My family and I love traveling and between us have driven across most of Canada and America. It's been a long time since I've posted anything (sorry! It's been a hectic 5 months or so) but my partner has been amazing enough to write something for me. He's basically a young Rick Steves when it comes to traveling, so pay attention.
These days advice about how to have a good roadtrip seems to revolve
around what apps you have on your phone, I would like to provide
something a bit more substantial to those of you planning to hit the
road...
In-car Entertainment: Don't rely on a cell phone app that may require
data coverage or drain your battery, bring a broad selection of mp3s and
give everyone unlimited vetos - peace and enjoyment restored reliably.
Bring a video game for the kid but just one game so it can be used as
needed but not be a focus for the entire trip.
Shotgun Responsibilities: The person riding shotgun should operate and
interpret the GPS and provide snacks to the driver upon request, also
helping out with changing music and finding sunglasses and whatnot -
this makes for a safer, happier drive.
Don't Fear The Stop: Don't hate on the guy who needs a bathroom break,
this is a chance to dump garbage, refuel, clean the windows, stretch
your legs, resupply, etc. It's an opportunity for all or a frustration
for most depending on how you look at it.
Be Flexible: Unexpected stops, missed exits, and things spotted along
the way can lead to great discoveries and experiences - keep your
itinerary flexible and don't fall in love with an idea to the exclusion
of others.
Be Prepared: Don't plan every meal but bring information on major
restaurants near every hotel stay. Provide everyone options and give
everyone a chance to express their opinion. Superior information makes
for a superior experience.
If you want more posts like this, or more posts "ghost written" by my partner, please comment on this post and I will accommodate as best as I can.
Over the next week or so I will have some more content on here as the Mario Marathon is starting again on June 21st. My donation widget is on the right; it would be awesome if you could donate. Those of you who know me and my blog know that I'm a huge supporter of Mario Marathon and Child's Play Charity. Those of you who aren't familiar with me and my blog, there are a number of posts explaining what both are all about and why I go on and on about them. The labels associated with this post will direct you to those posts.
See you all soon!
Showing posts with label donations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label donations. Show all posts
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Sunday, November 20, 2011
This Christmas...
This Christmas/holiday season I hereby issue a challenge:
Don't buy anything for your loved ones!
Pretty crazy, I know, but hear me out.
Today I finally got around to tackling a task I really don't like doing, which is clearing our kitchen table. It's basically a catchall for junk mail and random doodads that we don't know what to do with just yet. I avoid it as often as possible, but eventually it has to be done. Anyhow, as I was clearing out, I stumbled upon a World Vision gift catalogue. Intrigued, I put it aside while I finished my task at hand.
After finishing, I decided to thumb through the catalogue; what I saw brought me to tears. Even talking to my fiance about it 10 minutes later caused me to break down in tears, yet again. Sure, commercials can make me cry, but that's beside the point. Did you know, that for $30CAD, you can give 10 children the gift of health? For $35CAD, you can give 3 families the gift of self-reliance. Forty five dollars gives the gift of literacy, education, independence, the chance for freedom to a classroom full of children. For only $100CAD, you can give entire communities the gift of life.
So little is needed to give so much to so many people. How many of us have a wish list of things that we want for our birthdays or Christmas (or whatever gift giving celebration you participate in)? How many of us are fretting, thinking, "Oh, god! What am I going to get Mom and Dad this year?" How many of us get nauseated at the idea of having to brave yet another mall excursion to get a $50 toy for your kid, who already has a room full of toys, and who may only play with that toy a half dozen times - if even that much?
Okay yes, not actually getting anything for your kids (the ones who aren't grown, at any rate) may seem a bit harsh, but I do encourage you to think about how much you're willing to spend on everyone, and how much of an impact even a fraction of what you will spend this year will have on people who really do need our help.
How about this? Instead of not buying anyone any gifts this holiday season, consider making a donation to World Vision, or whatever organization you wish to donate to in the name of at least one person on your list. Chances are, they will be moved that someone loved them enough to save a bunch of people in their name.
