helping aarp fight isolation

While taking care of business on the AARP website, I noticed a new use for some of my Reward Points.

The AARP Foundation is now collecting those points to raise awareness of feelings of isolation among seniors.

Connect2Affect is their new fundraising platform to end social isolation by providing information, resources, and strategies to promote social engagement.

My 4000 points will be translated into money for this new fundraising campaign.

Meanwhile, I'll continue with my efforts as an AARP volunteer to encourage others to attend the Movies For Grownups films.

So good to be around like-minded people!

helping treat two little girl scouts, again

Happy Halloween, Miyah and Chloe!

This time, I've used each girl's fundraising page to purchase a Christmas gift for the other!

For Miyah's campaign, this second purchase is for a year's subscription of the Ranger Rick magazine for her sister, rather than for a cousin.

For Chloe's campaign, this holiday purchase covers a year's subscription of the Zoobooks magazine for her older sister, instead of for a cousin.

Honestly, the cost is more than I normally budget for such gifts, but two thoughts convinced me to do so.

First, Miyah needs encouragement with her reading, as she has dyslexia, and the magazine stories about animals will hopefully help.

Second, Chloe has been doing so well with reading that she has been tagged to go into a gifted program this year, so her magazine will keep her interested and increase her vocabulary.

I guess I should also include my desire to help raise funds for their Girl Scout troupe, but I've already done that, twice.

(smile!)

I'm so glad my first niece is able to provide that social outlet for them!

I never had the opportunity to be in the Girl Scouts, nor did my brothers have the chance to be in the Boy Scouts.

It costs money for those uniforms, and it costs the parent's time, and, as a single parent, Mama simply couldn't afford it on either count.

Here's to those two great-nieces, and their bright futures!

helping miyah's girl scout troupe, too

Miyah, like her sister Chloe, is being tasked with selling a variety of merchandise, with the company having set a goal of $500 of goods per girl.

Seriously.

Like her sister, she will attain a special badge for her uniform if she attains that lofty goal before the end of this month.

Miyah is 9 years old. 

I think the most likely outcome is they will each receive a badge for participation in this Girl Scout fundraiser campaign.

As her Great-Aunt, I'll certainly do my part.

I've just ordered two magazine subscriptions for her cousin, Leila.

Leila and Alyssa are twins, by the way, but Leila is definitely ready to be taken as her own person and not a copy of her sister.

She had voiced that at a recent birthday party.

She is ready to have her own birthday party, not a shared event with her twin sister, so I saw a need to make her gifts distinctively different. 

Again, I chose two magazines which will serve her well, in lieu of a mother. 

"Highlights brainPlay" will be her birthday gift, as she will be 12 at the end of this month; it's full of various puzzles as well as articles which I hope will spark a renewed interest in reading.

"Daily Word" will be her Christmas gift this year, one which she will continue to enjoy throughout next year, giving her guidance in dealing with life's problems and hopefully some better coping skills.

I like that the company selling those magazines allowed me to create gift messages to present to her, as the subscriptions will likely not begin until late December.

I do hope those two will serve Leila well, and that others with Miyah's page link will help her  attain her goal for her Girl Scouts troupe. 

helping chloe's girl scout troupe

My two favorite Girl Scouts are trying to raise money for their troupe. 

Chloe, who just turned 8 years old, is being tasked with selling a variety of merchandise, with the company having set a goal of $500 of goods per girl.

Seriously.

If she manages to do so before the start of next month, she will attain a special badge for her uniform.

Given the downturn in the economy, I'll honestly be amazed if any of the girls in her troupe get that reward.

However, they will all receive a badge for participation in this campaign.

As her Great-Aunt, I'll do my part.

I've just ordered two magazine subscriptions for her cousin, Alyssa.

I chose two which will serve her well, in lieu of a mother. 

"Girls Life" will be her birthday gift, as she will be 12 at the end of this month; it's written for 11-15 year old girls, with study tips as well as stylish aids.

"The Food Network" will be her Christmas gift this year, one which she will continue to enjoy throughout next year, giving her guided experience in and around a kitchen, rather than relying on ready-made meals.

The company allowed me to create gift messages to present to her, as the subscriptions will likely not begin until late December.

I do hope they will serve Alyssa well, and that others will help Chloe attain her goal for her Girl Scouts troupe.

3 kiva transactions in 1 day

That had not been my plan, but Kiva made me a deal I could not refuse.

They said if I donated $25 to their foundation, they would give me $50 to make loans at my leisure over the next two weeks.

So, I went on the site to check to see what loans might be of interest.

After all, my stepmom's birthday was yesterday and I like to chose a loan in her honor every year.

Plus, I had an added impetus: thanks to repayments from others I'd loaned to, I had $24.36 in credit on Kiva.

Once on the site, I found not one loan, but two, that were of interest!

