Day 90: $5 to JROTC for aid to Japan

I found out yesterday that one of my students who is in JROTC is collecting money for aid to Japan. We had a brief conversation about this, and I told her that I would bring her a donation today.  Here's what I like about this particular transaction:
1.  She did not expect me to give.  She was just informing me in the context of another conversation she was having with a student in my first period.
2.  She told me that in the past the JROTC program has offered incentives in order to donate, but that this year the students all agreed to forgo that practice.  She mentioned that it diluted their message. I completely agree. It's fashionable at school to collect money for cause and offer candy or another small reward for donating.  Although I understand the practice (it's exactly what White Castle is doing with their donations for Ohio Valley Voices) I think that in many ways this might be obscuring the point. Do organizations get more money this way?  Maybe.  Cincinnati Public Radio is a definite fan of this tactic as well.
3.  My student was genuinely happy to receive my donation today and I trust her to the fullest extent that it will get to the right place, right people.

Day 89: white shirt with animal print collar

Even typing the description of today's donation makes me cringe. What was I thinking? Actually, I know exactly what I was thinking because I remember purchasing the shirt before the start of the school year off of the clearance rack at Macy's. I thought that it would go with black pants ( my staple). I thought that it was cheap (unlike most items at Macy's). I thought that I might wear it one day when I didn't have anything else to wear. That last reason should have been enough to forget it. I remember that my sister was with me. Usually she is so good about telling me no, but I must have had some sort of tunnel vision about going back to school clothes that day. I've tried this shirt in at least five times this year. Each time it is as unflattering and as weird as the last time. So, with tags and all, I made it my donation for the day. Someone, somewhere, please like this shirt.

Day 88: Philip Roth's The Human Stain

Since I had to drive about 30 minutes to reach the New Richmond library today, I decided that I might as well bring along a book to donate. Like most libraries, the New Richmond branch of the Clermont County library takes books and either uses them in their collection or sells them to the public to raise funds. I thoroughly enjoy The Human Stain, and I've taught it for the past three years in my Miami Eng 112 class, but I apparently also have extra copies of the text.

Other random thoughts about my experience at the library:
The NR library is off in the middle of nowhere (or it felt that way). I drove past all sorts of interesting houses and sorts of dwellings on the way there-- most of them sort of carved out of the hillside. One house had two horses in the front yard and a totem pole across the street I. What appeared to be a pasture of sorts. Another house had a covered bridge leading up to the driveway. Most, though, were dilapidated and with crazy steep driveways that made me wonder what the residents do when they grow old. Still, whole driving there I liked the idea of living off the beaten path, among the wooded scenery, with nothing at all looking like it came out of a manufacturing press.

The NR library looks big from the outside but is really just one room on the inside. It seemed lacking in the updates you see at other libraries. There was no self-checkout system, and all of the signs seemed to be yellowed and old. The staff was kind, and I wondered about the young girl with a streak of purple hair and a dandelion tucked behind her hair. Is that what outrageous or intellectual looks like in New Richmond? Maybe someday she will make it to the "big city" whatever that might be.

I picked up my copy of a Hamlet study guide DVD, and I was off.

Day 87: Fortune Cookies

Now this was certainly a small, almost insignificant gesture, but today I brought a ziploc bag stuffed full of fortune cookies to school for my co-worker, Juliene.  Juliene has four young children, so I figured at least one of them would like fortune cookies. Turns out, Juliene, who pretty much takes any and all leftovers home anyway, did not disappoint me.  She was happy to take the cookies and said that her kids love them.  I should give them something else sometime.  Her kids are adorable.

Day 86: Half Pint Library Book Drive

I gave away my recently purchased copy of The Very Hungry Caterpillar today, as well as a copy of Oh, The Places You'll Go (which was a college graduation gift from a dear friend).  Half Price books matches every donation to the Half Pint Library, and last year almost 200,000 books were collected during the drive.  Half Price Books then gives the books to nonprofits, schools, and other organizations. I wonder who will end up with these two books?

