Motherhood) and working hard at ministering to & raising my children AND: (oh please help me!) keeping the home! This is my mission-field. I've only read a few chapters, but so far I love this book... challenging, uplifting, energizing, encouraging, and did I say challenging?!?
Can I do it all?!?
I feel so idle and tunnel-visioned sometimes! I know my efforts are first and foremost to serve the Lord, and then my husband & children. What a blessed and fulfilling and huge responsibility, too. Not underscoring that by any means.
But how frustrating it is when I find myself placing too much importance on the things in life (appearance, material things, etc). And how saddening when I realize that I have once again gotten caught up in the rat race. Not that we should sell all our things or feel guilty for having nice things-- but the excess is quite excessive dontcha think!?! I mean, who needs 300 channels on TV anyway?!? And the things should definitely not have any power in our hearts... for example, causing us to feel jealous when others have them or sad when we can't. Ahem, Miss Megan, who is dying for new couches and pictures for the walls! Oh, but I do want some!
Poverty is a reality that I feel helpless against, and a bit foolish even talking about since I'm not really backing it with action. I don't know how to deal with these things, especially coming from such a wealthy country and being surrounded by all the greed in the midst of excess. Many people either turn their heads or adopt an attitude of, "it's not my problem." I've never been one to turn my head (purposefully), this is just where my heart goes.
So that said, I had forgotten about this little (unwritten) post until the memories of these people popped back into my head as I was reading about the Compassion trip in the Dominican Republic.
Here's my little story. The poverty and this experience is not near comparable to theirs... not the point... but it just reminded me of it & so I decided to come here & reflect on it for a second.
We were at "Papas & Beer", sitting outside enjoying some food & drinks. There were a lot of people trying to sell things-- handmade objects, chicle, etc. I enjoyed seeing the people, exchanging a few words (between my {very} broken Spanish & their broken English), and trying to find a momentary connection through a smile or the meeting of eyes. I wanted to buy something from each of them, but, of course, couldn't. But I wanted them to know that I could see them, and that they mattered to me at that moment. (I felt angry at the people who ignored them!)
As Kevin left for the restroom, I asked him how much money he had. He said something like, "$20, why?" And he saw my face & said, "you can't have it!" To which I confessed, "because I want to give it all away."
We had been a bit stressed out about him only having such little cash on him because he had forgotten to tell the credit union that we were travelling internationally so some places weren't accepting his card. When we were exiting the boat I told him that I couldn't believe he didn't get more cash from the cruiseline's ATM, and he reassured me that there would be ATMs in Mexico.
Suddenly, though, $20 sounded like a lot. These people were begging for a dollar! It could truely make a difference in someone's day- maybe help feed their family for a day or buy some shoes for their children. ...Or we could have a few more drinks and buy a souvenir with it.
There were two young boys, maybe 4-5 years old. They were both barefoot in the streets trying to sell some things-- weaving in and out of the tables in the outdoor sidewalk patio. At one point there was a man (a P&B customer) who gave one of boys two chicken wings. The boy disappeared momentarily, sharing his prize with his envious friend. A minute later, the boy came back to the table & pulled on the man's pantleg. The boy was looking up at the man and was gesturing with his hand to his mouth.
My heart sank.
The man wrapped up a handful of chicken wings in a napkin & gave it to the boy. He & his friend ran to the curbside and inhaled them.
They are hungry. They are barefoot, and 4 years old, wandering the streets, and hungry.
I didn't want to cry. I didn't want to look at these people with pity or make them feel like I felt sorry for them. I had to look away to keep the tears from coming, and when my husband returned from the restroom, I had to hide my eyes with my sunglasses as I quietly relayed the story to him.
In the meantime, the waiters at Papas & Beer were shooing the kids away-- yelling and chasing them like stray cats.
They don't want the customers to see the poverty. They don't want anybody to feel guilty for spending money at their establishment.
I have been given a heart for the needy (as previously written here.) Being a mother, though, this little experience struck me a bit differently. Like the song/video (below) says, "I saw my son in a little boy's eyes."
That is what I felt as I sat at the table and watched that sweet young barefoot child gesturing his hunger. It tore my heart up.
I thought of my children.
I thought of their mothers.
When discussing such issues, often people retort that we have hungry & needy people in our own country, and why don't we take care of our "own" people. To which my heart cries, who cares what country we were born in! We are all on this earth together, mankind, God's children. I have never been able to understand this thinking.
