Give Back in a Flash: CT Whale and Hands on Hartford!

Hello do-gooders!

It's back!

On January 27th, 2012, giving back is easier than ever because the CT Whale hockey team will play the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.  A portion of the cost of each ticket will benefit Hands on Hartford.  Click here to find out more!

When: January 27, 2012--Doors open at 6 pm and game begins at 7 pm
Where: XL Center
How much: $14 per ticket

Purchase tickets through Hands on Hartford by January 22nd by contacting Tricia Hyacinth at 860-728-3201 or at thyacinth@handsonhartford.org

Remember to bring a food item or new pair of socks to the game to benefit Hands on Hartford's MANNA programs!

See you at the game!

xo Jessica

New logo is here!

Hello do-gooders,

The new logo is up!  So grateful to a special friend who designed it for me.  Let me know what you think!  New posts coming shortly.

xo Jessica

Coming soon on GBIE!

Stay tuned, do-gooders!  Coming soon is a new logo.  I am also working on updating more often, even if it's little tidbits to help you do good one step at a time.  Please feel free to leave me feedback in the comments or pop me gmail at givingbackiseasy!

xoxo Jessica

Give Back in a Flash: Check out the Courant, do-gooders!

Hey do-gooders,

The Hartford Courant has a great article today listing local volunteer opportunities for the holidays.  Check it out here!

xoxo Jessica

Give Back in a Flash: Thanksgiving help for the Veterans at Harkness House!

A note from our friends at the wonderful Columbus House:

Can you donate some Thanksgiving joy for our Veterans at Harkness House? 

We're hoping to get four Thanksgiving dinner baskets with a turkey and all the fixings--one for each of the four apartments. Each apartment is home to four guys. 

Email swarfield@columbushouse.org if you want to help!

Give Back in a Flash: Turkey and a Twenty is back in 2011!

Dearest do-gooders,

This post is a little nostalgic for me since my very first blog post last year was about this wonderful program and I'm so glad it's back again this year!  Foodshare presents it's Turkey and a Twenty Campaign. 

All you have to do is purchase a turkey from any grocery store of any size and bring it to your local drop-off location.  A list of local drop-off locations can be found here and drop-off events like Turkey Trots and more can be found here. Foodshare will use the turkey that you donate to help out a low income family in the greater Hartford area so that they will be able to have a special Thanksgiving celebration that would not otherwise be available to them. Then when you donate a $20 bill to Foodshare when you drop off the turkey, you can help Foodshare to help these low income families for the whole year!

Even easier way to give back?  Chip in with some friends for the turkey and split the $20! There's strength in numbers!  You can also donate enough money for a turkey and the $20, if you're strapped for time, right on Foodshare's website.

Want to up-level your giving? Volunteer to collect turkeys for Foodshare or join the 1000 Turkey Challenge!  Make a team with your friends and try to collect at least 20 turkeys and $20 bills to meet the 2011 challenge!

What you should know. Most collections are day-dependent.  For instance, the UCONN School of Social Work in Hartford is collecting turkeys ONLY tomorrow, November 4th.  Most places are collecting sometime between November 15th and November 20th.  Check the drop-off location for your area now to see when and where is most convenient for your drop-off. 

Start your holiday season by giving back easy!

xo Jessica

Loan a little, get a lot, do-gooders!

Happy fall do-gooders!

I recently discovered an amazing website that makes giving back ridiculously easy.  I had heard of microfinance loans before, but was never really sure what it was all about.  Kiva is a non-profit organization dedicated to alleviating poverty through the use of loans.  Here's how it works!

Basically, you browse the thousands of entrepreneurs on Kiva's website who don't have access to traditional banking systems or bank loans throughout the world but who have a great idea or a business already up and running that just needs a little more money to get moving.  You select someone or a group of people whose work really speaks to you, and you lend them as little as $25 for their project on Kiva's website.

Since Kiva was founded in 2005, over 600,000 people have made loans amounting to $248 million directly to those in need with a 98.87% repayment rate.  That's pretty astonishing.  Plus every penny goes directly to the borrower.  Kiva takes no cut of the money and charges no interest to the borrowers!

This morning, I loaned $25 to Ajala Hamza in Msambweni, Kenya who is now 55% of the way to her goal of a $225 loan.  Ajala is a widow with five children.  Three of her children have finished high school and two are still in school.  The family lives in a house without running water or electricity.  Ajala has a vegetable business but it is difficult for her to transport her vegetables to the market.  She is hoping to expand into raising chickens so that she has something more sustainable than the vegetable business which barely provides enough for her to feed her family.

