Do Some Good: The Born This Way Foundation

Mother Monster wants all of her Little Monsters to feel accepted and loved.
No, this isn't some convoluted cult. This is Lady Gaga, and she is launching a nonprofit foundation next year focusing on youth empowerment and "issues like self-confidence, well-being, anti-bullying, mentoring and career development" according to the Grammy award winning artist as quoted in The Huffington Post.
Also affiliated with the Born This Way Foundation --named for Gaga's hit song about self-acceptance-- is the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, The California Endowment and the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University.
Of the Foundation, Gaga says: "Together we hope to establish a standard of Bravery and Kindness, as well as a community worldwide that protects and nurtures others in the face of bullying and abandonment."
My paws are up, Lady Gaga, because this is music to my ears.

To join the movement online, go to http://www.bornthiswayfoundation.org/ .

2012 Adventure Preview: Mississippi

Hey there!

I'm leaving for Thanksgiving break tomorrow. It'll be nice to be home for a little while. What I'm really excited about though is my trip to Smithville, Mississippi that I'll be going on with other students from my college over Christmas break. Smithville is a disaster area-- torn up by a tornado-- and a group of us are going there with some fantastic "Aunts" and "Uncles" from Lend A Hand. I've never built a house, or fixed a roof, but I'm beyond stoked to meet new people, learn new things, and to journey out to Knoxville, Tupelo, and other places down South on my way to help those affected by the disaster.

As an aside, the American South is iconic as being the birthplace of rock-and-roll-- with headliners like Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash, music during this chapter in American history is unforgettable. Even modern music artists like Harrison Hudson take notes from 60's and 70's southern rock, so I'm interested to see this part of the country that has had such a profound effect on music history as we know it.

It'll be my first "Do Some Good" act for 2012! Woo!

What do you plan to do next year? Think it over with some solid southern-inspired tracks.













Stay tuned, and I'll keep you posted on Mississippi & other adventures!
Thanks for reading!
-- L.V.

Do Some Good: Sevenly

It appears my Shakespeare class is good for more than just discussing plays and character foils. Yesterday, a fellow classmate had received a package in the mail & was showing it off to another person in the class. The class only has twelve people in it, so it's hard not to overhear. I asked her about the package when she mentioned it had to do with a charity.
As it turns out, the package contained an awesome t-shirt, and that tee came from Sevenly, a company whose mission is to generate awareness and capital for some of the biggest global causes.

Similar to Yellow Bird Project, Sevenly prints graphics submitted by passionate individuals who strive to improve the lives of humanity. How is Sevenly different? They team up with 52 charities in one year, and have a new t-shirt campaign each week. From planting 3 trees and 4 edible crops for families in Haiti, to providing one day of medical care and food for girls rescued from the sex trade, the profits from the sale of each shirt are contributed to providing significant aid to individuals and families in desperate need.

One thing remains the same: you get a sweet shirt & contribute to making this world we share a better place.

To learn more about Sevenly, read their mission statement, or view their current campaign, check out their website:  http://sevenly.org/

Whether it's buying a shirt, or volunteering in your own back yard, you can impact the lives of those in need.

Do Some Good out there!

-- L.V.

Do Some Good: Yellow Bird Project

I don't know about you, but I love helping people. I love that feel-good sensation you get by just being a compassionate human being.

Casey and Matt of Yellow Bird Project feel that way too. YBP is a Montreal-based nonprofit that creates one-of-a-kind t-shirt designs that support a variety of charities chosen by an incredible mix of indie rock musicians, including Andrew Bird, Of Montreal, Beach House, Wolfmother, and many more. The bands design the shirt graphic, Yellow Bird Project prints it, you buy it 'cause you love the band (and support their cause!) and BOOM! you feel like a great person, rep' your favorite band, and help others in need, all in one. Look at you go, you super hero, you. 


For more information on Yellow Bird Project, the charities, the bands, and of course, the glorious catalog of merch, check out their website by clicking the link below.




Thanks for reading, and Do Some Good out there!

-- L.V.