How do you give back - The Community Service Thread

[JustSkipIt]

I volunteered at the tax center again on Thursday night. I actually did a double-shift (3:30 - 9:00) after working out in the morning and then working at my job all day. To say that it was exhausting would be an understatement. I lost track of how many returns I did. Maybe 12 or so? Every person was getting a refund ranging from $1000 (even) to >$6000. It was tiring but so wonderful to be able to serve people.

[Redsbird]

I see this thread has been bumped up and since I've recently done something, I'll reply.
Last week while doing my regular grocery shopping, I got some non-perishable foods to donate to one of the food pantry/other assistance places in town. It ended up being 2 grocery bags (mostly cans) and my wife dropped it off. We are planning to budget so that we can make this a regularity.

[Dorothy]

Gave blood again today and was, for a change, not dizzy after climbing the 4 flights of stairs it takes me to get home guessing I should keep up the regular solgar-eating though the pills smell and tast like horse-hooey

And am thinking about becoming a bonemarrow donor too, but currently not able to find out exactly how... gonna google some more, there might be someone ut there that needs me *supergirl to the resque* LoL

[JustSkipIt]

Redsbird - very cool.

Dorothy - You and I are on the same schedule then because I donated today as well. Oh, you posted yesterday. Ok, we're a day off. I'm the coordinator at work and we had 24 people signed up as of a few days ago but I know some dropped off because they were too busy. I still be we got 18 pints or so but I'll hear how many next week. It was good. I feel fantastic which is cool.

I also went to the tax center today. I QCed a few returns and did one for a couple that only spoke Spanish (I had to get the interpreter - even speaking slowly and gesturing didn't work).

All in all a good day.

[JustSkipIt]

I went to the blood center yesterday and donated platelets. I found out a few months ago that for my type of blood (A+) they would actually rather have the platelets than the blood since you can do platelets every 10 days or 24 times a year (math?). But I'm still donating blood at the quarterly drives at work but figured I'd do platelets between. Oh, and I found out yesterday that it's possible to do a double donation so I'll try that in a few weeks.

[JustSkipIt]

I went yesterday and did the double platelet donation. It wasn't hard. Took 73 minutes which was slightly longer than the single. And I can go back in 10 days.

[Dorothy]

I'm not allowed to donate blood atm :(
I've been feeling sick for weeks and though they don't think it's contagious, they're afraid I might faint and all...

Am very dissapointed as, around the hollidays, the blood is much needed. I feel guilty too, lack of donorblood leads to badness, someone might die and it'll be my fault :(

Is there a kitten who wants to "fill in" for me at their local blooddrive/donor centre and donate some blood though they normally don't?
Make me feel less guilty and make yourself feel more proud, win/win right?

Also; Easy, recliner-based lifesaving, no need to be a Slayer for this one.

[Kessari]

First of all, thanks to those, who donate blood! Someone like you saved my butt twice So thank you!


So, in two weeks I'm going to Hamburg for voluntary work for one of Germanys largest self help organisations. We (a little group of six people from all over Germany) organised this workshop, which we do every two years.
I've been working in this particular group for almost 7 years now and for the local groups since I was 14. Met some really good friends through this and it makes me proud to be a part of them. Can't wait for the workshop in two weeks. Gonna be alot of work, but so much fun all the same, I'm sure!

[Dorothy]

First of all, thanks to those, who donate blood! Someone like you saved my butt twice So thank you!

thnx :-) you're actually the first person I know to have been saved by donorblood.
(believe it or not, I only became a donor cause I held the opinion you have to if you're fit for it) Sadly I'm not now.

Checked the website of my donorcentre and they're looking for platelet donors at the moment so I'm gonna call them tomorrow to ask about it. Maybe I'm better fit for that, with the always being woozy for hours/days after a donation.

And am gonna volunteer for yet another theatre project no details yet but I'm gonna send in my aplication next week if I can gather the courage.

[JustSkipIt]

Dorothy - the platelet donation will still want the same qualifications: iron high enough, not sick, etc. but try it. I think it's easier on you in terms of tiredness, etc. It just takes longer.

