Be Someone Else’s Hero Today and Volunteer Online

To learn more, visit www.sparked.com

Be Someone Else’s Hero Today and Volunteer Online Via Sparked
RACHEL ROSSITTO | 2011-06-06 03:00:43

We know you have a lot going on … and that’s why you have not gotten around to volunteering at the local homeless shelter, or even cleaning out your closet to drop off the clothes you were planning to donate, even though it was on your list of New Year’s resolutions.

Despite spending over 700 billion minutes a month on Facebook and watching more than 3 billion YouTube videos a day, if it can’t be done while procrastinating in front of a computer, we all seem to fall back on the excuse that there are just too few hours in a day.

What if you could take a few minutes waiting at the doctors office, 10 minutes after work or a half hour before bed and volunteer online or through your phone? Today we’re featuring a website that can help you volunteer without leaving your computer.

Sparked is the world’s first micro-volunteering network that makes it convenient for busy professionals to use their skills to help nonprofits. The website matches individuals based on their interests with organizations in need. Nonprofits will post “challenges” to the network like, “Can you help us design a new logo for our organization?” and micro-volunteers can respond.

Check it out!

Extra books?

Summer is here and a lot of extra reading is getting done. Not only are you reading more while on vacation but perhaps your children are on the summer reading program. As your children grow up, what can you do with their baby/children's books? Certainly you don't want to keep all of those books cluttering up your house. Whether you have extra books that are yours or your child's, take them to a local orphanage or even a nursing home.

Things to include would be books, magazines, newspapers, and even catalogs.

Thanks for listening!
Sheryl

Take a Chance

In two weeks I am heading out for LA. I am getting in my car and driving across the country to take a chance. I am doing an internship with a charitable foundation that The Cheesecake Factory started. There I will be working with the Director learning how to start and run fundraising events. I made a commitment to myself this year that I was going to help others more. I have started and continued this blog. I have rode a bike for MS. I have done many volunteer "jobs". I have collected shoes for the people of Haiti. I have collected soda tabs that turn into money, and more. This I believe to be my greatest commitment thus far.

When I return from LA, I will be working on projects to raise money for groups such as The Ronald McDonald House, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and more. I have never done this before but believe that we can all do a little more to help others. And wether or not you realize it, when you are helping others, you end up helping yourself too.

Take a chance and volunteer. Just one day a month is a great place to start. Below is a website where you can go to find somewhere to help others. Make it fun and bring the family.

Members Project / TakePart Social Action Network: Important Issues, Activism, Environmental, Human Rights, Political News
http://www.takepart.com/membersproject

Thanks for Listening!
Sheryl

Coupons & Discounts

I was at an event this evening taking some photographs and while swaping biz cards, I received a card from a lovely lady Aimee Brittian. Aimee does work for you by finding coupons and discounts. Click on her link below and the hard work has been done for you.

Have fun shopping!


http://thecoupondiva.com/

Better Yourself

Today is going to be a little different. I am sitting here on the couch pouting because it is cold and rainy outside and I "can't" ride my bike outside. I don't really want to go to the gym because they don't have good channels over there so there is nothing good on tv.

As you know I am in training for a 62.5 mile bike ride for Multiple Sclerosis. I am taking one thing at a time and while procrastinating on the internet (and a Facebook friend) I have found a great website that helps us new exercisers learn to do things right and not to over do it.

Today's blog is to help yourself. Get up off the couch, go for a run, a ride, or just do some sit-ups during the commercials. Anything to get going. Summer is on the way and we will all want to be outside as much as possible.

Thanks for listening!
Sheryl

Coupons & Discounts

I have a friend on Facebook and let me tell you... She ROCKS!!! Every day she is posting something new about a discount that she has found. She posts links with coupons. I am going to "steal" all of her information and pass it on to you. I hope you are able to get something from all of the information that is being passed on to you.

DISCOUNTS & COUPONS:

Become a fan (on Facebook) of Physicians Formula for a Buy 1 Get 1 Free Coupon (up to $19.99)! All you need to do is click on the 'register now' button after becoming a fan. I had to click on this twice before the registration form appeared. After registering you will receive your coupon via e-mail.


