A few months ago, I joined several of my coworkers to participate in Junior Achievement’s annual calling campaign.  For the better part of a day, we sat at our makeshift workstations leafing through call sheets – trying to warm strangers just long enough to sucker them out of some money.  Although the cause was admirable and certainly worthy, I couldn’t help but get frustrated with the process.  For the hundreds of calls placed that day, the room’s success rate was unacceptably low.  Volunteers left demoralized and quite accustomed to hearing the word “no.”

This topic, I had planned to explore a while ago, but was emphatically reminded today when an (888) number showed up on the cell phone.  Admittedly, I had given a decent amount to the organization a few years back.  However, now I was being asked for $300 on the spot without any warning or personal connection (the last give was to a friend going overseas for their program).  No disrespect to the caller or group, but this is primarily a waste of everyone’s time.

With the plethora of media outlets these days, it is time for the nonprofit sector to embrace new ways of campaigning for cash.  Gone are the days of mass phone calls and incessant mailings.  The new emphasis is on time-effective and focused campaigns.

I was delighted to see how efficient some of the Haitian fundraisers were.  In a matter of hours, a handful of initiatives had already brought in funds totaling in the tens of millions.  Our expectations literally changed overnight.

So how did they do it?

Twitter

This does not come as much of a surprise to most of you.  With 75 Million users and the ability to directly and immediately send information to loyal followers, it is no wonder that this site can be so helpful.  Encourage retweets by those who care about your cause and word will spread very quickly.

Of course, information at the speed of light is only as good as the infrastructure you have in place to support it.  Use your tweets to point patrons directly to a donation page that explains in more detail.  Make payment as easy as possible and have receipts emailed immediately.  In the event that you are a large enough organization for such a partnership, look into a text message option where carriers will charge a nominal fee to bill customers on your behalf.

Personal Pages

One of the organizations I work closely with has changed up their annual drive by creating personal, customizable pages for every interested party.  Why would they do this?  Because they have found that these people are their best assets.   They are more apt to attract donations on an individual site than a generic one.  Additionally, this instills a sense of pride that pushes fundraisers to be more proactive.

Facebook

Once again, nothing revolutionary here, but the key to Facebook is using it the right way.  If your organization has open events, they need to be posted on FB.  Allow attendees to invite more people, thus compounding your reach.  If a reputable nonprofit in our area is having a fundraiser, the invite will inevitably circulate to someone in our circle.  This, most notably, costs nothing.  Think of the money you could save on mailings and printed invites…

A fan page on FB will allow you to corral people and to contact them directly with minimal effort.  Just like followers on twitter, you can send messages directly to them and keep them abreast of happenings with your nonprofit.

DoGood!

Matt

Feel free to email me: matt@DoGoodedness.com with questions, suggestions, or guest posts!

Admittedly, I am only halfway through the book Stones into Schools, but the message contained in these pages is begging for an article.  I am happy to oblige.

Building upon the 2006 bestseller Three Cups of Tea, Stones follows philanthropist Greg Mortenson as he proves a universally beautiful point:  The best way to promote peace is not with guns, bombs, and military force, but rather with books, teachers, and schools.  Greg and his rag tag band known as the “dirty dozen” venture to civilization’s most remote areas to carry out their mission.

Empowering People

Much of the ignorance and intolerance in the world is derived from a lack of education.  Here in the United States, we take this liberty for granted.  Schools serve to empower individuals, and in such high profile battlegrounds as Afghanistan, groups like The Taliban are well aware of the threat.  They, like many other militant organizations, thrive on creating fear – a fear that can be quelled through learning.

Greg Mortenson co-founded the Central Asia Institute (CAI) in 1996 to carry out his mission in the remote mountain regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan.  As of 2009, CAI has built more than 130 schools, focusing primarily on those for girls: who have been intentionally left out of what schooling has historically been offered.  Because of these efforts, young women are earning high-school equivalent degrees (or better) and going on to pursue careers previously thought to be unobtainable by societal standards.  As household pillars, these mothers will eventually pass along such high expectations to their offspring…and it spreads.

If you want to help fight the war on terror, consider what Mortenson has done.  While our country is spending millions of dollars every day to send troops into battle, the CAI is bettering the next generation of Afghanis (and conveying Western compassion) for a fractional amount.  Please consider donating to their cause.

