While I know that the desire of those who give of their “time, talent and treasure” is not to seek recognition, I’ve decided to point out several stories from people that I’ve met in the domain business that are giving back in ways that I find inspiring. Over the last few months, some of their stories have inspired me to think differently and look at the world in a different light. Some of them are donating money to charity, some of them are putting in time and serving and some are donating their talent to do good. I thought I’d share these short glimpses of what others are up to as a way to pass along the inspiration I felt from their efforts, in hopes of inspiring more stories.
I’m sure I’ll forget a few, but several stories that come to mind from the past include Donna Mahony and Bido’s benefit auction for the burro rescue, Michael Mann’s efforts with Grassroots.org, Eytan Elbaz’s whose PSA “Dear Parents” donated $25,000 to the Museum of Tolerance, Aftermarket.com Domainer Mardi Gras auction benefiting New Orleans Habitat for Humanity and Fabulous.com’s head shaving fun (several times) to benefit cancer research. Domain registrar behemoth Godaddy.com even touted charitable donation of a bunch of money toward several charities last year.
Recently, Ron Jackson pointed out a story of a group of domain investors and domain business leaders who are travelling to Kenya to learn of the efforts of the Water School. The Water School a charity that is aiding in efforts to bring clean water to Africa.
Continued after the jump.
Through the charity’s Ray of Hope program The Water School empower schools and other existing community groups like hospitals to teach solar disinfection of water. Students and families are provided with education and materials to meet their own water needs. According to the group’s website “One $50 Ray of Hope will provide a family of six with safe, clean drinking water for years to come.”
The group includes Richard Lau, Ammar Kubba, Susan Prosser, Gregg McNair and others. We hope to hear more stories from our colleagues as they return from their trip to Kenya around September 29th.
To learn more about The Water School please visit TheWaterSchool.org
And just as one group wraps up their trip to Africa, tomorrow another colleague in the domain space, Jen Sale from Dark Blue Sea is heading off to Sudan with Door of Hope Australia (DOHA) to film a documentary. DOHA is a child-focused, non-government organization established to help alleviate the suffering caused by poverty in developing nations. The film that Sale and her colleagues are filming will cover “the history and reasons behind the civil war, the 21 1/2 year struggle, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the upcoming election and referendum, the tragic death of Dr John Garang, and the struggle to bring about development in the devastated Southern Sudan. The film will feature firsthand stories by those who dedicated and sacrificed so much to ensure equality could come to the marginalized people of Sudan.”
Sale has a blog at JenSale.com where she has already begun blogging about the trip . She plans to continue updating with video posts throughout the trip.
Learn more about Door of Hope Australia at DoorofHopeAustralia.org
Last year I learned of a story of a little girl named Gwendolyn Strong. I don’t know Gwendolyn and although we share the same last name, we aren’t related. However, we do have a connection through her father, Bill Strong, who I met through the domain channel. I first read about Gwendolyn on a blog started by her parents. Gwendolyn has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), the leading genetic killer of children under 2 years of age. (You may have seen banners on DNN linking to the End SMA petition.) Her parents, Bill and Victoria, have created the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation to raise awareness, fund research and support those affected by this disease.
Learn more about the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation at GwendolynStrongFoundation.org
and read more about Bill, Victoria’s and Gwendolyn at their blog at GwendolynStrong.com
Most in the domain business should feel truly blessed. While it likely took hard work for many of us to get where we are in life, I’d venture to guess many of the “struggles” we face pale in comparison to what the rest of the world faces every day. It doesn’t take much effort to look around, outside of your bubble, and realize that life could be much different. I know it’s a bit cliche, and I don’t mean to be preachy here, but I hope by passing on some of these stories that you might take a minute to read what others are involved in, even the small things, and that you might appreciate the things you have and strive to help others in any way that you possibly can.