"Papa's In The House" HOOPS Sweepstakes
Enter NOW to win everything you need – a flat screen TV, Papa John's pizza and Coke Zero - for viewing great NCAA® Division I Men's and Women’s Championship Basketball Games!

Many Walgreens across the country have Sally Hershberger Shampoos &
Conditioners (originally $9 - $12) on clearance for $2.39! Use the $2.00 off coupon on RedPlum to make these $0.39! Keep
in mind that prices may vary by location and not all Walgreens will have this as a clearance item but it is definitely worth checking out! www.coupons.redplum.com

From the Coldwater Creek Facebook Fan Page: Through Thursday, 3/11/10, you will receive $25 off of your $50 purchase at Coldwater Creek. Just use the coupon code: FB2550 online, in stores or by phone.

Become a fan of Panda Express on Facebook and then print a coupon for a free single entree of Honey Walnut Shrimp on Wednesday, March 10.

It's hard to come by gas coupons but here is one that you will want to print! Go here
to print a coupon to save $2 off a $10 gas purchase at Murphy USA.
These are located at Walmart stores! This offer expires 03/16/10.

MURPHY USA E-NEWSLETTER
offers.murphyusa.com
Gas Coupons?! In the month of January, we had a pretty nice gas coupon. And from what we heard from all of you, you wanted to see more of the same from us! It can never be said that Murphy USA is not ...

Become fan of SunChips on FB and you will get a coupon for FREE Sunchips! (Offer is only for the first 100,000, so hurry)!

The North Face is offering a $10 Gift Certificate when you sign up for mobile text alerts. Keep in mind that text messaging rates will apply.

Value Mags is offering a free 10-issue digital subscription to Garden Design Magazine. These offers never last long so sign up now if your interested!

Free Offer for Garden Design Digital
www.valuemags.com
Enjoy 10 digital issues to Garden Design. No strings attached. You'll never receive a bill.Garden Design is a lifestyle magazine designed for the upscale, design-conscious reader who is passionate about gardening and landscape design. ...

www.lorealparisusa.com for FREE samples and coupons

Become a Ruby Tuesday Fan on Facebook and get a printable coupon for a Free appetizer with a purchase of $10 or more!

Nescafe is offering a new sample of their Tasters Choice stick packs. All you need to do is become a fan and then click on the Nescafe Samples tab to register.

Pureology is offering 2 samples and you get to choose your favorite. Go here and choose from their SuperSmooth RelaxingSerum or SuperSmooth SmoothingCream! *They will select winners randomly for the free samples.
Pureology Giveaways
www.pureology.com

Kroger's website has a new Instant Win Game called Hit the Hoops! Basically, you shoot the basketball for a chance to win prizes, coupons or a $5.00 credit to your shoppers card!

Taste of Home has drastically marked down their cookbooks to clear out the warehouse! We're talking $5 a cookbook! I plan on buying a fair amount and stock up for back up gifts (yes even for Christmas)! Don't wait though, these
go fast! Email $5 Cookbook Special From Shop Taste of home | Shop Taste of Home
www.shoptasteofhome.com $5 Cookbooks for our special customers

become a fan of Skittles on Facebook. After doing so, click on the “Coupon the Rainbow” tab and fill out the form to print a coupon valid for a FREE Skittles single serve product with the purchase of one!

Find out how restaurants across the country stack up, based on reviews and ratings from people who've eaten there.
www.yelp.com


Thanks so much Jennifer for all of your work in finding this information and passing it along. You are amazing!!

Thanks for listening and good luck to everyone!!
Sheryl

Hospital Volunteer Work

Helping Others at a local hospital is a great opportunity! Not only are you Making A Difference, and gaining personal satisfaction, you are contributing to the community. You can also learn new skills and make new contacts. A few things that hospitals need help with are:

* Support staff in the caring of babies

* Taking photos of newborns

* Working in the gift shop

* Delivering flowers

* Transporting/escorting patients/help with wayfindng

* Visiting and cheering patients

* Assisting and supporting patient families

* Helping at the information desk

Go on to your local hospitals website and find out what they are looking for. There is always rooms for more people to help.

