Helping Low-Income Entrepreneurs

I want to let you know about Kiva (www.kiva.org), a non-profit that allows you to lend as little as $25 to a specific low-income entrepreneur across the globe.

You choose who to lend to - whether a baker in Afghanistan, a goat herder in Uganda, a farmer in Peru, a restaurateur in Cambodia or a tailor in Iraq - and as they repay their loan, you get your money back. It's a powerful and sustainable way to empower someone right now to lift themselves out of poverty.

Check it out!

Massive Giving - Two Year Anniversary

I think it's time to wrap up the "send a card to the troops" effort.

It began 2 years ago, on Dec 3, 2008.  We started with a goal
of sending 20,000 cards.  We did that and more.  The current
total is 27,120. 

I hearby declare victory and will now look for another worthy
cause.  Let me know if you have any suggestions.

Stay tuned.

- Ralph

Massive Giving Tip of the Week - Learn What's UP

If life is getting you down, don't give up.  Give out.

Give outside yourself. Find someone who needs a smile and give them a smile. 

Have a great week!

- Ralph

Massive Giving Tip of the Week - Give a Giggle

If life is getting you down or you just need a little pick me up, get your dose of giggles here:

eGiggle Me today!

Got a friend who needs some cheer?  Send them here:

eGiggle Them today!

Enjoy your giggles.

- Ralph

Massive Giving Weekly Quote - Heart

“If you have much, give of your wealth; If you have little, give of your heart”


 Arab Proverb

Earthquake-struck Haiti is Recipient of Massive Giving

Today the following was reported on NPR (National Public Radio):

John Dallas, a San Francisco realtor, was watching the news about the earthquake in Haiti last night with his wife when his cell phone had a text message that said ... give $10 to Haiti relief, text this number. He thought, that's awfully convenient.

So convenient that he did it right away.

This is the first time that there has been massive giving via text message in the United States. mGive is the company that's been working with charitable organizations to set up this kind of giving.

And it's been very successful. Over $7 million has already been donated.

But there is a delay in getting the money this way. Consumer/Giver ease = delay as them money has to be collected at the next billing cycle and then forwarded on to mGive who then forwards it on to the charitable organization.

How to get the money to the charity faster: The Better Business Bureau recommends that consumers give to charity online, by phone or mail if they want the funds deposited immediately.

However you give, it'll take some Massive Giving to take care of the needs in Haiti.

Give 'til YOU Smile!

Lets Say Thanks!

Is the website for sending a postcard to the troops in Iraq for real?

According to Snopes.com it is. Whew. I'm glad. I'd hate to find out
that all this work (21,000+ sent) was for naught.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/letssaythanks.asp

Massive Giving Weekly Quote - Children

What a child doesn't receive he can seldom later give.

- P. D. James

Massive Giving Weekly Quote - Wealth

Many people despise wealth, but few know how to give it away.

- Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Open for Suggestions - The Massive Giving Continues

Anyone have an idea for the next Massive Giving project?

Let me know.


1) One person suggested Family Search indexing: https://www.familysearchindexing.org/home.jsf


Here are some other ideas:


2) www.thehungersite.com The main concept is that if visitors go to the site and simply click on the button 'Give free food-Click here', 1.1 cups of staple food will be given to undernourished and starving human beings in the world.


3) www.therainforestsite.com, click on the button called, 'Save Our Rainforests: Click here', and 'Thank you! Your click has funded the preservation of 11.4 square feet of endangered rainforest.


There are four other sites built out of this same construct:

4) www.thebreastcancersite.com who fund free mammograms,


5) www.thechildhealthsite.com who help provide basic health services to children around the world,


6) www.theliteracysite.com who provide books for children, and


7) www.theanimalrescuesite.com who give food and care to rescued animals in shelters and sanctuaries.


Leave a Comment. Let me know if you are interested in any of these or give me your ideas.


Thanks,- Ralph



P.S. One way or another, the giving continues. You can still send cards to the troops - I continue to give a few each day.

Goal Attained! 20,000 Cards Sent to Troops

We ate the elephant!

Back on December 6, 2008, we started this journey to 20,000.

I blogged then:

Do something COOL. Right now. Today!

Help send 20,000 Post Cards to our Troops.

You'll feel great, knowing you've brightened their day.

Over 40 people helped out and now we've done it!

Thanks to each and every one of you who helped.

- Ralph Lyon
Founder, The Massive Giving Group

P.S. You can continue to give. It doesn't have to end here.

P.S.S. If you have an idea for another
Massive Giving Project,
please add a comment below.

How Many 14ers Have You Climbed?

