A Day of Remembrance for Those We Must Never Forget

Since today is Memorial Day, we at Brushfire thought it would only be fair to highlight a charity that helps aid our soldiers and their families. Soldiers’ Angels is a nonprofit that provides aid and comfort to the men and women of the United States Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Gaurd, and their families.
What makes this organization so special is that is was built by the very hands in which it protects. Patti Patton-Bader, mother of two soldiers, began the foundation by gathering a few friends and sending care-packages to soldiers overseas, including her two sons after hearing about the low morale of the deported troops. As she gained more products from a wider array of merchants, and volunteer size growing exponentially, Soldiers’ Angels was born.
To date, Soldiers’Angels volunteers have sent hundreds of thousands of care packages and letters to deployed service members. They have supplied the wounded with First Response Packs directly at the Combat Support Hospitals in Iraq and Afghanistan and the major military hospital in Germany, as well as provided care and comfort to those in stateside military facilities. Additionally, Soldiers’ Angels have provided emergency aid to military families in need. Furthermore, they partnered with the Department of Defense to provide voice-controlled/adaptive laptops to nearly 3,000 severely-wounded service members, as well as other technology that supports rehabilitation. In case of emergency, Soldiers’ Angels have provided flights to soldiers and to their families wishing to greet them upon return from overseas. They have provided Level III KEVLAR armored blankets to give personnel extra protection in vehicles when necessary.
Most importantly, Soldiers’ Angels honors and upholds the families whose loved ones have paid the ultimate price for our freedom and safety. With the assistance of their generous supporters, the abundant volunteers of Soldiers' Angels are able to express appreciation and respect on behalf of the citizens of the United States of America. Indeed they have fulfilled the motto that they so graciously uphold, “May No Soldier Go Unloved.”Brushfire would like to sincerely thank the troops that fight to uphold our primary and natural born rights that encompasses our wonderful nation today. Happy Memorial Day. Have YOU helped save the world today?

For more information, visit: www.soldiersangels.org


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Dream On Daydreamers!

Were you ever one of those kids with outlandish daydreams and was constantly pestered by your peers because of the scope of your goals? Well now you can release that inner child with Pepsi’s Refresh Project.
In January 2010, PepsiCo launched a campaign that would help generate and fund ideas that would essentially “refresh”the world and dubbed it Pepsi’s Refresh Project. The outline is quite simple. Submit your idea on their website, choose the amount of funding you need to make it happen (pick between 5k, 25k,50k, 250k), and sit back and hope that your idea gains a multitude of votes. Hey, if you’re currently facing a little “writer’s block”you can still help out by voting for your favorite causes that are highlighted on the website.
Six grant categories exist in which applicants can choose from: Health, Arts & Culture, Food & Health, The Planet, Neighborhoods, and Education. As the potential grant amount increases, the number of awardees per month decreases. For example, up to ten applications will be awarded with the 5K grant per month but only two will be awarded the 250k.
Didn’t get the grant the first go round? Well, remember the old adage “At first you don't succeed, try try again?” Granny’s advice finally is put into some good use as the whole process starts over each month.
Pepsi is changing lives and opening minds with their innovative new Pepsi Refresh Project. So get to work guys, start mulling around a few creative ways to improve our society and you may find yourself juggling some serious dough to get your idea started. So let’s get this party started already! Have YOU helped save the world today?




For more information, visit: refresheverything.com


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All Good Things Must Come to an End!

Oprah Winfrey’s charity, The Angel Network, is closing its doors. The network ceased accepting donations this week and also stated that upon its upcoming eradication, the remaining funds would be dispersed as it sees fit. Although it seems like a surprise to most, being that Oprah’s widely popular talk show is finally coming to a close, well it seemed only a matter of time that her foundation would follow suit.
The Angel Network was launched in 1998 and was funded by donations from Oprah’s viewers. Nearly thirteen years later and over $80 million raised for charity, The Angel Network is finally calling it quits.
Some of the best-known projects from Oprah’s Angel Network include rebuilding efforts for the Gulf Coast communities who were devastated by the damages that Hurricane Katrina left in its wake. It was also responsible for the construction of over fifty-five rural schools in over twelve different countries.
Although her foundation may be closing its door, Oprah Winfrey certainly hasn't backed out from further philanthropic efforts. Upon the start up of her new cable network, which will run twenty four hours a day and set to begin in January 2011, Winfrey plans on highlighting and raising funds for countless charitable organizations in the coming years.
Certainly do not count Ms. Winfrey out just yet America and friends. With a heart as big as the ocean, and a designer pocketbook to match, Oprah will always been open and willing to lend a helping hand. Like grandma used to say, “When one door closes, another one opens!” So don’t head for the hills screaming just yet, we think that something immense is on the horizon from this unforgettable media mogul. Have YOU helped save the world today?


