Easy ways to volunteer to fit your "back to school" schedule!

Early mornings, loud bells, heavy backpacks...sound familiar? With the chaos that the "back to school" season brings, it is imperative that we find time to fit community service into our daily schedules. Today I will be sharing some easy community service search engines that can help you find the type of activity that fits your wants, needs and time restraints.

http://www.getinvolved.gov/
"Finding the volunteer opportunity that best suits your skills, availability, and expectations can make all the difference. The Get Involved! search engine, sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service and powered by VolunteerMatch, is one of the largest and most advanced on the Internet."

http://www.allforgood.org/
All for good gives you examples of activities in your area of how you can "do good" in the community.

http://www.networkforgood.org
Locate volunteer opportunities by zip code, find and make a donation, get resources for your non-profit etc.

http://www.volunteermatch.org/?gclid=CKDT5bHkhKsCFQ4q7AodMl9g5w
Find the perfect volunteer activity for you!

Thank you to everyone for staying committed to reading my blog! I have almost reached 1,000 views!
Remember, we can all make a difference, one click at a time!
Have a great week!
Mia

Summer Lovin' (My Community)

Summer's here! Time for relaxation and fun. Although we may use the time to create memories that will last a lifetime with friends, go to the beach or hang out with the family, we need to remember that there are still those in our community that need our help regardless of the season.

Here is a little inspirational short story to get you going this summer:
This is a story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did. Somebody got angry with that because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it but Nobody realized that Everybody would not do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.

I apologize in advance because this will be my last post for a month, but in July, I will be back on with new ideas and creative posts. But, if you have any ideas for my blog, please post them in the comments below.

I also wanted to thank you because as of today, I have received 740+ views on my blog since July 2010! (according to the blogger statistics) Thank for all of your support! Remember, you can always become a follower to stay updated on whenever I create a new post.

Have a fantastic summer and I will speak with you in July!
Remember, we can all make a difference, on click at a time.
Mia

Weekly Motivator - Inspirational Quotes

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. ~Anne Frank

I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do. ~Edward Everett Hale

Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little. ~Edmund Burke

He who gives when he is asked has waited too long. ~Sunshine Magazine

Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something. ~Author Unknown

Dare to reach out your hand into the darkness, to pull another hand into the light. ~Norman B. Rice

It's not that successful people are givers; it is that givers are successful people. ~Patti Thor

You must be the change you wish to see in the world. ~Mahatma Ghandi

Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve.... You don't have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love. ~Martin Luther King, Jr.

I hope this inspired all of you to make a difference in the coming week.
Remember, we can all make a difference, one click at a time.
Mia

Summer Volunteer Opportunities - Virtual Bulletin Board Summer Edition (:

Can you believe it? Summer is right around the corner. With more free time also comes more time to volunteer! Today, I will be sharing some volunteer opportunities that you can participate in this summer.

Hands On Miami is having YVC (Youth Volunteer Corps) Community Service Summer Camp."Earn community service hours by exploring critical issues in our community such as homelessness, senior citizens, people with disabilities, and much more. Participate in direct-service projects. Take part in fun, high energy, ‘Hands On’ learning activities. Hear from exciting guest speakers. Learn to make a life-long commitment to volunteering."

http://handsonmiami.org/specialevents/viewSpecialEvent.php?_setFlag=specialevent&_clearFlag=course

Breakthrough Miami also has different camps throughout Miami-Dade where you can volunteer at. Locations include Ransom Everglades Middle School site, Miami Country Day site, Cushman School site, Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart School site, International Studies Charter School site, Palmer Trinity School site.

http://www.breakthroughmiami.org/gi_volunteer.shtml

South Miami Hospital has a summer teen volunteer program. "Teens, ages 15 to 18, are placed in our after school Teen Volunteer or Teen Volunteer Summer program, which runs from June through August. During the summer program, teens come in once or twice a week and work three to four hours each time."

http://www.baptisthealth.net/en/about-baptist-health/Pages/become-volunteer-south-miami-hospital.aspx

