The Power of Two

Card Reply

2010-01-03T18:46:00.002-08:00

Hi Dani,
We found your card in the store today, (May 27)! How interesting. I did go to your web site to learn more, but the "click here" spot does not work. At any rate it is easy to decide what to do with your gift. We have a lady in the store that pays for groceries for people, buys street people lunches and gives where everyone else does not. Why this is a small token, the message to me without seeing your project is giving and love.

May God bless you richly in His plan.
Brooks

Dog Treats

2010-01-03T18:46:00.001-08:00

I believe the total cost of this recipe is less than $2.00. The dog cookie cutter was fifty cents and I had the other ingredients already in the pantry, so small amounts were available. This recipe makes 44 dog cookies. Wrap up and take to animal shelter for treats.

Pea-Mutt Butter Dog Biscuits (Or Pee-Mutt, whichever is apt)

2 T. Crisco Oil

½ Cup Peanut Butter

¼ Cup Milk

3/4 Cup Water (approx.) Heat Oven to 350˚

1 Cup Whole Wheat Flour

½ Cup Wheat Germ

1 1/2 Cups All-Purpose Flour

Combine, Oil, Peanut Butter, Milk, and most of the water. Stir. Combine dry ingredients, then add to liquid mixture about a cup at a time. Knead into a very firm dough. Use a spoonful more water or a tad more flour as needed. Roll out and cut with bone-shaped cookie cutter. Be sure dough is firm so cookies will dry out. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Prick each dog cookie decoratively, using a fork, to look like Milk Bone. Bake 25 minutes, then turn over and bake 10 more minutes on other side. This makes 44 dog biscuits. Let cool completely before storing.

Some Simple Ways to See Those Around You

2010-01-03T18:44:00.000-08:00

Dear Dani,

I love your idea so much and I have been back to your blog so many times to watch your video. I think you did such a fantastic job. The music and your voice ....it really moved me.

I have been thinking of the $2 question since I woke up this morning and found your email here. It is more difficult than I thought it would be.

I have a few things to suggest:

- Donating $2 in collection tins. People or organisations are always collecting someplace, somewhere.

- When you are at a shopping mall leave $2 on a children’s ride.

- Leave your $2 in phone booths.

- Buy a frazzled mum a cup of coffee at a shopping mall.

- Leave your $2 at a parking meter or feed one that is about to run out.

- Being crafty, I can make a painting or a small embroidery for $2.

- Buy handmade soap from markets and leave at shelters.

- Buy a croissant, a pie or a donut and give to a homeless and hungry person.

- Leave your $2 at a bus stop or train station.

- In Australia there is a magazine made by men who live in shelters and every Thursday they walk the streets selling them. They are $2.

- Buy bread rolls or a loaf of bread with your $2 and donate the bread at a soup kitchen.

I will keep thinking Dani. J I hope those few ideas are what you are looking for.

Have a lovely week.

Toni

For the Lawyer

2010-01-03T18:42:00.001-08:00

Dani: As you know, I’m an attorney. The only thing I can think of that I can do with $2.00 is to buy a pen or highlighter to write on my calendar. Let me know how things turn out! Thanks!

Tina

Cough Drops

2010-01-03T18:41:00.003-08:00

About all I could do is buy cough drops for people in a small theatre!

Aunt Laura

Back To School

2010-01-03T18:41:00.001-08:00

Oh, I thought of something I could buy school supplies for single parent families at my church at our annual Back to School Blast where we give away backpacks, school supplies, free haircuts, afterschool snacks, and more every August :)

Research Thank You

2010-01-03T18:40:00.001-08:00

Hi Dani,

Great idea for this project and great video.

What I could do with 2 dollars at work...As a thank you to kids who participate
in one of my research projects, we give them school supplies worth about $5.
One thing included in that collection of school supplies is an insulated lunch
bag that we buy in bulk for $2 each.

Good luck with the project!

Jen

Crayons

2010-01-03T18:39:00.003-08:00

Went to a garage sale today and bought a bag of crayons for 2.00. There was also books for .10. So for a classroom I could give every one crayons and a book (20). marisa

PUP Project

2010-01-03T18:39:00.001-08:00

My PUP project does not cost two dollars. (Poems in Unexpected Places). Copy off a poem. Cut it out with decorative scissors. Put it in a place appropriate for the poem. I have attached samples. It does not require a computer because you could hand copy them and use stickers to decorate if desired. Put a hole at the top and fix thin ribbon to hang it with.

The Rain poem went on the handle of an umbrella in a gift store. The cucumber poem went in with bagged salads at the grocery store. And so on.

School Library

2010-01-03T18:38:00.001-08:00

Hey Dani. Your project sounds really interesting. I was trying to think of what a librarian could use 2 dollars for and this is what I came up with off the top of my head. Buying 2 95 cent books from Scholastic; buying bookmarks or pencils, buying little 10 cent items or stickers to give away to kids. That's all I've come up with so far.

A Small Victory

2010-01-03T18:36:00.000-08:00

With two dollars, A Small Victory (www.asmallvictory.org) could provide over 50 bereaved parents with postcards which stop all baby related mail from being received. After the loss of a child, mailings or reminders that arrive through the mail are painful reminders of what we have lost. I, myself, have known this heartache. Six after the birth and death of my daughter, I got a notice from Huggies that my child is six months old now and is ready to move up to the next style of diapers, for crawlers. Not only was this a reminder that six months had gone by without my Janell, but it gave me new heartache as it opened my eyes to what she would have been doing if she had lived. Mail is not as easy to opt out of, like email is, that's why A Small Victory provides postcards to bereaved parents that they send to their post office and it notifies the mail professionals to remove their name and addresses from baby and child related mailing lists. So, $2 could stop painful reminders and ease over 50 hearts.

~Liz Allen

Chief Executive Officer - A Small Victory

253.777.3500

liz@asmallvictory.org

www.asmallvictory.org

Shelter Care

2010-01-03T18:34:00.000-08:00

Hi Dani,

When I first read your email, I have to admit that the cynicism that is all too common in today’s society immediately crept up and took control. Then I watched your short video and started to think about what two dollars could actually do for someone in our organization. It is not an easy question. Perhaps it was the difficulty of the question that made me initially dismiss the question. Its almost always easier to be cynical.

I’m glad you asked this as it has made me take some time to think this morning. There are a few ways to look at the value of two dollars

Of course the easy answer is that the power of two dollars is that it is an amount of money that most people could spare to donate to ShelterCare. That said, if each of the 200,000 people in the greater Eugene area donated $2.00 to us we would have a considerable sum of money. From a fundraiser’s point of view, that is the power of $2.00. Don’t worry, I’ve actually thought about this a little more. I won’t keep this response quite so shallow.

For our clients, many who have just about nothing at all, two dollars can be a significant amount of money.

