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Got Weekend Chores? We All Do on Coastal Cleanup Day

September 12, 2012 By
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The weekend chores around our homes can wait. The sea is calling. And the bays, creeks, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. The collective “we” left our trash behind in our waterways, and it needs to get cleaned up on Coastal Cleanup Day, Saturday, Sept. 15, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.

The great thing about this chore? We get to do it amidst the natural beauty of our shorelines, side-by-side with thousands of neighbors.

Around the world on more than 20,000 miles of coastline, a half a million people are expected to pick up millions of pounds of trash on Coastal Cleanup Day, always held on the third Saturday in September. Last year volunteers recovered more than 9 million pounds, including 2 million pounds of cigarette butts, 1.1 million pounds of caps and lids, just over a million pounds of plastic beverage bottles, and just under a million pounds of plastic bags, according to the Ocean Conservancy.

In California we’re celebrating the 28th anniversary of Coastal Cleanup Day, billed as the largest single volunteer event in the state. According to state officials, more than 82,000 residents took part in 2010, picking up more than a million pounds of debris.

And here in the San Francisco Bay Area, we have a lot of cleanup to do: Save the Bay is expected to release its annual list of “trash hot spots” on Wednesday, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, with five waterways listed as the dirtiest in the region. Number one on the list is San Jose’s Coyote Creek, followed by the Damon Slough near Oakland, Baxter Creek in Richmond, San Tomas Aquino Creek in Santa Clara, and the Hayward Shoreline. [Read more…]

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Still Time to Observe Day of Service and Remembrance

September 11, 2012 By
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As I hung my flag outside my home this morning, it took me back to that awful day 11 years ago when, after watching the terrible events unfold on the TV, I spontaneously hung the flag outside to show solidarity with my country and the victims of the attacks.

More than a decade later, I am glad that we have more ways to honor the victims than just a symbolic flag raising. Today is officially known as a Day of Service and Remembrance, and many organizations, like HandsOn Bay Area, have designated the entire week a time to serve others.

If you’re looking for ways to make this day meaningful, there is still time to get involved. A few events are happening tonight, and there are some spots left to volunteer with a HandsOn project. Or take the commemoration into this weekend, and sign up for one of numerous service events. You can also get involved less formally by committing to do something kind for someone else today.

Read on for a list of ceremonies, multifaith events, and volunteer opportunities. [Read more…]

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Introducing the Good Neighbor Stories 2013 Datebook

September 6, 2012 By
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I am very proud to announce that pre-sales are underway for the Good Neighbor Stories 2013 Datebook! Now you can start every day feeling good about the world using the inspirational stories and photos from this very blog.

“Be a good neighbor, share good stories,” has always been at the heart of what I’ve encouraged here, and my hope is that the datebook will motivate users to do both each day of 2013.

Throughout the datebook you’ll see some of the wonderful volunteers and organizations featured on the website, like Yasmine Davis of Make a Birthday Wish, the teen who throws birthday parties for less fortunate kids, and Dave Severns, who before he passed away raised thousands of dollars for the hungry through his amazing Christmas light display, plus many more.

You can see a low resolution preview PDF of the datebook here.

The datebook would not have happened without my friends Derrick Kikuchi and Craig Wiesner at Reach and Teach. We became friends two years ago after I featured their peace and social justice learning company on this blog. Derrick proposed the idea of the datebook over lunch one day, and we have been working together since then to pull it all together. Orders for the book are on their Reach and Teach website. [Read more…]

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Five Ways to be a Good Neighbor in September

September 4, 2012 By
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September is the “Other New Year”, when the slower-paced summer comes to an end, and a new busier season starts to ramp up. In a way it’s another fresh start, with all new opportunities to be better neighbors in our communities and the world. Here are five ways to be a good neighbor this month.

1. Support Kids With Cancer: In honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, get educated about what children and teens diagnosed with cancer and their families experience, and find out how you can help. According to The Truth 365, a volunteer organization that created a documentary and social media campaign to educate the public about pediatric cancer, more than 13,500 youth under the age of 20 are diagnosed with cancer each year. Of those, approximately 2,500 succumb to their cancer; the average age of a child who dies from cancer is 8. Most causes of pediatric cancer remain a mystery, and there is no known way to prevent it. Find out more by visiting The Truth 365. While there you can sign a petition demanding more funding for pediatric cancer research, or even donate money toward research. Or, check out and donate to Alex’s Lemonade Stand, which also supports childhood cancer research. Another great way to stay on top of the issue and show support for Jacob Goeders, a Bay Area boy known as “The Leukemia Slayer”, and his family, is by “liking” his Facebook page. The family is posting items about childhood cancer all month.

2. Take a Week (or just a day) to Show You Care and Remember: Sept. 11 was declared a National Day of Service and Remembrance [Read more…]

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How to Organize a Great Block Party

August 16, 2012 By
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Yesterday I posted about how neighbors in Cupertino are strengthening their neighborhoods through throwing annual block parties. Today I’ve got a list of ideas on how to organize a great block party in your own neighborhood.

Live in an apartment building or condominium complex? Don’t let that stop you from getting neighbors together. A common area or local park can be used to gather people together with food and activities to facilitate conversations and connections.

Cottonwood Drive resident and professional party planner Lianne Hatcher, who helped organize this year’s 50s themed block party for her neighborhood, said it’s important to have one person play the role of block leader, who can then organize interested neighbors who want to be on the planning committee.

Plan the party one to two months in advance, and make sure the party date does not conflict with major events, like graduations or holidays where people will likely be traveling. [Read more…]

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Block Parties Bring Neighbors Together

August 15, 2012 By
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Want to make your neighborhood a little nicer and safer? Do like the neighbors on Cottonwood Drive in Cupertino do, and break out the hot dogs and Samosas.

Every summer the residents along the street gather together for an annual block party, a day of food, games, and friendly chatting. More than just a fun festivity, the popular event serves as a way to knit the neighbors together just a little tighter, and make the neighborhood just a little nicer all year long.

“It’s a good community project. The more you know your neighbors, the better for your street,” said Nanette Domitrowich, as she put the final touches on preparations for Cottonwood’s 2012 block party last month.

The yearly party started several years ago, helping to lift morale; since they began Domitrowich said neighbors say “hi” to one another a little more.

Her co-block leader, Sujit Roy, called the tradition a nice way for neighbors to catch up with one another, since normally, “We drive in our cars and we don’t get to see anybody.”

This year Domitrowich and her neighbor a few doors down, Lianne Hatcher, planned a 50s theme for the event; they played pop tunes from the era, added a few decorations, and Hatcher even donned 50s garb.

Like most Silicon Valley neighborhoods, Cottonwood is a mixture of long-time residents—some homeowners have lived there more than 50 years—and newer transplants from around the world. [Read more…]

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Candlelight Vigils in Bay Area for Sikh Shooting Victims; Open House Sunday

August 8, 2012 By
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Bay Area residents have a chance Wednesday, Aug. 8,  to honor the six victims killed at the Sikh temple in Wisconsin on Sunday at three local candlelight vigils in San Jose, Fremont, and Hayward.

Two vigils are taking place at 7 p.m., one at Lake Elizabeth, 40000 Paseo Padre Parkway in Fremont, and another at the Gurdwara Sahib Temple in Hayward, 1805 Hill Ave. A vigil in San Jose begins at 8 p.m., at the San Jose Sikh Gurdwara Temple, 3636 Murillo Ave.

Local Sikh leaders, as well as secular leaders, are encouraging the public to attend. People are asked to bring their own candles, if possible.

“We are very much saddened by the events in the Sikh Gurdwara in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. To pray for the families of those who lost their lives or were injured in this insane violence, we invite everyone to join us,” a press release from the San Jose gurdwara states.

In addition to the vigil, the San Jose gurdwara is hosting an open house this Sunday, Aug. 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. People are invited to join the members in prayer or a vegetarian meal called a Langar.

The gurdwara also set up a fund to help families of the victims. Checks can be made out to Sikh Gurdwara San Jose, and sent to 3636 Murillo Ave., San Jose, 95148. Donations can also be made through the website.

“Sikh religion teaches respect for people of all faiths. Sikh Gurus gave their lives to uphold the right of other religions to practice their faith. Every Sikh prayer ends with seeking the welfare of everyone in the world,” the press release from Bhupindar Singh Dhillon, the general secretary of Sikh Gurdwara San Jose, states.

“We condemn this violence and pray that those who committed this crime or planned it find peace in their own souls and become free of these feelings of hatred.”

 

 

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Social Media for Nonprofits Conference: Final Takeaways

August 8, 2012 By
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I’ve shared some of the things I learned from attending the Social Media for Nonprofits Conference in Mountain View on July 26, like how nonprofits can best use Facebook, Eventbrite, and LinkedIn. There was plenty more info jam packed into the conference, but here’s one of my final takeaways: nonprofits have to get good at social media.

As the editor of Good Neighbor Stories, I’m on what I affectionately call the “do gooder beat,” because I talk to numerous nonprofit leaders who are doing good in the world. One of the consistent threads I notice between all small nonprofits is that the leaders are overwhelmed, and often social media is at the bottom of the to do list.

But the numbers are clear, social media engagement is only going to grow, especially since children and youth are growing up embracing the social media lifestyle. Meaning, future volunteers, supporters and leaders are hanging out in the social media space, so if nonprofits aren’t hanging out there, too, they’re missing out on a  huge segment of the population. [Read more…]

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Catching Up With Project WeHOPE; Trip Sponsors Needed

August 7, 2012 By
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I got a chance to catch up with Pastor Paul Bains of Project WeHOPE, the East Palo Alto nonprofit I reported on last year. The small organization is making significant inroads toward combating homelessness in a town of 2.2 square miles that has the largest homeless population in San Mateo County.

Recently the city council awarded Project WeHOPE a $30,000 grant for its warming shelter, the only homeless facility in East Palo Alto (EPA). This was down from an original request for $50,000; the council went through some quibbling over details of the request before settling on the final number .

But aside from leading the charge to end homelessness in East Palo Alto, Project WeHOPE is also a service agency for local youth, and currently has a need for sponsors and donations so volunteers can take students on an end-of-summer trip to Disneyland and Universal Studios. [Read more…]

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Social Media for Nonprofits Conference: Leveraging LinkedIn for Good

August 1, 2012 By
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You’re probably aware of how LinkedIn can help you advance professionally, but did you know the social network platform can advance your philanthropic efforts as well?

And for nonprofit organizations, LinkedIn can become an invaluable tool to find skilled volunteers, board members, and resources.

That was the message of Meg Garlinghouse, head of Employment, Branding & Community for LinkedIn, at last week’s Social Media for Nonprofits Conference in Mountain View. All this week I’ve been highlighting speakers from the conference, including Libby Leffler of Facebook, and Dawn Andreas of Eventbrite.

Garlinghouse leads LinkedIn for Good, which has as its mission to “connect the talent and passion of professionals with opportunities to use their skills to make a positive impact in the world.”

Here are some notes from her talk:

  • LinkedIn wants more nonprofits to get on its platform.
  • There are 160 million professionals on LinkedIn and they are “at your fingertips,  and they want to help you; that’s the extraordinary thing, you just have to reach out and ask,” Garlinghouse said.
  • By popular request, last fall LinkedIn added a “Volunteer Experience and Causes” feature to profiles; when you add organizations you support and volunteer for, that information gets pushed out to the network. [Read more…]
Filed Under: Nonprofits, Social Media Tagged With: , , , ,
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