'Tis the Season

This year everyone on my Christmas list got a gift certificate to the micofinance organization Kiva. My reason for choosing Kiva is that Kiva personalized philanthropy for the small individual donor (meet Frida my latest Kiva loan recipient who has recently paid back the full amount of her loan). Those on my Christmas list received more than notification from an organization that my tax-deductible contribution was given in their name, they received an invitation to personally engage in the giving process.

Kiva has changed the face of philanthropy by its innovative ability to draw donors into an experience that stretches beyond their day to day life through online philanthropy. Kiva has also successfully figured out a giving model to make a $25 really fee like they matter. Too often donors feel that their gift is not large enough to create real positive change but giving through Kiva you can see how a small amount of money can create a huge amount of social impact in the life of another.

Kiva’s impact model to fight global poverty has proven to be meaningful, effective and fun. Donors can see the tangible positive effects of their dollars but more importantly its a donation that keeps on giving. As recipients pay back their loans, donors can choose to reinvest their dollars in another person in need of a micro loan to improve their life.

How Kiva works:

A Fistful Of Dollars: The Story of a Kiva.org Loan from Kieran Ball on Vimeo.

Wishing you a peaceful holiday season from Funlanthropy!

Sarah Silverman's Plan To End World Hunger

2009 Nobel Peace Prize: A Call To Action For Obama

"Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world's attention and given its people hope for a better future" - The Noble Prize Committee

The Time Is Now

"What we face is above all a moral issue; that at stake are not just the details of policy, but fundamental principles of social justice and the character of our country." - Ted Kennedy

Look Who Didn't Make The Cut

When nytimes.com put out a request for reader’s dog photos last month, I enthusiastically found the very best photo of Hank. I submitted my photo and patiently waited to see a picture of Hank Spank SanClements published in the New York Time (online edition but still it’s the NYTimes). I couldn’t wait to show people that my dog was the best and his photo in NYTimes would prove it.

But, when the piece was finally published there was no picture of Hank. I couldn’t believe it. How could this happen? There must have been a mistake?

My dog did not make the cut.

Like Hank so many other dogs do not make the cut, but worse the adoption cut. There are approximately 74.8 million owned dogs in the United States and only 10% of these dogs were adopted from a shelter. Approximately 4 million adoptable dogs & cats are killed each year due mainly to overpopulation.

Shelter pets are the best pets and Hank is proof. When you adopt from a shelter you are not only saving a life; you are making a friend. North Shore Animal league launched a new education campaign to let the general public know that Mutt-i-grees (mixed-breed dogs) make great pets and are the right choice.

Adopting a mutt-i-gree or even a purebred from an overcrowded shelter makes the statement that it is unacceptable and wrong to buy a puppy from a pet store that’s supplied by the cruel purebred puppy mills. So if your thinking of adding a furry friend to your family, make the right choice and contact your local animal shelter. Adopt an animal that needs your help today. You too could have a mutt-i-gree like Hank.

http://www.adoptapet.com/

Happy Birthday B

May you always stay forever young.
-R. Penny

Girls Are Not The Problem But Rather The Solution

Today's global financial and economic crisis threatens to reverse gains made to reduce poverty in the developing world. Among those hardest hit are women and girls. Before the crisis women and girls represented the majority of the world’s poor. And now they are falling deeper into poverty and face increased health risk.

The number one killer of women and girls in the developing world is childbirth. Access to family planning and comprehensive reproductive health services helps women and girls avoid unwanted or early pregnancy. This means women and girls stay healthier, more productive, and have more opportunities for education and employment, which in turn, benefits families, communities, and countries.

The world is complex and interconnected just like these issues of global poverty and gender inequity in our world. In developing countries girls are more likely to be uneducated, a child bride and exposed to HIV/AIDS. And yet less then 1% of international aid dollars are directed to improving the lives of girls.

Something needs to change now. We need to advance the rights of women and girls, and empower them to be highly productive members of society capable of contributing to economic recovery and growth.

Evidence show that when we improve a girl’s life many more lives benefit: her brothers, sisters, parents and beyond. By investing more international aid dollars to improving the lives of girls we can break the cycle of poverty in the developing world.

• When girls have 7 or more years of education, she will marry 4 years later & have 2.2 fewer children.

• If 10% more girls attend secondary school, a country’s economy grows by 3%.

• When a girl earns an income she reinvests 90% in her family, compared to 35% for a boy.

To learn more about how different programs and organizations are fighting global poverty one girl at a time click on these links below.