Take for instance the homeless person that needs to get around town to access food drops, a shelter, or services that are available to them. Even for healthy people with vehicles, driving around town to do errands can be a tiring, stressful, and daunting task. Now imagine having no vehicle, being in poor health, perhaps with sores and infections on your feet from years of neglect and inadequate footwear, and with a mental illness that confuses reality. It would be easy for a person in this situation to loose hope and to give up, to not seek the services that may be available to them. Two dollars could cover this person’s bus fare to travel across the city to access much needed services. It could be the difference between good day and a bad day, or even, in some situations, life or death.

Two dollars could buy that same person a pair of socks. Again, this may seem trivial, but one of the articles of clothing in highest demand among the homeless are socks. Bad socks lead to bad feet, especially when you live outside and walk for a living. When you think about it this makes sense. You always hear about coat drives and clothes drives, and people are always eager to give away a coat or donate some out of date T shorts form their closets to the homeless. It makes sense. When you give a coat away it an impressive looking piece of clothing that seems like it should make a difference. Now don’t get me wrong, it’s important for the homeless to have coats, but oftentimes it’s the socks that could make or break them. Socks are probably the last thing that pop into your mind when you hear about a clothing drive. Before I knew what I now know I would have felt cheap tossing a pack of socks into one of the collection bins. The truth is, that for $2.00, you could buy someone the ability to walk.

For homeless families with children, two dollars could allow a child to buy a snack during lunch at school for a few days. Perhaps this seems frivolous, but think about the child for a minute. Likely this youngster is receiving free lunch at school, but we all know there are heavy stigmas attached to this. Kids can be ruthless. By being able to purchase a snack at school during lunch the homeless child can take a step towards feeling “normal”, towards fitting in for the first time, towards being accepted. The empowerment that could come from such an experience could have untold effects on the child’s development.

These are but a few ways that $2.00 could make a difference in the lives of the people that we serve here at ShelterCare.

Thank you for asking that question and pushing me out of my comfort zone this morning. I came really close to taking the easy way out and saying that two bucks really doesn’t make a difference for us. The only favor that I will ask of you is that you disregard to spelling errors and poor grammar in my response! It is after all the height of allergy season. Also, let us know what becomes of this project.

Thank you and good luck.

Brad Bassi

Development Associate

ShelterCare

PO Box 23338

Eugene, OR 97402

541 686 1262

Planting Peace

2010-01-03T18:32:00.000-08:00

how are you? thanks for wanting to help charities all over! our charity can deworm a little over 100 kids for 2 dollars. to learn more about our deworming project please visit www.plantimgpeace.org. thanks again and look forward to hearing from you.

may peace be your step Aaron

Stand Up For Kids

2010-01-03T18:30:00.001-08:00

Danielle ~~~

I think you have a great idea. Well, here is what I think $2.00 can buy for homeless and street kids:
A bottle of water when there is no where to get a drink - which is most places when you're on the streets
a lip balm - when you're in the sun all day on the streets
a small tube of suntan lotion when you're in the sun all day on the streets
a hamburger at a fast food restaurant
french fries at a fast food restaurant
a ride on local transportation to go to an important meeting/school
a clean pair of pants or a shirt at a goodwill store - or two pair of socks

Rick

Foothills Animal Rescue

2010-01-03T18:27:00.000-08:00

What could we do with $2.
- feed a cat dry food for a week
- feed a cat wet food for 2 days
- feed a dog wet food for 1 day
- feed a dog dry food for a week
- vaccinate a cat or dog (depends on the vaccination)
FVRCP-cat
DHLPP- dog
- drive an animal to a medical visit
- drive and animal to adoptions

That is the short list:)

Dawn

Lyn Treece Boys & Girls Club of Tippecanoe County

2010-01-03T18:25:00.000-08:00

Dani,

First off let me say thank you for bringing attention to this fact. It is true that $2 can have a greater impact than most people know.

Here are two examples from our organization:

- $2 for 5 weeks ($10 total) will pay for 1 youth membership at our facilities where they have access to programs and activities that can help guide and shape them to become positive and productive citizens.

- $2 for 52 weeks (1yr = $104) would pay for 10 youth memberships.

- $2 will provide 4 of our youth members with an after school snack that they might not other wise get. A majority of our youth come to our facilities upon dismissal from school and do not leave until we close at 8pm. If it was not for us providing them with this snack they may not eat until after 8pm.

These are a couple things I could think of off the top of my head. If you would like more please let me know.

Thanks again for doing this project,

Armonda Hassler

Resource Development Assistant

Lyn Treece Boys & Girls Club of Tippecanoe County (www.bgclub.lafayette.in.us)

1529 N 10th St

Lafayette, IN 47904

(765) 429-6734

mail@bgclub.lafayette.in.us

It Just Takes One...
One day in the life of a child can make a huge impact on her future.
One caring adult can create an unbreakable bond with a vulnerable child that will last throughout his lifetime.
One Boys & Girls Club can offer hope to an entire neighborhood.
One gift from you can open the door to a brighter tomorrow for more of our children.

Spirit Therapies

2010-01-03T18:22:00.000-08:00

2.00 DOLLARS COULD PAY FOR ALOT OF THINGS ... HORSES NEED ALOT OF THIS FEED, FLY SPRAYS, O..R A PICTURE OF ONE OF MY RIDERS SMILEING FACE... THAT WOULD COST ABOUT 2.00 IF LIKE GO TO THE WEBSITE SPIRITTHERAPIES.ORG .. LAURIE

American Liver Association

2010-01-03T18:19:00.000-08:00

Danielle,

Thank you for your email inquiring what would $2 dollars buy our constituents. Below is what $2/week would buy which I believe would fall into your guidelines. If you/someone collected $2 worth of change every week and sent it to us we would be able to provide the following:

$2/week -- Provides 2 support group sessions that provide emotional support and information to people with liver disease and their caregivers to be conducted.

Let me know if I can be of further help, good luck with your project.

Becky

Becky Frank

Chief Development & Marketing Officer

American Liver Foundation

75 Maiden Lane, Ste 603

New York, NY 10038

212.668.1000 x 126

410.262.8804 cell

212.483.8179 fax

bfrank@liverfoundation.org

www.liverfoundation.org

Your Liver. Your Life

Nicodemus Wilderness Project

2010-01-03T18:16:00.000-08:00

Hi Dani,

Thanks for your note and for the good work you are doing in the community.

Two dollars is indeed very little money but it becomes magnified at an organization like NWP where most everything we do is powered by volunteers. In fact, we have no full time paid staff and have managed to do everything almost exclusively with the help of generous volunteers (from kids to senior citizens). So... with two dollars we could:

1) Print and send an award certificate and an NWP sticker to a youth volunteer who completed a project. Keep in mind that these volunteers did their projects with no additional compensation except some recognition on our website and this simple letter.

2) Purchase a pair of simple canvas/leather gloves for a volunteer to use during one of our local cleanup, habitat restoration, or graffiti removal projects in Albuquerque, NM. This pair of gloves can be worn through many projects (ca. 10) and results in hundreds of hours of work completed by dedicated youth volunteers. Many kids (often from disadvantaged families) don't own these work gloves and so we provide them at no cost; in turn they provide their local community and environment with a valuable service.

3) Purchase about 20 garbage bags for volunteers to use during litter cleanups of local mountains and rivers. These bags hold about 20 kg of trash and so for just $2, nearly 400 kg of trash can be removed from the environment. What's the big deal with trash? Trash kills or injures wildlife, leaches chemicals into the environment, and spoils nature's beauty. Young volunteers work hard and accomplish an amazing amount of work.

Best wishes,
Rob

Robert K. Dudley, Ph.D., Director
Nicodemus Wilderness Project
Post Office Box 40712
Albuquerque NM 87196-0712 USA
Visit us online at: http://www.wildernessproject.org
Volunteer at: http://www.wildernessproject.org/volunteer_apprentice_ecologist

Edmonton Small Press Association

2010-01-03T18:13:00.000-08:00

Hi Dani,

Great project. I agree "two dollars isn't much, but it's something"!

A few things I can think of that orgs like us (who produce street papers & have street vendors, many homeless) could use $2 for are:

• gloves, hat or scarf

• toothbrush, hand sanitizer, shampoo, soap, deodorant, hairbrush/comb or other toiletries

• recycled/reusable cloth bag

• a pair of underwear or socks

• reusable plate/cup/cutlery or water-bottle

• lighter (for those who use campfires to cook hot meals)

• seed investment for jewellery-making: one dollar for beads, one dollar for string/wire, which can then be made into several bracelets or necklaces for re-sale

• seeds - people can try growing some of their own food (or sunflowers, which they can also re-sell)

• pillow-case to carry other clothing (and use for a pillow)

• bike lock & key

• plastic tablecloth (can be used as waterproof shelter)

• deck of cards or other 'small, mobile games' (for entertainment)

• herbs & spices for cooking

Most dollar stores have all of the above for $2 or less nowadays.

Keep us updated!

cheers,

Lynette Bondarchuk

"Our Voice" Street News (Edmonton, Canada)

Edmonton Small Press Association (ESPA)

P.O. Box 75086 RPO

Edmonton, Alberta

T6E 6K1 Canada

780-434-9236

http://www.edmontonsmallpress.org

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=18332213920

Africa Bridge

2010-01-03T18:10:00.000-08:00

Hi Danielle,

This is a great idea – I think you’re doing something with a lot of potential for an impactful message. Africa Bridge works in very poor communities in SW Tanzania, a very rural area without a great deal of economic viability or help from the outside community. Two dollars means quite a lot here – it represents how little they live on per day (less than one dollar) and also represents a difference between having food for the week or not. For two dollars, one orphan can attend school for one month (she needs $25 a year to pay for books, a uniform, and shoes – without them there is no school). The children we work with – the most vulnerable children and orphans – all want education more than anything else. For them, it is their ticket to a chance at reaching adulthood and earning living. So, I would say for us that what $2 means is a child’s chance to go to school for an entire month.

I’ll try to think of some other things.

Sandra

***********************

Sandra Clark

Development Coordinator

(503)699-6162

www.africabridge.org

Marion-Polk Food Share

2010-01-03T18:08:00.000-08:00

Dani,

Great project! Good for you! I hope you consider entering your short films in our hunger film competition and festival, RUNNING ON EMPTY. I’m attaching information.

Here’s something to ponder: 91% of every dollar donated to Marion-Polk Food Share goes toward feeding the hungry. $10 will fill an emergency food box with enough food to feed a family of four for three to five days (about 50 pounds of food.) If you do the math, $2.00 will provide 10 pounds of food!

We wish you great success in this endeavor and hope to see an entry from you for RUNNING ON EMPTY! Keep us posted on your progress.

Best wishes,

Kat Daniel

Community Partnerships

Marion-Polk Food Share

(503) 581-3855 ext. 311

“Imagine…no hunger.”

Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics

2010-01-03T18:03:00.000-08:00

Dear Danielle,

Thank you for your email and the link to your wonderful project. I am
curious as to how you selected our organization to answer this question.

At first glance, a one-time gift of $2.00 seems to vaporize in today's
slippery economy where keeping nonprofit doors open require jumping
monumental hoops. In truth, every penny counts! And on a daily basis, we
give away free services and advocate for families whose faces we'll
never see.

But to answer your question: It is often not the value of the dollar but
the manner in which the dollar is given that reveals its true potential
for change. In our experience, I can tell you that $1.00 and a short
note sent by one of our members who is mentally challenged has inspired
and motivated all of us at Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of
Asthmatics and visitors to our office for several years. We framed the
letter and the dollar and it hangs on our wall in the office as a
reminder that whatever hurdles we may have, we are not alone and neither
are the people we love to serve.

Nancy Sander
President and Founder
Allergy & Asthma Network
Mothers of Asthmatics
Since 1985
www.aanma.org

Whatcom Volunteer Center

2010-01-03T18:00:00.000-08:00

Hi.

Sorry it took us a while to get back to you - we're working on our big event - the Human Race, so most of our time this week has been devoted to that.

For two dollars.

We could produce a packet that we use to orient volunteers.

We could go to a thrift store and buy some washable yarn that a volunteer could make into a hat or scarf for our Project Warm Up program (where individuals create warm items that go to low income and/or homeless people.)

Those are the items that come to mind.

Sue Ellen

Sue Ellen Heflin
Executive Director
Whatcom Volunteer Center
725 North State Street
Bellingham WA 98225

Street Sights

2010-01-03T13:02:00.001-08:00

Dear Dani,

Thank you for including Street Sights in your two dollar project! I work at an organization called Street Sights in Providence, RI. We are a free monthly street newspaper covering news and issues related to homelessness. We serve as the most current guide for local resources for the homeless population and provide a means through which homeless individuals can have their voices heard.

We're unique because most of the people on staff (writers, editors, distributors, and photographers) at Street Sights are homeless or formerly homeless. And while we do not have a lot of money, we do what we can support our staff members with bus passes, food, and supplies. Any money we have to spare we often use to celebrate with each other.

In the past few months, we have had 3 staff members move out of shelters and into their own apartments, after having been homeless for 3 or more years each. Sarge is one of those staff members. He has shown up to meetings jingling his keys with excitement about his new place.

With two dollars, we purchased a housewarming gift for Sarge--a plate and a mug, for $1 each, at the local dollar store. We were able to say, with that small gift, that we care about Sarge and couldn't be happier about his new home.

I wish you the best and lots of great responses for your two dollar project!

Take care,
Amy Peters
Street Sights, Staff writer and grant writer.

Culturatti Kids

2010-01-03T12:59:00.001-08:00

Hi Dani,

A little while back you contacted Culturatti Kids through our website form about what $2 would mean to our organization. We had a lot of fun thinking about it and trying to think of all the creative ways that we could promote literacy on 2 bucks. I wanted to share with you what we came up with and also ask if we could also share this on our blog (with a link to yours of course!). We think that this is a great idea and hope you get some great feedback!

With $2.00 Culturatti Kids could buy...

