Growing up, I confess that Memorial Day didn’t have much of an impact on me. I didn’t personally know any veterans and didn’t fully understand the sacrifices made by those in the armed services.

Then came September 11th. I was a sophomore in college, and suddenly we were at war. That day, as I sat with my friends watching those towers fall, I knew everything would change. We all thought the draft would be reinstated, and recognized that no matter what, people we knew would enlist.

And enlist they did. Good friends joined the Army special forces, the Marines, and the Coast Guard. An anxiety filled my heart that I hadn’t felt before – part of me was always thinking of them, wondering if they were okay. When I heard of a service person injured or killed in the line of duty, I didn’t quite breathe until I realized that I didn’t recognize the name. In 2007, a childhood friend was killed by a roadside bomb while helping to rebuild Afghanistan, and my heart ached (and still does) for his family.

Now, when Memorial Day arrives each year, I remember people who were my own age. It is no longer an abstract holiday for me; it’s not only for older men who fought in wars that happened before I was born. It’s about men and women who have their whole lives ahead of them, and yet have already faced hardships that I can only imagine.

image source

Most of my friends are back in the United States now, thankfully – one after three tours in Iraq. And even though not every veteran has physical scars from their service, many suffer emotionally and have a hard time adjusting back into civilian life.

Taking a moment to remember…and offer support

This Memorial Day, as we take time to honor those we’ve lost in the line of duty, let’s also think of those who have returned to civilian life and need our support. Here are three organizations (recommended by a veteran pal of mine – thanks Ben!) that are truly making a difference and providing valuable services:

American Corporate Partners
ACP’s mentor program pairs veterans with executives at top companies like AT&T, Pepsico, Goldman Sachs and Johnson & Johnson. Veterans receive guidance and advice on all things career-related, and can take advantage of the vast networking opportunities of their highly successful mentors.

United War Veterans Council
Among other outreach, the UWVC puts on the famous Veterans Day Parade in New York City each year. More than just a parade, events like this create an overlapping community between military life and civilian life. For veterans who feel isolated by their military service and have a difficult time adjusting to civilian life, UWVC helps ease the transition.

Wounded Warrior Project
The Wounded Warrior Project gives direct aid to veterans who were injured in the line of duty. They help wounded veterans get access to medical care (which is more difficult than it should be), secure jobs and develop careers, and readjust to civilian life.

The hardships faced by military personnel don’t end the moment they return to the United States. For many veterans, especially those who have been injured or traumatized, the hardest days are still before them.

image source

This Memorial Day, as you think about those we have lost, please also consider those who continue to pay a hefty price for their service; they truly have sacrificed for our country. The organizations I mentioned above aren’t the only non-profits that could benefit from your generosity. If you feel so moved, check out the JustGive Guide for more.

What veteran’s organizations do you support? Do you know a veteran who has been helped by non-profit services? We’d love to hear about it – leave us a comment below or share your story on our Facebook page!

– Sara Olsher, Marketing Manager

For the first 27 years of my life, Mother’s Day was about giving gifts. Artwork when I was very little, handmade cards when I was a little older, and a nice pair of earrings as an adult.

I’m now a mom myself, and as I’m sure many new mothers can attest, giving birth often comes with a sudden sense of “OMG Mom, I totally understand every single thing you ever said to me.” We mothers truly feel every bit of the pain (and the joy) our children experience, in addition to a near-constant worry. This is both exhausting and an incredible blessing.

Here’s what I realized during my first Mother’s Day as a mom: while I’m sure my mom loved the earrings I got her, Mother’s Day is about appreciation, not about gifts. Motherhood is an amazing but often-thankless journey that involves a lot of sacrifice . . . and Mother’s Day is one specific day a year set aside to show her how much we appreciate all she has done for us.

