in my shoes

I’m looking for 25,000 optimists who believe in spreading good cheer regularly, doing nice things for others and making the world a better place.  If 25,000 people donated only $1, I would meet the goals set.

Is this POSSIBLE?  Definitely.

25,000 people is only 0.000374 % of the world’s population.

25,000 people is only 0.00822 % of the United States’ population.

25,000 people is only 0.3 % of New York City’s population.

$25,000 is 0.04 %  of McDonald’s daily revenue ($60,000,000).

$25,000 is  only 0.0165% of the revenue earned during Spiderman 3’s opening weekend ($151,116,516).

$25,000 is only 0.00000571% of the projected holiday spending in America ($437.6 billion).

Thank you for your optimism!

Paypal is much more flexible than I expected them to be.  After talking to three agents, we found the most cost-effective way to use their service is to set up two accounts.  One is a micropayment account.  It charges 5% + $0.05 on each transaction.  The other is a macropayment account which charges 2.9% + $0.30 on each transaction.

Although it’s not a perfect system, it allows everybody a fast, efficient and SAFE way to transfer money toward this cause.

If you would like to donate directly through cash or check, please contact me via email (trisha.patton@live.com)  for the mailing address.  Mahalo for you support!

In only two days, there have been 51 visitors and $118.90 donated.  Thank you so much for your support!  Please continue to follow the progress and spread the word!

Happy THANKSGIVING!

I created this blog for two reasons.  I want to raise money for charitable organizations and I want to do things for people to help them directly or vicariously.  So the question is, how may I help you?

Do you need me to do a favor for you some place along my journey?  Do you want me to donate my time to a cause that you’ve always wanted to support?  Do you just need a chuckle?

Here are some ideas that you may want to sponsor me for:

• Requests that could fill your curiosity . . .
  • • Will you publish interviews of women and men from around the globe on their thoughts about living healthily?
    • Will you research and post about a specific topic like . . . How is the racism in India?  What do the organic efforts in communities look like?  What are the real estate prices in Guam?
    • Will you write about your thoughts on education?
• Requests that could fill your heart . . .
  • • Will you please volunteer at an orphanage reading them stories, teaching them dance, or creating a pen pal letters?
    • Will you please donate time to an ecological campaign . . . save the elephants, save the reefs, save the forests, or clean-up a waterway?
    • Will you please light some candles and say a prayer for my father when you are in …?
• Requests that could make you smile or chuckle . . .
  • • I have always loved doing cartwheels.  Will you do one for me on the highest mountain on your trip?
    • Will you kiss a camel and take a picture?
    • Will you please teach some kids to surf?

Let me know what you’d like me to do by posting a comment or writing an email.  Please make sure that the request is genuine and good-intentioned.

The plan is to take the next year to travel the world.  My desire is to volunteer in communities all around the world while raising money for a charities and spreading love and joy.  (See the Help Me Fundraise page for more information.)

The journey will go from the United States to Guam, to India, to Israel and Turkey, to Spain and southwest Europe, back to the United States.  It may continue on to South America too.

Through this journey, I want to raise funds for and awareness — especially about the future of food, including the dangers of genetically modified foods, pesticides and products that fill our stores.  GMOs (genetically modified organisms) are linked to diseases, are detrimental to the future of our farms, and severely impact the health of the Earth.   Pesticides are used readily by families and large-scale businesses.  The majority of the pesticides on the market are filled with neurotoxins and hormone disruptors that are harmful to our bodies and the environment.  The organizations that I am working to donate to are the Institute for Responsible Technology who leads the Campaign for Healthier Eating in America, the Organic Seed Alliance, and the Pesticide Action Network.

The goal is to raise a total of $25,000 dollars by December 2010.  I know it’s a big goal, but I believe there are 25,000 optimists in the world who are willing to donate just one dollar. (Help Me Fundraise!)

There are three things that people can support:

1. Sponsor me to do something specific for them.  These can be altruistic or simply fun.  Maybe you’ve always wanted to teach some inner-city kids yoga and meditation.  Maybe your dream is to help in a home for the elderly.  Maybe you want me to do a hand stand at the top of the Empire State Building.  If it is good-hearted, I will make every effort to do it!
2. Make a donation for my basic travel expenses. Although I plan to spend as little as possible, airfare, ground transportation, and some odds and ends add up.  You can help me encircle the world!
3. Make a donation toward the charities that I’ve already described, and others that I’ll find throughout the year.

Regardless of the outcome, I am committed to smiling a lot this year, and to thinking, speaking and doing positive things.  Thank you for your support!