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H.O.P.E.
(Helping Other People Every Day)

billiges hotel PortoHey out there. This page is set up to discuss views, and make an attempt at doing something with this world we live in. There will be a chat room set up eventually, and I hope a forum for change.

A friend jokingly (half) suggested we call this page "Greg's Soapbox". It could very well be, but I don't want to take the matter too lightly. We have the power to change the world, if we just didn't get distracted too much. Basically, I think that we all need to have fun in life, but that it is important to help the people out there who aren't as capable of having a good time.

Rimini luxury hotels This page will change at least every month, and knowing me more often than that. I want to talk about volunteering a bit.

Have you ever volunteered? What about during the last 12 months? I think the secret to life is love. Helping your neighbor. Doing the right thing when no one is watching. Thinking of others at all times.

The problems I've run into with getting myself to volunteer are common. I don't have the time to make any long term commitment. I definitely don't have any money for dues. Many times, I don't even have transportation to get there. I don't think that should get me off the hook though. I still have the desire to help. I can get disillusioned sometimes, but I try to look past that. Why help the homeless when they don't even try to get to a shelter? Why try and help alcoholics when they just go out and drink again? Why teach children when they just grow up and forget? I think the answer to this is actually quite simple. No matter how angry you get, you still know you are doing the right thing.

I've digressed a bit, but I want it to be that way. I just want to talk. Say how I feel. Examine things a little deeper.

I have a basic theory. The secret to changing the world is through our children. 150 years from now, everyone alive on this planet will be dead. Other than history books, the population will never truly know our thoughts. We look back on polio, slavery, the inquisition, genocide, and every other thing the inhabitants of this planet have been involved in and wonder how we could have been so stupid.

We need to teach our children the right things. The problem is, everyone has a different idea of what the right things are. You might think that YooHoo is a great chocolate drink, and I might think it is a tool of Satan. Regardless, I think we can agree that all children deserve to be loved right from the get go. Here's the thing. They aren't.

There are abandoned babied, crack babies, beaten babies, yelled at babies, sexually abused babies, malnourished and starving kids, diseased kids and more. What in the hell is the world thinking? Why do we continue to let this happen? Better yet, what can we do about it? There are many problems in the world today that need our attention, but I think we would be most intelligent if we loved our kids. Maybe they might love us back in return when they could put us in a home instead.

Back to the point, volunteering. There are many ways we can help kids. Donations of time is the most important. Then comes food, money, shelter, and clothing. I am going to post opportunities on this page for us. Opportunities to help in a real way. I way that you can get immediate results in the form of a smile. I need your help to get me motivated, and I hope that I get some of you off your butt for a few hours a year as well. Send me your comments, suggestions, ideas, and what you want to do. Tell me what you think. Let's talk, and in between we can hear some great music and somewhere down the road, bring the two together.

I'm waiting to hear from you.

Greg

Phone: (703) 909-9879
Email:fsa@fullsteamahead.net

Volunteer Projects

Go ahead and get started! Here are some local volunteer projects that could use your help:

Helping Assault Victims
The Fairfax County Victim Assistance Network (VAN), a program of the Fairfax/Falls Church Community Services Board, provides assistance to victims of domestic abuse and/or sexual assault. Bilingual volunteers in particular are needed to provide services to people who are Asian or Hispanic, or who are hearing impaired. Volunteers accompany clients to court when necessary, translate, or answer a telephone help line. Volunteers work at least four hours a week on weekdays, for at least one year. For more information, call 703-360-7273.

AIDS Community Organization
Heaven In View Inc., in Alexandria, educates the public about AIDS and provides supportive services to patients with AIDS, including people who are incarcerated or newly released, drug abusers, prostitutes, and the homeless. Volunteers are needed to organize fund-raisers and to help with grant-proposal writing fro the organization. Lawyers, accountants, and typists who can donate one or two hours a week are also needed. It's at 2280 Bulgard St., Alexandria. For more information, call 703-979-0060.

Telephone Pals
PhoneFriend is a telephone support service for Washington area children who are at home without adult supervision. Volunteers are needed to answer a variety of calls from children who are lonely or scared, need help with homework assignment, or who may want to discuss a fight they have had with a friend. PhoneFriend operates from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. Volunteers are trained in listening skills and child development issues. For more information, call 202-223-0020.

Volunteer to Help the Homeless
Charlie's Place, formerly the Homeless Breakfast Program of St. Margaret's Church, needs volunteers with cars to deliver once per week baked goods to homeless shelters and soup kitchens in NW DC. Contact Bruce McBarnette (703) 404-8429, email: mcbarnet@gwu.edu, or by snail mail: Bruce McBarnette, 248 Willow Terrace, Sterling, VA 20164

Charity Event Updates
For charity event updates check this web site: http://members.tripod.com/testhelp/charityevents.

H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Every Day)

Volunteer Projects

H.O.P.E.
(Helping Other People Every Day)