91: Merry Marry-making

Today I attended a beautiful bridal shower for my amazing friend and am on my way to a dinner and bachelorette party. I also received invitations to several showers and a few save the dates this week. Since marriage seems to be the topic of my week, I want to support marriage for all and support an organization that supports the freedom to marry. It would be easy for me to sit back and ignore the whole topic, since I'm heterosexual and it doesn't apply, but that would be ignorant and unfair - I mean there are millions of things I care about that don't apply to me. Obviously if you've been reading any of these posts, you know I am like a five year old who believes/wants the world to be a beautiful place for all of us, and I want that beauty and love for everyone, inclusively and indiscriminately. Thus, I present Lambda Legal, " a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and everyone living with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work."
Lambda Legal offers to very much to the LGTBQ community, but I want to share the family page, since it focuses on defending the freedom to marry and families through advocacy, litigation, and education: http://www.lambdalegal.org/issues/marriage-relationships-and-family-protections. The page also has links to FAQs. a marriage equality tracker, and publications. The publications have state-specific articles as well as general information. Specifically, this page, http://www.lambdalegal.org/publications/take-the-power, has questionnaires and checklists for preparedness.
Lamba Legal offers so may resources and services, and if you are in need, I would recommend it as a beginning spot for your LQTBQ (and also for those who don't fit or apply to that)  equality in employment, health care, immigrations, fair courts,  case work, and more regardless of whether you are a teen or senior, regardless or race or religion.

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Thanks and cheers to charity

90: Fostering Foster Care

http://childcrisisaz.org/who-we-are/

I've observed what  I think is a trend (in some states) in increased attention to quality of foster care lately, which obviously stems from many issues. The two I find most important are abuse/neglect and the country's growing opiate problems leaving children without the best care we could wish for them. I am hoping the criticism some organizations have received post-scrutiny leads this change, and I want to share with you today the Child Crisis Arizona organization. "Child Crisis Arizona’s vision is safe kids and strong families. We operate the Valley’s only Emergency Children’s Shelter for children who have experienced abuse and neglect. We have one of the largest foster care and adoption programs to license, train and certify individuals and families to find homes for nearly 18,000 Arizona children in foster care. " (http://childcrisisaz.org/who-we-are/) The reason I have gotten involved in the opiate epidemic, which is not my area of expertise (yet), is my empathy and worry for the innocent child victims being hurt by it. I care for all of the victims, but I feel so helpless to make a difference in some areas. By supporting high quality foster programs like Child Crisis Arizona, I believe we can change some of the negative connotations of foster care and find a better way to help child survivors of abuse and neglect of all forms, and to ready ourselves for the significant increase in need of foster care due to the opiate epidemic.
Child Crisis Arizona pays attention to the detail and quality of the needs of its stakeholders. Donation whether monetary or items from the wishlist will greatly help CCA foster care and other programs. I particularly appreciate the desire to build a stronger foster area for Native American children, http://childcrisisaz.org/building-native-american-foster-families/. IF you like this idea, CCA also has a few fun looking events if you happen to live in or visit Arizona http://childcrisisaz.org/how-you-can-help/attend-an-event/.

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Our email is DonationsByTheDozen@gmail.com.

Thanks and cheers to charity

89: Ain't No Mountain High Enough to Stop a Good Cause

I really enjoy the reading about the people and causes I meet on social media. 46Climbs recently followed me, and I truly enjoyed reading about them. In their "Climb to Conquer Suicide" each September,  the founders raise funds for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in a ten day " annual event encouraging many individuals across the United States and the world to take on the challenge of conquering suicide through the physical challenge of climbing and hiking." (http://46climbs.com/about-us/)  If you aren't fond of hiking or climbing, you can donate to support another climber or just donate to support the AFSP.
Similar to 5k and other races, you can register and get goodies, including a tee. "When you reach the summit, take a picture wearing your shirt and send it to us.  If it is a mountain that is too cold for a t-shirt, take a picture holding up your bandanna.  We will share your accomplishment on our website along with all the other climbers.  If you wish, share with us a story about you, your trip, or your connection to suicide.  In the end, we will have a map marking every mountain that was climbed for 46Climbs." (http://46climbs.com/climbing-information/)
Some of the beautiful and inspirational stories from participants can be read here, http://46climbs.com/category/stories/, and the blog, http://46climbs.com/blog/,  has columns about many things including beginner hiking if you decide to enter or donate and support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and this wonderful group climbing to conquer. I am considering registering or sponsoring a climber as well as my Donations by the Dozen for today, if anyone out there want to form a team near me, but for today,

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Our email is DonationsByTheDozen@gmail.com.

Thanks and cheers to charity

88: Tipping the Hat to Knots of Love

While at the Seidman Cancer Center at University Hospital today, we saw beautiful and simple hats for cancer patients in a donation box, so I found the nonprofit Knots of Love for today's Donations by the Dozen. For ten years, "Our mission at Knots of Love is to warm the hearts and heads of those experiencing traumatic hair loss.  Our volunteers lovingly hand-knit and crochet caps for those struggling with treatment-induced hair loss and tiny Neonatal blankets for fragile new lives in incubators." (http://www.knotsoflove.org/about-us) If you are interested in donating hats or ear, you can find out about that and more on their giving tab, which also includes patterns, yarns styles, and tips. 

Facts about Knots of Love.