Also, at Whole Foods today, I gave my wooden nickel to aid for Japan.  I'm thinking more about businesses and their charity outreach programs. Do all businesses do this now, or have I just started noticing more during the past few months of donating?  Are there any businesses out there that don't contribute?  Shouldn't all businesses be pressured into it?

Day 85: Kohls Cares for Kids

I went to Kohls today (nothing new for me) and purchased only one item--a Very Hungry Caterpillar book. At Kohls, these sort of books are usually at the checkout, they cost $5, and 100% of the net profits from the sale go to health and education programs for children. I've probably purchased an item or two here before as a gift. Kohls Cares also has merchandise available to support women's health and another program about the environment. What prompted me to purchase the book was an advertisement I heard on the radio from Half Price Books about a book drive they are having for children's books. It's called Half Pint Library. I left my book in the car so that the next time I'm near HPB (maybe today) I can drop it off.

There is an amazing thing about this story. Something that happens on rare occasions only. I bought nothing for myself at Kohls. Nothing. Can't promise the same for Half Price Books.

Day 84: Code for 50% off Green Bean Delivery and OVV donation

Before 6:30 a.m. this morning I was able to give four people a promo code for 50% off their first bin from Green Bean delivery. I found the promo code in a magazine that came with my produce delivery yesterday, and I posted it on Freecycle.  In my original post, I stated that I was only going to give out the promo code once because this seemed most ethical.  After four people emailed, all with good stories about supporting local farmers, needing to eat more fresh foods, being disabled, I decided to just give it to all of them. Ethics be damned (it was questionable anyway--nothing said you couldn't give away the code.)

Then, on the way to school this morning I donated an additional dollar to Ohio Valley Voices at White Castle. Overall, I'm feeling good about the day.

Day 83: $25 to Habitat for Humanity through Charity Choice

I recently discovered this easy and fun way of donating. Not too long ago, I signed up for the rewards points for my bank card. While my bank is not as good as others (I have to actually pay an annual fee for rewards) it does have a great selection of gift cards, merchandise, and other items. It was really tempting to order a gift card for myself (maybe Barnes and Noble or a restaurant) but I decided instead to order the Charity Choice card. With this card, I can select from a variety of meritorious charitable organizations and send a donation of $25!  I have to wait three weeks to actually get my card and send it in, but I already choose my first organization to donate to in this manner:  Habitat for Humanity. I can't wait to actually complete this donation. It's also nice to be able to give an amount over $10.  Twenty-five dollars isn't really that much money, but when it comes down to it, sometimes it's a tough amount to just give away.

Here's a thought: I wonder how many people who look at the credit card rewards programs select the charitable donation?  In one way, it's so easy and you can feel good about donating money without actually spending any money. On the other hand, the site tempts you to redeem your points for yourself too.  Great restaurants, merchandise, and stores (even Target and Walmart).  It's sort of Faustian.  At least this time I was able to do the "right" thing.

Side items:  I gave 20 cents to Ronald McDonald House charities today, and I gave my friend Allison all of the golf coupons out of my softball fundraiser coupon book. I also gave $1 to Japan aid at Krogers.

Day 82: Eagle Eatery tip

Today's donation was minimal. I gave a 50 cent tip to the special education department as they delivered lunch. The lunch was delicious, and they really deserve more to support the Eagle Eatery. I have so much respect for the special education teachers who run this program. The students who help prepare and deliver the lunches are learning so many skills and becoming such a positive presence in the school. These teachers remind me that we can make a difference.

Day 81: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

I had to stop by the library today to pay my outrageous fine for an overdue video--$6!  That in itself is kind of like donating. Paying a $6 overdue fine is all the more painful when the video I checked out was one for school. We are going to watch excerpts from Food Inc. in my AP Language class and I had kept onto the video for countless renewal cycles thinking I would plan some related activities. Luckily a fellow teacher at school told me she owned the video and would be happy to lend it to me. Sometimes we forgt how many resources are right by us.

