There are many ways for us to contribute to charities and the best is to contribute to a cause that we personally believe in. That being said, there is no need to announce to the world when one has contributed to charity. This is just my opinion.

Just this morning, I came across BetterWorld.com, a website that sells mostly used books and some new titles. This is no ordinary online book store, though.

For every sale that is secured, BetterWorld channels the money to fund literacy around the world, plus create jobs in health care in Indiana, USA. Besides doing a little in our part to fund literacy and care for the environment, we also get to buy the books we love at a very reasonable price. This is indeed good news to all book lovers because we get to buy something we love while helping out with the cause.

As if that is not enough, when we buy from BetterWorld, we get to enjoy free shipping within the United States or pay only $2.97 for international shipping. I think that with this extra savings, we can buy a couple of books more!

It has been such a long time since I logged into the forum of PayPerPost because I have been bogged down by so many problems that simply took too much of my energy and time. People who know me in real life know that whenever my monkey is ill, I would not have the mood to do anything.

However, over the Memorial weekend, I went to the forum because I thought that I have to get some linky love exchanges. It is time to promote my blog which I have neglected to do.

Anyway, while I was there, I saw the signature of Colleen who is fund-raising for a breast cancer walk.

The point I am trying to make is that you can do your part by donating only $20 to help Colleen reach her target of raising $2200 for this year’s breast cancer walk. In return, Colleen will link your blog or website from her charity blog, 3DayMom, for one year. This blog has a Google Page Rank of Four. It doesn’t really matter though because this is for a good cause.

If you want to have more information, do check out 3 Day Mom because I am not one for details. All I know is that this is for charity. If you are up to it, you could even donate more than $20. So how about it?

I came to know of this online vision test from Pelf‘s blog. Well, my vision isn’t that great and it has gone worse since working at the computer for such long hours for the past five years. Read: I NEED AN LCD SCREEN!

The first time I felt my eyes giving problems was when I was in Secondary Three, when my Chemistry teacher, Mr. Thong, wrote on the blackboard in text as small as ants (the small type).

Some of my friends had no problems reading his text but some of us did. I was not the only one who made a complaint. I went to take an eye test and the ophthalmologist prescribed glasses to me and I became the new 4-eyed girl of the class.

However, I have not worn my glasses since I left school. I don’t really need to because I no longer have to read text as small as Mr. Thong’s! Bah… it’s all his fault!

So I took this vision test and scored 90.63 only. The lower the score, the greater vision disability. I know my score was pulled down because I do not drive. Do you see the big fat 0.00 for Driving?

If you would like to take this test, hop over to this page. Wait a minute, I’m supposed to link to The Eye Digest, but I can’t figure out where to place it! And I’m supposed to be an old hand at working around keywords and links! ha ha ha!

I came across this organization last month. If not for my writing of sponsored posts, I would not even have known about it. Anyway, I think this is a great set up and it gives a chance for young people from all backgrounds a chance to learn golf, a chance that they most probably would not have if not for The First Tee.

The First Tee, supported by The PGA of America, imparts nine core values to these young people through the game of golf. Even ordinarily, I have always believed that children who are actively involved in sports are better children in terms of discipline and focus. They most probably outperform children who are not into sports or music, despite spending less time on books since they have divided their time to sports as well.

The First Tee welcomes monetary donations. Such contributions are tax-deductible in full under the tax law.

When I stumbled upon the website of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF), I feel compelled to blog about it. Brain tumor, even if only the words alone, will always remind me of a friend I used to know who suffered from brain tumor at seventeen years old.

At that age, we do not know much about the medical problems but we know that she suffered tremendously. We never asked her if it was a benign or malignant tumor but having a tumor in the brain is a blow big enough.

This friend of mine had to miss one whole year of schooling but the consolation is that missing one year of school is nothing compared to having her life saved.

Anyway, The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF) needs public help to fund the research of finding a cure for pediatric brain tumor and there are many ways to donate. Please check out their website.