♥ All caps & neonatal blankets are given away 100% FREE of charge.♥ Since Knots of Love’s inception in June 2007, we have donated over 330,000 caps.♥ Knots of Love currently donates to over 550 treatment centers, infusion centers, hospitals and oncology offices across the the USA.♥ Knots of Love currently donates over 4,000 caps and blankets per month.♥ Knots of Love is a non-profit 501(c)3 public charity, based in Southern California.♥ Knots of Love provides an exclusive gift…Our primary goal is to brighten the lives of those in need with kindness and love.♥ Caps provide a fashionable way to cover hair loss and help to restore self- esteem.♥ Knots of Love is dedicated to creating hand-made, heart and head warming knitted and knotted (crocheted) chemo caps for people transitioning through the effects of chemotherapy and other life threatening illness and blankets to fragile new lives in incubators.♥ Knots of Love currently has over 1,000 dedicated and passionate members who donate their time and talent by hand-making caps through the art of knit and crochet.♥ Knots of Love brings volunteers, patients and families together. Our organization equally helps those making the caps and blankets and the patients who receive them.♥ Our gift is simple, human warmth and kindness to someone in need. People of all ages are in need of love, kindness and support as they wage the fight of their lives.(http://www.knotsoflove.org/about-us) 

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Our email is DonationsByTheDozen@gmail.com.

Thanks and cheers to charity

87: I believe Children's Literacy Empowerment is Our Future

We can't always count on our children getting the best education solely from school, and Better Basics offers an empowering partnership in communities and schools through " literacy intervention, enrichment programs and educational opportunities for elementary- and middle-school students throughout Alabama." (http://betterbasics.org/about-us/) As a "recognized authority on children's literacy," Better Basics offers ten programs from school partnerships, to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, and even summer programs focused on early intervention and assistance. "Over 1,000 volunteers serve 26,000 children every year. Last year alone, Better Basics awarded more than 90,000 books." (http://betterbasics.org)
Most states have amazing literacy initiatives needing volunteers as well as donations. Education and empowerment do more than just help children with reading, they involve, support and involve students in the community, which leads to community-wide improvement in many more areas than education. I hope if you're in Alabama and want to share some time, you'll look into helping a young reader today.

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Our email is DonationsByTheDozen@gmail.com.

Thanks and cheers to charity

86: "All the World's a Stage" (As You Like It) on World Theatre Day

Ah, World Theatre Day. World Theatre Day began in 1961 and one of the coolest parts of it is the celebration of it in theaters, schools, and other venues around the world. "Each year an outstanding figure in theatre or a person outstanding in heart and spirit from another field is invited to share his or her reflections on theatre and international harmony. What is known as the International Message is translated into more than 50 languages, read for tens of thousands of spectators before performances in theatres throughout the world, and printed in hundreds of daily newspapers. Colleagues in the audio-visual field lend a fraternal hand, with more than a hundred radio and television stations transmitting the Message to listeners in all corners of the five continents. " (https://www.world-theatre-day.org/worldtheatreday.html)
As I was unable to donate directly the the International Theatre Institute, I decided to choose the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. If you are rolling your eyes about Shakespeare, I beg you to open your heart to the brilliant beauty you may have missed - the comedy, tragedy, and use of language that permeates our daily existence, whether we know realize it or not. Here's a list of a few http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2014/04/45-phrases-coined-shakespeare-450th-birthday/, but believe me there are plenty more. I happen to adore Shakesepeare and have read the complete works through and the plays man times. I  critically reviewed and compared performances throughout college and am always happy to watch a performance, though I honestly prefer reading. One thing I do wish to o and the Chicago Shakespeare Theater does offer is attend Shakespeare in the Parks somewhere. 
The Chicago Shakespeare Theater has much to offer students, visitors, and neighborhoods. "ST participated in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s 2006 Complete Works Festival and was selected to represent North America at the Globe to Globe festival as part of London’s 2012 Cultural Olympiad." (https://www.chicagoshakes.com/about_us/about) I hope you will read more about it and about The Yard, a new expansion taking place for the CST.
I should say more, but i believe I've already abused Shakespeare's "Brevity is the soul of wit" from Hamlet, so " for goodness sake" (Henry VII) I will beg you to give Shakespeare a chance if you aren't a fan. Happy World Theatre Day.

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Our email is DonationsByTheDozen@gmail.com.

Thanks and cheers to charity

85: I'm a Knit Wit for Project Linus

My brother knows how obsessed I am with the giant yarn blankets and gave me a kit for Christmas. Last night I decided I would learn to knit and make it for my mom, despite the many cats convinced they should get this amazingly soft yarn. I did totally mess up the pattern, but I attached the picture anyway. Obviously I had knitting and blankets on my mind, which reminded me of Project Linus. Project Linus's mission is twofold:

• FIRSTProvide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer “blanketeers.”
• SECONDProvide a rewarding and fun service opportunity for interested individuals and groups in local communities, for the benefit of children. (http://www.projectlinus.org/about/)

They accept a variety of handmade or homemade blankets for donations, and they accept materials for volunteers to make blankets. I have wanted to organize a blanket making party for our Akron Children's Hospital Chapter for quite some time. Each of the states has at least one chapter or you can donate directly to the main organization. The main chapter donates 350 blankets a month. Additionally you can buy some things in their store, http://www.projectlinus.org/store/,  or find patterns, links and ideas here http://www.projectlinus.org/store/. I'm not sure I am ready to become a "blanketeer" but am ready to support such a great nonprofit in other ways. 

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Our email is DonationsByTheDozen@gmail.com.

Thanks and cheers to charity