I've been on mission trips and visited poverty-stricken areas throughout my youth. I still remember their faces and many of their names. They are each in my heart, family! Their love and warmth towards us, their grateful hearts and the joy that they had from the Lord despite their circumstances... it was astounding to me. We met some wonderful people and experienced a unity that crossed boundaries of language, economics, race, geographics, age, & gender.
My heart aches to do something. But my (beloved) just thinks it's sweet of me. The end.
I cannot seem to draw any conclusions based on my experiences or my current situation.
Except that I don't want to turn my head.
A few more unconnected thoughts... (to remain undeveloped because it's late & my train of thought is quite circular right now!):
Since I can't do anything with our money, maybe I can find a way to use my time, and could it really make a difference? Is this possible?
I'm also reading (Mission of Motherhood) and working hard at ministering to & raising my children AND: (oh please help me!) keeping the home! This is my mission-field. I've only read a few chapters, but so far I love this book... challenging, uplifting, energizing, encouraging, and did I say challenging?!?
Can I do it all?!?
I feel so idle and tunnel-visioned sometimes! I know my efforts are first and foremost to serve the Lord, and then my husband & children. What a blessed and fulfilling and huge responsibility, too. Not underscoring that by any means.
But how frustrating it is when I find myself placing too much importance on the things in life (appearance, material things, etc). And how saddening when I realize that I have once again gotten caught up in the rat race. Not that we should sell all our things or feel guilty for having nice things-- but the excess is quite excessive dontcha think!?! I mean, who needs 300 channels on TV anyway?!? And the things should definitely not have any power in our hearts... for example, causing us to feel jealous when others have them or sad when we can't. Ahem, Miss Megan, who is dying for new couches and pictures for the walls! Oh, but I do want some!
It's difficult to reconcile these things, isn't it?!
These Compassion trips always do get me thinking & yearning!
I'm making myself tired. Good night.
3.12.2008
MIA
That's me. Sorry friends! But I'm just writing to say that I'm going to continue to take the MIA route for now. My life has been keeping me busy. So busy that I feel like I'm just barely keeping my head above water at times!
There are some people whose togetherness make me feel like I'm the only one on the planet who isn't caught up in my housework or who has ever felt this tired. And then there are those who confide that they've been there too. Aah! I'm so thankful for my friends here who have shared glimpses of their lives, and made me realize that I'm not alone!
So let me just expose, once-and-for-all, something that I've been feeling horrible about for the last few days. My house is a wreck.
There. I said it.
I feel like I'm being overtaken by laundry. My sister (who is on top of everything, including taking-in everbody else's children {and foreign exchange students too}) told me today that she's been there. WHAT!?!?!? It felt so good to hear that!! Misery does love company, my friends. LOL I just wonder why she couldn't have told me that before, it would have saved me a whole lot of beating myself up! Because if she has been there, then I HAVE to surmise that every mom has. At least, every mom who doesn't have help. Or most.
Not that I've been busy doing laundry the past week, but I have spent today dwelling on the sinking feeling this mess is giving me! (That's productive, hah!) I haven't exactly been sitting around doing nothing either. (Oh the joy that would be!) Our TV stopped working and I realized that I'm actually craving it, isn't that terrible!? (But I have a sick toddler with no TV... how will I keep his mind off his sorrows for yet ANOTHER day without at least one sitting of Baby Einstein or Mickey Mouse Clubhouse!?!)
None of this is explaining why I've been missing from the blogosphere. I guess the answer is, with all the building up housework and bills and everything else I have to do, along with my precious little ones who fill my days (& whose days I strive to fill), ... I just haven't been able to bring myself here to write lately!
And now that I have, I'm really not liking what's coming out!!! LOL So my moment of dreariness is forever recorded in bloggy history. That's what I get for writing when I should be cleaning! Or sleeping! So I will end on a brighter note... The charity scrapbooking event (Fantasyland Crop) that my mom, sister & I participated in over the weekend raised >$6,000 for Rady Children's Hospital Oncology Unit!! (Final totals not in yet). It was a blast and very exciting to raise money for such a wonderful cause. Woo Hoo!
Okay, back to MIA... (AKA: consoling crying babies, trying to catch up, working, yes I'm back to work, and reading/playingwith/feeding/raising/nurturing my babies!)