I did my double donation yesterday. It took quite a bit longer than last time because my blood platelet count was lower. This time took about 100 minutes to donate a double unit. Still worth it though.

[JustSkipIt]

Our blood drive was today at work. We had 16 people show up and I don't know how many were allowed to donate. I wanted more but people are traveling for work and taking vacation now that the legislature is out of session. I donated right at the end of the drive but then I kind of felt crummy so I went home from work early. I feel fine now.

[EvilKittycatofdoom]

Imma donate blood as soon as I'm old enough (2 and 1/2 more years, pfffft.)
I work in a kindegarten classroom during the school year (Which I don't think really qualifies as work though: Little kids=Lots of cuteness )

[Dorothy]

I decided to skip the volunteering at my local theatre festival because I was so sick and depressed and all, but yesterday I was there, just before it opened and I couldn't help myself... Ran into the volunteers backstage area and asked if they could use 2 more hands they could

still sick though, pretty bad at the moment, so donating blood isn't gonna work. And I'm very sad about that :(

[JustSkipIt]

I went to the blood center yesterday to donate platelets but my iron was 36. Not even 37. I was pretty disappointed but I made an appointment for next week and I can try to get it back up to 38.

[Dorothy]

I usually just take an extra dose of iron pills on the day an hour or so before if I suspect to b low on iron.
Not recco,endable though. Sometimes I'm woozy for days after.

still can't donate because of the not feeling well :(

[JustSkipIt]

Dorothy - yeah. I usually just take double vitamins for about 3 days and that gets my level up to 38. But I did that and it still was too low.

[JustSkipIt]

Yesterday was our September blood drive at work. We definitely didn't have as many donors as I hoped. In particular, we didn't have many from the other agencies in the building and I wonder if they knew about the drive... But I sent e-mails to the previous donors. My iron was high enough so I donated (yay!) and what's cool is that my friend who has a standing Thursday lunch date with me actually came back after lunch and donated too. She said she hadn't donated in about 10 years but she was totally up for it.

We also made a donation for our friend's (different friend) b-day on Wednesday to an organization called fleecefortheworld or something like that. And I made a donatoin to my cousin's fundraiser out in LA.

[JustSkipIt]

Today I made a double donation of blood platelets. I've decided to do platelets rather than whole blood as much as I can from now on. A person can do platelets (including a double) as frequently as 10 days apart but 24 times a year. For my blood type (A+) that's the most needed type of donation. I donated blood back in September at the company blood drive so I wasn't eligible for 8 weeks. Then I tried twice and my iron was still low. Then I had a cold so this was my first chance again. My iron was good and I had a good donation. I'm going to go back and donate on New Year's Eve if my work gives us the afternoon off. After that, I want to make 20 donations in 2010.

Oh, our company blood drive was last week and we had 19 donors give 21 pints (they brought the ALXY machine which can take a double whole blood donation). That was a pretty good total and I'm happy with it.

[JustSkipIt]

I donated a double of platelets again today. I went last 12/31 but my iron was only 37. Today it was 38 so I qualified. My count was high enough that it only took just over an hour to do the double. I had said that my goal for the year was to donate at least 20 times but since my iron was low last week, I lowered my goal to 12. So that's one.

[JustSkipIt]

It's been an unusually financially charitable month for us so far. I was waiting to donate to my brother and BIL's MS150 rides. Then the hurricane hit so I donated to the Red Cross and then a friend's father died so I made a donation for that. You know what? We are so fortunate to be those in the position to give rather than the position of need.

Tomorrow I'm going to donate a double unit of platelets if my iron is high enough.

[JustSkipIt]

Let's see. I donated a double unit of platelets on 1/19 and another double today. That's 3 this year. I'd love to do 20 but it will depend on my iron and getting time off work. I also donated for a friend's AIDS ride yesterday.

[CrazyTaraWitch]

Donated 1060 grains of rice on freerice.com today. It's not a lot, but when I used to do it everyday it added up, so I'm gonna start trying to go there daily again.

