29Gifts Cause of the Month

The 29Gifts community selects a featured cause each month. We generally pick our featured cause from within our community membership. We like to feature lesser known philanthropic ventures who need assistance getting their message out to a larger audience. If you'd like to nominate a cause you think deserves consideration as a cause of the month, email our community manager (erin@29Gifts.org) to tell us about the project and its goals. Below is a list of the causes we've featured recently.

NOVEMBER 2009 --we're sponsoring a cause that has been started by fellow giver, Lubabat Scotland (pictured above). We are so deeply touched and impressed by Lubabat's strength of character, bravery and spirit. Lubabat was diagnosed with MS in the mid 90s, and then in August of this year, she was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. Her reaction to this diagnosis has been so inspirational - she is fighting the disease by giving. She has started a movement called Operation Smiley Face. Now, Lubabat is hosting a Christmas Give and her theme is "going small to make a big impact".
OCTOBER 2009--Mbali's Throw Me a Bone post on our forum inspired us to make our cause of the month for October Y*O*U. Yes, you read that right. YOU are our featured cause and October is now officially declared Self Care Month at 29 Gifts. So this month, pay attention to YOURSELF. Give to YOURSELF. Love YOURSELF. Check out our 29 ideas for self care and feel free to add suggestions of your own.
JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2009-- We feature a different cause most months, but we've decided it's time to put our own oxygen mask on first because 29 Gifts needs your support if we're going to continue to do powerful and positive work in the world. 29 Gifts is a global giving movement with thousands of members in 38 countries. Our collective mission at 29 Gifts is to revive the giving spirit in the world. We change lives—and change the world—one gift at a time. Learn more about how to support 29 Gifts.

JUNE 2009-- Father's Day is on June 21st - and our Cause of the Month is making this day special for the father figure(s) in your life. We encourage you to write a letter of gratitude, show your appreciation for all that he has done in your life. Share your favorite memory, or photograph, or create a collage of pictures that depict his presence in your life, and the effect he's had and how he's helped shape your life. Create something that expresses your love and appreciation, then share those letters, notes, thoughts and pictures with our community. We've created a special group where you can share your Father's Day Giving HERE
MAY 2009-- As we thought about ideas for the May cause of the month, we realized that Mother's Day is May 10th, and decided to incorporate that into the cause in a creative way. For the month of May 29Gifts will be encouraging members to give back to Mother Earth. This can be done in many ways, and we offered several ideas, such as supporting a 'green' business like Tees For Change, donating directly to organizations such as Trees for Tomorrow or arborday.org, or by actually planting a tree, bush, flower or grow some food. However you choose to do so, we hope you'll Celebrate May by honoring Mother Earth

APRIL 2009-- Seattle Youth Garden Works. At Seattle Youth Garden Works youth, are taught life-skills in a garden setting. They are then trained in basic job skills by selling their organically grown fruits and vegetables at Seattle area farmers markets. As a not-for-profit organization, Seattle Youth Garden Works strives to empower homeless and under-served young adults through garden-based education and employment. Visit the Seattle Youth Garden Works website at: http://www.sygw.org/

FEBRUARY & MARCH 2009-- Mbali, Mother of Our Movement, Sings Her Way Home:
The 29-Day Giving Challenge was a "prescription" from Mbali to our founder, Cami Walker. Mbali is originally from South Africa, and remains involved in activities that benefit her home country. One of those organizations is the Vukani Mawethu Choir, a nonprofit multiracial choir which sings out against racism around the world. In April 2009, Mbali and the Vukani Mawethu Choir will be traveling to Southern Africa, where their performances will raise money for various humanitarian projects.But traveling to Africa is expensive. Mbali needs to raise $6,300 to cover her lodging, food, and travel expenses. We encourage all of you to to show your gratitude and appreciation by helping Mbali make this pilgrimage.

JANUARY 2009-- Your Local Library: One of the institutions we tend to take for granted is our local library. However, most of our libraries are under-funded and in great need of books, donations and volunteer help. We offer some suggestions about ways you can help at your local library. If any of them sound interesting or if you have other talents to offer, the branch nearest you would be grateful for your support.

DECEMBER 2008-OperationTeddy Bear Care: Fellow member, Maureen Forbes, created Operation Teddy Bear Care, which aims to help South African children whose lives are impacted by the AIDS epidemic. Operation Teddy Bear Care provides teddy bears, food and other personal gifts for children living in poverty. We helped deliver gifts to more than 500 children during the 2009 holiday season. However, these children have needs all year long so please visit TeddyBearCare.org and purchase a Gift Pack and learn more about their work.

NOVEMBER 2008--Cafe Inclusion: Fellow 29Gifter Steffany Lohn founded this cause as a way to provide career training and employment opportunities for differently-abled people who have been diagnosed with various mental or physical issues. 29Gifters donated $558 to Cafe Inclusion during November. To contribute directly to the project, go to findawayfoundation.org.

OCTOBER 2008--Elysia Skye Breast Cancer Organization: Elysia Skye was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 24. She underwent a double mastectomy and many of the lymph nodes in her right arm had to be removed as well. As a result, she suffers with lymphoedemia and severe swelling in her right arm. This fund will allow her to pay for the surgical procedure she needs to regain the use of her right hand and arm. Our community helped Elysia raise $10,700 of the $30,000 needed during the month of October. Elysia is still in need of help. Donate directly at boobiesintheskye.org.

SEPTEMBER 2008--Charity Water: This humanitarian project was founded by Scott Harrison. His goal is to provide clean waterto villagers in Ethiopia, by drilling wells. Each well will serve fresh water to 400 people, for 20 years. Our community worked together to donate $1500 in September, which is half the cost of one well. Donate at charitywater.org.