A small gift and a big gesture

The best gifts for Mom show you care – so get her a small gift, and make it part of a bigger way your express your appreciation. To inspire you, here’s our countdown to a few of the Best Mother’s Day Gifts for 2012:

5. Offer a helping hand

Has your mom been asking you to help her with the computer, paint the house, or organize the garage? If so, Mother’s Day is a great occasion to actually do it. Making her life easier is a great gift. If your mom isn’t the type to ask for help, think of things in her life that are giving her grief. Can you remove the spyware on her PC? Teach her how to Skype? Send the family photos to be digitized? There’s a whole world of ways to make Mom’s life a little brighter.

image source

4. DIY a special book of memories

My friend Mary recently put together a book of photos and memories for her mother. What a great idea! Two thoughtful options: A book capturing her life (photos of childhood to current day) or a book of your history together (your birth to today). You don’t have to be crafty to make something special – use Blurb.com to easily create a custom photo book (just allow a couple of weeks to receive it from Blurb). Then sit down and go through it with her on Mother’s Day. She’ll love the trip down memory lane.

3. A spa day and nice family dinner

For a mom that doesn’t have time to herself very often, give the gift of a massage or a facial. While she’s out getting pampered, get in the kitchen and cook her a delicious  meal (and I mean cook – the effort you put into it means a lot more than a dinner out, even if you’re no gourmet chef!). Have a beautiful table set to enjoy it with her when she returns.

2. Show your support for what she cares about

What causes are close to your mom’s heart? If she loves animals, make a donation to an organization she cares about and take her to play with the pups at your local humane society. Is she passionate about the environment? Why not create a charity “gift basket” of four charities that work for her cause, and organize a beach cleanup of her favorite spot? What Mom doesn’t love seeing evidence that you’ve actually been listening when she’s lectured you about what truly matters?

image source

1. Quality time

For people like Anneka (a friend of ours on Facebook), the best gift for Mom is time – her mom always asks to go on a hike with her kids. Making memories and having a close relationship – isn’t that what most mothers want most? Make a date to spend time with your mother doing something she loves this Mother’s Day – organize a hike, take her out for lunch, or go to a movie she’s been wanting to see.

Unfortunately, my mom lives in another state (just for now, though, right Mom?), but this Mother’s Day she’ll be receiving something extra special to show just how much her daughter and her granddaughter both love her and appreciate all she’s done for us–especially in the past few months.

What are you giving your mom this year? What’s the most thoughtful gift you’ve ever given or received? Share it in the comments below, or post it on our Facebook page!

– Sara Olsher, Marketing Manager

The bright sticker comes in the mail with your driver’s license along with a long page of information that you may or may not give a second glance. Many of us opt to ignore it, to decide at a later date, or to let someone else decide for us if the situation ever arises where we’re in a place to donate an organ.

Today, I’m challenging you to get informed about organ, eye, and tissue donation and to inspire others to do the same.

 No one wants to consider what it would mean if we, or someone we loved, needed an organ transplant. But for more than 113,000 patients waiting (as of March 2012)—and their families and loved ones —it’s something on their minds each and every day.

Why the stigma about organ donation?

For some of us, it’s the fear I mentioned earlier—that if we register as an organ donor, and were ever in a bad situation, life saving measures might be disregarded. But research and hospital protocol tells us that if you are sick or injured and admitted to the hospital, their number one priority is to save your life.

Phew, I know that makes me feel better! It’s never glamorous to think about what would happen if an accident occurred, but thinking of lives that could be saved can make it a little easier to consider the options.

The stigma for others may involve religion or concern about what organ removal does to the body. All major religions in the United States support donation and see it as a final act of love and generosity toward others – and an open casket is possible for donors as the body is treated with care and respect.

Still need help deciding?

• Learn the Facts: Get your questions answered and learn about what it means to be a donor.

• Read the Stats: About successful transplants, who’s waiting, and more.

• Watch Will Act: Check out the film Seven Pounds with Will Smith (while it’s not a true account, nor am I endorsing mimicking his actions, it’s interesting how strangers become treasured as you learn more about them). Read about real patients waiting for a transplants. Every human deserves life, and maybe these stories will move you to act and make the ultimate difference in the life of a stranger.

If you’re inspired: register to become a donor today, give to organizations that are working to raise awareness, and share this blog with a friend.

Do you have an organ donation experience story to tell or a specific appeal to make for your organization? Take a moment to share it on Facebook.