Thanks for listening!

Sheryl

The United Way is Helping Others and Making A Difference

Not only does the NFL give their time and volunteer with The United Way but you can too!! Read the information below and click on the link to put in your zip code to find out what needs to be done around your area!

http://national.unitedway.org/volunteer/

Volunteer Motivation and Motivating Volunteers

Earthquake in Haiti. Hurricane Katrina. When human suffering and widespread destruction are highly visible, caring people are motivated to act…to actually go and help or to send or raise money, supplies, and other support for those in need and working on the ground to bring relief.

But what motivates volunteers to serve our communities in equally important ways—to tutor a child, to work a shift at the food bank, or to advise a low-income family on their options with Earned Income Tax Credit? Volunteer motivation has been studied* extensively. Many of the top reasons why people volunteer will be familiar to United Ways.

And three reasons why people continue to volunteer?

· They were ASKED!—A number of studies consistently conclude that a majority of people will volunteer—if simply asked. This is consistent throughout the world. The best way to recruit volunteers is to ask them—intentionally, deliberately. People want to "help out" if they can and if there are ways for them to be effectively engaged.

· They make a difference—People want to make a difference in the lives of others or in the community. Opportunities with impact are critical.

· They enjoyed the experience—Volunteering provides a variety of personal benefits and satisfaction to the volunteer, in addition to the benefits received by charities and society as a whole. People are more likely to volunteer for a second time if their first experience was satisfying.

Volunteer recognition programs, like United Way Chittenden County's Hometown Hero of the Week and Month are a great way to thank and motivate volunteers in a very public way.

Wondering how to not motivate a volunteer? Josh Pedersen, United Way of Northern Utah, offers these humorous but useful tips in How to Lose a Volunteer in 10 Days:

· Don't ask —Failing to ask appropriately is the first step in losing potential volunteers

· Give 'em Sunglasses—Blinding your volunteers to their role in your organization will certainly limit their engagement with your organization

· Be a Terrible Trivian—Giving your volunteers meaningless and trivial tasks will help them find substantial work elsewhere.

Read seven more ways to lose a volunteer, and the sequel!

*Studies include Volunteer Functions Inventory by Clary, et al;, Theory of Needs, McClelland; 3 Categories of Motivation, Fitch; Six Aspects of Adult Motivation, Wlodkowski; Volunteer Motivation Inventory, Esmond & Dunlop.

Volunteering and Haiti

Since the earthquake rocked Haiti, people around the world are asking to volunteer their time. Because of conditions on the ground, United Way is not currently sending volunteers to Haiti.

If you have prior disaster relief experience, have fluency in Creole and have expertise in technical fields such as medicine, communications logistics, water/sanitation engineering, we encourage you to register with the Center for International Disaster Information (CIDI.org) volunteer database.

As Haitians enter the United States as repatriates, refugees, and adoptees, United Way will work to provide for immediate needs such as emergency shelter, food and clothing, as well as services such as emergency health care and family reunification.

Longer-term support includes transitioning refugees from emergency shelters into appropriate housing and establishing a system of social services to help refugees settle in the community of their choice and achieve self-sufficiency. Please use the opportunity finder below or contact your local United Way directly to find out about these types of volunteer opportunities.

Help Others by Donating Blood

Give Blood

To learn more about blood donation opportunities, visit www.redcrossblood.org/ or
call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543).

Every minute of every day, someone needs blood. That blood can only come from a volunteer donor, a person like you who makes the choice to donate. There is no substitute for your donation.

When you make a blood donation, you join a very select group. Currently only 3 out of every 100 people in America donate blood.

From its beginning, the American Red Cross has formed a community of service, of generous, strong and decent people bound by beliefs beyond themselves. The American Red Cross blood donor embodies this principle. Please join us in our mission to maintain a safe and stable blood supply by making your appointment to donate blood today.

To find out where you can donate, visit www.redcrossblood.org/ or call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543).