At Home

Similarly, many of our battles here in America can be fought with a larger focus on education – not only in schools but also in society as a whole.  Whether the problem is obesity, crime, debt, or racial/ethnic intolerance, progression begins with the instatement of a solid knowledge base for our children.  A greater emphasis has to be placed on early development, and families need to reinforce the idea that learning does not stop once they get home.

Get Involved

There are plenty of ways to help improve the education of children in your own community.  Regardless of how busy you may be, there is an opportunity out there that will fit your schedule.  Find time to read in local classrooms, help with an after school program or simply donate books to the Literacy Council or Better Basics.

For those of you in the Birmingham area, I encourage you to participate in Birmingham Reads on April 14^th.  This annual event strives to have volunteers reading in every elementary school classroom in the city.  For more information, check out our Events page.

DoGood!

Matt

Feel free to email me: matt@DoGoodedness.com with questions, suggestions, or guest posts!

When you survey the vast arena of nonprofits, there are a few whose international notoriety stands head and shoulders above the rest.  To my knowledge, none have risen to such a pedestal quicker than the Lance Armstrong Foundation.  Their LIVESTRONG campaign has become synonymous with cancer advocacy, support, and healthy living, making them veritable trendsetters for nonprofit and for-profit groups alike.  What I want to look at today is why the LAF has been so successful.  By studying their route to prominence, maybe we can find ways to grow our own organizations.

As the name obviously implies, LAF was founded by Lance Armstrong, cycling champion and cancer survivor, in 1997.  Dissatisfied with the approach of other organizations, Lance was determined to raise the volume on Cancer advocacy.  The motto of his organization became “unity is strength, knowledge is power and attitude is everything.”  I think that sums up their goal quite appropriately.

Here is a look at what they have done exceptionally well:

Products

Through an advantageous partnership with sports giant Nike, LAF began selling yellow LIVESTRONG wristbands in 2004.  The simple idea was twofold – to bring cancer to the forefront of the conversation and to raise money for research.  Six years later, over 70 million of these have been purchased around the globe, inviting a host of imitators to experiment with the same concept.  Furthering the partnership with Nike and Lance himself, the LIVESTONG brand is now appearing on a wide variety of athletic gear.  This brings up the question:  Do people want to brand themselves with your nonprofit?  Will they wear it on their sleeves and proudly advertise your cause?

Social Media

Let’s face it: you probably do not have a leader with the celebrity power of Armstrong.  You can try to go out and win seven Tour de France titles, but your time might be better spent elsewhere.  What you can do, however, is get plugged in to the social media scene.  This goes beyond simply having a website, a Facebook page, and an email list.  Anyone can do that.  Your challenge is to continually build support through a loyal following.  How do you do this?  First, it is important to invite others into the conversation.

The beauty of sites like Twitter and Facebook is that they allow you to not only talk, but listen to those around you.  Ask for feedback and it shall come.  When people feel like their input matters, then they will become part of your cause.  Lance has mastered this by staying directly connected to his followers.

Events

Another area where I think the LAF team excels is with their events.  They not only encourage, but also support grassroots fundraisers with a well-oiled program.  This allows individuals and volunteers to make the most out of an event.

Taking a page from The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training, LAF has established a core group of athletes that train, participate, and raise money in the name of fighting cancer.  Team LIVESTRONG has set an admirable goal of growing to 21,000 members in 2010.  As a runner and cyclist myself, I can tell you that having this kind of a support group really adds meaning as well as motivation for hitting the pavement.

Political Involvement

With nonprofits being so heavily vested in government policies, grants, and initiatives, it helps to have a face on Capitol Hill and in state legislatures.  This is where a person like Lance Armstrong is so invaluable.  He has been a prominent voice for Cancer Survivors and their concerns.  Representatives, Senators, and even the President have no choice but to hear the voices that result from LAF’s National Action Plan.  How can you make sure your voice is heard by policymakers?

Sense of Community

If you have read Lance’s account of his battle with cancer, you are aware of how much he emphasis a community of support – namely from other survivors.  Through hearing such testimonies, one can conjure up hope for their own struggle.  This is the concept behind LAF’s Survivorship support.  Through events, newsletters, and constant contact, Cancer patients are reminded that they are not alone.