PS: I have the pleasure of getting to know a person by the name of Cathy on Facebook. She has a business page called Cathy's Creations and she knows, perhaps more than most, the joy helping someone can bring. She puts a fair bit of time (I'm assuming, judging by how many packages she sends out on a weekly basis) into making beautiful bracelets (among many other things). One line of bracelets she makes are "Cause Jewelery". Proceeds from the bracelets goes to various (American) health organizations, children's charities (usually for a specific child who has to spend much of their short life fighting cancer or some other life threatening condition), or awareness efforts. She has touched many, many lives, brought joy and hope to many children and their families, and has inspired a lot of us to get off our duffs and do the same.
I've been off work for nearly 8 months now, but I'm going back soon. One of the first things I'm going to do with my first paycheque is buy a coat for the man who sits outside my local grocery store. I don't know his name, or what brought him to his current situation (though, I can't help but wonder how much he would benefit from more efforts/funding for social housing in our city) but I do know that he is kind to my son, and doesn't have a clean coat to keep him warm and dry. That's all I need to know.
I can't help but wonder if I would have been inspired to do this, had it not been for the inspiration we get from all the kind, selfless, wonderful things she does for so many people. I'm not Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Pagan or Buddhist, but truly believe that Cathy is doing something that transcends humanity.
Don't buy anything for your loved ones!
Pretty crazy, I know, but hear me out.
Today I finally got around to tackling a task I really don't like doing, which is clearing our kitchen table. It's basically a catchall for junk mail and random doodads that we don't know what to do with just yet. I avoid it as often as possible, but eventually it has to be done. Anyhow, as I was clearing out, I stumbled upon a World Vision gift catalogue. Intrigued, I put it aside while I finished my task at hand.
After finishing, I decided to thumb through the catalogue; what I saw brought me to tears. Even talking to my fiance about it 10 minutes later caused me to break down in tears, yet again. Sure, commercials can make me cry, but that's beside the point. Did you know, that for $30CAD, you can give 10 children the gift of health? For $35CAD, you can give 3 families the gift of self-reliance. Forty five dollars gives the gift of literacy, education, independence, the chance for freedom to a classroom full of children. For only $100CAD, you can give entire communities the gift of life.
So little is needed to give so much to so many people. How many of us have a wish list of things that we want for our birthdays or Christmas (or whatever gift giving celebration you participate in)? How many of us are fretting, thinking, "Oh, god! What am I going to get Mom and Dad this year?" How many of us get nauseated at the idea of having to brave yet another mall excursion to get a $50 toy for your kid, who already has a room full of toys, and who may only play with that toy a half dozen times - if even that much?
Okay yes, not actually getting anything for your kids (the ones who aren't grown, at any rate) may seem a bit harsh, but I do encourage you to think about how much you're willing to spend on everyone, and how much of an impact even a fraction of what you will spend this year will have on people who really do need our help.
How about this? Instead of not buying anyone any gifts this holiday season, consider making a donation to World Vision, or whatever organization you wish to donate to in the name of at least one person on your list. Chances are, they will be moved that someone loved them enough to save a bunch of people in their name.
PS: I have the pleasure of getting to know a person by the name of Cathy on Facebook. She has a business page called Cathy's Creations and she knows, perhaps more than most, the joy helping someone can bring. She puts a fair bit of time (I'm assuming, judging by how many packages she sends out on a weekly basis) into making beautiful bracelets (among many other things). One line of bracelets she makes are "Cause Jewelery". Proceeds from the bracelets goes to various (American) health organizations, children's charities (usually for a specific child who has to spend much of their short life fighting cancer or some other life threatening condition), or awareness efforts. She has touched many, many lives, brought joy and hope to many children and their families, and has inspired a lot of us to get off our duffs and do the same.
I've been off work for nearly 8 months now, but I'm going back soon. One of the first things I'm going to do with my first paycheque is buy a coat for the man who sits outside my local grocery store. I don't know his name, or what brought him to his current situation (though, I can't help but wonder how much he would benefit from more efforts/funding for social housing in our city) but I do know that he is kind to my son, and doesn't have a clean coat to keep him warm and dry. That's all I need to know.