There are thousands of people like Ajala who could use a loan to jump start their business venture.  Kiva offers agricultural, housing, educational, and business loans, and there are people and groups all over the world that you can help.  Plus, it's a loan--so you're actually investing and giving back at the same time!

Could giving back get any easier?

xo Jessica

UPDATE: Since this post, Ajala has raised 100% of her goal. Amazing!!!  There are so many others in need of a loan on Kiva.  Let's see if we can help them too!

Give Back in a Flash: Motorcycle Run to Help Homeless Vets!

Dear do-gooders,

I'm not much of a motorcyle-rider, but I know a lot of you are, and here's a fun and easy way to bring out your bike for a great cause.  Columbus House, one of my favorite shelters (though they do so much more than simply provide shelter), has an initiative called The Homefront which helps homeless Veterans.  The Homefront provides stable housing, educational and vocational training, encouragement and support for Vets in need.

So here's where you come in!  On September 17th, Columbus House will have its 3rd Annual Motorcycle Run to Benefit Homeless Veterans.  You can get more info and buy tickets online here and you can see great photos from last year's event here.  The ride will begin at Hope Christian Church and will be a 50 mile ride roundtrip.  Come early for bagels and coffee.  After the ride, stick around for a BBQ lunch, live music, and silent auction.  100% of proceeds go to the Homefront.

Like me and not a rider or just can't make the event?  Click here to make a donation, or call 203-401-4400 ext. 116 to contribute with a credit card over the phone, or mail a check to Columbus House, ATTN: Homefront, P.O. Box 7093, New Haven, CT 06519.

Last year over 65 riders participated in the Run.  Can we help beat this number this year?

Here are the all the details:

When: Saturday, September 17th, 2011
Where: Start at Hope Christian Church, 211 Montowese Ave, North Haven, CT
Time: Registration is at 10 am, Bikes leave 11 am
Length: 50 miles roundtrip
Cost: $20 for motorcycle and one rider, $10 for each passenger
Tickets available: Here!

Give back easy, do-gooders!

xo Jessica

Give a Good Night's Rest, do-gooders!

Good morning, do-gooders!

There is a great need at shelters and transitional housing units this summer for clean sheets and pillow cases. The bedding in shelters get a lot of wear and they are constantly in need of a fresh supply. We all have some sheets in our closet that we don't use very much or we have sheets from college that are now too small for our bigger beds. There are a lot of area shelters that can put these sheets to good use!

Or maybe you're doing some back-to-school shopping at Target or any number of home stores and can pick up an extra set of sheets or towels to donate so that someone can use them to make a fresh start. Even easier? Order online and have it shipped directly to the shelters!  One of my favorite giving back companies, The Company Store, has a great selection of sheets (pictured above) on sale. (Bonus: For every comforter you buy from the Company Store, they will donate a comforter to a homeless child!)

Each shelter/transitional housing unit has its own unique requirements, so I've laid out all the pertinent details below including whether the need is immediate or on a general on-going basis.

Hartford

St. Elizabeth House
Need level: Immediate
New only?: Yes
Size: Only Twin
Other need?: Toiletries
Contact: Tenesha Grant, 860-808-2114, tgrant@mercyhousingct.org 
Shipping address: 118 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06106

Loaves and Fishes Ministries
Need level: Ongoing
New only?: New or gently used, but must be clean
Size: Queen, full, or twin
Other need?: Bath towels, full sized toiletries, diapers, latex gloves
Location: Drop off 360 Farmington Ave, Hartford Mon-Fri 9am-11am or 1pm-3pm but call first
Contact: Alyce at 860-524-1730
Shipping address: 360 Farmington Ave, Hartford, CT 06105

South Park Inn Shelter

Need level: Ongoing

New only?: New or gently used but must be clean

Size: Only Twin

Other need? New underwear, socks, t-shirts & pajamas and more

Location: Bring items to 75 Main Street, Hartford or contact 860-724-0071

Shipping address: 75 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06106

Middletown

Shepherd Home
Need level: Immediate
New only?: Sheets must be new, blankets may be gently used but must be clean
Size: Only Twin
Other need? Click here for an extensive list
Contact: Damion Baker, 860-344-0766, dbaker@mercyhousingct.org
Shipping address: 112 Bow Lane, Middletown, CT 06457

