So have I ever told you how awesome Amy is? She is pure energy. (When I typed "pure energy" I HAD to look up the Information Society video. Thanks YouTube!) When she does something, she throws herself into it 150% every single time, whether it be work, one of her many charity projects or one of those crazy marathons she run. (OMG she RUNS marathons, people!)

She has her own volunteer organization called Charity Chicks and she's raised tons of money and coordinated lots of volunteer projects. And she doesn't just coordinate these projects. She makes them into grand events with themes and costumes and prizes and games. She's insane fun.

I know of few people who do as much as she does. She's inspiring. I have no idea where her boundless energy comes from but I think someone should bottle it and sell it next to Red Bull at Circle K.

So with that in mind, my current Benevolent Blogger donation is her fund raising efforts to find a cure for cancer.

If you live in the Phoenix area, she is always having fundraising events and volunteer projects. Check them out and get involved. And most importantly, have fun!

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I hope you are having a happy fourth, however you are spending it. Here's a little clue how I'm spending mine.

My Benevolent Blogger donation for this pay period is to donate to Matt's marathon fund.

Remember, if you make a donation of at least $40, you can get your very own hand-signed set of postcards from Secret Simon/Alden.

Also, more and more people are joining Mike Lawson's Benevolent Blogger Project. Visit Mike to learn more about the project and how you can get involved.

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So that whole volunteering thing? It kind of got back-burnered due to unemployment and job hunting. Plus this week has been just been one big long mental vacation.

So, since I haven't given my time to anyone, how about I throw some money at worthy cause?

Today's donation is for This American Life and their campaign to help pay for the bandwidth they use for their free podcast. Public radio is awesome and I'd hate to thing of a world without it. This American Life is by far my favorite podcast. It's smart and wickedly funny. Recently, they did an entire program devoted to the housing crisis that was very educational and well done. And if you needed any more encouragement to vote this November, listen to this.

Holy cow, going through the archives, I realize I could just keep linking to every show. Every one of these shows had at least one story I ended up loving. One of my all-time favorites is from episode 339. It's Act One. Dr. Phil.

Hrm. I know giving should be a selfless act, but I feel I get so much out of this program dependent on public support.

I encourage you all to get involved in the Benevolent Blogger Project. If you do, let Mike know so he can add your link to the project.

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Mike of What Some Would Call Lies has started an interesting new venture called the Benevolent Blogger Project.

Here's how it works: make a commitment to doing something for a non-profit organization or charity every month and then stick with it. It can be donating a percentage of your monthly income or volunteering your time. It can be the same charity or a different one each time. The main thing is sticking with it.

Actually, this gives me the kick in the ass I've been needing for a while now to get back into volunteering again. It's been three years since I quit my last full-time volunteering gig. Sadly, that experience I left me a bit disappointed, but this gives me the perfect opportunity to look for an organization I can support.

So my commitment is to volunteer at least four hours a month. I'm not sure where just yet, but this gives me the chance to shop around for an organization I like.

If you'd like to join Mike in this project, I strongly encourage to do so. It can be money or time or both. Whatever you can swing. Personally, I'm all about giving of time. I don't always have the available funds to give, but I usually have plenty of time to devote. Plus, I think I've gotten more out of volunteering than what the work I've actually given. Case in point, two of my oldest, dearest friends — Kristin and Thomas — I met them while volunteering at the GLBT community center many moons ago.

I'm going to kick this month off with a financial donation to Equality Arizona, an organization dedicated to secure, protect and defend the rights and welfare of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Arizona.

Be sure to visit Mike and the Benevolent Blogger Project and if you can, get involved.

PS - This is my 700th post.

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