Sunday, June 27, 2010

Facebook Causes Promotes Ft Myers Food Pantry


Among the many uses of social media giant Facebook, I'm a bit surprised to discover Facebook provides at cost, an effective method of raising money and awareness for any federally designated 501c3 charity.

I chose to to promote the local food bank in my back yard. Facebook causes allows you to request your Facebook friends to donate and this part I found most interesting: If your friends don't have the cash flow you can guilt your friends into guilting their Facebook friends.

The more time I spend with fund raising for local Ft Myers charities, I'm finding out if you ask 100 people to donate $5.00 40 will say "yeah sure", less than 2 will follow through.

So if the percentage of people who actually follow through is that low, it stands to reason, if you really intend to raise X amount of money, you're going to have guilt them, with a cattle prod if necessary.

Anything less than a full court press will result in less than effective return.

Therefore I'm resolving to pester all my Facebook friends. If they don't have the spare change, the least they can do is to agree to pester all of their Facebook friends... so they might be able to "save face".

The url to the specific Facebook Causes page is: http://www.causes.com/causes/492503





Richard Thomas, Social media/SEO Consultant in Ft Myers Florida, Writer, interested in making a positive difference in my community including but not limited to: regional search engine marketing for small businesses in Ft Myers Florida. Local Google Ranking Improved for both companies and charities. 501c3 non profit promotion done pro bono.

But For The Grace Of Go I ... You Could Be Next Ft Myers!

IF YOU THINK IT COULDN'T HAPPEN TO YOU, THINK AGAIN.

Suze Orman counsels us to keep 8 months of our current income in the bank as a back up, that is NOT counting what we should be saving, she's talking about our rainy day fund.

If you lost your job TODAY, and it took you 6 months to find a suitable replacement for your current job... do you have 6 months salary in the bank RIGHT NOW?

Damn Few Of You Do

Frederick MD Homeless now off streets

Donate to your favorite charity AND donate some groceries to what ever local foodbank is nearest you, and do it RIGHT NOW.

More than a few of my readers are calling me to find out where they can go to volunteer at the foodbank, well there is more than one foodbank in Frederick Maryland and there is more than one soup kitchen.

I tell everyone to call the City of Frederick's Frederick Community Action Agency if you are wanting to volunteer at a soup kitchen.
100 S Market St
Frederick, MD 21701-5527
(301) 694-1506
I found this interesting provocative post about homelessness on Google and thought it newsworthy enough to repost here.
Credit for this post goes to Frederick Maryland Charities

In Ft myers and all across the country families that have always considered themselves middle class are now facing struggles they never anticipated. With layoffs, reduced hours and wages, these families are fighting to pay their rent, or their mortgages, and having a tough time putting food on the table for their kids! Hundreds of families in Lee County have slipped into homelessness and are turning to our churches and charitable organizations for assistance, and many more are just one misfortune away from finding themselves in the same situation.

Imagine having to tell your child "there is nothing to eat for dinner tonight", and then realize for many in SWFL it's no daydream ... it's their REALITY!

Pick a local food bank or charity and lend your neighbors a helping hand!

  • Make a cash donation!
  • Donate Food! Canned, fresh, or frozen ... local food banks can handle all types of donations.
  • Donate your used plastic grocery bags!
  • Go to the dollar store and buy a can opener to throw in your bag of donated goods! You spend more on cigarettes or Starbucks than a can opener costs! Families that have lost EVERYTHING... have lost their can openers too!
  • Volunteer! Food banks and soup kitchens need people as much as they need material goods!


Ft Myers/SWFL Food Banks Need Can Openers



Richard Thomas, Social media/SEO Consultant in Ft Myers Florida, Writer, interested in making a positive difference in my community including but not limited to: regional search engine marketing for small businesses in Ft Myers Florida. Local Google Ranking Improved for both companies and charities. 501c3 non profit promotion done pro bono.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Fort Myers Food Drive Off To A Good Start

I showed up at 10:00 and the Harry Chapin Food Bank food drive was well under way. I went to the Estero high school drop off and was greeted by an enthusiastic group of Estero High students who had volunteered to help with gathering and sorting the food that was dropped off. When I showed up the donation boxes were half full, which made for a very impressive pile of canned goods and dry food. It was nice to see young people so upbeat and enthused about doing something positive in the Ft Myers| Lee County | SWFL area. Also present and working hard were a half dozen volunteers who regularly help at Harry Chapin, and they were happy to talk about the process involved in getting the food from the drop off point back to their warehouse off of Fowler St. in Fort Myers, and then dispersing it to the people and organizations that need it most. I asked 1 of the volunteers when we might know if they met their goal of 225,000 lbs. of food and he said they would probably make that information public by the middle of the upcoming week.

