Links of the Week: 1/30/2007

Tuesday, January 30: Global Cool

Global Cool is a foundation (Global Cool Foundation UK) and a production company (Global Cool Productions Ltd) that are working together to stir anyone who cares about the planet to do their bit to save the planet they care about.

Tuesday, January 30: THE 59 SMARTEST ORGS ONLINE

These charities were chosen for their excellence in online storytelling and collaboration with their donors.

Tuesday, January 30: The Highlander Center

Since 1932, Highlander has gathered workers, grassroots leaders, community organizers, educators, and researchers to address the most pressing social, environmental and economic problems facing the people of the South.

More About the Wells

For those interested in making a donation to St. Augustine's to support the well building effort we discuss in today's 5 Minutes of Caring, you can call them at 615-322-4783.

Rewind: Week of 1/22 - 1/26

Monday, January 22: National Blood Donor Month

Think seriously about giving the gift of life.

Tuesday, January 23: March of Dimes

Help prevent birth defects all month long.

Wednesday, January 24: January Is…

The first month of the year is full of opportunities for you to do good.

Thursday, January 25: Thank Your Mentor

Unless you were born the genius that you are, someone deserves thanking.

Friday, January 26: Be an Idealist

Convert awareness to action.

COOL Person: Kyle Matthews

We want to thank friend and COOL Person Kyle Matthews for today's "More Time on Your Hands" post. Kyle is a singer/songwriter living in Nashville who is committed to changing people's lives.

He volunteers with his family and is a great example of one COOL person. Read his piece today and find a spot where your family can volunteer together.

A Home Run of an Idea

While Deweese rightly points out many negative effects of this phenomenon, a minor league baseball team announced today that they will donate half of all ticket proceeds from their game on July 29 to relief agencies in Darfur.

Many religions pride themselves on their charitable endeavors, and it appears that one of the most popular faiths, sports, could be on the same track. The Bridgeport Bluefish are not affiliated with a major league team and are part of the independent Atlantic League. This makes their endeavor even more admirable as they have no 'safety net' in terms of finances from a parent ball club.

Let's do the math. Let's say the Bluefish sell 3,000 tickets that day for $6 each. Half of that total comes to $9,000. If every team in the Atlantic League followed their lead, you're up to $72,000.

Now, if every minor league team copied this idea, we start to see some real dollars. There are currently 246 minor league teams, ranging widely in stadium size and ticket price. But, just to stay on the conservative side of things, we'll keep the same amount we think the Bluefish can bring in: 246 teams at $9,000 each = $2,214,000.

Now, let's step it up for the big boys. Major league teams have bigger stadiums and more expensive tickets. While a philanthropic cause like this held on a Saturday in the fall could have exponential effects for our experiment, we'll just stick with the averages. The average game last year sold 31,423 tickets at an average price of $22.21. Half of that price multiplied by all those bodies brings in a one day total of $10,463,859 for 30 teams.

The moral of the story: if every professional baseball team had a philanthropic day at the park to benefit Darfur, over $12.6 million could be raised.

If the promotion happened once a month, we're talking major money that can go towards changing the world.

Team owners are always looking for ways to pack the parks, so tell your local GM to step up to the plate hold a similar day in your town.

Links of the Week: 1/23/2007

Tuesday, January 23: 31 Left

Post your New Year's resolution and a promise to donate to charity if you don't make good on your plans.

Tuesday, January 23: ReadtheBill.org

More Readers. Better Government

Tuesday, January 23: Grassolean.com

Your Source for Biodiesel and Beyond!

Rewind: Week of 1/15 - 1/19

Monday, January 15: MLK Day

If you only fight for equality one day a year, today is the day.

Tuesday, January 16: Fill 'Er Up

Packing more in to your appliances gets more out of them.

Wednesday, January 17: Get a Newsletter

What's one more email?

Thursday, January 18: Adopt an Acre

Save the rainforest a few hectares at a time.

Friday, January 19: Freecycle It

Chances are, someone wants what you don't.

Links of the Week: 1/16/2007

Monday, January 15: GreenerChoices.org

This site offers an accessible, reliable, and practical source of information on buying "greener" products that have minimal environmental impact and meet personal needs.

Tuesday, January 16: PeaceJournalism.com

This site is founded on the belief that educating people on conflict resolution is an important step in reducing world turmoil. We believe that the role of the media is to raise a voice against injustice, terrorism and fight violence.

Tuesday, January 16: Judgment on Genocide

This site is a presentation constructed to dramatize the urgent need for UN peacekeepers in Darfur.

Rewind: Week of 1/8 - 1/12

Monday, January 8: When Being Served

Server jobs are usually thankless - change that.

Tuesday, January 9: Daily Reslove

How are those New Year's resolutions coming?

Wednesday, January 10: Lantern Projects

Stretch your dollars as far as possible.

Thursday, January 11: Computer Naps

Sleeping machines are energy saving machines.

Friday, January 12: Share the Wealth

Coins from strangers make people happy.

Thanks to Brittney

We want to give a big thanks to our friend Brittney Gilbert. Brittney wrote today's More Time on Your Hands about her conviction to become a vegan. It's a good read, and even if you don't feel ambitious enough to make this lifestyle change, maybe you could try it for a day and see how you like it. Even if it's not your bag, you will have made a difference by abstaining from eating animals or animal products for just one day.

Brittney's 9 to 5 is as the blogger at Nashville is Talking. She has the task of reading what Tennesseans are saying. She also has a [personal blog], filled with photos and great writing. To complete the trifecta, she's also keeping a blog of this journey into veganism.

Links of the Week: 1/9/2007

Monday, January 8: Emotional Armor

Emotional Armor apparel is a unique clothing line promoting self expression and self esteem without the assumption of an egotistical attitude. The messages are of kindness, self confidence and acceptance expressed in a cool, fresh, fashionable way.

Monday, January 8: How You Can Change the World

This site is for all those people who despair at the problems that face our planet, but feel helpless and unable to act. You are not powerless. Read on and find out what the problems of the world are, and how we can resolve them by acting on eight guiding principles.

Tuesday, January 9: Cut It Out

Cut It Ou is a program of the Salons Against Domestic Abuse Fund dedicated to mobilizing salon professionals and others to fight the epidemic of domestic abuse in communities across the United States.

Rewind: Week of 1/1 - 1/5

Monday, January 1: New Day's Resolution

Tuesday, January 2: Poverty 411

Educate yourself about poverty so that we can end it.

Wednesday, January 3: Don't Flush Medicine

Old medicine can harm more than new medicine can help.

Thursday, January 4: Refrigerator Etiquette

There is a protocol for cooling rising energy costs.

Friday, January 5: Movie Choices

Can't find something to watch? Pick something with a purpose.