I can't help but wonder if I would have been inspired to do this, had it not been for the inspiration we get from all the kind, selfless, wonderful things she does for so many people. I'm not Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Pagan or Buddhist, but truly believe that Cathy is doing something that transcends humanity.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Faith the "Warrior Princess"
Because I know this little girl is someone that is near and dear to some of my friends' hearts, I am going to dedicate this post to Faith, the Warrior Princess. What is written below is a summary of the difficult war she has been battling against cancer. I was going to say it's a brief summary, but there's no such thing as a "brief summary" when talking about one's battle with cancer. Some of it may be difficult to read, but imagine how difficult it is for this little girl and her family to have to live through it.
Faith was 7 years old on April 19th when she was diagnosed with Osteogenic Sarcoma in her left deltoid and shoulder. She started Chemo at Doernbecher Children's Hospital, but the chemo didn't work. The tumor grew and we were told her arm would need to be amputated. Two days before that was to occur, Dr. "Chappie" Conrad of Seattle Children's Hospital did a limb salvage surgery and saved her left arm from just above the elbow down through her hand. She has 'medical play-doh' for a left shoulder and a ceramic encased steel rod in her upper arm. She continued her chemo at Doernbecher until the protocol ended January 2011.
On April 15th, 2011, she was diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer, and had lung surgery on both May 3rd and May 23rd, 2011. At the beginning of July, 2011, her cancer again metastacised to her left lung - the upper lobe has a 4cm+ tumor in it that grew in 4 weeks and cannot be removed at this time, as it is wrapped around the pulmonary vessel.
We were flown to Doernbecher on Monday, July 18th, after a weekend in our local hospital, where it was discovered that she had a pleural effusion (liquid between the left lung and chest wall.) At Doernbecher, they began by draining 1/2 liter of fluid from her chest. She also had a mass on her jaw that it took several weeks to figure out - the final answer was Osteogenic Sarcoma in the soft tissue wrapped around her left mandible. She started a new chemo protocol for metastasis that has a published 30% response rate. She was also given 5 high doses of radiation, for palliative care, hoping to reduce her pain and possibly shrink the tumor. They again needed to drain her chest cavity that had built back up, this time taking 1.75 liters of fluid and leaving in a chest tube. After one round of chemo, and both the mass in her jaw and chest growing, we stopped the chemo as it obviously wasn't working. It's still undetermined whether or not the radiation worked. Her jaw and cheek are still extremely swollen at this point - the last radiation was Friday, August 5th.
We were told that at this point, because her cancer has been resistant to everything, the doctors they believe she has anywhere from 4-6 weeks left with us. They did discover a 'mutated gene' in the biopsy from her chest that has not been seen before (or not discovered) in Osteogenic Sarcoma patients. She would be eligible for a clinical trial 2-weeks after discontinuing radiation, if she is ambulatory and not oxygen dependent. This gene is one that is seen in adult lung cancer patients, but has not been tried on pediatric Osteo patients. Time and the good Lord will let us know if this is meant to be. We were told that this would not be a "cure" but if it worked at all, might just prolong the inevitable.
We were flown home today and Faith will be on hospice care until/unless we are led down a different path. We ask that you encourage, support and pray for our sweet Warrior Princess as she continues to battle for her life ♥
Here are some ways you can help:
- On Faith's Facebook page, Faith's Friends, there is a FundRazr tab. You can donate by PayPal directly through this page.
- My friend, owner/founder of Cathy's Creations has created some beautiful pieces of jewellery (a bracelet, a charm and a ring) for Faith's Friends. Proceeds of the jewellery goes to Faith's family to help with medical costs. She also has a lot of wonderful jewellery, some of it attached to a specific cause, and puts a lot of love into the pieces she makes.
- On Cathy's Creation's Facebook page, there will be an auction for a brand new HP Touchpad on August 27th, 2011. The auction will start at 9am EST and end at 3pm EST; starting bid is $150. She will post the same photo that day when the auction starts and all you have to do is place your bid under the photo. ALL proceeds from this auction will go directly to Faith's family. You get a shiny new toy, and you can know that the money you spent on it went to a good cause.
