Mermaids of the Lake Blog

My favorite charitable gifts

By Mermaid Jennifer

In a year of hardship for so many, it would be easy to hang your head in frustration. The markets are down, people are out of work, and everything still seems just as expensive in the mall.

However, I have found recently that if you look toward helping others instead of worrying about things beyond your control, you may just be able to get past the easy negativity that is around us. 

 

There are two gift Web sites that I think are just super with regard to helping others in the name of a loved one. 

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 5:16

The American Red Cross

From phone cards for military personnel to money to build simple shelters, the Red Cross helps 70,000 people a year. Their Web site is easy to use and you can narrow things down by the type of gift you'd like to give - Help at home, Military, Global Compassion. Sometimes a simple blanket is the kindest thing that you could give. View the site.

Heifer International

These catalogs come in the mail with beautiful little children and fuzzy baby animals. They are so compelling, that out of all of the catalog mail, I love to look at them. Through this organization you can "gift" a goat, ducks, rabbits, and more to people in need around the world. These animals can be used for a family to start a small business. It might make all the difference to them. View the site. 

In this issue of Mermaids of the Lake...

Here are some other thoughts on "How to help others" this season on the Mermaids of the Lake website.

Would you like to share a fun story of volunteerism in your community? Tell us.

Pet Parade Blog party at The Katillac Shack

 

Have you visited The Katillac Shack yet? If you love Inspiration, kindness, divine creativity, people, and animals... you will love this place!!!

This week, September 30, The Katillac Shack will be hosting a Pet Parade Blog party, by Kelee Katillac and her Design Gives Back team. Back in June, Kelee sent out a plea to animal lovers in the blog world and more to decorate a scarf.(sent free of charge by her and her team) You see, someone had agreed to donate $10 for every decorated scarf to a fund for animals who were orphaned due to home foreclosures, a truly huge and growing problem in America today. Kelee's Design Gives Back team met their goal and then some! Congratulations to them and thank you to all who participated. Please visit The Katillac Shack and leave a comment, for Kelee is donating an extra $1 for every comment. Tell your friends, get inspired, help the animals!

Mermaid Debbie contacted Kelee and requested 2 scarves. One for her sweet dog, Willie and one for her sweet dog-brother, Bennie. (her parent's dog)

Willie

Bennie

For our Pet Parade, we are featuring our pets and those of some of our family, friends, neighbors, and readers. Enjoy the parade and give your creatures big hugs of gratitude for the unconditional love they give to you every single day!

Mermaid Jennifer's darling puppy, Indy

Mermaid Shelley's beautiful, sweet kitty, Sally

Mermaid Debbie's much-loved pets...

Willie

Janie

Neve

Carl

Slippery

Friends, family and neighbors...

Benny Roo

Benny Roo

Mimi

Sadie

Baxter

Jack the Cat

Sassy

We Mermaids love our animals! Heck, we love everyone's animals! We even have a Cute Pets gallery on our website/e-zine. If you send us your pics, attached to an email in JPG form, we will make a star of your precious pets!

Decorate a scarf and help the animals!

By Mermaid Debbie

Kelee Katillac from The Katillac Shack is hosting a wonderful way to help animals who have been abandoned due to home foreclosures and troubled times.

The project has been extended and there are scarves left! Please visit her blog and ask for a free scarf. She will mail it out right away. All you have to do is decorate it and take a picture of your dog or your friend's dog wearing it! That is it! Kelee's sponsor has agreed to donate $2,000 if she gets 150 decorated scarf photos.

Now, I have to admit, the artist in me wanted to do something amazing on the two scarves that I was sent. But, I had limited time, as I was leaving on vacation the day after they arrived. I simply took 15 minutes and painted on them, set them in the sun to dry for another 15 minutes and snapped the photos. Done! It isn't a contest for the most elaborate scarf. Just make one. Heck, you could even write inspiring words all over it with a Sharpie!

So pay Kelee a visit and help our furry friends. While you are there read all of her posts and get ready to be inspired in so many ways!!!

Giving the gift of life

By Mermaid Shelley

In this July-August issue of Mermaids of the Lake we featured a story called Volunteering Keeps Couple Young. It's about a lovely couple who volunteer their time and donate their blood at the Inland Northwest Blood Center in Spokane, Washington.

I was inspired by their commitment and asked myself why I haven't donated blood. A few years back I had major surgery and needed several units of blood. Now that I am in super health, it only made sense to give back.

One of the gals from my office and I made our way to the blood center. She's a veteran and showed me the ropes. (I have to say that the angle is terribly unflattering. Deanna is actually quite lovely! And, she'll probably hate me for inserting this picture!)

 

While blood does not make me squeamish, I was still a little anxious about the process. But, the staff at the center were amazing and I soon felt very comfortable. (Ok, I, too, don't look so hot at this angle, but I did want to share this experience, seven extra double chins and all!)

 

I really did feel good doing this, knowing that someone will benefit from my gift. I am now a card carrying member and plan to donate every other month. Apparently, my iron count is really high and I can give double units if I chose to. I actually have no excuse, once a month the mobile unit parks outside of my office on the street!

The Mermaids encourage you to look for ways to give back to your community. Could it be donating time at a local food bank? Participating in auctions for a charitable group? How about clean-up at a park or a neglected neighborhood? There are so many opportunities to give. And guess who benefits the most....you do!

For more ideas about Community, check out the current issue of Mermaids of the Lake.

Design Gives Back: Decorate a scarf and help lost dogs

By Mermaid Debbie

Kelee from The Katillac Shack is offering a wonderful way to help lost or abandoned dogs due to home foreclosures and job loss. It is really simple and I decided to join her cause. It was really fun too!

She has a sponsor who will make a $2,000 donation if she can collect 150 decorated scarves. I went to her website and followed her instructions. I asked for two scarves; one for my dog, Willie and one for my parent's dog, Bennie. I painted mine, but you could sew on buttons, fringe, or appliques. The ideas are endless. Get your creative juices flowing and help out a dog who's family had to leave it behind. She has 50 scarves left!

I painted a simple design

Trying to get a good photo of Willie was the most difficult part of the whole project! This one? No. His eyes are too squinty

This one? Oh, my... no! I caught this one mid yawn! I know it looks like he is snarling, but no... just tired or bored! Isn't it hillarious?!

Now this one is nice

Let's move outside and try one there. Not bad!

 

Benny was a bit easier. He was quite thrilled to receive this scarf from me. After his photo shoot he shook it off, ran with it, and put it in his bed where he keeps his most cherished items.

 

I think that Willie and Bennie are happy to be able to help some of their friends out there. Maybe your dog would like to help too?