news: "Charity Bar In Houston Will Give All Earnings To Nonprofits"

Cheers to this: A soon-to-be-opened Houston bar will donate 100 percent of its proceeds to a different local cause each month, handpicked by the patrons themselves. We'll drink to that! Read more:

Charity Bar In Houston Will Give All Earnings To Nonprofits

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news: Small Business Saturday

This story is a great example of how far astray we've gone from the spirit of giving during the holidays: "What Our Society Has Come to: Pepper Spraying Each Other for Video Games at Wal-Mart."

Black Friday has, indeed, turned quite black. If you must go out shopping this weekend, help your community and local businesses by buying local. Tomorrow is the 2nd annual Small Business Saturday, a day dedicated to supporting small businesses on one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year. Screw Wal-mart, skip the pepper spray, instead shop at your favorite local stores and help fuel the economy instead. (By the way, wouldn't this be a great practice for all of us to get into every day, not just tomorrow? Just sayin'.)

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news: "Cone LLC Releases the 2010 Cone Cause Evolution Study"

I knew we couldn't be the only ones who cared about making a difference in the world. In a recent cause marketing study, 83 percent of consumers said they want more of the products, services and retailers they use to benefit causes. Check out the 2010 Cone Cause Evolution Study that proves that doing good is catching on. Get into it.

Cone LLC Releases the 2010 Cone Cause Evolution Study

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news: "Top ten Valentine's Day gifts that give back"

Want some more ideas for Valentine's Day gifts? Check out this article from Causecast from the Huffington Post that lists 10 Valentine's Day gifts that give back - from donations to conflict-free diamonds. Share the love, y'all.

Top Ten Valentine's Day Gifts That Give Back

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news: "Ordinary people, extraordinary giving"

Where my philanthropic people at?  Oh, here they are!  And they're from Rutgers!!!

"Ordinary people, extraordinary giving"

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news: "For microphilanthropist, donations are a part of daily life"

Am I jealous that someone else had this idea first?  Am I upset about having to share the spotlight with some dude from Chicago that's been doing this not just during the holidays, but the whole year???

Hell, no!  I kinda' can't believe there aren't more of us.  Where my philanthropic people at?  Raise your hands.  Change the world.

"For microphilanthropist, donations are a part of daily life"

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news: "Salvation Army bans Potter, Twilight toys"

Forget Voldemort, the new front line Harry Potter's facing is the Salvation Army.  This Canadian news story details how the Salvation army disposes of donated Harry Potter and Twilight toys rather than re-distributing them to other charitable agencies, but plastic M-16's "are for the 10-year olds."  Hrmm.

Be warned when donating to toy drives this year: muggle toys only.

Salvation Army bans Potter, Twilight toys 

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news: "Getting Kids to Care"

It’s never too early to start teaching kids about giving back and helping those less fortunate.  In fact, the earlier you teach 'em, the more fundamental it will become in their lives.  Start 'em young, that's what I say.  Read this article to find out how.

Getting Kids to Care

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news: "Grateful people are happier..."

As if you needed scientific proof.  Well, okay then.  According to this WSJ article, "a growing body of research suggests that maintaining an attitude of gratitude can improve psychological, emotional and physical well-being."  I coulda' told you that.

Thank you. No, Thank you.

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news: "Christmas Gifts 2010: 9 Gifts That Give Back"

The Huffington Post also has some suggestions for gifts that give back this holiday season.  (Any of them look familiar?  Ahem.)

Christmas Gifts 2010: 9 Gifts That Give Back

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news: "Nearly Six in Ten Plan to Give to Charity This Holiday Season, Survey Finds"

A story from the Philanthropy News Digest this morning gave us this tasty little nugget: "According to a survey by the American Red Cross, nearly six in ten Americans (57 percent) plan to donate to charity between Thanksgiving and the end of the year."  While I wish it was 100%, at least it's a start.

"Nearly Six in Ten Plan to Give to Charity This Holiday Season, Survey Finds"

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news: "Be Liberal; Be Generous"

I am so grateful to be both a generous person (by my own estimation) and a liberal...especially after reading an article like this. Please take a moment today and read the following article by Paul Begala and see why it is SO important to help those less fortunate than ourselves.

Be Liberal; Be Generous

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news: "When Donations Go Astray"

This here NY Times article - while not all-encompassing - is real informative about choosing good charities.  Please for you to check it out.

When Donations Go Astray

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