To those who have suffered losses, endured tragedies, and fight tooth and nail to protect your loved ones, aid strangers, and survive: You are in my thoughts every day. I think about the strength you must have to get through life, your sacrifices and your struggles and I offer you my support and my love. Know that the lack of changing my status based on the latest "chain status" does not mean that I think any less of you or your plight. Personally, I view these posts as a form of social inactivism- one posts them, feels good, and then nothing more comes of it. They desensitize us from the pain, and trivialize those who struggle by attempting to guilt others into spreading the message. I say, instead of devoting an hour of your facebook status, donate an hour of your actual time. Donate goods or services to help others, and share links that can help others instead of a cut and paste message. There are auctions and fundraisers constantly running on facebook to support many causes; shout out for one of them instead. Engage people and direct them to places where they can MAKE. A. DIFFERENCE. instead of just a facebook status blip.
"A father in order to test the geographical knowledge of his son, took a map of the world and tore it into pieces. He then called his son and said to him, 'Look my son, I have torn the map of the world and I would like you to put these pieces at their right places'. The son took away those pieces and in no time brought those pieces put correctly at their places. He put them on a board and there was intact the map of the world. The father was taken aback. Even he himself could not have put those pieces together in such a short time. Not willing to keep quiet about it, he questioned his son as to how he could do it so quickly. The child replied, 'Papa at the back of the map is the figure of a man. I put him right and the world was right'. "
I understand that it can be a daunting task to try and CURE something, or completely STOP something else- but we CAN make a difference. If we can't help everyone, we can still help SOMEONE. Next time you see a status where it asks you to post "x" or "y" for an hour, try posting a link to an auction, a place that might be having a sale to raise money for a certain cause or a certain someone instead. Instead of spreading couch potato "awareness" with messages make it easier for people to take POSITIVE ACTION. If you see one of these statuses, ask the person where and/or how you can help. Chances are if they know someone who has x,y or z, they know of an organization, a website, or a fundraiser taking place.
With that said, below are a few links that I have been made aware of by my friends on Facebook as well as locally.
Mastiffs for Soldiers M4s is a program placing companion mastiffs with those suffering from PTSD and Disablement due to the current OIF/OEF war. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mastiffs-4-Soldiers/116576185050217?sk=wall
The Hook Up {Custom Crochet, Knitting, & More} by MC: Not an organization but definitely a page to keep track of- her Uncle is fighting a battle with colon cancer and she holds auctions that help his family offset expenses. http://www.facebook.com/TheHookUp.byMC
Lupus Asheville: A friend of mine brought this group to my attention- they post links to help educate other about Lupus and offer support. May is actually Lupus awareness month according to the page. http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001954725162
Hemophilia Alliance of Maine: Another friend of mine has a son with hemophilia. This page is for the State of Maine. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hemophilia-Alliance-of-Maine/207320739280100
In addition, if you'd like to help individual families and small businesses in general, there are many work at home moms (wahms) and dads (wahds) with amazing talent and quality goods right on facebook! By giving honest feedback and sharing their information, you help those families thrive too!
May 11, 2011
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