What is Barbara Howard Thinking?: Blog Action Day

As the destruction of Hurricane Ike becomes clear, we urgently need your help to rush emergency food and supplies to the devastated areas.

The hurricanes have nearly depleted our Disaster Relief Fund and emptied the shelves of many of our food banks!

We must get 17 truckloads of food and emergency relief supplies to victims of Hurricane Ike immediately.

Every penny you give today will go directly to helping the men, women, and children left reeling in the wake of these recent disasters.

Your neighbors need you. There is no time to waste. I hope I can count on you today to help provide emergency food and supplies for those in need.

Sincerely,

Vicki Escarra

President and CEO

P.S. Many victims of Hurricane Gustav still need our help and now Ike has brought a new wave of need to our doors. Please give what you can today!

America’s Second Harvest is now Feeding America
As of September 1, 2008, America’s Second Harvest will be called Feeding America. Research has told us that making this change will not only make our mission of fighting hunger and feeding Americans in need relevant to more people, but it will allow for increased awareness of a problem that is hidden to most — 35 million Americans facing hunger. As our new name suggests, our mission is the same as always — to feed America’s hungry.

Okay... so I was thinking about all of the wonderful places I have lived (and not so wonderful). Seems the majority of my major moves have been during this time of year. So, I suppose that's partially the reason why I become so weepy-eyed nostalgic about places and people and things from my past.

One such wonderful place was 4.5 pristine acres along a ridge that bordered PA, WV, and MD. The town is known for its historic landmarks and mineral springs. George Washington and many other dignitaries since have traveled there for the soothing and therapeutic baths. An old bathtub is in the town square that George Washington utilized during one of his frequent visits.

So, fast forward to an email I received this morning announcing that Michelle Obama was "dropping in" on another (mommy) blog and writing about the Equal Pay for Equal Work issue. Important issue. Kudos to the blog host for seizing the opportunity to participate in history through this incredible media we are so blessed to have available to the masses.

Michelle Obama blogged here. Wow! Good for you.

I thought about where we are in history, what we have squandered, and what is yet available in spite of our many weaknesses and missteps as a nation. We are a blessed people to have the POWER of the vote. (oh, btw: did I say "Remember to register AND vote"?) If you need a little nudge, just peek at the timeline of history for this country. It was not sooo long ago that large segments of society were totally forbidden to vote by law. And many are still struggling to be counted. It's a precious civil RIGHT.

Don't squander your right to vote!

Then, I took things a step further (you knew that I would. hint: check the title of this blog) and started thinking about what Michelle Obama was blogging about. Equal Pay for Equal Work. Yeah, that topic ... again. Or better yet, still. And I thought, there are so many topics like that being debated during this historic campaign. Energy Conservation. Still. Affordable Health Care for all citizens. Still. Improving Our Schools. Securing Our Borders. Home Ownership. Domestic vs. Foreign Oil Dependance. Less Taxes. The Homeless. The Hungry ...

And I wondered, we've been talking about these things for years. At least, I have been talking and voting about these things for years.

I talk. I blog. I email. I vote ... Can anybody hear?

If so, can anybody help?

Okay, so what's my point for this post? Well, if I have to have one (not sure that I do), then I suppose I'll just take this opportunity for one of my shameless plugs.

On October 15th hundreds of thousands of bloggers worldwide will be participating in Blog Action Day. The theme for this year is Poverty. Click the link to learn more. I am honored to help co-host their internet broadcast on BlogTalkRadio from 9:30-midnight (Eastern Time Zone). I will be on-air with them during the Obama/McCain Presidential Debate. So, I'll miss out on listening to part of the debate. Hmm ... and I don't mind.

Ya know why?

Because I'll be listening to and learning about people who are actively DOING something and not just talking / blogging / campaigning about it.

Please join the conversation and then DO something!