* 64 crayons so that kids could illustrate their own stories
* 400 index cards for kids take notes on books they are reading, use as bookmarks, write down their favorite book to give to another student, etc.
* 2 songs on iTunes that can be licensed on 5 computers to teach youth about poetry, lyric writing, and creative storytelling
* 6 pocket folders for youth store their writing work
* 2 1-subject notebooks to keep as writing journals
* 50 sheets of 11x8-1/2 storytelling paper (blank on top for pictures, lined on the bottom for the story and fold-able to make a book!)
* 3 black and white composition books
* 200 sheets of notebook filler paper for writing of course!
* 100 sheets of copy paper for youth to make their own story books
* 36 #2 pencils because most great books started pencil to paper
* 4 1st class stamps so students can learn the lost art of letter writing
* 1 Teddy Bear that can become the traveling mascot of Culturatti Kids with each classroom he visits adding something to his story
* 30 blank bookmarks that kids can design themselves
* 2 used posters to prompt kids how "A picture is worth 1,000 words"
* 2 cans of coffee to use as time capsules in which students put stories based on how they see the future
* 20 used books at the Salvation Army
* 2 copies of USA today to teach students about journalism
* 1 cup of coffee for a WWII vet who volunteered his time to speak to a class of students who then write his story

--
Amy Marie Shropshire
+1 (614) 270 5904
amarie@alumni.webster.edu
http://amyshropshire.weebly.com
http://www.visualcv.com/amyshropshire

Volunteer Mobile, Inc.

2010-01-03T12:55:00.001-08:00

Hi Danielle,

I think you're doing a great thing by launching this civic engagement
project in your hometown. Two dollars can go a long way in the non
profit sector. Here are a few things our agency can buy with two
dollars:

Countless seeds for a community garden to nourish our neighbors
and homeless

Lunch at the local homeless shelter

A used book at local used book store to give to bored kids in
shelters during hurricane season

Several hygiene items at the dollar store (toothbrush, soap,
toothpaste) for a wellness kit.

A few canned goods for the Bay Area Food Bank

Hope this helps.
Keep up the good work and best of luck with your campaign.

Kind regards,
Kate Johnson
Associate Executive Director
Volunteer Mobile, Inc.
1050 Government St. Suite 201
Mobile, AL 36604
251.433.4456
www.volunteermobile.org

Roanoke Valley Horse Rescue Inc.

2010-01-03T12:52:00.000-08:00

With two dollars one horse could have a ½ lb of apples for a snack.

Patricia L. Muncy
President Founder
Roanoke Valley Horse Rescue Inc.
P.O. Box 13
1725 Edwardsville Rd.
Hardy Va 24101
540-797-1999
Fax: 540-721-1910
www.rvhr.com

Lower Nine

2010-01-03T12:47:00.000-08:00

Hi Danielle;

Here’s what lowernine.org could do with $2.00…

3/4 of a gallon of gas (which must be at least 12 miles of driving in one of our vehicles…in a two square mile area of the city, that’s a fair distance!)
20 carpenters pencils
1 roll of off-brand duct tape
tax on the monthly electric bill
two rally burgers (but only tuesdays and thursdays...)

And here’s what lowernine.org does every day…

lowernine.org is dedicated to training residents and volunteers in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the numerous skills necessary to bring this century-old historic neighborhood back to life in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. These skills run the gamut from basic to advanced house construction and rebuilding, but also include community gardening projects, emotional and social support services, social outreach and community development. We offer our services to all people, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, physical abilities, religious beliefs or economic status.

The Lower Ninth Ward, due to its proximity to the Industrial Canal levee breach, was one of the hardest-hit neighborhoods in the New Orleans area. Rebuilding in the Lower Nine has lagged behind that of other neighborhoods as a result of poverty, the scale of the devastation and local, state and federal government inaction. lowernine.org, in collaboration with Emergency Communities and other organizations working in the neighborhood, will be expanding upon its already established home rebuilding/skills training program, and providing access to counseling services and basic medical care, as a first step toward establishing a holistic approach to resurrecting the neighborhood.

Safe Grounds Sacramento

2010-01-03T12:41:00.000-08:00

I work with Sacramento Homeless Organizing Committee and we are involved in a Safe Ground Campaign with other non-profits and homeless individuals. The campaign is asking for land or areas for homeless people to be able to safely and legally live in tents or other structures. We are getting 2 "World Shelters" for demonstration and to try out, actually. They charge $2 per day per structure, to be paid until the cost of the structure is paid off. They are on the internet. Our Safe Ground group is putting up our website this coming week www.safegroundsac.org.

We probably can come up with other great uses for $2 but this one I just mentioned because we are mentioning it on our home page, something like "Cost of night in jail - $1__, Cost of night in emergency room - $___, cost of night in world shelter - $2.

Paula Lomazzi
Sacramento Homeless Organizing Committee and
Homeward Street Journal
P.O. 952, Sacramento, CA 95812, (916) 442-2156
http://shoc.wikispaces.com
http://homeward.wikispaces.com

Open Arms

2010-01-03T12:37:00.000-08:00

Thanks for your interest in Open Arms. We'd just done a little pricing exercise recently, so pulling these numbers was a snap! I'd be happy to make adjustments as necessary - if you have other ideas that would be more interesting to you... Choose the ones from the list below that you think are best.

$2 pays for 5 pounds of carrots.
$2 pays for apples for 12 clients
$2 pays for supplies for 4 turkey & cheese sandwiches
$2 pays for 14 oranges - an important source of vitamin C for our clients.
$2 pays for the containers for 10 clients' entrees.
$2 more than covers the cost of groceries for each client entree we prepare.

We're happy to help! Thanks, again, for helping us tell the story of Open Arms of Minnesota. We appreciate it.
Kent

Kent Linder
Open Arms of Minnesota
1414 East Franklin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55404
612-872-1152
www.openarmsmn.org

Helping Dreams Come True

2010-01-02T19:54:00.000-08:00

*photos (which you have to see because they are great!) and original blog post here

dani
has been working on an amazing project
and
when she asked if I would be interested in helping her
well
let's just say
I was honored
this is how it goes
~~
she sent me two dollars
asking me to do something with it
that would hopefully make the difference in the life of someone
and
then if at all possible
document it for her
the two dollars were burning a hole in my pocket
while I kept looking and listening and watching and waiting for a perfect opportunity
and
then yesterday
after I had exhausted myself at
~art fair on the square~

