Raise Money For Charity Without Spending A Cent
When most people think of supporting charities, they think of money. This can be a problem for people who are struggling to support their own families. Even if your assets are limited, you can still help. Here are just a few ways to raise money for charities that won’t cost you anything.
Recycle cell phones
Fast changing technology means people replace their cell phones more often than other possessions. However the phones have toxins that damage the environment if disposed in landfills. What’s the alternative? Recycle! Cell phones can be donated to almost any charity.
Organizations such as American Cell Phone Drive partner with thousands of charities to recycle cell phones. The recycler then pays the charity cash for the phone. Any charity can raise money by joining a program to recycle cell phones.
There are more than just environmental benefits when you recycle cell phones. Many phones can be repaired and reused, and reuse is the best way to recycle. Cell phones can be donated to people in developing countries where it is not economical to install regular telephone service. Another reason to recycle cell phones is to provide emergency communications. Did you know almost any cell phone can connect to 911, even if the phone is not currently active with a carrier? Families who can’t afford even basic telephone service can still have access to life-saving emergency assistance.
You can do even more to recycle cell phones by canvassing your friends and family. You might be surprised how many of them have an old cell phone in a drawer somewhere ready to raise cash for your favorite charity.
Join a “thon”
Charities have found that walk-a-thons, read-a-thons, and similar activities are very efficient methods of fundraising. They are inexpensive to setup and operate, generate good revenue, and are fun for the participants. Often people see beneficial side effects. For example, read-a-thons promote literacy and walk-a-thons encourage exercise and good health.
To participate in one of these activities, you collect pledges from family, friends, and neighbors. Then when the time comes, you read or walk your heart out. The more you do, the more the charity raises.
If that seems to tame for you, come up with your own idea. You might be surprised how much your friends will pay to pelt you with tomatoes or watch you shave your head.
Save money to make money
Find small ways to save yourself money and pass those savings on to charity. Use coupons at the grocery store. Buy a few store brand products instead of name brands. If you eat lunch out every day, start bringing lunch once a week instead. Rent a movie instead of going to the theatre. Each time you save money, put the savings into a charity jar and donate the proceeds once a month.
You can also choose brands that donate to charities. The Paul Newman brand donates huge portions of its profits to charity organizations. Ben and Jerry’s does as well and also support local farmers and purchase products from developing countries to support economic growth.
There are many more ways to donate to charity without spending your own money. Most non-profit organizations are desperate for volunteers and even a couple hours of your time a week can make a tremendous difference in someone’s life.
Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information on raising money for charity, visit http://www.americancellphonedrive.org/.
Saying Farewell To The World’s Exotic Birds
A lot of fuss has been made over the continual destruction of the rainforest and the amount of damage that is caused by illegal logging. But what does that really mean? Consider that there are thousands of animal, plant and bird species that live in the rainforests of the world, and that even today, scientists speculate that we still don’t have a full understanding of exactly how many species actually exist. Unfortunately, it now appears that we may never know.
At the current rate of rainforest and habitat destruction, it is estimated that around half of the known species of exotic forest birds will be extinct within fifty years. After that, scientific study has now discovered that species extinction may continue for up to a century after sections of the rainforest have been cut down and logged away. What many people don’t seem to realize is that rainforest habitats have a very intricate eco-cycle, and removing even one component of that cycle will affect many, many others – other bird species, plant species, insect populations, and ultimately exotic mammals.
While it may come as a surprise, some of the most affected rainforest habitats can be found in Southeast Asia. Severe deforestation of Indonesia and the Philippines has threatened several species of exotic doves and parrots in those countries, as well as the Philippine Eagle. Brazil, Madagascar, and areas of West Africa each have over 100 threatened bird species in their rainforests, a frightening confirmation that the current rate of logging practices simply cannot be sustained – lest all species of exotic bird life are lost.
With over 700 rainforest bird species at risk worldwide, the loss of even one of these species will affect others. In some cases, only a very small number of a species remain. For example, it is suspected that only around twenty Curassow birds survive today in the forests of El Salvador. In the West Indies, all but twelve of sixty parrot and macaw species have disappeared since human arrival, and in the jungles of South America, the intelligent Blue & Gold Macaw has slowly begun to disappear.
Clearly, it is absolutely crucial that something be done to prevent this kind of tragic loss. Better recovery plans and more effective laws need to be implemented, however it will take the cooperation of the entire globe – one country simply cannot do it alone.
Learn about preserving Exotic Bird Habitat at http://www.paradiseearthonline.com/
Monaco Set To Cut 2007 Carbon Emissions
Monaco has led the small countries of the world in the campaign to heighten awareness of environmental issues since Prince Albert became Sovereign in 2005, and has launched a radical plan of its own to cut carbon emissions.
One of the first acts Prince Albert took when succeeding to the throne upon his father’s death was to sign the Kyoto Protocol.
Along with the USA and Australia, Monaco was one of the few countries not to sign up to the treaty intended to cut greenhouses gases.
