take some action today!

i only just discovered it, but today is blog action day:
and in honor of the day that is, i share with you some of my favorite causes. i encourage you to check out at least one and consider adding it to your own list of faves. also, i'd love to hear about your favorite causes, cause i might just find i want to participate too!

1. the hunger site (in cahoots with the breast cancer/child health/literacy/rainforest/animal rescue sites): if you look at no other cause today, check out one of these sites. they make it amazingly easy to help out. all you have to do is click a button. that's it. in clicking you help provide food/mammograms/healthcare/books/protection/care. make it a part of your morning check e-mail, facebook, myspace routine. it takes 30 seconds.

2. the hands on network: ever feel like you should volunteer more? here's another organization that's all about making it easy, and it's got LOTS of local affiliates (atlanta, milwaukee, d.c., etc.). organizations that need volunteer manpower go to these networks, which in turn publicize the volunteer opportunities. you can volunteer as much or as little as you want, plus you can find opportunities that suit your causes or your schedule. i first got involved with hands on memphis as a high school student, but it was hands on nashville i turned to when i didn't know many people after moving to my current hometown. as a result, i've become a regular volunteer with the salvation army's soup truck, providing food at area homeless camps. it's been a real eye opener to in regards to poverty, hunger and homelessness (not to mention shattering a few stereotypes). i've also had the chance to continue my longtime volunteer work at the ronald mcdonald house.

3. the one campaign: one is all about fighting the issues that contribute to poverty, including hunger, disease and accessability to clean water and good education.

4. and for those of you who haven't figured it out, i'm an environmental nut. i'm all about going green. thinking about changing some light bulbs, carrying reusable grocery bags, putting an end to the buying prebottled water trend and parking the car to walk. for more tips, check out: environmental defense.

5. and a few that probably don't need explaining:
_ habitat for humanity
_ the red cross
_ united way
_ unicef

i challenge you to do one thing today, be it volunteer, make a donation or learn about a cause. and don't forget to share your causes here!