I’m Donating My Birthday to Charity
Tuesday, July 27th, 2010In a couple weeks, I will become a woman of a certain age. This does not embarrass me, and it doesn’t make me feel wistful for my youth-gone-by either.
At this so-called halfway point in life, I have no regrets. My life is exciting, and it is filled with opportunity and with people who love and adore me.
A woman on the verge of 40 could not ask for any more.
More important, I’ve already given myself the one thing I wanted this year. It’s a trip to Italy, and I’ll be taking it with one of my closest friends in late September. The only other thing I want—a really cute pair of shoes—my daughter and husband will be buying me.
My life is rich.
Yet, the lives of others are so poor.
So for anyone who was even thinking of buying me something this year: please don’t.
Instead, I would much prefer that you donate to one of the following causes.
Drummer Guy
Anyone who frequents the ProjectHappilyEverAfter comments area is familiar with Drummer Guy. He’s a regular. During the past couple of months, I’ve smiled I-don’t-know-how-many-times when Drummer Guy (whose real name is Ron) helped various readers with his kind words, advice, and insights. As far as I’m concerned, he’s a part of the family.
Drummer Guy is married to a woman who he always refers to as his “beloved.” She is dying from liver disease, an ailment that she probably got from dental work done many years ago. She needs to be on about 23 different expensive prescription medications. She has been hospitalized numerous times for the disease. She’s supposed to follow a special diet that requires the purchase of an array of expensive food items.
Even though the couple has health insurance, they now owe more than $200,000 in medical bills. The situation is so dire that Ron is forgoing expensive heart meds that he needs to stay healthy because he can’t afford them. His home is in foreclosure. His bank account is overdrawn.
He and his wife are hardworking people who have been devastated by disease.
He and his wife need your help. Please consider sending money orders or Wal-mart gift cards (he’ll use them to purchase his groceries) his way. I don’t want to publish his address on the Internet, so here’s what you can do.
Email me alisa (at) alisabowman (dot) com with “Yes, I want to help Drummer Guy” in the subject line. I’ll talk you through what to do from there.
Clean Water
I originally got the idea to donate my birthday from Seth Godin, who donated his 50th to My Charity Water, an organization that digs wells for people in third world countries. If I raise just $5000, it will supply water to 250 people. You can donate at my campaign page.
Starving Writers
The Writer’s Emergency Assistance Fund offers grants to writers who have suffered a serious financial tragedy. One year, for instance, the fund paid the mortgage for a single mom who was dying of Lou Gehrig’s disease. This allowed her children to remain with her during her last days.
This fund is maintained by volunteers. Its only operating cost is for the accountant who files various paperwork every year. You can learn more here.
