A New Year -Reflection and Hope

As the New Year approaches, we tend to think back on the previous year and reflect on our accomplishments, goals achieved, wishes granted and hope that somehow, we might have a made some significant and meaningful contribution to the lives of our families, friends and loved ones.

But,as time passes and memories of what was, fade into the distance,we tend to look ahead at what we hope to achieve in this brand new year.New goals, new aspirations,new chances , all in the hopes of helping to make this a more peaceful and better world for all of us.

But, one memory that should never fade, one wish or goal that should remain in the hearts and minds of all of us,are for those who's only wish, only hope is to be afforded the opportunity to live in a world where there is ample food, ample shelter and ample health care for themselves and their children.Their hopes and dreams are not much different than our own, but they are far more distant and unachievable than our own, due to the circumstances they find themselves living each and every day.

And so, I ask, that as we look forward to the year ahead,we remember,reflect upon and pray for those who with our continued help and support may actually see a bright future ahead and many new years to come.

Postscript: A special thank you to all my readers and supporters of this blog.Have a healthy and prosperous New Year and God bless you all.

Childrens Defense Fund-Remember Them This Holiday Season

Please take a moment as the year draws to a close to make a tax-deductible gift to the, Childrensdefensefund and help them fight for the rights of every child in America.

Your generous donation will provide them the extraordinary opportunity in the New Year to act boldly and decisively in defense of our nation's children.
With your help, Childrensdefensefund
will demand that all children have access to affordable, seamless and comprehensive health and mental health coverage. Despite President Bush's outrageous veto of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP),they pledge they will not give up until every child in America is covered!

Insist that all children have access to quality early childhood education.

Each day in America more than 2,400 babies are born into poverty... more than nine million children have no health insurance... and on any given day, 200,000 children and their families are homeless.

These numbers are a tragedy every day of the year. But during the holidays, I'm even more outraged that so many of our nation's children are left out and left behind. For them, there will be no warm holiday meals, no trips to Grandma's house and no presents under the tree.

As you pause to count your blessings this holiday season, I ask you to remember the less fortunate children and families among us.

Their Promise:

"we will put your year-end gift to work right away to give every child in America a Healthy Start, a Head Start, A Fair Start, Safe Start and a Moral Start in life.

Thank you for remembering the children during this special season of giving. May all the blessings of this joyous season be yours.

Free Rice-Provide and Learn

FreeRice is a sister site of the world poverty site, Poverty.com.

How it Works:You'll be given a list of words and definitions, every time you choose the right definition for a single word, , you will be providing 10 grains of rice for a hungry person.

The Website Provides:
1. English vocabulary to everyone for free.
2. Help end world hunger by providing rice to hungry people for free.

This is made possible by the sponsors who advertise on this site.

So, not only will you be able to improve your vocabulary, you'll also gain the benefits of knowing you helped to feed a human being , making a real difference in their lives.

Just think, Somewhere in the world, a person is eating rice that you helped provide. You can bone up on your vocabulary and help end world hunger, Here

Founder Of "Children In Need"

Christopher Redner is a award-winning television producer journalist and founder of Children in Need.

He has visited dozens of child sponsorship projects around the world. He's seen the transformation that child sponsorship can facilitate.Here's what he has to say:

"I've met thousands of children whose lives were better because they had child sponsors," Redner says. "These children received life-saving aid, education, skills training and so much more. But sponsorship is more than just giving physical aid. When a child discovers she has a sponsor from another country, it sends her a message that she is important.

"I've visited with so many children who had saved the cards and letters they have received from their sponsors. Many of those children told me they often pray for their sponsors and thank God for the blessings their families have received because they are sponsored."

Redner has encouraged thousands of people to sponsor children through concert tours, events, media interviews and the Children In Need Reports.

"You can change a child's life today by sponsoring a child through World Vision," Redner says. "I've seen their child sponsorship programs at work and I can recommend them wholeheartedly."