Do you have success stories?  Keep them around to remind everyone of what they are capable of.

How else can you improve your organization or nonprofit?  I would love to hear how you are being a trendsetter for the community and world.

DoGood!

Matt

Please feel free to contact me with any questions, suggestions, or thoughts on how to make this site better: matt@dogoodedness.com

Miss Katie Furr: DoGooder

I am pleased to present to you a story from my good friend Katie Furr.  She has spent her post-college years living, working, and doing good in New York City.  Enjoy!

As a Southern transplant to NYC, whenever I tell people (mainly in the South) that I live here, they usually respond, “Oh I love New York, but I could NEVER live there! Too big, too many people.”  Yet, I have found something really lovely about living in such a big place. New York, as expansive as it may be, is really as small as you make it.

I walk streets that warm with familiarity. Every day, on my way to the train, I pass Habeeb, who sells me my coffee, ride with the same commuters, and the deli guys where I grab lunch have a welcoming smile. Community has been redefined in a really beautiful way.

When Matt asked me to write about doing good in the big city, I felt like this sense of belonging was such an essential part. I contribute here because I feel very connected to my neighborhood, and want it to improve. The way I “do good” in New York is by volunteering at a local nonprofit. I actually worked there my first two years in New York and that is the reason I fell in love with this part of town.  The organization is Rauschenbusch Metro Ministries (RMM) and it is located in Hell’s Kitchen (where I now reside).  It was established fifteen years ago by a church that saw a neighborhood with growing needs.

RMM serves the community through after school programs for teens and kids, homeless outreach, and an English as a second language program. It also opens its doors for holiday parties and meals.  I have been fortunate to be a part of each of the different aspects of service.  My time there was filled with a host of wonderful experiences.

These days, I am a public school teacher, but I still volunteer with RMM.  I lend a hand because the people there are part of my community.  And for me personally, helping Ani study for a test, working with Joseph to improve his reading, or assisting Kate with buying groceries make me feel like I am bringing a little bit of DoGoodedness to NYC and making my big city feel a little smaller.

All the Best,

Katie Furr

Please feel free to email Matt@DoGoodedness with any suggestions, thoughts, or stories of your own.

This post is a continuation of the previous article on How to Organize a Successful Road Race.

Sponsors

Once you have all the primary decisions made, it is time to find some sponsors.  These are not an absolute must, but can significantly boost fundraising efforts.  You need to draft an official sponsorship letter explaining the event, what it is raising money for, and what promotional consideration sponsors will receive for their donation.  Here is an example of a top notch sponsor letter.

The sponsorship levels will vary based on the size of your race.  If this is the inaugural event, then be sure to keep your ask as reasonable as possible.  Once you have proof of success, then you can request more.

I highly recommend formulating an attack plan for approaching potential sponsors.  Mass mailings, email, and impersonal distribution have a very low rate of return.  Go through your contacts and see who you know that could get face to face meetings with the check-writers at their respective companies.  Do not forget, you have a partner in all of this.  The non-profit you are benefiting should have some good suggestions on who to ask.

Your best bet is to target smaller, local businesses that have a vested interest in the community.  Larger corporations receive thousands of requests per year, and require a lot of paperwork if you actually hear back.

In terms of the overall time line, you can except sponsorship money up until (or after) the race, but in order to get their logo on race materials, the deal needs to be firmed up at least a few weeks out from the event.

Registration

Before beginning recruiting and promotional efforts, it is a good idea to already have a way for participants to sign up.  From my experience, there are two good ways to do this.  First of all, there is a delightful website known as Active.com.  For the technologically savvy, this is the easiest way to sign up.  To set it up, simply create an account, and Active will walk you through the steps to creating a page for your race.  You can check up to the minute registration stats, produce forms with participant info, and send updates to those that are signed up.  If your projected turnout is one hundred or less, online registration really is not a must, but can still be helpful.  Regardless of the size of your race, you must have a paper registration form.

Try to keep this to one page for simplicity and include all the day-of event details.  It is worth the effort to make it attractive and informative.  Sitting amongst dozens of other race flyers, you want yours to stand out.

