119: So easy to love the happiness of Ever

Yesterday I watched this video and fell in love with the happiness of Ever. Ever can survive on 20 minutes of sleep a day and is always happy due to a neurogenetic disorder commonly called Angelman Syndrome. Angelman Syndrome symptoms can include developmental delays, speech impairment (though many find alternative methods to communicate), movement and balance problems, seizures, sleep disorders, and a very happy demeanor. I think being around anyone happy is contagious and watching Ever filled my heart, but of course the other symptoms are worrisome.  Most of he foundations and nonprofits out there focus mainly on research and the Angelman Syndrome Foundation does this along with support and education for families and the medical community. Research in this area has been rapid and hopeful with many expecting a cure soon. How soon I don't know, but it has been cured in mice. I wanted to bring this to attention to support Angelman Syndrome but also to talk about it because 50% of cases are originally misdiagnosed as autism, Prader-Wili, cerebral palsy and other disorders. (https://www.angelman.org/what-is-as/diagnosis/) The ASF does provide support to families if you contact them, but they were not available for me to share. This page, https://www.angelman.org/resources-education/, has many resources, including inclusion resources. Ever's mom worries about the general public's acceptance of Ever, and I hope her worries never get reinforced. I hope you find laughter with Ever too.

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Our email is DonationsByTheDozen@gmail.com.

Thanks and cheers to charity

118: More Parks Please

I got a survey about the National Parks in the mail today, so let's choose the National Park Conservation Association for today's Donations by the Dozen. I love parks and grew up near two national parks (my daily view is today's pic). The national park near where I live now has been doing some amazing things with regrowth and preservation. The NPCA site covers a great deal of information including issues of focus, park searches with information, news, resources, and ways to get involved. Many parks have great events you can attend as well. Parks are under budgeted and looking at even less, when I keep wishing we could add more to them. I hope we all find a way to support them in whatever ways we can, especially visiting them.

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Our email is DonationsByTheDozen@gmail.com.

Thanks and cheers to charity

117: How many psychiatrists does it take to change a light bulb?

You'll have to listen to the video to find out the answer to that one. In my quest to make sure I cover each of our wonderful states, I was looking at North Dakota today, since Fargo Season 3 is beginning. And lo and behold, I found something that brought back all sorts of childhood (and a year or so ago) memories, Prairie Public Broadcasting

 Prairie Public Broadcasting offers a window on the world through national and regional television and radio programming; creates a forum for the most important issues facing our region with locally produced, topical programming; partners with others to foster education for all ages; and utilizes digital technology and Web services to expand those valued services. Beginning with a single television transmitter in Fargo, Prairie Public Broadcasting has grown to become the premier broadcaster of public television and radio services throughout the prairie region. (http://www.prairiepublic.org/home/about)

In many ways, you can't go wrong with Public Radio ad Television. They have access to and create experiences new and old we might not know otherwise. Prairie Public Broadcasting is also the home of the Prairie Home Companion hosted by Garrison Keillor. "Garrison Keillor is America's favorite storyteller. For more than 30 years as the host of A Prairie Home Companion, he has captivated millions of public radio listeners with his weekly "News from Lake Wobegon" monologues. Keillor is also the author of several books and a frequent contributor to national publications including Time, The New Yorker, and National Geographic, in addition to writing his own syndicated column. He has been awarded a National Humanities Medal from the National Endowment of the Humanities." (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rr4XBDc3iBI&index=3&list=PLDAC0DF9B27AEA7FA

You can find the Donations by the Dozen posts here on google,

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Our email is DonationsByTheDozen@gmail.com.

Thanks and cheers to charity

116: Wellness and Cancer?

Cancer and Wellness together seems like an oxymoron, but not in the case of the Cancer Wellness Center, "Through supportive care and education, the Cancer Wellness Center seeks to improve the emotional and physical well-being of people affected by cancer. All of our programs are offered free of charge. "  (https://www.cancerwellness.org) TheCancer Wellness Center offers programs and lectures, counseling, groups, wellness class, and focus programs for children, teens, and young adults. "The center’s mission is to help anyone impacted by a cancer diagnosis connect with a welcoming, empowering community of people; navigate the emotional side of a diagnosis; find targeted, individualized programs; and provide resources and highly credentialed health professionals to smooth the journey through cancer." (https://www.cancerwellness.org/about/)

You can find the Donations by the Dozen posts here on google,

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Our email is DonationsByTheDozen@gmail.com.

Thanks and cheers to charity

115: And on This Farm There is a Sanctuary E-I-E-I-O

Today, Donations By The Dozen has chose the Farm Sanctuary, which rescues, provides sanctuary, advocates, and educates. Farm Sanctuary has several sanctuary and shelter locations but often runs out of space and needs farm animals adopted. Farm animals need our support as much as any other creature on out planet.

