Get involved in #TBD 2012

Posted by Syllable on Apr 24, 2012 in All Bloggers | 0 comments

What is #TBD? Well, it is the hashtag used on Twitter to create awareness about the Twitter Blanket Drive, an initiative started in 2010 by Melanie Minnaar (@melanieminnaar).

In 2010, #TBD raised over 700 blankets, and in 2011, #TBD raised over 2700 blankets that were distributed to organisations and needy people.

Every year Melanie and a couple of dedicated supporters host the #TBD day at various venues around the country to meet people from Twitter, and to donate blankets, warm clothes (new or second-hand) over a cup of coffee. This year the #TBD is scheduled to take place on 26 May.

There are four ways people can participate and show support:

1. RSVP and attend a Tweetup. Don’t forget to bring a blanket to donate.
2. Host a Tweetup. Help with arrangements, logistics and liaise with the venue sponsor. Report back on attendance and number of items collected on the evening. And of course, donate a blanket.
3. Sponsor a Tweetup venue. Our Tweeps will be cold and would appreciate a warm, dry place to meet up and socialise a bit. Coffee is critical. Anything else is a bonus. The people over at www.twitterblanketdrive.co.za will reciprocate by promoting your establishment on Twitter and on the website.
4. Make a donation direct to any of the selected charities for #TBD 2012. A full list of venue-related charities will be published as soon as they are confirmed. Please note that #TBD *is not* an NGO or official charity organisation – no cash donations should be made to any person representing #TBD. This is viewed as fraudulent and therefore illegal.

Once a venue is confirmed, and a Twitter host assigned – the host is responsible for selecting a local charity who will best benefit from the blankets and/or clothing received at the Tweetup.

The host will consult the Twitterverse for suggestions relevant to them and will then make the final decision on one charity per venue/host. The host is responsible for ensuring that the charity is legitimate.

The approved charity will then be showcased on www.twitterblanketdrive.co.za with links to their websites where available.

Venue hosts are responsible for counting all items received at their respective events and reporting these numbers (attendance and donations) to Melanie within 48 hours of the close of the event. The details of the collection will be published live on www.twitterblanketdrive.co.za.

Attendants are also encouraged to take photographs at the events and send it to photo@twitterblanketdrive.co.za

For more information about how to participate, visit www.twitterblanketdrive.co.za, or contact melanie@twitterblanketdrive.co.za.

C@P Education in Action!

Posted by Children at Play on Apr 16, 2012 in All Bloggers | 0 comments

Check out the pic from the C@P Education Event!

Editor’s Note April 2012

Posted by 12goodthings :) on Apr 2, 2012 in All Bloggers | 0 comments

Hi everybody,

1 April is celebrated in a number of countries around the world as “April Fool’s Day”: A day which encourages playfulness, good-humored teasing and laughter…and I just love it!

Research has shown that “the health benefits of laughter are far ranging. While more studies need to be done, research has shown that laughter can relieve pain, bring greater happiness and increase immunity. It relaxes the whole body, triggers the release of endorphins and can even help protect the heart against cardiovascular problems”.

Editor’s Note March 2012

Posted by 12goodthings :) on Mar 14, 2012 in All Bloggers | 0 comments

Hi all,

President Zuma’s State of the Nation Address this year focused once again on unemployment, economic inequality and poverty. He very accurately identified the solution for the country as “higher growth and job creation to reduce and ultimately eradicate poverty and inequality.” This is an enormous and incredibly daunting task which requires the involvement of both government and the public sector.* These problems affect every citizen of our country and should be concentrated on as a matter of priority.

It is in light of the above that I would like to pose a challenge for you this month: supporting a street vendor as a “good thing” to do during the month of March 2012.

Recycle

Posted by Patrick on Feb 27, 2012 in All Bloggers | 2 comments

I have decided to join my wife (Anneli) and recycle as much as possible. While going through what we would normally throw out with the garbage I realised just how much can be recycled. We now take out all our glass bottles, plastics and paper and put them in another container. Once the container is full we take the items to the Total garage where they have recycling bins. This is my first good thing for the environment in 2012.

My first

Posted by Syllable on Feb 24, 2012 in All Bloggers | 0 comments

Yesterday I did my first good thing since signing up: I donated blood. It was also the first time I did that. I actually enquired about whether I’d be able to donate last year, because I wasn’t sure that my particular cocktail of chronic medication would be an obstacle. Turned out it was, but the lady gave me a list of alternatives. When I visited my doctor after that and he mentioned that he was considering changing my medication, I gave him a list of what I’d like to try. He asked me why I wanted to change to any of those specifically, and when I told him I wanted to donate blood, he asked why I wanted to do that. I couldn’t believe it! You’d think healtcare practitioners will be in favour of it. Anyway, he agreed.

