So what can I do is a year old today! We're having a party and you're invited. All you have to do is leave a comment.
For the first 236 comments on this post received between October 6 and October 12, I'll make a charitable donation of 50 cents per comment. Your comment will make a difference in someone's life. Why those numbers? This is the 236th post. The first post was on October 6, 2004 and the blog was officially launched on October 12, 2004.
So click the comment link and give a shout out to your friends. Challenge them to leave a comment too. Found a fun way to serve? Let us know about it. Tell us about your experience using one of the ideas. Wish us a happy birthday. Write a socially-conscious haiku. Anything will do, just leave a comment.
The donation will be split between the following three nonprofits:
* Nyaka AIDS Orphans School in Uganda "provides quality, free education and extracurricular activities, both formal and informal, to children who have been orphaned due to HIV/AIDS as a means to counteract pervasive hunger, poverty, and systemic deprivation."
* Potluck Food Rescue for Arkansas has a mission "to alleviate hunger by bridging the gap between excess food and the hungry." They do so by "rescuing hundreds of tons of nutritious and appealing, excess, un-served food — which otherwise would be discarded — but is used instead to provide hundreds of thousands of meals for hungry men, women and children."
* MedShare International is a Georgia-based nonprofit "dedicated to recycling surplus medical supplied and equipment for use by healthcare institutions in developing countries." Their work not only improves health care across the world, but also reduces the environmental impact of medical waste in the US.
It's been such a joy to write So what can I do. The wonderful work I read and write about inspires me, and keeps me upbeat, positive and hopeful. It's hard to complain when I know there are over 236 ways I could better use my energy. Instead of yelling at the politicians on TV, I write them a letter. Instead of wondering about when there'll be a cure for leukemia, I signed up to be a marrow donor. Instead of complaining about environmental racism, I recylce and spend an occasional Saturday at MedShare.
So what can I do has truly blessed my life, as I hope it has yours. I can't wait for year two! Thanks for reading and spreading the word, and thanks for your comments!
"Be the change you want to see in the world" - Mohandas Ghandi
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46 comments:
I chose these organizations for several reasons:
MedShare: I started volunteering with them soon after I finished grad school, and I know them to be dedicated to their mission. Their work shows the connections between so many issues and makes it easy for volunteers to make a difference abroad and in their own neighborhoods.
Potluck: I grew up in central Arkansas and am proud to support an agency that does so much to support so many people there. Plus, my grandmother always taught me not to waste.
Nyaka: I appreciate that Jackson and Beronda Kaguri saw a need and devised a way to meet it. And in the process they are making a huge difference in so many children's lives.
Okay, let the commenting begin!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY. You've got a great blog and a beautiful spirit.
I'm from Arkansas, too, so I'm all for a little hometown support.
You do amazing work with this blog, encouraging all of us to be more aware of what we can do to make the world a better place.
Thank you!
This is a great idea to help people that are in need of help to be great, I personaly feel that greatness is in all of us but sometimes because of our environment we need help becoming a great us the best us we can be.
Thank you Karama for inspiring us all to do our little part to make the world a little better. Also thank you for your continued support of MedShare International. Congratulations on your one year anniversary!
So what can I do?
But to join others in saying congratulations to you and wishing you all the best.
God bless!
Happy Birthday, Karama! Keep at it -- you're doing great things!
I'm an Arkansan, so I'll help support them. Of course, helping anyone anywhere is great.
May God continue to richly bless you, Karama. You are such an inspiration to so many! Keep up the good work that you do!
Thank you, not just for the information but for bringing so many people together. It's working together, collective struggle, that will be needed for the biggest positive changes. While we work toward that keep oneself informed about news of importance to regular people in the U.S. and in Latin America, too.
keep up the good work arkie!
Like Jesse said, "If you can believe it, you can acheive it." Kudos to you Karama for helping others to keep hope alive.
Karama: Congrats on your first birthday (what an amazing year it has been!) - thanks for keeping me and others inspired to do good work and to always remember that we are all connected! Peace, Marissa
COngratulations!! Thanks for developing a space where ideas and information can be shared on how we can each do our part to improve our world.
So what can I say about "So what can I do?"?
This blog has been a daily handful of hope in a world that all too often tries to drown us in learned helplessness. Thanks for promoting learned helpfulness.
Congratulations and Happy Birthday! Your blog serves as inspirational reminder to all of us that we can and should do something!
