What is $10 worth of Time?

As I was running around this morning I was disappointed there weren't any bell-ringers out yet; if all the stores have been ready for Christmas since November 1st, why can't the bell ringers? In the mean time, I'll have to settle for finding ways to "spend" my $10 in time, like editing a friend's paper. Helping someone move or helping put up (someone elses) Christmas lights are also ways to donate toward the challenge. The idea behind spending $10 of your time is really to realize you don't always have to give money to help others -- there is plenty we can do everyday to help friends, neighbors, co-workers, even strangers out. Whatever you choose to donate, whether it be money, time, or support, remember to email me what you did and how much you spent so I can add your name to my list.

Was that a Whistle I heard?

Yes, it's true, the Ten for Challenge Challenge officially kicks off today! I stopped by the bank to pick up my first roll of quarters, arming myself for this weekend's shopportunities. A coworker at Rick Steves already offered a bottle of delicious, imported Argentinian wine to bulk up the "mystery" prize I'll award for the most creative donation, becoming the first official entry on the freshly-created Google Document excel sheet I'll use to keep track of all the entries I'm anticipating. Thanks Ashley and Elemental Importers! Who and what will be next? I can't wait to see! These five weeks are sure to be an adventure; I hope you'll join in and follow along.

First Annual Ten for Change Challenge

Welcome family, friends, and strangers to the first annual "Ten for Change Challenge." The idea for this challenge came to me when I thought it would be fun to buy a roll of quarters, hand one out each time I ran into a Salvation Army bell ringer over the holiday season, and see how long it would take to go through $10 -- all for a worthy cause. If you know me at all, you know I'm passionate about helping others, which is why I'm initiating the Ten for Change Challenge this year.

Here's the gist:
I'm challenging you to spend $10 on a charity this holiday season whether it be on bell-ringing door-openers or on a cause you feel strongly about (see a list of additional ways to donate/ideas below)

For every $10 donation you make, email me describing where the money went and I will enter your name into a drawing to win one of five $10 prizes, or the grand prize, one $50 award. I'll also have an undisclosed "cool gift" for the person I feel finds the most creative way to donate $10.

If you make a donation that totals more than $10, describe the donation, including how much you gave, and for every $10 increment your name will be entered -- for example, if you donate $50 to a local food bank, I will enter your name 5 times.

All drawings will take place on December 25th, five weeks after the challenge officially kicks off. The more times you donate $10 and email me, the more entries you'll get; there is no limit to how many entries a person can have. After the five $10 prizes are drawn all names will be added back into the hat to be eligible for the grand prize.

I plan on keeping a running tally of the money we raise for various organizations, along with highlighting the many different and creative ways you all find to complete the challenge, so be sure to subscribe or check back often to this blog.

I am fronting the $100 in prize money as a way of contributing to the charities you all feel are worthy of supporting. In addition, I plan on seeing how many rolls of quarters I can go through in five weeks of holiday mayhem!

Let's all give thanks for what we have, and express our compassion for others this holiday season.

Ideas for Ways/Places to Donate:

• Buy a roll of quarters (or dimes, or nickels) from the bank, keep them in your car or purse, and every time you run into a bell-ringer, bum, or real-change seller give them 25 cents. Keep track of how long it takes for you to run through a roll of change.


• Buy a homeless person a hamburger from McDonald's, a coffee from Starbucks, or a gift card to Safeway


• Donate food to a local shelter, or purchase a holiday bag of groceries at the store


• Sponsor a child or family from a local Giving Tree


• Donate what you feel equals $10 worth of your time to any charitable cause from collecting food, to volunteering at a shelter, or reading to old people


• Run (or walk) in a holiday-themed race where part of the entry fee goes to a good cause


• Invite a neighbor or coworker over for dinner, especially if there is extra room at your Thanksgiving table and they have nowhere to go


• Practice any other random act of kindness -- remember that everyone, not just those in need, are worthy of support!


• Get Creative -- don't forget the surprise award I'll give for which ever one of you comes up with the most creative way to donate $10

Remember, for every $10 in donations you describe to me, your name will be entered for the drawings (I'm operating on the honor system here, folks).

Still Unsure Where to Begin?

Here are some of my favorite legit charitable organizations, both local and world wide:

• Northwest Harvest -- supporting communities and families through food banks in the Pacific Northwest


• Housing Hope -- provides housing for struggling families in Snohomish County, WA


• University Family YMCA Partner's With Youth Campaign -- I have been volunteering/donating to this branch since 2002; they provide services to youth, including a homeless drop-in weekend program


• World Vision -- supplies a number of ways to donate to a number of causes across the US and the world including clean water initiatives, educational opportunities, and disaster response


• Heifer International -- buy a share of a cow, goat, lamb, or flock of chickens for people in need across the globe

Don't see your favorite charity on the list? Post your own ideas here, or email me!

Good luck, and may the holidays be merry for everyone this year!