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Christmas has come and gone and if you’re like me you probably have a few gift cards in your wallet with only a few dollars or even a few cents left on it. Did you know that you can take those leftover gift cards and give them to people in need? There is a website called, giftcardgiver.com that tells you how to do just that.

Here’s all you do:
Write how much is left on your card using a permanent marker.
Place the card in an envelope and send it to:

Gift Card Giver
PO Box 17920
Atlanta, GA 30316

100% of the money goes to helping people in need. So take some time to send in your leftover gift card today.

Over the past few weeks I have been training for a 5k race. Last night as I was running I had an idea, why not raise money for a charity while I’m at it. The organization that I’ve decided to run for is charity: water. Here’s why:

Every week, millions of women and their children walk more than 14 miles just to get water for their families. Most of this water is contaminated, but it’s the only water they have. They take the chance of catching diseases like bilharzia and schistosomiasis (parasites) - with every sip. There’s nothing they can do to change it.

So, here’s what I am going to do? 

My mission is to run a 5k and raise $500 for water. I want every step to matter. I’m asking for donations of $5 or more to help achieve my goal. 

Because of charity: water’s unique model, 100% of all donations go directly to water projects, and each donation is “proved” when projects are complete. I aim to raise $500 by the end of September. 

I hope you’ll join me in helping them now. Click here to learn more.

Two days ago, on January 12, a 7.0-magnitude earthquake hit outside of the capital of Haiti, causing widespread destruction to homes, hospitals, schools, government buildings, roads, and lives. Approximately 2 million people live in the capital of Haiti and the surrounding areas where the earthquake struck. The American Red Cross is now estimating that 3 million people are affected by the disaster. Current reports from Haiti tell of terrible destruction, widespread chaos, and overcrowded hospitals.

Q. What can you do?

A. Give.

Your money will provide food, shelter, and other relief supplies. I encourage to not just sit back and be a spectator.

Here are some organizations to contribute to:

1. World Vision
2. American Red Cross
3. Compassion International
4. Samaritan’s Purse

My wife and I are giving towards Samaritan’s Purse. Here is a video from the President and CEO of Samaritan’s Purse, Franklin Graham.

Christmas has come and gone and if you are anything like me you probably requested the worlds best gift… the gift card. Ahh, the joy of picking out your own gift. No more ugly sweaters or small kitchen appliances that you’ll never use.

The only down side to gift cards is when you are stuck with a couple of bucks that you can’t spend. Well, I have good news. There is an organization called Gift Card Giver that takes the extra money you have left, even if it’s just a few cents, and uses to help those in need. I recently heard about it and decided to dig through my wallet and found two gift cards just sitting there totaling less then $5. I thought it was a clever way to help others and wanted to pass it along.

You can check out their site here. (By the way most gift cards start deducting money after a while anyway.) You can also check out a simple stop motion video on Gift Card Giver here.