theStearns

BoGo Lights are solar powered flashlights with rechargeable batteries that last for 750 to 1,000 nights of individual use (photo by BoGo Light)

The average family in the developing world can spend 20 to 30 percent of their disposable income to purchase sources of illumination. A solar powered renewable light source significantly reduces or eliminates this cost for families who live on $1 to $2 per day.

Two billion people living in the developing world rely on kerosene lanterns, candles, and single-use battery flashlights for light at night. Not only are these options expensive, dangerous, and harmful to the environment, they also negatively impact health, education, and security.

You can provide light to those in developing countries who need it and get a BoGo light for yourself. Check out the Buy One Give One offers for the Mini-BoGo Light or the larger SN2. You can even choose where you want to send your donated light.

The BoGo Light is a handheld solar powered flashlight with rechargeable batteries that provides light for years. When the energy is exhausted, simply replace the three standard AA rechargeable batteries and keep going. Most flashlights are made by companies that sell batteries. A great way to power battery sales is to offer disposable flashlights with a short life measured in hours. BoGo Light life is measured in years and they are reusable.

Mark Bent founded two companies–SunNight Solar to sell solar lights to commercial and government clients; BoGo Light as a non-profit organization to provide lights to charities and under-developed countries. He has partnered with the World Bank on a program called Lighting Up the Bottom of the Pyramid.

The oddly-shaped beak of the flamingo is specially adapted to separate mud and silt from food - and they usually use the beak upside-down (photo by Kenn Stearns)

The pink color of flamingos comes from carotenoid proteins in their diet of animal (e.g. brine shrimp) and plant (e.g. algae) plankton. Enzymes in their liver break down the proteins into pigments – saturation varies by species and associated diet. It is still not fully understood why they stand on one leg.

Flamingo Flocking is a service offered by the Houston Zoo, along with many other variations provided by various charitable initiatives. A flock of plastic flamingo lawn ornaments will be delivered by bird keepers to the Houston-area address of your choice. There are of course associated flocking representatives, flocking events, flocking teams, and a flamingo rescue service.

The VFW became a government-chartered non-profit organization by an act of the U.S. Congress on May 28, 1936 (photo by Kenn Stearns)

The largest American organization of combat veterans has 1.6 million members, receives no U.S. government funding, is supported by charitable contributions, and is known as the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW). Members must be U.S. citizens and either currently serving in the U.S. military or have an honorable discharge from a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. VFW membership also requires military service overseas during a conflict, along with being decorated with an expeditionary (military operations abroad) medal, campaign medal, or ribbon.

In addition to lobbying Congress on behalf of American veterans, the nation’s largest and oldest major combat veterans’ organization donates hundreds of thousands of dollars and millions of hours for community service such as Operation Uplink which provides free phone cards to overseas service members.

A simple phone call home while deployed offers a vital link between service members and their families and provides an immeasurable boost in morale. Keeping in touch, however, can become quite costly. That’s why in 1996 VFW launched… the premiere calling program for deployed service members that provides free phone time to active-duty military personnel and hospitalized veterans.

Maybe you’re thinking the VFW only cares for their own? Thank again. From blood drives to mentoring youth groups, your local VFW is engaged in direct community involvement which means they’re going beyond veterans helping veterans. Each year VFW and Auxiliaries donate more than *13 million* volunteer hours of community service.

There are so many worthy causes that need our help. Haiti is on everyone’s mind. It’s not easy finding a charity you can trust. Using a service such as Charity Navigator can help, but what about the smaller charities where contributions seem to matter more, where you can see how your support is being put to use?

Consider Little Feet. They started with one big goal: send soccer balls to underprivileged children around the world. For every soccer ball someone buys, an additional ball is donated to a player in need. They’ve sent thousands of soccer balls to children in more than 40 countries worldwide. Although there are many who have helped Little Feet, I am privileged to know those who make this their passion. If you’re not in a position to give, or want to read or learn more, try becoming a Fan of Little Feet on Facebook, watch videos on their website, or check out the teaser for their new video below. Thanks.