Toot your Horn a Bit ... What do *you* do for others?

[Stinky The Clown]

What do you personally do for others? Some give money and let it go at that (which is certainly good and certainly needed), but that's not what this thread is about. What do you do for others that involves getting off your butt, leaving your house, engaging in some action?

Volunteer in a soup kitchen?

Work the polls?

March in demonstrations?

Participate in a Habitat for Humanity project?

Pro bono legal aid (or other pro bono service)?

Toot your own horn here and maybe give others an idea of what *they* could do.

[Dzimbowicz]

1. Does teaching public school count?

[Stinky The Clown]

2. It sure might!

:hi:

On edit ... to add: It would certainly qualify if you teach in a tough, underfunded inner city school and have to buy supplies from your own meager paycheck.

Thanks for helping the kids! Teachers are tops!

[Dzimbowicz]

7. Thanks

:toast:

On Edit: Nope, I'm in South Carolina. We don't have much money and I do spend a portion of my own money on behalf of my students, but we don't have the inner city problems like other places.

[rurallib]

8. Yes! Yes ! yes!

My daughter just started this year in Illinois. She's getting her eyes opened.

[bleedingheart]

3. I ...

am a committee woman, volunteer for campaigns, work polls.
I have given my time to children's activities as well as some charitable fundraisers.
I have marched in peace rallies.

[rurallib]

4. platelets and blood for about 35 years.

I swear they'll keep me on life support just to keep tapping me. I got Oneg and they just love me. Started giving for a hemophilliac friend and the rest flowed. (pun)

[trotsky]

9. Regular blood donor here, too.

I've only been at it for 15 years though. I'm O+ so they like me too! Congrats on your commitment to saving lives!

[rurallib]

13. Pltelets used to be such a pain

Three hours with both arms having a needle in them. If you had an itch etc. a nurse had to scratch you. Now - one arm, 90 minutes its a breeze. The next day I'm pretty tired though.

[Dzimbowicz]

11. I'm O Neg and I'm a needle-o-phobe

any suggestions as to how to get over this fear? I would be glad to give, but I freak out every time I get around those needles. I've tried twice, once unsuccessful and once successful. The unsuccessful time left me with the fear (I guess): a Navy Corpsman missed the vein and began to dig for it (I'll forgo the details of the event). The second time I succeeded, but passed out cold. The nurse asking me to squeeze the rubber ball was the last thing I remember.

[rurallib]

12. Don't know what to say

it doesn't hurt to get stuck. Feels like a pinch. Maybe if your could just think of the good you are doing it can get you by that first one then it may be downhill from there. My brother has the same problem. He gets white if we just talk about donating blood.

[trotsky]

21. I'll second rurallib's advice.

And add that it's very important you NEVER LOOK at your arm - before, during, or after the donation - until you get that bandage on. The one time I came close to passing out was when the phlebotomist forgot to put that little piece of gauze on top during the donation. Now I just don't look - period!

I have nice big veins near the surface so they've never had much of a problem sticking me. If you can, try to go to a Red Cross site (or other blood donation facility) and ask for their most experienced phlebotomist. They've done it so many thousands of times they tend to be a lot more accurate.

On edit: Also make sure you EAT and DRINK (non-alcoholic drinks, of course) before you donate. The shock of losing blood volume and/or blood sugar can cause you to pass out if your blood sugar is already low.

[Dzimbowicz]

23. Thanks to both of you

Maybe the next time the opportunity arises, I'll summon up the courage to try again.

But, DAMN! (forgive my profanity) that Navy Corpsman left a scar that is still on my arm to today; and that was twenty-eight years ago.

During the successful attempt, it was for my mother, so I just did it. The entry of the needle was not the problem, keeping it my arm for what seemed an eternity, then being asked to flex my arm and such with the needle still in there is what did it, I think.