I was excited, but also nervous – not about the needle or the pain, but of the possibility that I could pass out. I have a history of that happening, and that was my only concern. But despite the needle being the size of a drain pipe, and filling up the bag in only six minutes (apparently the average is 10 minutes), I felt absolutely fine. I had a glass of juice and took my two cookies to go.

I am so proud of myself. It is just a small thing, but it has such great potential. I am a registered organ donor. I am now also a blood donor. This doesn’t cost me anything and could one day change someone else’s life. I’ve also looked into becoming an egg donor, but there are complications and I’m unable to do that at this stage.

So, 2012. One down, 11 to go

SOS

Posted by ColetteM on Feb 15, 2012 in All Bloggers | 0 comments

Not sure how many of you listened to Highveld this morning.

 They spoke to the sister of a couple who was kidnapped by Somali pirates.

They have been held captive for over 15 months already, while the family tries to collect the ransom money which started at $ 10 million has dropped to $ 500 000 and is now back up to  $ 4 million.

South African Government has not been successful in securing the release of these ordinary people stuck in this horrible situation.From the few conversations the sister has had with them, they are being kept under gunpoint.  Although they receive two meals every day it is very low in nutritional value, to such an extent that they have started to lose their hair.

 The telephone conversations are extremely emotional – and really touched me.

That is why I am begging each and everyone of you to please make a donation to this family’s plight.

 Here is a link to their website

 http://sosbrunodebbie.co.za/

 To contribute R10 per SMS
SMS the word SOS
followed by YOUR NAME

To    38417

Editor’s Note February 2012

Posted by 12goodthings :) on Feb 13, 2012 in Editor's Notes | 1 comment

Hi everybody,

Whatever your view of Valentine’s Day, there’s no denying that it is almost unavoidable not to be reminded that February is the month of love. In light of this, I’d like to suggest that you focus your energy during this month to communicate clearly to those you love, in a way that they will undoubtedly understand, just how much you love and appreciate them.

Balance

Posted by Happiness on Feb 2, 2012 in All Bloggers | 0 comments

First of all, please excuse my English. I’m Afrikaans and proud of it. I just thought the message would probably reach more people if written in English.

So, I guess most of us on this initiative are people in the position to give something of ourselves, whether it is time, money or something else.

Being in a fortunate position is not the same as being rich and famous. Being in a fortunate position does not mean being a millionaire. Being in a fortunate position means having a choice: having a choice as to what you want to eat, or wear. Having a choice as to whether you can be stay-at-home mom or be working. Having a choice as to whether you want to go to university/college after school, etc, etc.

But being in a fortunate position does not only provide hapiness, it gives us responsibility, which includes having a heart for those less fortunate.

So where do you get involved, for who do you give and how much? When you get the feeling to jump in and get involved, how long should you wait before going over to action?

To answer these questions, I think we need to go back to having a childlike faith. A child does not question his/her own feelings. When they feel like doing it, they jump in and do it, and they give everything they have. So what about the consequences? Well, studies have recorded that 70% of learning comes from hands on experience. Not only being heared, but physically doing something. So if it works out, great!, and if it doesn’t, we learnt a lot. Most of the time the experience was worthwile in any way.

Now, finding a balance in everything you do.

This one is quite difficult. I struggle with this one. I never know how to distinguish between people less fortunate, because if I had the choice I would just give, give and give. However, we need to remember that some people (and I do not say everyone!) are in the position they are because they want to be in such a position. That is a choice they made. Whether it is because of comfort or their background, it is where they feel comfortable and where they want to remain. We need to know that giving money these people will not take them out of their position. Unless their mindsets are changed, they will remain in that position. This is also true regarding lots of children who are on the streets. I know for a fact that in Potchefstroom, the churches have organisations for children providing food, clothes and schooling. However, as long as the people keeps giving money to those kids in stead of getting them to similar organisations, those children will keep on living on street. I mean, what kid will choose schooling over a day out with people offering them McDonald’s burgers?

I think a big problem in our society is a lack of financial litteracy. People that doesn’t know how to work with the money that’s being given to them. So maybe we should get involved in similar projects. I know there are some institutions that’s already doing similar projects, for example universities.

Please, do not get me wrong. There are lots of people in desperate need of food, money and feeling worthy (“menswaardigheid”). I just think we should start looking at long term solutions and start looking at the root of the problem. At this stage I feel that most people are trying to cure the symptoms of the sickness, and not the cause thereof.

If anyone can please share their feelings as well, I am still trying to figure out where God wants to be my hands, feet and smile.

Kind regards

Editor’s Note January 2012

Posted by 12goodthings :) on Jan 23, 2012 in All Bloggers | 0 comments

Hi there,

Hope you had a relaxing break over December and all the best for 2012 from 12goodthings!

This time of the year, most of us are cash-strapped due to the festive season, so it could be hard to think of  “good things” to do that will make a difference in someone else’s life and yet not break the bank. I’ve come up with 3 ideas which might appeal to you and none of them will cost you a cent: