We Are the World - Wednesday

Happy Hump Day!  Since I am back to the wonderful world of blogging, you get exposed to do-gooding again!  Hooray!  

I am still getting my arse handed to me at work, but I am carving out time in my day to reach out to my wonderful readers.  I'm not, however, doing much else.  That "much else" includes working out.  As I wrote down the auto-draft for the YMCA when I balanced my checkbook, I got to thinking.  First, I thought about how I haven't seen the inside of the Y in something like 2 months, despite my good intentions.  Sigh.  Then, I immediately thought about how my pants are a little snug, as a direct result of said absence from the Y.  Double sigh.  Finally, I just thought about the Y.  It's a pretty cool organization, really.  Christian, non-profit, health conscious.  Good stuff.  But, I realized that I don't really know that much about it.  So, I did some research.  I will now use the handy dandy copy/paste function to impart my newfound wisdom upon you all. 

THE NATION’S 2,686 YMCAs respond to critical social needs by drawing on our collective strength as of one of the largest not-for-profit community service organizations in the United States.

Today’s YMCAs serve thousands of U.S. communities, uniting 21 million children and adults of all ages, races, faiths, backgrounds, abilities and income levels. Our reach and impact can be seen in the millions of lives we touch every year. Across the nation, YMCAs are committed to helping:

• Children and youth deepen positive values, their commitment to service and their motivation to learn

• Families build stronger bonds, spend time together and become more engaged with their communities

• Individuals strengthen their spiritual, mental and physical well-being

At every stage of life, YMCAs are there to help children, families and individuals reach their full potential.

Think that's cool?  Want to know more?  Read on at: http://www.ymca.net/about_the_ymca/.  There are some pretty impressive stats on there.  Including these: 

• Together, YMCAs are the nation’s largest provider of child care, with nearly 10,000 child care sites across the country that provide high-quality, affordable care to more than 500,000 children.
• YMCAs are collectively the nation’s largest providers of health and well-being programs.
• The YMCA is one of the largest volunteer organizations in the world, serving more than 45 million people in 124 countries. Learn more about YMCA World Service.
• 64 million households and 32 million children ages 14 and under live within three miles of a YMCA, while 1,518 YMCAs serve communities where the median family income is below the U.S. average.

Awesome.  It almost makes me want to get up early to hit a pilates class.  Almost.  More likely though - I'll oversleep and make it to work by the skin of my teeth.  

Hey - there's something to be said for good intentions though, right?  

Love ya! 

We Are the World - Wednesday

Time for a shot of philanthropy!!!  

This week's do-gooder is none other than my old pal, Tim!!!  You've read his Facebook statuses and laughed your ass off.  Now it's time to get to know his heroic side! 

Why am I featuring Tim, you ask?  Well, because he ROCKS!  And, he's decided to become a FEARLESS firefighter!!  What a job, folks.  I don't know how he does it.  But, I guess he's no stranger to heroism - Tim used to be a frickin' Marine, for goodness sake!  Saving lives is second nature!  

I asked Tim send me an email answering a couple of quick questions.  Here are his responses: 

Q: Why did you want to become a firefighter?

A: I wanted to be a firefighter because it's a pretty sweet job. You get to help people and you only work every third day.

Q: What was the "interview" like?  (If you call it that...)

A: The interview process sucked. It consisted of 8 steps, including a polygraph, a psychological interview, both written and oral, interviews by a couple of firefighters just to make sure they would want to be stationed with you...it's a long freacking process.

Q: How's training going?  (Tim's in the middle of the training process.  From the sounds of it, it's grueling.  His FB status yesterday: "I just had the toughest day of my life...so far...")

A: I have a blister the size of a quarter on each heel.  Training sucks. They try to intimidate you through yelling and playing mind games, but I have been through that before being in the marine corps, so I think it's actually kind of funny. They think they are going to break me but it's not going to happen.

Q: When are you done with training? 

A: Mid-July I think. Can't wait!!! But then starts the 16 weeks of EMT school   But when that's over, I'll be a firefighter/EMT.

Q: Are you regretting your decision? 

A:  Not at all, just looking forward to training being over. That's all.

Q: What are you looking forward to most about being a firefighter? 

A: Fighting fires.

Me: HA!