One of the most head-scratching decisions to be made is what to charge for registration.  This figure should be directly correlated to three things: 1. How much you are trying to raise 2.  What it will cost to put on the event, and 3. What inherent value runners will receive by participating (race shirt, free food/beverage, cool course, big after party, etc).  That being said, I have paid anything from five to thirty dollars for the shorter races and upwards of a hundred bucks to run a marathon.  Unless your costs are prohibitively high, try to keep the fee at $25 for a 5K and $30 for a 10K ($80 for a Full Marathon and $50 for a Half).  If you are going to offer your runners some high quality freebies (and you advertise such things to them) then feel free to charge a little more.  In order to encourage people to sign up early you may want to raise the fee for race day sign up.  This will allow for a better estimate on turnout, which will help in forecasting the amount of everything you will need on the day of the event (food, beverage, shirts, race packets, etc).

On a legal note, the disclaimer at on the registration form needs to be tailored to include your event information (including all vested parties) and MUST be signed by the runner or their legal guardian (if they are under 18).  Anyone participating without signing a waiver is a HUGE liability.

Promotion

What good is all this work if nobody actually shows up on race day?  If you want to raise a lot of money and have a successful event, spreading the word is key.  Start off by contacting local track/running clubs and getting your race on their calendars.  Runners will travel for larger races, so consider contacting regional clubs as well if you are planning a half or full marathon.

Chances are your advertising budget is either slim or non-existent, so try to find creative ways to get in front of the general public.  I highly recommend visiting all specialty running stores in the area with flyers and registration forms.  Not only do they typically have a section devoted to race info, they also may have an email list or website that informs runners of upcoming events.  Your event will help get runners in their store, so they should be more than happy to help promote.

Not surprisingly, your best audience is those who are already running races in the area.  Offer up yourself as a volunteer for other events and chances are they will be happy to include your flyer in the race packet.  Side Note: Helping with other races will give you some valuable experience with day-of coordination, and an understanding of what it takes to pull it off.

If you want to explore mass-media options, it is worth noting that some TV stations allot ad space for non-profit use.  They can also help you film the PSA (public service announcement) in their studios and have you on as a guest to talk about the race.

Disseminating posters and yard signs around town is always a cheap and easy way to spread the word.

Lastly, be sure to utilize your non-profit partner.  They are in the business of raising money and awareness for a cause, so they should have some connections.  Chances are they will gladly post something on their website as well as giving a mention in emails and mass mailings.

Race Packet

So you have all the high-level stuff taken care of.  Now it is time to work on the little things that will set you apart.  First and foremost, let’s talk about the obligatory race shirt (or suitable alternative).  Runners will go to great lengths for a shirt or race artifact, because it is proof that they accomplished something, so put some thought into it.  There are a lot of cool races out there that give runners something unique and memorable.  Feel free to be creative.  If you go the t-shirt route, look into purchasing a non-cotton breathable “tech” variety – the cost may be a little higher, but it will be appreciated.  Most printing companies will have a catalog of shirt options and plenty of ways to incorporate your graphics.  Just remember that the back is valuable ad space for your sponsors!

For the remainder of the packet the goal is not to inundate participants with crappy little trinkets that find the trash immediately.  Go for energy bars, gels, and useful items that runners need.  If the race is during a cold time of year, throw in some cheap running gloves or hand warmers.  As mentioned in the Promotion section, throwing in other race flyers could get some volunteer help, and a few sponsor mentions are acceptable.  One final thing – don’t forget race numbers and safety pins!  Rainbow Racing System has cheap generic numbers as well as customizable options.

Taking it to The Next Level

There are overachievers in every group, so I figured I would include a few things that will garner some extra bonus points for your event.  These certainly are not things that you have to do, but if you want credibility, this is how to do it.

Course Mapping

If you have access to a handheld GPS unit, then Mapmyrun.com is a great way to post your course online.  All you need to do is run/bike (or drive if you are a cheater) the route and upload the information to the site.  With this, you can distribute course maps via your race website or via printout in the race packets.

Timing Chips

In its most basic form, timing your runners involves a stopwatch and a clipboard.  This is perfectly acceptable for fifty people, but what if you have hundreds or thousands of participants?  Answer: the timing chip.  This little guy is attached to the shoe of all the runners and is activated and deactivated at the start and finish lines.  Many races also place additional mats along the course to gather split times.  Using timing chips will cost a decent amount of money and require a contract company to set up as well as manage the system.  However, this has come to be expected at any big race.

