Wednesday, December 28, 2005

Save the World

I just found a spiffy idea from the Complimenting Commentor that I think I will work on.

I have lots of amazing friends who are so good at earth health, preservation, economy and all that and I always wonder how I can really help. I mean, I recycle but I also use aerosol. I buy some organic produce, but a lot of commercial crap. I have my own garden, but I still buy most of my summer veggies. I do however, carpool and drive as little as possible in my little stick-shift economy cavalier! No gas-guzzelers for me. But I know there are so many better things I could be doing.

I also never know what charities to contribute to. I give weekly or monthly to our church (depending on when I remember...I write the check weekly, but sometimes it doesn't make it in for a month...) and have given to a few different other charities, but man, there's just so many out there, it makes it so hard to choose. Plus, I don't set enough aside to designate specifically to good charities.

Ok. So here's the challenge. Collect your change from every transaction, pick it up off the street, take it off your neighbor's desk. (C'mon, it's for a good cause!) Don't use it to buy a mocha (Andy, that means you!), don't put it in for a pop. When you have a good amount, (even $10 is a good amount) take it to the bank or the store and trade it in, write a check and donate it to a charity. You can pick a different one every time, or use the same. Katrina Effort still needs money, United Way is always good (and that way we can gear them up for the next emergency), Red Cross, your local animal shelter, food bank, church, etc.

"Here's the thing. People think that pennies and nickels don't add up. And with one person they don't - much. But with 100 people collecting 100 pennies, that equals $100. And that's just pennies!"


Are you in? I just started a coin jar on my desk.

4 comments:

Hillary said...

That sounds like a great idea! Of course here in Canada, we have $1 and $2 COINS. I might have to think about including those in the change jar. Those coins are a mixed blessing - on one hand, they're easier to spend cause you think, "Oh, it's jsut change," but on the other hand, you could open up your change pouch and find you've got 20 bucks!

anne said...

Even better! :) Just think of how much you can save! That's kind of like the money you find when you put your winter coat on for the first time each year. "Hey! $40! Who knew?!"

This is going to be quite a challenge...especially to get my hubby to participate!

The Complimenting Commenter said...

Thanks so much for spreading the word and participating. It makes me smile so much!

anne said...

I'm glad! Especially since your goal seems to be making other people smile!