Day 281

The weather was just perfect for about 200 or more ATLiens to "Influence Culture through LOVE in action"!

Chandni and I had the opportunity to join Drew Benton and an amazing group of people at yet another Project Live Love Event.

This time around, however, we had the opportunity to lead a project at SafeHouse Outreach. Our group of 20 people from Echo ministries were absolutely fantastic.

We rallied at The Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta, and then headed over to Safehouse with soup and socks. While some of the group stayed behind to cook and setup, most of the group went out to gather people from local parks around SafeHouse.

We did things a little differently at SHO today - instead of serving the meals out on the parking lot, we set up tables inside! Our group had set the tables and even brought these beautiful orange roses! We served soup, chips, and water. We talked to everyone, and had great conversations from video games to favorite football teams!

We did good. We had fun. And everyone walked away with just a little more understanding of how a simple conversation and just a little kindness can elevate someone's entire day!

We look forward to seeing you guys at the next Project Live Love Event on January 7th!

Happy Giving Everyone!

Day 271

Since Chandni is out of town for the rest of the week, we all are pulling together to help out on whichever days we can. Today was covered by Giselle. She went to American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, a place which offers cancer patients and their caregivers a free, temporary place to stay. Here's how it went:

Okay so today was my first volunteering day there. I met Kayla and Eli. We helped check out two of the cancer patients. One of the ladies was going home 6 hrs away past Macon. The other gentleman was there for six weeks and finishes his treatment tomorrow. He graduates tomorrow and plans to move to Atlanta. He expressed how much the Hope Lodge had become his home through his treatments. He said he would miss it and would be back for the reunion in April.

I put up a weekly calendar of dinners and lunches that were being donated this week by Georgia power. They really have a need for people sponsoring dinners and donations there.

They were also having a Hope Lodge fundraiser where they were selling items kind of like a yard sale and raising money for the old wing to be remodeled. They have raised a little over $1,500.00 and still have to reach $3,000. Last year they raised $2,500 and hope to reach that.

The lodge is like a family. Barbara and Kimberly, the staff on site, knew everyone. They said next week Joe is graduating and, "to have your tears ready." She said everyone had given up on him but himself and now he is graduating which means he is done with his treatments. I hope to be there next week and be able to take pictures of this occasion.

Again, none of this would have come about without my grand father. When I came to Dona about doing my Hope Lodge Fundraiser, I felt so selfish. Only because my grandfather had cancer and stayed at the Hope Lodge. I wanted to give back. I look back now and think if this wouldn't have happened then I wouldn't be helping the future guests at the Hope Lodge. You have to start some where.

Day 254

We knew we had to be up early, with enough reserved energy to interact with war veterans at the VA Hospital this morning. So although we'd headed out to the city last night, we had an early night.

Hands on Atlanta provided Chandni and I with the opportunity to spend time with the veterans at VA Hospital this morning, and we were excited!

We'd started off with a special church service, with a few patients, themed around forgiveness.
Considering that it was the tenth anniversary of 9/11, one of the patented led us in a moment to honor those who died that day, sacrificed their life for us that day, and served our country ten years ago on this day.

Soon after we moved to the renovated floor that held story boards for several of the patients there.

It was wonderful to hear from and see the stories of some of the greatest Heroes you will never come to know, unless you're here.

While some of the patients were able to share their stories with us, many weren't. We did, however, sense the gratitude as we thanked them for all that they've done.

It's not a typical day of volunteering for us, but it's an experience we enjoyed.
We even had Chris Draft (linebacker for the St. Louis Rams) join us with NFL memorabilia, stories, and gratitude for each veterans service!

We're looking forward to going back to the VA and aiding them in other projects soon!

"It was great talking with some of the Veterans as they shared stories with us, one even sang songs and yodeled for us!! We met their oldest veteran - 100years old, and some of the younger injured veterans from the Iraq war. We saw families coming in to visit and staff who treated the Veterans with love and respect. It was a heart warming experience..."
~ Chandni

Day 247

So we ALL love puppies, right? I've had one, and given it away as soon as it started to grow...

I got an email alert from Care2, about Pet stores receiving their puppies from "puppy mills"! Ack... That's just Terrible!

Puppy mills are large-scale commercial dog breeding operations where profit is put ahead of the well-being of the dogs. Puppy mills typically raise dogs in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, and churn out as many puppies as possible to supply the pet store and online puppy industry.

For today's Daily Action, learn more about pet stores and puppy mills, and then pledge not to buy anything from pet stores that sell puppies - not pet food, kitty litter, or squeaky toys -- nothing!

So I logged on and pledged not to buy puppies from Pet stores that associated with these Puppy Mills.

And to add to my list of saving chimps, seals, etc... Today I saved Puppies!
How cute, and warm, and cuddly am I!

Day 219

Bottomless Beer with the "Boot Scootin Boo Bees"!

What better way to wrap up the last day of your weekend!

Lubna invited us all out to FROGS Cantina to support a group of ladies walking for the Susan G. Komen 2-Day walk.

And I was the first one there. What does that say about me? THAT I TAKE THESE COCKTAIL FOR A CAUSE EVENTS SERIOUSLY!

I spent about an hour introducing myself to the ladies that planned the event, and sipped on the best bloody mary ever!