Community Food Drive In Lee County Florida




A cooperative effort from The News Press, the Lee County School District, The Harry Chapin Food Bank, Clear Channel Radio, and The United way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades Counties. The Food Drives goal is to collect 225,000 pounds of food for the Harry Chapin Food Bank.



Richard Thomas, Social media/SEO Consultant in Ft Myers Florida, Writer, interested in making a positive difference in my community including but not limited to: regional search engine marketing for small businesses in Ft Myers Florida. Local Google Ranking Improved for both companies and charities. 501c3 non profit promotion done pro bono.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Ft Myers Girl Scout Troop Gives Back To SWFL Kids

The girls in Girl Scout troop 612 worked hard to earn their cookie money, they didn't mind, they knew the money would fund their activities for the rest of the year. One of the things they wanted to do most was ... "something nice to help other kids!" Very admirable considering GS troop 612 is comprised entirely of Daisies and Brownies ... kids between the ages of 5 and 8 years old! Both parents and troop leaders were very proud of their kids choice for spending a considerable portion of their earnings to help others. The girls are quick to remind us that giving is part of the Girl Scout Promise ...

On my honor, I will try:
To serve God and my country,
To help people at all times,
And to live by the Girl Scout Law

The girls decided they wanted to go to "Build-A-Bear" and each girl would make a bear for themselves and one that they could give to kids who were in the hospital. The bears they made for themselves were dressed in Girl Scout uniforms just like their's, and the bears they made for the children in the hospital were of their own personal stylings and designs.

Girl Scouts Make Bears For Sick Children In Ft Myers
Learning about "Bear Building"



Learning How to Make A Stuffed Bear
Working on their Bears



Proud to Make A Positive Difference In Fort Myers
Proud to be helping those in need in Ft Myers



Girl Scout From Troop 612 Delivers Bears To Kids At Health Park Hospital
Delivering bears to kids at Health Park Hospital in Lee County Florida


In addition to the "Bear Project" the girls from troop 612 have also:


Replanted native plants and shrubs to help beautify a public park area in Ft Myers.

Saved pop tops for donation to "The Ronald McDonald House".

Raised money to donate to UNICEF.




Kudo's to the parents, leaders, and especially the girls of Troop 612. Thanks for helping to raise the community leader's of the next generation!







Richard Thomas, Social media/SEO Consultant in Ft Myers Florida, Writer, interested in making a positive difference in my community including but not limited to: regional search engine marketing for small businesses in Ft Myers Florida. Local Google Ranking Improved for both companies and charities. 501c3 non profit promotion done pro bono.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Can Openers Needed By Ft Myers Soup Kitchens and Food Banks

I should have realized it decades ago, but I never gave it much thought ... One morning in the early 80's I met a remodeling contractor that I did drywall work for at his home. I was to follow him and his laborer out to a jobsite so I could put in a bid on the project. We were all set to go ... he just needed to feed his dog ... a large St Bernard. His laborer (Mike) and I stood by the door and watched as he struggled for 10 minutes trying to get the 1st can of dog food open, not only could he not get it open ... he'd barely made a dent in it! The can opener blade would flop over to the side as soon as you put enough pressure on it to start cutting the can ... it was unworkable!

After watching his bosses struggles Mike spoke up and said " You've been wrestling with that can for 10 minutes ... give them to me, with the dog bowl, and $10.00 says I'll have both of them open in 10 seconds! " I looked at the contractor and knew what he was thinking ... "this will be the easiest 10 bucks I make all day", and at that point I was in agreement, even with a good can opener 10 seconds wasn't much time.

Mike took the 2 cans of food and laid them on their side on the counter, he put the dog bowl to the left and the can opener to the right, he looked up at us and said "give me a 3 second countdown when you're ready to keep time." I was keeping time so I marked my watch and gave him the count ... as soon as I said "go" he immediately karate chopped (hard) the 2 cans laying on their sides, he picked up one of the cans and bent it back and forth about 4 times while holding it over the bowl, the can popped open and in one violent shake he emptied the contents into the dog dish. Then he picked up the second can and repeated the process. DONE ... and he never touched the can opener! Total elapsed time was 5 seconds! It was the easiest 10 bucks Mike made all day! Needless to say the contractor and I were quite impressed, as he handed Mike the $10.00 bill the contractor asked "where did you learn that neat little trick?"

Ft Myers/SWFL Food Banks Need Can Openers





Mike told us that for the best part of the past 3 years he had been homeless. He said "There isn't too much in this world more frustrating than to finally get your hands on some food, after being hungry for days, go back to your camp and realize you don't have a can opener! Necessity is the mother of invention ... and when your as hungry as I was you can get pretty creative! That dog food can was about the easiest kind of can to open ... the right size to grip, and plenty of side to chop at ... smaller cans aren't nearly so easy, some you have to beat with a rock, and often lose half the contents just getting it open, and bigger cans are tough to get a good grip on." He went on to add "... the toughest part isn't always getting the can open ... it's managing not to cut yourself while you open it and eat out of it. I had it easy in here ... I had a counter, plenty of light, and was warm today ... try that lil trick kneeling in the dirt, in the dark, when it's 30 degrees and your hands are shaking! And then if you happen to get cut that doubles your trouble... things like band aids, peroxide, antiseptic ointment ... even soap and clean water ... can be pretty tough to come by when you live out of a bag, and sleep in the woods!"