Included in a campaign by Prince Albert to protect the environment has been an expedition to the Arctic to see for himself how global warming has begun to melt the glaciers, and shortly after his return he started a foundation to study rising sea levels and how to address what he sees as environmental challenges.
A Monaco travel guide comments that given the Principality’s position in the Mediterranean, concern at rising sea levels should come as no surprise.
‘There are plans at an advanced stage to build an island off Monte Carlo, which will change the Monte Carlo map, and the district of Fontvieille is largely reclaimed from the sea.’
The island is expected to be complete in ten years time, and will include the first new hotels in Monaco for some time.
Prince Albert recently spent time with fellow royal and campaigner for the environment Prince Charles.
‘Most notable of all’, comment the online guide, ‘Prince Albert chose a mansion in the Kalorama district of Washington D.C. to serve as Monaco’s U.S. Embassy – Monaco’s first independent embassy outside of Europe. Up to now it hasn’t been necessary for Monaco to have her own representation in the U.S. – France has always looked after Monaco’s interests. But it serves as a useful base for him to entertain politicans on Capitol Hill and get his environment message across. Expect to see more of Prince Albert in America in the coming months and years!’.
Monaco Climate
With Prince Albert punching above Monaco’s weight abroad, he has been no less active at home to prove his green credentials, and a radical plan has been introduced to cut carbon emissions, and to reduce the number of cars on the streets of Monte Carlo.
The domestic campaign began with the Monaco Yacht Show 2005, held each September, with the event successfully becoming carbon neutral. To encourage the thousands who commute to Monaco every day from neighbouring France and Italy the railway station is one of the best in Europe, with frequent and reliable services.
‘For those who work in Monte Carlo and travel in from Nice and her surrounding villages five days a week, it’s both cheaper and quicker to take the train – the trains are modern and comfortable and it’s rare for seats not to be available even during the rush hour’, claim the guide, ‘Once people are in Monaco the local transport service is equally quick and efficient. Virtually all routes are well planned and easy to understand, and the most you have to wait for a bus is ten minutes, often it’s just a couple of minutes – which isn’t exactly a hardship given the weather in Monte Carlo!’
With many major companies and the banks in Monaco also looking to see how they can improve their own environmental records the business community view the steps as prudent ones.
The routes are planned to incorporate tourist needs, with many passing by the Hotel de Paris in Casino Square and the Columbus in Fontvieille, two of the best known and popular Monaco hotels. Fares have been reduced to one Euro, making public transport in Monaco among the lowest priced, comfortable and frequent in Europe.
With the overall aim to increase bus usage by 20 per cent, the Principality is also funding five new duplex trains with a thirty per cent increase in train services, and in an innovative attempt to persuade commuters to leave their cars at home will provide free electric cycles at car park schemes.
‘The one time of year you might see fast cars being encouraged is of course for the Monaco Grand Prix in May’, conclude the Monaco travel guide, ‘But overall it’s Prince Albert who will be able to claim the winners rostrum among European leaders for the environment.’
YourMonaco.com provides a guide for Monaco at http://www.yourmonaco.com
Objections To Parking Changes At Bristol
Bristol Airport has come under fire after plans were revealed to use land at a mushroom farm in Langford for Bristol Airport parking. Members of Churchill and Langford Parish Council voted unanimously to oppose to the scheme and refuse the application. Developers Bristol Park and Fly submitted an application for a 1200 space car park at the site in order to increase Bristol Airport parking for the increasing number of passengers.
The reasons why people are opposing the increase in Bristol Airport Parking are because of concerns over light, noise and pollution. Bristol isn’t the only airport to come under fire recently as more and more airports across the UK plan to add runways or build new terminals. This has caused debates and campaigns from environmentalists, local councils and residents living close to the airports.
Many feel that instead of increasing the number of car parking spaces that the airport should encourage people to use busses and trains which are more environmentally friendly. Campaigners think that by making Bristol Airport parking so easy people are going to choose to drive to the airport and with the number of cars passing through the airport every day, pollution caused by the airport is going to be at an all time high.
Local residents are also worried about the increase in the amount of traffic that will be caused by extra facilities being created for Bristol Airport parking. More parking facilities means that more people are going to be using their cars so obviously this means that there is going to be an increase in the amount of traffic in and around the airport. This means that people living in Bristol are going to have to sit in more traffic when going on journeys.
Winscombe and Sandford Parish Council voted against the plans for extra facilities for Bristol Airport parking and are planning to send a letter of objection to North Somerset Council. Many people are also worried about the danger that extra traffic is going to cause to the farm near the airport. Many are worried that the pollution and noise is going to have an effect on the animals as well as the increased risk of animals getting hit by drivers who are in a rush to catch their flight.
Those who are campaigning against the car park are hoping that the local authority will consider the needs of local residents rather than be driven by political motives.
Help Me Park provides safe and secure meet and greet parking at 23 airports across the UK. http://www.bristolairportinformation.co.uk has all the information you need to help you find meet and greet parking at your required airport.