Where I've Been

I am sure you have been on the edge of your seat wondering why I haven't been posting.  While I realize this probably isn't true, I've been asking myself that very question.  Why haven't I been posting?

Honestly, I just got caught up in the demands of my everyday life as a mother of three school age children who had end of year awards, class parties, half days, middle school dramas, and who have only three hour camp days.  It's gotten the best of me.

I've been feeling guilty that I haven't kept up with my "promise" to keep my blog going by posting on a regular basis.  Have I failed because I didn't keep up with my promise, even if it was a promise to myself?  The purpose of this blog is to inspire philanthropy in our everyday lives no matter how big or small.  I realized part of keeping yourself inspired is to realize it's okay if sometimes your everyday life does not allow for your philanthropic goals,

Just because you didn't do what you thought you were going to do today, don't belittle yourself. Instead, pat yourself on the back for what you have done, look to tomorrow and do what you can the next day or the day after that.  The important thing to remind ourselves is it's not about feeling badly about what we haven't done, but knowing that we can always do something.

So if I post to this blog everyday or every month, to some degree, it doesn't matter.  The point is that at anytime I can chose to take a step toward fulfilling my philanthropic passion.  Think of something philanthropic you want to do, but haven't started, have felt frozen because of the size of the task.  Now, take a step back and think of something smaller, something simpler that you can do tomorrow.

Maybe you have been wanting to take your kids to volunteer reading to the kids at Storyteller, but haven't taken the time to make the arrangements.  Instead, the next time your kids want to watch TV, say sure, and you can make cards for the Dream Foundation while you are watching your favorite show.

Two Great Organizations by Kids

Kids are doing amazing things to help our local and world community.  Here are just two examples:

Hands4Others (H40)

 

This non-profit was started by four teenagers to help provide safe drinking water in poverty stricken areas.   They are well toward their goal of helping more than two million people in 500 villages around the world by 2015 have safe drinking water. 

I saw the founding members speak at the benefit film premiere of "Leave a Message" and was very impressed with these young community members. 

I was haunted by a couple of shocking statistics:

- The world community would be outraged if 20 airplanes carrying 300 people crashed everyday, but yet that is the number of people dying from lack of clean drinking water a day.

- A child dies every 15 seconds from lack of clean drinking water, probably the amount of time you've been reading about H40.  A $10 donation saves one child.



Keiki Paddle 

This is a non-profit my husband and children are involved with.  Although, I support them, I can't take credit for the amazing work done by these fathers and children.  

The Keiki Paddle was started by Dad's who had been participating in the Friendship Paddle for years and wanted a way to allow their children to experience the gift of helping others and to witness firsthand the power of community spirit and support.

Now in it's fourth year, The Keiki Paddle consists of 120+ children between the ages of 7 and 16 that will do a 10 mile relay paddle on Sunday July 24th to provided financial and emotional support for a child with a life threatening illness and a non-profit organization that helps children in Santa Barbara County.

This year's beneficiaries are six year old Ashley Vasquez-Castro, who is fighting Leukemia, and The Cancer Center of Santa Barbara's "I Count Too" Program.

This grassroots event is endearing on many levels:

• It was founded by father's.  
• It shares their passion of the ocean with their children to benefit someone in need
• Although the paddling participants are the kids, it's a father/child event as many Dad's are the support boat captains and boat crew
• It teaches children about philanthropy.  Not only must each child raise a minimum of $100, but there is now a Jr. Advisory Board which helps organize and make decisions about the event.
• It bring together the power and spirit of community. 

To learn more about the Keiki Paddle or to donate to this year's paddle  click here.