Hi AidPage Community,

This is dedicated to widows / widowers. Hopefully this page will be a help in time of loss, and let people know there are really others who care. And, any widows or widowers, please feel free to write your thoughts or suggestions here. This is why I love AidPage, and I hope this Support resource will be an encouragement for you. Note Elaine of TSA has already added two or three great entries, and I will include in the links section as I receive them.

I am not a widow, and can't imagine the suffering. A friend lost her husband years ago when she was about 23, he was 25.

_marlene

About Resources at a Glance:

This page was created in response to an AidMate who has had eye surgery and simply can't tolerate much online search. I'll be adding to the list below, so check back from time to time.

Happy hunting all you advocate AidPagers!

Nichy Links
http://www.nichcy.org/resources/default.asp

Loans for People
http://www.prosper.com/

National United Way
http://national.unitedway.org/

Georgia Dept of Human Services
http://dhr.georgia.gov/portal/site/DHR

Modest Needs
http://www.modestneeds.org

United Health Care Children’s Foundation (grants)
http://www.unitedhealthcarechildrensfoundation.org

Open Directory Project
http://www.dmoz.org/Society/Philanthropy/Organizations/Cheer_and_Support/Wish_Fufillment/

Prescription Assistance for those w/o Insurance
https://www.pparx.org/Intro.php

USDA Rural Development
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/common/program_info.htm#SFH

Operation Breakthrough
http://www.operationbreakthrough.org/about.htm

Free Cycle
http://www.freecycle.org

Micro Giving Community
http://www.microgiving.com

Food at a Discount, w/ or w/o Food Stamps!
http://www.angelfoodministries.com/about.asp

Locate Your Insurance Docs at a Glance
http://www.americaninsurancedepot.com/lost.htm

Non Profit Warehouse
http://www.nonprofitwarehouse.com

Medicine At Little or NO Cost!
http://www.bridgestoaccess.com/

National Transplant Financial Assistance
http://www.transplants.org

Free Medical Camps
http://www.freemedicalcamps.com/index.php

Idilogic , History of and Free Grant Resources
http://www.idilogic.com/about.htm

Helping Hands International, Inc. (HHINTL)Provides Relief to the Poor, the Distressed and the Underprivileged Worldwide.

The Organization programs cover such areas as: HIV/AIDS Awareness, Emergency Relief Assistance,Youth Development, Mentoring, Fatherhood Initiative, Teen Job Readiness Program, Homelessness Prevention, Job Development and Placement, Care for the Elderly, Human Rights Protection, Democracy Advocacy, Immigration Counseling and Legal Services For Refugees and New-Comers, Environmental Protection , Sustainable Development.

Helping Hands International, Inc. is a humanitarian 501 (c) (3) Tax Exempt Organization governed by volunteers. Volunteerism is the backbone of the organization work and the reason for its growth and success. Thanks to the goodwill of its members, Helping Hands International, Inc. has been able to expand its impact all over the globe. But there is so much more that needs to be done. Please help Helping Hands International, Inc. maintains and expands its programs to meet the ever increasing needs of the underserved!

Donation to the organization is Tax-Deductible.

YOU can make a difference by becoming a Helping Hands International worldwide volunteer.

Please Join Us Support This " FACILITATOR OF THE HELPING CONTINUUM".

Visit:  www.hhintl.org to Donate Online or Call: 202-986-HELP ; Email: info@hhintl.org

I am here to solicit help for causes that I support that are being carried out by MEDA-USA in rural Cameroon.
This organization is made purely of volunteers who contribute money to help 22 villages in the Moghamo area of Cameroon, West Africa to sponsor kids orphaned by AIDS, provide scholarship to poor kids, to provide basic drinking water, to provide skills training to rural women.

Watch this video to learn more.