For more information, visit: oprah.com, oprahsangelnetwork.org, today.com


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American Express: Why you should NEVER leave home without it

American express is working on taking it’s motto a bit more literally. A few months ago, Amex and Take Part announced the return of the Members Project, a creative online initiative that provides those with a passion for philanthropy and interest in helping out others an opportunity to take small steps to make a big difference.
Take Part is a content-driven social action network created by Participant Media (a company that uses cinema and film to drive individual engagement and social action). On it’s website, Take Part features actions addressing issues ranging from homelessness, dolphin capture, food safety and world health among others and encourages people to “take part”in the features by either donating time toward the cause or their funds. People are free to post their own actions on the website in order to gain momentum with their cause.
The announcement of the Amex/Take Part cohesiveness kicks off a multi-year relationship designed to allow individuals make a difference on any scale in the lives of others through the Members Project. Whether it’s volunteering for a local organization, making a donation or voting for a charity to receive additional funding from American Express, the Members Project will provide the tools and resources to uphold the diverse causes and foundations that the public cares about the most and aids in empowering everyone to be successful at making a difference.
“The partnership with American Express is extraordinarily exciting for TakePart,” said Christopher Gebhardt, General Manager of TakePart. “We believe that media can be an invitation to engage in making the world a better place. Partnering with American Express, TakePart will help inform, inspire, and activate users with tools to really make a difference.”
American Express is leading people into the future through their philanthropic initiative with Take Part. At Brushfire, we believe that companies who are socially responsible, such as Amex, should be highlighted for they set a high standard in which the rest of the world must levitate. It’s like they say with American Express, “Never leave home without it.” And we couldn't agree more. Have YOU helped save the world today?


For more information, visit: www.americanexpress.com, www.takepart.com/MembersProject


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"Hope Floats" For New Orleans

It seems that New Orleans has begun to embrace its past flood-like history through a little help from a few innovative minds and some hard-working hands. The FLOAT house is being unveiled this month, which was developed by Morphosis architects and graduate students from UCLA’s School of Architecture and Urban Design. The FLOAT house is expected to be the first floating home permitted in the United States and an ideal example of the kind of green solutions that are constantly being discovered at Brad Pitt’s Make It Right Foundation.
When the foundation was launched, Pitt promised the residents of New Orleans that he would personally strive to build them stronger, safer and more progressive home that would be able to stand any storm or flood that may loom ahead.
The FLOAT house definitely delivers on that promise. The house is a prototype of affordable, green housing that can be mass produced for flood-prone areas such as New Orleans. The house is able to sustain its own water and power needs, can survive floodwaters over twelve feet, and can be fabricated cheaply enough to function as low-income housing.
So, how does this water and eco-friendly abode really work? The base of the house acts as a chassis and when it floods. The chassis then serves as a raft, permitting the home to rise vertically on two guide posts placed at the front and back of the FLOAT house.
With its creative function and green makeup, the FLOAT house hits the nail on the head! Will this concept work on a bigger, more international scale? It’s too early to tell, but it’s certainly starting a trend of thinking outside of the box. Have YOU helped save the world today?



For more information, visit: www.makeitrightnola.org, thedailygreen.com


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Jon Bon Jovi Isn't Just "Livin' On a Prayer"

Not only can you find Jon Bon Jovi rocking the stage, now you can find him rocking your nearest community in need of some housing makeovers. The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation’s housing program has aided over two hundred low-income, hard working families and individuals acquire and keep their homes throughout the country...and they’ve only just begun!
The foundation was set up to help combat issues that force families and individuals succumb to the poor economic climate. Through its funding and the creation of programs and partnerships, the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation supports innovative community efforts to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness in our country. Now that’s music to our ears!
The Foundation began its philanthropic work through localized efforts of the Philadelphia Soul Arena Football Team (which is also owned by Jon Bon Jovi). The Foundation quickly expanded its work to have a national presence in its commitment to create and develop role models on the individual level, corporate level, and community level by promoting and assisting in perennial solutions to rebuilding pride in one’s self and one’s community-one SOUL at a time.
From building homes within a wide array of communities, to building leaders within a wide variety of individuals, the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation is hard at work. When it’s founder isn’t creating hit records, his constant role in aiding in peoples’ lives make him a number one hit in Brushfire’s eyes. Have YOU helped save the world today?