While at the library, I donated a copy of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. I have several copies. I taught the novel for eight years, and I can safely say that I have developed an appreciation for Twain, but not a love exactly. For the most part, students don't like Huck Finn, but I do think they like it a bit more when read as a class. Unfortunately, I picture some poor louse buying my used copy from the library sale, trudging home, and working his way through the text. The King and the Duke--they stay around for far too many chapters in that novel.

Day 80: $20 to Softball Fundraiser

I can't believe I actually spent $20 today on a coupon book for a softball fundraiser.  Sure, I could conceivably save more than $20 if I used all the coupons. In fact, don't the coupon books usually let you know how much you can save on the cover?  Not this one--too cheap I suspect.  Also, since I don't play golf, I guess that reduces the value of the whole pack by 4 coupons. I will give the golf coupons away tomorrow. Most of the additional coupons are for local restaurants (which is good) but with major restrictions.

I told my study hall student that I would buy the book from her in a moment of weakness. I've been thinking lately that when opportunities to give come along by fate, I should seize them.  This one, however, was just not that good of an opportunity.  I'm not sure what the softball team needs, but I'm thinking my money could have gone to something a bit more worthy.  The plus in all this: I really like this study hall student. She sits in the back of the room in a desk that is meant for a teacher and doesn't have the connected chair that so many high school desks do. (Something about that connected chair/desk adds to the daily indignities of life in high school.) But I like the way this student spreads out her work, taking up the whole desk and really getting down to it as if she were in an office or a classroom of her own. I think for that fact alone, I bought the dreaded coupon book from her.

On a related note, still no word about the $25 candle I purchased from a student in October/November.

Day 79: Brown Boots--like new

Another pair of boots has made it out of my closet and into the Planet Aid box in front of the wine store on Highway 28. Happy day. These boots looked great (but didn't feel great) with a suede platform-like heel and a rich brown color.  I even tried them on again this morning to make sure that parting with them was the right decision. I might have been clued in by the fact that I haven't worn them in two years and they look like they are brand new, but I still tried them on, stood up, and immediately pictured myself stumbling down the hallway at school desperate to reach the copy room in the main office not wanting to let on to anyone that my shoes were ridiculous.

I just saw something similar this past week at school with a student.  She had really cute, but really tall brown boots on, and when she got up to turn her essay in, I noticed her wobbling all the way to my desk and all the way back. It wasn't 8:00 a.m. yet, and I completely felt her pain.  Not only was that a mistake I would make in high school, it was a mistake that I still make today and probably will continue to make. There's nothing worse than seeing someone in adorable shoes struggling to walk and pretending like everything is fine; I have the purest empathy for any woman in that situation. In fact, I think I only know one person (my friend Nancy) who can consistently wear high heeled shoes and look satisfied with the world at the same time. I think Nancy could wear her high heels for 18 hours and still stand for the final two hours of the night.

All that being said, I bet I will wear my uncomfortable strappy high heeled black sandals to prom again this year. They look good after all.

Day 78: $1 to Japan aid via Salvation Army via Fresh Market

I went to Fresh Market today in search of some good plums and some fresh fish for dinner tomorrow night. I got two different types of plums and some Parmesan tilapia. (Also one square of chocolate and some little pretzel nuggets with peanut butter inside.) I had a feeling that Fresh Market would have an opportunity to donate to something. They seem like a socially-conscience organization.  (After all, they label their fruit as organic or conventional).  I was right. They have a code to put into the register and then a customer can donate whatever amount he/she wants.  Can't get easier than that.  The sign for customers said that the money would go to the Salvation Army and then to Japan.

