Champ Homes (now there are 4 Champ Houses!) in Massachusetts save those who have fallen "through the cracks"
Champ Homes are "Places of Hope, Built on Faith." www.champhouse.org
The residents and directors form a close-knit family, sharing our love and our spirituality with those who are less fortunate. We work tirelessly for our live-in residents, and for any at-risk, homeless members of our community who come to us for help. We care for anyone, male or female, from 17 to 70, who is in need of supportive, low-cost housing, who wants to be part of a nurturing family group. Champ Homes provide a haven for folks who are physically disabled, in recovery from drug or alcohol abuse, mentally ill, and all those in need in some way or the other.
My uncle and aunt, Paul and Carolyn Hebert started Champ House in the early 1990s. Since then it has transformed hundreds of down-trodden spirits into bright, hopeful, productive lives.
Not all of us are blessed with the specific talents and spirit needed to nurture less fortunate, homeless lives into a lives of emotional, spiritual and financial abundance. I am definitely not blessed with those talents. But I do have other talents that I can use to help others help the homeless.
For example, my talents as a lawyer (www.markhamlawyer.com) and and an author (www.kidsbankbook.com) provide me with Financial Abundance that I can share with Champ House. [And, 10% of the net profits from "The Kids' Bank Book" are donated to Champ House.] And, I can use my dot-com interests and skills to help others learn about, and support their work. Then, Champ House can use those resources to do what they do best - really, what they were called to do . . . "We need to take care of one another." Matthew 2:5.
Valentine's Day Donation
Say "I love you" by giving a donation in your spouse's name to Champ House - an organization that really knows how to demonstrate love.
Just go to Champ House and Click on "DONATE NOW"
Champ House Founder Paul Hebert publishes "Return to Eden"
Yahoooo! It's here!
Journey with 8 people as they step out of the darkness and into the light.
Return to Eden
by Paul E. Hebert, CEO/Founder Champ House
Return to Eden
Amazon Price: $16.95 (as of 07/06/2009) 
My Favorite Song about the Champ House Spirit
Go Light Your World
Kathy Troccoli - Greatest Hits
Chorus:
"Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the hopeless, confused and torn
Hold out your candle, for all to see it
Take your candle and go light your world
Take your candle and go light your world"
Amazon Price: $17.98 (as of 07/06/2009)
What does C.H.A.M.P. stand for?
- C - Caring, nurturing
- H - Home-like environment
- A - Adolescents and Adults in need
- M - Motivation and morality in place of negativity
- P - Producing Productive members of society
Successful, Financially Independent Lives include Donating
Getting "Off the Rat Race" (in Robert Kiyosaki's "Cash Flow 101" game language, of "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" fame, www.richdad.com) means Financial Independence. Financial Independence means that your income from your passive investments EXCEED your monthly expenses. Kiyosaki, along with many of today's other great teachers of financial wisdom, believe and teach that charitable donations are a big part of achieving, maintaining, and growing financial abundance and independence.A few years ago, my husband and I decided exactly what our financial resources would go to when we become financially independent - 1/3 living expenses, 1/3 investments, 1/3 donations. What we learned when we played a 30-day abundance game that simulated a financially independent life, was that 1/3 of a financially independent person's income is ALOT of money.
And, we also learned that my husband and I did not want to spend our energies and talents managing all of that money - we wanted to use our talents in their unique ways - and let others, who are better at creating and managing philanthropic activities (such as Champ House) utilize the donation money. Sure, we wanted to decide where and what types of organizations it would be used for, but we wanted someone else to actually use the money for the actual daily activities.
Bill Gates understands the wisdom of this approach to donating. That is why he has a full-staffed organization that spends its time determining how to use the billions of dollars of his charitable donations. Then, they let the recipients of the money do the work of helping others.
Although my family has not yet achieved its financial independence, we do donate regularly - to several charities. So, if you are on the path to Financial Abundance, or have achieved Financial Independence, I highly recommend developing a donating habit now. If you can donate a penny, nickel, dime or quarter, out of a dollar now, you will be true to yourself when you have/receive millions of dollars.
How much do you donate?
We want to know what Squidoo visitors do for charitable causes.
One Resident's Story
"I was around 7 years old before a teacher didn't believe the bruises and welts were from my falling. I hid in closets when my father was drunk but when he found me he used a stick to beat me."
-P., age 17.
Cool Squidoo lenses about the Joys of Volunteering
(or, donating your time in fundraising or other ways)
I personally review and check-out these cool Squidoo lenses. [If you are submitting a lens to be added here, please vote in one of the polls & leave a Blurb in the Comments!]
