Day 302: $1 to save the penguins

I saw the movie Anonymous today (great film) and was able to stop by the Sweet Dreams candy shop prior to the show. I knew I would be able to pick up a few Bit-O-Honey candies, some Chix Sticks, some taffy, and also have a chance to donate a dollar to save the penguins through the Newport Aquarium fundraiser.  Even better, during the previews for the movie, I learned that Coca-Cola will be donating to save polar bears.  I just have to purchase the white cans.  I'll be on the lookout for them.

Day 301: Halloween things

Today I gave unsolicited Halloween gifts. These included pencils, erasers, and slimy-sticky eyeballs (which were by far the most popular) to my students. We also played Halloween trivia for about 5 minutes in most classes.  I clearly would have purchased candy for my students as I've done in previous years, but this year Milford has enacted a new wellness policy that strictly forbids giving candy to students (or having any kind of food in the classroom).  I think the wellness policy is a good idea, actually. It just takes a little getting used to. When I was young and in school, we never had food and drink beyond lunchtime and a stop at the water fountain.  Nowadays, food and drink are ubiquitous.  Just don't take away my coffee and my ice water.

Day 300: $2 to homeless pets

I've got to get back on the schedule of blogging about my giveaways each day. Right now, I've got three posts to write (that's actually as far behind as I've ever been) and I've spent a lot of thinking-energy trying to remember what I did each day. So, on Thursday I stopped at Petsmart in Milford, purchased cat litter, treats, and wet food, and donated $2 to homeless pets by simply adding it to my bill. While there, I noticed that I can donate some sort of stuffed animal for children--something to do with Christmas I think.  I'm sure I will be back before the end of the year.  I can't believe I've done this for 300 days!

Day 299: workbook or pencil and crayons

I made two purchases at Barnes and Nobel today that I decided upon because both products offered a donation just for purchasing. First, I was looking for a new journal/notebook. I purchased an eco-jot because on the cover of the journal the company indicates that they will donate one workbook to a needy child for every purchase.  Then, on the first page of the journal, the company indicated that it will donate a journal OR a pencil.  Well.  I also needed to purchase a thank-you card, so I decided on a Unicef card because that organization will donate crayons to children in need with every purchase.  I needed both items I purchased and am pleased with both.  I think the eco-jot notebook, however, was a little deceitful.

Day 298: $1 to a colleague

I hadn't donated or given anything away today, and then after school I saw my colleague Juliene scrounging around for money to buy a candy bar. She had only come up with a quarter, so I got a dollar out of my purse for her. I hope this "donation" stands and she doesn't try to give me my money back tomorrow. If she insists on repaying me, I will just give the money to another charity, but I hope this one stands. Sometimes it's just nice to help out a friend, and Juliene looked like she really needed that candy bar.