"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. ...But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself."
~ Friedrich Nietzsche
I have a great interest in protecting the environment, helping animals, and just trying to do the right thing. Sadly, I don't have a bank account that allows me to financially support all of the causes in which I believe.
Thanks to the Greater Good Network, and their sponsors, I don't have to be the Sultan of Brunei in order to help.
One of the easiest ways to help is by resetting the home page on your browser. Simply pick one of the websites in the network - I chose The Animal Rescue Site - and every time you visit the Internet, simply click on the "Click Here to Give" button on the main page. It doesn't cost you a dime, but the sponsors will take that 'click' and donate to the cause that you've chosen.
Every time I visit my homepage, I give .6 bowls of food to rescued animals. And I am not alone! Yesterday, July 10, 2008, 303,764 clicks contributed 182,258 bowls of food; in 2007, actions at The Animal Rescue Site funded the value of 42,724,313 bowls of food for animals in need.
I know that I couldn't, personally, contribute enough to make a drop in the bucket. But, working with The Greater Good Network, I - and you - can do wonders.
We were watching this video from YouTube earlier and, being the skeptic I am, I had to look into this. According to Snopes, this is a True Story. Although, it's not quite what it seems.
These domesticated elephants are trained to use the paintbrushes and recreate the same picture, over and over. When they want a new color, they drop the brush. Obviously, they are not able to pick up a paintbrush, so their trainers give them a new one. That is, beyond the repetitive training, the only intervention by humans in the 'painting' process.
The organization that trains these elephants and sells the artwork offers this mission statement:
The Asian Elephant Art & Conservation Project (AEACP) is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving the diminishing number of Asian elephants left on our planet through its work with domesticated elephants. The AEACP raises funds through donations and the sale of artwork created by elephants in order to fulfill its mission.
Asian Elephants are seriously threatened in the wild, with populations estimated at less than 35,000. I'm not certain that I agree with teaching an elephant to paint, but I do support any efforts to protect these beautiful animals.
Obviously, this is a subject near and dear to our hearts.
Tell someone: The need is great and growing.
*
More than 95,000 people are in need of an organ for transplant. *
Each day, about 77 people get the organ transplant that gives them a
second chance, but 17 to 19 others die because they did not receive an
organ transplant. * More than half the people on the waiting list for
a donated organ are racial or ethnic minorities. Chances of getting a
transplant increase if donor and recipient share the same racial/ethnic
background. OrganDonor.gov
"April is National Donate Life Month"
Since 2003, April has been designated as Donate Life Month. There
are 30 days in which you, your company, and your school can make a
difference in the lives of people who need organ transplants. Programs
exist for a myriad of applications.
Decision
Donate is an instructional program for high schools, that helps
students make informed decisions about becoming an organ donor.
The
Workplace Partnership provides information about businesses that make
donation information available to their employees. Find out how to get
your company/employer involved.
As harsh as it may sound - when you're
dead, you're dead. How incredible is it that from one death, the life of
at least eight (8) people can be improved/saved? Don't think about death,
think about life. Commit
to Donation
