Goal For The Green

Para-education and green living information

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walmart for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

The holidays are quickly approaching, times of merriment and gathering, reconnecting with those you love, and those in need of love. And, even though the spirit of Christmas may be some time off, opportunities to be charitable never take a holiday.

However, while the thought of supporting a local non-profit organization that strikes your fancy may come readily to mind, committing the actual act itself is another test of one’s generosity entirely. Money can be quite tight this time of year, even for the most charitable of individuals and families. Fortunately, the shopping industry giant Walmart has the monetary weight to throw around alongside its’ equally large heart.

It is with this virtuous goal in mind that a new charity drive under Walmart’s blue and yellow banner has been set into motion. Dubbed the “12 Days of Giving“, the shopping juggernaut is providing its’ customers a chance to be charitable without breaking their own bank.

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Throughout the wintery chill of the holiday season, Walmart will be giving out $1.5 million dollars in grants, as well as various “basic needs” items such as food and clothing, to local communities and the eclectic collection of peoples that define them. But this act of selfless donation isn’t necessarily directionless; those armed with a basic Internet connection and a Facebook account can focus their attention towards non-profit organizations they feel warrant the support, ones with big ideas and goals but not the budget to match.

A chance to put a perpetually-struggling non-profit organization in the black for once?

Yes, it can be a reality, though for organizations that are more locally-oriented, the minds behind such righteous pursuits are seldom free of the looming threat of debt and potential bankruptcy on their way towards making the world a better place. But this is your chance to give a long-deserved sigh of relief to those who deserve it most.

Charitable opportunities such as this do not come around often, especially those which don’t cost your personal wallet a single dime. If you have a local non-profit organization you would like to support through these giving times, letting your voice and the story that accompanies it be heard is a super-simple process. All you need to do is visit Walmart’s “Live Better” application on their Facebook page, located here:

http://walmarturl.com/YSf01nJ.

Once on the page, click on the frosty “Nominate Now” button to open the respective 12 Days of Giving Nomination Form a little way’s down the page. The form itself is very brief, so don’t worry, you won’t be filling out paperwork all night to have your voice heard.

You will need to know the non-profit organization’s name, contact info, and website, so coming prepared with the right information can cut down a few minutes of potential research on your end. You can also include a photo related to the organization that you find best suits them, pinning a face (or perhaps just a building) to the busy men and women struggling to make the world a better place for all.

One of the final form sections to fill out is a bit more personal than the rest. It asks you how, exactly, your chosen non-profit organization benefits your community, and the impact they have on the lives they touch. I, personally, chose to direct attention to the ALS of Nevada society, largely due to the experiences a close friend of mine has had with her mother.

From what she has told me in the past, the responsibility of the wellbeing of all those with this utterly horrible illness in her area fell almost solely on the weighted shoulders of a team of three women. Due to truly hard times in Nevada, now there is just one woman covering the entire state.

Just think about that for a second.

One person to help hundreds if not thousands afflicted with an incurable, and ever-worsening disease. Every day could have been the last for ALS of Nevada, yet still endless hours each day are filled helping those in dire need. ALS of Nevada is praised by those they help, those they assisted; if only temporarily. For without their care and attention, these unfortunate souls would likely perish far faster if left without support.

A chance to grant a much-needed monetary boost to such an organization seemed like a sound investment to me.

As mentioned before, a Facebook account is required to pin a name and face to the yarns spun and companies suggested, but really, who doesn’t have a Facebook account these days?

This opportunity will only run until the 18th of this month, so don’t hesitate to have your voice be heard!

After you’ve finished casting your choice, be sure to come back here, leave a comment, and share the organization you’re putting your support behind.

Doing good always feels better when you know others are doing the same. Let’s make these holidays something to cherish instead of dread for the miracle workers of the world!

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Bring Home the Muppets for Christmas!

Nov-7-2012 By Barbara Zak

Joy to the World!

Disney’s “The Muppet Christmas Carol,” 20th Anniversary Collector’s Edition, arrived in stores yesterday 11-06-2012, on Blu-ray & Digital Copy. The Classic Christmas Tale is The Charles Dickens-inspired classic holiday story. “The Muppet Christmas Carol,” will ring in its 20th anniversary with the Blu-ray™ debut of this family favorite, With A Muppet Twist.

It’s Not Easy Being Scrooge Special Edition

The Muppets Bring a Hilarious Twist to This Classic Christmas Tale.

Here is a jolly musical clip to bring you some holiday cheer!

OK- It may be a little early for Christmas Carols, but everyone loves the Muppets!

For the Very First Time it is now avalable on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, as of November 6, 2012

And now,here is a word from Gonzo:
Greetings, holiday movie fans and lovers of culture, I am Gonzo … or perhaps better known to fans of this classic motion picture as literary legend Charles Dickens. Are you ready to laugh, cry, sing, frolic, cavort and enjoy yourself beyond belief!? Well, you’re in luck, because this 20th Anniversary Edition of Disney’s “The Muppet Christmas Carol” is guaranteed to put you in the holiday spirit that will stay with you forever—or at least until your Aunt Edna starts complaining that nobody is eating the

fruitcake she brought … again!