Zoo Miami has a teen summer volunteer program as well. You can work as a Zoo Camp Aide, a Children's Zoo Volunteer, Dr. Wilde's World Guide or an Wings of Asia Aviary Aide.

http://www.miamimetrozoo.com/volunteers.asp?Id=43&rootId=9

Thank you everyone! I have already received 640 + views on my blog since my arrival in August 2010. If you have not done so already, don't forget to become a follower of my blog so you can always stay up to date with the latest blog posts.
Remember, we can all make a difference once click at a time!
Have a great week.
Mia

Weekly Motivator

Today I will be showing you the music video of the song "We Are The World" as part of this week's weekly motivator. A group of 25 artists came together to record a song and raise awareness about the earthquake that occurred in Haiti over a year ago. They used their talents to make a change in the lives of some many people and helped raise money for this cause. How can you use your talents to make a difference in some one's life this weekend?

Remember, we can all make a difference one click at a time!
Mia

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5 Ways to Help Japan

I hope everyone had a great week. Unfortunately, as we all know, 2 and 1/2 weeks ago a 23 foot tsunami hit the country of Japan. The magnitude of the earthquake was 9.0, which is the largest earthquake in Japanese history. More than 225,000 people died from the disaster, a half a million were injured, and millions were left homeless.


Even though we are miles away from the tragedy, we still can help and make a change. Here is a list of five ways that you can make a difference.

1. Visit Redcross.org or text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 from your phone. UNICEF also allows you to donate 100 percent of your desired amount to their fund designated for victims of the earthquake or text JAPAN to 864233 to donate $10.

2. Operation USA has also announced efforts to collect bulk corporate donations of health care supplies. Their first major shipment of supplies includes 130,000 pieces of winter clothing along with hand-crank radios, flashlights, hygiene supplies, portable lights and miscellaneous medical supplies. The organization is encouraging monetary donations through their website, OpUSA.org, so additional supplies can be purchased closer to disaster sites.

3. iTunes has an album out entitled songs for Japan. All of the proceeds go to the Japanese Red Cross. Songs include Lady Gaga's "Born This Way", Katy Perry's "Firework", Bruno Mars' "Talking to the Moon", Adele's "Make You Feel My Love" and more.

4. Lady Gaga created a wristband for $5 that states, "We pray for Japan". All proceeds go directly to Japan relief efforts. http://ladygaga.shop.bravadousa.com/Product.aspx?cp=14781_42444&pc=BGAMLG88

5. Through Facebook causes, the social network's activism application, Facebook fans can support relief efforts by donating to the American Red Cross and Save the Children. On its disaster relief page -- http://www.facebook.com/DisasterRelief -- Facebook users are sharing fundraising projects, videos and other information related to the earthquake and tsunami.

Remember, we can all make a difference, one click at a time.
Have a great weekend!
Mia

Weekly Motivator

Hi everyone. Today I will be presenting to you another "weekly motivator". Remember that there should not be a time of year, a time of month or a time of day that we should make a change. We are capable of making a difference every single day and it it only takes one person to do so. Here is a video that I found entitled "One person can make a difference...what are YOU waiting for?"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8I7Wk14VWK4

Have a great weekend and remember we can all make a difference, one click at a time!
Mia

Virtual Bulletin Board - March

Hi! Today I will be presenting another virtual bulletin board for the month of March. The Virtual Bulletin Board is a place where you can be exposed to different community service opportunities. In addition, if you know of any other community service opportunities that are not posted, please feel free to leave a comment down below with the information for the project.

During Spring Break (March 14th - 17th), Hands On Miami will be hosting a "volunteer camp" for youth ages 13-18. Projects consist of making Easter decorations with children with disabilities, interning at the Hands On Miami office, painting in North Miami Beach, and serving meals at a soup kitchen. If you are interested in participating in one or more of these projects please go to http://www.handsonmiami.org/projects/viewProject.php?_setFlag=specialevent&_clearFlag=course&_mode=search&_submode=simple&_action=search&ixSpecialEvent=832.