Addressing Perceptions, Misconceptions, and Taking Action

In high school, I volunteered for my local AIDS Project.  My peers and I spoke at schools around the county—together, we educated teens about safe sex, harm reduction, and living HIV positive. We asked the students questions about how the disease is contracted, what type of person gets it, and how to prevent transmission. At the end of each presentation an HIV positive speaker would share his or her story, giving a human face to the disease.

Our goal for presentations was not just to educate – but also to make it personal for every student in the class and banish the thought, “That will never happen to me.” We all remember what it was like to feel invincible. And whether we’re talking about addiction, teen pregnancy, sexual assault, or disease, the best way for young people to make good decisions is to have knowledge.

 Misconceptions

The answers the students gave us about HIV/AIDS were not always correct, and they also weren’t surprising. Unless you grew up in media isolation, most of us think of a person with HIV only as a male drug user, or as being homosexual (think Tom Hanks in Philadelphia, for instance).

According to the CDC statistics, injection drug users actually represents less than 10% of new infections. And while MSM transmission (men who have sex with men) is still in the majority, women claim one in every 4 new infections – over 290,000 women in the US alone. Of that number, more than 80% contracted HIV through heterosexual sex.

Some alarming statistics we don’t often hear: African Americans represent approximately 14% of the US population, but account for an estimated 44% of new HIV infections. While men do account for most HIV/AIDS cases, research shows that women and African Americans face large gaps in access and care.

 How can you help? Why should you care?

HIV/AIDS is the epidemic of our generation. We can prevent its spread through education and resources, and best treat those affected with enough research and funding (which will hopefully produce a cure in the near future). In all we do, we can respond to an HIV positive person with respect and care.

1. Observe National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Hold an event, spread the word through social media, or create a charity registry to raise money.
2. Lobby for the new Affordable Care Act and the National HIV/AIDS Strategy. The new law reduces the number of people who become infected with HIV through prevention education, increases access to care and optimizes health outcomes, and reduces HIV related health disparities.
3. Donate to charities that support HIV/AIDS research, prevention, and treatment. Find a charity in your area or support nationally recognized nonprofits.
4. Shop (RED).With an extensive catalogue from iPods to shoes to jewelry, (RED) product proceeds go toward eliminating AIDS by 2015 . . . for an AIDS Free Generation.

If I helped to inspire even one person to use protection through my presentations or spread the word through this blog, then I’ve made a difference. How will you? 

Want to hear more about the latest progress? Check out this 2011 World Aids Day video: 

– Michelle Koffler, Marketing Coordinator

When planning a wedding, online access to friends’ wedding albums, DIY blogs, a parade of competing vendors and a plethora of websites can be inspiring…and overwhelming. In an industry where advice is handed out like candy and society sets expectations for everything from ring size to dress size to guest list, it‘s hard to remember that a wedding is not a competition. (Well, unless you’re on a reality show. But who can keep up with the Kardashians anyway?)

I was in three weddings this past year, each with its own flare. And it’s not the fancy meal, the lighting, or the color of the bouquet ribbons I remember. It’s the personal touches like receiving Save the Date cards on Willy Wonka-inspired golden tickets, watching the bride walk down the isle to Pure Imagination, laughing at the groom’s delivery of a comedy routine before the vows, and being asked to share marital advice using an antique typewriter. (This inspired moments of hilarity from my 20-something peers who had never used such a “high-tech” device. Luckily the parents stood by to help.) Now those were unforgettable moments.

Of course you want your wedding day to be special and express who you are as a couple. And ultimately, when all the elements come together to really capture that spirit, it makes an impression.

What’s trending now?

Many couples are personalizing their weddings by registering for charity and requesting donations for causes they care about. With organizations like I Do Foundation, it’s easy to manage a charity registry online, simple for guests to donate, and convenient to get a ready-made gift list when it’s time to send thank you notes. As a serial bridesmaid, I know anything that makes the after-wedding rituals simpler is appreciated!

