October 1-15

From NDVH's website:

"Buying a pair of shoes at any Marshalls store between October 1 and 15, 2009 will benefit the Hotline. As part of the Marshalls Shop ’til It Stops program, $1 will be donated to the National Domestic Violence Hotline for each pair of shoes sold during this period (up to $150,000).

"For the past 18 years, Marshalls has raised millions of dollars and generated tremendous awareness in an effort to help put an end to domestic violence in the United States through their annual Shop til it Stops program. This year for the first time, the National Domestic Violence Hotline will benefit from this program. Be sure to visit Marshalls to support us!"

Even better, there will be a media blitz about Shop Til It Stops! On Thursday, October 1st, Project Runway's Tim Gunn will be emcee at the Shop 'Til It Stops Kick Off at Marshalls in Santa Monica, CA from noon til 2pm. He'll appear later that day (actually just after midnight on Fri 10/2) on the Craig Ferguson Show (CBS 12:35am ET/PT) to talk about Shop Til It Stops too.

San Diego Zoo Walk on the Wild Side Oct 10, 2009

Thanks everyone for comments about other activities in and around San Diego for each of us to "give back" while performing daily tasks or doing something active for a good cause.

Registration Information Here

For those who are animal lovers

I'm a cat person but...

Volunters are needed for PUGTOBERFEST, an event by the Pug rescue of San Diego County at which abandoned, unwanted or neglected pugs are placed with loving families. Saturday 9-26-09 from 11 AM - 7:30 PM. See volunteersandiego.org for registration information.

Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk 2009

October 24th at Balboa Park
Registration is at 7 AM and the 5K walk begins at 7:45 AM

For more information on how you can be active (alone or form a team) visit the website: http://www.kintera.org/FAF/home/default.asp?ievent=299215

When you have time on your hands

or know of someone that may...visit www.freerice.com

For each of the trivia/review questions you answer, rice is donated to those who need it. I use the site in my high school classes as a fun review...perhaps you know someone that may wish to peruse the site once and a while and donate rice in the process!

Another Recycling Opportunity

Origins Cosmetics! Origins will be collecting all brands of packaging but is limiting the program to the bottles, jars and tubes that contain the cosmetics (including caps). Plastic bags or wrapping, paper boxes and applicators will not be accepted. Another requirement is that the packaging must be empty.

To read more go to: http://earth911.com/blog/2009/04/09/cosmetic-retailer-offers-packaging-recycling/

Just another way we can help ... we can leave the EARTH a better place through changing little things we do.

Welcome to Week 1 of class

To fully develop our mind, body and spirit we'll use this blog as a forum to communicate. In the month of September you must respond to this blog (comment) at least once.

The focus this month is on opportunities in the community to give back. These may be ways in which we may develop our mind, body and/or spirit...perhaps simultaneously.

Each week I'll post opportunities that I encounter and share them with you. All I ask of you is to do the same. If we can each inform one another we'll develop awareness for what is available to add to our lives, if we deem appropriate.

What have I noticed?
September 15th Massage Envy locations are offering a SPECIAL RATE. Massages only $35.00/hour (cash) with $10.00 of that being donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Information can be found at: http://www.massageenvy.com/massage-for-the-cure.aspx

Nike has a Reuse-A-Shoe program. All you do is bring old athletic shoes (any brand) to a Mike store and they are ground up to make playgrounds. Help others...your trash CAN BE someone's treasure! Information can be found here: http://www.nikereuseashoe.com/. The high school where I teach is collecting shoes...you can bring them to class (in a bag) and I will make sure they are donated.

What can you look for and share? Ideas similar to those listed above, runs and walks for charities, etc. Anything that helps us think of others while we consider ourselves...developing our spirit of compassion for the greater good.