Available for the first time ever on Blu-ray with high definition sound and picture, so you can enjoy even more of my blue-ness, not to mention the incredible spectacle of Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit, Miss Piggy as Emily Cratchit, Academy Award® winner Michael Caine (Best Supporting Actor, 1999, “The Cider House Rules”) as Scrooge, wonderful songs by Oscar® winner Paul Williams (Best Original Song, 1976, “Evergreen” from “A Star Is Born”) and, of course, my pal Rizzo the Rat as … well, Rizzo the Rat.

This is a heartwarming and hilarious holiday classic, told as never before by yours truly! Yule love it!

The Talent Cast includes: Michael Caine (“Cars 2”)

The Muppets Steve Whitmire (“The Muppets”); Frank Oz (“Monsters, Inc.”); Dave Goelz

Performers: (“Muppets from Space”); Jerry Nelson (“Muppet Treasure Island”)

Director: Brian Henson (“Farscape”)

Executive Producer: Jerry Juhl (“Fraggle Rock”)

Writer: Jerry Juhl (“The Great Muppet Caper”)

The Suggested Retail Price for the 2-Disc Combo Pack (Blu-ray and Digital Copy) is $26.50 in the U.S. and Canada

Configurations:
1-Disc DVD = $19.99 U.S. and $24.99 Canada

In Blu-ray you get these Bonus Features:
Disney Intermission—An all-new bonus feature. When the film is paused, fans can watch and “cluck-a-long” to five classic holiday-themed songs performed by the Muppets Chickens and chums.
Audio Commentary—All-new audio commentary with fan-favorite characters, Kermit, Rizzo, Gonzo, and more, all reflecting on their experience making “The Muppet Christmas Carol.”
Frogs, Pigs and Humbug: Unwrapping a New Holiday Classic. A Behind the Scenes Look—Hosted by director Brian Henson, Gonzo and Rizzo fans go behind-the-scenes of the making of “The Muppet Christmas Carol.”

Blooper Reel: “On the Set” Bloopers from the set of the film.

Pepe Profiles Gonzo: “Portrait of the Artist as a Young Weirdo”—A Special look at the man, the myth, the legend the Great Gonzo, hosted by
the one and only Pepe the King Prawn.

Christmas Around the World—Gonzo and Rizzo take a look at how Christmas is celebrated all over the planet.

DVD Bonus Features:

Audio Commentary with Brian Henson
Blooper Reel
Pepe Profiles Presents “Gonzo: A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Weirdo.”

Christmas Around the World

DISC SPECIFICATIONS

This joyful Disney feature became available in stores on November 6, 2012. It is rated G, in the U.S. and Canada.The Bonus material is not rated.

The Feature Run Time is Approximately 89 minutes

Audio Features: 5.1 DTS English, 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound French, 2.0 Spanish

Languages/Subtitles are available in: English, French, Spanish

Be sure and get your copy today, and make the Muppet lovers on your list happy!

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Wreaths Across America

May-7-2012 By Barbara Zak

In case you didn’t know May is National Military Appreciation month.  Military is a big part of my life with an active duty SIL, and soon to be going to serve, Grandson.  We live near Naval Base Kitsap, and I am very thankful for the benefits I have thanks, to my husband.

This is a press release from Marketwire, and a reminder to you to give thanks anyway you can, to those that serve and have served, to protect our freedom.

Hundreds of volunteers gathered at Arlington t...

Hundreds of volunteers gathered at Arlington to place more than five thousand donated Christmas wreaths on headstones in the cemetery. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

You can Pay Tribute to Veterans and Active Military With Free Thank You Cards From Wreaths Across America.

The National Nonprofit Aims to Help Supporters Distribute One Million Thank You Cards During National Military Appreciation Month in May,2012.

COLUMBIA FALLS, ME–(Marketwire – April 10, 2012) – Wreaths Across America (WAA), a nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery was begun by Maine businessman, Morrill Worcester, in 1992. Today they announced its specially designed military appreciation thank you cards are now available. The organization has been designing and printing the cards since 2010, and is challenging its supporters to distribute one million cards during National Military Appreciation Month in May, this year. The cards are available for the cost of shipping and handling and can be ordered online at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.

“There are so many occasions in life where we wish we had the time — and the right heartfelt words — to thank a service man or woman who has put their life on the line to protect our freedoms,” said Karen Worcester, executive director, Wreaths Across America. “We created these cards to make it easier to approach veterans when the opportunity arises — they provide the perfect excuse to step forward and express your gratitude. We’re excited to be a part of reaching one million deserving men and women with a special message of thanks this May.”

The business card-sized military appreciation cards feature a scene of wreaths placed at Arlington during the holiday season. On the back of the card, below the organization’s stated mission to Remember, Honor, and Teach, is space for the card-giver to sign their name as a way to personalize the note. Many card-givers present several appreciation cards with each exchange, so the recipient may also share in the experience of giving.

Earlier this year, WAA announced the creation of a virtual Honor Wall on its official Facebook page, creating a place for users to submit personal stories and post photos of veterans or members of the active military, to share with family and friends. The appreciation cards and Honor Wall, are examples of WAA’s year-round mission to Remember, Honor, and Teach about the service and sacrifice of our veterans, a mission that culminates each December with the annual wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington, and more than 700 participating veterans’ cemeteries, and other locations in all 50 states and beyond.

Follow Wreaths Across America on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/WAAHQ and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/WreathsAcross. For more information, or to donate or to sign up to volunteer, please visit their website above.

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