Tag Archives: Non-Profits

Book ‘Em Needs Your Books & Paper Bags

Letter to Book 'Em. Photo Credit: Book 'Em Facebook Page.

Letter to Book ‘Em. Photo Credit: Book ‘Em Facebook Page. Click here to read the text of the letter.

Attention book lovers! Book ‘Em is a Pittsburgh non-profit that needs your help to send books to prisoners in Pennsylvania.

I spent a few hours yesterday in the basement of a building on Penn Avenue yesterday with a group of volunteers who were picking out books and packing them up to be sent to prisoners across the state.  I had no idea that the basement below the Thomas Merton Center was set up as a little book-shop by mail.  If you love browsing book stores and picking out books then this is the volunteer opportunity for you! Prisoners from across the state can write in and request books. Some requests are specific, most are for general categories of books. I love browsing bookstores, but I have promised myself I will not buy any new books until I’ve read the ever growing pile of books in my house. Fulfilling each request was a challenge of browsing the Book ‘Em bookshelves and make a best guess at what each person might like to read.

Here are a few things that I learned about Book ‘Em this weekend:

  • Many of the requests that I filled yesterday were for educational books. If you have books to donate please check the list of requested books here.
  • Book’Em’s biggest need is money to cover the cost of shipping books. If you want to help with the cause, please consider sending a few dollars to Book ‘Em via the donation page here.
  • Paper Bags! Book ‘Em wants your empty paper bags. Instead of throwing out paper grocery bags, please donate them to Book ‘Em to be used for wrapping up books to be mailed.
  • Volunteer! Volunteers are needed to help pick out books and pack them for shipping. You can see a calendar of volunteer days here.

Books and paper bags can be dropped off at the Thomas Merton Center, 5129 Penn Ave, Monday through Friday from 10 to 4 and during our Sunday work sessions.

If you would like to learn more, follow Book ‘Em on Facebook here or in this 2013 Post-Gazette article about Book ‘Em: “Book ‘Em shipments brighten Pennsylvania inmates’ lives.“

Paddle Without Pollution: Nominated for Canoe & Kayak Magazine’s ‘Paddle With Purpose’ award

Local non-profit (and I heart PGH favorite!) Paddle Without Pollution is up for an award celebrating the best philanthropic effort involving paddlesports. You can vote for the best “Paddle With Purpose” contender, plus those in other categories, until this Sunday, June 30, by visiting the Canoe & Kayak Magazine awards page.

The group was nominated by their fellow paddlers and peers and winners are honored at the annual ceremony, held this year on August 1 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Paddle Without Pollution gets canoeists, kayakers, and paddle boarders together to clean the rivers, streams, wetlands, and lakes of Pennsylvania. In 2012, they removed 15.3 TONS of litter from waterways during 13 cleanup events.

They also provide a watershed/paddling education program for inner city youth that teaches paddling skills, ecology, and proper nutrition, as well as other pollution prevention and education programs.

View their upcoming cleanup schedule and register to help clean up local watersheds! And don’t worry if you don’t have your own kayak or canoe, a few are available to borrow from their own fleet for those who sign up early enough. You can also donate money to their cause on their website, via PayPal.

Stay up-to-date on upcoming events and see photos from past ones, plus other news and happenings, by liking their Facebook page.

Click here to vote!

Links Worth a Look – January 28th

Here are some links/articles/blog posts that are worth a look:

  • Pittsburgh Bloggers: What's New Out There – Great article from Pop City media about some new bloggers in the burgh – a look a few of Pittsburgh food bloggers who are eating and blogging about the best things to eat in town.
  • Diner Critique: Pamela’s Diner (Pittsburgh, Pa.) – Blog about Diners around the country visits Pamela's and links to our post about Obama's love of the Pamela's pancakes.
  • CASBAH Benefit Dinner Series – The Big Burrito group has a great line up of benefit dinners at Casbah for 2010. Each month they plan a special dinner and donate the proceeds from the event to a different local nonprofit. Check out the 2010 line up and make your reservation today.

Follow IheartPGH on Twitter – we share more links there almost daily!

Cuts for Casa – Tue, September 15, 2009

CASA logo
Image via Wikipedia

Sorry for the last minute post on this event – but I wanted to highlight this for two reasons – 1. CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) is an important organization that needs more volunteers and 2. The Barbers Inn, which I have passed many times – looks like a super cool place – a fancy barber shop complete with couches, tv’s and even a bar.  So check out this  FREE event – learn more about CASA and the Barber’s Inn!  More info here and on Facebook.

Hosted by the Court appointed Special Advocate program of Allegheny County, along with the Barber’s Inn — Shadyside, Cuts for CASA is a free networking event to spread community awareness about CASA’s volunteer program and the need for male involvement. CASA’s need for male participation is dire. Out of 175 volunteers who are trained advocates, only 9% are male. Since nearly half of the children CASA serves are young men, a male volunteer can serve as a vital role model for this vulnerable population.

Are you interested in attending? Cuts for CASA will be held on Tuesday, September 15, 2009, from 6-8pm at the Barber’s Inn, a male grooming lounge, located at 5744 Baum Blvd., Pittsburgh PA, 15206. Discounted hair cuts and shaves, free food and beverages, door prizes and giveaways will be provided to attendees. This event is FREE but you must R.S.V.P. Contact Daren Ellerbee at 412-594-3606 or click here to reserve your spot today!

via thesoulpitt.com

added via Posterous IheartPGH

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Links Worth a Look – August 24th

Here are some links/articles/blog posts that are worth a look:

  • Ambiance Boutique to Open a 3rd Location in Lawrenceville in September 2009 – Ambiance Boutique is a project of the non profit Bethlhem Haven – they have two consignment shops located in Regent Square and Oakmont all of the proceeds from Ambiance Boutique benefit Bethlehem Haven. A third location will be opening on Butler Street in Lawrenceville in September 2009. They have a great selection on women’s clothing (the Oakmont location also carries home decor items) and are very helpful when it comes to taking consignments too. Check out the photo of the new shop and follow Ambiance on twitter – www.twitter.com/ambiancepgh Continue reading →