does 10$ really make a difference?
Every day it seems we’re bombarded with causes. So many of them good. There’s poverty and dirty water and entrepreneurs trying to pull themselves up by their boot strings. Climate change is in the headlines, and stories in the news about children with diseases that researchers are trying to find ways to cure. Closer to home there are schools who need support, people living on the street and families without healthcare.
Every day on Facebook someone requests that I join this cause or that cause. And yes, it sounds terrible to say, but sometimes it seems that there is just too much for one person to care about. Even if the causes are all good.
If all this weren’t too much to care about already, I work for a humanitarian organization, and my day job is to get people to care about causes like anti-trafficking, mother and child health in developing countries, sending girls to school and fighting HIV and Aids.
I have cause fatigue. The idealism of my youth that drove me to this type of work sometimes wanes.
I often tell people that 10$ can make a difference to help a cause, yet I don’t often put my money where my mouth is.
There is still a big part of me that believes we can all make a difference. So, in a moment of hope, I’ve decided to take up this experiment: The Ten Dollar Difference
Every day for the month of March I’m going to give 10$ to a different cause. That’s 10$ each day for 31 days. $310 won’t break the bank, but hopefully it will break through some of my doubts.
I have some ideas where to start, but here’s where you come in: I’m going to need some help finding projects where 10$ could make a difference.
If you’ve got some ideas, or know some organizations that are making change and could use my change, send the ideas my way. You can comment here, on twitter @wanderingzito, or even on Facebook.
I’ll post a list of all the organizations or projects that I’ve given $10 to and any information I receive about what the money went to and if it is actually doing something. And if you want to join in and give your own $10 nobody will stop you.
Do you believe in change?
20 Comments
Here’s a great cause where your $10 can do some good.
http://www.ocmc.org/
Orthodox Christian Mission Center
I truly believe that $10 can do good. If everyone gave only $10 imagine how much that would all add up to together.
Very admirable Steph. I love it. I want to try and do it (in April). I think $10 would go far at Free Wheelchair Mission: http://www.freewheelchairmission.org and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital: http://www.stjude.org
http://www.h2obags.com/
Bags are ~$3.00 each, so $10 will give you 3 bags to hand out to the homeless and $1 for a tip?
I would like to suggest the Children’s International Heart Foundation, which operates on children with congenital heart problems. My cousin, a cardiologist, visits the Dominican Republic several times a year as part of this organization, during which she operates on multiple children. Her actions and photos from her trips are very inspiring.
I love this idea. A friend of mine is doing the same thing and has been inspiring others to join him. Check it out at livingphilanthropic.tumblr.com
most public schools are now struggling with the rising costs to feed the growing number of children who qualify for free lunch. in my area alone (northern california), an average of 70% of elementary-age public school students qualify. $10 would feed a child for an entire week, and depending on the costs associated with your nearby public school, the student could probably also have free breakfast, too.
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20110228/ARTICLES/110229496/1350?Title=Poverty-s-impact-reaches-deep-into-Sonoma-County-classrooms
Charity:water is a wonderful cause where 100% of donations goes to providing clean water sources to those who don’t have it.
I am currently enrolled in the MBA program at Seattle University. I joined an exciting program called the Graduate Leadership Formation Certificate (GLFC) that has given me an opportunity to enhance my academic experience while gaining a specialized degree with a concentration in leadership. Over the span of one school year the GLFC explores the concept of leadership through a process that ties together business acumen, social justice, and humanitarian goals. The experience will be culminated on May 12, 2011 with the second annual Red Winged Leadership Award ceremony. This is a unique event that celebrates unsung leaders in the business community that champion the values for which we patron. The goal is to identify individuals in the community that symbolize the principles of leadership and recognize the best of these citizens.
Red Winged Leadership looks to grow awareness around the importance of leadership in order to empower future business leaders to have a sustainable effect in the community. The students of the GLFC feel a profound sense of honor and responsibility in continuing the tradition of the Red Winged Leadership award by finding and celebrating unsung business leaders in the community. With the increasing parallel between business and social leadership the importance of giving visibility to those individuals that demonstrate a heightened competence in leadership is extremely important. We are in a position to enable future leaders with the character and competence to address rising global business and social challenges.
I’d like to invite you to become part of the experience with me. As a team we are committed to raise $20,000, so we are asking for financial contributions that will go toward awards for the three finalists to support their mission along with helping our group facilitate the ceremony and raising leadership awareness. It would be our honor to have you join us in supporting and commemorating these inspirational individuals.
More info on Red Winged Leadership and how to donate are found on our website at http://seattleu.edu/albers/redwinged.
As a kindergarten teacher I have received materials via donorschoose.org. This organization has a direct impact on the students. My classroom has received books, projector and just yesterday wireless headphones!! I am confident you can find a project that supports your educational views!
donorschoose.org
Hi Sister- Funny you started this. On Sunday at church I noticed that the alms plates for spare change by the doors at the sanctuary are all too often empty. I tossed my last $2 in, but all week I have been thinking if everyone just put a few cents of loose change, how many people could we feed? Looking forward to seeing what you choose. Love Kerrey
Thanks everyone! Love all the great ideas. This may have to go on for more than 31 days…. keep them coming.
Awesome 31 day project, Steph! I recommend Art Corps (http://www.artcorp.org/) – an organization that unites two of my biggest passions: community development and the arts. Making the world a better place with a lot of joy in the process!
Text WMI to 85944 and $10 will be charged on your cell phone bill. This allows Water Missions International to help give 1 person safe drinking water for their entire life. You can learn more at http://www.giftsofwater.com
I love this idea. Absolutely love it. Can’t wait to see your final list.
Thanks Erika- I love http://www.donorschoose.org and I’d have never known about it without your comment. I wound up supporting this project http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=483122 submitted by a teacher I know and respect very much. I’ll be spreading the word and hopefully many others will give to classrooms like yours through the organization.
Jason- Love the idea, but I’ve got one small glitch. I’m living in Cambodia, so this great project doesn’t seem to operate in my neighborhood. If I donate 10$ worth of bags to you, can you hand them out?
Monty- That’s awesome! I’ll have to check him out. Imagine how much better the world would be if we all were inspired to join with what we can!
Thanks Katie- I love Charity: water. They’re on my radar for next week since World Water Day is coming up! Do you happen to have a myCharity:water project or know of one that you’d like to see supported?
Heidi- Got FreeWheelChairMission covered and loved learning more about it. I’m putting St. Jude’s on my list to learn more about soon. It would be awesome if you wanted to try the experiment out for yourself in April! I’m hoping some others will too!
Thanks Nate. I really enjoyed learning about @itstartswithus and Love Drop! Hopefully what starts with each of us will spread far and wide!