For more information, visit: jonbonjovisoulfoundation.org, looktothestars.org


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Hanging Your Bloomers Out to Dry: The Old-Fashioned Ways of Saving Some Green

Because of today’s struggling economic condition, people have turned to other, more old-fashioned ways to save money which just happen to be better for the environment. “As more people embrace these ways to save money and exercise some creativity, this accidentally green behavior will become increasingly ingrained," says Ann Mack, head of trend spotting for JWTintelligence.com.
2010 is now marked the year of the water fountain. "The water fountain is undergoing a resurgence and redesign as people seek alternatives to single-use plastic bottles," Mack said. "New water-refilling stations charge a small fee for replenishing reusable bottles.” Some trend-setters, such as HydraChill water stations in the UK, are charging twenty pence and all proceeds are then donated to a local environmental group.
Escapism is also another throw back trend to look out for. Because consumers have become accustomed to “staycations,” spending vacations at home, they are now more prone to dropping larger amounts of money on flat screen televisions, such as Energy Star TVs.
The percentage of purchased used cars is steadily raising as people are still watching their budgets. Hyrbids aren't yet completely reliable nor are they at an affordable price for the average consumer.
Michelle Obama helped spark some serious momentum to the home gardening movement in 2009, when she planted a prominent organic garden on the South Lawn of the White House. But is the First Lady ready for chickens? How about a goat? The home gardening crowd has been innovating by harkening back to a time when every home had a coop. But it's not just chickens. Urban beekeepers are revolutionizing beekeeping, and it won't be long before livestock join the chickens in the backyard farms of the (near) future.
Moreover, composting, the oldest of home habits is reaching another peak of popularity, like that seen in the 1960s, according to Mack. "This green habit has been gradually picking up adherents; in 2010, watch for widening adoption by both households and municipalities as people grow more aware of its benefits and are won over by new devices that make composting easier and less off-putting.”
With the employment rate so low within the country, people have more time on their hands to volunteer. The volunteerism bug is tough to shake, so expect people to continue to be generous with their time, even as it gets easier to remain fully employed.
People are also using clotheslines as a green, efficient, and most important, cost effective way to dry their wardrobes. "Environmental activists across the U.S. and Canada are working to make it safe (and legal) for people to save energy by hanging clothes out to dry," Mack said.
Lastly, although bicycles have never gone away, the proliferation of bike lanes and bike-friendly parks and parking spaces in U.S. cities has made owning and actually using a bike easier than ever. Expect bikes and other hyper-local forms of transportation to become commonplace as the health and wealth benefits continue to align with the realities of bike-friendly cities.
From cooking at home to riding a bike to work, people are using their late ancestors’ methods of saving green all the while going green! So save a car, and ride a bike fellow social fire starters! Have YOU helped save the world today?


For more information, visit: www.thedailygreen.com

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From Cleats to Cash: David Beckham is Scoring for Charity

When he’s not busy scoring goals for the LA Galaxy, or spending time with his fabulously beautiful wife and two boys, David Beckham is constantly expanding his abundant philanthropic interests.
Recently, the soccer superstar has been a spokesperson for Malaria No More, in addition to supporting Help for Heroes, a charity whose main focus is in aiding injured military men and women who are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
He and his wife Victoria, have established a self-named foundation that provides wheelchairs to children in need (The Victoria and David Beckham Charitable Trust). Because of his strong position within his own charity, Beckham’s efforts have been rewarded with an appointment as a UNICEF Ambassador.
On the international front, Beckham has not only been busy defeating his opponents on the field, but also those that attack humans as a whole. He has traveled to Sierra Leone to promote this fight against AIDS in UNICEF’s Unite Against AIDS Campaign.
Furthermore, Beckham has helped raise over $185,000 for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) by auctioning off two tickets to the World Cup Party on eBay. Following this act of kindness, Beckham was added into NSPCC’s Hall of Fame.
Although he plays the sport of soccer with fierce passion, it’s easy to conclude that David Beckham’s true love lies within his yearning to help others. At Brushfire, we find it absolutely necessary to highlight the powerful achievements of individuals such as Mr. Beckham, regardless if they are famous or nameless. So keep an eye on the helpful actions of our soccer star, and pretty soon you’ll learn how to mend it like Beckham! Have YOU helped save the world today?

