In just the last 24 hours I have gratefully received a surprising number of responses to my call to action in Haiti. JustinSchuck.com/haiti has been visited by over 400 unique visitors since the site went live with 1,290 page views so far; over 100 of those people went on to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund website where I hope many of them gave a contribution.

Several people sent me emails pledging their cooperation on my service projects. I am genuinely moved by the enthusiasm these friends and Twitter followers have shown. (If you're interested, email info@JustinSchuck.com with "HAITI SERVICE PROJECT" as the subject.)

Ideas for the Justin Schuck Haiti Project
In addition to interest generated in giving money, I was was surprised to receive many responses from people wanting to join me in service projects on the ground in Haiti once the immediate recovery is complete and the job of rebuilding the country can begin. Some very good ideas have been sent my way and I would like to share some of them with you now.

1. Working with the World Society for the Protection of Animals
2. Starting a non-profit to facilitate donations for the project. (The downside is that administration of a 501(c)3 would be complicated and I would need a lot of help from more experienced people to make this a reality.)
3. Volunteering for the Red Cross
4. Organizing Washington a national DC-based drive for air mattresses and home goods
5. Building physical structures, including a school, small apartment building, homes and/or commercial buildings using green technology (especially utilizing ICF for its strength and energy efficiency)
6. Organizing trips for mental health professionals to provide much needed care
7. Creating a website where people in the U.S. can sign-up to host a Haitian family in their home, and provide access to jobs, health care, and education.

There are so many great ideas, even I have had a few. :) But, I want to hear more. Regardless of which projects we embark, we will need people who have compassionate hearts and a willingness to help—experience in construction is an obvious plus.
Read more »

Labels: Charity, Haiti, Justin Schuck, Volunteer

This Thanksgiving it would be easy for me to find reasons to be unappreciative. 2008 has proved as difficult and emotionally heart wrenching as the previous three years, but I am reminded of the gift of family. Tragedy seems to strike just before significantly happy or celebratory events, ruining the idea of happiness. Although it is hard, I try my best to keep happy.

My family has seen death every six months for too many years, sometimes in twos and threes. On the bright side of life, we are presented with another opportunity to commune, share memories and eat to our heart's content. I look at my young cousin and I feel her sadness for the loss of her mom and her apprehension at moving halfway across the globe to live with her father. However, the tender moments we share as a family will carry her in good stead as she grows to be the beautiful woman her mom envisioned.

This is the second Thanksgiving without my father, and it is especially hard since my brother can't join us in our family celebration. My other aunts, uncles and cousins are spread across the country, but separated in distance only. Friends, the extended family with whom we choose to share our lives, are equally spread out, but all are united across these distances by love.

Today I am thankful for my family, my friends, the birds, the trees, the rocks and the seas. Every new day the vacuum left by those who departed this world too early grows smaller. I am thankful that we are all blessed to have shared our lives with such extraordinary people. On Thanksgiving, we reunite with the grateful selves we tend to forget the remaining days of the year.

I am thankful for our brave soldiers, diplomats and others who serve the cause of our country in more harmful territories. I am especially thankful for my health and that I saved room for tonight's non-traditional feast of ribeyes and New York strips.

Unlike in years previous, I was unable to participate in this year's Help the Homeless Walkathon, but I encourage everyone to support my beneficiary organization, the Central Union Mission. The work performed by these caring volunteers brings stability and hope to so many. I long for the day where no one who wants food goes hungry and no one who seeks shelter is turned away. If you have spare clothes, jackets or change, please give what you can. If you have nothing to donate, consider donating your time. Homelessness affects over 300,00 Americans, many of whom are chronically homeless; and that number is growing at rates not seen since the Great Depression.

I am thankful that today there is love and forgiveness left in the world to help us greet tomorrow, regardless of the tragedy or blessing we may receive.

As the brilliant crew of Monty Python remind us:

"Life's a piece of shit,
When you look at it.
Life's a laugh and death's a joke it's true.
You'll see it's all a show.
Keep 'em laughing as you go.
Just remember that the last laugh is on you.
And...

Always look on the bright side of life.
Always look on the right side of life."

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Labels: Charity, Family, Help the Homeless, Holidays, Justin Schuck, Thanksgiving

Here's a sneak peek at some things I've been working on.

Labels: Charity, design, politics

The Help the Homeless Walkathon was a resounding success! We far exceeded our goal of raising $500 for team Justin Schuck by raising $860 in online and offline donations.

I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for their thoughtful donations, especially Shane King, Marti Cullen, Barbara and Bob Salvucci, Keith Richburg, Carl Tugberk, Ilissa Suss and Marisa Sellinger-Fisher. I also want to thanks Mariana Reynolds and Christina Hee for joining my team and helping me raise money, and Mabel and Michael Reynolds for walking with us on Saturday.

Our beneficiary organization, the Central Union Mission, received hundreds of dollars from various organizations and individuals, but I am pleased to say that team Justin Schuck was the most successful single team. And while that is all fine and dandy, next year I want to raise more than double that amount. They do terrific work with men in DC and provide a safe stable environment that helps the men help themselves with job and skills training among other things. Bottom line: it's a great cause and we are going to raise more money, walk with a larger team and continue doing the work that serves the greater good.

Labels: Charity, Help the Homeless, Justin Schuck, Volunteer