Striving to change the world Community Sun

Taking IT Global provides resources and support to youth around the world, helping them give back to their communities.  They are growing by leaps and bounds.  Their website needs help and this is where you come in.  Volunteers knowledgeable in MySQL are needed to help this nonprofit organization upgrade their site and troubleshoot.  You can be located anywhere to assist this international agency.  This is a great way to use your skills to help a community organization.

Check out their site at  http://www.tigweb.org/  If you are interested in learning more about how you can help, send an email to mfurdyk@takingitglobal.org.  Come on!  Act now and help!

What makes a good blog?  That was what a social networking speaker was addressing in a session I attended yesterday.  Interesting question.  I had never thought of a blog as a good conversation.  One person doesn't make an exciting conversation!  The expert also suggested asking readers for advice.  What makes you read this blog?  What kind of topics would you like to see?  Only with input can one improve upon a blog.  (Isn't that the case with everything?)

So, provide your suggestions and comments!  And who wants to be a guest blogger?  Obviously the topic should be on target--helping the community.  Drop me an email or add your comments here.  Let's hear your stories!

Julie - Sun's Community Affairs Manager

I hope you can indulge me for a few minutes, with a personal post.  I had a feel good experience that I want to share.

A few weeks ago, I volunteered for what was named a Speed Pitching event, through Do Something.  Do Something is a nonprofit organization that supports youth giving back to the community.  The volunteer event in which I took part had me listen and ask questions of the youth pitching their ideas or projects to help change our world.  I met a 15 year old who is trying to replace toxic lead fishing lures that are contaminating our fish and waterways.  I heard about  a young woman that took the year off before college to travel to Nepal; she found her calling and built an orphanage and school to help Nepalese children.  The list goes on and on.  Bottom line: what these kids have accomplished so far is amazing.

Because I volunteered at that event, I was invited to attend Do Something's annual award ceremony.  This event was a teenager's dream filled with celebrities from the music and television industries.  Held in the historic Apollo Theater, the night included Usher, Akon, Sway, Lauren Bush and more.  (Yes I had to look these people up after I got home but from the audience squeals and shrieks, I could tell when someone important got on the stage.)  All of this was to celebrate the young people and "old people" that make a difference.  Maggie Doyne won the $100,000 prize to help her continue her work with children in Nepal.  Her story is truly inspirational as someone who has accomplished so much at such a young age.  Usher received one of the 5 "old people" awards for Celebs Gone Good.

If you know of a young person that wants to get involved and give back, have them check out www.dosomething.org.  Even "old people" should check it out to be inspired by everything these young people are doing in the community.