"Making the World a Better Place"
Is done through inspiration, commitment, sometimes a little money (usually 25 to 100 dollars at a time), time and a small amount of effort.
The great thing about making the world a better place is that it doesn't take money, ok, maybe a little money here and there. However the cornerstone of this idea is more about giving one's time, one's expertise, caring, nurturing, and investing in making the world just a bit better, right now, this minute, with what you can do.
Being a professional in the community is not about just dollars and cents and quality of work, but what we do for others through philanthropy. A lot of what we have in the US has been garnered through commitment by volunteers. Millions if not billions of dollars in Ecology, Law, Medicine, Landscaping, Social Work, and Education etc has made this country worth living in. I hope you will take the time to think about some area you support on a regular basis and make it a part of "Making the World a Better Place"
Be a Garden Ninja!
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What is a garden ninja? A garden ninja is a person who either weeds as they walk their dog taking out thistles, dandelions or other weedy plants for other people (not on their property). A garden ninja will also garden if someone has had to leave their home for any length of time due to illness or to help keep a property in good shape for the realtor to show the home and grounds. A garden ninja will also drop off a beautiful potted plant on somebody's doorstep who has been ill and has been unable to do much in the garden nor pay for lawn services. And most importantly, a garden ninja will work a public space with something simple and maintain it, like boulevard plantings that produce a fruit tree, a pot of strawberries or beautiful flowers, or maybe if one is really ambitious a rain garden like I'm doing for the county, free of charge to the county and township. Being a garden ninja is fun because we get to see our work make our lives and the lives around us bloom and have a positive effect on the community around us.
Sponsor Education
Yes, money is tight, but it is even tighter for the next generation. Part of the rioting we see are not only over police brutality, and a sense of injustice, but also because of the difficulty of disadvantaged youth to get the training they need to get out of the cycle of poverty and violence and end profiling. With some states like Illinois slashing University Budgets for their state universities by as much as 30 percent this year, that puts them in a precarious positions and robs the future of young men and women who already made it through high school in tougher neighborhoods by cutting back on scholarship programs, internship wages, and professional staffing. I give to Universities, University Scholarship Programs and Library programs because it is the right thing to do for our future.
Worthwhile Programs I Contribute To
Joe DiJohn Metsi Scholarship
With your help, they only need 2000 to be vested this year to help a student attend UTC as a scholarship opportunity for UIC urban planning and policy in rail and active transportation
Iowa State University
I like the ISU's way of doing calls to the alumni. We get to spend some time with them and tell what we have been doing since we have graduated. We become more than just a donor, and for a short 15 minute phone call, get to mentor or inspire a student as well as give support. I also like ISU Alumni Foundation calls because they put my money not only in programs I support, but if there is a special need, like the library at one point. As an Alumni, I feel it is important to give back to the university who worked to help give me an education. My sons are there now so the legacy continues.
Indiana University
Indiana University has a fine tradition of creating personalize multidisciplinary programs. Perfect for the type of scholar I am and that my daughter is. If you have a student in your house that wants to take the path less traveled in majors, this is the school for them! I give to this school when I can because i believe in the creative and diverse scholar.