There for you ...

<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOace-u6oxLNjeeuGXXY4nz34C9xuiabRaT6LAau-S_3DPkeHah0KtQIyFOTlK8mqSI5Pfsiu-3riYpI_Bcyo_BGbBf4hr501brJ0_rVnZgt86t-UdwwsRHnsnwSrMgRWMpC4hmGFUSjg/s1600-h/calendar.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427859554665524514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOace-u6oxLNjeeuGXXY4nz34C9xuiabRaT6LAau-S_3DPkeHah0KtQIyFOTlK8mqSI5Pfsiu-3riYpI_Bcyo_BGbBf4hr501brJ0_rVnZgt86t-UdwwsRHnsnwSrMgRWMpC4hmGFUSjg/s400/calendar.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><a href="http://www.redcrossstore.org/Shopper/Product.aspx?UniqueItemId=416">American Red Cross 2010 Calendar</a><br />from the American Red Cross online store</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><br />In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Haiti on Jan. 12, there has been an outpouring of generosity. So many have reached out to lend a helping hand by donating time, supplies or funds to aid in the emergency relief. At the same time, many of us are in the position of reflecting on how fortunate we are to have a roof over our heads and our loved ones safe and near. We are reminded how lucky we are to have the basic necessities of life. </span><span style="font-size:130%;">To have clothing to protect us from the elements ...</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8_A-AnTvAhjw8FvW8fqOdlXeYepSRFDOuZZqgTBcGQOyB8iAdf31FYzAy8KDAJ5ar4CdNgIbIzf9UqOP9SNqCUieJ7b1YttOBTPespvJprm0VlPpxu5ruR_mqLyEtn8Ro1Nr5cwqE4Y/s1600-h/whiteT.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427859565358279298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8_A-AnTvAhjw8FvW8fqOdlXeYepSRFDOuZZqgTBcGQOyB8iAdf31FYzAy8KDAJ5ar4CdNgIbIzf9UqOP9SNqCUieJ7b1YttOBTPespvJprm0VlPpxu5ruR_mqLyEtn8Ro1Nr5cwqE4Y/s400/whiteT.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 369px;" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.redcrossstore.org/Shopper/Product.aspx?UniqueItemId=459">Organic Vintage Tee</a></span><br /><br /></span></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">To have fresh water to drink ...<br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaiXZYBISSImGXgGYKKFbXTrKIB9j8_Le7cpB9Q9UwGss5gr3cehLlP2m-wZWwm8t7PiuhcjYiHaV3JJkUkjUTEWY8YLihhA_wNbLBofcG7nruJxosgXl2br7lZZfhKWvETIF0yAfqUBg/s1600-h/waterbottle.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427859686256048562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaiXZYBISSImGXgGYKKFbXTrKIB9j8_Le7cpB9Q9UwGss5gr3cehLlP2m-wZWwm8t7PiuhcjYiHaV3JJkUkjUTEWY8YLihhA_wNbLBofcG7nruJxosgXl2br7lZZfhKWvETIF0yAfqUBg/s400/waterbottle.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 187px; height: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><a href="http://www.redcrossstore.org/Shopper/Product.aspx?UniqueItemId=492">Red Cross Stainless Steel Water Bottle</a> </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">To be able to take care of ourselves<br />and the ones we love ...</span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUlxIxYEfktmmObSsb_G8XJAsM0Q05hgRzjxmkfo_ci_GFKX-7AFsE6sWWQN_dpe5WfpNo-rUplEfascfkcVMdgTVnydCfa_01U-BoPfZSFuRHSZoAzt8ACqP55QGoRLWb20rtUWr6jp0/s1600-h/firstaidkit.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427920619658723474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUlxIxYEfktmmObSsb_G8XJAsM0Q05hgRzjxmkfo_ci_GFKX-7AFsE6sWWQN_dpe5WfpNo-rUplEfascfkcVMdgTVnydCfa_01U-BoPfZSFuRHSZoAzt8ACqP55QGoRLWb20rtUWr6jp0/s400/firstaidkit.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 239px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://www.redcrossstore.org/Shopper/Product.aspx?UniqueItemId=76">Vintage-style Personal First Aid Kit</a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">And when those basic needs are met, to have the resources to enjoy leisurely pursuits ...</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiig58M1u8mhua2kgB4HMfw23jCynyEATgnoZYFjA2sPj5V-N4kMbZx6FLDxK94l9k01P3oKW8J8h0gs3EJ_U42cFHvmjgYG-sLRnwpZtnGMWW910VgNyPFXVnQHsYdugv0cbfC-mUsch4/s1600-h/skiierart" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427859563114875714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiig58M1u8mhua2kgB4HMfw23jCynyEATgnoZYFjA2sPj5V-N4kMbZx6FLDxK94l9k01P3oKW8J8h0gs3EJ_U42cFHvmjgYG-sLRnwpZtnGMWW910VgNyPFXVnQHsYdugv0cbfC-mUsch4/s400/skiierart" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 293px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">American Red Cross<br /><a href="http://www.redcrossstore.org/Shopper/Product.aspx?UniqueItemId=417">Holiday 2009 Skier Card</a><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />And to know that when we are suddenly unable to take care of ourselves, someone else will ...