Category: charity

This is what I get for subscribing to magazines such as Yoga Journal and Tricycle. I start getting literature proclaiming, “wisdom and compassion for social change.” Such is the case with the Buddhist Peace Fellowship. Sent on a baby blue trifold pamphlet, BPF outlined their vision (people from all backgrounds realizing their connection to each other and to the Earth – I’ve paraphrased it). Also included in the literature was information on BASE: Buddhist Alliance for Social Engagement, the Transformative Justice Program, the Young Adult Program, the Prison Program, and Turning Wheel (a spiritual publication). There’s information on how to get involved, how to send money, how to be in contact. The letter startsoff, “Dear Friend…” from Maia Duerr, Executive Director. How she knows I’m a friend I’ll never know, but I’m looking into it.

 For more information on the Buddhist Peace Fellowship, go here.

They call it ‘Plan’ but it’s a charity all about sponsoring impoverished children (my first thought was something like Planned Parenthood). Founded in 1937 Plan is the oldest and largest organization dedicated to caring for children in poorer countries (not limited to third world as one might assume). They techinically are a “private, not for profit, nonsectarian organization”, meaning you can view annual reports they publish openly.

The thing that caught my attention about Plan is their advocation of the movie About Schmidt. Played by Jack Nicholson, Schmidt is a miserable man who only pretends to be happy for the good of everyone around him. He goes through life taking himself for granted. Only through the sponsorship of a Plan child does Schmidt learn what an impact he can have on another human being. The movie is at once depressing and thought provoking and I wouldn’t have seen it without the endorsement of Plan.

For more information about sponsoring an impoverished child, go here.

Medicins Sans Frontiers/Doctors Without Borders sent me two mailings back to back. Instantly I thought of that saying, “the left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing” because in one envelope they were asking for donations. In the second, they were thanking me for the January 2007 donation I had given. I guess in their minds their work is never done, therefore mine shouldn’t be either. After all, I did say it is my favorite charity.
In the thank you packet they sent me a poster outlining the progress they have made from 1971 to present. A black and white photo of a small child receiving medical attention is framed by a timeline of important historical events in the existence of DWB. The poster’s title is in white, “Independence. Impartiality. Commitment. From 1971 to today.” I hung it on my filing cabinet in my office. I face those words every day.

In the “You can do more” letter DWB described the effects of cholera on Zambia’s capital of Lusaka. It’s a small message but powerful just the same. Look at what we still face, even today.
I think of the volunteers of MSF/DWB as angels on earth. When a friend casually said, “my dentist used to do that – for several months a year” I instantly wanted to meet this tooth guy…until I learned he was killed by a stray bullet while trying to remove plaque from a child’s mouth. Again, look at what we STILL face, even today.

I haven’t been keeping track of the charities that have contacted me but I always notice when the International Campaign for Tibet packet arrives. They always send a string of Tibetan prayer flags that are so colorful and beautiful that I can barely bear to throw them out. Maybe it’s because they are handmade. Maybe because I know paper like this is someone’s livelihood. Whatever the reason I’ve kept three strings of flags so far.
Also included in my packet from ICT is a “letter” from the Dalai Lama. I’m called “friend.” I think I would be a better friend if I write to Richard Gere, Chairman of the Board of Directors, to voice my outrage over China’s behavior. ITC even writes me the letter, the “urgent reply memo,” that all I have to do is sign for the “Mobilization of Tibet.” It goes to the State Department and Ms. Condoleezza herself…

I do believe the poeple of Tibet have a right to maintain their spiritual culture and/or religion.
I do believe any threat to a culture and/or religion is an affront to all.

I realize I just had a birthday, and I’m this side of 40, and I found another gray hair, and doctors have said I have “age issues” with my hips…but am I ready to be a member of the Arthritis Foundation? Am I ready to subscribe to Arthritis Today Magazine? The Foundation invited me this week. They plied me with the Drug Guide, the aforementioned magazine, access to a toll-free automated information hot-line (read: no human interaction; probably why it’s free), discounts on books & videos from the Foundation, and “arthritis specialist referral lists” (Wouldn’t my own doctor be the one to point me in the direction of a specialist?). They were even nice enough to send me a temporary membership card with the statement, “We Can Help!” Help with what? I realize arthritis is not strictly a geriatric problem. I know people younger than myself who are practically using walkers because their knees or hips are so bad. I know I’m not that far off considering my PT casually mentioned “replacement” the last time I stretched my hip for him, but I didn’t donate just the same.

To learn more about the Arthritis Foundation, go here.