Please visit the Children In Need and World Vision websites to find out more about the efforts being made to end child poverty and neglect through these wonderful organizations

Rectifi-Search Engine For Charity

Rectifi is a new kind of search engine, that not only allows you to search for the best deals on hundreds of products and services, but they also donate 100% of their profits from advertising these various services for you to charity.
Not only do they show you a new way of supporting the less fortunate ,but also offer you a new way of helping by redirecting advertising cash to various charities and showing you the simpilest things you can do at home to help the environment and make a difference in the lives of others.

So, not only can you find an extensive list of products , gifts,entertainment needs, clothing and great deals , but you'll also have the benefit of knowing you'll be be doing this for a very worthy cause.
www.rectifi.org.uk/referral/777778b8

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Good Search-Click For Charity

GoodSearch.com is powered by Yahoo! and raises money for charities using a model similar to paid searches on Yahoo or Google (Research): Advertisers pay a fee whenever Internet users click on a given link. Last year search engines generated almost $6 billion through such searches.
Just add your search to your IE, Firefox or Mac toolbar, enter the name of your favorite charity and launch a search.

For every search you launch the advertisers will donate 1 cent to your favorite charity or school and 50% of the revenue paid to the advertisers, will go toward these charities.

Visit the Good Search website not only to learn more about this praiseworthy effort, but also read the articles written up in some of the most noteworthy publications, such as USA Today, the N.Y.Times, N.Y. Post and Fortune Business, just to name a few.

Just think of what can be accomplished if more and more people learned about this wonderful effort, by doing no more than what we do each and every day on the internet.Do yourself and the charity of your choice a great favor,by visiting the website here

An Amazing Child-Kyle Lograsso

In a world where miracles are very far and few between , it is a rare and wonderful thing , to come across an amazing story, of not only a truly awesome and gifted child, but a true miracle of life.5 year old Kyle Lograsso is that child.
I was so moved by his story, I wanted to post the link to it here , where after learning about this incredible child and the obstacles he had to overcome, i truly believe it will not only lift your spirits, but it just might restore your faith in knowing that miracles "do" exist in our world. Through the words of his own parents and little Kyle himself, your heart will be taken to somewhere it might not have been before viewing and listening to this amazing story. And although i'm not in the habit of asking for commnets on a particular post or subject, I would really appreciate you comments and reactions to this one.
To learn all about Kyle and his amazing story, simply click here

Animals Are No Less Worthy

Dear Friends,They are our friends and companions and in most cases our "family" as well.they deserve the same care and loving home as our children and that is why:

I have just read and signed the petition: "Thank American Humane for
Rescue and Care of Puppy Mill Victims!"

Please take a moment to read about this important issue, and join me in
signing the petition. It takes just 30 seconds, but can truly make a
difference. We are trying to reach 30,000 signatures - please sign here:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/540684624
Once you have signed, you can help even more by asking your friends and
family to sign as well.

To My Readers-Thank You

I want to take this time to personally thank "all" my visitors and subscribers to my blog. For eveyone who has taken the time to come here ,for whatever reason, whether to donate your time and or money to the many wonderful charity organizations i've posted about,or simply clicked on a link to help a child or family in need,you have my sincere appreciation and gratitude.

Visitors to this particular blog, tell me a lot about who you are and how you truly understand the enormous responsibility we all share,for supporting these far less fortunate families and their children.

We may never see the day when world poverty and hunger are a thing of the past.
There may never come a time, when "all" families and their children are assured of receiving good and quality healthcare, where they no longer feel the helplessness and heart break of watching their loved ones, suffer in ways, that "no child" no "family" should ever have to suffer through.

But, as long as there are people like you and I,as long as there are communities, families and oprganizations that out of pure heartfelt compassion and understanding , continue fighting this seemingly unending war against poverty, disease and hunger,we can make an enormous difference, in the lives of millions of people in our world.And in the end, that's really what it's all about.

Mercy Corps-Excellent Charity

Every now and then , the question arises as to how much of the money donated to these various charities, is really dispersed to the causes they promote.I am proud to say that Mercy Corps has provided more than 90% of resources allocated directly to programs fighting hunger and poverty to every part of the globe ,including the United States. Every dollar you give helps Mercy Corp secure $20.89 in donated food and other critical supplies.Visiting the Mercy Corps website ,gives you the opportunity, not only to give what you can to these very worthy causes , but also provides you many ways to get involved in global hunger, silent disasters, such as hurricane Katrina and Rita and signing up to receive their updated newsletters and reports,as to the outcome your dollars have provided for these very worthy causes. Mercy Corps should be applauded for their wonderful efforts.