I really need help to make a difference.
Anything you can do will be very much appreciated.
Odyssey77

I am a VFW. I served in the Army during Desert Storm and stationed in South Korea. After the Army I developed Seizures and have been struggling to get through life. This time however I have an edge. My seizures have stopped and I am ready for action. My wife Has been in the insurance industry for 3 years, working to make other people money. This time I want to give back to my community by providing Affordable insurance to people in my neighborhood.  

 My name is Dianne.  I am a 54 year old single grandmother devoted to my grandchildren.   I am currently  going to college full time, working on an English degree at Boise State University cookies----do the Gramma thing----with my Grandkids.

We are looking for grant to build a small park in our community.

 I am 43 years old,I am disabled(C-spine injury),and I can't work as a result from the injury.My husband is the sole provider.We have two children.A girl(26),and a boy(25).Our children are grown now.Our son,his fiance,and their little girl has recently moved back in with us.He is unemployed at the moment.Our son is currently looking for a job.He has applied everywhere!No one is hiring around here.
 My husband is 44 years old.He started having seizures about a year ago.We don't know what causes them.He has a new job now,but I do worry that he may have a seizure at any time.He is trying to catch up on our bills but something always sets us back.This is the worst financial crisis that we have been in.I am always on the internet looking for some financial assistance.We don't quallify for foodstamps.He makes too much money.They don't take into account our bills.They said that his salary is more than they allow.My son's fiance goes to our local food bank sometimes for us.We still average over a hundred dollars a week on groceries and supplies.I really don't see how we,along with so many others are supposed to make it anymore.Prices continue to rise on everything!Gas prices are outragious!But the pay doesn't adjust to offset the rising inflation.My hope is that someone out there can read this and other pleas on here and reach out a helping hand.I know that they are scam artists out to take you for money but they are ways to prove that the financial needs are real.Ask for proof of a bill that is behind.(You could black out the account numbers,personal info.,etc..)Get proof of actual needs.Don't just assume that everyone is out for handouts.Some of us are really in a bind and do not know where to turn to.
 We used to be the ones who reached out and helped everyone else.My husband was an E.M.T-I and a first responder for years here in our county.He would go beyond the normal to help someone in need.We took in troubled teens with nowhere else to turn.We took up donations at our church to help single mothers that were to young to be parents,but found theirselves alone and abandened by parents,the state,the babies fathers,etc...We never turned them away.Some were very troubled youths,somehow we managed to help them.Almost every one of them were able to get on their feet and move on.We stay in touch often.
  I think if eveyone reached into their hearts and tried to help in some small way that the needs of the people of our country would be met.I know that once my husband and I get financially stable again that we will continue to reach out to our community.

After Divorce, Bereavement  and a multitude of circumstantial problems, My partner and I of three years wish to get away from it all, with the children, she is a teacher and a PADI diver and I am a Commercial Diver and commercial Skipper. we do not have funds so need to offer a service, we need accomadation and work and school for the kids, Hold on...I have to go and pick the kids up from school...will add to this later.

Okay back again...the fact is we are not desperate or hard up, I believe all a person needs is food shelter and love, we have that, what we don't have is the lifestyle we want, this country is grinding us down, we want to be poor and free, I want a lifestyle for my family which is enriching, It doesn't matter how rich you are you will never be free of the burdens of TAX and BILLS, we pay tax on money we earn, on money we spend, on money we invest,and even when we die they take a slice...and then there are penalties and charges when you fall behind with your bills which cruelly adds to your financial hardship.

We have come to the conclusion that we can go and live somewhere really nice for a while, add to our qualifications, and give the kids a really good way of life, and experience a new culture, and everthing here can be left on tick over. It will actually cost us less to live in another country for a bit, we are slowly drowning here  and I can only imagine it getting worse if we stay, we need to get out while we can!!!  LOL. anyone want to come along?

We are hardworking, independantly minded and very skilled in many areas.

we have experience in land (Forestry, rivers and wetlands) and livestock management

(horses, pigs and chickens)

We have experience in construction and property development/maintainence and are

professional  landlords.