I headed down state street a bit
to do what I love to do
~people watch~
and
came across these two boys
who were just starting to unzip the cases protecting their guitars

then out came the
"saving for california"
sign
and
I was hooked
~~
I started the pot
by
throwing the two dollars dani trusted me with
into the open guitar case
{actually tucking it under the sign as the wind was blowing important things around}
and
stood back and listened
to two fabulous dueling acoustic guitars
while a latin beat danced in my head

and
watched
and
watched others
watching
and
after 15 minutes
their case was cradling ten dollars
and
I slowly walked away with a huge smile on my face
thinking to myself
how often lately I feel like I've been in the right place at the right time
and
wondering
if this just happens all on its own
or
if it's possible to create these scenarios yourself
?
~~~~~
whatever it is
I feel blessed
and
if you're wondering
yes
the oldest one of these boys reminded me so much of john mayer
and
the charismatic and amazingly talented younger one
well
I just wanted to take home due to his extreme cuteness

Sun Devil Family Charities

2010-01-02T19:31:00.000-08:00

Danielle,
Thanks for the email, that's quite an interesting project you have going. Well, to answer your question i will tell you that right now sun Devil Family Charities is assiting a young woman named Ebony with the treatment of Polymiositis a chronic inflammatory disease of the lung making it increasingly difficult to breath, ultimately resulting in not being able to breath at all, she needs a double lung transplant. Based on the cost of her breathing treatments and the oxygen tanks she must purchase. $2.00 will provide about 3 minutes of oxygen for Ebony. Ebony also has about 1800.00 in monthly prescription medication, $2.00 wil cover 1/10 of a percent of that cost. However, $2.00 does in fact make an impact no matter how small.

Todd L. Hanley, Charter Board Member
Sun Devil Family Charities
todd.hanley@sundevilfamily.org

Later Information:
Please bear with the long email, I apologize in advance for the length but I think its important information.

As many of you know I am a founding member of a 501 c3 public charity, Sun Devil Family Charities (SDFC). I will not give you a lot of detail behind our mission, purpose or history; I will let our website (www.sundevilfamily.org) do that for me. The purpose of this email is to introduce SDFC to you.

We are currently raising money for our Patient Specific Fund in order to help two individuals.

Our first recipient, Ebony Kelly is a 1995 graduate of ASU. She was diagnosed with polymyositis six years ago. Over this time the disease has affected her lungs causing a progressive deterioration in her overall health, including shortness of breath, chronic coughing and digestive disorders. Her condition has steadily worsened over the past year and physicians have determined that this condition has caused life threatening damage to her lungs and her only remaining medical option is double lung transplantation. We sponsored an event in Ebony’s honor. In a very short time, this group rallied together and we raised $9,000 for Ebony to help her pay her bills as she continues to focus on getting well. This was a huge help for Ebony, but the bills keep coming.

Our second recipient is a three year old girl, Taylor Souza who was diagnosed with Leukemia 3 weeks ago. This young girl is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatments and is in need of a bone marrow transplant operation. Any of you that have children, think about how innocent and helpless he or she was at three years old. Her mother has been forced to leave her job to be at her side daily as she goes through these treatments. She has a twin sister that is not a bone marrow match; no family members have proven to be matches. Now the family is fighting to pay their bills with one income while dealing with a life threatening illness of one of their young children.

We are a legitimate non-profit 501(c)3 public charity, all donations are tax deductible.

Thank you for taking the time to consider our effort. Please share this with anyone you think may be able to help.

Meta House, Inc.

2010-01-02T19:29:00.001-08:00

Thanks for your interest in Meta House! Two dollars would help women who are in need of drug and alcohol treatment to take the bus to get to their treatment facility. It could buy one days worth of diapers for the baby of a woman who is in drug and alcohol treatment.

If you need more, feel free to contact me. Wendy

Wendy Cozzens § Director of Development

Meta House, Inc. § 2266 N. Prospect Ave., 4th Fl. § Milwaukee, WI 53202

Direct: 414-977-5807 § Main: 414-962-1200 § Fax: 414-962-2305

Email: wcozzens@metahouse.org § Visit us at: www.metahouse.org

Organization for Autism Research

2010-01-02T19:26:00.000-08:00

Danielle,

I apologize for my delay in responding. Good luck in your interesting project.

When we break things into unit costs, there are a number of things that $2.00 will buy relative to OAR’s mission and programs (OAR = Organization for Autism Research). Here are a few examples:

$2.00 will pay for:

1. The production cost for:

· One Understanding Asperger Syndrome: A Professor’s Guide DVD. An instructional video intended to educate college professors teaching students with Asperger Syndrome.

· One Life Journey through Autism resource CD. A CD with copies of the five publications in OAR’s Life Journey through Autism series, four Spanish translations, and the Best of The OARacle, a compilation of the best articles in OAR’s newsletter from 2002-2007.

2. Small toys or snacks used as rewards or incentives for children participating in autism research studies.

3. Postage for four “thank you” letters to people making donations in support of autism research.

I hope these examples are useful for your purposes. Thanks again and good luck.

Mike

Michael V. Maloney
Executive Director
Organization for Autism Research
2000 N. 14th Street, Suite 710
Arlington, VA 22201
mmaloney@researchautism.org
www.researchautism.org

Child Abuse Prevention Council

2010-01-02T19:21:00.000-08:00

Dear Dani,

Thank you for sending this email...I love your $2.00 project, your little video and your blog...beautiful! What can $2.00 do? Bus fare for child to go to their violin lesson or for a desperate mother and child to get to a local shelter? Lunch for a hungry child on their first day at a new school? We furnish a lot of prevention, child safety and positive parenting literature for parents. $2.00 could purchase a whole packet of brochures and flyers that could teach parents how to do so many things that would keep their child safe. For instance: $2.00 would buy one Safe Touch/ Unsafe Touch coloring book to teach children about appropriate and inappropriate touches OR $2.00 would cover the printing costs to have 13 little brochures called "Love with Words" printed in four languages. I'm a gardener so I love the idea that $2.00 could buy a packet of vegetable seeds that would help feed a family. I hope some of these ideas help.

Best wishes to you,
Ann

Book for a Women's Shelter

2010-01-02T19:18:00.000-08:00

I would purchase a creative book -- thought provoking -- at a book sale or flea market (really hunt for the right treasure) and then donate the book to a women's shelter. That was the first idea to pop into my head! I have never done anything related to a women's shelter so that is random but now I think I'm going to do it!

Thank you for emailing me!!
Carolyn

Women Identity Purpose

2010-01-02T19:15:00.000-08:00

Hi Danielle,

Your project is interesting, it really made me "dig deep" and think, What would our organization do with two dollars? In this day and time two dollars does not have a lot of monteray value, however, sharing it with someone who is needy has a large emotional value attachment.

Two dollars could provide smiles to two small children's face by buying them McDonald's fries, or give a single working mother a chance to grab a sandwich from Wendy's dollar menu as she is "broke" waiting for her next paycheck to have a little extra funds; or even purchasing a few can goods from Aldi's for a meal.

