Comments on: “Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing.” (Albert Schweitzer) http://www.coldspaghetti.org/blog/2009/01/04/example-is-not/ Thaw before reheating. Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:03:31 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Andre http://www.coldspaghetti.org/blog/2009/01/04/example-is-not/comment-page-1/#comment-4997 Andre Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:10:36 +0000 http://www.coldspaghetti.org/blog/?p=3554#comment-4997 Thank you for such an inspirational post. I make it a point to give 10-15% of my gross income a month to charity. But what I am most proud about is that my 3 boys ages 12,15, and 18 are contributing 10% of their allowance to charity too, on holidays they give more, and they are happy about it. Our happiest moments together is going around during Christmas season and giving gifts to orphans in our neighborhood. The smiles in the child's faces when they receive a toy or new clothes for Christmas is just priceless. When you make someone happy by giving, the happiness immediately comes back to you a hundred fold Thank you for such an inspirational post. I make it a point to give 10-15% of my gross income a month to charity. But what I am most proud about is that my 3 boys ages 12,15, and 18 are contributing 10% of their allowance to charity too, on holidays they give more, and they are happy about it. Our happiest moments together is going around during Christmas season and giving gifts to orphans in our neighborhood. The smiles in the child’s faces when they receive a toy or new clothes for Christmas is just priceless. When you make someone happy by giving, the happiness immediately comes back to you a hundred fold

]]> By: Painted Maypole http://www.coldspaghetti.org/blog/2009/01/04/example-is-not/comment-page-1/#comment-2525 Painted Maypole Wed, 07 Jan 2009 05:57:59 +0000 http://www.coldspaghetti.org/blog/?p=3554#comment-2525 this is great. we give over 10% and volunteer like crazy. sometimes I wonder how my friends have money to buy all the stuff they do, but then I realize they don't give like we do (or have life insurance, or a retirement acouunt, PLUS they're carrying credit card debt) I'd rather have less and do more. this is great. we give over 10% and volunteer like crazy. sometimes I wonder how my friends have money to buy all the stuff they do, but then I realize they don’t give like we do (or have life insurance, or a retirement acouunt, PLUS they’re carrying credit card debt)

I’d rather have less and do more.

]]> By: admin http://www.coldspaghetti.org/blog/2009/01/04/example-is-not/comment-page-1/#comment-2505 admin Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:15:23 +0000 http://www.coldspaghetti.org/blog/?p=3554#comment-2505 J: Your words mean a lot, thank you! S: I love how you say that the volunteer hours you put in seemed impossible at first and then just worked out... thanks for sharing! E: Thank you for all you do and all that you give... you make me want to do more and be better. Joe/Lee: I am a huge advocate of giving to programs, particularly ones that work overseas, but always express words of caution with any child 'sponsorship' programs. These can be very problematic -- I know this from first hand experience of seeing how they operate on the ground and from the literature, which reflects ineffective programs that may act divisively within communities. For example, children who are truly 'sponsored' are often kicked out of home environments and ostracized from their extended family and peers as "the lucky kids" because of special benefits the community sees them get from their "status". The more well-run programs tend to simply do community projects with donations -- in other words, there is no 'adopted' child. They just pick a kid and go in and take pictures of them to make a giving family think that they are funneling money to one kid or family. Often, when the workers come to take pictures, they take off the kids' shoes, mess up their clothes, and try to heighten the drama of the image. (Notice that in many of the commercials, talking about how they "need" you, the kids aren't smiling?) Particularly when it comes to international programs that are focusing on the plight of children, the drama and production of it over shadows the reality of the program. In short, if you're donating to a solid program, your money is going into a community fund. If your money is truly going to the kid, then it's a way questionable situation. The bottom line is that I am very, very distrustful of them -- period. Keep in mind that the community project is only as good as the program. For my money, I'd go with Heifer for community project donations, Planting Magic Beans (or Three Cups of Tea) for international school programs, and to an anti-globalization organization for advocacy donations. J: Your words mean a lot, thank you!

S: I love how you say that the volunteer hours you put in seemed impossible at first and then just worked out… thanks for sharing!

E: Thank you for all you do and all that you give… you make me want to do more and be better.

