There is a program my wife and I support that helps feed the hungry in our world. It's called Small Change. It's run by a long time musician friend of mine Don Eaton from New Mexico.

Don was in town recently for an in house concert in Sandy promoting Small Change. Simply put, a dime will save life. If you want to support a non-profit where your small change can truly save a life please check out this web site.

http://www.small-change.org/

Don has no idea I'm doing this. He travels all over the world doing concerts and conferences. His music is in the style of a John Denver, folksy with a dash of pop. His lyrics are contemplative and he does come from a compassionate Christian perspective. However you won't be hearing praise and worship songs at his concerts.

Lets make a real difference in our world. To date Small Change has saved 1.8 million lives.

Dan Packard if you feel I am stepping over the line by promoting this organization please feel free to delete this thread. I certainly don’t want to start a bad precedent.

How can plugging something like this be a bad thing? IMHO, it's not your own deal, just something you think is cool. I agree actually.

Thanks Doug. I just want to be sure. You know how these threads can take on a life of their own.

Hey Chris! This sounds like a great organization! Is there any chance of Small Change setting up a Paypal or any kind of on-line donation account? That would make it really easy for slobs like me to just click on.

Hey Everybody! That reminds me! Isn't it about time to make a PDX Radio donation? Do it now and avoid the holiday rush!

You know, WE should do something as a group. Together. Something small. Something apolitical. I bet we could find something that might even be a little fun too.

This sounds like a great idea--a neat and positive "antidote" to the travesty described in the "oral Roberts" thread!

I like it. Great idea.

Well first of all, Small Change needs a Paypal donation button. ( Unless, maybe, .org folks can't do that or something like that ). I'd like to have an automatic subscription of 10 bucks a month to come out. Chris, am I missing an obvious way to do that other than sending a check each month?

As for us, hmmm. I already have some charitable outlets for international type causes. It would be cool to keep this one in our own backyard. Oregon. Does anyone have a particular cause that is dear to them? It could be a general-fund kind of thing. Or it could be something uber-specific.

I'm just going to toss out a few things that are on my heart. But I am open to anything right now;

I would like to find a program in which our small efforts could be applied to making people happy. Maybe it could even be a specific person. That could range from anything from some toys for kids - to organ donorship.

Is there a program in which we could sponsor some fellow human being and get to see the progress or result? Admittedly, the first thing that comes to mind is a monetary donation for something specific. And just because that is a simple or easy way to do it, doesn't make it less helpful.

OR HEY - is there anyone in need around here? Maybe someone has a kid in need or they ( you ) yourself need someone to, you know, donate and deliver some firewood for the upcoming winter. When I suggested something local, I meant, you now, Oregon. But heck, it could just as easilly be one of our own.

I know that publically asking for help around here could entail all sorts of levels of pride issues ( or other stuff - you know what I mean ) so maybe there is a way to do it with some humility without becoming some sort of private pet project. We can keep it " It's no big deal. Glad I could help." and kind of quiet.

Even though I first said I would like to be able to see the progress, maybe I take that back. Maybe I don't care about that as much as I made it sound like.

Ideas?

Chris, that is a great idea. Thanks for sharing it with us.

I really like the suggestion of a group effort. I would like to help too.

We may have a well-liked former poster who could use some assistance due to medical issues...I've lost their information when my PC blew up and need to see if I can re-find it...

Edit: I just found what I was looking for and made a call to check in, hope the number still works!

Let us know. If it's who I think it is, I think about him from time to time.

Sorry I haven't kept up with this thread. I will contact Don Eaton about a Paypal button for Small Change.

Here's another program my wife and I support and we have just set up an automatic deduction from our checking account. It's called VOCA, which stands for Victory Over Child Abuse. It's based in Astoria through an organization called "The Healing Circle." http://www.ourhealingcircle.org./

VOCA has two camps every year near the end of September. A boys camp one weekend and a girls camp the following weekend. It costs $12,000 to run the camps. That’s not much money in today’s world.

These sexually abused kids come from some horrendous situations. The camps give them a place that is secure and safe and no one feels they have to hide their “secret”. It’s a place of healing but also it’s camp, where kids can be kids.

I have helped by being a sound engineer/producer for a CD of the camp songs they sing over the weekend.

Here's an article from the Coast River Business Journal you might find interesting.

http://crbizjournal.com/default.asp?com=pubsection&articleid=873

Yes. That's the one. For me, at least.

What would be a good way to help, Chris?

CJ I just love your enthusiasm. Go to the web site http://www.ourhealingcircle.org./ and donate from there. Unfortunately they don't have a Paypal account but send them an email and you can set up an automatic deduction. They are trying to set up easy ways to get donations so any suggestions from others besides myself would be welcomed.

I have sent an email to my friend who runs Small Change. Hope to hear from him soon, unless he's on the road.

Have you gone to the actual camp? I bet that would be pretty awesome.

I have taken some training. Volunteers need a couple of Friday evenings and 9-4 Saturdays to understand the myriad of issues these kids are dealing with. However you don't need to go it alone. You get buddied up with one kid for the weekend so you get loads of time with them. However at anytime you feel over your head you have support.

I was hoping to do a camp this year but my schedule didn't allow it to happen. But I did take a Friday evening of training and that was eye opening.

I've done camps for adopted foster kids, and those with asthma.

It's a very fun experience. If you have the time, do this. You won't regret it.

October 20th, Boring Oregon campus of Guide Dogs For The Blind. You wanna see what a little time and love can do for someone, there is a graduation ceremony that day were the puppy raisers present the puppies they have raised, after graduating through the second phase of training on campus, to their new companions. It can be a tear jerker but it is really rewarding that with an investment of a little time, effort, and love you really can make a difference and enrich someones life! Our first pup in now in harness training and we are on our second pup now. She is a little spitfire but an incredible dog, very smart and quick to learn!

Here is the plug:
www.guidedogs.com

Why did we choose guide dogs:
http://video.guidedogs.com/soulmateshi.asx

Want to help, there are lots of ways:
http://www.guidedogs.com/site/PageServer?pagename=help_

DT-We have had neighbors and friends train guide dogs over the years and they agree it is deeply rewarding but difficult to graduate the dogs they have come to love.

The first is the hardest. Our's will not be in this graduation class but is well on her way to get paired with her soultmate! Incredible dogs! I'm glad my son got our family involved with this group. It will be defineately hard to give her away at her graduation event.