For more information, visit: malarianomore.org, helpforheroes.org.uk, nspcc.org.uk, davidbeckham.com, unicef.org


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Spend a Buck and Save a Life

We all know that the dog is man’s best friend. So what? What about the ladies? What makes them tick? While the jury is still out regarding the one thing that women cherish the most, I’d like to venture to say that it’s a mixture between friends, family, a hefty shopping bag, and of course a means to fill it. Truth be told, women generally enjoy shopping more than men. And We-Care plans to take every advantage of that old-time adage.
We-Care is a company who has not only harnessed the power of consumerism, it’s coupled it with the notion of giving back and created a sort of symbiotic relationship. With over 1,000 online merchants available, the user simply visits their online mall, uses a coupon or a link to a merchant’s site, and donates a percentage of their expenses to the cause of their choice, all the while shopping as they normally would.
The We-Care merchants include retail, travel, financial services, and basically anything else that you could think of to purchase. Search for apartments, pick out the hottest technology, subscribe to your favorite magazine or newspaper, even get satellite TV. The lists of retailers in endless, as is their hope to raise money for your cause.
So men, now there is no excuse to figure out what makes your lady happiest; and all the while you’re helping to make someone else’s life happier. Talk about killing two birds with one stone...or sheer multi-tasking. So pick up your pocketbooks, wallets, sachels, purses, or whatever it is you may carry, and grab the computer nearest you...your cause is depending on it! Have YOU helped save the world today?

For more information, visit: www.we-care.com


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New Yorkers Are Lacing Up Their Red Shoe Strings!

Twenty-five years ago, over 6,000 courageous New Yorkers joined together to rally and raise funds to help GMHC, the world’s first AIDS organization. Those visionary people ignited a movement; and now each year, tens of thousands of walkers from every background mobilize and raise funds for GMHC’s life-saving work. “Today’s extraordinary total of $5,717,610 is testament to our participants’ and donors’ unrelenting resolve to fight this disease and make AIDS history,”said Craig R. Miller, Founder and Producer of the event.
The massive turnout and fundraising results on the May 16, 2010 walk demonstrates that the New York City community is ready to face the next round of challenges in the fight against HIV and AIDS. “Infections among youths, minorities, women, and gay men are increasing, while government funding at all levels is decreasing,” said Marjorie J. Hill, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of GMHC. “Every AIDS Walk dollar helps GMHC be GMHC. We are so grateful that so many people have walked with us today and showed their continued support for our prevention, care, and advocacy programs.”
And showed their support they certainly did. The 45,000 walkers raised over five and a half million dollars; all of which will go directly to finding a cure for one of the most deadliest diseases people face today. Furthermore, since 1986, AIDS Walk New York has raised more than $110 million for HIV programs and services in the tri-state area, and has grown into the largest AIDS fundraising event in the world. At Brushfire, we think that is certainly something to stand (or walk) for! Have YOU helped save the world today?

For more information, visit: aidswalk.net/newyork, www.gmhc.org


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Tour of California: Cycling For A Cause

Apparently I chose a splendid weekend to visit family in Northern California. As I was driving back to Georgetown on GrantLine Road from visiting some friends near Wilton, I was suddenly greeted by a handful of cops on motorcycles adorned with flashing lights and sirens. I was immediately escorted off GrantLine as the Amgen Tour of California bike race was approaching. Being that I have never personally witnessed a bike race firsthand, and the thought of catching a peek at the ever-so-inspirational Lance Armstrong, I decided to pull off on the side of the road to cheer the athletes on. All along GrantLine Road crowds started to congregate in anticipation of viewing a small piece of history along the otherwise lonely two-lane highway.
Sponsored by Amgen, the Tour of California race is a fundraiser for BreakAway From Cancer. The foundation, founded in 2005, is designed to increase awareness of the important resources available for cancer patients such as: prevention, education, patient care, advocacy, and financial support.
"For more than 26 years, Amgen has tapped the power of pioneering science to fight serious illnesses," says Stuart Arbuckle, vice president and general manager, Amgen Oncology. "Amgen’s staff members from around the world come to work every day motivated by the chance to make a dramatic difference in the lives of people suffering from cancer and other life threatening illnesses.  Amgen is passionate about helping people who are battling cancer, and Breakaway from Cancer is one of the ways that Amgen is fighting cancer on multiple fronts."
So, why do all the crowds line up along desolate highways just to catch a fleeting glimpse of these athletes in action? Could it be for the thrill of the ride, or maybe to simply see one of the sport’s leading front runners who has now achieved star quality? Perhaps it’s more than that...perhaps these cyclists provide their audience with a sort of inspiration; a feeling of motivation that nothing can defeat them...not even cancer. Our friend Lance can certainly attest to that. Have YOU helped save the world today?