We have sent to our troops almost
14,000 post cards made by elementary
school kids. Onward toward our goal of
20,000.

We are over 2/3's of the way there!!!

Who'll put us on the summit of this 14er?

Let them know you care,
send some post cards:

Send a Post Card

One by one, we'll get it done!

Thanks,
Ralph LyonFounder,
The Massive Giving Group
Give 'til YOU Smile!

Red Shirt Fridays

Red Fridays are here.

Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday.

The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the "silent majority."

We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers.

We are not organized, boisterous or overbearing.

We appreciate your service!

http://www.redshirtfridays.org/

MASSIVE Giver Feedback

Here are a few comments made by Massive Givers.

"Yesterday on NPR, I heard a report that said 24 members of our armed forces committed suicide in January alone (I think it said that number is about 3 times higher than it was last January). It made me grateful for this small way to let our troops know we care about them. Today I sent 10."

"I have sent about 400 of them.... i do it when I am on conference calls" Editor: Now that's multitasking for good!

"I sent 5 today - will send more tomorrow - and the next day - and the next..."

"I sent 5 today. I found it fun to choose from the postcards. The artwork and thank you message from a child's hand is a wonderful touch. It is really easy to choose a message to include or add your own. Thanks for setting this up."

"I sent one of each on the page. I think there were 72. We have moved to the stage in life where we really don't have needs, other than the need to serve. There will never be "enough" to our service."

"Great I idea doing this. I sent 2 today and plan on sending many more everyday. A small task in comparison to what every solider does for us and the future citizens of our country each day."

"I did 50 while my husband was reading aloud a novel."

"What a great project! You know I'm a softie when it comes to thanking our military heroes (they all are heroes because they serve!) And I'm so-o-o happy to send these cards. I hope we not only make each soldier/sailor/etc smile, but make them feel warm, wonderful, powerfully deep, inspiring emotions of gratitude and Christian love from American citizens. I think I sent 8 on my first click into the project. I'll try to come back often. When I think of Dad... and his 30 years in the U.S. Army, I am all awash in tears of gratitude. The military world was such a part of my life growing up. And living 10 years of my life OUTSIDE of the U.S. absolutely assured that I will always love and appreciate America. Even in the rain today, all my red/white/blue patriotic flags in the yard stand out. They are amidst the red/white/green of Christmas. I never take the red/white/blue down. And in my mind and heart: freedom, democracy, sacrifice are part of Christianity."

"I found your site ..... I went ahead and sent one today but I will continue this and send more. Thanks so very much for doing this!"

Thanks to all of you!

Ralph
Founder, The MASSIVE Giving Group
Give 'til YOU Smile!

Give Said the Little Stream

Join the Massive Giving Group and help GIVE and share Giving opportunities.
Also, add the opportunities you know about by posting them on the Wall: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=40056464339

Did you know that you can improve every part of your own life by giving.

Does this sound strange to you? It may, but research shows that giving is one of the best things we can do for ourselves, as well as others.

Giving makes the world a better place. We’ve all felt the personal benefits of giving. You already know in your heart - that giving is a key part of every person's life. Virtually all successful - and certainly all happy people - have discovered the benefits of giving.

Giving enriches us all, the givers as well as the recipients.

There are dramatic benefits to you when you become a better giver. Acts of giving can improve your health. Giving will improve your relationships, your happiness and more.... It helps you live to your potential. It brings more meaning to your life. Giving improves your life.

We each identify and cultivate our own personal giving style. We each have to decide what we can give, when to give, when not to give. We can give tangible items or money. But don’t forget equally important gifts of time, smiles, hope, and friendship.

The purpose of Massive Giving is to provide opportunities to give. Please add comments sharing specific opportunities that you are aware of.

Here are a couple of service opportunities that recently came to my attention.

http://www.usaservice.org/blog/
http://www.americasupportsyou.net/AmericaSupportsYou/index.aspx

So, come along with us at the Massive Giving Group and help GIVE. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=40056464339


Ralph Lyon
Founder, The Massive Giving Group

Massive Giving Event #3

It is a Massive Giving Day .. January 17, 2009.

Please join me in Thanking our soldiers for what they are doing for us.

Please take a minute to send at least one card today.

To take part all you have to do is:

Click Here to Send Cards

Then: Please Click Here to Report how many you sent

Thanks!

I appreciate your efforts.

Ralph
Founder, The Massive Giving Group

Massive Giving Day #2

I’ve declared today, January 10, 2009, a “Massive Giving Day”.

To Give: Massive Giving

We are always blessed when we give. Here
is an easy way for you to take a few minutes
today to give back a little sunshine to someone
who is giving to you.