My mind was made up at that point.

I added sixty-four cents to bring the total gift to Kiva to $25 to assist in their philanthropic endeavors.

Almost immediately they put the $50 credit into my account!!!

Well, alrighty then!

On to the loan in honor of Bonnie's bday 78!

That $25 of credit went toward Claudette's loan for her water distribution company in Bujumbura, Burundi, a tiny landlocked country in Africa.

She had asked for $35,000 with which to set up franchises of Jibu Burundi, an organization that has been improving access to safe and affordable drinking water in Burundi since its launch in 2020.

She already had lenders who had donated more than $25,000 toward the loan, with several Nerdfighters, so I was glad to be part of that total.

(smile!)

The other $25 of credit was donated in honor of my youngest brother's upcoming birthday.

As I've done for his previous birthday, I found a loan that benefited a larger community with light in the darkness.

This time, the loan is to Izili Bénin and her husband in Cotonou, Benin, a long, thin country near a river in Africa.

Their ask is for a loan of $100,000 to provide clean, affordable solar energy to power 1,920 households in Benin.
They arrange for homeowners to make payments over time, with ownership transferring to the household after the payments are done.

That means that in a few years' time, the household will pay nothing for their electrical needs.

That's amazing!!!

Nerdfighters are backing their Kiva loan, too.

I'm so glad to be part of that group!

(smile!)

Ever since I joined them, I've made a difference in the lives of so many!

On paper, I've contributed to 73 loans, though some were to groups, making the total number of people directly helped a bit higher than 73.

This year, I have already made seven loans, which is a reflection of the steady flow of money being repaid to me from previous loans. 

What I find interesting, though, is that my money has now traveled to 63 different countries to make change in lives and communities.

Sixty-three countries.

I credit the internet with making that possible.

Good to know it does have benefits!

(smile!) 

as the holidays near for the Alee Shriners...

The Shriners Children's Hospital have sent me yet another request for money, but I have limited funds for charities.

Remember, I've been retired for 8 years.

What else can I do to be of help?

Well, they provided an outlet.

They enclosed a holiday ornament for me to return for one of the children that will be spending their time away from home.

I carefully loosened the bright, cheery, shape from the backing.

Then, I inscribed a message on its reverse side for such a child.

 

"I hope your tree

sparkles and gleams!

I hope your tree has

a special gift beneath! 

Happy holidays, dear!

with love,

Aunt Faustina" 

 

I do hope it will bring some cheer,

regardless of which religion

the child happens to be.

(smile!)

in support of community theater

Just to set the record straight: I don't usually buy raffle tickets.

Part of the reason is that I don't have that kind of luck.

Better that someone else should try for, and win, whatever the prize.

However, during intermission at the show tonight, something clicked.

I didn't need to win the prize for me, but for my brother, Smitty.

And just what was the prize?

Well, there were three possibilities.

Each was an artwork crafted from a book, and there would be three drawings for these donated items.

My photos don't really show them well, but the first was of several candles, the second was a reindeer, and the third is a mysterious woman in a hat.

My thought was this: if I won, my brother would be able to figure out how to craft these for his grandkids for Christmas.

He's retired now and needs something as a creative outlet.

So, I bought five raffle tickets, spending $20 in the process.

Even if I didn't win, I knew the money would benefit the troupe... but I did win, not once, but twice!!!

I chose the "reindeer" art-book, then had them draw again so someone else could receive a prize that night.

One was all I needed. 

(smile!) 

in support of music education

One of the surprise benefits of the "Broadway To Bourbon Street" concert?

It was a benefit for the Equinox Global Missions.

What is the purpose of this group?

"[It] is passionate about using world-class music to restore good wherever it's lost and to revive joy wherever it's fading."

That sure sounds a lot like the credo for the Nerdfighters.

That's why I ponied up the $35 for the ticket and the $5.25 for fees.

If that's all it cost to help "revive joy wherever it's fading", that's a deal.

I'm so glad I had the opportunity to help others on this 25th anniversary of a very dark time in US history.

i thank You, God.

helping aarp help others

Dear Faustina,
I’m so grateful for your generous contribution of 4,000 points. It’s friends like you who make it possible for AARP Foundation to create and advance effective solutions that aim to help older adults secure the essentials they need to thrive.
Thank you for choosing to use your AARP Rewards points to help those in need. We truly value your support.
Warm Regards,
Claire Casey
President, AARP Foundation
 

--------------------------

I'm glad to know my points are helping make wishes come true!

aarp and food

I hadn't realized it before, but I think there's a pattern going on!

Every month, the AARP Foundation includes in the Points Rewards redemption list an option to donate to a charity, rather than purchase gifts cards.

Two months ago, it was the Make-A-Wish option.

Last month, it was for computer education.

This month, the cause was food to alleviate senior poverty.