I hadn't thought of this story in years until a week or so ago I was talking with a volunteer for a local food bank who mentioned one of the items they can usually use are can openers. She told me even if they had plenty at the soup kitchen, they would know someone who could use them. I checked my kitchen drawer ... we have three of them ... and I can't remember the last time the ones in the back of the drawer got used ... maybe never! The food banks and soup kitchens in the Ft Myers - Lee County area always can use food donations, but, it might be worth calling to ask what other kids of items they can use. You can help out a great cause and perhaps free up a little room in the utensils drawer.



Richard Thomas, Social media?SEO Consultant in Ft Myers Florida, Writer, interested in making a positive difference in my community including but not limited to: regional search engine marketing for small businesses in Ft Myers Florida. Local Google Ranking Improved for both companies and charities. 501c3 non profit promotion done pro bono.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Outreach Day Helps 400 Families in Ft Myers

With the economic recession affecting so many in Ft Myers, and many families across Lee County feeling its effects, Nations Association Charities stepped up to the plate to help! Serving SWFL (Southwest Florida) since 1978, this dedicated group of individuals has once again faced the ever changing challenges of need and hunger in Lee County! The families attending the "Outreach Day" were given approximately $70 worth of food donated by Wake Up America, Publix Supermarkets, and The Harry Chapin Food Bank. Also available were ...

Eye Screenings: Provided by The Ronald McDonald House and Eye Centers of Florida

Blood Sugar Screening: By the Lee County Health Department

Sign Up For Quit Smoking Classes: Given at the Lee County Health Dept. on Pondella Rd. in N Ft Myers


If you are interested in donating, volunteering, or just learning more about the work Nations Association Charities does in the Ft Myers/Lee County area call or visit ...

Nations Association
4625 Palm Beach Blvd.
Ft Myers, Fl

332-7575





Richard Thomas, Social media/SEO Consultant in Ft Myers Florida, Writer, interested in making a positive difference in my community including but not limited to: regional search engine marketing for small businesses in Ft Myers Florida. Local Google Ranking Improved for both companies and charities. 501c3 non profit promotion done pro bono.

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Food Drive In Ft Myers, Lee County, SWFL Set For June 19

With a 13.5% unemployment rate and 70% of the children in Lee County qualifying for the free and reduced lunch program in Lee County the time has come for SWFL citizens to help one another. Our community is still struggling to survive the recession! Community Cooperative Ministries Inc. has recently opened their "Everyday Marketplace" To help Ft Myers "new hungry" provide food for their families. The need for donations has never been greater! The June 19 food drive is an effort to help meet the need for food.

A cooperative effort from The News Press, the Lee County School District, The Harry Chapin Food Bank, Clear Channel Radio, and The United way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades Counties. The Food Drives goal is to collect 225,000 pounds of food for the Harry Chapin Food Bank.

Information

What: Community Food Drive

When: Saturday June 19 2010 8a.m. - 12 p.m.

WHAT TO DONATE:

  • Canned fruit
  • Canned vegetables
  • Peanut butter (plastic jars)
  • Jelly
  • Macaroni and cheese(packaged)
  • Hot and cold cereal (packaged, family sized)
  • Pasta
WHERE TO DONATE:

You can bring food to these locations in Lee County ( SWFL ):

  • Edison Mall - 4125 Cleveland Avenue, Fort Myers
  • United Way - 7275 Concourse Drive, Fort Myers
  • Cape Coral high - 2300 Santa Barbara Blvd., Cape Coral
  • Dunbar High - 3800 E Edison Avenue, Fort Myers
  • Estero High - 21900 River Ranch Road, Estero
  • Fort Myers High - 2635 Cortez Blvd., Fort Myers
  • Lehigh Senior High - 901 Gunnery Road, Lehigh Acres
  • North Fort Myers High - 5000 Orange Grove Blvd., North Fort Myers



Richard Thomas, Social media/SEO Consultant in Ft Myers Florida, Writer, interested in making a positive difference in my community including but not limited to: regional search engine marketing for small businesses in Ft Myers Florida. Local Google Ranking Improved for both companies and charities. 501c3 non profit promotion done pro bono.