Children In Need-In The U.K

Children in Need is on a mission to change the lives of disadvantaged children,in the United Kingdom.In 2006, they've raised over £33 million. For every penny you donate to this charity,a pennywill go directly to projects, helping these children. They are able to make this promise , because they use their investment income to cover all operational costs, such as donations by schools,businesses,and corporate partners.They provide this support through grants given to those who deal with children who suffer with, mental,physical,or sensory disabilities as well as those living in poverty, or suffering from abuse or neglect.

They are members of the Institute of Fundraising and the Fundraising Standards Board. You can find all the information you need and how you can help and support, these children, by visiting the website, Here

Make A Childs Dream Come True

Do know a child with a dream?then please come visit Dreamscometrue.org. They are a childrens non-profit organization that through the help of public, private and corporate donations and grants.they are able to make a child from the ages of 5 to 18 years of age , dream come true Unlike many other children's charity organizations, Dreams Do Come True, grants dreams for kids regardless of their sex, race, financial status or physical well being . They can make a difference for any child with a dream by offering them the opportunity, that can change lives. There are many wonderful charities that benefit children,however, Dreams Do Come True, goes one step further, by granting your child, or any child their dream come true. In this way this children's charity is a head above the rest. Please visit their website to find out just how their unique childrens organization can make your dreams come true.
Every child deserves a dream! Here

Blog Review-Stumble Aid

Stumbleaid.com is a site that displays free links to support World Hunger and various other charities, such as Animal Rescue,Save the Rainforests , Literacy and Child Health .
With just a click of your mouse, you will be able to support these worthy causes and it won't cost you a cent. As the author states,"It cost you nothing but time, to show you care".. I personally applaud the author of Stumbleaid for taking on the challenges of not only world poverty and hunger, but bringing to light the many global challenges our world is faced with every day.We all can meet these challenges, "One click at a time." Here

Help A Child While You "Shop"

What if you could help save the life of a child every time you shopped online?

All of us , wish we could do more, but sometimes our economic situations , just don't allow for this.

But now, an opportunity presents itself that requires so little and produces so very much. Recently, Children's Hunger Relief Fund was presented with such an opportunity. It allows individuals to direct a portion of their day-to-day spending to Children's Hunger Relief Fund.
Now you can help save the lives of children around the world, because hundreds of America 's merchants will donate to our cause, some as much as 28%. So now, even while buying your office supplies, traveling, sending flowers, purchasing music, clothing, gifts, or just about anything else you can think of, you'll help save a child's life.

By simply registering and shopping online through the "Shop & Give Back" mall, the merchants will give a percentage of your purchase back to Children's Hunger Relief Fund! It costs you nothing more, but every dollar you spend helps to "change the world, one child at a time." Please sign up today and encourage your friends and family to join you. Make every purchase count for Children's Hunger Relief Fund!

Chidren's Charities Of America

How we care for children, protect their welfare, and prepare them for the future are the most important issues we face during our lifetime. Children's Charities of America is a coalition comprised of many of America's finest charitable organizations dedicated to meeting the needs of children. their mission is two fold: First, to heighten public awareness of children's issues and the solutions to their problems. Second, to help their member agencies raise funds mainly through participation in workplace campaigns. Through its member organizations, CCA is striving to give children all over the world a fighting chance at a brighter tomorrow and a more fulfilling future.
CCA is a coalition of more than 100 charitable organizations. Their Members Listing will give you contact information, mission statements, email and web site links for each of our members.
You can Donate Online to any of their members via a secure server from the Members Listing area.
You can Search for any of our member charities by name or by keyword,Here

One World

We all live in "one world".The trials and problems we face, the dreams we follow, are not much different than those who most likely will never see their dreams fulfilled.But, their dreams are no less important,no less meaningful.

