New Year's Resolution

I'd like to share my New Year's Resolution with the people who have inspired me to make this commitment for the coming year and perhaps perpetuity. I have resolved to "Pay it Forward" in the form of charitable donations where the opportunity arises, and in the aspect of perpetuating this charity, to present to those who might be likewise inspired. It is not my intention to solicit donations, but rather to explore opportunities and organizations that may be compelling. Good intentions had previously been arrested by 'decision paralysis' of too many worthy causes to decide among. But along came Christmas with all the obligatory gift giving, and I found each individual identified with an intriguing cause, and so did nearly all of my Christmas gifting in the form of donations. (with the happy side effect of staying away from malls among last minute shoppers!)

I invite the recipients of those Christmas gifts to join along in this blog, and if you too wish to Pay It Forward, maybe pass along to another person who might likewise find inspiration. I will try to post new content monthly, and welcome participation from anyone who is interested. I will try to explore topics of seasonal interest, such as inspiring books, non-profit selection, and tax implications in the Spring; volunteer opportunities and environmental causes in the Summer, childrens programs and fundraising in the Fall, and holiday causes and giving in the winter.

Of course everyone may not be able to give monetarily, but there are so many opportunities to volunteer your time with a cause you identify with. MLK Day [http://mlkday.gov/] on January 17 is a national day of service with many local opportunities sponsored by United Way. [http://liveunited.org]

Finally, I'd like to recognize the individuals who inspired me, and the organization identified with them, which I will highlight individually throughout the year. Thank you all for inspiring me, and helping to Pay It Forward in 2011!

Campfire [http://www.campfireusasnohomish.org/] - Linda Howerton
Boys and Girls Clubs [http://www.bgca.org/] - Tom Howerton
Susan G. Komen for the Cure [http://www.komen.org/] - Janelle Howerton, Breanne Matejka
Red Cross Haiti Relief Fund [http://www.redcross.org] - Breanne Matejka
People For Puget Sound [http://www.pugetsound.org/] - Leslie Muntz, Vanassa Lundheim
Heifer International [http://www.heifer.org/] - Leslie Muntz, Allison Donnelly
Camp Korey [http://www.campkorey.org/] - Leslie Muntz, Eileen Hudak
KIVA [http://www.kiva.org/] - Leslie Muntz, Eileen Hudak, Brooke Fitterer, Michelle Pauley
Soroptimist International [http://www.soroptimist.org/] - Brooke Fitterer
Kindering Center [http://www.kindering.org/] - Brooke Fitterer
UNICEF [http://www.unicef.org] - Stephanie Buetow, Karen Bertram
Sno-Isle Libraries 'Books for Babies' [http://www.sno-isle.org/] - Kristin Page
Tacoma Humane Society [http://thehumanesociety.org/] - Shirley Muntz, Rufus Muntz
Snohomish Dog Off Leash Group [http://snodog.org/] - Rufus Muntz