Lend a Helping Hand - for Free

This week quite a few things have come my way that consistently make me think, "I'm pretty lucky and have a pretty good life." After yesterday's reminders at every turn, I decided to write about a few ways that we can all give back that cost us NOTHING except a few clicks of a mouse - maybe 30 seconds in total (unless you get addicted to one, but we'll get there in a minute). Costs you nothing...and gives you a warm fuzzy....try one or more of these things daily....

The week kicked off with a reminder email that this is MS Awareness Week. There were seven calls to action - one each day. I think I will hit 2, although I tried to hit 3 and am still working on that. One is to tell your friends to visit their site and grow awareness - so, I'm telling you....and ask that you tell people, too, on your blog or by having a conversation with your friends. Sign up for a walk - they are usually 6 miles and so much fun to do if you have friends with you. How do I know? I've done one the last 2 years. Can't walk that far? Volunteer. Or, like I said, just tell your friends and help grow awareness. Why is this important to me? Three fantastic people that I hold very near and dear to my heart are living with this disease - one, my cousin, has lived with it for over 30 years and he's one of the most amazing people I've ever met. And, yes, I'd think that even if we weren't related!

The week continued with a great email from Women's Adventure Magazine. Fabulous publication, by the way, founded by a dynamic woman who happens to live with MS, too. Nasty disease gets around, doesn't it? Anywhoooo....the email newsletter had a link to Free Rice. I was curious so I clicked...and became slightly addicted. It's an educational way to give free grains of rice to the UN World Food Program. There's a word on the screen and you need to choose from the list what it means. For every correct answer, 20 grains of rice will be donated. You can keep playing for as long as you want and it keeps your total. If you get one wrong, nothing is deleted and you get another chance. Go on and try it out...it's slightly addicting...and educational...and good for the world. And Free!

Jody forwarded information to me yesterday about "Paws for a Cause", which is a fundraiser for the Just a Touch Rescue organization here in New England. If you are an animal lover, please check them out. Read the stories and find ways to help. There are many ways to help on their site that are free - you can volunteer your time, adopt a pet (ok, so that will ultimately cost some money, but the love you get back outweighs the cost!), donate an auction item or shop at one of their supporters. When you shop for things that you might normally purchase anyway, the rescue gets a portion of the sale.

And, last, but not least, by any means. Every day, I visit the Animal Rescue Site and click on the big purple "Give it's Free" button. No signing up. No follow up email. Just click and food is given to animal shelters. Seriously, it can't be easier. Just add this to your favorites and visit every day - one click per day, per computer. You can also purchase fun things from the site and by doing so, you give additional food to rescued animals.

While you are feeling so good about your free food for the animals, check out the other sites that are associated with this one where you can click on a button and give towards free mammograms, protect the Rain Forest, give free child healthcare and give free books to children. This is a no-brainer. When you fire up your computer each morning, go to this site and click through the tabs. It will take you all of 30 seconds. Warning, though, you might actually feel good and get a smile on your face by helping so many in such a short amount of time.

So, if you think you have a good life, or are luckier than most, think about doing one or more, or all, of these things. You'll feel good about yourself and be doing good in this world, too. Just my thoughts for a Friday. Have a great weekend, everyone.