What is MassiveGiving Day is all about?

Briefly – it is an opportunity for you to take
a few minutes to show that you appreciate
our soldiers who are serving in Iraq. There
they are putting their lives on the line every
day to defend our freedoms. Don’t you enjoy
what we have here in the USA?

We have our problems, but overall,we have it
pretty darn good. We owe it to those who
have served and those who are serving right
now in the military.

I encourage you to take a few minutes to thank
them today by going to Massive Giving and
sending them a few post cards. It costs you
nothing but a few minutes of your time. They
are giving back to us 100% of their time every
day.

Let them know thatyou are thankful for their
service. Put a smile on their faces for a few
minutes, by letting them know that we care
about them and appreciate what they are
doing for us.

Also, please leave me a comment below, letting
me know what you think of MASSIVE GIVING Day.
How soon should we have another one?

Thanks,
Ralph Lyon
Founder, The Massive Giving Group

Massive Giving Day #1

If you’ve been following me for the past couple of weeks,
you know that I’ve declared today, January 1, 2009,
a “Massive Giving Day”.

I would appreciate you giving, our soldiers would
appreciate you giving, and you will be blessed for
giving – but the choice is yours.

If you haven’t been following me, then take a look
at Massive Giving to understand what Massive
Giving Day is all about. Briefly – it is an opportunity
to take a few minutes to show that you appreciate
our soldiers who are serving in Iraq. There they are
putting their lives on the line every day to defend
our freedoms. Don’t you enjoy what we have here
in the USA. Yes, we have our problems, but overall,
we have it pretty darn good. And we owe it to those
who have served and those who are serving right
now in the military.

Take a few minutes to thank them today by going to
Massive Giving and sending them a few post cards.
It costs you nothing but a few minutes of your time.
They are giving back to us 100% of their time every day.

Please take a few minutes and let them know that
you are thankful for their service. And while you are
at it, if you know the family of a soldier, call them up
and thank them for the sacrifices they are making
while a member of their family is serving us.

For Giving: Massive Giving


Also, please leave me a comment below, letting me
know what you think of this MASSIVE GIVING Day.

Thanks,
Ralph Lyon
Founder, The Massive Giving Group

Massive Giving Day - January 1, 2009

I've delcared a Massive Giving Day for January 1, 2009. We appreciate our freedoms but tend to forget about those who put their lives on the line defending them for us. I've found a simple, easy, free way for us to let our soldiers know that we appreciate their efforts.

Massive Giving Project #1:
Send Thanks to the Troops

The Massive Giving project to send 20,000 thank you post cards to our troops is moving forward and gaining momentum. We have sent over 2,500 already but we still have a long way to go to get 20,000 sent by January 31.

For some people, it works well to send 5 or 10 each day. Others like to do a bigger batch once per week.

I've decided to pick on day per week and promote it as a Massive Giving Event to help encourage those who can't find the 2-4 minutes per day that it takes to send out 5-10. After some practice, I can now send about 20 in 5 minutes.

The first Event is January 1.

Here are the links and simple instructions that you need to participate.

1. Go to this web site: Send a Card

2. Pick out a Thank you card and send it.

• Then hit your browser's back arrow and send another one.
• Or click on "View All Designs", pick a new card, and send it.

3. Then tell me how many you sent by clicking here ==> I sent some

4. Get the word out about this 20,000 card project. Send this link to all your friends, post it on your blog, or put it on your web page: http://tinyurl.com/6khmyl

5. Return here daily and send a few more. How about 5 per day? Can you do it?

A full explanation of the project and complete instructions are here:
Send Thanks to the Troops

Remember to post a comment on the Massive Giving blog or on the Facebook Massive Giving Group telling us how many you sent.

Thanks for your support,
Ralph Lyon,
Founder, The Massive Giving Group

Military Families

In church yesterday, the speaker told a story about a soldier's widow and how she received a Christmas Card from her dead husband who was killed in action shortly after he sent it.

It started me wondering about what we Massive Givers can do to show our appreciation to the spouses, children, mothers and fathers of those men and women who are serving in foreign countries. It's not just our soldiers who are lonely and feeling unappreciated and forgotten, but their families from whom they are separated. They are our friends and neighbors, all across America.

Let's reach out to them also and let them know that we appreciate the sacrifices they are making.

Also, let's continue sending appreciation post cards to our soldiers.

What do you think we can do? Please feel free to leave a comment with your ideas.

God bless America and God bless the World. May the Spirit of Christmas permeate our hearts this Christmas season and throughout the years that follow.

Ralph Lyon
Founder, The Massive Giving Group