11*11*11 A VERY SPECIAL DAY

Some feel like the date tomorrow 11*11*11 will be a very special day.

You can ensure that it will be. 

Take the chance tomorrow to celebrate the day with

11 Acts of Kindness

In addition to the special date --  it's Veteran's Day!!!!

So many opportunities to do just a little bit of good.

Here are a few ideas...

Visit this blog to see some of the ways she suggests doing a little good.

She has ideas that take a little work and elbow grease, ideas that require a little bit of money, ideas that require no money,....lots of ideas. Check it out!

Or....visit here to see all of Debbie's ideas

 ...especially those deeds that help our veterans and servicemen.

Or go here

to join in her month long celebration endeavor of spreading kindness.

Or visit here

and look at some of the great ideas that are already being done by others.

Most importantly,...don't feel overwhelmed, guilty, or stressed.

Keep it simple...perhaps just send a sweet note to school in your kids' lunches.

Here is one I found on Pinterest.

Whatever you decide, make it a great day!!

I'd love to hear back from you.

Guess what today is?

Did you guess??


If you guessed Valentine's Day, you're only partially correct.

I hope your day of love has been a good one, but I really want to let you know that today kicks off an entire week of love.

This week is...

You can join the week of celebrations and take the Extreme Kindness Challenge here.

Everyday they have a kindness idea of the day.

Today's idea:

Send a note of appreciation.

image via random acts of kindness foundation

Fairly simple.

I love this.

Bring on the kindness.

If you have any great ideas or experiences, feel free to share with me. 

We will feature a few ideas all week. 

Be sure to spread the word and spread the kindness.

Happy Valentine's Day 

and

Happy Random Acts of Kindness Week!!!!

P.S. In case you missed it, you might be inspired by this lovely lady

featured here.

Charity Yard Sale

If you're local, be sure to visit the 

Charity Yard Sale

with the CIA.

No. We're not talking covert ops people.

Different CIA.

Citizens in Action.

Citizens in Action is an agency that serves people with disabilities -- namely mental disabilities.

They also try to help show the community what people with disabilities can contribute.

You can help.

They are having a 

Charity Yard Sale

this Saturday, July 17th

from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

in the parking lot of TURN Community Services at

1837 S. East Bay Boulevard

in Provo.

The funds from the yard sale are going directly to a local 4 year old boy with multiple disabilities. 

They are trying to help him get the medical supplies that he needs.

They are going to have A LOT of stuff!

And there will be a cash jar if you would like to directly donate to the cause.

They do not have a website, but are working on getting one up and running soon.

I'll keep you posted.

This is a fairly young agency and they are trying to get their name out there.

This is a great time to get to know them AND find a treasure.

Pepsi Refresh Project

Pepsi Refresh Project

Pepsi is giving away millions in grants to people, businesses, and non-profits with great ideas that will have a positive impact.

Here is a quick video about it.

Here's how it works:

Anyone can submit their ideas in one of six categories.

Anyone can vote for their favorite ideas. 

You can vote up to 10 times each day.

You can even vote for your own if you'd like.

Ideas chosen by voters will be given the grant money and the process will start all over. 

Go here to vote and browse for ideas. 

Plus,...

for one month, PEPSI is giving an additional $1.3 million to ideas that specifically help the gulf.

You can start submitting ideas on July 12th for 4 days only (or until they receive 1000 ideas - whichever comes first.)

Go here to learn more about that.

This is so cool!

Here is your chance.

If you've ever wanted to make a difference and wanted to get a little cash to get it started -- act now!!

P.S. If you're local -- stay tuned.

Pepsi is directly helping to feed the hungry here in Utah County and you can help!

My Expressions of Kindness

This one may surprise you a bit,...

but, stay with me.

And just smile really big!

Botox Cosmetic has started the

My Expressions of Kindness Campaign

to shine the light on all of the small, everyday acts of kindness.