Whatever the cause, I'm glad to use my points to help!

 

------------------------------------

"Dear Faustina,
I’m so grateful for your generous contribution of 4,000 points. It’s friends like you who make it possible for AARP Foundation to create and advance effective solutions that aim to help older adults secure the essentials they need to thrive.
Thank you for choosing to use your AARP Rewards points to help those in need. We truly value your support.
Warm Regards,
Claire Casey
President, AARP Foundation"

aarp foundation and oats

Last month, I helped the Make A Wish Foundation, via AARP.

This time, I'm helping, once more, to grant computer access, literacy, and proficiency to seniors and others.

Here's what I got in response!

 

-----------------------------------------

"Dear Faustina,
I’m so grateful for your generous contribution of 4,000 points. It’s friends like you who make it possible for AARP Foundation to create and advance effective solutions that aim to help older adults secure the essentials they need to thrive.
Thank you for choosing to use your AARP Rewards points to help those in need. We truly value your support.
Warm Regards,
Claire Casey
President, AARP Foundation"

wish of a lifetime - helping others

"Dear Faustina,
I’m so grateful for your generous contribution of 4,000 [AARP Reward] points. It’s friends like you who make it possible for AARP Foundation to create and advance effective solutions that aim to help older adults secure the essentials they need to thrive.
Thank you for choosing to use your AARP Rewards points to help those in need. We truly value your support.
Warm Regards,
Claire Casey
President, AARP Foundation"

----------------------------------

That was waiting in my inbox this morning.

I'd checked the AARP website for items that I'd like to use Reward points on and there it was, having not yet been snapped up by another.

That was good.

I keep getting requests in the mail from the AARP Foundation to donate money to one cause or another, but money is not what I have.

I do have time to play brain-teasing games to earn Reward points...

and time to view informative videos to earn Reward points...

and also time to answer quizzes to earn Reward points...

so I have Reward points...

and I am thrilled to be able to use them to help others!

Thanks, AARP, for giving me that option!

encouraging children of savannah to SING

I know, I know, I'm not supposed to make financial decisions whilst recovering from anesthesia, but the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the one...

or something like that.

I recall Spock saying that to Kirk in one of the "Star Trek" movies, and it seems to be just as apt here.

The children's choral group, SING!, is having a concert later this month.

Titled "How Can I Keep From Singing?", it has drawn me in! 

That concert is free, as have been all of their concerts at Asbury Memorial.

Sure, they usually pass the hat, so to speak, at some point in the show, but the draw for me is that the music is free for the soul.

This event on the 25th will differ, though.

While the concert itself is gratis, the Italian dinner afterward is not.

That will be a fundraiser for Savannah Inspiring Next Generation - that is, SING - and I intend to do my part, both with the eating and the giving, that is.

An actual chef is doing the cooking, so "That's Amore" should bring a taste of Italy back to my heart and spirit.

Plus, there will be more music woven into the meal!

That's why I chose to donate the money "in memory of", rather than having it be counted toward one of the competing teams.

The Asbury Memorial songbird was the person that came to mind.

I know in my heart that Joan Hester Byrd would dearly love these kids.

(smile!)

to aarp for food in february

In my email, I received this kind note.

 

"Dear Faustina,
I’m so grateful for your generous contribution of 4,000 points. It’s friends like you who make it possible for AARP Foundation to create and advance effective solutions that aim to help older adults secure the essentials they need to thrive.
Thank you for choosing to use your AARP Rewards points to help those in need. We truly value your support.
Warm Regards,
Claire Casey
President, AARP Foundation"

Hey, it was my pleasure to donate those points to help feed someone!

I may not have funds to give, but I always have points.

If allowed to give more, I would, but it's limited to one time monthly.

Still, I search out these opportunities to help others.

That's one way to feel warm inside! 

(smile!) 

make a wish...

Yes, it's that time again!

The AARP Wish Of A Lifetime was offered on the site and all I had to do was contribute 4000 of the Reward Points I'd earned.

Done, and gladly, too!

I'm so grateful to have this way to help others!

99 items gone to the store, 99 items gone...

Near the start of November, my first niece posted a request on fb.

"Donations Needed!
Hello, everyone!
The Annual Holiday Store at Liberty Elementary (the school I work at) is right around the corner, and we need your help to make it a success!

Donation Drop-Off Or pick up: Now through December 10th
Items We Really Need:
Gently used or new toys, books, games, jewelry, candles, mugs, ornaments, or other small gift items students can purchase for family and friends.

Your donations help make this special event possible and give our students the joy of giving this holiday season.

Wrapping Supplies Needed:
Wrapping paper
Gift bags
Scotch tape

It’s the perfect time to clean out your attic, closets, or basement for hidden treasures you no longer need!
If you are in the Savannah or surrounding areas I will come to you to pick up any donations." 

