In this post I wanted to focus on how you can help the RSF and support the foundations mission.

One of the easiest ways that you can help on a daily basis is by using iSearchiGive and iSearch. Here is a description, taken from the RSF forums, on these services and how to use them:

iSearchiGive.com is a combination of a web search engine (powered by Yahoo search) and a source for retail stores that support non-profits with donating a portion of purchases (anywhere from 0.4% to 26%) made through iGive.com to the Reef Stewardship Foundation. So there are two ways to generate money for the RSF:

1. Use iSearchiGive.com for your web searches.

For each qualified search (see below), iGive.com will donate 1 penny to the RSF. It doesn’t sound like much, but it can add up really fast! I’ve already earned 0.27 for the RSF with just my searches today and last night. Imagine if we had 100 or 1000 people signed up?

You can help the RSF through searching in three ways:

a. You can search anonymously by pointing your browser to www.iSearchiGive.com and in the box where it says “Select your cause to start giving” type in Reef Stewardship and it should auto fill to Reef Stewardship Foundation (you may have to click on it). You can then use that search box to do your daily Internet searches.

b. You can register at iGive.com and create a user account and set your cause to Reef Stewardship Foundation. This is a pretty easy process, but if anyone has any questions let me know.

c. You can download the iGive.com toolbar at: http://isearch.igive.com/toolbar.cfm

Install the toolbar and once you set the cause to the RSF, every search you do through the toolbar will count towards our total. One cool little feature is that the toolbar periodically updates the total raised for the RSF and displays it right in the toolbar, providing a constant reminder that you can do good for the RSF simply by searching

2. You can support the RSF by shopping through the iGive.com list of e-retailers.

a. Simply go to iGive.com and search for something you want to buy and purchase it through their list of participating stores. Anywhere from 0.4% to 26% of the purchase price will be donated to the RSF. Most major online retailers are included in the program, so no one should purchase from Amazon.com, eBay.com, BestBuy.com, etc. without going through iGive.com first!

b. Anyone who purchases something through a participating retailer within 45 days of joining iGive.com, iGive.com will give us an extra $5 bonus (on top of the money earned from the purchase). Only Amazon and eBay are excluded.

While it is not required you join iGive.com for searches only, we would love for people to register for iGive.com so we can keep track of who is supporting us.

You can register here for the RSF: http://www.iGive.com/reefsteward

Making purchases through iGive only adds a couple extra steps and really helps a worthy cause.

You can also buy RSF logo items from cafepress. The RSF has a great logo that goes well on all the items available. If you need a new shirt, coffee mug, or Sigg water bottle (just to name a few) head over to the RSF Cafepress store!

Additional ways to help are listed on the RSF website including a link to donate via Paypal.

In future posts I will go over why coral reefs are important to everyone and also what dangers they face. The issue is urgent as coral reefs are already gone, damaged, or threatened. Numbers vary slightly depending on the source though estimates are that 11 percent of the world’s coral reefs have been lost already and another 16 percent are severely damaged. Estimates also indicate that another 32 percent may be lost in the next thirty years.

There are numerous ways you can help and most take almost no time…so act now!

It has been a busy couple of weeks and the year is nearly gone.  The saying that time goes faster as you get older really does seem to be true.

Last week I finished reading The Walk West: A Walk Across America 2 by Peter Jenkins.  I would have to say that this book was better than the first (A Walk Across America) and I would recommend both of them to anyone looking for a good read.  I also read The Thief of Always by Clive Barker.  The book was intended for somewhat younger audiences though I decided to read it since I missed it in my younger days.  This also was a very good read (goes fast) and well worth picking up.

Typically I wait until after Thanksgiving before putting up any winter holiday decorations though I found that this year the urge came a bit early.  Throughout last week I began putting out decorations and all I really have left to get is the tree.  The cool air seems to bring about feelings of festivity that I feel compelled to act upon. So bring on the holiday season!

This past Saturday I attended a Board retreat for the Lupus Foundation of America, Pacific Northwest chapter.  We accomplished a great deal of planning in our eight hours and I have to say that every member of the Board is a pleasure to work with.  There is no doubt in my mind that the chapter will flourish with the great Board members which I currently have the honor of serving with.

It’s hard to believe that tomorrow is the autumn equinox as we are expecting temperature in the mid 80’s here in the Pacific Northwest.  Autumn to me is 50’s to 60’s so I will need to use my imagination to make it feel like autumn.  I hope the end of September or beginning of October usher in some cooler weather.  If not then is anyone hiring in Anchorage!?!

The Lupus Foundation of America, Pacific Northwest Chapter has several walks coming up. I will be assisting at the Spokane and Olympia walks and participating in and assisting with the Seattle walk.  I urge everyone that is able to participate in their nearest walk.  If you can’t walk your self consider donating (there is a link to my donation page on the right).

Portland – September 19th (I won’t be able to attend this)
Spokane – September 26th
Olympia – October 3rd
Seattle – October 17th

The summer has been an especially warm one here in the Pacific Northwest and I am looking forward to my favorite season…Autumn!  Bring on the fog, cool weather, and brilliant colors.  The cool foggy mornings have an incredible feel and smell to them that are hard to describe except to say that it is truly wonderful.

Last months board meeting for the Lupus Foundation PNW chapter was great and I am looking forward to the work ahead of us. We have the regional walks quickly approaching and I hope that there will be a decent turn out despite the economy. Anyone interested in being a team captain or walking as an individual please check out the chapter website to see the walk dates. We are also looking for volunteers to help with several projects. If anyone lives in the Pacific Northwest and is interested in helping with either of the below projects please contact me via the contact page:

Person with webmaster experience to bring the chapter website inline with the national template.

Person with Microsoft Access database design experience and knowledge of dBase database structure. This project will involve converting the data currently in dBase format to Access format and creating
a custom form to be used as a UI to meet the chapters needs.

Again if you are interested in helping with these projects please use the contact page to inquire.

This weekend I am heading to Leavenworth, WA for a little get away. I plan on returning to Leavenworth at least one more time this year and possibly twice (Winter and possibly fall). If anyone want a great area to visit this is one that I would recommend. Keep watching as I will post pictures of my “mini” get away.

If you are unable to walk yourself you are welcome to donate to my walk via the link on the right or you can donate directly to the Lupus Foundation of America Pacific Northwest chapter through their website. Remember there’s always more than one way to help you can donate time by volunteering or just help spread the word.

While the economic downturn has meant fewer donations to non-profits there has been no corresponding drop in need for the services provided by these organizations.  Funding has always been a challenge for non-profits and now is a time of increased difficulty.

I would encourage everyone to donate and/or volunteer time to a good cause and I extend a personal invitation for each of you to support LFAPNW.  It’s understandable that not everyone can support a cause monetarily though we each have talents that can be shared by volunteering.  I began volunteering while in middle school and will continue as long as I am able.  There is no better feeling than helping further a worthy cause.

On October 17th I will be walking in the annual “mad hatter walk and roll” charity event to raise money for the LFAPNW to support all the work they do in raising awareness, educating the public and medical community, and supporting those with the disease.  You can support the LFAPNW by donating to my team’s event fundraising page here http://www.firstgiving.com/jasoncolby.

You can find more information on Lupus and ways to help by visiting the LFAPNW home page here www.lupuspnw.org