I Posted This on my Vegan Blog by Accident

I Am Devoting in Helping this Thanksgiving

I am just going to start with a comprehensive list of how we can help this Thanksgiving to ensure that all people in the Kansas City metro area have a good, heart-warming meal to eat this one day. Thanksgiving. I want citizens to enjoy a warm turkey dinner meal with gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing and all the food we dream of when it comes to this day of thankfulness. Yes...we may have to share these meals in a cafeteria with others who are strangers. But let us get to know these strangers, let us know that we can get together and have that one moment of family. You would be surprised how much we have in common. Let us talk and share stores and be thankful for the food that is provided before us. This is one day we can get together as a society and bond. Cherish the moment knowing our similarities as well as enjoying a full meal in our belly. I have always believed a warm meal brings people together. So this evening I bring my first comprehensive list of how we can meet as a family, enjoy a guilt free meal, and just embrace our company. We are a family, we all have our difficulties yet we can overcome and create a comprehensive plan to make things better.

This is just a start of some lines of how we as a society can come together in a non-violent manner and just praise with our love and compassion we can make a better community that does not go hungry. Let us start with this guideline I am about to present with you. Eventually I want corporations to help with the biggest we need. One step at a time.

http://kansascityhelp.org/christmas-help/thanksgiving-help-kansas-city-mo.html

My Brother is Inspiration

I live in the Midwest and wondered how can I help the east coast. I saw a Facebook post from my brother that mentioned one source of how we can all help. I decided to do some research, because with hurricane Sandy it is truly heartbreaking to see what is happening to fellow Americans and what they are currently enduring. This is something that the rest of the nation can do. It is my motto, everyone can help.  NBC News posted an incredibly comprehensive list of what we can do to help. Remember we are family. We may not know each other or have never met, but in the end we are all family. So please, I found $10 to help, and I'm out my weekend pizza, I think you can help as well. Please help.

http://rockcenter.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/11/01/14861838-hurricane-sandy-how-you-can-help?lite

Hurricane Sandy: How you can help

Thu Nov 1, 2012 5:52 PM EDT

Updated Friday, Nov. 2 at 1:15pm
Rock Center has received an outpouring of support from viewers looking to directly help the people profiled in our reports from Staten Island, NY, on Thursday night's broadcast.
Families with children have asked for gift cards to Babies R Us and Target, which can be sent to Rock Center with Brian Williams, 30 Rockefeller Plaza #412E, New York, NY 10112.
If you would like to drop off donations of clothing or other tangible goods in person, there is a distribution center at Miller Field, New Dorp Lane, Staten Island, NY (718) 351-6970. At this location there are representatives from FEMA, National Guard, Red Cross and Salvation Army.
(Click here for more resources to help those affected by Hurricane Sandy)
AMERICAN RED CROSSThe Red Cross is providing shelter, clothes, supplies, food and blood, as needed, for the victims of Sandy. You can donate blood, but in terms of items, you'll be doing more for those in need by donating money instead of physical goods.
Text message: Text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. As in the case with other donations via mobile, the donation will show up on your wireless bill, or be deducted from your balance if you have a prepaid phone. You need to be 18 or older, or have parental permission, to donate this way. (If you change your mind, text the word STOP to 90999.)

Phone: 800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767); for Spanish speakers, 800-257-7575; for TDD,  800-220-4095.

To donate blood: Visit this Red Cross Web page.

Online: American Red Cross

John Makely/NBC News

Staten Island, NY -- John Dellorusso looks over his backyard which now contains the debris from a nearby restaurant. His home, at right, was severely damaged and his girlfriend refuses to return to the house.

SALVATION ARMYThe Salvation Army is providing meals and shelter. "At this point, in-kind donations, such as used clothing and used furniture, are not being accepted for hurricane relief. However, these items are vital to supporting the day-to-day work of your local Salvation Army," the organization said Tuesday in a press release.

Text message: Text the word STORM to 80888 to make a $10 donation. To confirm the donation, respond with the word “Yes.”

Phone: 800-SAL-ARMY (800-725-2769)

Online: Salvation Army; here's the organization's New Jersey site, and its Greater New York site.
HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATESMany pet owners were able to take their pets with them, but for those who were not, the Humane Society's Animal Rescue Team is assembling staff and equipment to help rescue pets in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.
Phone: 301-258-8276
Online: Humane Society of the United States
AMERICAN HUMANE ASSOCIATIONThe association is helping animals that may need rescue or shelter.
Text message: Text the word HUMANE to 80888 to donate $10.
Phone: 866-242-1877.
Online: The AHA's website for donating is here.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITYHabitat, an international organization, helps those in need rebuild their homes after disaster strikes.
Phone: As of Tuesday morning, Habitat's online donation system was not available. If you want to make a donation, you can call Habitat's Partner Service Center at 800-HABITAT (422-4828). Press "0" when prompted and representatives will take your donation information over the phone.
Online: This is Habitat for Humanity's main website.