We are experienced Divers and boat skippers.

 If you have a property and or/boat you want looking after and maintaining then we are your ideal candidates.

If you have business plans or an operating business involving Diving and boats, then we are your ideal candidates.

If you have a small holding or wildlife park/ nature reserve you need looking after, then we are your ideal candidates.

We have several properties which are not selling due to the current market climate, we have decided to let these out but this only covers the mortgage payments, we know we are in a very good situation compared to many people who are really suffering financially, this post is not a plea for financial assistance, Our only problem is that our life is stagnating, in limbo, we can't live the way we want for us and our children, at least not until a property sells, which could be another two years away.

We are offering an exchange of favours, we work for you and you give us somewhere to live and/or wages or a business partnership possibly with property changing hands, ie: we sign a property over to you in exchange for business. part or full.

we are interested in doing a Divemaster/IDC internship

and would also like to gain Yachtmaster qualifications with a commercial endorsement. 

To All That Read This,

            My name is Michael and I wish to start a non-profit organzation that would enrich the lives of those physically handicapped. However since I have never done this before, I truly don't know where to start. In fact I have never "posted" anything in my life. 

             The premise behind my non-profit organzation would be horse riding. The benefits of horse riding are both psychological and physiological. The program I wish to develop would build confidence and self esteem. It would help in developing coordination and balance; affords freedom of mobility not usually available to the handicapped. It would offer outdoor or indoor fun and a sense of accomplishment. It would further allow able-bodied and disabled people in the community to work together, as well it would allow riders to develop some sort of independence not readily available to them.

            I realize this endeavor is a mighty one. My wife to be grew up around horses and has managed a horse ranch herself for a number of years in Maryland. We have contacted horse trainers in our area and realitors who have shown interest in this project. It's just getting the ball rolling. Who do we have to see, what exactly do we have to do, what forms are neccessary etc. This is where we are at a lost. I started here with this posting in hopes of being guided in the right direction. Any help in our endeavor/dream, is most welcomed and deeply appreciated.

              We would be happy to answer any questions to those who are interested in helping us achieve this endeavor. Thank-you for reading this!

Sincerely,

Michael & Tracy

Email Address: unimpressednow@msn.com

UPDATE as of 10/24/07:

                                    I have discovered the world of 501c3 and 1023 forms...and that incorporation is the way to proceed. And that to receive any monies through fund raising I first have to be a non-profit. I have already composed a "statement of purpose"...so my next step is to contact an attorney, an attorney that would consider doing it pro bona? Obviously this would be of immense help! However, I'm beginning to think that pro bona means "fat chance" in Latin. We will continue to persevere.

                                   Again, thank-you for reading!

Michael & Tracy

unimpressednow@msn.com

OK, I had an idea. If there are so many people out there who need help why can't these people try to help others at the same time helping themselves. If we got 200,000 people to put in just $1.00 a month in to a pot that's enough to get 12 families a home that a mortgage is not made to finance their home. Please consider all the people like us on this AidPage. Who can't even afford a home or who are struggling to make the ends meet. Let's help a family and help ourselves in the proccess.

"Growing Old Is Not For Wimps!"

Assisted living facility needs your help!

I just found AidPage, and it is truly the answer to a prayer.  I work with an assisted living facility in Georgia.  For those who don't know, assisted living is for people who are not in need of the full scale support of a nursing home, but still need assistance with activities of daily living.

The problem is that this facility (like everybody else) is strapped for money.  As activity director, it is my job to come up with activities that will stimulate people in their 80's and 90's  -- and I have no budget for it.  Right now, I am making less than $10/hour and working about 20 paid hours each week.  This doesn't include the 30-40 hours I donate.  I built the website free of charge.  I am buying all the supplies, and paying for all the postage and copies out of my own pocket.  Doing the math, you can already see that my limited funds are nearly exhausted.

