Suess's Pieces

I gave blood for the first time this summer because there was a Bloodmobile in the parking lot at my day job. Do good? Get away from my cubicle for 30 minutes? Win-freakin’-win.

Except I nearly passed out twice. ”The cookies and juice are a lie!” I said, my clothes drenched in sweat, my stomach trying to toss my snacks, my eyes seeing pretty sparkly dots.

The nice lady said, “It’s just that your body thinks something is wrong. Chances are you’ll experience fewer side effects after each time you give.”

So I’ll probably try it again the next time the Bloodmobile rolls into the lot. After all, I didn’t die. Plus I heard some legend about this guy that passes out every time he donates blood, and he still does it anyway.

I can’t be outdone by a boy.

Put your zip code in here, and find out how you can give blood and other cool stuff.

Photo credit: nicephoto

So, Teachers’ Treasures is a local Indianapolis organization, but I bet with a quick internet search you can find something like it where you live. If you don’t find a charity you like, consider giving directly to a teacher.

Teachers’ Teasures has this to say about the need for supplies in Marion County:

• Over half of the children in Marion County cannot afford lunch, much less school supplies, leaving this group one step behind their peers each day.
• Teachers on average spend $500 – $1000 per year of their own funds to buy supplies for their classroom and students.
• Today’s economy is causing parent, teacher and school budgets to be reduced.

The TT Solution

Teachers’ Treasures lets qualifying schools pay an annual supply fee of $35, and then teachers get to select supplies once per month. Of course, the items available—including everything from crayons to desk chairs—depend on donations. And that’s where people like you and me come in.

If you live around these parts, here’s how you can help:

• Donate Money
• Donate Supplies
• Volunteer
• Coordinate a Supply Drive

Photo credit: mconnors

Operation Write Home is a group that supports the armed forces by sending blank handmade greeting cards to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude to encourage them.

You can get involved by:

• Making cards
• Writing letters
• Hosting parties
• Donating through the OWH website

From the site:

With Iraq deployments coming to a close, we need fewer cards, and higher quality – so we recommend having a party with experienced crafters only. If you want to have a community-wide event with non-cardmakers, please have people make AnyHero cards that they’ll sign with a note inside.

More About Operation Write Home

Photo Credit: cohdra

Some of you know that my favorite person on the earth sometimes makes guest appearances as a grumpy arthritic.

Psoriatic Arthritis kind of sucks. So if you’d like to cheer Dan up, donate a few bucks to the Arthritis Foundation. They offer lots of options.

• Become a Member
• Renew Your Membership
• Become a Research Advocate
• Research Advocate Renewal
• Give a Gift Membership
• Donate for a Cure
• Monthly Giving
• Honor and Memorial Gifts
• Planned Giving

You can also raise funds and awareness through their annual Jingle Bell Run. The 2011 Indianapolis run was last weekend. Sadly, I didn’t make it (though I was actually registered). They actually give you jingle bells in your race packet.

You can also follow the Arthritis Foundation on Facebook and Twitter. All the cool kids are doing it.

Photo credit: zurizim