What have you done to improve the state of the world?

[sunstruck]

I'm talking charity work, highway clean up, social work.

Half of my life revolves around non-profit work. I manage a community radio station, I work with an after school teen group, 3 times a year I organize major fund raisers for our local AIDS support group.

I'm not getting on a high horse, or maybe I am, all I know is I see a lot of people bitching about the state of the world today. So what are you DOING about it?

This thread is NOT directed at any specific individuale. I swear.

 

[RastaPope]

Nothing, I'm greedy.

 

[celiaKitten]

I participate in *Walk For a Cure* yearly.

I'm a volunteer archivist.

I'm kind to people. (this is actually huge when it comes to the state of the world)

I actively support Planned Parenthood, PFLAG and The American Cancer Society, usually donating my time during fundraisers or campaigns.

*applauds for sunstruck* I've noticed similar attitudes. It's easy to point and say: 'This sucks' .. so much harder to help the suckage cease.

 

[Guest]

 

[Dixon Carter Lee]

I wish I could tell you about the media organization I manage, but I can't. Just know that it's really cool, and it's really doing some good, and if you all knew what it was you'd all want to sleep with me.

 

[Guest]

 

[Jessie]

Like we dont already??

My thoughts exactly...

 

[lilminx]

I don't formally belong to any volunteer programs, but I spend a lot of my own money, as well as extra time, trying to improve things for my students. Many of them don't come from ideal environments, and NYC doesn't exactly provide everything I want or need for my students.

 

[Pyper]

I was born.

Actually, I was super-active in high school. I organized and ran dozens of children's activities at the community center, was secretary in a volunteer organization, and worked weekends in a food bank.

Now, I'm a lazy college butt, but I'm going to make up for it by going the Peace Corps after I graduate.

 

[sunstruck]

I wish I could tell you about the media organization I manage, but I can't. Just know that it's really cool, and it's really doing some good, and if you all knew what it was you'd all want to sleep with me.

Quit using my thread to get chicks. lmao

Celia, thanks hon. I wasn't looking to toot my own horn so to speak. What I wanted to do was find out if any of the bitchers and moaners, or any of the die hard lovers of this country, were actually involved in any processes that make the world a better place.

It doesn't take as much as most people would think.

It's putting your change in the jar next to the reigster instead of your pocket, it's a couple of hours out of your week to clean up a beach, it's breaking for animals and recycling. If everybody just did a little, even a teeeeeny little bit, the difference would be amazing.

 

[sunstruck]

And of course NONE of them are posting.

 

[brokenbrainwave]

I simply do not have the time to be active in major fund raising but I do do volunteer work at my sons school, and on many more than one occasion I have been an unseen Santa Clause for local kids whom would otherwise not have a Christmas to speak of. I prefer to do what I do in silent, for I do not want the praise, I just want a better place in my little delusional corner of happiness.

 

[HeavyStick]

I took a family of four into my house temporarily to prevent short term homelessness.

I go to a "special" school and help with athletics and reading to small groups children.

 

[takingchances42]

Helped provide affordable and quality housing for... at least 70,000 low income and elderly people around the country by now...

And yes, I also do some volunteer work on the side, mainly with environmental issues...

Don't be jumping to conclusions about what people do for society based on political opinions...

 

[peachykeen]

Aside from working for years in shitty urban schools and being part of a pioneering $6mil public/private initiative to further science education in the poorest neighborhoods in NJ, I have also volunteered time as a Big Sister, at a literacy program, in a small community art gallery and at a summer camp for kids with learning disabilities. I'm no saint but I do what I can.

 

[naudiz]

I've planted trees!

I also helped save a species of bird along the Oregon coast that was dying out because of a pollutant being dumped into the sea. The research I gathered with fellow students helped track the decimation of the species and gave researchers at the Newport facility the numbers they needed to campaign for the disuse of the pollutant. There are several funny stories around the trip where this happened, including one that starts, "Hey, I dare you to put your tongue on that sea anemone."

I did volunteer work with the STEP program monitoring and replenishing salmon populations in Southern Oregon streams.

In my day to day, I buy organic fruits, grains, and vegetables, and non-slaughterhouse meat. I support local businesses. I don't drive. I treat people decently regardless of their social status.

I take part in an annual food/clothing drive for local shelters.

In short, I totally rule.

 

[Sillyman]

I sell drugs and burn down churches.

 

[Dillinger]

In terms of culture, I'd like to think I have contributed to the Arts in my time - in my previous career/life.

Currently - what I'm doing right now... *smile* Part of what's keeping me mostly away from here the next few days... and other projects I've been involved in since last September - even before that, but more so since.

Beyond that - contributions I've made not only to organizations but to individuals.

Things I've done through my company for local school districts (we contribute in many ways).

Perhaps, even in its own way, some of my words here and on other sites - perhaps, I like to think, they may have been said when needed, and perhaps in some small way have helped.

Change begins within. If we aren't happy with ourselves, it is near impossible to bring happiness into the world.

I've often maintained that real change is not going to happen politically. Real change is societal and cultural. Solve that and the political problems fall into place.

And, perhaps, my greatest contribution might very well be the values I instill in my children. Among those I most highly value is having an open mind, respect, care... At least, to the best of my abilities - and with all my faults... I try.

 

[MagicMan]

I'm talking charity work, highway clean up, social work.

Half of my life revolves around non-profit work. I manage a community radio station, I work with an after school teen group, 3 times a year I organize major fund raisers for our local AIDS support group.

I'm not getting on a high horse, or maybe I am, all I know is I see a lot of people bitching about the state of the world today. So what are you DOING about it?

This thread is NOT directed at any specific individuale. I swear.

I was born

 

[MagicMan]

Seriously, any work done for charity or for other people, we don't talk about.

 

[Guest]

 

[Starfish]

I support a great deal of charities. I try hard to stay focused, but I will stray and not do stuff for a bit, then I get feeling guilty and catch up.

I make professional donations, and private ones, and I try to hold doors for people, smile and be friendly, and show others the right way to be to each other, when I can, unless I flake out and start being a freaking bitch, which does happen. (don't be like that fishY!)



Okay, tonight, I flipped off the bitch that I passed who was letting her two year old whip fast food trash out the window. It was like ten bags of shit too. Like she couldn't hear the bags getting sucked out the window.


Now, If tomorrow, I am going to have to stop and pick the fucking trash up cause I feel shitty about it.

 

[FallenSeraph]

I'm sotta late on the charity lately, you know, just getting back to school...

...but in high school, I was the king of charity. Actually, going to a Catholic High School meant that I had complete a certain amout of hours, and I was pretty good at it too, raking in over sixty hours per semester out of the required ten, not bad, eh?

 

[sunstruck]

Thanks guys. You've helped me believe in the potential of humanity for a few more hours. Sometimes the problems just seem so huge and numerous and...unconquerable (inconquerable?).

You've confirmed we have a chance.

And Naudiz rules, but we all knew that.

 

[LovetoGiveRoses]

I'm on the board of directors for a local non-profit. We spend a lot of time and money developing children's programs. (about a $M budget).

I also volunteer on a educational task force working to improve education throughout the state from K-University.

I was formally on the board of directors of a military/industry organization that raised money for kids to attend college, though I've bowed out of that one for the time being.

I also donate money to a wide variety of charities and especially like purchasing/donating books to libraries.

There are a couple of other organizations that I used to belong to, but my time got stretched too thin.