You must give some time to your fellow men. Even if it's a little thing, do something for others - something for which you get no pay but the privilege of doing it.

                                              Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965)

 

Bennie Toole is “doing it for the animals,” she exclaims, referring to her five years of volunteer work at the Humane Society.  Her kind spirit shines through her winning smile as she sorts through the random donation items scattered at the facility’s thrift store.  Located upstairs from the adoption center, the thrift store proceeds help fund this 50 year old non-profit organization.  There is currently a wide assortment of St. Patrick’s Day items for sale, including green clothing, beads, and random household items. (If you hurry, you might beat Martha Stewart to the green pantsuit on display.) SavannahCityDirectory.com staff found a lime green Liz Claiborne winter vest for only six dollars!

 

Bennie, and many good folks like her, volunteer their time to help lost animals regain loving homes.  If you’d like to volunteer your time at The Humane Society (7215 Sallie Mood Drive), be sure to visit their extensive website for opportunities and training session dates.  There are many, many different areas in which you can help, so you do not necessarily have to handle animals to help the cause.  Director, Nancy Richards, says that volunteers must be at least fourteen years old.  The next available training session, she adds, is on March 8^th at 10:00 a.m. The session takes about 45 minutes. Volunteer applications are also available online. For more info, you can email nrichards@humanesocietysav.com or call 912-354-9515.

 

While you’re in the area, why not cross the street (7220 Sallie Mood Dr.) and check out the main location of Good Will Industrustries.   Here you will find a treasure trove of discount clothing, appliances, toys—even couches and cars!  Good Will stands by its reputation as the best source for employment and societal rehabilitation skills training.  Proceeds from the store benefit those in the community who are deeply committed to improving their situation in life.   

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It Was Asked For, Goodwill Delivered
New Attended Donation Center Now Open at Savannah Mall

 

SavannahCityDirectory.com was on site earlier this year for the ribbon cutting of Goodwill's newest collection area. This new drop off center is located in the parking lot of the Savannah Mall, and provides another convenient location for giving.  Goodwill’s press release states that the addition of this “Attended Donation Center….compliments the Goodwill focused theme of DONOR for 2008-2009…”  Before shopping at the Savannah Mall, you can now bring along a few donation bags and leave them with collection attendant Bridgette Burgess.

 

Jack Kaster, Goodwill Industries Board Member and former Board President, cut the ceremonial grand opening ribbon at noon before a crowd of spectators who braved the wind and cold temperatures to come out and give their support.

According to Goodwill Industries Marketing Director, Joe Driggers, the Savannah Mall is pleased to partner with Goodwill Industries by providing this location for the new Attended Donation Center, which is convenient to shoppers and residents of Southside Savannah. Senea Crystal, Savannah Mall Marketing Director, added, "Savannah Mall takes great pride in giving back to our community and the Goodwill Attended Donation Center is a fine example of our continued commitment to the community"

Hours of operation:  Monday-Saturday:  8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sundays from 12:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

For more information, contact Joe Driggers at (912) 354-661 ext 128
or visit their website: Good Will Industrustries.

Rats,  Frogs,  Potatoes

It’s the Year of the…

By Jane Martin

 

Those familiar with Chinese culture (or the placemats at Wang’s II) know that  a birthday in 2008—“The Year of the Rat”—endows you with charm, ambition, meticulousness, and a highly developed sock drawer.

 

According to one legend, Buddha chose to organize the Chinese Animal Zodiac around the outcome of an animal race across land and sea.  (Buddha would have loved Survivor Island.)  The Rat, as the story goes, assessed his skill set and Buddha-given physical attributes and decided that his winning strategy was to hop onto the back of the Ox and jump off quickly at the finish line.  Rats are clever-- over-achievers, perhaps.  They probably don’t need our help. (To find out if your 12-year cycle includes fellow rats Shakespeare and Mozart, check out onlineAstrology.com.)

 

According to the world’s leading conservationists, however, amphibians desperately need our attention. Many compare their possible—and too rapid—extinction to that of the dinosaurs.  Climate scientists and biologists study these mild-mannered creatures for clues to the well-being of our own species.  In fact, AmphibianArk.org declares 2008 “The Year of the Frog.”  With the amphibian population cut by nearly one third , zoo scientists are now trying to revitalize the declining frog population, which is primarily attributed to habitat loss, disease (chytrid fungus), climate change, and pollution.  Read more at savethefrog.com about the amphibian action plan and how corporations like Clorox provide help.

 

The United Nations General Assembly has, furthermore, declared 2008  “The International Year of the Potato." The decision is meant to focus attention on this hardy uber tuber for its nutrients and ability to help ease world poverty. According to potato2008.org, the average European eats an average of  212 pounds of potatoes a year. (potato2008.org).  I’m not certain about the United States, but I’m guessing at least half that poundage of hashbrowns is consumed at Waffle House each year alone.  Potatoes are hardy, inexpensive vegetables, and most people like them.  Potato enthusiasts should also visit the potatomuseum.com for a full range of interesting potato facts, videos, and exhibits. 

 

For Savannahians, many agree with the J. R. Garrett Company that “Green is great in 2008.”  The Garrett Company can assist your business with eco-friendly branding, using organic products, as well as  provide tips on how to replace the petrolium-rich plastic in your life. The city’s 12^th annual Earth Day celebration, “Local action, Global impact,”  is certainly another good example of our community’s developing eco-consciousness. For those who want to learn more about how to “go green,” be sure to attend Earth Day 2008 on April 19^th at Forsyth Park.  A full day of fun and education begins at 8:00 a.m.  Join Savannah Wheelie’s laid-back bike ride at 3:00 p.m.  Runners and joggers will enjoy the family-fun run to benefit Chatham County’s 4-H Club. ( 9:00 a.m. start) You can also visit the official government website for festival details at savannahga.gov.

 

With so many great ways to celebrate and appreciate the earth this year, you’ll be a lucky “rat” to hop onto it all.

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Community Volunteer Opportunities:

Savannah Community Blood Bank 7135 Hodgson Memorial Drive (904) 854-9965 Candler/St. Joseph’s Hospital (912) 819-3393 Memorial Health Volunteer Resources (912) 350-8332 Memorial Health Foundation 4750 Waters Ave. 31404 (912) 350-6370 Georgia Regional Hospital 1915 Eisenhower Dr. (912) 356-2103 Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum 175 Bourne Ave. Pooler, GA 31322 (912) 748-8888 Mighty Eigth online Vounteer.gov  Union Mission 120 Fahm Street (912) 236-7423 www.UnionMission Aussie Rescue and Placement Helpline (Contact representative near you) The Humane Society 7215 Sallie Mood Dr. (912) 354-9515

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter Hands on Savannah 912-651-7726 Hospice Savannah 1352 Eisenhower Dr 912-355-2289 Savannah Garden and Antiques Expo needs volunteers for April 4-6 Event at Roundhouse 912-236-8097 Telfair Academy and Jepson Center 912-790-8869 Davenport House 912-236-8097 American Red Cross 906 Dryton St. 912-651-5314 Savh Association for the Blind 214 Drayton St. 912-232-6048 Community Health Mission 310 Eisenhower Dr. 912-352-3980