For more information, visit: www.breakawayfromcancer.com, www.amgentourofcalifornia.com, livestrong.com


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Smart Phones Save the World: One App at a Time

Apple is currently dominating the technology world and has been for quite some time. Truth be told, I honestly don't see it relinquishing its kingpin position in the near future either. If you’re currently not conference calling off your iPhone, stealing copy-written photos off your Macbook, or downloading apps onto your new iPad, then either your mom, dad, or your neighbor Fred are doing the honors.
With today’s advanced smart phones such as the iPhone and its fierce up and coming competitor The Droid, raising money for your favorite charities and causes has become almost offensively easy. You simply download an app to your phone, use it as you see fit, and then the money begins rolling in (or out...to your favorite charity that is)!
One of the newest apps to hit the smart phone scene is Touch To Give. With this app, the user opens the program, chooses the cause (the choices are: The Breast Cancer Site, The Animal Rescue Site, and the Hunger Site), then taps the “Touch To Give” button. 100% of the revenue from their sponsor ads goes directly to the cause that you choose. You can repeat this process as many times as you like throughout the day.
Another popular charitable app is CauseWorld. After downloading, the user simply walks into CauseWorld supported stores (which is virtually every store in your area) and checks in to earn points. After a certain number of points are accrued, the user can choose to turn in the points in exchange for supporting a cause that is supported by CauseWorld. To this day, CauseWorld users have helped donate 18 million liters of clean water, 228,000 meals, 58,000 trees, 24,000 books, and over $100,000 to Haiti and Chile! The money that is used to donate these items comes from Citibank, Kraft Foods, and Procter & Gamble, who cumulatively have donated over one million dollars to the program.
Another cool app is the Good Guide. Good Guide offers its users a breakdown of a product’s ratings for health, environment, and social responsibility all with the scan of its bar code. Pretty cool huh? We thought so too!
With all these apps available at our fingertips, there is no reason why we shouldn't raising money and awareness for our favorite causes. Best of all, we have no excuses for ignoring this blog as all of these apps are absolutely free...if you have a smart phone that is (and really, who doesn't?). So go ahead, download an app or two, donate a meal or a tree, and feel empowered that you just helped make someone’s day a bit brighter with just a tap of your phone’s screen...now we know why they are called “smart” phones. Have YOU helped save the world today?

For more information, visit: greatergood.com, causeworld.com, goodguide.com, apple.com, motorola.com

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Plane Tickets and Support for Our Troops

These days, flying has become sort of a hassle. From taking off your shoes, jacket, belt, jewelry, watches, etc., dealing with curt and pushy security personnel, adjusting your position to avoid from bruising your knees when the person in front of you pushes their seat back to get some shut-eye, and of course the [lack thereof] food. Needless to say, those who are unfortunate enough to have to travel on the “busy” days, well, it’s easy to see why negative emotions run rampant.
Yesterday I was one of those “privileged” flyers who, at 5:50 am, was one of the last ones to board my plane to avoid the slow-moving traffic as people vied for that special overhead storage. In front of me was a man, brawny in stature, probably anywhere between twenty eight and thirty two years old, who was on his way home from a long stint he served in the Middle East. As we entered the plane, I made sure to grab his arm and thank him for his services to our country.
Our appreciation for our troops is something that all-too-often goes unsaid. Although it seems awkward to approach a stranger and thank him/her for their services simply because they are wearing a military outfit, it is the least we can do as citizens of the USA regardless of one’s opinion on the happenings worldwide.
As we started down the aisle of the plane, obviously passing the first class section, another man, an older gentleman, dressed extremely dapper, stood up to shake hands with the soldier that stood before me. Before the soldier could respond to his generosity, the business man picked up his suitcase, grabbed the ticket out of the soldier’s hand and said, “Please take my seat here in first class and I’ll take yours. It’s the least I can do to express my appreciation for your services to our country.” Taken aback, the soldier quietly hoisted his luggage into the ample space above and sat down in the plush first class seat as the other gentleman headed back to coach.
This man gave something that he valued to a perfect stranger, of whom he had no prior knowledge nor did he know what country he was returning from his service. He didn't know his rank nor did his personal background matter. This man wanted to express his appreciation by sharing something that he valued, with this perfect stranger.
As I maneuvered back to my seat, the memory of this seating exchange remained on my mind the rest of the day. What if more people could show their appreciation to those who serve or country? Sure, you may not be able to give up your first class ticket, but let me tell you folks, a sincere “thank-you,”travels a LONG way. That’s where Brushfire stands...Have YOU helped save the world today?