- The Dinner Roll is accepting contributions for Faith's family. When they are in need of a meal, they can call the Dinner Roll, order what they would like from 15 different local restaurants and have it delivered at no additional cost! You can contact The Dinner Roll at: 541-772-7655. The account name is Jolayne Fulmer. I think this is something people forget about all the time. The families are hit hard when they are faced with a battle against cancer, and something as simple as making a meal can sometimes be way too overwhelming.
- There is a Sensational Scentsy fundraiser, that you can be linked to through Facebook. The woman organizing it is donating 50% of her commission from August 15th, 2011 - September 2nd, 2011 to Faith's family to help with medical costs.
I know times are tough right now for a lot of people - believe me, I know! - so it may be really hard, if not impossible, to help out financially. Spreading the word however, is free. Forward this post to everyone you know who can help financially or who knows someone who can help.
Faith is a mover of mountains,
And there's nothing that God cannot do,
So start out today with Faith in your heart
And climb till your dream comes true!
Monday, June 27, 2011
Over $1600 Raised! Wow!
This is so incredible! I'm right up there with Penny Arcade and GrubberGamer, of all sites! This is amazing! The Mario Marathon this year has raised over $75K $76K so far and 100% of the proceeds will go to Child's Play Charity. They buy video games, consoles, toys and books for kids in hospitals around the world so that they can feel like regular kids, if even for a little while.
Additionally, studies have shown that by having these items of play around, children tend to heal faster and are less prone to infections and such as they are in a better place, mentally. The hospital staff also use the items of play as tools to help either explain to the kid whatever procedures they may have to go through, or to distract them from being potentially scared by the explanations.
I'm so proud to be able to be a part of this and I want to thank each and every one of you who have contributed towards this amazing cause (and an extra special thanks to those who push the donations through my blog). As a parent, it's heartening to know that should my child ever have to spend time in a hospital, people all over the world will have made it possible to bring a glimmer of fun and childishness into an other bleak situation.
But it isn't over yet. The marathon is still going strong. So far 736 of 786 potential levels have been unlocked, and they have completed 650 of the paid levels. Check out www.mariomarathon.com and watch. It's incredibly fun and interactive. If you feel inspired to give, click on the Donations button. On the right-hand side of the page, you'll see a text box titled "Partner Sites". Click on www.mindo-canadian.blogspot.com and then click "Donate via mindo-canadian.blogspot.com". I am currently in fourth place on the list of Partner Sites. I'm not trying to get the top dog spot. I am more than happy to be "losing" (no one's losing here) to Penny Arcade and GrubberGamer.com but I think if this tiny little blog, that isn't even one year old can stay firmly in the top ten it would encourage more people to put the widget on their site as it shows that anyone can make a contribution. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that this blog would be able to raise as much as it has, and I couldn't be prouder. If you can't donate, please help spread the word . Let's keep it going, everyone!
PS: I want to give an extra special thanks to @CoW_mAn, @malfunct, @GrubberGamer, @MMStats and @MarioMarathon for giving me so much support! You're all amazing people and hold a special place in my heart!
Additionally, studies have shown that by having these items of play around, children tend to heal faster and are less prone to infections and such as they are in a better place, mentally. The hospital staff also use the items of play as tools to help either explain to the kid whatever procedures they may have to go through, or to distract them from being potentially scared by the explanations.
I'm so proud to be able to be a part of this and I want to thank each and every one of you who have contributed towards this amazing cause (and an extra special thanks to those who push the donations through my blog). As a parent, it's heartening to know that should my child ever have to spend time in a hospital, people all over the world will have made it possible to bring a glimmer of fun and childishness into an other bleak situation.