Day 77: $10 to the Red Cross for aid to Japan

Finally. I gave some support to Japan. The Red Cross website is really great because they allow you to donate using your Amazon Payments account.  I'm just lazy enough to put off donating when I don't want to get up, find my purse and locate my credit card. Also, I trust the Red Cross enough to think that my small donation just might actually make the smallest difference somewhere. I hope so. I still may look into Matthew 25 Ministries as well.

Day 76: $1 Pediatric Brain Cancer

My official donation for today was $1 at Gold Star Chili. They are running a fundraiser for money to fight pediatric brain cancer. This is the second time I've given at Gold Star. I went back to try the vegetarian chili on a three-way instead of in a burrito (better). While there, I also donated a quarter to the fight against childhood lymphoma. This sounds like a paltry donation, but they have this little cardboard stand that has spots for quarters only, so that's what you are supposed to do. 

Later, I stopped by Whole Foods to pick up some more pixie tangerines before California is radiated by the nuclear plume coming from Japan and I have to start hoarding oranges from Florida instead. I gave spare change to the Whole World Foundation. I forgot my own bag (hate it when I do that) so I didn't get a wooden nickel to donate to any other charities.  The cashiers at Whole Foods are so nice. I wonder how they hire them that way.

That's really three doantions for the day, although all quite small.

Day 75: Ronald McDonald again

Today was a pitiful day for giving. (So pitiful, in fact, that I'm actually blogging about today tomorrow.) Before 7:00 a.m. I had donated 52 cents--the change from my morning Diet Coke--to Ronald McDonald. But it was downhill from there. On these days when I'm working two jobs and then have plans for dinner afterward, I am apt to forget to donate anything else, and that is exactly what I did. I will make up for it on Thursday (which is actually today).  I'm still trying to rack my brain to think of anytning else that I gave way yesterday.  Food?  Pencils? I've got nothing.

Day 74: Pop Tarts

I purchased a variety of poptarts for my AP English 3rd period today. The class had to come in early during this OGT testing week to complete a practice test. All of my other sections have to come in early, too, but this class is small and I wanted to do something nice for them. I think it would be nice but a bit excessive to purchase poptarts for all 91 of my AP students. There are weeks and weeks ahead anyway.

I also heard on the radio this morning that Kroger is collecting money for victims of the earthquake/tsunami/nuclear disaster in Japan. Really, I'm giving poptarts away instead. I need to get on the ball.

Day 73: A&W Root beer to fundraiser

I'm sure in the past I would have completely ignored an email that came across last week asking for donations of pop and water for the concession stand for the Winter Drumline and Guard show next Saturday. The email said that this is a huge fundraiser for the band, and one way they do that is by collecting the concessions from donations and then selling them.  Why not? I bought a twelve pack of A&W Root Beer (one of the suggested beverages), and honestly I chose that because it was the pop on sale. Nothing wrong with that.

The thing that doesn't really sit well, though, is that I'm not sure this organization really needs charity.  They have tremendous support from the district and from parents. Then again, I'd like my year of giving to be as non-judgmental as possible.  They asked, I gave.  I may never do it again. I've really got to give to Japan tomorrow.

Day 72: Whole Planet Foundation and Greyhound Rescue

I went back to Whole Foods today to pick up more pixie tangerines. I can't get enough of these tiny, sweet treats. While there, I also bought some delicious snap pea snacks and tomato pesto. So yummy, but not exactly as good for you as it sounds.

At the checkout, I donated $1 to the Whole Planet Foundation again. What was nice, was that I could tell from the papers, that a lot of other people had been donating as well.  I wonder how much, overall, Whole Foods will garner during this drive. Because I brought my own bag, I also got a wooden nickel to donate to a charity on the way out. I chose greyhound rescue because those dogs are beautiful. I like the Whole Foods business model.

Day 71: Boat Shoes

Today I tried unsuccessfully for the second time to wear my new, light tan boat shoes. I REALLY liked these shoes, but they rubbed by feet in one particular spot, and no matter what I did, these shoes were not going to work. To make myself feel a little bit better about giving away these shoes that I thought were going to be perfect for spring, I bought a different (similar but not as nice) pair of boat shoes at DSW. In fact, my sister bought the exact same pair. I'm convinced this pair will work.

