| If you're like most people, you probably made a New | | | | send it with $5.00 to the address indicated. Within |
| Year's resolution to change the world in 2008. Well, | | | | two weeks, you'll get a personalized certificate, a |
| maybe not change the entire world, but at least get | | | | plastic yard sign saying you are an official backyard |
| involved in helping people, animals or the environment. | | | | wildlife Sanctuary and a newsletter subscription. |
| Many people have a vague feeling of, "I know I | | | | They'll give specific directions on simple ways to |
| should volunteer but I don't know where to start. | | | | attract birds and other wildlife to your yard. |
| Serving soup at a homeless shelter isn't really my | | | | Buy Shoes For Deserving People |
| style." | | | | We take it for granted we'll have shoes to cover our |
| Relax. It's easy to find a volunteer program or cause | | | | feet, whether we're going for a jog, attending a |
| that's suited to your personality, interests and | | | | business meeting or simply hanging out at Starbuck's. |
| budget. Check out these possibilities: | | | | Many people in developing countries consider shoes a |
| Collect Sports Equipment | | | | luxury. Help change the world by buying flip flops for |
| Think about the extra soccer balls, baseball bats, | | | | a deserving person. For $4.95 each, GospelShoe, in |
| gloves, rollerblades or basketballs in your garage. Your | | | | partnership with Soles4Souls, will send the flip flops to |
| neighbors and co-workers have extra equipment also. | | | | schools, orphanages and relief centers overseas. |
| Most of us take it for granted that we can always | | | | Simply call 866-923-2226 or |
| easily find a basket ball to play a pick-up game. But | | | | Buy A Goat! |
| not all kids have the money to buy sports equipment. | | | | Do you like animals? Here's a unique way to help |
| Organize a drive to collect sports equipment and | | | | families in developing countries to have a better life. |
| donate it to a Boys and Girls Club or other | | | | Buy them a cow...or a sheep...or a water buffalo. You |
| organization for underprivileged kids. Pass out flyers | | | | can even buy them a flock of chickens! Heifer |
| at your office and neighborhood, asking people to | | | | International works to end world hunger and save |
| bring sports equipment in good condition to a central | | | | the earth. Instead of providing hungry families with a |
| drop off location. People willingly donate extra sports | | | | non-renewable source of food, Heifer International |
| equipment when they know it goes to a good cause. | | | | provides a "living loan" of an animal. The family's |
| Help Dogs Avoid Heatstroke | | | | health and standard of living is improved by owning |
| Ever get upset at seeing a dog panting inside a | | | | the animal |
| parked car on a hot day? Many dog owners assume | | | | A flock of chickens: $20.00 One hen can provide a |
| they can leave the window open a few inches and | | | | family with 200 eggs per year. |
| leave their dog in the car. The Humane Society of | | | | Honeybees: $30.00 Families eat and sell the honey |
| the United States has flyers available to warn people | | | | and sell the beeswax. The bees pollinate fruits and |
| about the dangers of heatstroke in dogs. Keep a | | | | vegetables so they grow better. |
| few flyers in your car, then simply place on a | | | | 1 sheep: $120.00 People can use the wool to sell or |
| windshield when you see a dog suffering inside a | | | | make their own clothes. The sheep manure is used |
| parked car. Order 50 flyers for $3.00 from | | | | as fertilizer. |
| Start A Wildlife Habitat | | | | Feeling really generous? $1,000 buys four animals that |
| Change the world without leaving your own | | | | produce milk, such as one heifer, two goats, and one |
| backyard! The Washington Department of Fish and | | | | water buffalo. Families drink the milk and sell the |
| Wildlife, along with the National Wildlife Federation, | | | | extra. |
| has a program to help you certify your yard as a | | | | As the new year begins, continue your resolution to |
| "Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary". Download the | | | | volunteer in some way. A small contribution of your |
| Application for Certification on Fill out the form and | | | | time, effort or money makes a big difference. |