Category Archives: news

free rice.

“give free rice to hungry people by playing a simple word game.”

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the very simple and honorable mission of my new favorite website – freerice.com – which is actively working to put an end to world hunger – one word at a time.

for every word that you correctly define on the site, advertising dollars purchase 20 grains of rice through the united nations to help end world hunger.

the united nations estimates that the cost to end world hunger completely, along with diseases related to hunger and poverty, is about $195 billion a year. so far 22 countries have joined together to attain this goal.

freerice.com is the sister site to poverty.com – designed so that people can learn quickly about hunger and poverty. this site is pretty powerful, and both have a ton of interesting information.

i love this site and within just a few minutes donated about 4000 grains of rice and learned a ton of new words – including: circumlocutory = wordy!

try it today…you’ll be glad you did.

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plunging hons take the polar bear plunge!

the plunging hons were among the 10,000 plungers that braved the icy waters of the chesapeake on saturday at sandy point state park for the 12th annual MSP polar bear plunge. this years’ polar bear plunge raised a record $3 million for special olympics and attracted a huge crowd – creating the need for multiple plunges throughout the day.

it was a wicked cold 30 degrees, and sunshine was definitely lacking – but it didn’t discourage the fantastically costumed and enthused plungers – and i can tell you it was the best beach party i’ve ever attended!

the plunging hons easily stole the show with their vibrant attention-grabbing costumes and proudly raised nearly $3000 in just over 2 weeks!

YAY HONS!

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becoming a HON ain’t easy!

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but it sure is worth it – just look at these hons!

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the team poses with the polar bear mascot.

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getting excited…

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heidi with her floatie + a random fired up ravens plunger!

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the hons hit the beach…

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another spirited team of plungers!

PLUNGE TIME!
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a seriously packed beach party, despite the freezing weather.

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mr + mrs polar bear 2008 ?

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team hon supporters cheered the plungers on from the sidelines, er shorelines.

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i am so proud and honored to have been part of the 1st annual plunging hons!

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Filed under charity, event, hons, news, photography, photojournalism

the plunging hons.

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a preview of the fun that plunging hons will bring to this year’s polar bear plunge.

if you’re anything like me you have too many resolutions and goals for 2008 to even begin to count! personally, every year i hope to get more involved in charity – voluteering with some of the incredible organizations in the area, donating my time and talents and really making a difference in people’s lives. it’s not always as easy as it should be – until now.

it’s only january and i’ve already found an awesome way to start off the year – raising awareness and money for the special olympics through a local event with some incredible people.

* * *
on january 26th tons of crazy people will be participating in the annual MSP polar bear plunge to raise money for the special olympics. this year i have aligned myself with a local team – the plunging hons – to lend time, effort and publicity to this great event. the plunging hons will be jumping into the icy waters of the bay dressed in full hon regalia – and hope to make a HUGE splash – both with their festive costumes and a very large team contribution.

so here’s the deal: i have started a site for the plunging hons – check it out at: plunginghons.wordpress.com – its very cool, full of photos and information about the event, how to join the team, how to donate, as well as the super awesome happy hour we will be hosting on jan 24th at – of course – CAFE HON in hampden.

and the best part is you can help out too! here are 3 ways that your time will make a difference:

1. CLICK! at the very least i ask that you take a minute to check out the site – we are building (in a very short time) an online presence and our “click rates” are important to our cause.

2. JOIN US! if you are so inclined join our team! there are links to sign up and all are welcome – dress up, take the plunge, raise money, or just come to support! whatever you fancy!

3. DONATE! make a donation to the cause – you can click here and donate directly on my page, or attend the happy hour and make a contribution in person. we also hope to have a paypal widget on the blog ASAP!
ALL donations – no matter how small – $5, $10 – whatever you can spare is awesome. if everyone that reads this donated $10 i would probably quadrouple my fundraising goal of $1000. (which would be AMAZING btw!!)
*PLUS* all donations qualify for courtesy promotion on the site! i have set up a SPONSORS page with links to your business or personal site and will also place your logo on the site. i’m more than happy to help you promote your business, your blog, whatever!

this is a very grassroots attempt at fundraising a large amount in a very short time – we have just over 2 weeks to accomplish what we hope will be a very impressive goal and make a big difference in the lives of many.
* * *

i can’t THANK YOU enough for your time – and in advance for any contribution you may be able to make.

please don’t hesitate to email me with any questions – i am VERY EXCITED about this event – both the actual PLUNGE and our HAPPY HOUR and hope that you are too!!

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Filed under baltimore, charity, hons, news, photography

plunging hons.

more to come about this later…here’s the teaser:

plunging hons website!

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the year of adobe.

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i welcomed 2008 with a very long list of resolutions and goals–about 138, and counting. woo hoo! i love goals, and i love resolutions, and this year i’m very excited to make them all happen. photo-wise i have lots of goals, least of which include incorporating more off camera lighting and applying actions to some of my photos…which i can now start working on since i just got CS3! my macbook struggles with CS2 and i’ve never really been into photoshop but i am super anxious to get to work and start trying some new things out. a huge thank you to my incredible, supportive boyfriend who outdid himself and gave me CS3 last night as a new years present – OK, so it was technically supposed to be an xmas gift, but it took its time arriving by mail, and since it is going to be pivotal in accomplishing some of my new years goals i’m going to coin it my first, and best new years present ever. are we seeing a theme here? john rocks!

here he is modeling (slightly against his will) one morning in new orleans…handsome, thoughtful, gives awesome gifts – what more could a girl want?

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Filed under me, news, photography, photoshop

donation meters.

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photo © rich miller.

i came across this article in one of the magazines i work with (affordable housing finance magazine) and thought it was awesome – a very viable and interesting way to help the homeless in denver. i think it would be a *great* idea to have something like this in dc.

Mile-High Meters
Denver is placing 50 more donation meters along downtown streets to raise money to help the homeless. They are in addition to 36 existing meters that were installed in early 2007.
The meter program is designed to increase awareness about Denver’s 10- year plan to end homelessness and to redirect money given to panhandlers.
“Every coin that goes into these donation meters goes through the Mile High United Way and back out to the homeless providers in Denver to create new housing, jobs, and services for the homeless,” said Jamie Van Leeuwen, project manager of Denver’s Road Home.
“Since implementation of Denver’s Road Home, panhandling on the 16th Street Mall is down 92 percent, overall homelessness is down 11 percent, and chronic homelessness is down 36 percent.”
The initial 36 meters collected 70,690 coins in their first six months of operation, raising $8,446.50.
In addition, each meter is backed by a sponsor who pays $1,000 per year.

click here for the article as it originally appeared on housingfinance.com.

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