My Birthday Wish List

Yes, today is my birthday, and you better bet I have a Wish List. Don’t worry, it’s not long or expensive.

Those of you that have been around these parts for a while know that I have in the past participated in fundraising efforts with DonorsChose.org. This year I’m participating in the Give-Back Birthday program. I’ve set up a nice little Give-Back page, and if you are so inclined, it would be great if you threw a couple dollars for one of the Arts and Music projects for schoolchildren that are in need.

The BDPA Foundation is currently holding a fundraiser to raise $500 in one week to help send a BDPA student to college. Please consider dropping a few dollars their way. You have until 7 May to do so.

Granted, my own list may seem small, but here’s the good part. My Wish List is open to other folk’s wishes. Anyone that knows of other good causes that are in need of funding should feel free to post a link to a donation page in comments. Obviously, any requests for donations should be of the progressive sort. Organizations that support education, women, anti-racism, the disabled, etc. need only apply.

I understand that times are hard and money is short, but consider this little effort an act of investing in the future. Leave some links, donate 5 bucks where you can, and let’s do this.

Black Bloggers For Education

As I wrote the other day, I’m participating in the DonorsChoose.org Blogger Challenge ‘08. Several AfroSpear members and other black bloggers have now grouped together and we have our own Black Bloggers for Education group. Please check out either the page or my widget on the far right sidebar and consider donating to a worthy educational cause. The projects that I’m choosing are focused on literacy and arts education. Any amount helps these kids out.

DonorsChoose.org is a simple way to provide students in need with resources that our public schools often lack. At this not-for-profit web site, teachers submit project proposals for materials or experiences their students need to learn. These ideas become classroom reality when concerned individuals, whom we call Citizen Philanthropists, choose projects to fund.

Proposals range from “Magical Math Centers” ($200) to “Big Book Bonanza” ($320), to “Cooking Across the Curriculum” ($1,100). Any individual can search such proposals by areas of interest, learn about classroom needs, and choose to fund the project(s) they find most compelling. In completing a project, donors receive a feedback package of student photos and thank-you notes, and a teacher impact letter.

I’m particularly happy today. One of the proposals that I chose to hi-light and draw support for was the Inspiring African American as Class Role Models project. Until today, there were no donors, but I’m happy to say that today an A Slant Truth reader donated $100 to the project. They are now that much closer to reaching their goal. My most heartfelt thanks goes out to the reader and any other readers who decide to donate.

Here are the current bloggers working together under Black Bloggers for Education. Check ‘em out.

T.A. Negro’s Good Karma Challenge (The Assimilated Negro)
SES: Science, Education & Society (SES: Science, Education & Society)
BDPA Foundation (BDPA Foundation)
Jack & Jill Politics (Jack & Jill Politics)
Springer’s Journal (Springer’s Journal)
Fackin Truth Blog Friends (Fackin Truth Blog)

See also, the Blogher Giving Group (Blogher.com)

Ok, now let’s do this, y’all!

Donors Choose 2008 – Literacy Matters

I’m participating in Donors Choose 2008. Here’s how it works:

DonorsChoose.org is a simple way to provide students in need with resources that our public schools often lack. At this not-for-profit web site, teachers submit project proposals for materials or experiences their students need to learn. These ideas become classroom reality when concerned individuals, whom we call Citizen Philanthropists, choose projects to fund.

Proposals range from “Magical Math Centers” ($200) to “Big Book Bonanza” ($320), to “Cooking Across the Curriculum” ($1,100). Any individual can search such proposals by areas of interest, learn about classroom needs, and choose to fund the project(s) they find most compelling. In completing a project, donors receive a feedback package of student photos and thank-you notes, and a teacher impact letter.

This is a great cause. I’m doing this as part of the Blogger Challenge 2008, but I’m not as interested in the challenge as I am in folks helping students get the books that they need in their classrooms, even if it’s a small contribution. That said, I ask A Slant Truth readers to consider going to my Giving Page and donating to one of the projects that I’ve selected. I’ve chosen projects that focus on literacy in low income schools. Any amount helps and is greatly appreciated.

I also ask that any one that decides they’d like to donate to take a look at the Inspiring African Americans as Class Role Models Project. They need $384 and haven’t received a penny yet. Of course, you should donate to whichever project moves you, but this seems like a really good one to consider.

Big props to The Urban Scientist for asking me to participate in this great endeavor.