New Haven

New Haven Home Recovery
Need level: Ongoing
New only?: New or gently used, but must be clean
Size: Only Twin
Other need? Towels, blankets, pillows, diapers, full-sized toiletries and more
Location: Bring items Mon-Fri between 9 am and 4 pm to 153 East St., 2nd Floor.
Contact: Agnes Estes 203-492-4866 ext. 10
Shipping address: 153 East Street, New Haven, CT, 06511

Columbus House
Need level: Ongoing
New only?: New or gently used, but must be clean
Size: Only Twin
Other need?: Bath towels, new underwear and socks, toiletries
Location: 586 Ella T. Grasso Blvd
Contact: Sara, info@columbushouse.org
Shipping address: Columbus House, PO Box 7093, New Haven, CT 06519

Take advantage of the upcoming white sales at the end of the summer to share with others in need!  It's a little thing you can do to help someone have a fresh start and to give the shelters some much needed support.  They will be so grateful.

Pretty easy, right?

xo Jessica

Give Back in a Flash: Helping with Haircuts!

Hey do-gooders!

As you know, I am a huge fan of the "get one, give one" phenomenon which has really boomed with the charitable consumer goods market.  Now, "get one, give one" comes to haircuts and giving back couldn't be any easier!  Take your children to the Hair Cuttery for their haircuts from August 1st through August 15th and for each paid haircut, a free haircut will be donated to a child in need so that every child can look great for school in September!

The Hair Cuttery is back again this year for its Twelfth Annual "Share a Haircut" Campaign!  For every paid haircut for a child aged 18 or younger, the Hair Cuttery will provide a free haircut for a disadvantaged child.  This service is available at all 900 Hair Cuttery salons across the nation!  Click here to find your local Hair Cuttery.  Over the past 12 years, the Hair Cuttery has provided over 500,000 free haircuts to needy kids so that they can look great for their first day back at school.

For those of us in West Hartford, here are the closest Hair Cuttery locations:

Elmwood Plaza
176 Newington Road
Suite D
West Hartford, CT
860-523-3221

Corbin's Corner
585 Hartford Rd
New Britain, CT
860-229-0128

Glastonbury
2753 Main Street
Glastonbury, CT
860-652-0016

How easy is that?!

xo Jessica

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Give Back in a Flash: Get Fit and Fight Cancer!

Good afternoon, do-gooders!

Looking for a way to get fit and do good all at once?  

Give back in a flash by attending a pilates class in the beautiful Elizabeth Park early in September sponsored by Pilates Defined, a pilates studio in Elmwood, West Hartford.

Pilates Defined is holding a group pilates mat class to benefit the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund as a tribute to one of its members who recently lost the battle with ovarian cancer. 100% of the proceeds of the event will go to the OCR Fund.  All pilates levels are enthusiastically encouraged to attend!

September 10th

Elizabeth Park in Hartford

$20 Suggested Donation

All levels

Grab a mat, go, and give back!

xo Jessica

Sorry for the delay, do-gooders!

Dearest do-gooders,

Apologies for my long absence.  After final exams from my third year of law school, I spent the month of June working full-time and studying for the bar at night and then studying my tail off for the bar in the month of July.  Now that it's all over, I am finally able to get back to showing you more easy ideas for giving back!  Hopefully, I will be able to update more frequently and improve the look and feel of the blog too.  As usual, please leave any suggestions in the comments!  I would love to hear your ideas.

I have several posts in the works for great upcoming ways to give back to the community, especially some Give Back in a Flash posts which can help you plan the next month with fun ways to help others in need!

Looking forward to it and also some rest this month.

Take it easy!

xo Jessica

Give Back in a Flash: Give good prom, do-gooders!

Dearest do-gooders,

We all have a dress in our closet that we've worn once or a bridesmaid dress that we know we won't have an opportunity to wear again.  Put that dress to good use and help a girl feel beautiful on prom night!

Hamden High School in Hamden, CT is seeking donations of new or gently used gowns that could be worn to prom for its Dream Girls Prom Shop!  All sizes are needed and accessories are also accepted.  If you have any questions or would like to donate a dress, contact Jane Glynn at 203-407-2008 or by email at jglynn@hamden.org.

Happy giving!

xo Jessica

Giving Back Guest Post: Add a Fifth Question to your Passover Seder, do-gooders!

Giving Back Is Easy—Just Ask One More Question at Your Seder!

By: Ivan Porto, Giving Back is Easy Guest Blogger

MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger

With April 18 around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about Passover – a time when Jews all over the world gather with friends and family to commemorate our people’s liberation from slavery and oppression. While a significant aspect of this holiday is focused on food—delicious, unleavened food—Passover also provides an opportunity for reflection.

