Giving: Girls Inc.

April 25, 2013

Today, I am honored and excited to be the Keynote Speaker for the 28th Annual One Hundred Committee Luncheon of Girls Inc. Santa Barbara. I have some ginormous footsteps to follow because just a few years ago, Oprah was the speaker. Yes, Oprah. Oh and I’m the first local person to be the Keynote speaker. No pressure! Actually, I’m not feeling pressure because this an opportunity to celebrate a phenomenal organization doing amazing things in our community. The mission of Girls Inc. is to inspire all girls to be STRONG, SMART & BOLD. How great is that? I mean, really. There is nothing – absolutely nothing – more important or valuable that we can do for our girls. Suddenly Seven and I toured one of their two facilities in Santa Barbara and had a goose bump experience. We learned that Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara inspires girls to overcome …

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Giving: LiveStrong Community Impact Project

March 25, 2013

Is there a better way to start the week than by giving back? It’s my favorite way to start any day, much less week. Granted, there has been a lot of hubalaboo surrounding Lance Armstrong. While I’m not going to weigh in on those activities, what I would like to tell you about is a great Silver Lining of LIVESTRONG: LIVESTRONG Community Impact Project This is an amazing, Silver Lined project. The LIVESTRONG Foundation is offering $1.2 million in implementation awards to 72 sites across the nation as part of its 2013 Community Impact Project. Here’s how it works: The Community Impact Project replicates evidence-based programs that support people affected by cancer within one city, state or region of the United States. Using replicable programs that have proven effectiveness eliminates the cost of developing new programs and allows immediate implementation of programs to help cancer survivors and their families. As a nurse and social worker, I can speak …

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Giving: MusiCares

February 11, 2013

This weekend, the HOTY (a/k/a Husband of the Year for new readers) and I attended the MusiCares Person of the Year  event in Los Angeles. Holy Moly. It was a major Silver Lining of the week. The annual MusiCares Person of the Year tribute dinner and silent auction take place during Grammy Week two nights before the actual Grammy Awards. Proceeds from the event benefit MusiCares, whose mission is to provide: a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need. MusiCares’ services and resources cover a wide range of financial, medical and personal emergencies, and each case is treated with integrity and confidentiality. MusiCares also focuses the resources and attention of the music industry on human service issues that directly impact the health and welfare of the music community. MusiCares is an incredible Silver Lining in the music industry because it provides a safety net of critical assistance for people in the …

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The Ultimate Gift

December 17, 2012

A Silver Lining of my weekend filled with the omnipresent sadness from the Sandy Hook tragedy was learning about Dalton Dingus. Dalton is a 9-year-old little boy dying of cystic fibrosis. His last wish is to receive a record (as in a Guinness World Record) number of Christmas cards before dying. As of this weekend, he has received 90,000 cards. 1992 was the last time that Guinness had a Christmas card category and that record is still held by Jarrod Booth who collected 205,120 cards. So, what do you think? How about making a little boy’s wish come true and giving him a Silver Lining? Please send a card to: Dalton Dingus HC 62, Box 1249 Salyersville, Kentucky 41465

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Gift Guide: J.Crew + Teach For America

December 3, 2012

Every year, I look so forward to The Silver Pen Gift Guide. Giving gifts is so much fun! Part of the joy comes from seeking and finding the extra special Silver Linings of the season. My first recommendation is the amazing t-shirt that J.Crew created for Teach For America. According to J.Crew, this tee was selected as the winner of an in-house design contest in support of Teach For America an organization that is growing the movement of leaders who work to ensure that kids growing up in poverty get an excellent education. The best Silver Lining about this gift is that 100% (yes, 100%!) of the profits from the sale will be donated to Teach for America. How’s that for a win-win? Women’s Tee is $32.50. Kids’ Tee is $25. http://www.jcrew.com

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Giving: Where Does Your Money Go?

Ever since I started writing the “Giving” category, people have asked me “How do I know where my money goes?” or “How do I know if this is a legitimate organization?” For example, say you want to give $100 toward cancer research. You may be under the impression (or have high hopes) that your donation will go directly to labs and scientists searching for a cure. Perhaps, but then again maybe the administrative, publicity or marketing costs of the organization are so great that little, if any, of your donation actually lands in the hands of the intended recipient. Unfortunately, not all charitable causes are created equally with regard to how the money donated will be spent. It really is wise (time and money well spent) to research the organizations you are interested in donating to. Here are what the HOTY and I look for when we make contributions: Finances: …

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#GivingTuesday

November 27, 2012

Today is a Silver Lined day. Since Thanksgiving, we’ve had plenty of days focused on shopping with “Black Friday” and “Cyber Monday” but now it’s time for the feel good day…”Giving Tuesday”. I believe that it’s incredibly important to teach children about philanthropy early in life. By the time children turn 3, they begin to understand and respect the fact that each and every person has feelings. Therefore, children can begin to develop a sense of compassion which is the foundation of charitable thinking. Sweetly Six did her first service projects while she was in preschool. Giving back has always been a core value of our family. We talk the talk and then walk the walk. I believe that it is incredibly important to lead by example. In fact, this week, Sweetly Six and I are going to begin volunteering on a regular basis with the Santa Barbara FoodBank. Teaching children about philanthropy, i.e., …

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Giving: TOMS Shoes

August 8, 2012

As I am preparing to do some back to school shopping for our daughter, a/k/a Sweetly Six, I am drawn to TOMS Shoes. I love-love-love supporting TOMS shoes. Why? Well, because of their One for One philosophy. This means that for EVERY PAIR OF SHOES PURCHASED, A PAIR OF SHOES IS GIVEN TO A CHILD. How cute are these…and even more so knowing that a pair will also be on the feet of a child in need. Here is a beautiful video telling the story: http://vimeo.com/19071602 My favorite line in the video is: “It’s all about incorporating giving in everything that you do.” Wow. How’s that for a Silver Lined philosophy? PS – They also do glasses (double Silver Lining!).

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Giving: Pediatric Palliative Care

July 18, 2012

As you may recall, I used to be a pediatric hospice nurse and social worker. What does that mean, exactly? Well, it means that I cared for children and their families facing a potentially life-threatening illness. Many people ask: How (many times with an f-bomb expletive thrown in) on earth could you do that? My response was/is always the same: though it is incredibly challenging work, it was the most meaningful and powerful work I have ever done. There is no greater honor than caring for a child and family during the most challenging time in their life. While doing this work, I had the most amazing opportunity to meet and collaborate with Dr. Sarah Friebert, the Medical Director at The Haslinger Pediatric Palliative Care Center at Akron Children’s Hospital. Dr. Friebert is an incredible person, an angel really. She has received all kinds of awards but she wouldn’t want me to tell you …

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World Oceans Day

June 8, 2012

Today is World Oceans Day! World Oceans Day was officially declared by the United Nations as June 8th each year beginning in 2009. The concept was proposed on June 8th 1992 by Canada at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and it had been unofficially celebrated every year since then as World Ocean Day. Why World Ocean Day? Well, because the oceans are essential to food security and the health and survival of all life. They power our climate and are a critical part of the biosphere. According to the United Nations, “The official designation of World Oceans Day is an opportunity to raise global awareness of the challenges faced by the international community in connection with the oceans. The lungs of our planet, providing most of the oxygen we breathe, the oceans are also a major source of food and medicines and a critical part of the biosphere.” …

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