[JustSkipIt]

Yesterday morning I handed out powerade/water at the Austin Marathon. I was there from 7:00 and the first runner came by at 8:35. He was smokin it too. I stayed until 11:00 and it was so much fun. I have no wish to do a marathon but God help the folks who do.

Today I did a double unit of platelet donation. I think the phlebemotist was new. It was not a good stick and not a pleasant experience. I thought of saying I wanted to only do a single but figured hell, I was there already.

[JustSkipIt]

I did another double platelet donation today. I had a very good phlebotomist and it was wonderful.

I'm trying to figure out who to give money to this month. American Red Cross for the earthquakes? Food bank?

[BeneathMyWillowTree]

First and foremost BIG UPS to everyone who dedicates their time and effort in helping out people. You are AWESOME-O!! It's encouraging to know that there are so many of you out there. I myself am an advocate of the Red Cross and Be the Match Foundation. I have a platelet appt tomorrow. I go in every 2 weeks to make a deposit and whenever I am eligible I donate blood too. I am keeping my fingers crossed hoping that one day I will get a call from Be the Match Foundation and go where ever I'm needed to donate bone marrow. I am also looking into becoming a live organ donor. I figure why wait until I pass away if I can help somebody now.
If that wasn't enough I am donating my tax return in equal shares to the following organizations: CorazonDeVida.org, ExposeAnimalAbusers.org, MarchofDimes, Meals on Wheels, Humantrafficing.org, and iamatreasure.com. It wasn't easy choosing the organizations because there are so many. I figure anyone who tries to help anybody else is more then ok in my book. I wanted to go for diversity when choosing. If you have the time look up any of the organizations I have chosen that way you have a better understanding of who they are and what they do.

[JustSkipIt]

BWT -

I have a platelet appt tomorrow. I go in every 2 weeks to make a deposit and whenever I am eligible I donate blood too. I am keeping my fingers crossed hoping that one day I will get a call from Be the Match Foundation and go where ever I'm needed to donate bone marrow. I am also looking into becoming a live organ donor. I figure why wait until I pass away if I can help somebody now.

Wow. That's great. I've been very dedicated to blood donation for years but only just became really committed to platelet donation. Yesterday I did my 6th of 2010. I'm on the bone marrow registry too but I think the live organ door would be a bit too much for me. Wow. You rock!

And the tax return? That's fantastic.

[BeneathMyWillowTree]

JustSkipIt -
Thank you! Muchas gracias for you're awesome words! I'll take this opportuntiy to say thank you for creating this thread. Maybe we can inspire more people to give back no matter how big or small of a cause it might be.

I think it's more then great that you not only donate platelets, but are on the bone marrow registry as well. That is sooo cool! It's always nice to be able to talk to other people that know my "lingo" when it comes to that stuff. You know how it is; some people are like huh? I don't mind though it gives me a chance to educate people.

I see you and I may have the same platelet schedule. I went in yesterday for my "6th" deposit, but I failed! Not my hemoglobin test, (thanks to my regular intake of iron pills) but when I was in the middle of my donation there was a problem that caused a hematoma. OMG how painful! Aaaarrrggg!!!! I'm still not able to move my right arm real well. What's even funnier (some how I see the humor) I have been banned from the Red Cross for 2 months. I guess I have a huge red cell loss count that I can't donate for awhile. Damn it! Now what am I suppose to do? It's crazy to have the Red Cross say you donate to much so we don't want to see you again for awhile. Lol. Okay maybe they didn't say that exactly, but I know it's a safety concern for the donor. Blah! Blah! Woof! Woof!

[Guest]

Random acts of kindness, especially when they are anonymous, can be a pretty cool way of giving back to the community – through love.

Here are some of my favourites:

# Posting friends or people you appreciate anonymous postcards that tell them of how much you appreciate something in particular with them. It boosts the self esteem of everybody.

# Paying a family's lunch at the restaurant (with the help of the waiters if they are willing to play the game ... Most waiters do) without that family knowing anything.