Packet Pickup

For smaller races, distributing race packets at the event will suffice (just make sure you have the volunteers to hand them out), but for larger crowds, you will need a location where participants can get their stuff days before.  This works best at a local running shop, mall, or at the nonprofit that you may be benefitting.  Having a “headquarters” also gives runners a place to sign up in person.

Day Of Operations

So you have everything ready to go, and race day has finally come.  What now?  Well, first of all, make sure you have plenty of volunteers.  You will need them at registration, aid stations, turns in the course, and helping out at the finish line.  To get a good idea of how things should go, either run or help out at another road race.  This will help fill in all the gaps remaining in your planning.

Above all else, be sure that you have sufficient water, medical staff, and signs with clear direction.  As bad as this may sound, assume that runners are incompetent while out on the course and will need as much information and direction as possible.  The last thing you want is to have lost or injured participants without assistance.

Give runners plenty of information regarding the locations of food as well as restrooms.  Begin calling everyone to the line fifteen minutes before start time, so that they are present for last minute instructions.  Once the gun goes off, make sure that you have plenty of contacts on the route to provide periodic updates.

At the finish line, have someone assigned to marking down times for each finishing position.  Additionally, have another person tear off the information from the bottom of each number and put them in order.  To speed the process, start compiling results as people come in.  Have the awards presentation as close to the last finisher as possible.  The longer you wait, the more likely you are to lose people.

Lastly, be sure to thank all attendees and sponsors sufficiently.  This will bode well for the next go round…

So there you have it, your users guide to putting on a successful road race.  Please feel free to email me with any questions, thoughts or comments: matt@DoGoodedness.com.

Happy Trails!

Matt

If you are looking to raise money or awareness for a cause, chances are you have considered putting on a road race. The process seems simple enough, and based on how many there are each weekend, just about anyone can do it. With a little experience under our belts, we are here to offer up plenty of advice on how to organize a successful event. Whether you are planning to have fifty or thirty-thousand participants, here is a step by step explanation of how you can pull off a successful road race.

Cause

Before anything can get rolling, you need to find a cause that your race will benefit. If you plan on partnering with a local or national non-profit, you will need to contact them first and obtain approval. Some organizations (mostly large national groups) require an application and a minimum amount raised. If you want to keep things simple, find a local 501(c)3 (tax deductable non-profit) that is willing to help out and let you use their name and logo without restriction. Later in the process, you will need plenty of volunteers, so consider this as well. An organization with an active Junior Board or affiliated service group is a plus.

Date and Time

Once you have something to raise money/awareness for, the next big ticket item is to pick a date. This is critical, as you do not want to compete with other local races (especially large ones) that are already established. The best way to check for other events is to find a track club/running club website in your area that has an updated calendar. If your town has a civic event page, that would also be worth scanning. Lastly, and laughably most important: avoid coinciding with sporting events that everyone in town is going to or watching. In our area, nobody in their right mind schedules anything during Alabama or Auburn football games (seriously). If you to be conventional, 8am on a Saturday is a standard start time. However, Friday and Saturday nights can also attract a fun crowd (if you have a well-lit course and beer at the finish line). Sunday morning is typically reserved for Marathons, Half-Marathons, and Church.

Course

In determining the length of your race, it is important to consider the intended audience and the resources at your disposable. The 5K (5000 meters or 3.1 Miles) is traditionally the standard and most marketable to the general population. If people have a few miles of training under their belt they can probably tackle one. However, there is always a niche for being different. An 8k (about 5 Miles) is somewhat novel, while still being doable for the average runner. With a 10K (6.2 Miles), Half-Marathon (13.1), and Marathon (26.2), you are primarily targeting the avid runner, but these are some of the largest races in the country (they just require a lot of volunteers). In spite of all of this, you do not have to feel bound by established distances. There are two very popular events in my area that draw a crowd simply because they are non-traditional and different. If you have a great gimmick (cool location, amazing view, formidable challenge), then I say roll with it. Among the thousands of races each year, it pays to stand out.  Something else to consider: many events will also include a “one mile fun run/walk” or kids race to add an extra element.  This will make your race more accessible for the casual runner or walk-up who just wants to participate.  If you already have everything setup for a larger, longer, race, adding a smaller one will be relatively easy.