For some couples like Annette Toutonghi and Bruce Oberg of Seattle, Washington, registering for charity made perfect sense. “We have everything we really need,” they said. “Physical gifts seemed wasteful. We are passionate about human rights, the environment, and the arts. And have quite a few loved ones who we’ve lost to cancer. What a wonderful gift to feel like our special day could benefit these causes.”

They’re not alone in their thinking. With nearly 70% of couples living together before marriage and many waiting until later in life to get married, home and kitchen items just aren’t needed. They want to make their day about something else. Charity gifts are an inspired, eco-chic option that shares the love in a feel-good and meaningful way.

For other couples, a charity registry offers a chance to give back locally. “We lived for decades in Minneapolis before moving to California just before our wedding, and wanted to benefit a charity that serves that local community,” explains Eric and Becky Bausman of San Mateo. “The notes from our guests reflected the true spirit of our celebration—they completely understood that this was about choosing to celebrate our joy by sharing our blessings with the world around us.”

What a wonderful world

Take a cue from popular wedding songs to personalize the charity choice for your wedding:

1. Marry Me - The most important part of your day is joining the two of you as a couple. What causes and issues do you and your partner care about individually and together? Charity registries let you select favorite organizations so you can share your love with others.
2. Celebrate good times - Weddings reunite family and friends and are a time to remember someone special who is not there to celebrate with you. Why not honor them and their health struggle by giving to make a difference for the cause? It’s a great way to include them in your day.
3. Shout! - Let guests know about your registry by sharing a custom link in an email, on your invitations, and through social media—telling them how their gift to charity will mean the world to you.

“We felt giving our guests the opportunity to donate on our behalf would add to the good energy and feelings of love surrounding our wedding. It can be easy to get caught up in table decorations, favors, or any number of small details,” comments Elizabeth James of Santa Monica, California.

When it comes to starting a marriage off on the right foot and remembering what’s important, I think there’s no better way than to include charity on your special day. When I plan my own ceremony, I know I want to represent who I am and my dedication to charity, and I’m confident my partner will share this passion with me. I would love for my guests to be a part of the causes I hold dear and to leave the wedding feeling like we made a difference together.

Charity makes it easy to celebrate generously^™ and creates not-to-be-forgotten wedding memories.

P.S. Still looking for inspiration? Visit A Soolip Wedding – they’re having events in San Francisco and Los Angeles, offer Ways to be Green, and support conscious vendors (like I Do!).

Check out I Do Foundation on Facebook!

– Michelle Koffler, Marketing Coordinator

For me, December 31^st is a simple marker in the year where I can stop and reflect on what I have accomplished . . . and what else I hope to do moving forward. This year, I’ve done more writing and photography than ever, moved to a new apartment in San Francisco, and paid off a lot of my dreaded student loans.

But one of the most important things I’d like to do more of next year—especially now that I’m moving out of a “student” lifestyle and into some financial stability—is to give back. So far, I’ve managed to find ways to give here and there: buying charity gift cards, volunteering, and giving a few individual donations. But I haven’t yet made it a part of a personal giving plan.

Ring in the New Year on a positive note…

Join me and create your own giving plan. We can start now, with three steps to finish 2011 right. And we can kick off 2012 with a resolution that feels good all year long:

1. Donate by December 31 – I’m getting in my last donations for 2011 and adding to my charitable deductions for the year. Do the same: Give to your favorite charity, donate in someone’s name, or buy a charity gift card as a New Year’s gift —they choose the cause and you get the deduction.

2. Get it on the Record – JustGive creates a Giving History online for every donor with convenient access to charitable information needed for taxes. I’m able to do all my giving in one place and can easily keep track of it. Whether I’m donating or buying a charity collection, sending a gift card, or making a charity or wedding registry gift, it’s all recorded and stored for me online.

3. Plan to Plan – I want to make a bigger difference with my giving in 2012. By ticking the recurring box on any donation, I can affordably budget my charitable gifts throughout the year. JustGive automatically sends my donation each month . . . and I check ‘charity’ off my resolution list instantly!

Questions?

Still not sure about how to make charity a part of your own budget in 2012? Visit our Giving Wisely page for more info and things to consider as you develop a plan that works for you and supports the causes you care about.

