Grazi - Danke - Toda - Dhanyawaad - Arigato

In my native language - thank you.

I want to thank Marguerite Zelle for featuring My Ten Bucks on her blog and helping me reach more people. Check out her blog at http://thekindlereport.blogspot.com/.

Also, thank you to K and B who have promised to match My Ten Bucks. You are match number 9. I so appreciate your support!

If anyone would like to match my donations, you can find all of the donation information at the bottom of each nonprofit feature. I always post "the best way to donate" for each nonprofit.

Your support is overwhelming!

Read Aloud Delaware: Making Reading a Priority for Delaware's Children

Mary Hirschbiel shows the
organization's rotating collection

Take one step into Mary Hirschbiel's office, and you can smell books. As readers of my "Ardent Reader" blog may know, there is no sweeter smell, in my opinion. I felt right at home.

Mary Hirschbiel, Executive Director of Read Aloud Delaware, welcomed me warmly with a firm handshake and invited me into her office at the Community Services Building in Wilmington. A nonprofit run primarily by volunteers, Read Aloud Delaware has one mission: to get parents to read to their kids. "Reading is the foundation for everything in life," she says. The charity was started because reading did not seem to take priority in the lives of many children. "Children who don't have reading are handicapped in life." So, they decided to do something about it. Now, Mary's office oversees volunteers staffing 39 locations throughout New Castle County, Delaware. Read Aloud Delaware has offices in Kent and Sussex Counties as well.

Read Aloud Delaware's process is amazing. Volunteers come to them, they are screened and receive background checks, and they are sent to preschools or head start programs. There, they read to a child every single week. The child picks a book from the volunteer's book bag. For five to ten minutes, the child has the volunteer's undivided attention. Ironically enough, the child's curiosity never seems to be satisfied. The challenge for Read Aloud Delaware is to get the message of the importance of one-on-one reading to parents who need to hear it.

Deb Blom, Volunteer Site Leader

Mary remembers one special case: a small boy who was homeless. He had been in multiple shelters, but had been read to by Read Aloud Delaware volunteers at every location. "You can't make assumptions about people," Mary says, "I've spoken to people in shelters who said their only stable nightly tradition was the bedtime story. Every parent needs to give their children this gift." Whether through the use of storytelling or books, the power of language is indisputable.

Mary grew up in a New England home that did not have a TV until she was in her late teens. Some of her best memories involve reading. While one member of her family ironed, another mended, and the third read a book to the other two. Mary remembers with emotion a very special Christmas day, which she spent reading with her elderly mother, aunt, husband, and son. It was one of the last days they spent all together. Mary has always worked for nonprofits in some way, and says she is a problem solver. "I believe problems can be solved by volunteers."



Judy Arthur, part-time
Administrative Assistant

 Right now, Read Aloud Delaware needs unrestricted operating funds to keep their program going. "It costs about $2,400 to run a site. That includes volunteer screening, background checks, and training." There are 39 sites just in New Castle County; you do the math. 

My ten bucks may go to recruiting volunteers, but it may also purchase books. Read Aloud Delaware gives a book to every child that completes their reading programs "I Love to Read Month" and "Read Aloud Week". Your ten bucks may be used to pay Mary's part-time assistant Judy Arthur, who spends her day off voluteering for Read Aloud Delaware. She loves to read to the kids. "It invigorates me," she says, with her bright smile. Or maybe, it will be used to pay for the volunteer orientation materials that Deb Blom, a volunteer for more than ten years, will use as Site Leader. Perhaps it will pay for the volunteer bags full of 25 books that volunteers stock and carry to the site.

The official Read Aloud
Delaware volunteer bag

Whatever you decide to give, give it freely, as the Read Aloud Delaware volunteers give their time. Your ten bucks may help teach a child a read. Sounds like a bargain to me.

Of course, I had to ask Mary, "What are you reading right now?" She reached into her bag and pulled out a paperback, "I'm re-reading The Confessor by Daniel Silva." (Most of you know I couldn't possibly leave without getting that snippet of information.)

The best way to make a donation to Read Aloud Delaware is to send a check to their office at P.O. Box 25249, Wilmington, DE 19899. Want to volunteer? Call Mary's office at (302) 656-5256. Two restaurant fundraisers are planned for April 12 and May 2, get more details at http://www.readalouddelaware.org/.

My ten bucks matters, and so does yours.

Philanthropy: Not a "rich word"

We often hear the word "philanthropy" thrown around when it comes to Ted Turner, Oprah Winfrey, and Bill Gates. These people dedicate millions of dollars to national organizations. We don't often hear the word associated with everyday joes. And yet, broke as I am, I am a philanthropist, in every sense of the word.

Phi·lan·thro·py [fi-lan-thruh-pee] –noun, plural -pies.

