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Gratitude Week

November 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment

We’re in the business of helping people give of themselves to their communities, their neighbors, and the world. We take great joy in making it easier to volunteer.

This time of year gratitude is at the front of our minds and we wanted to do something to say this: thanks. Thanks for going places other people are unwilling go. Thanks for being someone who cares about others. Thanks for giving back.

To show our gratitude, each business day from November 16-22 leading up to Thanksgiving, we’d like to provide a chance for you to win some cool stuff. But this is not your average giveaway contest! We selected prizes from like-minded organizations that are also in the business of giving back. We hope you love it as much as we do.

We’ve kept the conditions as simple as possible so we can bypass the redtape and stick to the gratitude.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16. Roma Provisions combines fashion with charity. They design and sell rain boots while their subsidiary, Roma for All, distributes boots to children living in poverty.

HOW TO WIN A PAIR OF ROMA BOOTS: Tweet @volunteercard with a photo of something you’re thankful for. Use hashtag #day1.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17. Project 7 is another great cause-related company that makes everyday goods and uses profits to give back to those in need. We love their coffe, so we’re giving away an 18 count case of freshly ground coffee. The ”House the Homeless” blend provides food, shelter, education, and healthcare for orphans.

HOW TO WIN PROJECT 7 COFFEE: Let us know about some good that is happening. Tweet “Hey @volunteercard, check out the good  ______ is doing!” Use hashtag #day2.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18. Village of Hope orphans in Northern Uganda roll each bead by hand from recycled paper. Orphans (ages 12-18) making these beads receive food, education and medical care as a way of providing for themselves and their siblings. All profits from the sale of these items go directly to the projects that support the orphans of Village of Hope Uganda.

HOW TO WIN  BEADS OF HOPE BRACELETS: Tweet @volunteercard with one specific way you plan to give back this holiday season. Use hashtag #day3.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21. You have causes that you care about. As a personal thank you, we’d love to give $100 donation to the nonprofit of your choice.

HOW TO WIN $100 DONATION TO YOUR CHOICE OF NONPROFIT: Leave a comment on this blog entry that explains what you love about your nonprofit choice. Be sure to include their link so we can check them out.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22. In the spirit of Toms’ One for One, we’d like to give you two pairs of Toms: one for you and one for a friend.

HOW TO WIN TOMS FOR YOU + A FRIEND: Head on over to our Facebook page and share a story or experience that first made you want to volunteer or give back.

 

 

Filed Under: Contests

November Snapshot: WWOOF

November 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment

For the month of November, we’re excited to feature a very unique organization that allows volunteers to exchange their hard work for an experience in an organic/sustainable lifestyle. WWOOF, which stands for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, exists to link volunteers interested in these organic lifestyles to organic farmers or smallholdings.

How it All began

In 1971, Sue Coppard, a London secretary, set up a work weekend for herself and a small group of city dwellers who were interested in getting out of the city and learning more about the growing organic movement. The weekend experiment was a huge success, and Coppard’s  idea quickly gained momentum. Since then, the vision of the organization has spread to over 40 other countries.

How it Works

Whether you’re an individual who is just starting to be curious about the increasing number of “organic” labels in your grocery store, someone who has been eating organic for years, or a smallholder yourself, WWOOF’s  website will help plug you in to the right resources.

Fun Facts to Keep in Mind

* WWOOF is an “exchange.” As a volunteer, you will be exchanging your hard work for the experience, free stay, and food from your host family. WWOOF volunteers are able to live with their host farms as part of the family, and from here an exchange takes place. The volunteer works for the family and the family trades their knowledge, opens their home, and provides organic, homegrown meals for their volunteers.

* Volunteers do not pay for their stay, and hosts do not pay their volunteers.

* WWOOF organizations usually charge a small fee to hosts and volunteers. This fee helps maintain and develop the WWOOF network. Some countries have their own national WWOOF organization, to which you pay a small fee. Other countries do not, but instead have a list of independent host families.

If you think you fit the description of a potential WWOOF volunteer or host family, visit their website, tweet at them, or check out their Facebook page, and start WWOOFing!

Filed Under: Snapshot of the Month, Uncategorized, Volunteering, voluntourism Tagged With: , , ,