P.S. Let’s get the buzz going: How do you plan to make a difference with your giving? Which charities do you support and why? Tell your story on Facebook – and we’ll spread the word about the good work being done across the country. 

Despite all the emails, ads, music, and festive decorations (not to mention the holiday clichés all around) – it’s easy to put off shopping while your list continues to grow. The stress of what to get, how much to spend, and the time it takes to wrap and send can be overwhelming….

Have no fear. Here are some great holiday gift options for any procrastinator. Unique, meaningful, and hassle-free–they may be last minute gifts, but they’re coming from your heart.

GiveNow Charity Gift Cards

You choose the amount, they choose the charity. And now, you can upload your own photo for that personal touch. Select an email card and schedule a delivery date or print the card at home to hand deliver. (And here’s a secret: On Tuesday December 20 all email and printed GiveNow cards purchased on the JustGive site will be fee free!)

They’re perfect for Hanukkah, Secret Santas, stocking stuffers, host gifts, client thank you’s and more.

Donate in their Name

It’s not hard to find a cause or charity that your friend or family member cares about. Maybe they have a love for animals, have served in the military, or recently ran a marathon to benefit breast cancer—try checking Facebook to learn about their favorite organizations and interests. Then just use the JustGive search tools and donate in their name for a personal gift that means more.

 Choose a Charity Gift Basket

Select from 16 Charity Collections that feature four nonprofits supporting a specific cause. From education to global aid, women’s rights to health, military to peace – there’s something for everyone!

Each of these charitable gift options shows you care. Even at the last minute—these are memorable gifts that share the true spirit of the season.

P.S. Follow us on Facebook for more holiday tips, ideas and stories.

What does home mean to you? Is it simply the roof over your head? Your life’s savings or investment? Where you raised your children and where your family gathers for the holidays?

Having a place to call home is the pillar of the American Dream and the center of our childhood memories. As the weather turns cold and plans center around festive gatherings, our homes become more precious than ever. And we think of those who are have no place to call home during our iciest and most challenging time of year.

Despite growing up in a fairly affluent county in Northern California, my family is no stranger to homelessness. When there’s expensive rent, five mouths to feed, credit card bills, and trying to keep up with the Jones’ (or Kardashian’s for a younger reader) - everything can get turned upside down quickly when the primary breadwinner loses his job. For a short time while I was in high school, my sisters and I stayed with friends so our parents could get back on their feet when we lost our home.

With “president” and “vice-president” of software companies to his professional credit, time and time again my father was denied positions for being over-qualified. He stayed in a shelter for months so that the money he earned working a retail job could contribute to a small apartment for my sisters, mother and me. Every weekend, we would open the door to groceries left on our stoop, a symbol of the indignity he felt as well as his desperate attempt to care for us in one of the only ways he could.

We were fortunate enough to have family and friends to lean on, beds to sleep in, food in our bellies, and to remain in school. But my story isn’t uncommon nor is it the worst case scenario. With the state of the economy, fewer job openings and more layoffs, families across the country are at risk of losing everything.

Between five and six hundred thousand people are considered homeless at any given time—without a “permanent, safe, affordable place to live.” Families constitute about one third of all homeless and are the fastest-growing group. The homeless elderly are also an important group as America ages in the next decades. — Preventing Homelessness in America

What difference can one person make?

If you’re wondering how you can give back during this season, consider the following organizations and gift options that are close to my heart. You can make life better for individuals and families in need.

• Homeward Bound of Marin: The Mill Street Center is the county’s only emergency shelter for homeless men and women. Half of the center’s beds are for night-to-night stays, while the other half are for those who are determined to end homelessness in their lives and are working on a personal action plan to accomplish it. >>Give Now
• Raphael House: As the first shelter for children and families experiencing homelessness in Northern California, they provide an environment of loving support where families can find stable housing and achieve financial independence, while strengthening family bonds and personal dignity. >>Give Now
• JustGive’s Homes & Jobs Charity Collection: Provide jobs, training, shelter, and homes through four organizations that reverse homelessness and joblessness. >>Buy Collection
• Search for other organizations helping to end homelessness in your community, nationally and worldwide. Make your gift recurring, something you can be proud of all year long. >>Search Guide

This holiday, as you cozy up to the fire, light the menorah, hang twinkle lights on your roof, and sit down to your dinner table with loved ones… pause and think about ways to share your warmth and light with others. And give what you can to help the homeless find an affordable, safe and secure place to call home.