Happy Blog Birthday.
Karama,
I am on the board for Potluck in Arkansas. The world is blessed to have a spirit as beautiful and unqiue as yours and we thank you! You will be amazed at your impact!
Lorri
Thank you, thank you, thank you for opening opportunities to make our world a better place to live. A POTLUCK supporter from Arkansas.
What a great page, we can all do little things that make big impacts!
Karama
Thank you! Thank you not only for recognizing the work that we do for the children at Nyaka School, but also thank you for your generous, awe-inspiring spirit. This blog, and indeed the spirit that drove it into existence, is an inspiration to me!
I truly believe that one person with a generous heart, humble spirit and active will can change the world.
Thank you for all that you do and Happy Birthday to "So What Can I Do?"
I'm blessed to know you!
A comment...
xP
And happy B-Day!
Happy b-day SWCID! You're an inspiration in always looking to action rather than complaint in addressing our world. Keep up the great work!
Paying it forward...
Happy birthday!
Excellent Site! Happy Birthday and keep up the good work! ~Q
So what can I do?
But wish all of you
An excellent birthday today.
Let's keep helping others,
Our sisters and brothers.
It's your choice, but please don't delay!
Great poem, Laurie!
Thanks for the comments folks! We've got 6 days to go and over 200 comments to collect.
Publicize your website. Say hello to a distant friend. Whatever you like. Just keep the comments comming!
Congrats on the anniversary.
First time visitor, via LA MOM
Karama,
What a wonderful service you provide. Congratulations on your first year.
While I'm still deciding what small step to make as I begin do my part, I thought I'd drop in and add another 50 cents to the pot. ; )
Wish me luck!
Happy Birthday! I'm a first time visitor via LAMom, too! Great Blog idea! I'll be back!
Karama,
It is absolutely wonderful the time and effort you spend in informing others about organizations and community efforts that we can become involved with.
Thanks again,
Kindred Spirit
Karama,
Thank you for supporting Nyaka. Supporters like you make our work a joy and a privilege.
Best wishes,
Jackson Kaguri
Happy anniversary Karama. I know we have not spoken for awhile now but Congrats on the blog. You went ahead and did what you advised me to do. I love your spirit and thank the creator for bringing you to me.
Patrick
Congratulations!
Great site. Always useful and meaningful and practical ideas to make a difference. Thanks.
Happy Anniversary! I love this site and I'm glad that you're out there fighting the good fight.
Perseverance furthers.
Hey, thanks for caring about "stuff." I want to be the change I see in the world too, and I hope you will be.
Before the commentathon began, So what can I do averaged 66 visitors a day. In the five days since the commentathon launched, this site has had almost 100 visitors a day! What an increase! Thanks y'all!
That's the point: Spreading the word about the good works we all can and should do.
Two more days to go, folks. Keep the comments coming!
Happy birthday! Great stuff, and so refreshing to have things pointed out that we can *do* something about. Congratulations!
I found your site @ blurtit.com - The universe will reward your kindness and thoughtfulness. Best always, J. D. in Colorado
Happy birthday to ya
Happy birthday!
Congratulations Karama.
You know it was through 'sowhatcanido' that I considered bringing my own bags to the grocery store, composting, and reaffirmed the blessings that come with 'walking with purpose'. I appreciate the thoughtfulness and the infinite array of practical information shared in an honest, intelligent way. This blog celebrates much that's right with all of us -saying, "Let's go forward! "Let's go forward!"
I'm looking forward to another year with sowhatcanido, and am so very happy that you are around.
Love you,
Kwadjo
I am proud to say that you are my daughter. " So what can I do" is part of my weekly reading and I always learn something new.
Love you,
Mommy
Thanks so much, everyone, for participating in the anniversary commentathon! Though we didn't reach 236 comments, we still increased readership, and that was the real goal. Please keep spreading the word about all the ways we each can make a positive difference in our world. And continue to submit your comments, suggestions, and ideas for So what can I do.
Just FYI, the checks, for the maximum proposed amount, are already in the mail to MedShare, Nyaka, and Potluck. I sent them "on behalf of the readers of So what can I do." We wish them every success in their excellent and valuable work.
On to year two . . .
I am just now finding this blog, but am very excited about it and plan to check it daily. Thanks for providing such a great resource!
I'm glad you like what you see, Rebecca! Thanks for your comment. I hope you'll visit again soon, and please spread the word.
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