For more information, visit: delta.com

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TOMS: Saving Kid's Souls One Pair Of Shoes At a Time

Have you ever felt what it’s like to walk in someone else’s shoes? Well, with TOMS, although you may not be able to walk in their shoes literally, you can at least help to donate a pair.
With every pair of shoes you buy from TOMS shoes, they have agreed to donate a pair to a child in need through their program One for One. TOMS“utilitarianistic” mantra transforms its customers into benefactors, which also allows the charitable company to grow a sustainable business without depending on fundraising for support.
Why shoes, one may ask? Why not donate a certain amount of dollars with every pair of shoes sold? The answer is simple. Because most children in developing countries grow up sans shoes, they are constantly at risk of contacting soil-transmitted diseases, infecting their feet from cuts and sores, and not having the privilege to attend school because shoes are a required part of the uniform.
Blake Mycoskie came up with the idea to create TOMS when he befriended children in Argentina and discovered that they had no shoes to protect their feet back in 2006. After he got his company off its feet (no pun intended), the new owner/founder of TOMS finally returned to Argentina with a large group of family, friends, and staff and donated over 10,000 pairs of shoes to those children who inspired the meaning behind this philanthropic company.
As of April 2010, nearly four years after its creation, TOMS has given over 600,000 pairs of shoes to children in need. For such a small company to have such vast and altruistic intentions, well, those are some big “shoes” to fill; which TOMS has done with ease...Have YOU helped save the world today?

For more information, visit: toms.com

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One Nation Under God; or Government? Reaching out to Sudan

One would imagine that after nearly seven years of pillaging and polluting, conditions in Darfar in addition to the rest of Sudan, would be slowly starting to progress forward, and work through its differences. However, that specific assumption couldn't be further from the truth. Even today, the Sudanese people are still under siege by none other than their own government and President al-Bashir.
The diminishing trends in the largest African country has spurred a massive outreach world-wide. In the US alone, thousands of events are being held up and down both coasts in order to raise money to aid in the liberation of the Sudanese people. In response to the recent election results that were deemed “dubious” by the US based Carter Centre, Americans nation-wide are signing a petition for President Obama to take action against al-Bashir and his regime. Furthermore, Sudan Now, a campaign led by a group of prominent anti-genocide and human rights advocacy organizations committed to bringing peace in Sudan, has called Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and United Nations ambassador Susan Rice to increase their attention of the faltering US policy in Sudan.
“Sudan is entering into a critical period, with the aftermath of the elections still upon us and a referendum on southern Sudan’s independence immediately ahead. Secretary Clinton and Ambassador Rice need to get personally engaged if the United States wants to avoid a return to widespread bloodshed in Sudan,” said Randy Newcomb, president and CEO of Humanity United. “Only high-level engagement can ensure that the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement is fully implemented and the international community acts together to ensure peace in Africa’s largest nation. The administration laid out a promising policy last year—it is time for President Obama and his top advisers to fully implement it.”
Whether you sign a petition to our President or send a few bucks to your local human rights organization, Brushfire urges you to get involved with aiding in this international atrocity. Have YOU helped save the world today?

For more information and ways to help, visit: savedarfur.org

Want to know more on becoming a Social Firestarter? “Like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @ BrushfireMG

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Hair soaks up oil spills

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Hair soaks up oil spills

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A Hair Brain Idea to Save the Gulf

