December 17, 2007
Bloggers Unite in Acts of Kindness
I believe that everything we do can have an effect on people around us and even across the globe. The ripple effect itself is neutral and can carry large cumberson acts of ugliness as easily as small kindnesses. As an extreme example of the former, does anyone doubt that the events of September 11, 2001, hatched in one man’s black heart, had an impact on millions of people around the globe, creating suspicion, uneasiness and even hatred in many? Conversely, one woman’s wish that the children around her could all have shoes led to the creation of The Slippah Fund, which has provided slippers and Christmas cheer to hundreds of children around the island of Oahu.
Every day we have numerous opportunities to start a ripple, for good or ill. As bloggers we impact our readers, who can influence their readers, on and on, ad infinitum. Bloggers Unite is an acknowledgement of the power we can weild for change and has issued a challenge to all bloggers everywhere:
Bloggers Unite challenges bloggers everywhere, on December 17th, to do something good offline — an act of kindness — and then post about it on their blogs, using words, pictures, and/or videos to tell the story.
The Acts of Kindness theme aims at putting a human face on the bloggers responsible for so much good in the world. The goal is to expose their kindness and generosity as well as serve as an example to non-bloggers that volunteering for a charity, donating to a cause, or simply doing something kind for another person has a ripple effect around the world.
“Maybe 20,000 bloggers, vloggers, photographers will make a difference.”
I’m stuck in my office right now and won’t be out and about until this afternoon, but I didn’t want to pass by the opportunity to spread the word to other bloggers so they might be motivated to join in. I’ve chosen, therefore, to post this morning about another blogger who is making a difference.
I run a contest on my blog every Tuesday. Linking it here would be self-serving, so let’s skip that part. A while back I suggested to my readers that they could use their prize, a linky love post, to publicize a charitable or non-profit site instead of their own blog. Chuck Foxtrot liked that idea and asked me to review a charity of my choice when he won the weekly contest. I posted about Chemo Angels, an organization that provides tangible support to people with cancer who are undergoing the rigors of chemotherapy. Last week Chuck stepped up to the plate again.
Two weeks ago a terrible storm blew through Hawaii. It was a difficult and uncomfortable time for me and my neighbors as we lost power and were stranded for several days because access to our coast was blocked by downed utility poles. I blogged it once the power was back on, of course, and mentioned that I had lost a few hundred dollars or so of food because of the lack of refrigeration. I don’t have a lot of money and certainly could have done without the expense of restocking, but imagine, if you will, the more serious repercussions for my neighbors who live on the beach. Emergency shelters were opened, but many of our homeless are distrustful of such places and chose to ride out the storm on their own. Their flimsy tents and tarps could not withstand the gale-force winds. They lost their shelters and whatever food, clothing and other possessions they had. Local charitable groups sprang into action to try to help. It was those efforts I thought of when I got an email from Chuck. Each month I draw the name of one of my weekly contest winners and award that blogger a small gift card. Chuck won the drawing for November and this was his reaction:
“I like $10 as much as the next guy, but please use the $10 to restore your refrigerator to its normally stocked condition or send it along to a local charity to help with the storm. I know $10 isn’t much, but it’s my contribution to the Hawaiian storm recovery effort.”
Mahalo Chuck! Your ten dollars is feeding a homeless family today, or perhaps helped purchase a new tent to provide them shelter and privacy. A small act of kindness on your behalf has sent out ripples that have reached across an ocean to someone in need. I salute you my indiosyncratic friend. You’re one of the good guys. Mahalo nui loa!
While I’m out and about today I’ll be looking for an opportunity to perform my own act of kindness. Won’t you do the same, and come back and tell me all about it? Just this once, toot your own horn and tell me about the good thing you’ve done!
Technorati Tags: acts of kindness, bloggers, Bloggers Unite, charities
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December 17th, 2007 at 1:36 pm, CyberCelt Says:
Hey, Skeet!
I am glad you got signed up and did the posting for Bloggers Unite. You do not have to look for a kindness to do. You help people all the time of the forums at 3P.
Blessings.
December 17th, 2007 at 5:55 pm, Jen X Says:
Skeet,
I was using BlogSearch to see what people had written today for the Bloggers Unite challenge. Seeing your note about Chemo Angels made me curious so I clicked the link to the earlier post. This almost made me cry — what an inspiring group! This is also the kind of volunteering that I know would appeal to lots of my friends: they have work schedules that make traditional volunteering difficult but they have big hearts and love to shop and send notes. I’m going to write about Chemo Angels on my own blog later this week, I think. (I post daily mitzvahs or good deeds, hence the name: Daily Mitzvah, over at Blogspot.)
I agree with Cyber Celt: you have already accomplished your kindness with this post!
Really delighted to discover your blog.
December 17th, 2007 at 8:18 pm, Linda R. Moore Says:
Good for you!
Hm, I’d forgotten just how fun your site was. Normally I come in through the rss and I don’t see the pretties.
December 18th, 2007 at 7:56 am, skeet Says:
Aw, that was nice of you to say, Cyber Celt. Mahalo for reminding me and others about Bloggers Unite!
December 18th, 2007 at 7:59 am, skeet Says:
Jen, I was really impressed with what Chemo Angels are doing. And I agree - it’s a way that many people can volunteer!
Love, love love the idea of Daily Mitzvah! What a wonderful thing to blog about! I paid a short visit yesterday & will try to spend some real time over there after work today.
December 18th, 2007 at 8:00 am, skeet Says:
Aw, mahalo Linda! You say the nicest things!
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