Why we do what we do

Lately, we have focused a lot on our tally, which is great -- all charities and organizations need some kind of goal-oriented system I think. It keeps it fun and allows for the gratification of meeting goals. Gives us a direct and close-to-home sense of accomplishment.

But what we should all really feel good about is that we are making items with our time and with our hands that are going to people who could really use some sunshine. To that end, I thought I would write up a little reminder of who we have contributed to and WHY we are contributing to those groups. The numbers are nice, but in the end, reaching 3,000 is not going to be the end of our story. It will just be the first chapter.

Afghanistan

50% of the Afghan population is less than 18 years of age with almost no education
One out of four Afghan children dies before the age of five
Over 400,000 children are maimed, because of land mines
Over one million Afghan children are suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome.
From AfghanOrphans.org

Animal Shelters

Over 10 million animals are put to death every year in the U.S. alone because they are abandoned and unwanted.

From the Animal Rescue Site

Bag O'Sunshine

This story

Blankets for the Gulf
More than half of the 1,504 people surveyed by the foundation after the disaster said they had money problems because of the hurricane and resulting floods, and 17% said they had lost a job or had to take a lower-paying job.

More than one-third said they lost access to healthcare, while 17% said their health had declined and 16% said they had mental health troubles.

Almost a quarter said their marriages had broken up, their relationships had failed, or they were drinking more since the August 2005 hurricane.

Kaiser conducted the study from September to November 2006.
from Los Angeles Times

Crafting for Hokies

University officials announced this week they will reopen Norris Hall this month to allow engineering programs with offices and laboratories there to return to work, although no classes will be held in the building again. The building had been locked and barricaded with a chain-link fence since April 16, when student Seung-Hui Cho shot 30 people and himself in its classrooms after killing two in a dormitory.

From CNN.com, June 11, 2007

Dulaan

In Mongolia, "Official figures suggest that around one third of the total population live in poverty, defined as the inability to afford a basket of basic food and non-food items. Many others are very close to the poverty line. In fact, increasing the poverty line by only 10.0 per cent leaves well over half of the population mired in poverty. Whatever figure is chosen, the poverty reduction challenge facing the country is significant indeed."

From
here

Local Homeless Shelters

Some humbling stats

Rebuilding Greensburg Block by Block

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WEATHER/05/07/severe.weather/index.html