At DSW, I was astounded to see a pair of Bobs--knock offs of Toms--made by Skechers. At least Skechers says they are donating a pair of shoes for each pair purchased, but I'm still a little bitter about the complete copying of the style.  Why couldn't Skechers come up with their own style at least?

I donated the old pair to the Special Olympics box, but I think the next time I have a pair of gently worn shoes, I'm going to go the extra mile or so and find a Soles 4 Souls donation center. I think I will fell better about giving away shoes that I know will go directly to needy feet.

Day 70: $1 to Share the Bread

Day 70 seems like a somewhat momentous number, but I think my next landmark date will really be day 100.  That means I've got about a month until I meet that mark. I made my coffee decision this morning based on giving. I decided to stop at Panera and give a dollar to the Share the Bread container again. Yes, this is becoming as easy and as typical as my Ronald McDonald, but at least I've donated something before most of the world has even awoke.  I always tell myself that I can also give later in the day if the opportunity or the urge arises. I'm sure in the coming days there will be funds to donate to relief efforts in Japan where an 8.9 earthquake hit today, followed up by a tsunami. Absolutely devastating.

Day 69: $1 to Music Cares

My sister found this opportunity for me on the back of her Entertainment Weekly. Basically, I donated a dollar, uploaded a photo of myself, and voila, I've helped struggling artists.  This isn't a typical choice for me, but I do like the idea. The website, https://beapartoftheheart.com/, makes it quite easy to do this. Now I can say I support the arts.  Somehow, I think I will find another way too.

Day 68: Fifty cents to Eagle Eatery

I don't feel like today was entirely successful. I gave a 50 cent tip to Eagle Eatery, the special education program that sells lunch to teachers every other week. I had a tuna sandwich, a fruit cup, and the most delicious brownie ever made. I will not be buying the brownie for the remainder of the year. They are too decadent. Overall, it seems like I took a lot more than I gave today.

Day 67: $1 to Milford-Miami Ministries

I finally got my oil changed today, and I was lucky to pick a local company to do so. As I was paying, I noticed a Mason jar on the counter to donate money to Milford-Miami Ministries. The jar had only a small amount of money in it, so I found a dollar in my wallet, folded it up, and fit it through the slot in the Mason jar lid. Milford-Miami Ministries (formerly the Mary Miller Fund) is a longstanding local charity that helps all sort of people who are down on their luck. I was more than happy to donate to them.  It's like these donation jars are just popping up for me lately!  On the way home, I stopped at McDonalds for a Mocha Frappe and donated another 75 cents to the Ronald McDonald House charities. A modest but successful day.

Day 66: $1 to Whole Planet Foundation microloans

I went to Whole Foods today to pick up some delicious pixie tangerines. I had one yesterday and couldn't believe how sweet it was. Apparently March is the beginning of pixie tangerine season. I hope to share one or two of them at school tomorrow.

Whole Foods offered several opportunities to donate. I chose to add $1 to my bill for a donation to the Whole Planet Foundation. This group is furthering one of my favorite causes--microloans. Because I brought my own bag to Whole Foods today, I was also able to put a wooden nickel in the Greyhound rescue bin and another wooden nickel in the local food pantry bin.

All in all, I think Whole Foods (often called Whole Paycheck for their high prices) offers opportunities I am grateful for.  I thank them for helping me donate.

Day 65: pillow

I found a brand new pillow on the shelf in my closet and decided to drop it off at the Goodwill center today. I attached a note that said the pillow had never been used and was from a bed-bug-free home. To me, those would be important traits if I was picking up a pillow from Goodwill. I know I have an inordinate fear of bedbugs, but I think I'm somewhat justified. You read about them everywhere, and they seem like a modern day stigma. I know if I ever brought bed-bugs home, I would be hard-pressed to find enough money to really eradicate them

At the Goodwill drop-off center, I had expected to see the little man who reminds me of a cuckoo clock, but instead there was a friendly woman taking and organizing the donations. Someone else was dropping off a bunch of items, which probably made my single donation look a little silly. The woman asked me if I would like a receipt for my donation. I can't imagine deducting the price of a pillow on my taxes. I also said no because somehow I feel like this diminishes my intent. I'm not sure how, just that it does.