I headed out as soon as our friends Lubna and Vishant came in. I had to pass the mantle of drinking for the day off to someone... And it looked like the four of them were ready to take on the burden.

It was fun! And the ladies were lovely.
I'm rooting for the "boot Scootin Boo Bees" to have a fabulous time at the walk (hope you can walk straight towards the end of the day, ladies) and meet their target!

Day 204

It was a busy evening at SafeHouse today! I arrived to a parking lot filled with cars and people. There was a group from New York setting up to perform on the lot. They had everything from the speakers to an equalizer, and spent the first part of the evening setting up.

So while they did that I socialized with the regulars and made some new friends. I spoke to one gentleman about addictions and what he thought would be a better way to help people. He said that being more real and upfront about their issues is more appropriate. He then talked about applying that to the people at SafeHouse, turning it into a TV show, and combining it with a talent show. He said there are a lot of talented people at SHO and once they are free of their addictions their talents would really show.

I talked to another guy about hair. He has locks to his shoulders which took three years to grow. He told me about the process of getting his hair like that as well as about the up keep.

The group was done setting up when the inside service ended. So people ate their food to the band playing outside. They were really good! And sounded very professional. Hopefully I'll be able to hear them sing some more next time.

Day 199

So I wrap up day 199 with a little Care2 action.

If you've been following us, you know that we're out there saving baby seals and endangered cats all with at the click of a mouse!

But Care2's evolved quite a bit!

As you continue to click away to clean up the ocean, and stop domestic abuse, you fall into that final category titled. "Daily Action"

Today's daily action is to sign a petition fighting for women's rights in Afghanistan.

I've copied the letter for you to review.
If you're inclined to do so, click here to sign the petition yourself!

July 18, 2011

Imprisoned Afghan Women Deserve Due Process

Demand international attention and intervention for imprisoned women and children in Afghanistan.

The Afghan Congress ratified the Elimination of Violence Against Women Act (EVAW) in 2009, criminalizing the traditions of forced and underage marriage, enslavement or physical and mental abuse. And yet, according to the US State Department, seventy-five percent of the Afghan women in prison are condemned for cultural practices protected from punishment by EVAW.

For today's Daily Action, sign the petition to tell Afghan President Hamid Karzai and President Barack Obama to end Afghanistan's cultural practice of incarcerating of women and children accused of moral crimes without due process.

Tonight at 8:40pm I was #77,523 on the petition... who wants to be #77,524?

Day 151

Back to making PBJ sandwiches at Kashi Atlanta today. There were so many volunteers there this evening - we made 300 sandwiches in 30mins! Conversations went from introductions, to jobs, to blind dates.

A good evening of volunteering :)

Trying out a new place tomorrow...a little nervous, but really looking forward to it

Day 142!

Hands down, my favorite day of volunteering thus far!

Chandni, Faisal, and I have been working for months to organize today's Hoops for Humanity - Basketball Tournament.

And it was an absolute SUCCESS!

The YMCA was an amazing location to host the event! Their courts were splendid, and after a little exploring of my own, I will say that the facility is breathtaking.

All six teams participating throughout the tournament played with a sense of integrity, and much heart! And although there was only ONE team to take home the trophy, every player on that court was phenomenal.

The championship game was played between a team of trash-talkers from Chicago (Bear's team), and a slightly younger team led by Woodward's finest (AJ's team).

The trophy was taken home by "THE JUICE"... And for everyone there who can't tie that name to a team... Yes, it was the squad of red that was lined up against the wall at the basketball court.

Congratulations, AJ and "THE JUICE" on a fabulous and well-deserved win. #7, I don't remember your name... but you were AWESOME!

THANK YOU to EVERYONE that volunteered, played, donated their time and efforts to support Safehouse Outreach and Project 365. We're humbled by your generosity and encouragement, and we appreciate YOU ALL!

Proceeds from Hoops for Humanity will be going to SHO (www.safehouseoutreach.org)

I cannot WAIT to do this again... And we will!

Have a good night everyone!

Day 107

My coworker, Maliha, covered for us this weekend! And BOY did she do it do it BIG! Maliha brought in 60 middle school students to Global Soap on Sunday and accomplished great things! I've never known GSP to be open on a Sunday, but who could say no to that?? She said they had a wonderful time, and they did absolutely amazingly... But I'll let her tell the story... From Maliha:

"Peace is in my heart... Peace... Peace is in my heart"

Derek at the Global Soap Project taught me along with 60 students this Swahili song after the service project was over. In a large circle we sang, danced, and clapped as we celebrated the work we had done today. We helped create 2,000 bars of soap that will go to Haiti and Kenya. It was not only a great learning experience for me, but 60 other students were able to learn the importance of a little bar of soap that saves lives overseas. After the peeling and mixing and creation of soap, I stopped to have a conversation with Derek. He really does have peace in his heart to do the work that he does. He is a true inspiration. I discussed some of the logistics with Derek regarding the packaging and he mentioned something so astonishing. The bars of soap do not get packaged before they are sent over to Africa because the value of soap is so high that it gets stolen and sold in the black market there. That causes stress on the economy of these countries so to avoid that he sends the soaps in a cardboard box just as we leave them. I respect the thoughtfulness of this entire process. "

~ Maliha