[Nobody]

18. I'm severely anemic

Or I'd be giving blood, too. I'm B+ and that was the kind of blood they had the least of on 9-11-2001. They had tons of AB- blood and O-, but for some reason were low on B+. My anemia kept me from being able to donate. Went back and tried it again the following year, but got worse and was told to see a doc. But without health insurance, I'm hoping that iron pills do the job.

Blood is a great gift.

[Mixxster]

30. Donate every two months, like clockwork

My total, so far, is over 16 gallons.

Started with my uncle who had leukemia and needed a bunch of units to replace what he had used. I got the family to donate all he needed and I just never stopped.

[Historic NY]

5. Public servant x2...............& a VF.

[Drifter]

6. Juggle ....

My daughters elementary school does a "Circus Skills" program in gym class. They learn differrent skills like juggling, balence, devil sticks, diablo, spinning plates, etc.

I volunteer a day or two each year to come in and help teach Juggling (as well as show off a bit).

Just about every kid in the school knows who I am (you know, the juggling guy).

There is nothing more satisfying than seeing a smile on a childs face, other than knowing that you put it there.

Cheers
Drifter

[widmn]

10. I try to stay off welfare and workman's comp

by being at work on time every day, not taking sick days, and taking personal responsibility for my family. I also pay my bills and don't declare bankrupcy to wiggle out.

[phylny]

17. I'll bite....

Nice job being responsible, but are you suggesting that people who need assistance are always somehow at fault?

[bleedingheart]

31. Ever heard of Hubris?

[newyawker99]

32. Hi widmn!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Nobody]

14. Let me list some of them

Thanks to the outsourcers and my significant loss of income, I haven't given much money lately. Instead I have....

Volunteer: Campaigns and liberal causes.

Shopping: Local and family owned businesses whenever I can. Family owned ethnic restaurants are the best, friendlier service and better food than the crap you get at McDonalds, and yes, there are delis that serve food fast.

I spend at least one day a week with a friend who is a stay at home mom. It's adult activity evening and involves drinking, hanging out, and using language you wouldn't use in front of children. Keeps her sane.

Demonstrations: Marched against Bush several times, attended an anti-Klan rally (we outnumbered the Sheetheads and Nazis 3000 to 30)

Attended Paul Wellstone's last debate in person. Had a question ready too but time ran out.

Was a local DFL delegate and have met my State Rep, my State Senator, and two of the people on the school board.

Spent the entire day working at the polls this last election. Don't know if that counts as volunteering since I got paid, but here it is.

I'm sure I'll think of more later.

[phylny]

15. Okey Dokey, three things recently.

We told our family that neither we nor our kids want anything for Christmas from them, and asked that they'd give money to our local food bank (see below) instead.

My husband and I decided against going to the neighborhood holiday party, which was being held at a local re$taurant near us - $120/couple - and we sent that amount to the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley.

I bought Christmas presents for the children of two families that I work with (kids that I see professionally, and their siblings, and a cousin thrown in for good measure), and bought the mothers each something that they asked for (a vacuum and curtains) and have given them used and new blankets for their beds because they had none. Husband is coming with me on Friday to put up curtain rods.

[Cuban_Liberal]

16. Food bank, CASA volunteer and anti-war/other marcher.

:)

[EC]

19. I make blankets

from the samples from the interior designers books and give them to the shelters, crochet hats and scrafs and mittens and give them away. Make up food boxes for friends that I know are just barely making it. Do all those walk/runs and other charity pledges. Donate art to the PBS local station for auction. Have paid for groceries in line at supermarket when person didn't have enough to cover, etc. just the run of the mill stuff we all do from time to time.

[samtob]

25. And here I thought I was the only one

to do the grocery store thing. (actually I was hoping I was not alone)

I don't always do it, but, whenever the person is using WIC certificates, and purchasing other items that WIC does not cover, and they end up short, I step in quietly and ask if they mind me covering the overage.

Also, elderly people who end up being short at the register.

I make sure I am always very discreet, and ask them if they would please accept my help. Some refuse, and I respect their wishes.

I don't get this opportunity often enough.