International Center for Research on Women
Central Asia Institute
Nike Foundation
Population Council
UNFPA - United Nations Population Fund
NoVo Foundation
The World Bank - Adolescent Girls Initiative
Save the Children
Care

We can break this cycle of poverty. Girls can be a source of prosperity and hope. When girls support one another it becomes contagious and begins to spread throughout other communities and the world.
This is The Girl Effect.

It’s Ophicial: Phish Festival 8

The rumors were right. A three-day Phish festival which will take place on October 30th, 31st and November 1st at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California.

For more information visit the official Festival 8 website.

Have You Been Bitten By True Blood?

True Blood from enkil on Vimeo.

Watch True Blood Sundays 9pm on HBO.

Happy Birthday Colleen

Love,
R.Penny

You have so much to celebrate this year.
I wish I could be there to celebrate with you.

https://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_donate?item_id=8072

Meet Frida And Loan Her The Tools To Achieve Economic Security

Frida Leonor Delgago Chirinosis is a 49 year old women who lives in Huarán, Peru with her 4 children. Frida is making great strides towards economic independence by working hard to improve her families’ quality of life.

Frida owns homestay business that provides good quality accommodations for tourists from all over the world visiting the Sacred Valley of the Incas. She is able to provide tourists a greater understanding and awareness of the Peruvian culture by opening her home to those who would like to experience the true Peruvian way of life.

Frida wishes to invest in her small business by adding more rooms and a bathroom to her cottage. A lone of $600 will allow Frida to remodel so she can accommodate more tourists, increase her business and better provide for her family. Frida has agreed to pay back her loan request starting September 2009 and plans to have it payed off by February 2010.

I have decided to personally loan Frida a portion of her request through the non-profit organization Kiva.

Kiva's mission is to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty. Kiva is the first person-to-person micro-lending website. Micro-lending is the practice of lending very small loans to the very poor to promote entrepreneurship to generate income to build a better life. Remember, these are loans - not charity. Loans start as low as $25 and have a 98% repayment rate.

You can make a huge impact through a small loan simply visit http://www.kiva.org/and scroll the hundreds of opportunities to lend a small amount of money and make a tremendous amount of difference.

So Let's Start Giving

Michael Jackson has left a lasting imprint on the world with his music, legendary dance moves, unique style and charitable giving - a legacy like no other. The King of Pop knew no boarders. He was able to link the world through rhythm and dance. As people morn the death of the greatest pop star of the MTV generation, I want to remind people of how Michael Jackson paved the way for today’s celebrity philanthropy.

His best know philanthropic endeavor was the “We Are the World” project that raised millions of dollars for USA for Africa Foundation. Written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, this all-star charity anthem was recorded in 1985 after the American Music Awards. The key phrase for the night was for all 45 popular 80's musicians to “check their egos at the door.” This was an opportunity for these celebrities to use their talents to make a powerful contribution. “We Are the World” evolved into something of real substance - it became more then just a song. It wasn’t simply about raising money but raising consciousness to change priorities world wide.

The album sold more than five million copies and won Grammy Awards for Song Of The Year and Record Of The Year, while raising over $50 million for hunger and disease relief in Africa. The success of “We Are the World” was so impressive that Live Aid was organized in July 1985.

Michael Jackson - New Music - More Music Videos

In 1988, Michael again asked the world to take a good look at themselves, recognize who we really are and to stop turning a blind eye to those in need. His hit song "Man in the Mirror" exposes the cruelty in the world, the disregard we have for others and asks everyone to stand up and "make a change"..."make a difference"... "make it right."

Michael Jackson - New Music - More Music Videos

Michael Jackson may have passed away, but he left a lasting imprint on the world of music, philanthropy and beyond.

Michael Jackson 1958 - 2009

Save the Date : Phish Festival 2009

Save the Date : Phish Festival 2009

Rumors have started that Phish's 3 night Halloween run will be held at The Coachella / Empire Polo Field in sunny California. To find out more check out Jamtopia: where the music melts your face.

You Too Could Save A Life

All donations to a worthy cause can make a difference, whether they are donations of money, food, cars or time. Another important type of donation that most of us can give is blood.

Every 3 seconds, someone is in need of a blood transfusion. About 60% of the US population is eligible to donate blood, yet less then 5% do. Nearly 5 million people receive a blood transfusion each year and often times the blood supplies fall short of the constant demand. Blood is needed for emergencies and for people who have cancer, blood disorders, sickle cell, anemia and other illnesses.

Imagine if you could make a difference and save someone’s life today.

