Blisstory Journal Question - Page 91 Part 1

Do you volunteer for a charity? Tell about it.


Givers Gain
No, I’m not promoting BNI. What I’m talking about is “giving no matter what.”

I give every day of my life, sometimes in the form of a nice comment or compliment or something bigger, a monetary donation. Sunday brought an incredible reminder of how, even during these tough economic times, we can give by spending our money on the items or services we need through charitable events or organizations.

We tend to forget that the rise in homelessness affects more than just people; dogs, cats, ferrets, snakes-you name it, animals suffer from this crisis. Many people who can’t afford to keep their homes, can't keep their animals. The pets are left behind, let go or dumped on the street. I don’t know what the statistics are on the rise in homeless animals, but if the staggering increase in homeless people is any indication, the numbers must be horrific. For many animals, there’s hope.

At the Up Stares Salon on Washington and Fourth Steet in downtown Royal Oak a fantastic group of people got together and opened shop on Sunday. They cut hair for 5 hours and donated all the proceeds to AllAboutAnimalsrescue.org. It was an incredible day for all, including "Peaches" the terrier mix that greeted everyone that walked in. I thank the man/woman in the big “UPSTAIRS” that my husband and daughter decided to stay home Sunday afternoon or "Peaches" no doubt would have a new home – mine.


When I saw the bulletin, I immediately called my friend, Kim, and my Mom. Kim has a new stray herself and my Mom, well, with six kids, 14 grand children and 1 ½ great grand children, you know she’s been taking in strays her whole life. The Cut-a-thon presented the perfect example of ways we can continue to give, monetarily, at a time when we are watching our last dime. Everyone needs a haircut now and then – look for a place that will support a cause. We all had great stylists, Na-hee, Kim and Cheryl Lynn. Oh, and did I mention that it is an Aveda salon, what more can a girl ask for!

For your pet, supporting organizations like AllAboutAnimalsrescue.org means supporting an organization whose passion lies in making a difference for the part of society who’s only voice is a bark. AllAboutAnimalsrescue.org is founded and operated by an amazing group of animal lovers, whose heart and soul go into every second they spend at the clinic. The team provides spay and neuter clinics, wellness clinics and more at a fraction of the fees of your local Vet. Best of all, it is a “No Kill” organization; which means the animals rescued will find shelter among the many volunteers and foster families that help make it such a huge success. Besides needing money, they have a wish list of items, from old shirts for kitty beds to a building for spay/neuter clinics.

Remember, you can give simply by finding a place that uses your $$$ for charity! There are a lot of organizations that operate at the non-profit level, donate a portion of their proceeds to charity or support groups needing assistance. Send me a few of your favorites and we’ll pass them along!