Have you ever wondered what your local hair salon does with all of the hair that’s collected each day? Now, with MatterofTrust.org, you’ll know exactly where your trimmed locks are located and it’s definitely not inside a trash can!
MatterofTrust.org is an ecological charity that concentrates on man-made surplus, natural surplus, and eco-friendly education. In other words, they take certain materials that are generally perceived as waste and use them to help aid in a specific cause. Talk about a great way to recycle!
Now, here is where your excess hair comes into play. Currently, MatterofTrust.org is focusing its efforts on the Gulf oil spill (in addition to others worldwide) and set up a program called Hair for Oil Spills. Recently, Phil McCrory, a stylist from Alabama, discovered that hair acts as a magnet that attracts proteins and oils, hence, the reason for shampooing our tresses on a daily basis. The program encourages all salons, pet groomers, farmers, and anyone who has access to hair-like material to donate their wasted clippings and/or nylons. These fibers are then stuffed in recycled nylons and covered in mesh to make booms or hair mats that help to clean up the petroleum.
So now you can strut out hair salon more confidently because you’re not only helping to clean up petroleum spills worldwide, you’re looking fabulous while doing it and we at Brushfire think that a picture is definitely worth one thousand words (or dollars)...Have YOU helped to save the world today?

For Further Information, visit: www.matteroftrust.org

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What’s More Precious to You? Your Time or Your Money? Give One or The Other And You’ll Find Out.

Friday Spotlight: Sprout Launch

How good is good? What does it mean to do a good deed? Donating money to a charity is an example of a good deed but depending on their financial status may be relatively easy. But, donating time out of one’s own life to help another, well, we at Brushfire think is the gold standard of good deeds. The founders of SpoutLaunch.com think so too!
SproutLaunch.com is an online source that inspires good deeds by rewarding its users. It encourages giving and kindness by suggesting good deed ideas throughout the week, allowing active participants the chance to win rewards for their positive actions. A user will sign onto the website, submit the kind act they performed on that day, and they are automatically entered into the week’s random reward drawing that takes place every Sunday!
The Good Deed Ideas are broken down into three groups: five minute (share a story that makes someone laugh), one hour (give blood), and one day long deeds (volunteer at a soup kitchen). Although these ideas are as diverse as they are charitable, participants at SproutLaunch.com aren't confined to them and are in fact encouraged to come up with their own ideas that get posted in real-time on the home page.
SproutLaunch.com is an innovative idea that makes the act of giving even more fun and rewarding. At Brushfire, we want to help raise the bar and allow each and every individual a chance to thrive and succeed. So, adopt a dog from the pound, help an elderly person across the street, mow your neighbor’s lawn, or give a friend-in-need a hand. No matter what you do, do it with a smile and sincerity and pay it forward. Have YOU helped save the world today?

For more information visit: www.sproutlaunch.com

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Thursday Spotlight: Stanley and Fionna Drunkenmiller

Step aside Bill Gates. Move over Donald Trump. Get out of the way Warren Buffet. There’s a new sheriff, or in this case, sheriffs in town: Stanley and Fionna Drunkenmiller. It may come as a bit of a surprise to some of you who follow the world’s most charitable donors that the Drunkenmillers are indeed, the most generous of all.
Stanley Drunkenmiller, CEO of Duquesne Capital (also a graduate of Collegiate School located right here in Richmond VA), has happily agreed to hand over $705 million to the Drunkenmiller Foundation, which supports medical research, education, and poverty-fighting initiatives. Just last year, the foundation graciously gave New York University’s Langone Medical Center a $100 million grant in order to build a state-of-the-art neuroscience institute. Can you guess who THAT building will be named after?!
In a time where generosity seldom renders cash, being that only six commitments of $100 million or more were made to charity in the year 2009, the Drunkenmiller’s have been just one of a few to actually increase the amount they’re giving.
Aside from their own foundation, the Drunkenmiller’s have dispersed their wealth to other charities and foundations such as Bowdoin College (Mr. Drunkenmiller’s alma mater), the Spence School, Human Rights Watch, the Robin Hood Foundation, Harlem Kids Zone, the New York Stem Cell Foundation, in addition to an extra $46 million to the Langone Medical Center on top of the previous $100 million gift.
The couple proudly donates to causes that they believe will lengthen and strengthen the lives of other individuals. Sure they’re not your every day people dressed in Santa Clause suits jingling a bell combatting with the wintery wonderland, but I bet they might be happy to buy your local santa a space heater at the least!
Whether your pocket is bursting at the seam, or plays a desolate home to a moth or two, one can always make room when it comes to being charitable. Have YOU helped save the world today?

