Author: publisher

$45 Million Raised By Idol Gives Back

2010’s Idol Gives Back live TV special raked in close to $45 million; all in aid of health, hunger and children’s charities located in Africa and America.
The special live event organized by producers of American Idol, featured top rated stars such as Alicia Keys, Sir Elton John, Mary J. Blige, Carrie Underwood, Jeff Beck & Joss Stone, The Black Eyed Peas and Annie Lennox.

The show, which took place at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium was emceed by Queen Latifah and featured a number of special appearances such as President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, Bill and Melinda Gates – who also partnered the event, Jonah Hill, Russell Brand, David Cook, George Lopez, Wanda Sykes, Morgan Freeman and Victoria Beckham.

The last two editions of Idol Gives Back raised approximately $140 million in 2007 and 2008. Donations poured in from the audience as well as the corporate sector.

Wednesdays’ live show was watched by over 18.3 million American’s on Fox TV. It was a show that was a lot smaller compared to the previous years, due to the economic recession and lower expectations. The $45 million should increase once the proceeds made via iTunes sales are added in.
Creator of American Idol Simon Fuller said that the generosity of the show’s viewers, sponsors and other benefactors was overwhelming and never ceased to amaze him.

The money raised will be divided amongst Feeding America, Children’s Health Fund, Malaria No More, Save the Children (US programmes) and United Nations Foundation.

Charity Organizations – What You Should Know

We all try, in some way or the other to make a difference – whether it is by helping out a less fortunate family, donating items you no longer need or even donating to a charity organization. When making such donations, you must be wary of a few basic details. It is important to know if what you are donating is really reaching the beneficiaries it is meant to.

Charity organizations

Charity organizations are in existence all around the world, each one of them working towards making the lives of the less fortunate better. Unfortunately though, this need for charity organizations has also spurred the growth of fake charity organizations. These ones claim to petition for aid on behalf of the poor, but the real scenario is that they do not.
Some laws are strong enough to protect the genuine charity organizations, while others do not. This results in charitable individuals being swindled for large amounts of money.

Conditions and restrictions

While donations and other gifts are accepted around the world, each country has its own set of laws with regards to charity and aid. Legislation is also in existence for donations of bigger values such as houses, cars, etc. Such legislation has been put in place to ensure that people do not use it for personal reasons such as making use of tax exemptions, under the guise of charity. They are being strictly enforced to also ensure that recipients receive these donations, rather than someone making a quick buck.

Making sure your donation reaches the right people

When making a donation, first obtain as much information as possible regarding the organization and how it works, how they pass on the donation to the needy. You might also want to carry out a thorough background check, authoritative evaluations, certificates, etc.
To keep things safe, always choose a charity organization that is well known and one that has a wide enough presence in the aid/developmental area. You can donate anything either in cash or kind or even volunteer your time. Every little bit helps.

Car Donation to Charity

There comes a point in every successful person’s life when they want to give back to the community or to charity but it seems to be an uphill climb especially with the downturn of the economy these days, where it is advisable that one tightens their belt on spending. However, a car donation to charity works very well for those who are not necessarily living in the lap of luxury.

Car donation services only require one to give away their unwanted car along with the title deed indicating ownership of the vehicle. You don’t have to pay anything along with it. It’s as simple as that!

This idea of a car donation to charity helps children from around the world that do not get what we consider the daily basics such as food, clothing and shelter. Most importantly, not only will these donations help with the basics but also help children find access to a brighter future through quality education that is provided, thanks to the financial support through the sale of these used cars.

Whether you would like to make a car donation San Francisco area or anywhere else in the United States, you will glad to know some of these charities will provide a nationwide towing service and representatives that will visit you at your office, home or any place that you choose so that the vehicle can be collected, for which you can claim a tax rebate on your yearly tax returns.

The Osho dynamic meditation method

Osho meditations have been an integral part of his discourses for the past 30 years, and while deviating from the traditional method of meditation and discipleship, that begins with the Osho dynamic meditation method which is used for the purpose of awakening.

There’s no doubt that Osho is still revered today long after he left us in the year 1990, and his teachings have been the cornerstone of many fruitful lives led today right from the time he began his teachings of meditation while also addressing the needs of many men and women today with the emphasis on the search for harmony, wholeness and love that is an important part of all religion and forms of spirituality in the world today.

Not only are his books that cover a long list of topics pertaining to life’s questions available in different audio and video formats, one can also find Osho meditation music that is key to his method of meditation as well, in popular bookstores and over the internet as well.

The Osho mp3, DVD, CD made available to his followers all deal with the subject of developing the human sub consciousness, while drawing on the knowledge of the East to answer even modern day’s problems as well, that are reflected in his books.

If one intends to read a book of Osho, be prepared to finding yourself on a journey that will last this entire lifetime, for Osho will never be referred to in the past tense as his presence continues to remain with us.

Volunteering with your Family

What could be more fulfilling than quality family time together while volunteering? There are so many things you could do together for a charity as a family. You could plant trees, volunteer at the local food bank and so much more. Doing what you can together as a family only makes the contribution even more meaningful and will also draw you closer to each other. Here are a few good reasons as to why you should volunteer along with your family:

1. You do not have to worry about a baby sitter or leaving the kids at home. If you volunteer as a family, then everyone is together, in the same place.
2. The whole family shares the accomplishment of having done something useful for the community.
3. Gives the entire family some quality time together.
4. By volunteering constantly for various charity projects, children are motivated to carry on the tradition. This also sets a great example for them.
5. Helps instil a sense of responsibility and self confidence in your children.
6. Volunteering as a family also helps build up a great family tradition and memories as well.
7. Your family will meet people from varied economic and cultural backgrounds.

Finding ways to volunteer as a family

The first thing you should do is consult your family. Ask each member of the family how they would like to volunteer, if there are any charities they prefer or know of. There might be particular issues some of them are passionate about. Ensure that everyone single member in the family gets an equal say in the matter and then take into consideration everyone’s work and school schedules.