A shortage of sock donations at homeless shelters

When Socks Are `More Important Than Food’ | Points of Light:

Socks are among the most needed items at homeless shelters, yet among the least-often donated.

Because of the shortage, the nation’s homeless population is constantly at risk of serious foot disease and, during winter months, in severe danger posed by the cold.

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Volunteering: doing good is good for you

Doing good is good for you « Blog Archive « Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship Blog:

• ... volunteering is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. In our study with the Optum Institute, Doing Good is Good for You: 2013 Health and Volunteering Study, we found that people who volunteer feel better – physically, mentally and emotionally. And volunteers tell us that they are convinced their health is better because of the things they do when they volunteer. Doing good is good for you!
• It’s true – volunteering makes us feel better. And while we’re feeling better, we’re also helping other people who benefit from our efforts feel better, too.  Everybody wins.

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Poem in honor of nonviolent patriots: "Love is Won", by David Weller

In honor of the Americans and supporters making personal sacrifices for a better country.  We all may not make it to Wall Street or Washington Park, but our hearts and minds are with those who can.


Love is Won
by David Weller


love is creedence,
love is true
nothing is defense,
nothing to hew

love is pointed,
love is able
everyone's annointed,
everyone's capable

love is action,
love is kind
there is no faction,
there for to find

love is appreciated,
love is cared
winning's all capacitated,
winning's all well fared

Good deeds are the heart of great political activism

Social Capital blog: People for Good aims to spur acts of kindness

• The Canadian “People for Good” effort has tried to encourage Canadians to do good deeds.  Here are some suggestions they make:
• Smile at a stranger – or wave at your fellow subway passenger
• Open and hold the door for someone
• Give up your seat on the subway, bus or streetcar
• Buy a coffee for your co-worker
• Surprise your colleagues with freshly baked brownies
• Cut grass or shovel snow for your neighbour
• Help a stranger change a tire on the road – or put in a coin in expiring parking meter for someone you don’t know
• Return a grocery cart after someone has used it or let a stranger ahead of you in a store line
• While  on Facebook, just pick up the phone and give your friend a call
• Simply say ‘‘Thank you’’ to someone who helped you – and really mean it
• Mow your neighbor’s lawn
• Instead of an email, send a handwritten note.
• Call your mother
• Bring home flowers.
• Make cookies for your neighbors
• Do a chore, even if it’s not your turn.
• Give up the remote
• Make breakfast for the household
• Go say hello to your neighbor.
• Tell someone you love them.
• Unload the dishwasher.
• Have dinner at the table with the whole family.
• Wake up in a good mood.
• Give someone first dibs on the morning paper.
• Clean out your closet and donate your old clothes.
• Say good morning to a stranger.
• Help someone cross the street.
• Offer to give someone directions
• Pick up a piece of litter.
• For more suggestions, visit here.
• See also Social Capital's list of 150 things you can do to build social capital.

In a way, this is the heart of political activism.  A great civilization starts with manners and good deeds to your neighbors.  Be a good citizen today!