1
http://www.squidoo.com/lovevolunteer
Why do people volunteer their time? As a volunteer, you don't get paid for donating your time. But, these reasons are more motivating than money.0 points
Family Volunteering
- Special Olympics
- Write a thank you letter - or, just a pretty picture - to a soldier.
- Collecting cans of food for a food drive - be sure the kids either ask a neighbor or use their own money to buy it
- Take all of your recycles to a non-profit org that uses recycling for fundraising, like Champ House :)
My 3 Top Financial Abundance Books
I haven't read any books about the importance of charitable giving because I was born with that belief. But I have read books about financial prosperity that will help you have more money so you can donate more money. These are some of those books.
Show Your Volunteer Spirit with CafePress
Tropical Volunteer White T-Shirt
Pass on the volunteer spirit every time your wear your t-shirt to cook-outs, clamboils, races, or fun events.
White T-Shirt
Price: 20.99
Your Favorite Charitable Organizations to Donate to
We want to know to whom who and what Squidoo viewers give. Some of the topics do overlap, so just pick the description that resonates best with you. Let us know the details in a Blurb at the bottom of the page.
My Favorite Charitable Organizations to Donate to
[Just so you know, I know the prepositions are dangling, but it just sounds better - less stuffy - that way]
- Champ House
- You know alot more about Champ House now from this lens. Visit them to Donate or to learn more. If you live in the Cape Cod area, visit the website or call them to learn more about how you can contribute your time, talents or resources to this great organization.
- Marble Church, 29th St & 5th Ave, NYC
- My church. Dr. Arthur Caliandro is the Senior Pastor. An absolutely life-transforming church. Dr. Norman Vincent Peale was the former senior pastor for over 50 years. Be sure to visit it when you are in NYC. Visit the website to see other Marble resources.
- Sound of Life Radio Station
- This is my favorite radio station; it's a positive (read: not overbearing) Christian radio station. Don't live in the NJ/NY/PA area? Listen online. Whenever I arrive at my destination, I am in a tremendously better mood and have a better attitude than I would have had without this station's Good Works. [As an attorney, keeping a good attitude is both challenging and important.]
- Joel Osteen
- The break-through pastor who continues to break the bonds of centuries of negative, guilt-ridden Christian messages. Joel brings a formerly taboo topic - abundance - to the Christian community. His Good Works touch people around the world. Did you know that you can listen to the entire service online at anytime? What a resource for optimism and attitude adjustment!
- Joyce Meyer
- I used to not like Joyce because she just was too harsh for me. She's softened in her communication, while staying firmly committed to her message - that any wrong done to you can be overcome, but that it is now your responsibility to make that decision and take that action. Why do I donate to Joyce? Because her WorldMissions Good Works simply blows me away! Just as one example, she built a live-in school for Tsunami orphans. That's amazing. That's world transforming.
- Girl Scouts
- I "donate" by buying cookies. Make a young girl's self-confidence increase - buy some cookies. How much easier can it get? Did you know that the money raised from Girl Scout cookie sales can go to that girl and her troop, in addition to the organization in general? Did you know she has also set a goal and is trying to reach that goal? What a great adult in the making. I was a Girl Scout - one of the best experiences in my life.
My Favorite Feel-Good (Vibration-Raising) Movies
Some are Inspiring, some are feel-good, some are about helping others, some are about the impact of our lives on others
You can rate these movies by clicking on the arrows. If you have a favorite feel-good movie that's not shown, we want to know about it! Tell us in a Blurb. If you also love a movie below, 1st Rate it, 2nd Submit a Blurb about it. [The comments below the title are mine, not the Amazon listing's snippet.]
Pay It Forward
The movie that made continuing small acts of kindn more...2 points
About a Boy (Widescreen Edition)
How to transform an empty life into one of meaning more...0 points
Miracle (Widescreen Edition)
The inspiring true story of the 1980 US Olympic te more...0 points
Dreamer - Inspired by a True Story (Full Screen Edition)
A darkened spirit can be awakened and rejuvenated more...0 points
It's a Wonderful Life
We each touch so many lives. What would the lives more...0 points
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Standing for your truth brings more truth and Ligh more...0 points
12 Angry Men
Justice starts with a seed, with just one person w more...0 points
The Muppet Movie - Kermit's 50th Anniversary Edition
The seminole movie by a master of how each of us a more...0 points
The Last Gasp Bike Boat and Bake Fundraiser, Cape Cod Massachusetts
An annual authentically Cape Cod Fundraiser that benefits Champ House
Champ House is grateful to be a beneficiary of The Last Gasp Bike, Boat & (Clam) Bake annual fundraising event.Are you a Last Gasp Biker or volunteer or supporting organization? If so, we want to hear from you! Submit a Blurb at the bottom of the page.
