Earth Day April 22, 2008

April 22, 2008

About Earth Day Network
Founded by the organizers of the first Earth Day in 1970, Earth Day Network (EDN) promotes environmental citizenship and year round progressive action worldwide.
Earth Day Network is a driving force steering environmental awareness around the world. Through Earth Day Network, activists connect, interact, and have an impact on their communities, and create positive change in local, national, and global policies. EDN's international network reaches over 17,000 organizations in 174 countries, while the domestic program engages 5,000 groups and over 25,000 educators coordinating millions of community development and environmental protection activities throughout the year. Earth Day is the only event celebrated simultaneously around the globe by people of all backgrounds, faiths and nationalities. More than a half billion people participate in our campaigns every year.
Our mission is to grow and diversify the environmental movement worldwide, and to mobilize it as the most effective vehicle for promoting a healthy, sustainable planet. We pursue our mission through education, politics, events, and consumer activism.
Earth Day Network’s Mission Statement
EDN seeks to grow and diversify the environmental movement worldwide, and to mobilize it as the most effective vehicle for promoting a healthy, sustainable planet. We pursue these goals through education, politics, events, and consumer activism.

How to Go Green at Home

Step 1:Use less electricity. Switch to compact fluorescent bulbs each time you replace an old incandescent bulb. Compact fluorescents save 75 percent in energy use and last up to 10 times longer. As a bonus, you'll save money on your electric bill.
Step 2:Run the washer, dryer and dishwasher only with full loads. You reduce both electricity and water usage by only running these appliances when necessary.
Step 3:Install a low-flow shower head. The newest models still produce strong water pressure while using much less water.
Step 4:Retrofit your hot-water system with a hot-water recirculation pump. These pumps recirculate cold water back to the water heater and only release water when it is hot. Go green and quit wasting water waiting for the cold water to get hot.
Step 5:Choose Zero VOC paints for your next home decorating project. Most paints contain toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are released into the air when you paint. VOCs can cause short and long term health problems.
Step 6:Look for furnishings made without glue or formaldehyde. This will green your home by improving your indoor air-quality.
Step 7:Recycle, reuse and compost. Reduce the amount of stuff you send to the landfill. Find out about recycling programs in your community. Find new uses for items. Compost yard waste and kitchen scraps.
Step 8:Properly dispose of hazardous waste. Cleaners, oils, paints, pesticides, batteries and solvents should never go out with the household garbage; they end up contaminating the soil and groundwater in your community. Contact your city government or the EPA to find out how to properly dispose of these items.

NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK
National Volunteer Week April 27 – May 3, 2008

Causes That InspireNational Volunteer Week

Compassion, service, empathy, understanding...combine these words with privilege, talent, skill, energy...and you have a composite picture of the heart and soul of many volunteers. These elements tell us much more than a head shot or group photo ever could.
Volunteers come in every age, size, shape, and race. They're impossible to profile; crossing boundaries of geographic location, income level, educational attainment, philosophical mindset, and religious persuasion. Some sort through e-mail databases to keep donors abreast of charitable developments. Others provide their legal, financial, promotional, management and training skills on a pro-bono basis. Still more change sickbeds, lend an ear, hold anxious hands, and yes, ladle soup and prepare sandwiches in "soup kitchens" across the country.
National Volunteer Week celebrates a myriad of vastly different individuals with two things in common: a concern for others and the tenacity to turn their concern into proactive volunteerism. "Volunteers Inspire by Example," is a fitting theme for this year's National Volunteer Week, happening in April. Event organizers feel the theme, "reflects the power volunteers have to inspire not only other people to volunteer but also the people they serve."
National Volunteer Week was created by President Richard Nixon's executive order in 1974. Three decades of subsequent Presidents have continued the tradition of "celebrating and recognizing the power and spirit volunteers give back to this country."

National Volunteer Week was created by President Richard Nixon's executive order in 1974. Three decades of subsequent Presidents have continued the tradition of "celebrating and recognizing the power and spirit volunteers give back to this country."
White House Photo by Eric Draper
President George W. Bush's Council on Service and Civic Participation instituted a new recognition award to coincide with National Volunteer Week in 2004. The award is intended to honor sustained commitments and significant achievements by American volunteers. In addition, such national recognition is expected to inspire others and encourage more individuals to assist neighbors with urgent needs and those in dire circumstances.
The President's Volunteer Service Award is available to kids, young adults, adults and families/groups. Recipients of the award receive: An official President's Volunteer Service Award pin; a personalized certificate of achievement; a note of congratulations from the President of the United States and a letter from the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation.