Ft Myers Food Bank Needs Plastic Grocery Bags

Ft Myers Food Bank Needs Plastic Grocery bags




When I showed up at ICSL in South Ft Myers to deliver my "Meals on Wheels" route they were searching frantically for plastic grocery bags. The families that receive food from them are given bags to fill up with food based on the number of people in their household. In desperation they made a call to the South Ft Myers "Publix Supermarket" who gladly donated an entire box of bags ( you would be AMAZED at how much "Publix" does for local charity). In the past I've either returned my bags to the store, or thrown them away when the pile got too big ... it had never occurred to me they might be useful to a local charity. NOW I KNOW ... and so do YOU! Please donate your unneeded grocery bags to ...

Interfaith Caregivers of South Lee Inc.
17592 Rockefeller Circle
Ft Myers Fl. 33967



Richard Thomas, Social media/SEO Consultant in Ft Myers Florida, Writer, interested in making a positive difference in my community including but not limited to: regional search engine marketing for small businesses in Ft Myers Florida. Local Google Ranking Improved for both companies and charities. 501c3 non profit promotion done pro bono.

Friday, June 4, 2010

501c3 Charities in Ft Myers Florida

Interfaith Caregivers of South Lee, Inc.

Organization

Interfaith Caregivers of South Lee, Inc.

Address

17592 Rockefeller Circle Ft. Myers Fl. 33967

Contact

Nancy Martin

Phone

(239) 267-3510

Website

http://www.icslee.org/

Interest Area

Children & Youth, Education & Literacy, Health & Medicine, Hunger, Seniors


Mission Statement

Charitable, non-profit, (501)(c)(3), volunteer, inter-denominational, outreach agency whose mission is to care for the material, health, spiritual,emotional and educational needs of our south Lee County, FL communities.

Description

interfaith Caregivers of South Lee, Inc. was founded in 1991 to provide food for those in need. It has grown into a broad scope, service agency whose pledge is, "If we cannot resolve your problem we will find some agency to do so."



Richard Thomas, Social media/SEO Consultant in Ft Myers Florida, Writer, interested in making a positive difference in my community including but not limited to: regional search engine marketing for small businesses in Ft Myers Florida. Local Google Ranking Improved for both companies and charities. 501c3 non profit promotion done pro bono.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Salvation Army Thrift Store US 41 In South Ft Myers Accepting Donations

The Salvation Army has long been one of the most recognized and effective charitable organizations in the world! Dedicated to serving their neighbors in 121 different nations and right here in Ft Myers Florida. Just a partial list of the services they offer:

Salvation Army Needs Donations And Volunteers




Shelters

Rehabilitation Services

Family Services

Youth Programs

"Meals With Compassion"


Their "Meals with Compassion" program operates 365 days a year and served over 20,000 meals last year ... this year they expect to serve nearly twice as many! If you or your group would like to be involved in this program please call their ...

Volunteer Coordinator
239-278-1551







Richard Thomas, Social media/SEO Consultant in Ft Myers Florida, Writer, interested in making a positive difference in my community including but not limited to: regional search engine marketing for small businesses in Ft Myers Florida. Local Google Ranking Improved for both companies and charities. 501c3 non profit promotion done pro bono.

Follow Up To " I Made The Call" Post ...

It appears I jumped to all the wrong conclusions! In a previous post I mentioned I'd left my number with one of our local charities and didn't get a call back. It left me guessing perhaps their needs were pretty well covered... well I was wrong! I finally got around to doing what I should have done in the first place ... I contacted them again, and they got back to me the first thing the next morning! Turns out not only do they desperately need volunteers, but, they are also in need of any kind of food donations as well. After a brief but informative conversation all my questions were answered and arrangements had been made for me to volunteer some time working with them. I look forward to posting details of my experience next week.



Richard Thomas, Social media/SEO Consultant in Ft Myers Florida, Writer, interested in making a positive difference in my community including but not limited to: regional search engine marketing for small businesses in Ft Myers Florida. Local Google Ranking Improved for both companies and charities. 501c3 non profit promotion done pro bono.

Goodwill Thrift Store ... Donate, Shop, Make a Difference

Goodwill thrift shop in South Ft Myers at the corner of Island Park Rd. and US 41. Accepting donations daily.

Goodwill
16523 Island Park Rd.
Ft Myers, Fl.
239-482-6102

"Revenue generated in our stores supports programs and services that help individuals with disabilities and other disadvantages to overcome barriers to employment and independence."



Goodwill Thrift Shop: South Ft. Myers

Monday - Saturday: 9a.m. - 8 p.m.
Sunday - 9a.m. - 6p.m.

Free pickup of items if donating 5 or more furniture or large items at one time. For more information call: 239-995-2106



Richard Thomas, Social media/SEO Consultant in Ft Myers Florida, Writer, interested in making a positive difference in my community including but not limited to: regional search engine marketing for small businesses in Ft Myers Florida. Local Google Ranking Improved for both companies and charities. 501c3 non profit promotion done pro bono.

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