Boy, with just four of us at last night's gathering, we were still able to yak away until 11:30.  We love to talk, and to argue, and to give advice.  The topic of the evening was "Charities" and we hoped to share information on our favorite organizations and develop one or two ideas that we could work together on as a group.

As far as charities, we talked quite a long time about two topics close to our hearts that aren't really charities but inspired lively chat:  (1) education and (2) conservation (aka "green").  I am not sure if I can even reveal any of the details of our conversations because we were babbling on so long.  As far as education, we know that its not really a charity but it is a big issue for all of us whether we have kids or not.  I will be doing some research on the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in that they support education specifically an organization called Strong American Schools.  We of course agreed that education is a huge hurdle and we don't really know how to help with the lack of public school funding but we will continue to look for ways to make it a high priority for our local community and the nation. 

Regarding being green, again after lengthy discussion, we decided to focus on a way to decrease the use of plastic bags.  And yet again, we didn't really think of a specific charity.  Alexis is to research the San Fransisco ban on plastic bags and the status of such a ban in San Diego.  We brainstormed on one of Heather's ideas to someone place signage in grocery parking lots reminding consumers to bring their own bags.  We also agreed that as a group, a beach cleanup would be very easy to participate in with each other and with our children.  I will do some research on upcoming beach cleanups and the local organization of I Love A Clean San Diego.

We also decided that over the holiday season, as a group, we would participate in San Diego's "Adopt-A-Family" program.  I have done it at my work many times.  A group of people buy gifts and gift cards for a specific needy family and deliver them right before Christmas.  I believe the program is run through the SD County and families are chosen based on needs.  A family may be an abused mother and her children or may be a victim of a wildfire.  More info on that as the time comes.

Sharon likes to donate money to the Moores Cancer Center UCSD (as opposed to the Cancer Society).  We talked about the free cooking classes at the Cancer Center and we will look into taking a class together as a group.  The website talks about healthy eating and the program.   http://www.healthyeatingucsd.org/

Heather did some research on charities and found a helpful website www.charitynavigator.org/ which helps to research the top fundraisers in a particular city.

Needless to say, we will continue this conversation at another GGG at some future time.  Please let me know if you are fundraising or involved in a charity that you would like me to post on our website.  Our next gathering will be on Aug 21 and we have a guest speaker planned!  See ya around, gals.

-Julie