Purpose and Heroism found in Charity

Today in my mailbox I found a lovely envelope stuffed with information about an organization I had never heard of: Mouth and Foot Painting Artists. They sent me a sample of Christmas cards painted by their mouth and foot artists such as the painting I've shared above. I'm astonished in the most pleasant way, and not slightly offended that they are requesting a donation for the Christmas cards. I have at times been accused of being a "rebel without a cause" but I do remind my accusers that I am an empathic, starving artist who can not afford to promote all the causes or charities that my heart goes out to. My artwork is strange and avant garde most of the time, yet I don't even think I'm in the same league as Iwao Adachi, who's talent to paint such a beautiful masterpiece by mouth is truly worth more than my meager donation.

Are you scratching your head wondering why I'm posting about charity or artists in the Swamp? Hold on, I'm just getting warmed up. I've been trying to dodge the Swamp or political conversations ever since the Charlie Kirk incident because I don't like to touch taboo conversations when my emotions are not in check. Not to minimalize any tragic death scene, but I'm going to move on from Constitutional Rights conversations to a more personal and pragmatic way of discussing citizens and their obligations to any nation or the earth itself. I could bitterly go on a tangent about self-righteous delusions or extremist war-strategists, but I'll skip that also and stay focused on charity and simple acts of heroism especially as the holiday season is upon us.

If you want to be a hero, no one is opposed. If you want to make a difference in the world with an opinion ---- you'd be better off taking action. Maya Angelou famously said, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel". I never forgot Maya's quote because of how it made me feel: Validated. If you can relate to Maya and me, then you might be interested in finding a cause you can support, more than joining some gang or group of bullies who only boast opinions and take little action.

The following list is a starting point of charities that may be in line with your opinions about political matters. This list is small in comparison to other lists that you can find online, however these are the ones I am personally recommending as I would like to donate to them and would if I had the means to.

The Mouth and Foot Painting Artists.

This organization is based in Atlanta, Georgia (American) and they sell products such as calendars, greeting cards, playing cards, jigsaw puzzles, art prints, and small books all with artwork created by the mouth and foot painters that the funds collected go to support. If you are an art lover like me with a heart for talented survivors of life's hardships, this is an excellent cause and charity to donate to. You can visit their website online to look at and purchase their products at www.mfpause.com or you can send them a letter or a check to: 2070 Peachtree Industrial Ct Ste 101, Atlanta, GA 30341-2240.

Are you worried about American Vets? I don't think any proud American wants to see any of our Vets homeless or hurting without assistance. If that is something you care about, but don't have time to volunteer at one of the nearby Vet Hospitals or Centers, then you can send a donation to one of the following charitable organizations that collect funds to assist vets.

Wounded Warrior Project:

4899 Belfort Rd. Ste 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256

or

Tunnel to Towers Foundation: (T2T.org/donate)

What about sick and dying children? Care about them? If so, you probably want to help St. Jude's organization. They provide treatment, travel expenses, housing and food to the children and families diagnosed with cancer. (www.stjude.org)

If you want to help animals, but you can't afford to adopt a shelter dog or cat, you might be able to send a gift or a one-time donation to an organization like the National Audoban Society - committed to the study and rescue of birds all over the world. If you love birds and want to help this charity, you can write to them at: P.O. Box 8908, Topeka, KS 66608. Also, in America.

If you're just into PEACE and/or the Environment and Global Protection, you may want to look into these two organizations: Peace Corp and GreenPeace. (www.peacecorps.gov and engage.us.greenpeace.org) Both of them are committed to peace and global assistance. You can join the Peace Corp and travel around the world to help other countries in need or you can get involved with GreenPeace who cares about the earth and environmental issues along with legal issues for human rights and humane considerations. You can contact GreenPeace at 1-800-722-6995 or write to them at 1300 Eye Street NW, Ste 1100 E, Washington D.C. (Also, in America!)

If I haven't mentioned a charity or cause you've been contemplating, you may be able to find that one listed at www.charitywatch.org where there are organizations established to address the needs of the following:

Addicts and Recovery

Animals

The Blind

Cancer

Child Protection

Housing

Human Rights

Police and Firefighters

Sex and Death Topics

Hunger

Literacy and Education

Native American Issues

Elderly and Aging Issues

I hope you can be the hero you want to be and not just join some bullying gang for chaos and mayhem. I hope you can put your money where your mouth is and not just have opinions because it makes your EGO feel good to have something intellectual to say at some party you've attended because you got invited.