During our seders, we retell the Passover story so we will never forget that we were once slaves. Times have changed for many of us, but unfortunately many others are still enslaved – to hunger.

50 million Americans – including 17 million children – are unsure when or if their next meal will come. That’s more hungry people in this country than the entire population of Canada. It is clear that we can’t claim complete victory over this oppression just yet.

There is another way – an end to hunger is within our reach.

Early in the seder we say, “All who are hungry, let them enter and eat.” More than an invitation to join us at the dinner table, we at MAZON see these words as a rallying cry – a call to do more to help those who so desperately need it; to fight for responsible government policies that promote the health and security of everyone in our nation; to provide access to resources that allow people to pick themselves up and build (or rebuild) their lives; to give every man, woman and child a chance not only to live their lives, but to thrive.

You can join with MAZON to raise awareness about hunger during Passover by participating in our Fifth Question campaign:

1.   Bring hunger to your Seder by asking a Fifth Question: Why on this night are millions of people going hungry? Encourage conversation about and/or discuss ways you might help to fight the epidemic of hunger in America.

2.   Activate your network as hunger-fighters. Share MAZON’s Fifth Question posts and information and encourage others to get involved.

3.   Share your hunger-fighting ideas with MAZON. Write your commitment on a Fifth Question placemat and send us a picture (iporto@mazon.org). We’ll showcase your placemat on our Facebook page to share it with our larger anti-hunger community.

Chag Sameach, do-gooders!

Ivan

Get one, give one, do-gooders!

Happy Spring, do-gooders!

One of my new favorite giving back ideas is "give one, get one." The idea of "give one, get one" makes giving back so easy!  You buy one and the company gives one to someone in need.  Start your spring by giving back!  The companies in this post make it so easy to do.

The concept was launched in full scale by a company you might have heard of called Tom's Shoes.  If you haven't heard of Tom's, here's your intro!  Tom's is a company that provides a new pair of shoes to a child in need for every single pair bought via its "One for One" program.  The company was started when Blake Mycoskie traveled to Argentina and befriended some children and learned that they had no shoes.  Knowing how a lack of shoes can lead to disease as well as the inability for children to attend school, Blake started Tom's Shoes.  My pick are the Red Canvas Classics for $44.  You get a cute pair of shoes and so does a child in need!

A lot of other wonderful (& stylish) companies have followed the lead of Tom's Shoes and I provide you with a list of them in this post:


Wiloh is a fantastic company offering beautiful, yet edgy t-shirts in a host of designs. For every t-shirt sold, Wiloh donates one of their specially designed t-shirt through its Tee for Tee Initiative to a needy child.  Wiloh has partnered with  Kids in Distressed Situations Inc. (KIDS), a non-profit which strives to end child poverty.  My pick from Wiloh is this beautiful "Symmetry" t-shirt designed by John Troxel for $28.  It's unique and beautiful and allows you to look great while helping out a child in need.






Thinking about getting a new comforter?  Buy any comforter from the Company Store and the Company Store will donate a comforter to a homeless shelter through their Buy One, Give One program.  The Company Store has teamed up with regional non-profits in order to provide homeless children with comforters that are theirs to keep as they move out of the shelter into transitional housing and beyond.  Though any comforter you select will automatically trigger the Company Store to donate a comforter to a homeless child in need, my pick is the St. Tropez Strip TCS Down Comforter for $129.


Roma Provisions makes adorable rain boots in fun colors for adults and children and, you guessed it, donates a pair of rain boots to a child in need for every pair purchased!  Roma boots for adults come in five colors in both high gloss and matte finishes.  Roma boots for kids come in red, blue, and yellow. For every pair purchased, a Roma child in Central or Eastern Europe without shoes will receive a pair of Roma rain boots.  The founder of Roma Provisions went back to his native Romania during the winter months and saw children walking in knee deep snow with terribly worn shoes.  He saw little girls walking in slush wearing only sandals.  Upon returning to the U.S., he knew that he had to do something, so he created Roma Provisions.  My pick is the Plum Gloss Rain Boot for $78.




Another fantastic organization is Common Threadz which will feed an orphan in Africa for one month for every t-shirt from the "Orphan Collection" purchased through their website.  The Orphan Collection shirts are designed by Orphans, such as the t-shirt in the picture to the right designed by Siphamandla Hiabisa, which is for sale for $38.  If you buy a t-shirt not from the orphan collection, Common Threadz will donate a school uniform to a child in need.  The site is full of amazing t-shirt designs with t-shirts designed by orphans and t-shirts designed by artists.


