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.