They desire the same hope, for a safe and secure future for themselves and more so for their children. They no less deserve a life of comfort and stability, then those of us who are able to provide these things for ourselves and the children born to us.

They long to see their children healthy, well fed, safe and secure,to have the wherewithal to help them grow into healthy productive adults.

What we sometimes fail to realize,is that whatever happens in other parts of the world,sickness, economic instability and extreme poverty,has a deep and long lasting effect on "all" of us and our way of life.

We can no lonnger take for granted,that we are immune to the same conditions,the same uncertain future that others far less fortunate than ourselves,are forced to face each and every day.

How safe and sure "is" this world we live and share in? How much longer can we
turn a blind eye to the incredible impact world poverty and sickness has on each of us, no matter what our own life situation may be.

Ask yourself this question,what if tomorrow, you suddenly awoke and realized that all you strived for, all you worked for, your home, your job, everything, was suddenly and inexplicity gone? You found yourself with nowhere to turn,no way to feed yourself or your children. And the only way you could see yourself out of this situation,was to beg for help from someone, anyone!.But, you also realized that the help you seek would not come easy.You would have to reach out to others,many others,but, to your horror, you learn that your own family, friends and neighbors are in the same sad situation as you find yourself in.You now feel a great sense of hoplessness, helplessness, on the very verge of just giving up.

My friend, these are the challenges faced by millions and millions of people all over the world, hopeless, helpless and very often giving up, watching their beautiful children waste away, and knowing they themselves can do nothing to change their situation, other than reaching out to those of us able to understand,able to care enough and able to realize, that if these challenges are not met,it will determine our very future.By Marie Marinaccio

They "Are" Our Children

Sometimes, when witnessing the horrible and unfair living conditions, lack of food, sickness and neglect, that millions of children around the world and right here in the U.S.A are forced to endure, each and every day and though we give of our time and money in an attempt to right these terrible tragedies, don't we also give a silent prayer of thanks that the children, born to us, our own children, most likely and by the grace of God will never have to suffer in the ways these unfortunate ones do?

But in doing this, we must never forget ,that in the eyes of God , these"are" our children.

Children who ask for nothng more than love and comfort, from those chosen to be their caretakers. And when these caretakers are not able to supply these needs, we as a nation and the ones more fortunate and able to provide, must do all we can to do so.

These wonderful children, born into poverty and little sacrifice given for their well being asked for none of this and deserve much more than this.

They couldn't and didn't ask for a life that involved little food, little money or little hope for their every day existance, an uncertain future,or no future at all.

Their only voice, is the sadness on ther faces and the tears in their eyes.

We must give "our" voice to this sadnesss and these tears. These "are the innocent, the helpless, these "are"' our children.

For many different ways, you can help a child today,please, see my sidebar.Plus, you can click right here and feed a hungry child for free.
,click here

One Shared World

We all live in "one world.Sharing the same hopes for a safe and secure future.But,we also share the inredible impact of economic instability,and sickness,all caused by extreme poverty.
We lose sight of the fact,that whatever happens in every corner of the world,affects us here, health,jobs,environment, our very way of life.

One Shared World is a campaign to raise awareness of global poverty and generate dialogue about what we, as Americans, can do to help tackle it. The Campaign especially seeks to connect America’s working women to the many public and private efforts that help people in developing countries overcome poverty, hunger, illiteracy and disease. Whether you want to be better informed about development assistance, find tools to encourage others to get involved or discover a personal way to do more, we invite you to become a part of One Shared World.For information and the many ways to get involved ,go here

America'a Second Harvest

America's Second Harvest—The Nation's Food Bank Network is the nation's largest charitable hunger-relief organization:

A network of more than 200 member food banks and food-rescue organizations

Serving all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

The America's Second Harvest Network secures and distributes more than 2 billion pounds of donated food and grocery products annually.

The America's Second Harvest Network supports approximately 50,000 local charitable agencies operating more than 94,000 programs including food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, after-school programs, Kids Cafes, Community Kitchens and BackPack Programs.