I believe sharing with someone who is in need has a great value, whether it is $2 or $100, it is definitely the thought and caring behind the tangible which makes the difference.

CJ

DEBRA

2010-01-02T19:08:00.000-08:00

Dear Dani,

We looked at your site and it looks fantastic so we thought we would like to add our two bits to the project. Here goes:

What can $2.00 buy for DebRA – Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Research Association

For $2.00 DebRA can send out 3 educational DVD’s to families of children who are attending school for the first time or switching schools. It is so important that the teachers and students who will be welcoming an EB child to their class know what to expect. This DVD explains Epidermolysis Bullosa in the simplest terms. It compares EB to a lawn where there is the grass on top, roots of the grass burrowing into the dirt and the dirt. If the lawn didn’t have the roots to fasten grass and the dirt together ,there would be no connection so the grass would blow away and eventually so would the dirt. When someone has the genetic disorder EB, the top layer of the skin, the epidermis, is not “connected” to the bottom layer, the dermis, so the slightest touch causes severe blistering, inside and outside the body.

Kids are afraid of what they don’t know, if they see this video and talk to the EB parent and the teacher and get all of their questions answered before the EB child starts school it makes the transition for everyone involved to go smoothly. Kids can be very accepting; they just need to know what to expect and what the limitations are for the EB child and how to interact with them. If everyone has been prepared in advance the EB child becomes just another classmate. So, for $2.00, three DVD’s to three separate schools can educate each school’s teachers, and students – who will go home and tell their parents about their new classmate with EB and it goes on and on. As of today there is no cure or treatment for EB only wound care, bandaging and pain management. DebRA is busy raising awareness of EB so we can raise the money needed to help and support EB patients and their families and to help fund research towards a cure. 89.2 cents of every dollar donated to DebRA goes directly to patient services and research.

Pennie Cannon

Executive Assistant

DebRA of America, Inc.

16 E. 41st Street , 3rd Floor

New York, NY 10017

212 868-1573

212 868-9296 fax

pcannon@debra.org

www.debra.org

Newborns In Need

2010-01-02T19:04:00.000-08:00

Danielle

What a wonderful project you have outlined to participate in.

In answer to your question, two dollars will buy baby shampoo, bath soap or baby wipes which is an important part of our donations out as keeping the baby clean is important in fighting germs and bacteria they may come in contact with. Two dollars will buy a receiving blanket, to offer a baby warmth, a bottle to hold formula and clippers so they won’t scratch themselves.

We can buy crochet needs for $2.00 and provide a youth service group with them so they can begin helping in their own area. Booties, baby creepers, tiny t-shirts..all for $2.00. The list grows every day. We can provide Mom with hand sanitizer for herself and others to be sure when she is out and about, she keeps her hands clean while handling her baby.

I hope this helps, and let me know how I can help you include our organization in your endeavors.

Warm Regards

Newborns in Need

One Heart One Mission

Serving All God's Children

Connie Edwards

National President

Kids In Need Foundation

2010-01-02T19:01:00.000-08:00

Dani,

Very interesting. In relation to your two dollar project, here is some information about the Kids In Need Foundation. For every dollar donated to the Kids In Need Foundation, we can procure $25 worth of school supplies to give to children in need. So with $2, we could procure $50 worth of supplies.

Penny

Penny Hawk, Managing Director

Kids In Need Foundation

3077 Kettering Blvd., Suite 114

Dayton, OH 45439

937-296-1230, ext. 303

pennyh@kidsinneed.net

www.kinf.org

Providing free school supplies to kids who need them.

Nothern Virginia Fuller Center for Housing

2010-01-02T18:57:00.000-08:00

Dani,

The power of two is very heartwarming. If our organization had $2, we would be able to purchase 1 2X4. When you start adding them up, we are able to add a much needed addition for a family in need of more space, or make necessary repairs to someone's home. A few weeks ago, we had an individual donor send $1 in the mail. At first I thought - why waste your time, but than I thought about it deeper. I came to realize that this is all this donor could afford to give, but he wanted to do more. I challenge you with: The Power of One - What could that $1 purchase in home repairs. Many people in the DC area are in need of home repairs, our organization is striving to meet that demand. Think about it, if 1000 people gave just $1 dollar, you could renovate a bathroom, kitchen, paint an entire house. It is amazing what can be done. I admire what you are doing with $2 - keep it up!! I would love to know more.

Respectfully,

Jacob Koch
President, No. VA Fuller Center for Housing

Ethel's Tree Of Life, Inc.

2010-01-02T18:54:00.001-08:00

Hi, Dani

Thank you for contacting Ethel's Tree of Life (ETL). I'm glad you are doing this project. Two dollars would turn into 12.5 pounds of food for an ETL family if we used it at the food bank, or, would provide for a hamburger and a beverage for a hungry youth who just needs to sit and talk with someone they are comfortable with for a while. It would also provide for 27 miles worth of gas to pick up a youth who doesn't have transportation to one of our activities. Two dollars could buy a kitchen strainer or bowls at Goodwill for a youth who has just achieved independent living and needs items for a kitchen. Two dollars could buy a clean pair of underwear for a homeless youth. Two dollars makes a difference, Dani. Thank you for putting those envelopes out there.

Linda Higgins

Executive Director

Ethel's Tree of Life, Inc.

http://www.hubpages.com/hub/ethelstreeoflife

www.ethelstree.org

www.globalgiving.com/2868

Books For Africa

2010-01-02T18:50:00.001-08:00

Hi Danielle, Great message, thanks! A $2 donation to BFA would ship four
books to an African school. Our recipient schools have a severe shortage
of books- children have to copy out of books because there are not
enough books for everyone to take one home to do their homework.

Thanks for including Books For Africa!

Sincerely,

Carole Patrikakos
Development Associate
Books For Africa
253 East 4th St., Ste. 200
St. Paul, MN 55101 USA

(Phone) 651-602-9844
(Fax) 651-602-9848
http://www.booksforafrica.org/

Help End the Book Famine in Africa!
View our BFA story at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSnWZyB7v9o

Become a BFA Fan on Facebook:
http://www.new.facebook.com/pages/Books-For-Africa/27933548445#/pages/Bo
oks-For-Africa/27933548445

Children Internationally Abducted NYC

2010-01-02T18:47:00.001-08:00

With two dollars we could buy a 14 oz. box of cereal at the supermarket that would be able to feed ten children.

Sincerely,
Barbara Mezo, Director
Children Internationally Abducted NYC

New Avenues To Independence, Inc.

2010-01-02T18:41:00.000-08:00

Thank you for your e-mail. We are impressed by your project devoted to the community. We think you had a wonderful idea to convey… a message of hope!

Our organization, New Avenues to Independence, is dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities residing in Northeast Ohio. Each year, we provide residential, housing, therapeutic, vocational, and recreational services to over 500 adults and children. Our mission is to provide opportunities for people with disabilities and special needs to become more independent and productive members of society by offering the highest quality support services and developing innovative and inclusive programs.

To the individuals served by our organization, two dollars means a lot. All of our adult clients are low income or have no income and depend on Medicaid as their only source of health insurance. Medicaid provides no money for incidentals, such as the list below of much needed items. Here is a list of items that our individuals use on a daily basis and cost no more than two dollars:

Tweezers 99 cents

Nail Clippers $1.49

Nail Files $1.49

Band aids $1.79

Small hand sanitizer gel 99 cents to $1.69

Bottle of Alcohol $1.79

Bottle of hydrogen peroxide 99 cents

Cotton Balls $1.49/bag

Dental Floss $1.79

Box of Kleenex $1.69

Cough Drops $1.49

Tums 99 cents

Bar of Soap 99 cents

Toothbrush $1.89

Toothpaste $1.49

Chapstick 99 cents

Pillbox (organizers) $1.69

Epson Salts $1.59

As you can see, this is a long list of useful items, so two dollars is meaningful for us! We appreciate your efforts, and we are grateful for the help that you may provide us in bringing attention to the individuals served by our organization.

If you have any questions or I can be of further assistance, please contact me. Best wishes and good luck with your project!

Karen Knavel

Community Relations Director

New Avenues To Independence, Inc.

17608 Euclid Avenue

Cleveland, Ohio 44112

Telephone: 216.481.1909 x224

Fax: 216.481-2050

E-mail: kknavel@newavenues.net

MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER

2010-01-02T18:32:00.000-08:00

I work at MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER here in Orlando. I have some numerous patients who drive in for their radiation appointments from a long way. I would give it to one of them to help with gas.

Holly Lyons

Carolina Raptor Center

2010-01-02T18:28:00.000-08:00

Hi Danielle,

Carolina Raptor Center will gladly help with this project; I am getting information from my staff and will pass it on.

Best,

Joy

Two dollars would provide food for a bird a day.

It would half the cost of an education program for a student.

2 dollars can:

· Feed a raptor for a day

· Provide critically needed medications for a day or more (depending on the species, drug, etc).

· Provide for suture material for a surgical procedure

· Send a screech owl thru mouse school

The first thing that came to mind was that a mouse costs about $1 so we could feed two EASOs or AMKEs on $2 a day. I was trying to come up with printing costs, or some other rehab/RRK (resident raptor care) expense but I don’t know about all their ins and outs. I’ll try to think of a few more of these today….

For $2 we could donate this to a child who was visiting our center to see the flight show. This child’s parents might not be willing to spend 2 extra dollars to see this, but with a free admission to the show, they would have to oblige us. With the opportunity to see the flight show, this child may deepen his/her understanding and love for birds, especially our birds. After seeing the flight show, this child may be more apt to grow up to be a volunteer, member, rehabber or even employee. This child may encourage his/her family to visit CRC again or adopt a bird. The message of not throwing trash out the car window may resound louder and he/she may even spread this message, in turn saving countless raptor from getting hit by a car. You never know how far the benefit of $2 could go. The flight show could be a life altering event for a young child.

The first thing that comes to mind are office supplies. I took a look on line and here are a few items:

· 500 sheet-ream of multipurpose copy paper

· Jumbo paper clips, smooth or non-skid

· #2 yellow pencils, dozen

· #3 hard Dixon Oriole pencils, dozen

$2....it would buy a large rat that could feed the two display golden eagles

$2....it would buy 6 mice - enough to feed all of our American kestrels

$2....it would buy a couple of dozen crickets - enough for one of our Mississippi kites

$2....we could add it to the donation bucket to help with the red-tailed hawk display make-over

$2....it would pay for Oshem's (Turkey vulture) arthritis medicine for several weeks

$2....it would buy a week's worth of dish-washing soap

$2....we could fix our broken traveling eagle boxes

$2 would by 6.25 live mice to help put our orphans through mouse school....

$2 would buy 4-6 live mice. Those mice could be used to evaluate the vision of an impaired owl to determine if it can be released. If the owl passes “Mouse school” and is released, that would certainly make a memorable occasion for the finders. People love to attend the release of “their” bird and this event might be the inspiration or the first small step for that family to become more conservation-minded.

For Preschool

2010-01-02T18:27:00.000-08:00

I'm not exactly sure what you are looking for.

But this is the first thing that came to my mind.

From this preschool teacher's brain...

Cheap fat chalk and Bubbles.

All can be purchased for less than 2 bucks.

They can be used numerous times and the fun never ends.

Is always changing.

It encourages free thinking and creativity.

It requires movement.

And spreads joy far beyond those it is intended for.

In all my life I have never seen a bubble that didn't make me smile, especially if it appears randomly.

And sidewalk drawings? That takes me back to the good ol' days.

2 bucks. Bubbles and chalk.

be sneaky. blow bubbles around an unexpected corner.

or leave a fun message on the sidewalk for the next passerby.

Miller Park Zoo

2010-01-02T18:24:00.000-08:00

Hi Dani,

We went to the Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington today. I'm attaching a picture of
Katie donating the two dollars to "Operation Roar," which is the zoo's tiger
conservation program. Apparently it targets Sumatran tigers in particular
(fewer than 400 of them left in the wild, according to the sign in the other
attached picture). We were so glad to have a chance to participate in your
project. Thanks for giving us this opportunity.

Hope all is well with you and your family.

Jen

Village United Methodist Church

2010-01-02T18:13:00.000-08:00

Hi Dani

At first I was going to put the money in the tip jar down at the 63rd Street Car Wash, because those guys are out in triple digit temperatures this week to shine up other people's vehicles. But on second thought, it occurred to me that some of them would not welcome an old lady coming by to take their picture with a camera. So I changed the project.

Near my home there is a large neighborhood known as The Village, where many elderly and disabled people live as well as young families buying first homes. It's wonderfully diverse, but declining due to the inability of many to afford home repairs. There are several churches in the Village that do a great job of ministry, some delivering mobile meals to the homebound, others maintaining emergency nursery and pantry supplies, etc. My home church, the Village United Methodist Church, has a long tradition of serving supper on Wednesday evenings to all who come for dinner --no charge, no donation basket, no money requested or even accepted. Supper is served from 5 pm to 6:30, after which there is a short service for people who want to stay for it, though this is not suggested or even announced at dinner. Many church members come to dinner on Wednesday, especially our elderly, for companionship as well as a meal, but so do many neighbors who have no association with the church at all. There is a donation spot just outside the sanctuary in another part of the building. Wednesday night dinners are funded for the Village community entirely by anonymous donations in the "campfire" basket. I have attached two photos here so you can see the donation basket with your two dollars, plus two more sent separately -- the early arrivals for tonight's supper, and the two ladies who are serving tonight's menu of ham, sweet potatoes, rolls, and cookies, lemonade, tea, coffee, and water. I hope you are pleased with the way your project dollars were used for a "good neighbor" supper program.
Love, Sandy

Help For the Homeless

2010-01-02T18:12:00.001-08:00

Hi Dani

I got the letter yesterday and wanted to say how honored I was to receive it. I'm sorry you've had such a struggle in doing this project and am proud to participate. After thinking and pondering this in my heart, I've decided to combine this with another blogger friend's project. She has been helping a homeless woman and her children find jobs and shelter. It's a beautiful thing to pay the $2 forward by contributing to Julie's cause by donating the money to the fund account to find shelter for this family. If you visit Julie's blog (Tangobaby) you can read what the family has gone through and how bloggers have assisted in this project. It is a very wonderful thing. I've included some links so you can read about it.

