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The power of giving

Happy Thursday friends πŸ™‚

Today we would discuss about charity and the power of giving to change people’s life.

Orlando Union Rescue Mission

We were off last weekend to deliver some food and clothing to a homeless shelter called Orlando Union Rescue Mission in Downtown Orlando. There was a Groupon deal for Old Navy recently. We bought the deal and decided to get some new clothing for the shelter instead of donating old ones all over again. It feels nice to give something new instead of getting a new set of clothes for myself. The closet is well beyond pack at the moment, begging to purge. Clearly I don’t need a new blouse or skirt any time soon.

I have a wonderful tip to share with you guys. Publix always has BOGO (buy one get one free) deals. We bought 2 carton worth of foods and felt content to do something for someone else in need. And it only costed us half than it would normally do! Thanks for BOGO’s Publix, y’all rock!

Bloggers Without BordersΒ (BWOB)

Raising both money and charity awareness, Bloggers without Borders is a newly established non-profit organization, helping and connecting bloggers to one another. Their mission is:

  1. To create a platform (through our website, blog and social media platforms) which allows bloggers to promote charitable events and projects and connect them with bloggers who want to get involved.
  2. To offer advice and support to bloggers want to start projects.
  3. To respond to the need in our own community (and beyond) by fundraising for specific causes as and when the need arises.
  4. To use our platforms to raise awareness about chosen social issues through targeted campaigns.Β Source

The first and recent BWOB project, A Fund For Jennie was launched on August 22nd 2011. The fund is created for Jennifer Perillo, a food blogger who recently and tragically lost her husband, Mikey to a heart attack. When I first read about Jennie’s lost over twitter, I couldn’t help myself but cry. It was so overwhelming, I wanted to share her grief and somehow make it go away.

Jennie is suddenly forced to raise two of her daughters all alone coupled with the reality of a huge financial struggle. Mikey wanted Jennie to continue living her dream as a food writer. This fund will help Jennie to do just that, with least financial burden on her and the kids.Β There are a few ways you can participate in this noble cause and help Jennie recover from this tragedy.

  • Donate directly to Bloggers Without Borders. All proceeds would directly benefit Jennie and her two daughters.
  • Either bid on current online auctions set up by bloggers from around the world.
  • Spread this noble cause and initiative via Twitter using hashtag #afundforjennie.

For donation, auction links and more information on this project, visit A Fund For Jennie. And please, go hug your loved ones and tell them how much they mean to you. Life is too short.

Are you charitable? Care to share what are your favorite cause(s) or charitable organization to make a difference in the world?

{ 22 comments }

1 Sunil Deepak August 26, 2011 at 1:10 AM

Growing up in relative poverty, for a long long time, I couldn’t even throw away my old shoes and worn out shirts. Helping others was different but it was not linked to giving away things.
Then slowly relative affluence and security sank in. Today for me, to give away almost new stuff for the local church sale is easy, and substitutes feeling for others, connecting with others and looking at them at a more humane level, so every now and then I need to remind myself and force myself to go out of my self-made boundaries …

2 Kiran September 2, 2011 at 9:55 AM

Sunil,
Loved reading about your life experiences and reflections πŸ™‚

3 Georgie August 26, 2011 at 1:55 PM

I heart Jennie too! I’m a huge believer in that “we can’t keep it – unless we give it away”! I miss Publix… I miss their tiramisu… I miss their chicken tarragon almond salad!

4 Kiran September 2, 2011 at 9:57 AM

Georgie,
You don’t have Publix where you are right now?

5 Appu August 26, 2011 at 9:05 PM

If someone smile because of you charity is done.

6 Kiran September 2, 2011 at 9:58 AM

Appu,
Aww.. thanks for the compliment! It made my day πŸ˜€

7 Destination Infinity August 27, 2011 at 3:14 AM

Enabling people to earn by themselves and stand up on their feet is the best charity.

Destination Infinity
Destination Infinity recently posted..Photos of Caged birds and Fishes in Pet Aqua Show, Chennai

8 Kiran September 2, 2011 at 10:06 AM

DI,
You are so right. But there are many NGO’s that needs public support in order to provide training for those who are poor and needy. That way, training becomes cheaper and once completed they are ready for real world and job.