# Paying for the parking ticket of the person/s next to you in line at the parking lot without her/him knowing you've done so.

And this one I did last week:

# Buying cinema tickets for other people and just sending those through the post. Anonymously.

Okay, I'll admit that I bought these tickets because they were being sold at my workplace for half price and I bought a round of tickets for treating my family and friends but I also gave out tickets to people I didn't know at the same time and I thought it would be a great idea for a random act of kindness. Next time, I'll buy tickets for the people next to me in line all with the complicity of the staff of course.

How about adding your random acts of kindness over here?

Cheers,

Vi'

[BeneathMyWillowTree]

Nimloth -

Random acts of kindness, especially when they are anonymous, can be a pretty cool way of giving back to the community – through love.

I agree with this 100%! I have thought about doing the restaurant thing and paying for someone's meal, but since I don't eat out much I haven't had the chance. One day though!

That movie ticket thing you did was AWESOM-O! I like hearing about those kinds of things. Thanks for sharing Vi! You are hella cool!

I do want to share what happened today or technically yesterday since it's another day now. I was at a pizza place waiting for my pizza to be ready. I was sitting down when I saw a woman walk up to the counter and order two pizza's. Well this place doesn't accept credit cards. Cash only! The woman didn't seem to have much cash on her and when it seemed she found some it was only enough for one pizza. I got up and asked the cashier what the total was for both pizza's and paid for them. The lady was like no it's okay I can pay for one. I told her no you wanted two so now it's taken care of. She tried to give me the money she had and I wouldn't accept it. I told her to consider it my good deed of the day. The look on her face was reward enough for me. I must say this isn't the point of my story cos I don't think it was a big deal on my part. What really got to me was when I placed another order for another pizza I asked for a simple regular pizza. The cashier took it upon herself to upgrade my pizza order to something better and more pricey, but only charged me at the regular price instead. That blew me away! It was so cool to see how contagious kindness can be. So to that cashier who did such a thing con todo corazon gracias. With all heart thank you.

"Hermanos y hermanas de otras razas, de otro color, pero de un mismo corazon."
-Subcomandante Marcos

"Brothers and sisters of other races, of other color, but from the same heart."
-Subcomandante Marcos

It all comes down to that people! Let us inspire each other to commit acts of kindness no matter how big or small. They can make a world of difference in someone's life. It doesn't have to be someone you love. Someone special in your life. You may not even see that person again for the rest of your life, but an act of kindness will be remembered forever. You and that person will share a connection to each other always!

Damn! What can I say except for MUCH LOVE TO EVERYBODY!


Jenny B

[JustSkipIt]

Vi - I love the idea of random kindness. I tend toward random like holding the door or lifting all the heavy stuff off someone's shopping cart or putting away their cart after or something. But one thing I do that I have done for many years is carry granola bars in my car and give them to hungry people at intersections. I also frequently give away my leftovers as well or bottles of water if I have one. My sister will go drive through a nearby restaurant and take someone some food as well. I particularly like that my kids just think it's what you do: give food to hungry people.

Yesterday I donated a double of blood platelets. I think it was my 7th this year. My iron was plenty high at 40 and my platelets were at 361 which was my highest ever so it only took 70 minutes to donate. When I went to get my cookies, a woman I know from our building (but working for another agency) was there, having just donated blood and brought her two kids with her. We only had the afternoon off but she had the whole day so I thought it was quite cool that one of the things she did with her day off was donate blood and bring the kids.

I also donated money last week to the food bank for my nephew's birthday this week and then extra money to my brother's MS150 ride. I was going to donate for my brother-in-law's ride (I had already given to both but I saw that my BIL was $15 to his goal) but when I signed in, someone else beat me to finishing it out.

Anyway... Jenny - that's how that kindness thing works. Did you see that show with Oprah where the people went around giving away money? This guy on the show like paid for someone's car work that the guy really needed and the manager of the shop declared that everyone who came in for an oil change that day, it was free. Quite cool.