I've also copied the receipt from my paypal account. (I cut off my address as I didn't want to share that with the general public - it's cool that you know it) I wish I had the resources to pdf the receipt for you.

I hope this excites you as much as it does me. :)

Best,
Char
http://tangobaby2.blogspot.com/2009/04/please-please-please-let.html
http://tangobaby2.blogspot.com/2009/07/real-reason-why-i-signed-up-for-twitter.html

IPod For Classroom

2010-01-02T18:10:00.001-08:00

When I received my 2 dollars in the mail today, I was instantly
reminded of a charity that I have been meaning to donate to. My
friend Amanda is trying to get an ipod classic to help her elementary
music classroom. The details can be found here:
http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=256178&utm_source=dc&utm_campaign=facebook&utm_medium=sharebar&zone=0.
I was excited about this, because this will be an invaluable resource
for the classroom, and there is a foundation that will pay for half of
the cost of the ipod if half of the money is raised by July 22nd. As
a teacher's daughter, I know how much out of pocket expense it can
take to get quality teaching materials in one's classroom. I donated
more than $2.00, but if 90 people donated $2.00, the project, which
will help 450 kids each year, will be fulfilled.

Allison Ulmer

School Supplies from Walgreens

2010-01-02T17:39:00.000-08:00

My purchases made at Walgreens totaling before tax 4.17

1- 2 pack of pink erasers =.29

1- pencil/crayon sharpener= .29

1- pair kids scissors= .79

2- 10 pack mechanical pencils = .78

1- 2 pack of glue sticks= .59

3- mini highliters .15x3=.45

2 -3 packs of pencils .19x2= .38

1- 12 pack of colored pencils= .59

$4.17 purchased

Scenario 1:

1- 12 pack of colored pencils= .59

1- 10 pack mechanical pencils = .39

1- pair kids scissors= .79

1 eraser= .15

Total: $1.92

Scenario 2:

1- 2 pack of glue sticks= .59

1- 2 pack of pink erasers =.29

1 -3 packs of pencils =.19

1- pencil/crayon sharpener= .29

1-12 pack colored pencils= .59

1 mini highliter= .15

Total: $2.10

Peru 109

2010-01-02T17:34:00.001-08:00

Hola Dani,

Thanks for getting in touch with us with your question and also for sharing with us about your project. I am looking forward to reading more about the various outcomes this summer!

Our organization is Peru 109, and we lead volunteer programs in three different cities in Peru: Chimbote, Trujillo, and San Sebastian (Cusco). Two dollars equals approximately six soles (the Peruvian currency), and here are some examples of what that might help with:

* photocopies for 60 children of a story, drawing, or writing/math practice at one of our partner schools
* ingredients for baking a batch of oatmeal cookies (our volunteers work with people with disabilities and survivors of domestic violence to help them sell baked goods and earn profits)
* round trip bus fare to downtown Cusco for 5 women who are looking for employment
* 6 hours of internet use for our volunteers to research information to teach English, children's activities, support women survivors of domestic violence
* glue and popsicle sticks for 30 children to complete a creative building project
* 6 printed photos for families who have never seen a photograph of themselves

Please let us know if you have any additional question!
Sincerely,
Anne Olivo

anne@peru109.org
Co-Founder and Co-Director
Peru 109 LLC
http://www.peru109.org
PO Box 274
Groton, VT 05046
(888)PERU-109

Food and School Supplies in Honduras

2010-01-02T17:30:00.000-08:00

Hi Dani, I hope all is well. I will use the $2 to add to funds I collect for children in Honduras (where I do a study abroad trip each year). The funds I collect are used for the purchase of the most basic food supplies and sometimes for school supplies. So thanks! JoAnn

===================================================
JoAnn Phillion
Associate Professor of Curriculum Studies
Department of Curriculum and Instruction, BRNG 4144
100 N. University Street
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2098
Email: phillion@purdue.edu
URL: http://www.edci.purdue.edu/phillion/

Mattresses for Cabins

2010-01-02T17:24:00.000-08:00

I gave it to my kids, Holley and Hayden. They decided to save it and give it to VBS this year. The mission $ went to Little Galilee Christian Assembly, it's a church camp. They used it to buy new mattresses for some of the cabins!

My kids enjoyed giving that money! Thanks, Tami Colclasure

There Is A Guy By the Interstate

2010-01-02T17:22:00.000-08:00

Dani,
Finally!!! We used the $2.00 to buy a homeless 2 tacos from taco bell. (you know the people you see standing by the interstate).

Brooke

Kids Food Basket

2010-01-02T17:20:00.000-08:00

Dani~

This is the email I sent to some of my co-workers. Your $2 turned into $10. Which is the donation I'm sending to them today. I will include a note about your website too. This is a non-profit feeding hungry kids in my area. Sorry it took so long to get around to it. I didn't forget. :)

Lisa

Ladies,

A friend of mine from high school has started a project... It's very catchy.. I wanted to share about it and ask for help. The premise of the project is The Power of 2. What can $2 really do? When you think about it, at first it doesn't seem like a lot of money... but it really is.

She mailed us all envelopes with $2, and asked us to do something with the $2 let her know what it was we decided to do. Did we buy a coffee, by a card and mail it to a friend we haven't talked to in a while, save it, etc. The only stipulation is you can only spend $2. Not $2 and tax.. $2.

With the $2 she sent me I'm going to donate it to Kids Food Basket (www.kidsfoodbasket.org) which provides sack dinners to kids locally (in Grand Rapids, MI) that would otherwise have no dinner. Their website says that they can purchase food items at the rate of 1 pound for 15 cents... That means that the seed money she sent me will buy 13 pounds of food!! I'm going to add my own $2 to this totalling $4...and we are off!!

Wanna see how many pounds of food we can purchase for this organization? Would you like to join me in adding $2? I would gladly put your $2 with mine.

What can YOU do with $2?

http://www.twodollarproject.blogspot.com/ (for more information on this project)

Thanks!

Lisa

Home Front Hearts

2010-01-02T17:16:00.000-08:00

Danielle,
...Home Front Hearts is a one woman operation at this point and every two dollars means two dollars I don’t take from my personal checking account to fund the organization (but don’t quote me on that – lol). An international letter is 0.98 these days. Unless you’ve been there – you can’t begin to imagine how much something as simple as a letter means to a soldier and his/her loved ones. Only through such a letter did my husband see photos of our fourth child’s ultrasound (we learned I was pregnant right before he deployed), or watch my older children master their writing skills, or send love on another set of holidays we wouldn’t get to spend together. Something as simple as postage provided the opportunity for us – him from afar and me here with our children – to share a moment in time. And trust me when I tell you that those moments are extraordinarily precious when your heart is in a war zone....

Be well,

Randi

Randi S. Cairns, MS
Founder/Executive Director
rscairns@homefronthearts.org
www.homefronthearts.org
www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=13772877718

While You're Waiting....

2009-11-11T12:22:00.001-08:00

I thought I'd share this here:

Will Be Back

2009-11-08T14:21:00.000-08:00

I'm sorry that I dropped off the face of the Earth with this project. The kids started school and I am just regaining my footing. So. I am revamping this site and will launch it all at once. The video is also on it's way. Hang tight! Great two dollar ideas, contributions and lovely organizations will be shared here soon!