Want to know if you're able to give blood? Review the donor eligibility guidelines.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

	Be in generally good health and feeling well.
	Be at least 17 years of age; upper age 60 (420d*).
	Weigh at least 110 pounds (45 kg).
	Pulse: 80 to 100 beats/min and regular.
	Temperature: Should not exceed 99.5 (37.5c).
	Blood Pressure: acceptable range is 160/90 to 110/60.
	Skin: the venipuncture site should be free of any lesion or scar of needle pricks indicative of addiction to narcotics or frequent Blood donation (as in the case of professional Blood donors).

DONATION FREQUENCY (may vary)

	Whole Blood donors may donate every 56 days.
	Plasma donors may donate twice a week (max. every 48 hours.)
	Platelet donors may donate a maximum of 24 times per year.
	Other specialized donations are subject to other rules.

DO NOT DONATE BLOOD IF:

	You have ever tested positive for HIV,
	You have ever injected yourself with drugs or other substances not prescribed by a physician,
	You are a man and have had sex with another man, even once,
	You have hemophilia or another Blood clotting disorder and received clotting factor concentrate,
	You have engaged in sex for drugs or money since 1977,
	You have lived in western Europe since 1980,
	You have been held in a correctional facility (including jails, prisons and/or detention centers) for more than 72 hours in the last 12 months,
	You were born in, lived in or had sex with anyone who lived in, or received Blood products in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Niger or Nigeria since 1977 (this list changes frequently; updates are very important) or,
	You are, or have been a sexual contact of someone in the above list. NOTE: There is a special watch for potential donors who have visited or lived in England/United Kingdom from 1980 to 1999, and those who have lived and/or worked in Western Europe since 1980.

MEDICAL CONDITIONS

	Accident & Injury: can donate if otherwise healthy
	Aids: can not donate
	Allergies: can donate if there is no infection present and there is no treatment ongoing
	Anemia: defer donation until no symptoms exist
	Arthritis: can donate if mild and not on medication
	Asthma: those with severe asthma requiring regular treatment can not donate; can donate ifthere are no symptoms evident
	Babesiosis: can not donate
	Blood disorders or bleeding tendencies: can not donate
	Blood Pressure: acceptable range is 160/90 to 110/60. (see medication section below for medication restrictions.)
	Brain or spinal surgery that required a transplant of brain covering (dura mater): can not donate
	Bronchitis: defer donation until four weeks or after recovery
	CJD: When a Blood relative has been diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), or there is an increased family risk of CJD; can not donate
	Cancer: Basal cell, squamous cell skin cancers and keratosis; can not donate until removed and healed. Melanoma; can not donate. Malignant tumors; can donate five years after removal of early stage contained solid tumor, no chemotherapy, and in remission
	Chicken Pox: defer donation until four weeks after recovery
	Chlamydia: like all other venereal diseases; a minimum of a one year deferral is required
	Colds, fever, flu, sore throat: can not donate until symptoms (sore throat, cough, respiratory infection, headache) are completely gone
	Cold Sore, Fever Blister, Canker Sore: can donate
	Colitis: can not donate
	Colostomy: can not donate
	Dementia: can not donate
	Dengue: defer donation until four weeks after recovery
	Dermatitis: can donate if mild; defer donation if severe
	Diabetes: can donate if treatment is by diet control and condition is stable; defer donation if on medication
	Diarrhea: defer donation until three weeks after recovery
	Eczema: can donate if mild. defer donation if severe
	Emphysema: can not donate
	Filariasis: can not donate
	Food Poisoning: defer donation for one week after full recovery
	Gastroenteritis: defer donation for one week after full recovery
	Gall Stone: can donate if not on medication
	Gonorrhea/Syphilis: defer donation for one year after complete recovery
	Gout: can not donate
	Heart attack: can donate if greater than one year since, and no symptoms present, the attending Blood authority physician must carefully evaluate
	Heart surgery, Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) or angioplasty: can donate one year after surgery, if no history of heart attack, and the donor is on no medication for the heart (aspirin is okay)
	Hemochromatosis: can not donate
	Hepatitis: Hepatitis or undiagnosed jaundice after age ten; can not donate. Positive hepatitis test: can not donate. Can donate if the history of hepatitis is pertaining to mononucleosis or CMV infection
	Herpes (genital): can donate four weeks after lesions completely clear
	Leprosy: can not donate
	Malaria; had Malaria in last three years: defer donation for three years after full recovery (also see Travel and Residency Restrictions below)
	Pregnancy and Miscarriage: can donate after six weeks of full term normal delivery. Can donate six weeks after termination in third trimester. First or second trimester miscarriage can donate after stable
	Prostate: can not donate
	Sexually transmitted diseases - Genital herpes: can not donate until all lesions are completely clear
	Sickle Cell Trait: can not donate
	Seizures in the last five Years: can not donate
	Spondylosis: can donate if feeling well and not under any treatment at all
	Strokes: can not donate
	Surgery (all): can donate after healed and released from physician care.
	Syphilis: see Gonorrhea
	Thyroid: for Hypothyroid, can donate if feeling well and euthyroid on thyroxine for six months. For Hyperthyroid: can not donate until euthyroid for six months.
	Tuberculosis: can not donate until two years after complete cure
	Viral Infection: can donate after cure and off treatment
	Worms: can donate after complete cure

