I know times are rough out there and most people have locked in on the groups they like to donate to, but I just wanted to pass along a ridiculous charity event that could you use some help. A friend of mine is raising money for Chicago's Off the Street Club by lifting things with his beard (yep, you read that correctly). The more money raised, the heavier the objects will be!
http://www.thingsmybeardcanlift.com/
If you can spare $5 or $10 it would really make a difference to these kids (and it would be fun too), you can donate online and money goes directly to the charity so your donations are fully tax-deductible:
http://www.thingsmybeardcanlift.com/donate/
Also a facebook group for ThingsMyBeardCanLift.com has been set up if you just care to keep tabs on this non-sense.
Cheers
Update:
The total raised (in 5 days!) is over $1,000 now, which means next week Eamon Daly will lift at least a 10 pound object with his beard. Photos are up now from the week 1 lift ($700 = 7 pounds):
http://www.thingsmybeardcanlift.com/
I know a few donations have come in from folks on the board so I wanted to say thanks, every little bit helps the off the street club (Think about a $5 donation - http://www.thingsmybeardcanlift.com/donate/).
This has only been going on a week, but we have already had a little press (Chicago Red Eye has a piece on it today and a bunch of students from DePaul are making a little documentary for class out of it).
Here is a little update on how the beard lifting charity is going, and thanks to a couple of the board members who have donated, even $5 helps these kids out. The Beard appeared on WGN morning news in Chicago to do the third lift on live TV, here is the video:
http://www.thingsmybeardcanlift.com/2009/02/lift-3-grand-prize-game-bucket-full-of-stuff/
So far :o $2251.00 :o has been raised in three weeks, if you feel like drop $5 in, it all goes to the Off the Streets Club and is 100% tax-deductible (you can donate online):
http://www.thingsmybeardcanlift.com/donate/
Speaking of charity, looks like both sides of the aisle aren't too happy with the hits the new budget take on charities
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/feb/27/charity-tax-challenged-by-political-friends/
Some charities are going to be really hurt if it goes through into law. The largest charitable contributors will not realize the tax incentives they used to get, and as such you will see less giving.