Joe/Lee: I am a huge advocate of giving to programs, particularly ones that work overseas, but always express words of caution with any child ‘sponsorship’ programs. These can be very problematic — I know this from first hand experience of seeing how they operate on the ground and from the literature, which reflects ineffective programs that may act divisively within communities. For example, children who are truly ‘sponsored’ are often kicked out of home environments and ostracized from their extended family and peers as “the lucky kids” because of special benefits the community sees them get from their “status”. The more well-run programs tend to simply do community projects with donations — in other words, there is no ‘adopted’ child. They just pick a kid and go in and take pictures of them to make a giving family think that they are funneling money to one kid or family. Often, when the workers come to take pictures, they take off the kids’ shoes, mess up their clothes, and try to heighten the drama of the image. (Notice that in many of the commercials, talking about how they “need” you, the kids aren’t smiling?) Particularly when it comes to international programs that are focusing on the plight of children, the drama and production of it over shadows the reality of the program.

In short, if you’re donating to a solid program, your money is going into a community fund. If your money is truly going to the kid, then it’s a way questionable situation. The bottom line is that I am very, very distrustful of them — period. Keep in mind that the community project is only as good as the program. For my money, I’d go with Heifer for community project donations, Planting Magic Beans (or Three Cups of Tea) for international school programs, and to an anti-globalization organization for advocacy donations.

]]> By: Joe 6-Pack (Abs) (okay not really) http://www.coldspaghetti.org/blog/2009/01/04/example-is-not/comment-page-1/#comment-2503 Joe 6-Pack (Abs) (okay not really) Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:34:11 +0000 http://www.coldspaghetti.org/blog/?p=3554#comment-2503 Children International is a GREAT way to give!!! Only a few people know that I have sponsored a child since college. He was 3 or 4 then when I started and now he's almost finished with high school! If anyone out there is thinking of a way to do a little more, this is it. http://www.children.org/childSearch.asp?sid=3EC3CDB7-7362-4079-9256-93C7B932D1F1 Only $22/month. That's one less Starbuck's drink a week, or ONE less meal out a month. This is a GREAT organization with low admin costs and projects in several countries. My sponsored child, Jonaten, is in Cartagena, Colombia. Children International is a GREAT way to give!!! Only a few people know that I have sponsored a child since college. He was 3 or 4 then when I started and now he’s almost finished with high school! If anyone out there is thinking of a way to do a little more, this is it.
http://www.children.org/childSearch.asp?sid=3EC3CDB7-7362-4079-9256-93C7B932D1F1
Only $22/month. That’s one less Starbuck’s drink a week, or ONE less meal out a month.
This is a GREAT organization with low admin costs and projects in several countries. My sponsored child, Jonaten, is in Cartagena, Colombia.

]]> By: Emmy http://www.coldspaghetti.org/blog/2009/01/04/example-is-not/comment-page-1/#comment-2502 Emmy Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:18:29 +0000 http://www.coldspaghetti.org/blog/?p=3554#comment-2502 Holly, Thank you for living and leading by example. Yours and Paul's activism is inspiring, and has a direct impact on so many lives. Thanks for making this world a better place, and for the contribution of time as well as money. Emmy Holly,

Thank you for living and leading by example. Yours and Paul’s activism is inspiring, and has a direct impact on so many lives.

Thanks for making this world a better place, and for the contribution of time as well as money.

Emmy

]]> By: stephanie http://www.coldspaghetti.org/blog/2009/01/04/example-is-not/comment-page-1/#comment-2501 stephanie Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:18:07 +0000 http://www.coldspaghetti.org/blog/?p=3554#comment-2501 I agree with your style of "in-kind" donations. I currently volunteer many hours a week at a local food bank type facility. At first, it was unimaginable that I would be able to sustain more than an hour of time... but I get so caught up in the work that I'm doing, that time flies. In the end, I feel better because I know I've helped so many families. I would encourage everyone to try volunteering their time instead of cash... at least with time donations - you know exactly where your donation is going. I agree with your style of “in-kind” donations. I currently volunteer many hours a week at a local food bank type facility. At first, it was unimaginable that I would be able to sustain more than an hour of time… but I get so caught up in the work that I’m doing, that time flies. In the end, I feel better because I know I’ve helped so many families. I would encourage everyone to try volunteering their time instead of cash… at least with time donations – you know exactly where your donation is going.

]]> By: jen http://www.coldspaghetti.org/blog/2009/01/04/example-is-not/comment-page-1/#comment-2500 jen Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:46:21 +0000 http://www.coldspaghetti.org/blog/?p=3554#comment-2500 H, what a fantastic post. I absolutely see why we are going to be working together somehow one day soon. love you. H, what a fantastic post. I absolutely see why we are going to be working together somehow one day soon. love you.

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