John Makely/NBC News

Staten Island, NY -- Jane Caravello pauses for a moment after wading a couple hundred yards from her house. "Half of it is down there and the other half is on Beach Ave."

COMMUNITY FOODBANK OF NEW JERSEYThis group coordinates efforts with the state's Office of Emergency Management, as well as with state and local nonprofit organizations.
Phone: (908) 355- FOOD (3663), ext. 243.
Online: Community FoodBank of New Jersey
FEEDING AMERICA
The organization will deliver food, water and supplies to communities in need through its network of food banks and the agencies they serve.
Phone: 800-910-5524
Online: This is Feeding America's main website.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES USACatholic Charities provides emergency food, shelter, direct financial assistance, counseling, and support "regardless of religious, social, or economic backgrounds."
Online: More information here; main website here.
Phone: 800-919-9338 
AMERICARESThis group provides emergency medicine and supplies. Donations are accepted on its accepts donations on its website.
Phone: 800-486-4357.
NEW YORK CARESThis local NYC program is "the city's largest volunteer organization, running volunteer programs for 1,300 nonprofits, city agencies and public schools." It is recruiting volunteers to help with Sandy relief efforts, and is also raising money.
Online: New York Cares; donation page here.
Phone: 212-228-5000
You can also approach the city government directly to volunteer, by emailing nycservice@cityhall.nyc.gov with your name, email address and borough.
DIRECT RELIEF INTERNATIONALThe organization provides medicine and supplies to partner health centers and clinics.
Text message: Text the word RELIEF to 27722 to give $10.
Phone: 805-964-4767.
Online: Direct Relief International is the main website; go here to donate online.
NYC MAYOR'S FUND
The Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City charity supports "impactful public programs serving some of the City's greatest needs."
Online: The Mayor's Fund website is here.
WORLD VISIONDescribing itself as "a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families" and communities, World Vision provides flood clean-up kits, hygiene kits, blanket and food kits.
Text message: Text the word GIVEUSA to 777444 to donate $10.
Phone: 888-511-6443.
Online: For World Vision's Hurricane Sandy relief, click here.
UNITED METHODIST COMMITTEE ON RELIEF
Provides immediate relief, assistance with cleanup and rebuilding, pastoral counseling and support for children and youth who have been through trauma.
Text message: Text the word RESPONSE to 80888 to give a $10 donation.
Phone: 800-554-8583
Online: United Methodist Committee on Relief
JEWISH FEDERATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA
The Jewish Federations of North America Hurricane Relief Fund will contribute to recovery and rebuilding.
Text message: Text the word RELIEF to 51818 to pledge a donation.
Online: The Jewish Federations of North America.
BREEZY POINT FUND RAISER
One of the most badly damaged communities in Sandy's wake is Breezy Point, Queens. Catholic University student Matthew Petronis created this fundraising page to help his community rebuild. "I have seen the damage and can say that the place where I grew up during my childhood is almost gone," he wrote on the page, "but that is not the case for the children that are growing up now!" 
BENEFIT CONCERT
NBC Universal will host a benefit for Sandy victims on Friday at 8 p.m. ET. Money collected will be donated to the American Red Cross relief efforts. Find more info here.
Though smaller instant charities are not always recommended for donating (for reasons discussed below), NBC News reporters have interviewed Petronis, and verified his story.
WHAT ELSE TO THINK ABOUTWe'll be updating this list.
Remember that while giving is good, beware of those out there who are not good and are trying to trick you by taking your money. In the aftermath of Hurricane Irene last year, the Federal Trade Commission's caution still holds true: "Scammers may try to take advantage of a disaster, and so consumers should be wary of urgent appeals for charitable donations, and watch out for fraudulent home repair schemes after a storm."
You can read more about avoiding home repair rip-offs and charity fraud from the FTC.
Also, the FBI has counseled on its Facebook page "to beware of fraudulent emails and websites claiming to conduct charitable relief efforts. Disasters prompt individuals with criminal intent to solicit contributions purportedly for a charitable organization or a good cause," and suggests reading "Tips on Avoiding Fraudulent Charitable Contribution Schemes" to learn more about avoiding online fraud.