Farm Sanctuary operates the country’s largest farm animal rescue and adoption network. Every year, we assist with urgent placement needs — particularly in cruelty cases involving large numbers of animals. When our shelters are full, we depend on compassionate people who want to make a direct difference for a suffering cow, pig, chicken or other farm animal. Since 1986, nearly 3,000 needy farm animals have been given a new beginning — thanks to people who care enough to join our Farm Animal Adoption Network (FAAN). (https://www.farmsanctuary.org/the-sanctuaries/home-adoption-and-placement/)

I am not embedding the video as it has a warning and is violent, but the link is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNxcylWLEH8&feature=youtu.be&oref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DpNxcylWLEH8%26feature%3Dyoutu.be&has_verified=1.,  link for those who may wish to see the story of Nicky, a sweet, clever pig from a flooded factory farm who floated miles down the river before nesting and giving birth to seven piglets.

You can find the Donations by the Dozen posts here on google,

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Our email is DonationsByTheDozen@gmail.com.

Thanks and cheers to charity

114: Please, Not a Borrower but a Lender Be

I am so happy that a few people contributed to this program of my birthday, because it allows me to choose a couple of organizations that have higher minimums than a dozen dollars. Today, I'm using a portion for Kiva.org, which is a super cool way to support nonprofit work at a systems level. 
Technically it is considered a loan not a donation. It works like this: Basically, your donation (minimum of $25) works as a loan payment to someone who has been pre-approved by applying for a Kiva loan. You can browse the different opportunities to make your choice. When the borrow repays the loan, you can redirect whatever has been paid back, generally around 97%, to another borrower, donate it, or withdraw it. Every dollar you invest to a borrower goes to that borrower. If you choose to donate your repayment, the funds go to Kiva costs. You can browse loan applicants geographically, by type, or by date to help those expiring sooner. So whether your cause is food, water, geographical conflict, women, health, single parents or many others, you should be able to find a great match on Kiva.
I have chosen these lovely ladies, represented by Khan (she's in the picture if you click on the link) in the Taung Kone S2 Village Group of Myanmar (formerly Burma and boy do I miss that) who would like to purchase 25 ducks to increase her egg selling business. She already has had success with her fifty ducks. Not only can Khan  increase her income, but her success contributes to the economic stability and growth of her entire village. "Khan is a woman who loves to watch television in her spare time. Together with her in the picture are: Khin, San, Khin T, Khaing and Thu." (https://www.kiva.org/lend/1262782) 

Kiva also has a store featuring items made from some loan recipients, https://store.kiva.org, and I am definitely doing Christmas shopping from their site. 

You can find the Donations by the Dozen posts here on google,

on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/graceinitiative/,

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or on the Grace Initiative Foundation Tree, LLC's website http://www.graceinit.org/donations-by-the-dozen.html where you can enter your email to subscribe for an email daily dose of Donations by the Dozen.

Our email is DonationsByTheDozen@gmail.com.

Thanks and cheers to charity

113: So They Can Play It Again

I share a birthday with quite a few friends, and I like my friends to pick a nonprofit on their birthdays.  So today, a great family friend and excellent musician, Mike Zimmerman, has chosen Musicians Foundation Inc. for our Donations by the Dozen. Happy Birthday, Mike! As you can see from the one pager below, Musicians Foundation Inc. helps professional musicians during times of crisis or need.
If you follow some of the stories of the lives they've helped, http://www.musiciansfoundation.org/lives-changed/,  you will see how hard times, fires, injuries, and more have left professional musicians unable to continue careers. Musicians have a passion and support of their art, and the beauty they create for us unquestionably adds to our fulfillment in life. However, very few musicians end up being superstar millionaires, and they all need our support.  If you look at the following stats, you will see how imperative it is they get help and support always and why Musicians Foundation Inc. truly helps when public support isn to enough or circumstances change for musicians.

Statistics on Musicians

• The aggregate total income of a professional musician is $55, 561, according to a survey published by the Future of Music Project in 2012. This number includes additional income from non-musical jobs. The aggregate musical income of a professional musician is $34,455 per year.
• Sound recordings make up an average of 6% of musical artists’ income, according to the Future of Music.
• Live performance makes up an average of 28% of musical artists’ income, according to the Future of Music.
• On a 99-cent download, a typical artist may earn 7 to 10 cents, according to The New York Times. (http://www.musiciansfoundation.org/facts-glance/)

http://www.musiciansfoundation.org

You can find the Donations by the Dozen posts here on google,

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Our email is DonationsByTheDozen@gmail.com.

Thanks and cheers to charity

One thing I wanted to note, because since it became a problem for my nonprofit is this. Even if it says Inc. or LLC or something in the name, an organization may. like Musicians Foundation Inc., still be a nonprofit. For example, I was using LLC, because I had to create an LLC to get the paperwork and banking in place before I could get approved as a nonprofit. Due to sequestration, I took me almost a year (then it's retroactive from the application date), so I forgot to stop using the LLC once I was formally a 501(c)3. I will be fixing that soon, but I wanted any readers to know I always make sure each nonprofit I present to you is legally a functioning nonprofit.