MEDICATION GUIDELINES

	Acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol): may be taken in normal moderate doses before any Blood donation
	Accutane: four-week deferral

	Allergy medication: can donate
	Antibiotics: 72-hour deferral after infection is healed
	Anti-inflammatory drugs (Advil, Ibuprofen, Motrin and Naprosyn): may not be taken within 24 hours before a platelet donation (some other rules may apply)
	Aspirin-containing products or Feldene and Lodine XL: may not donate within 36 hours before platelet donation
	Birth control pills: can donate
	Blood pressure medication: can donate under present FDA and American Red Cross standards in force
	Depression medication: can donate
	Diabetic medication - Injected bovine (beef) insulin since 1980; can not donate
	Diet pills: can donate
	Diuretics: can donate
	Female hormone pills: can donate
	Any human pituitary-derived hormone (i.e. growth hormone): can not donate
	Soriatane (Acitretin): three-year deferral
	Tegison (used to treat a severe skin disorder): can not donate if ever taken
	Thyroid medication: can donate if stabilized

IMMUNIZATION EXCLUSIONS

	Polio, mumps, smallpox: two-week or more deferral
	Rubella or Rubeola (types of measles): four week deferral
	Tetanus, diphtheria, flu, Hepatitis B: can not donate until any reaction is over

OTHER POSSIBLE RESTRICTIONS

	Acupuncture: one-year deferral
	Alcohol: defer donation if consumed in last 12 hours
	Body piercing: one-year deferral
	Cocaine: taking through the nose (snorting); one-year deferral minimum, local Blood authority will prevail
	Dental work - Cleaning and fillings: one-day deferral; Root canal: three-day deferral after work is complete
	Ear piercing: can donate if the piercing was performed in a doctor’s office (with written verification) otherwise, one-year deferral
	Electrolysis: defer donation for one year
	Hepatitis exposure: one-year deferral
	Menstruation: can donate
	Rape: one-year deferral
	Smoker: can donate
	Tattoo in the last 12 months: one-year deferral
	Transfusion: defer donation by one year if undergone transfusion with Blood products. Candonate if undergone autologous transfusion only

TRAVEL and RESIDENCY OUTSIDE of the UNITED STATES

	England/United Kingdom - visited or lived in from 1980 to 1999: deferred indefinitely (this standard varies between United States FDA and The American Red Cross and the American Association of Blood Banks.
	Western Europe - visited or lived in since 1980 deferred indefinitely
	Born in, lived in or had sex with anyone who lived in, or received Blood products in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Niger or Nigeria since 1977 (this list changes frequently; updates are very important): deferral indefinitely.
	Lived or traveled in an area where Malaria is prevalent (Central America and South America, etc.): three-year deferral,
	Other international travelers: different restrictions apply as precaution against mad cow disease, depending on what blood bank and region

For up-to-date information or opinions about American Red Cross rules about Blood donor deferrals, call 1-800-448-3543.