"This timely manifesto will serve as a wonderful reminder that everyone can and should try to make a difference. It will inspire confidence that we can help make our world a better place."
--President Jimmy Carter
"With this book, anyone can learn to bring positive change to their community."
-Mary J. Blige, founder, F.F.A.W.N.
The comprehensive guide on taking real action...
now it's possible for everyone to be a minor-league Andrew Carnegie, a close-to-home Bill Gates."
-Bill McKibben, author, Deep Economy, and founder, 350.org
"Four cheers for this great book! Anyone looking for a practical, clear, and enjoyable manual for civic service need look no further. If you can't find a way to get involved using this book, you don't want to get involved."
-Mark Farr, Points of Light Institute
"This book is the perfect guide for those who want to do the right thing, but can't figure out how."
-Julie Salamon, author of Hospital
Product Description
Want to help make your community, your town-your world-a better place, but don't know where to begin? How To Be An Everyday Philanthropist shows you the way. A handbook, a resource guide, a call to action, and an inspiration, it offers 330 concrete, direct ideas for making a difference-all of which have nothing to do with the size of your checkbook and everything to do with using the hidden assets that are already a part of your life.
Whether you're shopping, working, exercising, or surfing the Web, there are hundreds of ways to slip small but deeply meaningful acts of philanthropy into your life, using over 300 of the most innovative and effective charitable organizations around. Have an old pair of sneakers lying around the house? Nike's Reuse-a-Shoe program will recycle them into safe playground surfaces. getting rid of that old cell phone? Call to Protect will refurbish it as an emergency lifeline for abused women. Racking up frequent-flier miles? Donate them to an ill child so they can travel and get the care they need. Like to knit? Knit hats for cancer patients. Start a petition, sign a petition, send out an awareness e-mail, and network with like-minded givers and doers at Care2.com.
There are ideas for giving things you might never have thought of-your hair, old prom dress, breast milk for African AIDS orphans. Ideas for using your hobbies, talents, time, trash, technology, and more. Each suggestion can be accomplished in the course of a day, most within an hour.
(Publisher - Workman Publishing 2009)