I'll try to come back soon! *HUGS*
4/14 EDITED TO ADD:
THE NEW TOTAL FOR THE FUNDS RAISED AT THE EVENT IS $10,829! A PORTION OF THAT IS FOR THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB (I'M GUESSING ~$2,500 OR SO BASED ON THE PRELIMINARY TOTALS AT THE EVENT... WE GOT TO CHOOSE WHICH CAUSE OUR MONEY WOULD GO TO) - THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE CHOSE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL ONCOLOGY UNIT.
THERE ARE THREE *GREAT* RAFFLES THAT WE KICKED OFF AT THE EVENT- I THOUGHT I'D PASS THEM ALONG IN CASE ANYBOY IS INTERESTED.
1- A CRICUT MACHINE, ($300 VALUE)
2- WALL PORTRAIT OF YOUR CHILD, HAND EMBELLISHED, ($1000 VALUE)
3- AN AMAZING PROFESSIONALLY PAINTED FAMILY PORTRAIT ($3000 VALUE)
CHECK THEM OUT &/OR ENTER HERE.
There are some people whose togetherness make me feel like I'm the only one on the planet who isn't caught up in my housework or who has ever felt this tired. And then there are those who confide that they've been there too. Aah! I'm so thankful for my friends here who have shared glimpses of their lives, and made me realize that I'm not alone!
So let me just expose, once-and-for-all, something that I've been feeling horrible about for the last few days. My house is a wreck.
There. I said it.
I feel like I'm being overtaken by laundry. My sister (who is on top of everything, including taking-in everbody else's children {and foreign exchange students too}) told me today that she's been there. WHAT!?!?!? It felt so good to hear that!! Misery does love company, my friends. LOL I just wonder why she couldn't have told me that before, it would have saved me a whole lot of beating myself up! Because if she has been there, then I HAVE to surmise that every mom has. At least, every mom who doesn't have help. Or most.
Not that I've been busy doing laundry the past week, but I have spent today dwelling on the sinking feeling this mess is giving me! (That's productive, hah!) I haven't exactly been sitting around doing nothing either. (Oh the joy that would be!) Our TV stopped working and I realized that I'm actually craving it, isn't that terrible!? (But I have a sick toddler with no TV... how will I keep his mind off his sorrows for yet ANOTHER day without at least one sitting of Baby Einstein or Mickey Mouse Clubhouse!?!)
None of this is explaining why I've been missing from the blogosphere. I guess the answer is, with all the building up housework and bills and everything else I have to do, along with my precious little ones who fill my days (& whose days I strive to fill), ... I just haven't been able to bring myself here to write lately!
And now that I have, I'm really not liking what's coming out!!! LOL So my moment of dreariness is forever recorded in bloggy history. That's what I get for writing when I should be cleaning! Or sleeping! So I will end on a brighter note... The charity scrapbooking event (Fantasyland Crop) that my mom, sister & I participated in over the weekend raised >$6,000 for Rady Children's Hospital Oncology Unit!! (Final totals not in yet). It was a blast and very exciting to raise money for such a wonderful cause. Woo Hoo!
Okay, back to MIA... (AKA: consoling crying babies, trying to catch up, working, yes I'm back to work, and reading/playingwith/feeding/raising/nurturing my babies!)
I'll try to come back soon! *HUGS*
4/14 EDITED TO ADD:
THE NEW TOTAL FOR THE FUNDS RAISED AT THE EVENT IS $10,829! A PORTION OF THAT IS FOR THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB (I'M GUESSING ~$2,500 OR SO BASED ON THE PRELIMINARY TOTALS AT THE EVENT... WE GOT TO CHOOSE WHICH CAUSE OUR MONEY WOULD GO TO) - THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE CHOSE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL ONCOLOGY UNIT.
THERE ARE THREE *GREAT* RAFFLES THAT WE KICKED OFF AT THE EVENT- I THOUGHT I'D PASS THEM ALONG IN CASE ANYBOY IS INTERESTED.
1- A CRICUT MACHINE, ($300 VALUE)
2- WALL PORTRAIT OF YOUR CHILD, HAND EMBELLISHED, ($1000 VALUE)
3- AN AMAZING PROFESSIONALLY PAINTED FAMILY PORTRAIT ($3000 VALUE)
CHECK THEM OUT &/OR ENTER HERE.
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