So do-gooders, get shopping!  This is one of my favorite ways to give back because it's ridiculously easy.  I look forward to posting more great one-for-one companies as the idea takes off across the non-profit web!  As always, let me know in the comments if you are looking for something in particular or if a wonderful company that you know about is not featured here.

Happy giving and happy Spring!

xo Jessica

Sorry for the delay, do-gooders!

Dear do-gooders,

As you know, I am a full-time law student.  Unfortunately, my case work for my clinic has been taking up a lot of time lately and I haven't been able to update.  What I can tell you is that I have an amazing post in the works which will tell you all about easy giving with "One for One" programs.

I promise that this post will be up soon and I'm sorry for the delay!

xo Jessica

Give Back in a Flash: Serve up some help for Hospice!

Get out your tennis racquet and get ready for some fun to support Connecticut Hospice!

Coming up on Saturday, February 26th is the Aces & Icicles for Hospice Event hosted by the Previdi family which will include Cardio Tennis, Point Play Tennis, Clinic Tennis, and a raffle with prizes.  

I may be a little biased but I've known the Previdis since I was a little kid and I can tell you that to be able to play tennis with Billy Previdi for $30 is a bargain and a half.  Billy is a tennis pro and an amazing teacher, but more than that, he's a lot of fun to be on the court with and I know that the Aces & Icicles Event is going to be a blast!

Connecticut Hospice is a wonderful organization that gives those who are in their last days a way to live those days with dignity.  Hospice provides their services to anyone, regardless of the ability to pay.

So get out there and play some tennis for Hospice in this super easy way to give back!

Aces & Icicles Tennis Event

Saturday, February 26

9:30am -12:30pm

Hospice Tennis Courts

100 Double Beach Road

Branford, CT 06405

$30 per person

If you can't make the event, you can send a donation to the below address or call Linda Laucella at 203-315-7684.

The Connecticut Hospice

Attn: A&I_Development

100 Double Beach Road

Branford, CT 06405

So go ahead and serve up some good, do-gooders!

xo Jessica

Give Back in a Flash: NYC Cocktails for the Men in Blue!

If you've been in New York City, you've seen the Men in Blue out cleaning the city streets--but did you know that the Doe Fund helps these gentlemen go from homelessness to self-sufficiency by supporting the Men in Blue every step of the way? The Doe Fund provides housing, education, job skills, job placement services and more for the men you see keeping the city beautiful everyday.

So here's your chance to give back to the Doe Fund!  

Come out on February 24th to Plug Uglies in Gramercy for the Friends of Doe Happy Hour Event! The cover is a ridiculously low $10 per person and for that you get so much in return. Aside from giving money to a great cause, you'll get drink specials from Plug Uglies and free food prepared by the Doe Fund's very own Culinary Arts program. There's also a chance you could win some great prizes in the raffle!

When: February 24, 2011 from 6:00-9:00 pm

Where: Plug Uglies at 3rd Ave between 20th and 21st Streets

Cover: $10 per person

How to: RSVP on facebook by clicking here.

Grab some friends or colleagues and head over to a happy hour that really gives back by helping homeless men in need!  

Can giving back get any easier?

Enjoy!

xo Jessica

P.S.  Can't make the Happy Hour Event but still want to help out the Doe Fund? Or maybe you're so inspired by the great things this organization does (I am!) that you want to become more involved? There are a great many volunteer opportunities through Doe including tutoring, mentoring, and helping to prepare the Men in Blue for job interviews through Doe's mock interview program. Click here to find out how you can volunteer today.

Give Back in a Flash: Donate a Pint, do-gooders!

Mark your calendars, do-gooders!

On January 25th, the Knights of Columbus are hosting a blood drive sponsored by the American Red Cross in honor of Veterans!  The winter storms have created a shortage of blood in many states, but there's something that you can do about it--give blood.  Giving blood saves lives and takes less than 15 minutes.  In fact, one pint of blood can save as many as 3 lives.  Talk about giving back easy!

Check out the Red Cross website to determine your eligibility and then make an appointment at the Knights of Columbus Blood Drive today.