Great idea.

They are trying to start a conversation about all of the good that is happening in the world and use it to help raise money for charity.

They want to empower your kindness and then pay it forward.

By promoting kindness done both by you and for you, Botox Cosmetic will donate 

$25 to your choice of three charities. 

They hope to donate up to $250,000.

The three charities are:

Make it Right 9

This is an organization (founded by Brad Pitt - Oh you heard that didn't you???) dedicated to rebuilding the lower 9th ward in New Orleans and to be a catalyst to build energy-efficient, green homes all across the country.

Go here or here to read more about them.

Dress for Success

This is an international NPO committed to helping disadvataged women take charge of their own lives.

They provide professional attire and a network of support and career development tools to help women thrive.

Go here or here to read more about them.

Children's Action Network

This organization uses the power of the entertainment community to increase awareness about children's issues and make them a top everyday priority. They are currently focused on helping to find more homes for children waiting for adoption and to improve the outcome of those in foster care.

Read more about them here or here.

Here's how it works:

1). Go here and create your profile.

2). At the end of your profile, choose your charity from the three mentioned above.

Done. $25 to a good cause.

Easy.

There is a question about receiving Botox, but it is NOT NECESSARY to have received or be interested in receiving Botox to participate.

You can then share your profile on Facebook or Twitter

and receive an additional $5 to your donation.

You can also Tweet about it for an additional $1.

Go here to read more about the campaign.

Hometown Heroes Contest

The Hometown Heroes Contest

sponsored by the Hyundai Sonata

This Old House is looking for people who go above and beyond their own "honey-do" lists to make their neighborhoods and communities better places to live.

If you, or someone you know is such a person, they want to hear about it.

Nominate yourself or someone you admire for...

a chance to be featured in an upcoming issue of

This Old House (love that magazine!)

AND

a $2500 donation to the charity of your choice.

Five runners-up will also receive $500 for their designated charities.

Hurry and go here for the nomination form

because this ends July 18th.

This is a double whammy!

First you have a chance to highlight someone already doing some good.

Second, you get to earn money for a good cause.

Doesn't get better than that.

Give Kiva -- for Father's Day

Here is another gift idea for that hard to buy for Father.

Have you heard of Kiva?

If not, you should.

You're going to love this.

Kiva is a non-profit organization that allows people like you and me to lend money to entrepreneurs living in poverty, all across the globe.

Their mission is to connect people, through lending, for the sake of alleviating poverty.

How does it work?

You go to their website, scroll through the loan applicants complete with pictures and information regarding the request for the money. 

You choose an entrepreneur and then send the money to Kiva who uses microfinance institutions they have already partnered with, to distribute the money directly to the entrepreneur "in the field."

The money is then repaid to you and you have the opportunity to re-loan it, donate it to Kiva to help cover operational costs, or cash it out through PayPal.

It looks a little something like this:

This is so cool on so many levels. 

These are small loans that are being requested and you can give as little as $25.

They are for items such as a new dairy cow, a new weaving loom, or farming supplies.

Consider helping another father, living in poverty, do a little bit more for his family.

Maybe even him...

Edgar is from Bolivia and would like to buy another dairy cow to help support his family.

Or maybe him...

Cecilio from Nicaragua needs to purchase fertilizer and plant materials to improve his pineapple farm.

Or him...

Dioniso from Peru wants to plant cacao to diversify his farm and generate more income.

These are real people.

These are people trying to work to provide for themselves.

For Father's Day you can donate directly to Kiva here

OR

 make a loan to an entrepreneur on behalf of your Father 

OR

you can buy a Gift Certificate that allows him to choose an entrepreneur.

{They have been featured in so many  major publications it is ridiculous. 

This is not small time people. This is major.

You can check out the Press Center here.}

You can say Happy Father's Day from one father to another.

P.S. There are also plenty of female entrepreneurs to choose from.

all images via Kiva