Tsunami Volunteering

A site I stumbled upon today. United Volunteers - http://www.unitedvolunteers.com. Looks like something promising.

I cannot say anything specific, but my faith in the world is being slowly restored. A bit has to be attributed to the new environment I find myself in. I feel like I'm slowly waking up and "I see the world is just as it should be."

Hilarious conversations with a fashionista about Banana Republic, Coldstone Creamery creations, Express's new fraud-detection system, Victoria Secret's smocks, and Saks Fifth Avenue. An extensive list of my purchases made at the Bath and Body Works semi-annual clearance sale. Lamentations of the suspectible bargains out there. January is the month to stock up on linens and Christmas concoctions. The new era of regifting. Many shopping ruminations in the forecast.

More Tsunami Aid Links

Upon learning that the Red Cross isn't taking any more volunteers to Southeast Asia and some other options not panning out, I've been searching online for some more opportunities. This is just my opinion, but the entire world should forego any New Year's celebration and fireworks and send all that saved money to all the nations affected by the tsunami. In fact, that inaugural ball that's supposed to happen in January? Do the same...you would probably save a fortune in security alone.

In order to do some research on the non-profit charities that are asking for donations, refer to
http://www.networkforgood.org/topics/international/earthquake/
tsunami122604.aspx?source=AOL&cmpgn=CRS. Network for Good is an organization that gathers information on non-profits so you can read up on what the charity is doing and how much of your donation actually goes to help people.

There is a continuing blog on the conditions in the ravaged countries and also a link to how people can help: http://tsunamihelp.blogspot.com/.

And another interesting overview of how you can contribute: http://www.charitywatch.org/hottopics/tsunami_asia.html.

Tsunami aid

I would additionally gladly cash in all my various gift cards and store credit for any relief fund. It is mind-boggling, almost unfathomable that so much damage can be caused over such a large expanse of area. I have several friends who were in SE Asia at the time, and thankfully they all are safe. If you have loved ones there, I hope your news is as mind-relieving and comforting as mine.

Relief sources are asking for monetary donations instead of goods due to problems shipping internationally and actually getting the goods to the necessary places. Take a second and do some research into each organization...some of them use more or less of donations for overhead. The link to the organizations is http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapcf/12/28/
tsunami.aidsites/index.html.