Day 64: Movie Donation--10 Things I Hate About You

Stopped by the library today to pick up The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, and I donated a movie to their bin. I had purchased 10 Things I Hate About You several years ago with the idea that I could show it in class while reading The Taming of the Shrew.  I sat through the whole thing excusing the parts that were not school appropriate as "not all that bad, until the totality of the "not all that bad" became too overwhelming and I knew that I would never show the film in class.

If I have any more movies to give away, I probably will.  I'm not the type who collects movies to view over and over. I collect books.  I watch movies for a second time of they happen to be on TV during a rainy day or a lazy Sunday. This is why I've seen Out of Africa and The Sound of Music so many times.

Day 63: Ohio Valley Voices

I gave $1 to Ohio Valley Voices today at White Castle while buying my morning coffee.  This time I was sure that the money went to the correct place. I saw the cashier ring it up, and then he handed me a coupon for a free coffee.  I'm so glad organizations like White Castle make this opportunity available to customers. Obviously, they could just donate part of their profits to OVV each year, but they make the effort to get the customers involved--to give everyday people the opportunity to give as well.

Day 62: School fundraiser

How convenient. Today during conferences, students came around with baked goods to raise money for cancer.  I purchased two brownies (one for me and one for another teacher).  I gave an extra dollar donation, and now I've completed my giving for the day. This was especially good on a day when I'm at work for over 12 hours. There was, of course, another option for today--blood drive. So many of my students came back with horror stories about having to be stuck three or four times, though, that I was able to just sort of let that one slide.

Day 61: flowered shirt to Salvation Army

This shirt, probably less than a year old, was in really good shape. I washed it last night, so that I could give it away today. The only problem with the shirt was that the pink and cream flower pattern reminded me of something Half Pint would wear on Little House. I tried to deny this for a while, but in the end I thought it best to give the calico-print catastrophe away. I may regret this one day this spring when I can't find anything colorful to wear and am staring down a closet full of black, grey, and brown.  We'll see. 

Day 60: $1 to fight brain cancer in children

As today draws to a close, I'm moderately satisfied with what I have accomplished. Paradoxically, in order for me to catch up on my work, I had to take a day off from work. I've named this phenomenon the English Teacher's Dilemma. I know other teachers out there understand the situation--grading backed up, bureaucratic paperwork piling up, letters of recommendation overdue, and it goes on.

The good part of taking a personal day on a random Tuesday, is that my donating was incredibly easy.  I "Paneraed" myself this morning--this part of the vernacular of my Milford colleagues. We have to Panera ourselves in order to grade without distractions. It works best in the community room at Panera and in the early hours. Without hardly thinking, I gave $1 to Share the Bread. This is becoming customary for me.  I enjoyed my breakfast and graded about 60 essays in 2.5 hours.  Not bad.

Later in the afternoon, my sister and I went to Gold Star Chili for lunch. The goal was two-fold. I had heard on the radio that Gold Star was collecting dollar donations for something (turned out to be for a charity that fights brain cancer in children). Also, I noticed on the internet yesterday that Gold Star now has vegetarian chili burritos, and I thought this deserved a try. The burrito was fine (maybe the vegan chili would be better on a three-way, though) and the box to donate a dollar was conveniently placed by the register.  I also got to donate a quarter to another children's charity to fight lymphoma.

Back to grading. Even though it's the evening, there are still papers, and stacks to grade before I sleep, and stacks to grade before I sleep.  (OK, they aren't stacks.  They are electronic).