Search Results for: blog the bmk fund

My Favorite Pet Blogs from the Past Year

Below is a list of my favorite articles I wrote during the past year, often with an explanation of what made them memorable. Five Non-Cash Ways to Help Animals/Shelters this Holiday Season: This was my first article to have a comment left on it. Is It Ever Okay to Kick a Dog?: This was my first article to ever get stars. The BMK Fund: This practice is very near and dear to my heart and it was neat to have a platform such as blogging for Families.com to share it on. How to Put Your Shopping Dollars to Work Helping … Continue reading →

The BMK Fund

In 1999, a dear friend of mine gave me a set of books that forever changed my life. They were Sarah Ban Breathnach’s Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy and Something More. Because of these books, I learned how to appreciate my life anew. And I learned of new ways in which to bring harmony to my life, like with feng shui. One of feng shui’s tenets is that respecting natural resources is essential for inviting in good chi (life energy). For instance, water represents wealth. Ignoring even the slightest drip sucks away chi as well as literally … Continue reading →

Holiday Help for Animal Shelters

Let’s face it: most animal shelters need help throughout the year in the form of volunteers, monetary donations, and donations of food and other items for the residents. But the holidays are a great time to offer a little extra help to your favorite shelter! If you’re the sort of person who buys holiday gifts for your furry, feathered, and scaly family members, you might want to think about picking up an extra something and bringing it to your local shelter. Food, treats, and toys are always welcome. Your local shelter may also keep a list of specifics they need … Continue reading →

Mine Pollutes Water in Nevada

I sometimes take our water supply and its purity for granted. At least I, like most Americans I think, assume my water is free of harmful chemicals. The people of Yerington, Nev., a community 65 miles southeast of Reno, have thought their water was contaminated for years, but only recently have they found proof. Peggy Pauly and her neighbors have blamed the abandoned uranium mine for the high levels of uranium in their water. Officials scoffed at the notion, but now, new government testing has finally shown there are dangerous levels of uranium, arsenic, or both in 79 percent of … Continue reading →

What Does Your Local Humane Society or Shelter Need?

Do you know what kind of things your local humane society or shelter could use? I know shelters can always use food, money, and volunteers but on a recent trip to the Nashville Humane Society I was impressed to find flyers listing the things they needed. The Nashville Humane Society’s “Things We Need” List Small, medium and large Milk Bones Towels 13 gallon and 55 gallon trash bags Paper towels All sizes of collars 6 foot dog leashes Small, medium and large binder clips Rubber or plastic dog and cat toys Non-scoopable cat litter Purina or Meow Mix Kitten Chow … Continue reading →

Helping Animal Shelters During a Recession

Some say the worsening economy is not quite a recession yet, others are convinced we’re already there. Whether we are or not, one thing is clear: with gas and food going up like they are, people have less to spend. Not only less discretionary income, but also less charitable giving monies to distribute. Some charities are going to feel the pinch more than others. Especially because historically this time of year (from now until fall) is when people tend not to give. (Come the holidays, from Thanksgiving through New Year, people tend to be more generous.) That’s why I say … Continue reading →

Hunters Aren’t Evil and Other Things Researching Charities Taught Me

I have so many things to be grateful for that it makes me want to open my heart and wallet a little wider, especially at this time of year. However, I also want to be smart in my giving and make sure my donations are being well utilized. That’s why I spent some time researching animal rights, welfare, and service organizations, wildlife conservation organizations, and zoos and aquariums to see which ones used their monies most efficiently and effectively. Thanks to sites like Charity Navigator and the American Institute of Philanthropy I was able to accomplish my goal. But I … Continue reading →

18 Zoos and Aquariums Worthy of Your Donations

Rounding out the categories for animal-centered organizations worthy of your donations is zoos and aquariums. (Previously the top 79 animal rights, welfare, and service organizations and the top 24 wildlife conservation organizations were listed.) “Top” standings were derived by using ratings generated by Charity Navigator. Any zoo or aquarium that they gave four stars (their highest rating) to meant it passed mustard and made the list. The zoos and aquariums are listed in alphabetical order and are linked to their websites. In cases where the information was readily available, each zoos number of animals and acres is also listed. 1. … Continue reading →

24 Wildlife Conservation Organizations Worthy of Your Donations

The other day I listed 79 animal rights, welfare, and service organizations worthy of your donations based on ratings generated by Charity Navigator and the American Institute of Philanthropy. These were organizations that scored either four stars from Charity Navigator (their highest rating) or “A”s from the American Institute of Philanthropy. Using the same methodology, the list below represents the top rated wildlife conservation organizations that you can feel confident are utilizing your donation dollars in the most efficient and effective manner possible. Again, charities are listed in alphabetical order and are linked to their websites, if applicable. 1. African … Continue reading →

79 Animal Rights, Welfare, and Service Organizations Worthy of Your Donations

Using ratings generated by Charity Navigator and the American Institute of Philanthropy, I’ve compiled a list of the top-rated animal rights, welfare, and service-related charities. These are ones that scored either four stars from Charity Navigator (their highest rating) or As from the American Institute of Philanthropy. Charity Navigator and the American Institute of Philanthropy evaluate “the financial health” of non-profit organizations to determine which ones are using their money most effectively. What this means to you is that you can rest assured your donation dollars are being well utilized for the cause they were intended. Charities are listed in … Continue reading →