I received an appeal for children’s and women’s clothes for the poor in Cambodia from a friend via email today. Besides clothing, she also would like to take along bags, stationery items and anything that is suitable for the poor children and women in Cambodia.

She is part of the mission that is planning a trip to bring relief and hope to the people in Cambodia. Please read the lengthy email below to get a clearer picture of what is needed and how you can contribute to their cause.

Please note that this is not a cash donation drive. They prefer to receive contributions in kind. Hope they will be successful in their mission.

Greetings in Jesus Name!

As i will be going for a mission trip to Cambodia from May 31 – June 8,
2007, would appreciate if any of you have any children clothes (from baby to
youth) and adult ladies only which is still new or usable and you dun mind
giving it to the children and also nice and good bags to put these clothes.
I am sure this children and adult will really appreciate those clothes you
are giving to them. I heard from my last mission team members who went 2 months ago that many of this children did not even have proper or wear
clothes when they pay them a visit in their homes during home visitation.

Beside clothes, we are also planning to get gifts to them (stationery items
or anything relating for children, teenage and youth) and if you or you know
of ppl who want to contribute can do so…especially if you know of any
manufacturing company who does not mind giving these gifts as promotion for their company, they are free to do so.

I know some of you have contributed last year when i went to Mynamar, do you know how thankful I am to you and this children too when they received those clothes. Some of them wanted more but too bad we could not give them as we have limited only as we have to give a pc each to each person. Also those of you who are so generous too in giving away nice too to pack with those clothes. Really appreciate and thks in advance if you could and do not mind contributing again this time.

As for those of you who may not have children clothes, it is ok if you could
contribute in cash form but prefer not to take cash personally. You could
either go and purchase and pass it to me. But I know of a place in SEA Park near the market where they sold children clothes from China if i am not wrong for a very good price of RM5.00 – RM10.00 per pc. They are so lovely and beautiful, clean and new. Each time when i passed by the market and look at those clothes, i cannot help but keep thinking of the children in Cambodia. And i juz cannot wait and say must go back to the office and forward this mail to encourage those of you who have a burden and a heart for mission will know what i meant. Either you could go there and buy and pass it to me or i could accompany you to go there to buy it. I dun mind doing that.

Really hope this could be a small gesture of how we could help those who are in need or need help. If you know of anyone generous ppl (christians or
non-christian does not matter) who do not mind contributing in one way or
another, please let them know or forward to those whom you know who are
sincere and are willing to contribute ya.. As for those who wants to
contribute in cash, please let them know that they have to personally
purchase those clothes first before they pass to me ok…

Dear heavenly father, I prayed that you speak to the individual heart of
the ppl who are generous, sincere and are willing to contribute in giving
the best chidlren clothes and adult clothes to the Khmer ppl in Cambodia so that they could be bless, touch and minister even through this little
gesture of ours. Most important is they will come to know you as their
personal saviour juz through receiving this gift from the mission team.
Father, I also prayed that as they gave from their heart unto the ppl in
Cambodia you will also bless them back in return whatever way you know best especially for those who give out of their needs to them. Amen! Amen!

Really appreciate and thanks in advance.

May the LORD bless each wan of you and have a blessed day ya….

Best regards
Joane Chan Mei Mei
Administrator
Mercoms Systems Sdn Bhd
Tel: 603-77819401/2 Fax: 603-77819396

Image courtesy of Mary Kay Ash

I believe most of us have heard of Mary Kay. It is a very popular brand name for beauty products in the United States, although I am not sure if this brand is available in Malaysia or not. Living in the backwaters is no help!

Mary Kay Ash, the founder of Mary Kay, started a charitable foundation aptly named Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation, in 1996. She championed causes that affects women, particularly cancer that afflicts women and domestic violence.

Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation has a website which I have just browsed through. They invite cash contributions; cash is the most practical, anyway. What I like about their donation drive is that they allow contributions on behalf, which means that we can make a contribution to the foundation in memory or in honour of someone. This is a great way to help someone to lessen the effects of karma.