In regards to the actual layout of your race route, make sure that it is safe, easy to follow, and doable. If you want people to come back next year, you certainly do not want to kill them with ridiculous hills or get them lost in a bad part of town.  Note: I highly suggest running the course yourself before making it final.  There are three conventional course designs that all have advantages and disadvantages.  The “out and back” essentially goes half the race distance away from the start line, turns around, and comes right back.  For someone who enjoys slapping hands with oncoming runners, I tend to get a kick out of this arrangement.  A “loop” course starts and finishes in the same place, but keeps the scenery fresh in between the start and finish.  If there is not enough usable distance to pull off one loop, it is certainly permissible to make a multi-loop course, thus having runners repeat the same route a specified number of times.  You will occasionally see this type of layout for the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials and other spectator-friendly races.  However, if the loop is too short, or is overcrowded with participants; it can be difficult to keep track of everyone.  I like to refer to the third type of course as the “point A to point B” layout.  As is evident in the name, this will start in one location and finish in another.  The biggest drawback here is having to transport runners to the start or back from the finish line after the race is over.  On the upside, participants should have new surroundings for the duration and greater satisfaction for traversing to somewhere other than where they started.  Having described these basic choices, it is worth mentioning that you have to settle on one of them. Feel free to include all three of these elements in your course.

Once you have a course, take the time to figure out where water stops, volunteers, and aid stations will be placed.  The general rule is a minimum of one water stop every two miles, volunteers at every turn or intersection, and one medical aid station every five miles or so.  Longer races (10K and up) should have portolets on the course (for runners and volunteers) at regular intervals, usually between two and five miles apart.  For these distances, the runners will also need food (bananas, oranges, gels, etc.) at a few of the water stops in order to keep their energy levels up.

Start/Finish Line Location

When choosing a location, you have many variables to consider. I suggest finding a host site that provides all the essentials: bathrooms, shelter, and parking.  Runners are not a demanding bunch, but they do require restrooms that are plentiful and easily accessible.  Having indoor or covered facilities will insure that everyone can find a place to get comfortable before and after the event.  People will tolerate rain or chilly conditions while they are running, but not while they are waiting on an awards ceremony or a call to the start line.  Parking is certainly something to keep in consideration, but this is usually not a deal breaker.  If you are trying to get people to run your 5K, conversely, a mile-long walk from the car is not going to go over well.

Before making any final decisions, it is essential that you consider the municipality of the proposed race location/course.  Most, if not all, cities will require you to obtain a road race/parade permit months ahead of time and use their police officers to block the road. Be sure you check what the police will charge you for their services. I have personally seen cities quote from zero to over five thousand dollars.  Be sure to mention that the race is for charity and ask if a volunteer department can be used.  If the course crosses city lines, be sure to contact both municipalities.

Check back later in the week for more on how to put on a Successful Road Race.

DoGood!

Matt
Please Email me (matt@DoGoodedness.com) with any suggestions, comments, or thoughts!

The White House released a statement today that effectively announced a national emergency while also declaring war.   Our great tragedy is the physical health of our children and our foe is the lifestyle that has created such a problem.  If something is not done to change this trend, we could actually see the average lifespan decrease in the next generation.  Health care could turn into a nightmare as the incident rates for heart-related illness and diabetes skyrocket.

The first question we ask ourselves is, of course, “Why is this happening?”  In a world so intently focused on progress, how have we let this issue get out of hand?  As with all national matters, the answer isn’t exactly cut and dry.  A number of factors can be cited, and that is exactly why new efforts have to be unilateral.

What has been established in the wake of recent developments is an initiative known simply as “Let’s Move.”  Our First Lady, Michelle Obama, has become the national spokesperson.  Here’s the skinny:

It has been determined by the powers that be (which I agree with) that there should be four primary areas of focus in order for Let’s Move to really be effective:  Healthy Choices, Healthier Schools, Physical Activity, and Accessible & Affordable Healthy Food.

A large part of making better choices is having better information.  As you might have guessed, the consumer needs more than just a food pyramid these days.  Along with revamping this outdated system, there are plans by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to make product packaging more straightforward.  More importantly, though, is the aim to encourage education throughout households.  Everything starts with parents, and convincing them to change is priority one.

