This is not a coupon post. These are my thoughts. If you don't like them then don't read them.
Tomorrow marks the 10 year anniversary of 9/11.
There is no better time to give back in honor of those who have lost their lives. So many peoples lives changed that day. So many things we took for granted disappeared in the days to follow. I was only 17 years old at the time. Wide eyed and pretty ignorant to the evils of the world as I think most of us were. This word, terrorism....it didn't scare us before 9/11 like it does now. It didn't seem possible that something like that could happen. Here or anywhere. Maybe in a movie..but not in real life. So many people I knew had brothers,sisters,aunts,uncles, moms,dads,wives,husbands, and cousins step up and go to war for our country. Some of them never came home. Some of them returned to us forever changed.
So many people lost loved ones both in the attacks and in the war. People are still losing their lives today. Firemen and police and volunteers are still dying everyday because of the harmful effects to their bodies from helping and working down at ground zero. Families are still mourning the deaths of their loved ones.
Families are still in need of help.
Our nation is still rebuilding.
You have lots of ways to help even today.
One way I chose to help was to volunteer in CERT.
For 7 weeks I took nightly 3 hour classes at the fire station. We had a final exam, a mock disaster which was tons of fun! Real victims (well actors) real fire (set by firefighters) and real experience. I graduated got my badge and have volunteered in first aid, security, and other community events. I don't get paid but I do get a sense of overall happiness from giving back.
We have programs in place in our community to do ReHab for firefighters during fires. This means when the firemen are in the fire, they come out and in in shifts. We cool them in special chair, give them snacks and water so their bodies have less stress on them.
For those of you who don't know
CERT or Community Emergency Response Team educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.
Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.
If you would like to join CERT or want to know more please visit http://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/about.shtm
Look for a program near you. Contact me if you have any questions
I also make regular donations to charities, animal shelters, and food banks. I have an adopted soldier, and I give whatever I can to people who are in need. Here are some ideas!
More ways to help go to http://www.citizencorps.gov/ and look for a program that interests you. Perhaps you have special skills that could benefit your community.
Go to http://www.redcross.org/donate/donate.html to learn how you can make a donation, volunteer or take classes.
Help our soldiers and adopt a soldier!http://adoptaussoldier.org/
Register to vote and become educated on policies that matter to you! This is so important and so many people do not do it! It is your right! http://www.rockthevote.com/?gclid=CJC8nZihk6sCFUK8KgodG3zJCg
Send expired or unused coupons to military familes http://www.supportourtroops.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1435
Donate items to your church or local food pantry! http://feedingamerica.org
Donate to local animal shelters as well!
There are so many ways to get involved. There are so many ways to give back.
There are so many ways to help and so many ways to say thank you.
Please don't just read this and say that's nice or that's whatever! Please get off your butt (lol) and do something. If it means going to church tomorrow and signing up for the soup kitchen so be it. If it means clicking a link and donating do it. Just take one small step and the results will trickle down. Trust me it feels great to help people.
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