Each year, the America's Second Harvest Network provides food assistance to more than 25 million low-income hungry people in the United States, including more than 9 million children and nearly 3 million seniors. This is our country, our people,they need our help. We must reach out to support them.Here

The Hunger Site

I know how difficult it is to come to a site such as mine, wanting to do all you can to support these wonderful children, but you either don't have the time or the money to be able to be of any help to them. Well there is a website called The Hunger Site, where all you have to do is , click on the feed a child for free link and you will be providing food for these children.The best part is, you can do this over and over again,and each time you click, more food will be provided. The Hunger Site , also includes,Free Child Health care links, Save the Animals links and save the Rain forest links.Links for sending e-cards, and also where you will be able to link to their website by placing a simple code to your web pages, So, you see you can really make a difference supporting quite a few causes for free, just with a click of your mouse.It's simple, fast and most of all, you'll be supporting some very important and vital causes. Visit the Hunger Site, Here

One Voice

Subject: Join me in fighting poverty!

Hi,

I've just signed the ONE Declaration committing myself to help fight the emergency of global AIDS and extreme poverty.

I'm asking you to make that commitment, too, by adding your voice.

I think your name belongs on that declaration, too. You can put it there by visiting:

http://www.one.org/declare/

ONE is a new effort by Americans to rally Americans - one by one. So far, over two million have signed the declaration in support of a historic pact for compassion and justice to help the poorest people of the world.

Together as ONE we can make a difference!

Thanks!

Unicef For Children

Millions of children make their way through life impoverished, abandoned, uneducated, malnourished, discriminated against, neglected and vulnerable. For them, life is a daily struggle to survive. Whether they live in urban centers or rural outposts, they risk missing out on their childhood -- excluded from essential services such as hospitals and schools, lacking the protection of family and community, often at risk of exploitation and abuse. For these children, childhood as a time to grow, learn, play and feel safe is, in effect, meaningless.

Every year, more than 10 million children die totally preventable deaths. The world knows what it takes to improve child health and survival but millions still die because they lack access to these basic services.

Source: UNICEF, The State of the World's Children 2006-Learn more

America's Children Hunger Fund

It has been a great year for America's Children Hunger Fund as they have helped children in the USA, Mexico, and the Philippines by feeding, clothing and providing spiritual education. America sends more help than any other nation around the world. America is a giving nation! America's Children Hunger Fund is part of the great American way. . .helping the needy and less fortunate in the USA and around the world.

America's Children Hunger Fund is a human health and welfare organization that focuses on the survival of children worldwide and implements programs that provide food, clothing, and spiritual education to them and their families.

The benefits of America's Children Hunger Fund services provide the necessities basic to all human development. Providing emergency food, clothing and spiritual education makes a world of difference in children lives
It is the commitment of America's Children Hunger Fund to do everything they can to heal the forgotten and hurting children by providing intelligent, compassionate programs. The pictures of their ministry show their efforts to offer help for today and hope for tomorrow to disadvantaged children worldwide.To learn more about this wonderful organization and perhaps, do what you can in support of these children,
Click Here

Wow Us

All too often we become numb, inundated with news of the pain and suffering of children around the world. We feel hopeless and unable to act. SOS Children's Villages is changing that by providing you the tools you need to change the lives of orphans. On August 1, 2007, visit WOW US and sign up to take action to help those who can't. Start your own fundraising page, host an event, raise awareness about the conditions of orphans around the world, and most importantly, change a child's life forever.Find out about WOWUS here

The One Orginization

ONE is Americans of all beliefs and every walk of life – united as ONE – to help make poverty history. We are a campaign of over 2.4 million people and growing from all 50 states and over 100 of America’s most well-known and respected non-profit, advocacy and humanitarian organizations. As ONE, we are asking our leaders to do more to fight the emergency of global AIDS and extreme poverty. ONE believes that allocating more of the U.S. budget toward providing basic needs like health, education, clean water and food would transform the futures and hopes of an entire generation in the world's poorest countries.


Please sign the ONE Declaration committing yourself to help fight the emergency of global AIDS and extreme poverty.Make this commitment, by adding your voice, Here