The war inside school cafeterias has been waged for years.  The debate, as always, is where is the line between what is good for the kids and what they actually want for lunch.  I, ashamedly, admit to subsisting on a diet of fries, pizza, and chicken fingers for the better part of my prep years.  Knowing what I know now, I would have done things differently, but a ramped up metabolism and a semi-active lifestyle is enough for most teenagers to be indifferent about such things.  If change is to take hold, a revamp of school menus will have to be accompanied by convincing information that communicates the “why” portion.  Once again, family endorsement is a key factor to success.

A lack of physical activity is plaguing more than just children.  With our hectic schedules and modern conveniences, we are moving less and less.  It now takes a trip to the gym or a specialized exercise routine to keep our bodies in check.  Why then, is it a surprise that the next generation is getting off to a bad start?  Physical Education needs to make a comeback in our schools.  Anything that gets everyone moving is a step in the right direction.  At home, video games and computers have to be balanced with some good old fashioned outside time.

This last part is a bit trickier than the rest.  There appears to be a direct link between low-income families and unhealthy diets.  In large part, this is due to the fact that fast food has become an affordable and convenient staple for many of these families.  Let’s Move refers to such communities as “food deserts.”  Space has been reserved in the President’s 2011 budget to provide healthy and convenient options in target areas.

So that about wraps it up.  If you want to learn more about this new campaign, please read The Official White House Statement and check out the Let’s Move site!

DoGood!

Matt

Please email me with any questions, comments, or stories on how you are doing good! matt@DoGoodedness.com

Of the more visible needs in the City of Birmingham is support for the homeless population.  I happen to work downtown, and can hardly walk a block without seeing evidence of the problem.   Consequently, one of the reasons I started DoGoodedness was to focus on this issue and find ways to help.

Luckily, there are already some agencies in our area that are already doing great things for this sector.  Top of the list is the Jimmie Hale Mission which has been around since 1944.  This organization holds a special place in my heart because Mrs. Jessie Hale Downs was a regular at my church growing up.

Mrs. Jessie has recently passed away after an amazing life of doing good in our community.  Since the age of 27, she has shouldered her deceased husband’s dream and served as co-director of the Jimmie Hale Mission, helping to expand it prolifically in the process.

The foundation of this Non-Profit is “ministering to the spiritual and physical needs of the poor and hurting in Jesus’ name.”  They carry out that mission through a women’s shelter, a rural recovery program for men, fundraising thrift stores, teaching employment readiness, and a men’s center.  Each of these parts represents a pivotal step in moving an individual from the streets to a self-sufficient life.

There are many ways that you can help the Jimmie Hale Mission.  This straightforward page lists all of their opportunities.  You can see the immediate impact that your donation will have.

Additionally, I would like to let you know about an event that is happening this weekend at the Mission Possible Bargain Centers.  All proceeds benefit the Jimmie Hale Mission.  I hope you can attend!

Super Saving Sale

Saturday, February 6, 2010

20% off All Day Long!

Customers can receive 20% off all merchandise all day long.  Also on that day, customers will be able to register for a share of $440.00 in gift certificates.

Sale is taking place at all three Mission Possible Bargain Centers in Eastwood, Hanceville and Pinson.

DoGood!

Matt

Please email me with any questions, comments, or stories on how you are doing good! matt@DoGoodedness.com



Mary Ann & Ben Wilson

Hello Everyone,

I am pleased to introduce my buddy Mary Ann and her guest post on Recycling.  She and her husband, Ben, are some of the most awesome DoGooders around.  Thanks to Mary Ann for taking the time to share her thoughts.  Enjoy!

R-E-C-Y-C-L-E: find out what it means to me…

Greetings, dogooded-ones!  I’m Mary Ann Wilson, fan of Chappy and loyal blog-reader, here to share one of my family’s favorite ways of doing good.

One thing I’ve come to realize in my brief adult life is that doing good is so much easier when it is convenient.  My family always recycled, largely because the bright blue bin in our side yard had a standing date with the City of Homewood.  In these days of yore, we dutifully sorted our plastics, newspaper, and aluminum, set them on the curb on Thursday morning, and retrieved our empty bin by the end of that same day.  And as we returned our blue bin to its rightful place, we knew Mother Earth was smiling upon us.