So, there you have it.  Inspiring words from a man who knows how to save lives.  Good stuff.  Let's all cross our fingers and say a little prayer for Tim - that he gets through training and can get to work!  

In the meantime, Tim - WE SALUTE YOU!!! 

We Are the World - Wednesday

HOW in the hizzell is it already Wednesday??  Wow, I'm behind this week.  Well, alas, it is in fact Hump Day, which means you must endure my goody-two-shoes side for the day.   Yep, that's right!  It's...

Today's homegrown hero:  He ain't just bringing SexyBack, ladies.  This Hip Hop Kid is also making quite a difference out there in our great big world.  Yep, you guessed it!  I'm talking about none other than...

Apparently, J.T. isn’t just hilarious, super-talented, and absolutely adorable -- he’s also quite the philanthropist!  I know this story is old news, but raising nearly $9.3 million for the Shriners Hospital in 2009 still deserves some WATW props.  Justin topped The Daily Beast’s 2009 list of charitable celebrities by hosting his annual charity golf tournament, giving a benefit concert with Taylor Swift and TLC, and appearing in a plethora of print and television ads.  Here’s what the DB had to say for all of J.T.’s do-goodery:

#1, Justin Timberlake

Charity: Shriners Hospital for Children 
Annual Impact: $9,262,381 

Talk about powerful branding. Timberlake’s name appeared alongside Shriners in over 1,000 newspapers or magazines over the last two years thanks to the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospital for Kids Open, an annual Las Vegas golf event televised on the Golf Channel. He also headed up a benefit concert for the organization this fall, and got fellow pop stars Taylor Swift and TLC in on the act, though he hasn’t yet been spotted wearing the famous Shriners fez. 

Breakdown: TV ($617,981), Print ($8,625,000), Internet ($19,400), Personal donations (undisclosed)

For those of you who might not know, the Shriners Hospitals for Children is a network of 22 hospitals across the country, dedicated to providing care for “thousands of kids with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate, in a family-centered environment with NO FINANCIAL OBLIGATION to patients or families.”  That’s pretty incredible – all services, free of charge.  No wonder J.T.’s efforts have made such an impact!  Click below for more info on the Shriners. 

Way to go, Justin! We here at Musical Musings (yes, I know that’s just me) SALUTE YOU!  Keep up the good work!  And the great music!  And the even better comedy!  And the most adorable smile…  

DEEEEEELICIOUS...

We Are the World - Wednesday

Good afternoon happy people! It's Wednesday again, which means it's time to focus on the positive!  I figure I can shelf my generally Scrooge-like demeanor for one afternoon, and tell you about some do-gooder out there who's making a difference.

I've been trying to convince Boss-Man Jr. to go to the Children's Museum of the Upstate Chocolate Soiree with me next month.  We share a client in the same area, so I was hoping we could parlay the Soiree (rhyme!) into some productive meetings.  I dragged Boss-Man Jr. to the Children's Museum's Opening Gala last summer, and we had a lot of fun.  This event should be basically the same, only with TONS of chocolate.  What could be better??

Since I have the Museum (and dark chocolate fondue) on the brain, I thought it'd be a great idea to feature it in this week's installment of We Are the World (the Museum, not fondue).  Hooray!

The Children's Museum of the Upstate is an ADORABLE little den of learning in Greenville, SC. It's mission is to grow young scholars by making them excited to actually know stuff.  It's located in an old library, and is 79,000 sq ft of bright colors, music, happy kids, and super-cool exhibits (I know they're super cool because I got to play on all of them before the Museum even opened.  Color me important!) 

The Children's Museum earned a spot on WATWW because it's a non-profit, and it subsidizes a huge portion of its own operating costs so that all kids can afford to go.  So, it's a do-gooder in its own right.  It raises the extra money it needs through a capital fund and special events, like the Soiree, so that it can keep ticket prices as low as possible.  And, the people who run it are awesome. 

Check out the Museum's website to learn more: http://www.tcmgreenvillesc.org/about_us.php

If you have kids and live in this area (NC, SC, GA) - make the 2 hour trip to Greenville.  It's worth it.  Your kids will LOVE it, and you'll be supporting a worthwhile cause with a great mission. 

Peace out.