Giving blood is very easy and simple, and confidential. To find out how you can save a life visit www.givelife.org.

Missed Tweets w/ Pictures From Peru

• Arrived in Lima & the Peruvian Govt. will not let us off the plane until they check each of us for swine flue.

• The original Inca City Cusco is amazing. I think I could stay here forever.

• So thats what a llama tastes like...Taboot Taboot!

• I’m not usually a big fan of beer, pero me encanta beber Cusqueña.

• Tried the coca leaves, not so good.

• I bought a Peruvian hat to look less like a tourist. I don’t think its working so well.

• Just because I took 12 years of Spanish; including 4 semesters in college, doesn’t mean I know Spanish.

• Want to know how to make friends in a foreign country: with booze.

• Peruvian hippies are chill, I’m just not that chill.

• The 1st sip always goes to Pachamama (Mother Earth).

• The weight the porters carry and the speed at which they hike es muy loco.

• Mt. Veronica (18,635ft), its Quechua name, Wakay Willca, means “Sacred Tears.”

• Machu Picchu truly is amazing!

• Looks like we’re stuck in Cusco for a while. Farmers are striking over the privatization of H2O & all roads are blocked.

• Mike is now a man without a country. Peru 3, Mike 1.

• I just stole a pen from the US Embassy is this going to jeopardized my citizenship?

• I’m blown away by the breakdancing moves of these Lima kids.

• Went out for ceviche in Lima to celebrate Mike’s PhD. In true Mary & Mike fashion, we had way too much to eat and drink.

• Do we have to leave?

Everything I Brought to Peru

Peru Bag by R.Penny featuring Old Navy accessories

wah47qziyk

Viva El Peru

Mary P 034
Originally uploaded by R.Penny

I'm So Over The American Dream

ConGRADulations

After 22 years of studying Mike will receive a PhD in Ecology & Environmental Science.

You don't believe me?

True story.

I'm SO proud of you Dr. Mike.

Think Green, Think Public Transportation

Choosing public transportation can be an easy way to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle. Using public transportation helps to ease congestion, reduce emissions and ease our dependence on fossil fuels.

Public transportation produces 95% less carbon monoxide and half as much carbon dioxide, per passenger mile, then a private vehicle. Each year, public transportation saves 1.4 billion gallons of gas.

Investing in public transportation has many economic benefits like boosting positive economic development; enhancing real estate values; and providing access, opportunity and personal mobility.

To find out more about the benefits of public transportation visit www.publictransportation.org

Or to find out your next route visit
www.google.com/transit

So, if taking public transportation is possible you should think twice next time you get in your car. And, if you’re worried about the social stigma of riding the loser cruiser get over it; it’s cool to be green now.

This is What I Learned at The Exhibit

American Museum of Natural History New York
Climate Change: The Threat to Life and New Energy Future
October 18, 2008 - August 16, 2009

Earth’s climate is changing. The earth is warming and weather patterns are shifting. And, science has proven over and over that its a result of human actions; not natural occurrences.

We’ve already seen major changes like the melting of glaciers, increase in the number of forest fires and the consequences societies are facing due to severe storms and droughts.

What can we do?

We can all make small changes to our daily lives and these small changes will add up to big differences. Better public engagement will make for better policy making. We need the Environmental Protection Agency to get back to working for a cleaner, healthier environment.

EPA Washington DC

Washington DC 2009

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Photos from my trip to Washington. Because I was there on business, I only had a few hours to see the sights. 9th Grade US history review: Can you name all the historic monuments I visited?

Phish Hits A Home Run On Opening Day

Just like Ted Williams, Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens and Pedro Martinez, Phish will play Fenway Park.

To find out more information about the show and to hear Red Sox Organist Josh Kanter play Tweezer Reprise click here.

Phish FP 2009

Innuendo and Subtlety

Incredible advertising. Schick’s straight forward approach to selling more razors to women is hilarious. Their cheeky little message about trimming the ol' hedges is marketing genius.

Commercial #1
The much funnier UK version


Commercial #2
The US version

LivePhish

Phish 3/6/09 Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, VA Click below to preview tracks from this show DOWNLOAD THIS SHOW

A New Era of Hope

"On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord."
-- Barack Obama Inaugural Address 2009

I Pledge....

To be a leader and a mentor to others. To make the world better not just for myself, but for everyone around me. To work harder, dream bigger and to give back more. I pledge to make a difference.

What do you pledge?

MySpace Celebrity and Katalyst present The Presidential Pledge

Phish Summer 2009

Phish Summer 2009