When: Tuesday, January 25th, 1 pm to 6:15 pm
Where: Parish Center, Church of St. Thomas the Apostle, 872 Farmington Ave., W.H.
For an appointment: Call the Red Cross at 800-733-2767 or Michael DeConti at 860-232-1319

Give a little, save a life!

xo Jessica

P.S.  Just a caveat, I do not support the American Red Cross policy, as mandated by the FDA, of discrimination based on sexual orientation.  I think the organization does great work to help so many people, but hope to see a major change in policy regarding blood donation for men who have sex with men.  For a good article outlining why the current policy places the Red Cross in a scientific "time warp," click here.

Give Back in a Flash: Hockey Night for Hands on Hartford!

Dear do-gooders,

Hands on Hartford is doing a fundraiser with the Connecticut Whale Hockey team.  Come out to the game on January 28, 2011 at the XL Center in Hartford.  Tickets are $12 and a whopping $5 out of every ticket goes directly to Hands on Hartford to help homeless individuals and many more.  Hands on Hartford is by far one of my favorite organizations in the Hartford Metropolitan area.  They do amazing work every day to help others!

Date: January 28th
Time: 7 pm gametime but doors open at 6 pm
Tickets: $12
Available at: Hands on Hartford Main Office at 330 Main Street
Contact: Tricia Hyacinth at thyacinth@handsonhartford.org or 860-728-3201 x 2006

Giving back really doesn't get easier than this!

See you at the game do-gooders!

xo Jessica

Give good health, do-gooders!

Dearest do-gooders,

As many of you know, I am surrounded by doctors and those soon-to-be so it's no surprise that, at some point, I would have at least one medical-related giving back post. The wait is now over!  My sister sent me information about this great cause which is so easy to support! The program is called WorldScopes and it's funded by the American Medical Association. Basically, WorldScopes sends stethoscopes all over the world to needy clinics who are in desperate need of even the most basic medical equipment.

Ways to Help WorldScopes!

1. Send your new or gently used stethoscopes directly to WorldScopes using this address label!
2. Organize a stethoscope drive! Got 20 scopes or more? The AMA will pay your shipping!
3. Donate tax deductible funds so that WorldScopes can buy new stethoscopes.  Every dollar donated goes to purchasing stethoscopes as all administrative costs are paid by the AMA!

I'm big on organizing drives because they seem hard but are really very easy to do! If you want to organize a drive, you can use my DIY drive guide, however, WorldScopes has made it even easier by providing a step-by-step stethoscope specific giving guide (say that five times fast) to organizing your own drive.  WorldScopes provides email scripts for your mass emails, fact sheets, testimonials, and even posters and postcards! In fact, WorldScopes provides email templates specific to physicians, medical students, or the general public. WorldScopes makes it remarkably easy to organize your own stethoscope drive.  You'll be amazed at how little effort this will take for such a huge payoff because WorldScopes does so much of the work for you!

So, you want to organize a stethoscope drive? Head over to Worldscopes and download some fact sheets, figure our where you're going to put your collection box, pick your audience and download an audience-specific email script, send out a mass email, email Worldscopes to get your free posters and post cards, and get started!

Looking for a local place to pick up a new stethoscope to donate?  Try the UCONN Health Center Co-op in Farmington right off of Farmington Avenue. You can also purchase stethoscopes in a range of prices and qualities from Amazon. My pick (with guidance from someone who actually knows how to use one) is the 3M Littmann 2454 Lightweight Stethoscope (which comes in a variety of colors) for $45 including free shipping at Amazon.com. This stethoscope is a bargain since it's from a very reliable brand which makes high-end stethoscopes. If you're ordering online, simply send the scope directly to WorldScopes by clicking here for the address.

Giving good health really is easy!

Happy giving, do-gooders!

xo Jessica

Give Back in a Flash: Take a really meaningful lunch break in downtown Hartford!

Hands on Hartford, one of my favorite local organizations has a new program going where doing something extra meaningful during your lunch break is so, so easy.  Any Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, you and your colleagues can serve a Community Meal at MANNA, Hands on Hartford's soup kitchen, in downtown Hartford!

What you'll be doing: pouring drinks, plating desserts, putting food on trays, or serving the trays in the dining room.

Commitment time:  11:45-1:00 pm any Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday of your choice (including tomorrow)!

Where:  MANNA at Hands on Hartford, 45 Church Street in the Parish House of Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford, CT

Who to call: Kim Dirschka at Hands on Hartford at 860-728-3201 ext. 2021

Doing something good for others doesn't get much easier than this.  Can you spare a lunch break to help out someone less fortunate this month?

xo Jessica

P.S.  Don't have time to stop by to serve lunch?  How about dropping off some much needed items listed in the Community Meals Wish List?  No donation is too small!