Light and Giving

Light gives of itself freely, filling all available space.  It does not seek anything in return; it asks not whether you are friend or foe.  It gives of itself and is not thereby diminished.  ~Rabbi Michael Strassfeld

Yesterday, March 18, 2011 I participated in a day of blog silence with other bloggers around the world in honor of the people of Japan. That means I chose not to post anything, new but left a link on my post the day before to For Japan With Love, a fundraiser organized by two generous bloggers, Utterly Engaged and Ever Ours through Shelter Box . The goal was to raise enough to assist five families. “Each large green ShelterBox is tailored to a disaster but typically contains a disaster relief tent for an extended family, blankets, water storage and purification equipment, cooking utensils, a stove, a basic tool kit, a children’s activity pack and other vital items. A whole box costs $1,000 (US)”~ Shelter Box.  So far, they have raised $48,249! Enough to help forty-eight families!!! This humble, self-less act has brought together bloggers from all over the world to assist the people of Japan. You can still contribute through the end of the month of March. There is so much devastation, each kit a salty tear in the enormous ocean of suffering, but a salty tear of love and compassion. Who knows, perhaps by March 31^st we can help another fifty families with emergency supplies? Mercy Corps, The American Red Cross, Church World Service, Save the Children, Global Giving as well as other organizations are also providing assistance. You may consider donating to several groups as they offer different forms of aid.

PS my friend Martha mentioned in a reply the importance of giving all year round to a variety of trusted organizations, not only at a time of crisis in one place, as suffering is ongoing around the world and others are always in need of our kindness and generosity. I couldn't agree more!!! If you go to my Inspiring Blogs and Websites page (click the link or go to the tab at the top of this blog) you will find a much longer list of organizations that do lifesaving, heart healing work. This is listed beneath the blogs I visit most frequently as You Can Heal the World. Thanks for this gentle reminder Martha!