The Kingdom of Squidoo

Every huge endeavor started with a little grassroots idea. But it's impossible to know how many life-changing ideas never got off the ground because of a lack of funds. It's a sad thing to have an incredible opportunity, but lack the funds to pursue it. You have the chance to be part of something bigger than yourself -- something that could change the world -- and it requires so little to make a big difference.

You've heard of the earthquake & devastation in Haiti. You're probably following the
story in the news and paying attention to the humanitarian efforts going on, possibly
even considering how you can offer help for Haiti. But it's hard to imagine what the
Haitian people are actually going through . . . unless it's personal to you. For my
friend and colleague, Heidi, and her husband, Brady, it's personal. This lens is for
them.

In September, 2007, I began the month-long Basic Academy for the Coconino County, Arizona, Sheriff's Search and Rescue Team. In October, I completed the training and was given my pager. And no sooner than it was placed in my hand, the thing went off.

There are so many homeless people in our world . . . in our own communities . . . who, for various reasons, don't have the experience of that huge Thanksgiving feast or those much-anticipated Christmas gifts or that warm home atmosphere. And there are some simple ways that we can all get involved. I highlight three simple ways that you and your family can feed the homeless and help them have that holiday experience.

Why, you might ask, would I want to write a letter to Tippi Hedren, that actress who was in Alfred Hitchcock's, The Birds?
Why? Well, I'll tell you why?

Tippi Hedren is the founder of the Roar Foundation and the Shambala Preserve. She has been caring for big cats, that had been discarded or mistreated in captivity, since 1983. Shambala is located in Acton, California and currently houses 70big cats. The preserve operates solely on donations.

Professor Muhammad Yunus, A Great Humanitarian

I have a tremendous admiration for Professor Yunus, "the banker of the poor". Actually he is on my list of heroes along with Dr.Paul Farmer.

Dr. William Larimer Mellon, A Doctor For The Poor

There are a lot of rich people out in this world that are very selfish, arrogant and totally unaware of the rest of the world. They live in their own little world of opulence and have no regard for the suffering of the humanity.

But not the case with Dr. William Larimer Mellon.

Dr. Paul Farmer, Co-Founder of Partners In Health
Let me introduce you to my favorite hero in today's world. He has become a celebrity in the world of global healthcare. His name is Dr. Paul Farmer and he was born born October 26, 1959. He is an american physician who has been working for decades in the health field. Dr.Farmer is a co-founder of Partners In Health, a non profit organization in Haiti providing free medical care to the people of the Artibonite region.

It is very difficult to keep a colorguard or drum corps running these days and you can only sell so many candy bars to friends and family. This lens features some fun online ideas for raising funds to keep your guard running.

This is about a small and privately run charity that takes care of slum children from Accra, the capital of Ghana, Africa. I particularly like this project, as I find it very convincing in terms of efficient use of donations. The founder and engine of the organization, Harriet Bruce-Annan is an impressive example of philanthropy.