For example, what do you do in The Last Gasp (biker, volunteer)? Who do you raise money for? Why do you raise money for Champ House?
From The Last Gasp's website:
"2006 will mark the 15th annual running of this unique event. Over the years we have had a lot of fun, made life long friends, and raised over $1.6 million for the Cape Cod community. . . 100% of the money you raise or donate will be directed to the charity of your choice."
It's All about Gratitude! ONE MILLION THANKS
Gratitude is the state of being that allows us to connect with the Divine, truly enjoy life, and be a blessing to others.
What if you had ONE MILLION THANKS to give for your life? I know I do, and so do many others.
That's why I created the One Million Thanks Blog. Go ahead - add your own things to be thankful for - maybe you can start with, "I've always had a roof over my head and a family that loved and supported me." If you can't start there, then maybe it'll be, "I am grateful that I have grown through so many challenges."
Or, maybe something simple like, "my child's hug this morning."
The more GRATITUDE you add, the more it will lift someone else's spirits - and your own!
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Tell us what you think about this lens, about donating, or about any Poll vote above.
TheresaMarkham wrote...
Debra's (dc64) Life as a Foster Child Lens is an absolutely wonderful lens that all good (current & future) foster parents should read! Some of Champ House's residents are those who were in the govt's foster care system and turned 18 and suddenly had no where to go or live.
Posted January 01, 2009
dc64 wrote...
Thank you for highlighting such a place of hope as Champ House. Places like these are needed, because there are a lot of people who just don't know how to get out of the situation they are in. It's even sadder for those who are in these hopeless situations through no fault of their own. I'm lensrolling this to my foster child lens, because they are definitely related.
Posted December 30, 2008
anna_michaels wrote...
Its always good to see everyday people helping others without the harmful drug approach. Welcome to the Something Can be Done about it Group!
Posted December 07, 2008
steveffeo wrote...
I love this lens. it feels so great to help others and by using Squidoo you can teach others, really great job. Please check out my lens about the Food for Everyone Foundation. And TY for joining the Helping Non-Profits group.
Peace
Steve
Posted December 06, 2008
ONE MILLION THANKS to give
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One Million Thanks
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Why write about One Million Things to be Thankful for? Because it's all about GRATITUDE - spirituality, relationships, abundance - it all works soooo much better when we are grateful. When we are grateful, we are in a state of being where we can...
2 New England Traditions
When you're buying your Boston Red Sox 2007 World Champions Shirt, remember to donate a few dollars to those who may not have ever visited Fenway Park - or who may have to struggle to get a regular t-shirt.And, while you're growing your rhubarb this summer, why not donate a basket-full to Champ House? Or, if you're too far away from Cape Cod, you could just mail Champ House a grocery store gift card.
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I want More Rhubarb
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Here you'll find Rhubarb recipes, learn how to eat the rhubarb stalks - raw - right out of the garden, links to great Rhubarb resources, Rhubarb growing tips, and where to buy rhubarb to eat, and where to buy rhubarb to plant. Rhubarb brings togehte...
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Boston Red Sox - It's about Faith
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This Red Sox lens is dedicated to my grandfather, Edgar, a Fall River, Massachusetts native, who loved baseball and the Red Sox, and who lived and cheered for over 80 years, and never saw them win the World Series. And for his brother, Rene, wh...
Kids & Money - Teaching Wealth Habits to Your Children
Have you realized that you'd like to spare your children the burden of repeating your money mistakes? (or, of the poor money lessons that you were taught as a child?) Do you want your kids to learn NOW - while they're young - the money wisdom and skills that you are acquiring on the "Get Out of Debt Now" or "Law of Attraction" paths that you are (fortunately) now on?Would you like your kids to learn Abundance and Wise Money Management now, when they're young? Would you like your kids to build strong habits that will help them save, spend and donate money wisely?
Go To The Kids' Bank Book Now to get the e-book
Remember: Use Coupon Code MY20COUPON to get your 20% OFF the regular price of $27
Want to Learn More about "The Kids' Bank Book?"
Get lots more info @ my Squidoo lens about Kids & Money and The Kids' Bank Book-
Kids and Money: How to Teach Wealth Habits to Your Kids
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Aha! You've joined the ranks of those wise parents who have realized that they'd like to spare your children the burden of repeating your money mistakes? (or, of the poor money lessons that you were taught as a child?) Do you want your ki...
by TheresaMarkham
Theresa A. Markham, Esq. loves living in scenic Northwest New Jersey with her husband, Chuck, and daughter Zoe, who are visited by her GWU-colleg...
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