October 30, 2012 - I Have Undertaken My First Challenge, A Chili Cook-Off

I am not officially vegan until November 1, 2012...which I am almost there  because I have no meat, dairy, or eggs in my fridge. Well....I do still have some pudding snacks.

Tomorrow, big event at work, the annual company chili cook-off, so I am indulging in my head what I will do to wow them and yet leave them surprised. I work with a bunch of carnivores, it's like evolution smack dab in my office.

I think I have it figured out. I have some Boca crumbles. I am going to saute some onions and then add the crumbles. Then I shall spice it up a bit with some spooky secret herbs.

I have some secret beans and canned tomatoes....a secret mix (really...I have every flavor of bean and tomato in my pantry). It amazes me the varieties of canned beans and tomatoes that are for sale. I stood in front of them at the grocery store for a good ten minutes.

Then, I shall throw it all in a crock-pot and work some weird voo-doo Halloween magic. Oh yes...this will be a witches brew....or it may taste like complete bleh....hey....I'm new at this.

It Has Been A While...I Miss You....and It's Time to Make Sure Everyone is Warm

It has been a really, really, really, long time since I have posted on this blog. I thought I would fire it back up again because I still believe everyone can help.

So what inspired me this evening? An empty barrel in my department just hungry for some winter clothes. I picked out four jackets I no longer where to stuff in this barrel. This is such a great idea if you have no cash and want to do something good. I found four jackets that I am donating to the Johnson County Christmas Bureau. I have gained a little weight over the years...ahem....so I have some coats that I know will have a great home. Plus, I must say they are quite fashionable. : )

A little bit about the Johnson County Christmas Bureau. Johnson County, KS. has this stigma of being an affluent county. Although this is not the case for all residents living in the county, especially as we see our county grow over the year. In 1977 a shop was open to assist those who are not affluent in the area. The citizens of beautiful Johnson county desperately in need of some warm clothes are mainly children, women, and the elderly. This year I am so please to donate my four gently used jackets to keep someone warm. Here is the website for a great non-profit.

More to come in other areas:

About Johnson County Christmas Bureau

"More than a history, this is a story of dedicated individuals who have given of their time and of themselves to make the holiday season a little brighter for those less fortunate."

- Ruth Keroher, Shawnee Mission Chapter of AAUW (founding organization)

Meet Our Team

Who We Are

The Johnson County Christmas Bureau is a 501(C)(3) non-profit, non-denominational agency created to provide the county's low-income families with groceries, personal care items, children's clothing, coats, hats, gloves, scarves, toys, adult and teen gifts and books for the holidays. JCCB began as an adopt-a-family project in 1960 by the Shawnee Mission Chapter of AAUW; the Holiday Shop format was introduced in 1977.

Although Johnson County has a reputation for affluence, the rising level of poverty in the county is swelling the number of families seeking holiday assistance from the Bureau.

The Holiday Shop, held over a nine day period in early December, annually serves more than 3,400 families, (more than 12,500 individuals), who otherwise would go without during the holiday season. Many are working families trying to make ends meet; more than 86 percent are women and children. More than 650 nursing home residents also are served by our program.

Qualifying clients are referred by Kansas SRS, Johnson County Human Services, Johnson County Mental Health, Catholic Community Services, Johnson County Human Service Multi-Purpose Centers, El Centro, schools, religious organizations, Center of Grace, Head Start, and other agencies. Upon completion of an application, clients are given an appointment to shop. With the help of volunteers, clients select a prescribed number of food and gift items pegged to the size of their family. Clients pay a small dignity fee.

All items provided to our clients are new, with the exception of gently used coats and books.

Our volunteers work year-round purchasing items at a discount and seeking new donated items to prepare for each year’s Holiday Shop. Over a two week period from set-up to take-down, more than 3,000 volunteers help at the Holiday Shop, held in donated space.

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Won’t You Help Us?

The Bureau is 100 percent dependent on community support. Businesses, service and religious organizations, schools, grants, individuals and the United Way provide our funding. You can help by sponsoring year-round donation drives to collect groceries, personal care items, children's clothing, coats, hats, gloves, scarves, toys, adult and teen gifts and books for the holidays. Click here to see our Wish List.

When you donate your time and/or money to the Christmas Bureau, you help make the holiday season a little brighter for families facing difficult financial times. Thank you!

Making the holidays brighter for low-income Johnson County residents.