   

We Are the World - Wednesday

I'm a little off-schedule thanks to a run in with the stomach flu.  UGH.  So, we'll skip Trash Talk this week and jump right to We are the World...

This week I have to tout the WONDERFUL Ronald McDonald House.  I am selling T-shirts for the RMH's "Sport a Shirt, Share a Night" program.  T-shirts cost $10, and RMH uses 100% of those proceeds to give a night of housing the family members of a critically ill child.  See, RMH's are located near the biggest children's hospitals in their respective areas.  Families that are forced to come in from out of town so their children can receive desperately needed, specialized care are offered a nice, warm, comfortable place to stay, and are given meals and the opportunity to lean on other parents in similar situations.  The RMH is a lifesaver for a lot of families that couldn't otherwise afford to stay near their children.  I love this cause, and have participated in "Sport a Shirt" for the last 5 years.

Motivating very busy tax accountants to participate in anything outside of prepping a tax return is extremely difficult.  ESPECIALLY during tax season.  For that reason, I'm asking you - loyal readers (and not-so-loyal readers, if you've happened upon this blog accidentally) - to support this fantastic cause.  You can either buy a shirt through me, or find someone in your area that is helping the RMH.  Don't want to buy a shirt?  That's okay, too.  The RMH can use your money, your time, your cooking skills... There's a lot of ways to help.  Check out the main website at: http://rmhc.org/

If you want to buy a t-shirt from me, please leave a comment below, and we'll work out the details.  If not, that's cool.  Just do something for a House near you.

(This ad is for England's RMHs - but I love her accent and the video. So, pretend Glasgow is in the US...)

We Are the World - Wednesday

I wrote a nice long post on Jodie Sweetin's (aka Stephanie Tanner) new(ish) autobiography, but then I realized that it's better Trash Talk Tuesday material, than a random Wednesday post.  So, you'll get to read it next week.  Don't cry, I know it's tough for you.

Instead, I've decided to instate one additional Theme Day.  One of my favorite blogs, Life in Pink, is part of "Where in the World Wednesday".  I thought about joining in, but I haven't been to all that many exciting places, and I don't know where any of my pictures are, anyway.  And, I hate pictures of me.  So, instead, it's 

"WE ARE the World Wednesday" 

at Musical Musings!!!

I am going to BRIEFLY (since Trash Talk tends to get a little long-winded) spotlight someone or something that is trying to make the world a better place.  It might be a philanthropic celebrity (but NO Brangelina for this girl, sorry), a local do-gooder, a worthwhile program, or maybe even me!

In fact, let's start with me.

Well, not really me, but rather a program with which I am trying to get involved.  After they run a background check, speak to three references, and conduct a personal interview with me, I am hoping to serve the local court system as a...  

Guardian ad Litem 

This is a fantastic program in which several of my classmates got involved while we were in law school.  Basically, a Guardian ad Litem, or "GAL" is an advocate for abused or neglected children - providing them with a voice in court that they otherwise wouldn't have.  GALs protect the interests of children that are in the care of DSS (social services, or "the system"), and are the subject of custody disputes.  The goal of a GAL is to represent the child's needs and wishes in court, in order to assure that he/she ends up in the best possible living situation.  My friends have incredible stories of their GAL experiences, and they truly are inspiring.  I debated being a GAL while I was in law school, but I wasn't in a place to deal with the sadness and tragedy that I thought I'd have to witness.  Not saying I'm at the pinnacle of emotional stability now, but I think it's time.  For some reason, I am suddenly overwhelmed by the compulsion to join this fantastic cause, and put my otherwise useless legal education to work for someone who really needs it.  And, from what I hear, the incredible difference you can make in a child's life, and the amazing feeling of helping an abused or neglected kid find a stable and loving home, FAR outweigh any sadness you might encounter.  

I would urge you to look into this program in your state.  You don't have to be a lawyer to serve - GALs come from all walks of life.  All they're looking for is someone with compassion, a love for kids, and a belief in justice.  I'll even help you take the first step.  Click on the picture below and enter your state and zip to find a program near you.  Check it out, and give back.  I can't wait to start, and share my stories with all of you!  

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To celebrate the first ever WATW Wednesday!

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PS: I didn't want to share other people's stories without their permission, so if you're reading this and you've been a GAL, please tell us about it in a comment below!!!