 

Friday, she and I set up a movie date, here, for Tina Tuesday. 

That's tomorrow, and I have gone through closets, dressers, and the china cupboard, collecting items for her "school store" for the students.

 

Seashells from more than 40 years ago in Panama...

wooden roses crafted for Savannah Children's Theatre...

jewelry to please mothers or grandmas...

massage tools to use by hand...

a variety of Christmas ornaments...  

desktop photo holders... 

a variety of books for all ages... 

coffee mugs and color-changing cups...

scented candles and eyeglass cases to protect any lens...

and a variety of gift wraps and gift bags to decorate all items!

I do hope these will have a second life in new homes...

and bring joy to the recipients of the students' love.

I am so grateful to be able to help!

happy bday58 to paul

Amazingly, I have the funds already for my third loan in less than a month.

Like the first of those three, this is also to celebrate a birthday, though this is for a man who is like a brother to me, rather than actual blood.

Like that first loan, too, this is for the 20th anniversary of an 18th birthday. 

Paul has been part of my life since we met in grad school in Tallahassee.

The 40th anniversary of his 18th birthday was on the 14th, so this gift is, admittedly, just a little belated.

That's because I was waiting to find a worthy loan, using the credit Kiva.org gave me after I made the second of the three loans I've made in less than a month.

That loan had been for the 20th anniversary of that charitable organization.

That's a lot of 20th anniversary dates being celebrated!

This third loan has been to Olusheno, a group in Namibia, and this is their second loan from Kiva.

Here's what the site said about them and this $100,000 ask.

"In partnership with d.light design, Olusheno... aims to bridge the affordability gap by providing high-quality solar light to thousands of “off-grid” families on affordable installments. Olusheno has already provided sustainable lighting to over 31,500 households across the country and is working to fulfill the government’s dream of bringing reliable electricity to its one million off-grid citizens by 2030.
This new loan will be used as working capital for Olusheno to purchase 5,000 solar home systems that will... help thousands of people light up their lives for the first time!"

I love that the description included that exclamation point!

(smile!)

The real attraction for me, though, was the photo of the woman standing in the doorway of her lit home, with the night darkness all around.
That spoke to me.

So I, in turn, left the above comment to encourage others to help.

I'm so glad that 21 other Nerdfighters have already added their support.

Paul, happy birthday, you're a man who lights up his community.

(smile!)

happy anniversary20 to kiva!

Hard to believe that Kiva.org has been around for twenty years!

I am so glad that I am part of its life-changing mission in the world!

To sweeten the pot, the site has offered a 20-dollar credit to all who help fund a loan today... so I made sure to do that!

I selected Yesica Leonor of the Dominican Republic.

She's a mother of two, and her loan is for construction materials to improve the rental properties she owns.

Note: this is the third loan the enterprising young woman has had with kiva!

Did I say "young"?

That's because she is 42, the same age as my first niece!

That was yet another reason to choose Yesica for my loan.

I even added a few words to encourage others to lend to her.

 

"She reminds me so much of my first niece! Same age, single mom of two, working hard to make the dream come true for herself and others! Plus, this is her 3rd loan - she's definitely a go-getter!"

I fully expect her loan to get fully funded soon!

And look at this: I've completed a badge on the website!

Without even trying, I've funded three loans that are classified as "Basic Needs".

I'm not sure just which ones those are, but I'm glad to have the badge!

Now, to decide who the recipient will be of the $20 credit that Kiva gives me for participating in their Anniversary funding drive...

happy bday58 to dood

Happy birthday to my youngest brother!!!

He is celebrating the 40th anniversary of his 18th birthday today.

I actually procured his gift a few days ago.

Kiva.org provided the perfect present: a loan to a man trying, like him, to make a better life for his family and community.

Kaboré of Cote D'Ivoire is the recipient of this $25 microloan from me as I celebrate my brother's birth.

Kaboré lives in the Daloa region of that African nation.

His $3475 loan through Kiva is for a solar energy kit, including a refrigerator, for his home.

In particular, he chose the solar project to provide electricity on cloudy days.
I totally agree with that rationale!

I'm sure his family will appreciate having electricity every night, too.

They will also appreciate being able to have cool drinks from the fridge, as well as being able to keep food fresh longer.

Oh, the things we take for granted in the United States!

she'll be walking, yes, indeed!

I have finally thought of a way to let Sherry Giddens know how much I appreciate her helping me with rides during the shifter cable debacle!

 

During the WNS dinner tonight, one of the announcements was about her upcoming walk on Saturday with the Alzheimer's Association.

 

Ah ha!

 

I would support her team, Savannah Memory Keepers.

 

How appropriate is that moniker, eh?

 

I'm so glad she was at Asbury Memorial tonight... and I told her so, too.

 

I do hope her walk goes well... and that my $30 helps her hit the goal!

 

(smile!)