“If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in bed with a mosquito.” Betty Reese
Maybe I didn't think this last volunteer effort through. Brendan and I volunteered last night for an Oscar Night America event which benefitted Variety Florida. The event took place in The Mezz, a new chic event place in an area that many are insisting on calling South Eola, but I still think is Thornton Park. If you want your event wedding, fundraiser, birthday to feel special, The Mezz is the place to do it. Variety's annual event gives you the opportunity to dress to the nines and pretend like you're part of the Oscars while benefiting children in need.
For me the evening offered an important lesson in volunteerism. In my enthusiasm to help and be a part of the Oscar's at the same time, I forgot that I would likely not see as much of dreamy host James Franco as I needed to. My job was pointing the way to the event for guests, so I was outside the event during the festivities. Don't get me wrong, I had a great time of a different sort, but it offered a lesson in considering a volunteer or should I say voluntreat? opportunity before jumping headlong into it. It's okay to ask some questions: what will you be doing, how long is your commitment, etc.
Something I always seem to forget is that people are not automatically nice when it comes to charity events. I remember when I was in college, my family volunteered to serve Thanksgiving dinner to homeless people and I was stunned by how rude the recipients were. (In reflection I had a lot to learn about the dignity of someone on the receiving end of help, and I've tried to learn to be a little more compassionate about that.) At the Variety event, one gentleman pointed to me in my slacks and freshly ironed button-down Banana Republic and told his friend, “See you aren't underdressed by much.” His friend was wearing jeans and sneakers.
A little thing like that won't deter me from volunteering; it just makes the whole experience a little more colorful. Volunteering is just one way of contributing to a healthy world, here are your Monday Ripples with other ideas. Enjoy.
A House is Not a Home
The Power of Half
I love catching the Growing Bolder Radio Show on NPR. The hosts Marc Middleton and Bill Shafer interview people who haven't let age stop them from continuing to grow. Have you ever had a friend say they would go to college, but it's too late for them now? Then you should highly recommend they take one dose of shut-heck-up and listen to this radio program.
This past weekend I caught the show and heard an enlightening interview with Kevin Salwen, a father who did a unique thing: he listened to a crazy idea from his daughter and it has changed many lives. The family realized that they could do with less, so they sold their large house in favor of a more practical space and gave half of the money to Habitat for Humanity. As you'll see from the link above, they started a movement in the process, encouraging others to do more.
Baby Hold on to Me
Consumers Hold On to Products Longer
I think this New York Times article shares some news that I think is great for all of us in an environmental and even spiritual way. Due to the recent economy, people have started holding onto things longer. Naturally it's a smart move for your wallet to not buy into the consumerist attitude that you need that new shiny version of your cellphone, but it also cuts down on the waste going into our landfills. One Brooklyn resident calls it a “common-sense way to live” and I tend to agree.
This Old Thing?
Where to Get Rid of Anything
Leave it to Oprah and her troops to put together what I think is the ultimate guide to reusing things you don't want any more. Here are 21 different programs that can make use of things that are no longer of use to you! Not sure what to do with the Yo Gabba Gabba DVDs your kids have outgrown? Kid Flicks can use them to stock children's hospitals and pediatric wards around the country. Old wedding dress, junker car, old cell phones, unwanted stuffed animals”¦the list is endless of things that can be made useful to others.
Forgotten Genius Remembered
Nikola Tesla: The Other Wizard
If you don't know who Nikola Tesla is, you should take the minutes it would take to find out by reading this GOODarticle. Tesla touches your life every single day, but he rarely gets the credit he deserves. If you want to learn more about Tesla, I should warn you first that you will find out things about Thomas Edison that you might not want to know. Like”¦hmm”¦I don't know”¦he was a prick.
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AIDS Walk Orlando
Like what you read here? Consider supporting me and other do-gooders in our endeavors to make the world a bit better. Join the Scottie Saves the World team for our annual walk around Lake Eola to raise money for Hope & Help of Central Florida. If you don't think walking or hanging out with cool people is your bag, then please donate to our team. Each of our team members have committed to raising $100 each, please help them meet that goal. In the face of unreasonable budget cuts, Hope & Help needs your support now more than ever.