That was then.  I currently reside in the City of Birmingham, which has many perks (how many cities can boast of four mayors in just over two months?), but curbside recycling is not one of them.  Now, when the trash can used for recycling (I have been provided with no blue bin) is full, I have to make the trek to the Birmingham Drop-Off Recycling Center on 1^st Avenue North.  As a busy and impatient person, I initially regard this recycling trip as a chore: another box on an interminable list of mindless to-dos.  However, my visits to the Drop-Off Recycling Center frequently become high points in my day, and they never fail to help me feel renewed myself.

The Drop-Off Recycling Center is run by the Alabama Environmental Council (www.aeconline.org), which is the oldest environmental group in the state.  While this particular site has taken recyclable items for many years, only in the past ten years has the AEC received the financial support to implement some very enjoyable upgrades.  First, you have friendly site-supervisors who can help you sort your items and answer any questions you may have.  Second, there are individuals completing community service hours who will unload, sort, and distribute your recyclables to their appropriate bins (this can be very helpful if you only have time for a stop-and-drop during your lunch hour).  Third, the 70’s funk music blaring in the background will put anyone in the mood to reduce, reuse, and recycle.  With Herbie Hancock in the air, you begin to see how this clearly surpasses a pick-up from the dry-cleaners.

While all these factors contribute to a great break from a usual daily routine, there’s something a bit more essential that makes my visits to the Drop-Off Recycling Center so delightful.  Nowhere else in my city have I found a place where community interest is so evident, palpable, and normal.  No matter what kind of car you pull up in, whether you’re sorting plastics in your best suit or your worst pair of overalls, you have a sense that you’re taking part in an important activity that is bigger than yourself, and that all of us in the community are in it together.  So while it still takes an extra trip down-town, rather than curb-side pick-up, I’m actually more than happy to make the trade.

Here’s a bit of info so you, too, can take advantage of our great local Drop-Off Recycling Center:

Address:

What the Drop-Off Recycling Center Takes:

• Glass (only place in Central Alabama!)
• #1 and #2 Plastics, without lids
• All paper, cardboard, etc.
• Mixed metal
• Electronics and batteries (part of a Technical Knock-Out Program)

Cost:

• Free!  However, there is a tip-box if you are pleased with your service (this goes to the individuals completing their community service).

Make Aretha, the current mayor, and Chappy proud, and R-E-C-Y-C-L-E—find out what it means to you!

DoGood!

Please feel free to email Matt@DoGoodedness.com with any comments, suggestions, questions, or your own guest post!

Today I am highlighting an organization that is very close to my heart: United Cerebral Palsy (UCP).

I joined the UCP of Greater Birmingham Junior Board just over a year ago, really knowing very little about the non-profit.  My involvement up until that point had simply been handing over a check after Chappy’s Luau & BBQ Bash (more on that to come).

It is very difficult to sum up everything they do at UCP in few words.  Cerebral palsy itself is an umbrella term of sorts for a multitude of conditions that impair motor function.  The definition is quite broad.  As you might imagine, accommodating this wide range of disability is a formidable task, and this is why UCP has a diverse schedule of programs.  The two main focuses are subdivided into care for children and adults.

For the kids, there are specialty classrooms housing highly trained teachers and communication devices that allow every child to interact.  Full time therapists are on staff to help with the learning process.  Hand in Hand, as the program is called, also emphasizes an integrated environment, where students without disabilities sit alongside those with cerebral palsy.

Those over the age of 21 are privy to everything from living assistance to job training and actual employment on the grounds.  With help, some participants are actually able to acquire full-time positions in the community.  UCP of Greater Birmingham’s adult facility, LincPoint, houses several full-functioning business that provide an avenue for many smiling faces to earn a paycheck.

From infants to adults, UCP is doing wonderful things for those living with disability.  And as with any non-profit, there are a myriad of needs that you can help them with.  Monetary donations are always appreciated, and you can give online.

If your company currently uses a document shredding service, please consider switching to “Gone for Good” one of several companies under UCP.  They have an impressive list of clients and have every appropriate certification (they contract with hospitals and the IRS).

Check here for information on how you can get involved in your local branch of UCP.

DoGood!

Matt

Please email me with any questions, comments, or stories on how you are doing good! matt@DoGoodedness.com