There are currently 20 people in this home, and they need an activities program for so many reasons.  Most people assume that activities will keep them from becoming bored, but its more than that.  An activity program helps to keep these people in touch with the lives they had before growing old and keeps them from feeling isolated and useless.  It puts them back into a community of like-minded individuals, instead of being "warehoused" and set aside. 

Activities like bingo, scrabble, checkers, and cards help to support mental function and acuity.  Exercise classes, including some greatly modified yoga and pilates moves, help to build and maintain muscle strength and core stability, along with improving heart and lung function, while promoting circulation.  Earning small incentives and being able to enjoy little things like dinner at McDonald's continues their sense of independence and reminds them that some things are just plain fun.

That's probably far more than you want to know, but the point needs to be made.  These people need this program, and it would only take a little bit of money to make it work.  $1,500 would allow us to buy Arts and Crafts supplies, small Bingo tokens, books, a small cd player, personal items for indigent and low-income residents, and take them out or order in a meal for a special occasion. 

A little help would go a long way, and I know it would be appreciated.  Thanks for your consideration.

Feel free to participate in this public group space.

Two easy ways to do this:

1. Add a comment or a question here - on this page... or on any other page in this space.
   
2. Or, if you want to start a separate thread - make a new page.

Either way is good - the important thing is your participation. On Aidpage, people support each other by speaking out and by paying attention to each other - as simple as that.

Feel free to participate in this public group space.

Two easy ways to do this:

1. Add a comment or a question here - on this page... or on any other page in this space.
   
2. Or, if you want to start a separate thread - make a new page.

Either way is good - the important thing is your participation. On Aidpage, people support each other by speaking out and by paying attention to each other - as simple as that.

I work for a nonprofit community-based, cultural arts agency (San Anto Cultural Arts).  We're always open to donations, grants, in-kind services.

Feel free to participate in this public group space.

Two easy ways to do this:

1. Add a comment or a question here - on this page... or on any other page in this space.
   
2. Or, if you want to start a separate thread - make a new page.

Either way is good - the important thing is your participation. On Aidpage, people support each other by speaking out and by paying attention to each other - as simple as that.

 If twenty thousand families or singles all combined together in a group, to help each other pay medical bills what would that mean. If everyone payed 10 dollars a month everyone could actually pay their bills. If one family needed a surgery or some treatments that their insurance company won't pay a group could help out.

  This normally would be called community, the federal government really tries to help out but what about the middleclass who don't qualify for help. What about people who get married? What about the people who are 50 dollars over the federal poverty line what can they do? I am listening to people talk about protesting the massachusetts heath care reform because all the glitches are really hurting families. There is no time to protest no one can afford to get to the state house to protest no one can get a day off of work or childcare to stand in front of the state house and beg for a change. If we don't do something now how many more people will suffer in silence. What are we to do sit around and stay positive when oil companies are profiting billions to search for more oil where is it when are they going to get it? I understand its going to go up to 6 a gallon and we've had it easy but in countries where gas is 6 a gallon the daycare is free and retirement and public services don't have a long wait list.

   I also think that if we are in the greatest country in the world, with the best doctors in the world why are so many people being refused life saving treatments with their insurance companies? Money and profit and the silence of the hard workers who go to work every day. Most of the jobs in society earn less than 30,000 a year like our child care workers, nursing home attendants, burger flippers, coffee makers, and waiters and waitresses. Now the truck drivers will be earning less, the pizza delivery drivers won't earn enough people will just grin and bear it, why couldn't the fuel friendly cars come out a decade ago so we wouldn't have to go through this econmic hic up or recession bubble? 

  People aren't supposed to live in fear we are just supposed to do our jobs to the best of our ability and be positive. The leadership of our country is supposed to reflect the people, we aren't all money hungry tyrants we would care enough to check on our neighbors and give to charity. We aren't that bad whats going on!