Helicopter moves supplies to USS Blue Ridge from USNS Rappahannock while enroute to Japan.
Click HERE for ways to help those affected by Japan’s Earthquake & Tsunami.
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How to Help: Tsunami Relief & Aid
Tag Archives: charity
Homeowner Brings New Meaning to “Pet Friendly” Vacation Rentals
Beachhouse.com homeowner and owner of Mermaid Cottages, Diane Kaufman, has combined 2 of her loves – property management and dogs – in her latest “pet” project, Beach Bum Biscuits. These delectable all-natural bakery-made dog biscuits are currently on sale in Tybee Island, Georgia at Seaside Sisters, and will soon be available in a beach town near you. As if you needed any more reason to spoil your furry friend, proceeds from the sale of Beach Bum Biscuits also go to support service and guide dogs!
Also, by staying at any Mermaid Cottage vacation rental property, you help to support 2 great guide dog foundations: the Southeastern Guide Dogs’ Puppy Sponsorship Program, and The Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind.
Stay up to date on the latest Beach Bum Biscuit news by following their blog!
Beach Bum Biscuits are also a great Holiday gift for your pet or that special pup in your life! To order in time for the Holiday’s, contact Diane at: Diane@MermaidCottages.com or call her at: 912-313-0784.
Mermaid Cottages has always sponsored Guide Dogs. Read below for bio’s and information about a few of the dogs they have sponsored:
Clark
Clarke is one of the first dogs we sponsored who trained at Southeastern Guide Dogs’ School in Palmetto, FL. Clarke has proven to be easy going, extremely comfortable with people of all ages and very quick to learn new tasks. We are all hoping for a great career for her as a guide dog for a deserving blind individual. Clarke is also from the Southeastern Guide Dogs Program.
(Update) It is with great joy we tell you that Clarke was matched in June 2009 with her blind partner, Joyce. They both are quite laid back and easy going and from all appearances will be great companions for a very long time. Clarkes’s truest challenge might be living with Joyce’s six birds!! No doubt, she’ll do just fine.
Erik
Erik was given a career change in 2007 due to medical issue. We are happy to report that Erik is currently embarking on a new career as a Hearing Dog for 5 year old Jay Lommel. Jay, born deaf, recently received a cochlear implant, and with his new pal Erik will hopefully be on his way to speaking as well as hearing. Erik is receiving his new training at Polite Paws in Bluffton, SC, courtesy of owner, trainer Robin Walter. Erik is also from the Southeastern Guide Dogs Program.
Tony
Tony is one of our newest guide dog sponsees for spring 2009 from the Southeastern Guide Dogs Program. Our update on Tony is that he is a great pup! He will be a year old in November. He is sweet and has a great work ethic. He lives with his new owner’s other dog, Sherlock, who is 8 years old. They go to work together, play and enjoy each other’s company. Tony is a beautiful black lab, who loves to please.
Berkeley
Berkeley is our newest Service Dog from the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Inc since Fall of 2009. Here is a great pic of him at Diane’s cottage.
Organizations We Love – Vacation Homes for Charity
We love finding great companies and organizations to blog about. And even better when the company or organization incorporates a great cause and the travel or vacation rental industry! We just came across Vacation Homes for Charity, a great organization that partners vacation rental homeowners with charities in need.
From their Website:
“There are 1000′s of charities in dire need of live auction items. Our goal is to make the process of donating time at a vacation home to a charity easy and efficient for all parties.
In the fall of 2008, we at The Society opened up our platform to help charities source vacation homes for their auctions and other fund raising events. We tested this new service in the fall all parties including homeowners, property managers, real estate brokers, and charities were delighted.
We created VacationHomesForCharity.org to highlight upcoming events, success stories and news regarding this new service. For 2009 we have some audacious goals: we are going to giveaway over 1000 nights to charities! It’s time to go big and the charities need our help.”
If you own a vacation home or know someone with a vacation home, you can CONTACT them or REGISTER today!
Before you donate your rental property, be sure that you’re up on the latest tax regulations in regards to what you can and can’t write off. For information on the tax benefits, you can check out this ARTICLE.
♥ This Valentine’s Day, Show your beach some love! ♥
Show your beach some love!
Forgo the candy and flowers, instead give a gift that matters – to your beach and your Valentine. Make a donation to the Surfrider Foundation in honor of your Valentine and we’ll send them the Valentine e-card of your choice. You can also include a personal message to the one you love.
Happy Valentine’s Day from the Surfrider Foundation!
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Help Those Affected by the Haiti Earthquake
Damaged buildings resulting from the 7.0 magnitude earthquake in the Caribbean nation of Haiti (Photo: Pan-African News Wire)
On Tuesday, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti, which was already one of the Western hemisphere’s poorest countries. In and around Port-au-Prince, where the quake was centered, entire towns that are in shambles, affecting the 1.8 million prople living in the area.
The country will need a tremendous ammount of aid in order to help those who were injured, displaced or lost loved ones in the tragedy. Here are some ways you can help:
- The American Red Cross is donating an initial $200,000 to assist communities that were affected. They plan to provide immediate needs for food, water, temporary shelter, medical services and emotional support. You can make a donation through their International Response Fund.
- UNICEF issued a statement that “Children are always the most vulnerable population in any natural disaster, and UNICEF is there for them.” Make a donation for relief for children in Haiti via their Haiti Earthquake Fund or by calling 1-800-4UNICEF
People carry an injured person after an earthquake in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Tuesday - The largest earthquake ever recorded in the area (Photo: AP Photo/Radio Tele Ginen)
- If you want to donate through Wyclef Jean‘s foundation, Yele Haiti, text “Yele” to 501501 and $5 will be charged to your phone bill and given to relief projects through the organization.
- Save The Children has launched an emergency relief effort for Haiti. Click here to Donate to their fund to provide medical attention and clean water to children and families.
- International Medical Corps is assembling a team of first responders and resources to provide lifesaving medical care and other emergency services to survivors of the earthquake. Donate to the International Medical Corps through their 24-hour hotline at 1-800-481-4462
- Ben Stiller’s Stillerstrong campaign will be temporarily diverting all donations to support the Haiti relief effort.
- Oxfam is rushing in teams from around the region to respond to the situation to provide clean water, shelter, sanitation and help people recover. To help their efforts, Donate to Oxfam America online.