Healthy and Green Living » Community Service

A Call for Guts

Megan, selected from Ode magazine — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 23:09:13 +0000

By Frances Moore Lapp�, Ode Magazine Like a lot of us, I keep asking myself, How did we get into this mess? Since humans have innate needs and capacities for cooperation, empathy and fairness, which science now confirms, why does so much suffering and destruction continue? For many, the answer seems obvious: Humans just aren’t good [...]

Water: Get to Know It, Then Conserve It

Megan, selected from Planet Green — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:06:27 +0000

Water. Some folks have it. Too many people don’t. The typical human body is made up of 66 percent water and could survive roughly a month without food–but only a week without water. The 2004 UNICEF report on the State of the World’s Children found that one in seven of the world’s children had no [...]

Time Banking: A Totally Cool Concept For a Better World

Dave Chameides — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:01:57 +0000

We all have talents. No matter who you are, where you live, or what socio-economic group you live in, every one of us has something to offer. Sadly however, not everyone has the ability to treat their talents as a commodity. Thankfully, that’s where time banking comes in. Time banking is a concept [...]

Fighters to Farmers: Helping Out Veterans and Farms

Judi Gerber — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:05:19 +0000

In honor of Veteran’s Day, (Wednesday, November 11) I’m writing about a great program that works to train returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans as farmers: The Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC). The FVC, whose motto reads “Farmers Helping Veterans…Veterans Helping Farmers,” aims to create a mutually beneficial service to both farmers and veterans. “The mission of the [...]

Where Are Our Manners?!

Mel, selected from DivineCaroline — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:01:14 +0000

By Rebecca Brown, Divine Caroline As I crammed myself onto a crowded train this morning, I noticed there was a very pregnant woman standing near me, jammed in tightly and hanging on for dear life. I looked at the passengers sitting in the seats that are supposed to be surrendered to the elderly, physically challenged, and [...]

Charitable Recycling: Eyeglasses, Printer Cartridges and Mobile Phones

Melissa Breyer — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 12:01:23 +0000

Who doesn't keep old eyeglasses as a backup when they get a new pair&#151and end up with an overflowing drawer of dated glasses we wouldn't be caught dead in now. If you find yourself in a drawer-cleaning frenzy, you might turn to our favorite recycling guide for advice on what to do with that pile of old glasses. We also stumbled across what to do with printer cartridges (also in a drawer) and mobile phones (yes, they usually have a drawer too). Read here for tips on how to recycle eyeglasses, printer cartridges and mobile phones&#151those junk drawer items it just doesn't feel right to throw away&#151and learn how to contribute to charity at the same time.

Knit Unto Others: Knitting For Charity

Ronnie Citron-Fink — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:13:54 +0000

Tis� the season! Oh, it�s not that season yet. But for us knitters, it’s pre-season. The needles really start clicking when the air gets crisp. Thoughts shift to creating knitted holiday gifts for our loved ones. Knitting feeds my soul and keeps my fingers and mind alert. And who doesn�t love receiving a handknitted item? Knitting [...]

Visit the Beach this Saturday!

Megan Zehnder — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 00:17:26 +0000

What are you doing this Saturday? How about hitting the beach! (Or to the nearest river, lake, large body of water…) Everyday thousands of beach-lounging guests enjoy the ocean, home to 20,000 known species–and so many more unknown. This Saturday, September 19, visit the beach, and rather than lounging under the sun, help clean-up from all [...]

Curbside Composting: A Valuable Community Service

Megan, selected from Green Options — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:20:29 +0000

This past spring, my family and I were able to get all the compost we needed for our vegetable garden from a local community�s compost pile at their department of public works. The compost was created from all of the leaves and yard clippings that had been collected curbside. Many communities collect leaves, clippings and [...]

DIY Cranes for Cancer Research

Ronnie Citron-Fink — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 18:13:32 +0000

DIY Crane Chandelier Project While I was digging around in the wedding websites for my green wedding articles, I stumbled across the Toronto based The Wedding Co. They have organized a worldwide DIY project called, The Crane Chandelier for cancer research. The Wedding Co. is building a chandelier from origami cranes signed by brides and grooms [...]