9 Yash Bhatia August 27, 2011 at 6:17 AM

This inspired me to help the slum kids outside my house. Will surely be donating a lot more. Thanks to you. πŸ™‚
Yash Bhatia recently posted..Apple is β€˜Jobs’less

10 Kiran September 2, 2011 at 10:08 AM

Yash,
Thanks to you that this post is inspiring you to go out and help people πŸ™‚

11 Mia Summer Rose August 27, 2011 at 6:44 AM

Jennie’s story is truly sad and tugs at ur heartstrings!
I believe that God puts atleast a few people in every body’s path to help , and if every body of us did our bit , the world would be so wonderful a space.
And no , i am not going to tell the rest what to do , we do so by doing what we have to do ourselves!
Reading about ur thoughts and what ur doing makes me happy!
All the best and keep spreadin the love!
Mia Summer Rose recently posted..MY DUKAN DIET + RECIPES- VANILLA COFFEE PUDDING

12 Kiran September 2, 2011 at 10:11 AM

Mia,
Jennie’s story is truly gut wrenching and I am so glad to be a part of such a wonderful food blogging community that is there to support her during this tough period in her life. I am glad me and the Hubby are in a place in our life, where we are able to donate and do some charity every now and then. It makes us so happy πŸ™‚

13 Richa@HobbyandMore August 27, 2011 at 5:39 PM

hi Kiran. I happened upon your blog some days back and had read up some of your food entries.. now back and reading other things.
Great going with the blog, your marriage posts and recipes!:) We had a Marwari Punjabi wedding.. though we met in undergrad. Life’s gone though its ups and downs and our causes are pretty much everything. The bigger picture is animals and veganism . At the lower level, its more about sponsoring a senior dog or 2 every birthday. Donations and fundraising. Helping save some shelter pets lives by connecting them with rescues, fosters, adopters and so on. Cooking some fun vegan stuff, so everyone around eats more vegan. There are lots of things to be done.. we just take one small step here and there!
-Richa
Richa@HobbyandMore recently posted..Daal Series: Yellow Lentil Soup! vegan comfort food.

14 Kiran September 2, 2011 at 10:21 AM

Richa,
Welcome to Chatterbox, thanks for commenting and sharing your fabulous life and pet stories. I’ve been so curious about “going vegan”. I need to do more reading and research on it. So glad you all do pet rescues, adopts, fosters and sheltering. I had a german shepard while growing up but he died on my birthday πŸ™ Ever since, it’s difficult for us to keep a pet. Like you said, a lot to be done with baby steps!

15 Kankana August 29, 2011 at 6:57 PM

(((Hugs))) I am speechless and my respect for you guys have gone to a whole new level. Love you both .. truly.
Kankana recently posted..Stuffed Jumbo Shells for Anamika @ Taste Junction

16 Kiran September 2, 2011 at 10:27 AM

Kankana,
Hugs and love to you as well and thanks yaar. Your comments literally melt both of our hearts πŸ™‚

17 Penelope August 30, 2011 at 2:11 PM

My passion is foster care adoption. Casa Valentina in Miami helps foster girls aging out make the transition.

Thanks for sharing about BWOB! I will check it out! I would love to help with a project!
Penelope recently posted..10 Stress Management Tips for Parents

18 Kiran September 2, 2011 at 10:29 AM

Penelope,
I am so happy that you have such an honorable passion which is, to help people πŸ™‚

19 Ameena August 31, 2011 at 1:20 PM

Since Ramadan just finished up and we just gave a lot of money for Zakat I can honestly say that yes, I am very charitable! We actually have an LA Rescue Mission and I think it is a wonderful organization.

Great use of the Groupon Kiran. Very smart idea!

20 Kiran September 2, 2011 at 10:47 AM

Ameena,
Eid Mubarak!
I am so happy y’all are very charitable! Have fun celebrating Eid. Can’t wait to read your recap πŸ™‚

21 Holli September 1, 2011 at 11:39 AM

I love to donate and give and volunteer and help out….. I’m so happy to see others doing the same!! You two are awesome!
Holli recently posted..family

22 Kiran September 2, 2011 at 10:57 AM

Holli,
Thanks for the sweet words dear. You are awesome as well πŸ™‚

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