But it isn't over yet. The marathon is still going strong. So far 736 of 786 potential levels have been unlocked, and they have completed 650 of the paid levels. Check out www.mariomarathon.com and watch. It's incredibly fun and interactive. If you feel inspired to give, click on the Donations button. On the right-hand side of the page, you'll see a text box titled "Partner Sites". Click on www.mindo-canadian.blogspot.com and then click "Donate via mindo-canadian.blogspot.com". I am currently in fourth place on the list of Partner Sites. I'm not trying to get the top dog spot. I am more than happy to be "losing" (no one's losing here) to Penny Arcade and GrubberGamer.com but I think if this tiny little blog, that isn't even one year old can stay firmly in the top ten it would encourage more people to put the widget on their site as it shows that anyone can make a contribution. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that this blog would be able to raise as much as it has, and I couldn't be prouder. If you can't donate, please help spread the word . Let's keep it going, everyone!
PS: I want to give an extra special thanks to @CoW_mAn, @malfunct, @GrubberGamer, @MMStats and @MarioMarathon for giving me so much support! You're all amazing people and hold a special place in my heart!
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Donor Push, take 2
Alright fans, we're going to do this again.
For the next three hours (it is currently 3:45 PDT) the person who donates the most amount of money for the Mario Marathon through my blog I will write a post of their choosing. Conditions are the same: I will not write a post that violates the well established rules of the Mario Marathon itself (no cursing, no hating, no adult subject matter) but other than that it's fair game! We already have one winner and once he tells me what he wants me to write about, I'll get on it ASAP.
So send those donations in and let's raise some money for sick kids!
Much love and good luck!
PS: In order for me to know that you've donated through my blog (you can refer this site's URL through the MarioMarathon website when donating. The url is www.mindo-canadian.blogspot.com) and how much you've donated and what you want the post to be about, you will need to either comment on this post or tweet me at @stjohn_hippo. At the end of the hour, I will the Mario Marathon guys and then get cracking on the post.
For the next three hours (it is currently 3:45 PDT) the person who donates the most amount of money for the Mario Marathon through my blog I will write a post of their choosing. Conditions are the same: I will not write a post that violates the well established rules of the Mario Marathon itself (no cursing, no hating, no adult subject matter) but other than that it's fair game! We already have one winner and once he tells me what he wants me to write about, I'll get on it ASAP.
So send those donations in and let's raise some money for sick kids!
Much love and good luck!
PS: In order for me to know that you've donated through my blog (you can refer this site's URL through the MarioMarathon website when donating. The url is www.mindo-canadian.blogspot.com) and how much you've donated and what you want the post to be about, you will need to either comment on this post or tweet me at @stjohn_hippo. At the end of the hour, I will the Mario Marathon guys and then get cracking on the post.
Donor Push
Hey guys,
If you're following my blog at all you know that I'm a huge supporter of the Mario Marathon. The Marathon is currently on day three and as of right now they have raised over $58,000 worth of donations and I'm so very proud, humbled and amazed to see that$1197.60 $1222.60 of that has come through this blog, placing me in the fourth spot for Partner Sites. You guys ROCK, but I know we can do better than this.
For the nexthour three hours (it is currently 12:20 PDT) the person who donates the most amount of money for the Mario Marathon through my blog I will write a post of their choosing. Now obviously, there are some conditions: I will not write a post that violates the well established rules of the Mario Marathon itself (no cursing, no hating, no adult subject matter) but other than that it's fair game!
So send those donations in and let's raise some money for sick kids!
Much love and good luck!
PS: In order for me to know that you've donated through my blog (you can refer this site's URL through the MarioMarathon website when donating. The url is www.mindo-canadian.blogspot.com) and how much you've donated and what you want the post to be about, you will need to either comment on this post or tweet me at @stjohn_hippo. At the end of the hour, I will the Mario Marathon guys and then get cracking on the post.
If you're following my blog at all you know that I'm a huge supporter of the Mario Marathon. The Marathon is currently on day three and as of right now they have raised over $58,000 worth of donations and I'm so very proud, humbled and amazed to see that
For the next
So send those donations in and let's raise some money for sick kids!
Much love and good luck!
PS: In order for me to know that you've donated through my blog (you can refer this site's URL through the MarioMarathon website when donating. The url is www.mindo-canadian.blogspot.com) and how much you've donated and what you want the post to be about, you will need to either comment on this post or tweet me at @stjohn_hippo. At the end of the hour, I will the Mario Marathon guys and then get cracking on the post.
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