1. altruistic concern for human welfare and advancement, usually manifested by donations of money, property, or work to needy persons, by endowment of institutions of learning and hospitals, and by generosity to other socially useful purposes.
2. the activity of donating to such persons or purposes in this way: to devote one's later years to philanthropy.
3. a particular act, form, or instance of this activity: The art museum was their favorite philanthropy.
4. a philanthropic organization.

This definition provided by http://www.dictionary.com/, tells us that philanthropy is not just defined by giving large donations of money, but any donation of money, property, or work to needy persons.

Donation of your time is as valuable as money. You can be a philanthropist without donating your life savings; you can donate your time. As I continue to investigate these nonprofits, I am struck how many of them say they need volunteers. Yes, cash is good. Cash is great. But dedicated, skilled volunteers are difficult to find.

At Bootless Artworks, Rosanne needs volunteers for the production of shows. At Kinfolk, Melinda needs people to help package and distribute computers to needy children. At Faithful Friends, Jane needs volunteers to clean cages, do laundry, and cuddle up to their residents. This is work that they cannot accomplish on their own, because they are too busy trying to keep their nonprofits above water financially.

Volunteering is great. People who volunteer live fuller, more meaningful lives. I know, because I grew up volunteering in many odd capacities. My parents encouraged me to give back from the moment I could.

I was the youngest volunteer on Rick Santorum's campaign when I was 15. (No, I am not a republican.) I volunteered at the Academy of Natural Sciences, cleaning cages, playing with skunks, and dodging snakes in the Live Animal Unit. I spent whole summers volunteering at kids' day camps, and I helped staff Roxborough Area Christian Camp (at Tel Hai) for something like six years. (There, I held the biggest canonball record for quite a few years, until I was unseated by the holy terror of canonball competitions, Kevin Gourley.) These experiences were invaluable for me, because I learned how to deal with people at a very early age, respected the field of public service, and gained insight into my own strengths and weaknesses. For instance, I will never, ever, ever be able to hold a tarantula. I'll leave that one up to my little brother.

Volunteer hours are valued by the IRS at $20.85 per hour. That means that time donated is valued at more than what I make an hour as a paid nonprofit Executive Director. (I'm not complaining, just trying to make a point.)

Challenging as it may be to find the time, I encourage you to exercise your spirit of philanthropy by donating an hour or two per week to a local charity. I guarantee you will not regret it. You will be challenged, no doubt, but your life will be enriched by your experience.

Philanthropy is not a "rich word". It is a word that describes the best that people can offer to those in need, whether that is money, time, or property. Choose to become a member of this elite group of individuals. Choose to be a philanthropist.

Spirits are Renewed at Faithful Friends

Jane and Rocky, who is the largest
cat I have ever seen

I was early for my appointment with Jane Pierantozzi, Executive Director of Faithful Friends in Wilmington. But I wasn't bored. Flossy was there to keep me company. She sat next to me, inspected my bag, sniffed my coat, and wanted me to scratch her chin. So I did. Flossy is black with tan speckles and gorgeous eyes. You guessed it, she's a cat. And she's up for adoption at Faithful Friends No-Kill Animal Shelter. 

Jane walked in a minute later. A tall, graceful woman with a warm smile, Jane is undeniably dedicated to her mission. She and her staff are responsible for Flossy and nearly 200 other animals at the shelter. They rescue abandoned or feral cats and dogs for adoption. Faithful Friends is different than the SPCA and other shelters; they will work with animals that may be aggressive or anti-social. They do not "put down" animals that are difficult; instead, they take the time to understand their dysfunction and help them to correct it. In some cases, the animals require isolation or medication, others may simply require more exposure to humans over a long period of time.

 

Mimi, a Chihuahua mix in the hospital ward

Jane and a number of friends started Faithful Friends as an all-volunteer home-based shelter. In response to the high euthanization rate of animals at the SPCA, Faithful Friends rescued and placed strays, and raised money for their medical treatment. Faithful Friends became a nonprofit organization in 2001, and in 2003, they were able to raise enough funds to open their shelter on Germay Drive in Wilmington.

Nancy, a volunteer, shows me one of her "babies"

During our tour, it was obvious that the animals at Faithful Friends aren't inmates; they are welcome guests. Their kennels are clean and they are well-cared for. The Faithful Friends shelter is divided into small home environments, with plenty of places to climb, curl up, or get cozy. The staff names every animal, and they get to know each animal and their behavior and needs. It helps them to match the animals with potential families. It surprised me how well Jane herself knew each one. She pointed out a rough-looking cat, and knelt down to stroke her. "She's very old, recovering from surgery. We didn't think she would live, but she's doing well." Some residents are finicky about their surroundings. Others may have organ failure or require special diets. Their needs - whether emotional or physical - are addressed with equal importance. 