<br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJMAL8UyjhehcyE_gUWsexHgdlE6e5rYgtObNbuTXTCRhVgwH5VqfuUQ7hm3A8gbwvAOLSurl7kNCJzE_EbwppKNeyfqn_6bqknQfuzmPs9inJh5xYjwwgi520yt2kw4sq-mo5zWpjxo/s1600-h/redcrossumbrella" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427872669514508498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJMAL8UyjhehcyE_gUWsexHgdlE6e5rYgtObNbuTXTCRhVgwH5VqfuUQ7hm3A8gbwvAOLSurl7kNCJzE_EbwppKNeyfqn_6bqknQfuzmPs9inJh5xYjwwgi520yt2kw4sq-mo5zWpjxo/s400/redcrossumbrella" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 380px;" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.redcrossstore.org/Shopper/Product.aspx?UniqueItemId=435"><span style="font-style: italic;">“History Through</span></a><a href="http://www.redcrossstore.org/Shopper/Product.aspx?UniqueItemId=435"><span style="font-style: italic;"> Posters</span><span style="font-style: italic;">”</span></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" > <a href="http://www.redcrossstore.org/Shopper/Product.aspx?UniqueItemId=435">Umbrella</a> </span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Back when the </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.redcross.org/">American Red Cross</a></span> <span style="font-size:130%;">was founded (in 1881!) they had to spread their message to cities, towns and countries with the help of posters like the ones seen on the umbrella and calendar above (all items are available online at the <a href="http://www.redcrossstore.org/">American Red Cross store</a>).</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> Today it only takes a matter of seconds to spread information via the internet. If disaster relief is needed, financial support is just a click or text message away. I think it is just amazing and so inspiring to see people use social media to “<a href="http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nation/6816754.html">answer the call!</a></span><span style="font-size:130%;">” </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Years ago, I used to work <span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>full-time as a graphic designer for an agency that created direct-mail ca</span><span style="font-size:130%;">mpaigns for non-profits like </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp">The American Cancer Society</a>, </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.dana-farber.org/">The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute</a>, </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.specialolympics.org/">The Special Olympics</a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> and the <a href="http://www.redcross.org/">American Red Cross</a>. </span><span style="font-size:130%;">My job wasn’t very glamorous, and even with all of the projects that I worked on I can’t say that any were portfolio worthy. However, I did feel good at the end of the day that I had done something to help others.<br /><br /><br /></span><a href="http://1847usa.com/identify/YearSets/1931.htm" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427964607442149010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcuEKWqgOMAY7xWevG2yuGKzMyBeRWtteXKTwp5kjEB6gqAbYtw3MeLRzeKjF7Ni5Qjh0yUvLMCVY1xxjW4cxvpTYn3knenGRiO4-XRN92XjvuRIiPPma6wNEQt4metmjg0EAaq35lzU0/s400/2centstamp" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 143px; height: 164px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">My official </span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">two cents</span> ...</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span> <span style="font-size:130%;">Now it is easier than ever for anyone to help. And you don’t even need a stamp, envelope, pen or checkbook! Just text “Haiti</span><span style="font-size:130%;">”</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> to 90999 to donate $10 (charges will appear on your cell phone bill) or </span><span style="font-size:130%;">“</span><span style="font-size:130%;">Yele</span><span style="font-size:130%;">”</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> to 501501 to donate $5 (same deal) or visit the <a href="http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.1a019a978f421296e81ec89e43181aa0/?vgnextoid=fe7ad3db31b36210VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD">American Red Cross</a> online to learn how you can <a href="http://arc3.convio.net/site/PageServer?pagename=ntld_main&s_src=RSG000000000&s_subsrc=RCO_BigRedButton">DONATE NOW.</a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />And if you want to spread the word in a more traditional manner, wearing the Red Cross logo across a t-shirt is a cool way to do it ; )<br /><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.mlkday.gov/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428100062941230034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivL9Mt62WOAzovQXIQFgcCO8iDTSrnMDGD9Si0QNOc8BaFIVs0mhenwf12otocXQaOWR8BBxu-gcSIkbSAfDwaLvQfgRZZx1uPVyAN6Z_kOT1V9EmXu7TchitcMxL4N4duofwOXoETa7Y/s400/homepage_logo_bottom_2010.gif" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 58px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">P.S. Since my boys are home from school today, we chose a new quote for our quote board. “Life’s most urgent question is, What are you doing for others?</span><span style="font-size:130%;">”</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />– <a href="http://www.mlkday.gov/">Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.</a><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The runner up quote, also from MLK, was<br /></span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >“</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >The time is always right to do what is right.</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >”</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div>

There for you ...

American Red Cross 2010 Calendar from the American Red Cross online store In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Haiti on Jan. 12...

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