[Lisa]

20. rounding up school supplies for kids from low-income families

We managed to assemble 50 backpacks full of pens, binders, math sets, etc. in time for Labor Day.


I'm secretary for one of the local political party chapters -- plus I trained as a volunteer poll worker for the past couple of elections.

Blood donor (thanks for reminding me -- I have to go in this week sometime).

For the past 5 or 6 years, I've distributed free samples of heirloom tomato (and as of last year, lettuce) seeds -- upwards of a hundred units each growing season.


p.s. these are all things that don't require that much $ or even time to do -- just as well, looking at my income and work schedule!

[samtob]

22. This really is a horn tooting topic

but, I'll bite.

I volunteer at a women/childrens crisis center/shelter. This involves many different activities from fund raising to emotional support.

I give blood every month, to me it is a routine now, but I guess it is a contribution.

I am a regular contributor to three no kill animal organizations.

I am a secret santa for a family (last five years)

I donate to just about every worthy (what I consider worthy) charity I come accross. Wish I could give more than I do.

I volunteer in my youngest son's class (just once a week) helping kids read.

***some will not find this as a contribution, but I care for a colony of ferral cats, abandoned by people in the neighborhood, and their offspring*** Funny how the one's who let their cats loose are now bitching about all the wild cats around, jerks. If they would have taken care of them in the first place, I would not have to buy a 50 lb bag of catfood every two weeks to keep them from starving. I do harvest the new litters when I find them, tame them and find them homes so the population does not get out of control.

[Stinky The Clown]

27. Yes, it IS a horn tooting session!

You do good works. Why not, every once in awhile, let others know?

And besides, I'm hoping that the things listed here will spark an idea in others.

[IronLionZion]

24. volunteer and donate

and random acts of kindness. It makes me feel so spiffy.

[AngryOldDem]

26. I work/volunteer at a homeless shelter

I also -- when I can -- help at a food pantry.

[The Straight Story]

28. I give them something handsome to look at :)

A picture of someone else...

Heh, a little humor never hurts!

[Stinky The Clown]

29. I'll toot my own horn .....

I started this thread, but will also toot my own horn.

I've done much pro bono work. I do work that is design related and involves the built environment (most of my company's clients are architects). I try to do at least one pro bono project a year.

We (my wife and I) have donated goods rather than money direct to community based organizations rather than blanket charities. Much more touchy-feelie and no cut to the fundraisers.

Right now, my business partners and I are very seriously talking about NOT taking work that "feeds the beast". A lot of our work is with government agencies. We plan to be much more selective in the types of agencies we'll work for. This is a big risk to us, but we're looking at ways to do this that aren't self-destructive. I kinda look at this as reverse volunteering.

We also denoted a lifetime membership in NOW in the name of a (now former) client who was VERY antiwoman (my two partners are women). That made us feel great, made NOW happy (I assume), and (hopefully) pissed him off royally!

[Liberty Belle]

33. Here's what I've done in the past 2 months:

* Went to a swing state and walked precincts in the barrio.
* Walked precincts for local candidates in CA; wore out my shoes.
* Manned a phone bank to call Ohio voters.
* Called swing state voters from my home phone.
* Helped get out the vote on election day.
* Started e-mailing friends with news on key issues.
* Began publishing the "Liberty Belle Log" newsletter.
* Started the Yahoo! Liberty Forum.
* Participated in a rally at our local newspaper to protest
lack of coverage of stolen elections.
* Got an article published by Buzzflash.
* Helped encourage Donna Frye not to concede her election and to
keep fighting to get every vote counted. Helped raise funds
for her legal battle.
* Hosted a holiday party for activists in San Diego.
* Proposed a coalition of progressive groups in our area, with meetings of liasons from each group to coordinate our activities.
* Gave money to Democrat campaigns and recount efforts.
* Put a Kerry for President sign up by a freeway offramp.
* Blasted the media repeatedly urging them to cover the election fraud issue and Ohio lawsuits.
* Currently collecting toys and money for a needy family (Mom died, Dad has had multiple surgeries).