The Faithful Friends medical ward is filled with animals who have survived some sort of trauma or chronic health issue. One pitt mix was recovering from dogfighting injuries - he was used as bait. He was frisky despite his pain. A chihuahua, who begged for Jane's attention, has a heart problem and sneezes almost constantly. Nancy, a volunteer, showed me tiny kittens who she would be taking home to bottle feed every two hours. 

Arnie (left),  Jane and Jude share a
special moment in the leukemia enclosure

Jude is a stout cat with very little hesitation. He and his best friend Arnie both have feline leukemia and live with four other cats in a dedicated enclosure. They can't mingle with the other cats, and they won't live very long. Jude demanded the lion's share of Jane's attention, while Arnie curled up behind her on the orange chair. "They're the most affectionate of all of the cats," Jane said, "I come here for my therapy when I need a break." I couldn't help feeling a little bit jealous. 



Many animals come through the shelter, Jane said, but Henry was an example of the Faithful Friends program working at its best. Henry was one of 30 feral cats rescued after one of his group, a kitten, had been burned alive. "He was rescued in bad shape," she said, "but he went from being scared of people to being loveable." Henry was adopted by a loving family: a best case scenario.

Faithful Friends treasures their volunteers - almost 400 people - who help to maintain the facility, socialize troubled animals, or match animals with senior facilities or schools. Jane says, "We really value our volunteers." The shelter runs programs like LEAP, where animals read with children. "We believe that animals can help people at any age or stage." 

Jane says that my ten bucks will be put to good use: it will be added to Faithful Friends' Healing Touch Fund. Animals with special needs, including Jude and Arnie, need expensive food and medicine. Others need operations. Although Faithful Friends employs a veterinarian, they can't perform every severe medical procedure. The Healing Touch Fund stands empty right now, but when it comes in, the money pays for operations that residents desperately need. Due to the cost, severely injured animals must wait to have their procedures until Jane can raise the money. Many are waiting right now.

When I asked Jane how her experience at Faithful Friends has enriched her life, she said, "It's the most fulfilling thing I could ever imagine." She has discovered a greater faith in God, especially when it comes to finding funding for medical procedures. "We rely on a higher power. We're doing the work of love."

The best way to donate to Faithful Friends is to send them a check at 12 Germay Drive, Wilmington DE 19804. You can also donate online at http://www.faithfulfriends.us/. Faithful Friends hosts frequent fundraisers as well. The next one, a pancake breakfast, will be held on Sunday, February 27. More information is available on their web site.

My ten bucks matters, and so does yours.



Grassroots: Where all change begins

"Grassroots" is a term that is used a lot, but I always wonder if people truly know what it means. Answers.com gives us the official definition:

Grassrootsgrass-roots grass'-roots' (grăs'rūts', -rʊts') adj.
1. People or society at a local level rather than at the center of major political activity.
2. Often used with the groundwork or source of something.

When I think about grassroots, I think about people who have worked together for a greater good. Most people who started grassroots movements did so because they saw a need and decided to address it. Families, neighbors, and friends joined together to enhance their communities. Together, they developed a "root system", supporting the growth of the entire group.

You and I enjoy our civil rights because of grassroots movements. We drink clean water. We drive on safer highways. We visit museums, historical sites, and landmarks. We benefit from legislation that keeps our families safe. And yet, do we ever really think about how these things came to be?

I love history, partly because I am often surprised by the accomplishments of just one person. People who changed our world for the better. People who seemed to have no fear or hesitation. They just thought something up, and they did it.

I have always admired Clara Barton. During the Civil War, Clara served as a nurse to wounded soldiers in Massachussetts. She eventually obtained permission to move to the front lines, treating and comforting soldiers on the battlefield. (A woman on the battlefield was unheard of in those days.) We all know the rest of the story - she began the American Red Cross, became a suffragette, and lived in service to her country - in one way or another - until the end of her days. But the reason I admire her has more to do with her boldness. She was determined to make a difference in someone - a soldier's life - and she buttoned up her boots and laced up her corset and took off onto those battlefields. She knew they needed her. Nobody can argue with that kind of determination.

Grassroots begins with one person speaking up, meeting with another, discussing ideas, making and implementing plans. But in order to make a difference in the community, you need to be aware of its needs. It's important to be an active observer of your neighborhood in order to be able to find its strengths, weaknesses, and places where it just might need a little leg up. Do some research to find out if a local nonprofit is already trying to address those needs. And then, get involved! Volunteer, help raise money, or help to publicize their mission. You can do it!

Mahatma Ghandi said, "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." I couldn't agree more.

P.S. I got this cool tee shirt at http://www.etsy.com/shop/cotton4people?ga_search_query=cotton4people&ga_search_type=seller_usernames.