The University of Miami's summer camp, "Mini Canes", is gearing up for summer. Applications to be a program aide at the camp are now available at http://www.miami.edu/index.php/wellness_center/mini_canes_recreational_sports_camp/volunteer_opportunities. Program aides assist the counselors in day to day activity and ensure that the campers have a safe and fun summer.

The Greater Miami Jewish Federation has a search engine available for those interested in volunteering. It allows you to find a service opportunity that is appropriate for your tastes and interests. http://jewishmiami.org/about/departments/volunteer/opportunities/

Please become a follower of Clicks for Change to receive more updates on how we can make a difference in our communities.
Remember, we can all make a difference, one click at a time!
Mia

New Ways to Make A Difference

Hi! Time Magazine presents an article entitled "New Ways to Make A Difference". Here is the link:
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1921428,00.html

"Put Your Time to Work
• For anyone with a jammed schedule, a new group called the Extraordinaries offers ways to devote even just a few minutes of free time to something worthwhile. Micro-volunteering opportunities abound on BeExtra.org, from using your smartphone to view and label photos (to help digitize museum archives) to snapping a picture of a local park (to help build a map of places where kids can play).

• Another new tool aims to break world-changing action into its tiniest subparts. IfWeRantheWorld.com, which expects to launch this fall, encourages you to dream big — end poverty! cure cancer! — and then helps come up with small, specific ways you can help achieve progress in those areas.

• Random acts of kindness are getting a high-tech boost, thanks to social entrepreneur Daniel Lubetzky. First, print a card at Kinded.com. Then do something nice for a stranger, like sharing an umbrella or helping carry luggage, and hand that person the card. The recipient can go online and note where the act of kindness took place and then pass the card along. It's like Pay It Forward, with mapping features.

• The Web has long been a good venue for finding volunteer opportunities. Now a new site called AllforGood.org draws together listings not only from traditional volunteer sites but also from Craigslist and Meetup. And it makes it easy to share these opportunities with friends on social-networking sites.

Put Your Money to Work
• Buy a fair-trade scarf or the work of an African artisan on eBay's WorldofGood.com, which vets every product to ensure that it's eco-friendly or ethically sourced.

• To help build a business in a developing country, try peer-to-peer lending. Kiva.org started the trend, which lets you lend as little as $25 to the entrepreneur of your choosing and track the recipient's progress online. Now there are specialized sites like Wokai.org, which provides microloans in rural China. Wokai is Mandarin for "I start."

• More than 1 in 9 dollars in the U.S. stock market is now invested in socially responsible funds. Go to SocialInvest.org to find out how to shift your dollars to match your values.

Put Your Friends to Work
• Gather your pals and organize a reverse boycott called a Carrotmob. Instead of punishing corner stores and other local businesses for environmentally unfriendly practices, help them do better by arranging a massive shop-in, in which the owners agree to use a portion of the revenues to get greener.

• Rally your friends to support a good cause. Last year bloggers competing in the online equivalent of a walkathon raised more than $270,000 for DonorsChoose.org, which funds public-school teachers' requests for classroom materials. This year's Social Media Challenge starts Oct. 1.

• Twitter is becoming a hub not just for socializing but also for social action. And as silly as they may sound, "Twestivals" get people to meet off-line to help a local charity. For non-Twitterers, TimeBanks.org is spreading a form of reciprocal community service, including everything from day care to tutoring.

• Join a neighborhood volunteer group like Brooklyn's In Our Backyard and Washington's CarbonfreeDC, which help groups of friends partner on projects — like planting gardens and teaching people how to green their homes — and have some fun along the way."

Remember, we can all make a difference, one click at a time!
Expect a new post soon!
Mia

Thank You!

I just wanted to let you all know that I have already received 340+ page views. I wanted to thank everyone who views and reads my blog for taking their time to not only click on my web address, but for also making a difference in our communities. Remember, you can always become a follower so you are always updated on any new community service activities. In addition, please tell your friends and family about Clicks for Change so we can all make an impact together!

Remember, we can all make a difference, one click at a time!
Mia