Christmas in July

I'll probably get a lot of flack for this. Actually, I don't know, since I don't have that many people who follow the stuff that I post or care about it if it happens to come across their feed. I missed halfway to Christmas on June 25, so I guess we'll have to celebrate Christmas in July instead. This is also prompted by so much hate that I see on my Instagram feed. I have a variety of people on my Instagram feed: different walks of life, religious beliefs, values, political views, physical and mental abilities, etc. There has been a big stir among my friends. Again. It happens more often than I would like. The people on my feed disagree. But it's not just a disagreement; it's a battle. At least one side, usually both, tries to tear the other side apart and show how stupid the other side is and how immoral the other side is. However, each conflict that emerges is so much more complex than only one side being dumb. But why does it have to be so hateful? Why do we have to be so mean?

Sometimes that arguments (especially the latest) are about how to help people. I've seen so many people get up in arms about how an organization is not perfect. So to be transparent, none of these organizations is perfect, but they are doing more than I could do on my own. In the spirit of giving, since it's Christmas in July, here are some organizations, items, ideas, (or people?) that have brought me hope or joy and help me share the gifts of life and joy to others. 

Without further ado, let's get the party started.

Christmas Day #1

I'm gonna start somewhere easy. At least it's someplace that I give often. Every few months (meaning 8+ weeks between times), I donate blood. I donate through the American Red Cross. If you would like to join me in donating, you can go to redcrossblood.org. I just donated this week and got the shark week t-shirt. For all my Gilbert and Mesa peeps, they just opened a new location in Gilbert, so it's easier to make an appointment without finding a drive. They're open on my days off, so it's super easy.

image from redcrossblood.org

The reason I give blood is because I have had a few family members who have needed transfusions during their stays in hospitals. There is a critical shortage of blood the last few years. I also think that if I can help save life, I will do what I can. This is an easy way for me to continually give the possible gift of life throughout the year. I don't know who gets my blood, but I believe in human life has value. There are many ways to donate. American Red Cross also helps in natural disasters. If you go to smile.amazon.com, you can set an organization for Amazon to donate to when you buy applicable purchases. I have mine set to American Red Cross. Maybe my few cents will help pay for some of the supplies used to collect blood or other supplies used in natural disaster situations. My Basic Life Skills certification also happens to be through American Red Cross. I usually just get that certification through my work, so that happens to be my work's current certification provider.

Obviously there are several ways that they have helped people in need. I am thankful for organizations who help others and myself provide care to other human beings. Like I said before, none of these organizations are perfect, but they do more than I could on my own. If you are thinking of donating blood, I know there is also Vitalant. I just have had a better track record with American Red Cross.  And another organization/church that helps in natural disasters is The Salvation Army. There are several resources that you can do research about to find where you would like to give aid.