For more information visit: http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/news/story.jhtml;jsessionid=HJOCOF1AVOO0XLAQBQ4CGXD5AAAACI2F?id=279700002

http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/ariel-schwartz/sustainability/stanley-and-fiona-druckenmiller-most-charitable-people-us?nav=inform-rl

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Wednesday Company Spotlight: Whole Foods

When a grocery store can turn the monotony of weeding through the ripened avocados into a exotic fruit scavenging adventure, then you know you’ve found the right one! Whole Foods not only trumps most of its larger and more commercial competitors with its organic and fresh array of products, it gives back to the community as well!
When Whole Food was founded in Austin, Texas back in 1980, all nineteen people who were on board with the company wanted to not only offer the best product that existed, they wanted to spread their core values to all of their customers, in hopes that it could help make the world a better place not only within their local community, but nation-wide and eventually spreading throughout the international front.
Because they felt a need to spread their “wealth,” Whole Foods then created, Whole Planet Foundation; a foundation whose primary objective is to increase awareness of global poverty among the general public and the Whole Foods Market Team Members and customers. In order to see these objectives materialize, the foundation is dedicated to working closely with credible and competent micro-finance institutions so they can provide micro-entrepreneurs with access to the capital they need to start up a company that follows the same business mantra in which Whole Foods upholds. Simply put, “doing good, just makes good sense.”*
As of now, the Whole Planet Foundation is busy raising over one and a half million dollars to empower nearly 40,000 women worldwide to elevate themselves from poverty and positively impacting all of those who surround them.
Not only can you find the tastiest dates and pomegranates around at Whole Foods, you can rest assured that part of your hard-earned dollar is going somewhere that counts, and not helping to finance someone’s fifth mansion on the English Channel...and we at Brushfire think that’s “bloody” awesome! So grab a basket, pull out your list, whip out your wallet, and start empowering some women pronto people!!! Have YOU helped save the world today?





*quote from Kyle Greenfield, CEO of Brushfire Media Group

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Tuesday City Spotlight: Miami

A few things come to mind when day-dreaming about Miami, Florida. Brown skin, endless beaches, ostentatious cars, and of course, the year-round summer weather. While topping many lists for having the most perfect temperatures or housing the most beautiful women, raising the most funding for charities seems a little askew compared to Miami’s regular pattern.
The fact is, as of April 22, 2010, Miami has now unseated its long time city-rival, San Diego for donating the most money to charity and does not plan stopping anytime soon. Researchers are finding that the spurt of investment into these varying non-profit foundations is a direct result of a progressing pattern within south Florida’s local economy.
A massive part of the social life for locals and visitors in Miami are various fundraising galas and festivals. Literally every friday of every month plays host to a different party raising money for a different cause. In fact, Russell Simmon’s recent benefit gala for his philanthropic foundation, First Art For Life, raised over $575,000 in one night in Miami Beach alone! And who said there was a recession in the US...or at least in south Florida?
This endless fundraising schedule in Miami can’t ever slow down as the city contains more than five hundred active charities who call the sunshine state their home. So as Miami expands its boundaries from cha-chas to charities, we at Brushfire enjoy basking in its fundraising glory, in addition to its sun. Have YOU helped save the world today?

For more info visit: charitynavigator.org and socialmiami.com

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Monday-Charity Day

Ever wonder what it would be like to have dinner with Madonna in downtown NYC? How about watch the girls on set from Sex in the City 2 all the while toasting glasses of overflowing, overpriced champagne with the likes of Anna Wintour and Naomi Campbell? In a world plastered with celebrities deemed as “untouchable,” a new internet company, CharityBuzz, is granting you a date with them at the touch of a mouse...and a hefty pocketbook. CharityBuzz takes assorted celebrity memorabilia, arranges celebrity meetings and photo ops, and auctions them off in order to raise money for their charities. Some of the charities that are included in CharityBuzz are: Andre Aggasi Charitable Foundation, Best Buddies International, Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Dream Foundation, LIFEbeat, Musicians On Call, Stand Up For A Cure, Rock the Vote, and the Rainforest Foundation-USA. Although the final bids usually start well within the six digits region, the auction includes events such as appearing on screen with Johnny Depp (final bid $91,000), spending a day in the studio with Howard Stern (final bid $101,000), or playing a game of tennis with Andre Aggasi (final bid $100,000). Now, people with a little bit of extra pocket change (or a lot) can rub elbows with their favorite celebs or sports figures at the same time as granting funds that in turn, make the world a better place. A little over the top you ask? Hey, we at Brushfire say, if you got it, flaunt it, donate it, and smile. Have YOU helped save the world today?

Visit Charity Buzz at www.charitybuzz.com

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Monday-Charity Day

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