Do you support a charity that does a great job of helping the homeless? Like us on Facebook and let others know.   

Hearing and joining in on the negative remarks has made me take pause. I don’t want to feel overwhelmed or get swept up in all the consumer hogwash, I’d rather enjoy the season. My sisters will be back from college and the holidays are the perfect time to reconnect—with my family, my community, and the true spirit of the holidays. Showing my loved ones I care in new and meaningful ways without breaking the bank or gifting unwanted items seems like a great place to start.

Here are some great charitable gifts that can change lives:

• Charity Gift Cards. Take advantage of JustGive’s Cyber Monday promotion: fee-free GiveNow cards*. Pull out your favorite photos to upload, and on November 28^th, create customized gifts for your friends, family, and colleagues – with ZERO fees. You chose the amount, they choose the charity (from more than 1.8 million on the site). >>Buy Gift Cards

• Personal Charity Registry. Create a wish list and ask for charity as your holiday gift. It not only makes you feel good, but also spreads holiday cheer to others in need. Select organizations working to make a difference for your favorite causes, and share your wishes by email or on Facebook. It’s a selfless way to celebrate the holidays. >>Create A Registry

• Charitable Donations. Donate in your friend or loved one’s name to a local charity that means the world to them. Or choose a collection of four charities supporting a specific cause like animals, the military, or children. Experience the joy of giving back. >>Give Locally   >>Select Charity Collection

Spending and cherishing time with family is another way of getting back to what’s most important about the holidays. I know that gifting charity will let them know this year is different. Imagine how things would change if we all did the same.

Spread the spirit—Like us on Facebook and share what you’re doing. We’re posting up creative and inspiring ideas for the holidays.

*Promotion Terms & Conditions - Eastern Standard Time

– Michelle Koffler, Marketing Coordinator

Each Thanksgiving, my family makes it a priority to have dinner together. Even when I was living abroad for my first holiday away from home, my dad booted up Skype so that I could join in the festivities virtually. For us, it’s not just the meal that’s important. It’s taking time off of work, turning off our cell phones, and coming together in one place. We start by going around the table and saying what we are most grateful for. It is never difficult to think of or name our blessings—the most obvious of which is the food in front of us. It gives us a way to celebrate while satisfying our basic human need.

At Thanksgiving, more than any other time, it’s obvious there is enough food to go around. (And around and around.) While our own family’s table bursts at the seam with turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie, I know there are many in my own backyard of San Francisco going to sleep hungry and cold. And the number of homeless and hungry families is only growing with unemployment at a staggering 9.1 percent. That’s nearly 14 million Americans.

This Thanksgiving season, my appeal is simple. Fill someone else’s belly.

1. Give – Donate to organizations that feed the hungry every day.
• Bay Area Rescue Mission: $26 = provides food and care for 13 people
• Share Our Strength: $35 = feed a child 3 meals a day for over a month.
• World Vision International: $60 = plants ten fruit trees for an impoverished family providing fresh food and a source of revenue
2. Volunteer – Make it part of your family tradition to visit a soup kitchen or shelter or help out at a food bank, and combine spending time together with doing something meaningful.
3. Share your meal – If you know a family that is struggling, invite them to join yours for dinner or stop by their home with leftovers. (Your church or a nearby school may know of a family if you don’t.)
4. Click on The Hunger Site – Bookmark the page, click daily, and sponsors pay for food.

However you choose to contribute, make it last. Volunteer throughout the year or consider making your donation monthly recurring. In these tough times, it’s no secret that hunger is an everyday problem for many.

>>Like us on Facebook for more tips and ideas on how you can give back during the holidays.
>>Visit JustGive for tips on Other Ways to Give.

– Michelle Koffler, Marketing Coordinator