American Heart Association - National Start! Waking Day

Dear Janice,
April 16th is the 2nd annual National Start! Walking Day, a day devoted to helping Americans improve our health by adopting a healthy lifestyle and passing the message along.
This year we are striving to get people in cities and towns across the country to take 1 million+ steps and help us raise $1 million+ dollars online. Aetna and Del Monte foods are joining forces with national Start! sponsors, SUBWAY Restaurants, Healthy Choice and AstraZeneca to make this day a success by matching a portion of dollars raised this day.
Go to www.startwithamillion.org to pledge your support and your commitment to Start! a healthier lifestyle! Wear your sneakers to work on April 16th and check back at www.startwithamillion.org to see how your town or city is doing with steps taken and dollars raised!
To support the effort, click the "Make a Pledge" button and fill in your information. In the Heart Walk Information section, please include the following information:> The Heart Walk you are supporting: > The Name of the Company Team with which you will be participating.
For every hour of regular, vigorous exercise we do -- like brisk walking -- we can add two hours to our lives. Start! walking today and make this year’s National Start! Walking Day a success!
Walk more. Eat well. Live longer. Start today!







Visit us at www.startwithamillion.org today!

Volunteering Facts

Interesting Youth Volunteer Facts:

Ø Major reasons cited by teens for volunteering: Youth feel compassion for people in need; they can do something for a cause in which they believe in. They believe that if they help others, others will help them. Last but not least they believe that they are rewarded with parties and food.
Ø Teens rank volunteering, the environment, and eating healthy, as top three activities they consider “cool”.
Ø 73% of young people think their efforts can have a positive impact on their communities.
Ø Youth who volunteer just one hour a week are 50% less likely to abuse alcohol, cigarettes or engage in destructive behavior.
Ø Those who volunteered as youth and whose parents volunteered became the most generous adults in giving time.


Interesting Facts of Volunteering:
Giving (households)
89 percent of households give.
The average annual contribution for contributors is $1,620.
Volunteering (individuals)
44 percent of adults volunteer.
83.9 million American adults volunteer, representing the equivalent of over 9 millionfull-time employees at a value of $239 billion.
The hourly value of volunteer time is $17.55


President George W. Bush

In his State of the Union address on Jan. 29, President Bush called upon every American to commit at least two years, or 4,000 hours, during a lifetime to volunteer service. His challenge, if met, would enable us to prepare for and respond to major emergencies, rebuild communities, ensure a better future for our children and extend the compassion of our country to the rest of the world.
The president's call to action comes at a time when millions of Americans are already working to improve the lives of those less fortunate through volunteer service. Here in Mayflower, it is no different. Thousands of men and women have already answered his call. But there are still countless volunteer opportunities available for anyone who cares -- opportunities to make a real difference.
We hope you will take up the president's challenge and invest your time and talents in this community. Please join your fellow Americans and put your caring into action. Become a volunteer.

"Volunteerism is the Name of the Game"

A volunteer gives time and expertise without expecting monetary compensation. Half of the U.S. populations who volunteer make educational, health, cultural and human service programs work.

National Volunteer Week
April 27-May 3, 2008

National Volunteer Week dates back to 1974 when President Richard Nixon signed an executive order establishing the week as an annual celebration of volunteering. Since then, every U.S. President has signed a proclamation promoting National Volunteer Week. Additionally, governors, mayors and other elected officials make public statements and sign proclamations in support of National Volunteer Week.

How to start volunteering

Volunteering is a great way to spend your time, and may even be a graduation requirement in your school. There are so many organizations looking for help and tons of jobs for you, but what are you going to do?

6 Steps to Get Involved
1. Choose your something. There are tons of organizations that need help, but which one is most important to you?
Do you want to work with kids, help clean the planet, or take care of animals in shelters?
2. Make a list of your talents and abilities. Decide what you can do for your cause to make the biggest difference. If you are a great soccer player, you might want to teach kids your skills at an after-school program. Volunteering should be fun, so work on something that you enjoy.
3. Search for local organizations that support the cause you believe in.
4. Contact each organization about different opportunities. First, make sure that they accept volunteers under 18. If they do, let them know what you can do, and see how you can help.
5. Talk to others. If you think you would enjoy volunteering with this organization, ask to speak to other volunteers to make sure their experience was as good as you hope yours will be.
6. Do something! Start volunteering as soon as possible and make the most out of your talents.

Volunteering allows you to meet people that you may not have and or you have similar interests. You may make new friends of the same age or different ages. Or you may make contacts that lead to internships and future Jobs. Who knows you may learn a skill set you have wanted to know for a while. The possibilities are endless!


http://www.presidentialserviceawards.gov/


“Volunteerism Is the Name of the Game”

Volunteerism takes all the focus off of yourselves and lets you explore a whole new world. The joy of volunteer work is so fulfilling when you see a smile on the face of a child or you see someone so meek & humble who can barely look at you to say thank you!

Quotes:

As the cliché says, "Feed a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach him to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."

Never mistake knowledge for wisdom one helps you make a living; the other helps you make a life!

Remember whenever you are able do good to those who need help. Proverbs 3:27

"Take one day at a time….live, love & laugh…be strong…be you breathe!"

Our Mission

Enriching the lives and communities by education while promoting and supporting volunteerism!