Things We Love: Learning, Language, and Saving the World

I normally post articles on how to save the world by voting in your best interests, but today I want to highlight a website that is changing the world in a different way. Please take a second to check out FreeRice.com.

The site's application gives you a word with four possible definitions, and if you define the word correctly, the site's sponsors pay for 20 grains of rice for the UN World Food Program, which works to end hunger worldwide; answer 5 questions correctly in a row, and you donate 100 grains. According to the WFP the average person who includes rice as a staple in his/her diet eats 400 grains per day, and I was able to donate 2,000 grains in about 10 minutes. Fun and meaningful! If words aren't your thing, you can choose from the following subjects:

• Famous Paintings

• Chemical Symbols (Basic)

• Chemical Symbols (Full List)

• English Grammar

• Identify Countries on the Map

• World Capitals

• French

• German

• Italian

• Spanish

• The Multiplication Table

The questions vary in difficulty, and the program adjusts the level of difficulty based on how you perform.

From their FAQ:

The rice you donate makes a huge difference to the person who receives it. According to the United Nations, about 25,000 people die each day from hunger or hunger-related causes, most of them children. Though 20 grains of rice may seem like a small amount, it is important to remember that while you are playing, so are thousands of other people at the same time. It is everyone together that makes the difference. Thanks to you, FreeRice has generated enough rice to feed more than two million people since it started in October 2007.

So go do that today right before you start making your No on Prop 8 phone calls from home, and save the world twice in one afternoon.

Join Jennifer Beals for a Good Cause!

Picture this: Jennifer Beals, dressed in spandex clinging to all the right places, her muscles flexed ever so tightly, and sweat dripping down her... well, you get the picture. Now imagine that she has decked herself out in this tantalizing outfit, not for the good of lesbian eye candy everywhere, but for an amazing cause.

Jennifer Beals has issued a statement to the OurChart community, and OurChart was nice enough to share with Lesbiatopia. Without further ado, a message from Jennifer Beals:

For me, the essence of OurChart is community. And not just the lesbian community or the LGBT community or the women's community or the various labels one might apply to the array of profiles intersecting on this site. It's about a community of concerned human beings, engaged around the rights and issues that affect the dignity, politics, progress and health of our collective human future.

Communities, especially ones so dynamic and passionate as this one here, have the power to effect change -- especially when they gather together around a cause to help others. I've witnessed your combined efforts first hand, when last spring, a generous group of you raised donations for Happy Trails Farm to rescue a Percheron horse from slaughter and, in honor of my love of horses, named her "AlphaBette." Thank you.

On September 1st, I'll be participating in my first Olympic-distance triathlon. Inspired by the three legs of the competition (a 1.5K swim, a 40K bike course and a 10K run), I've selected three charities to raise funds for -- and am calling out to you, the OurChart community -- to join me in supporting these organizations.

I hope you'll take some time to read about the incredible work each charity performs and consider making a donation. Your contributions will be made directly to the organization or organizations of your choice.

And stay tuned, as I'll be checking back with OurChart to provide contribution updates and a post-race report.

-Jennifer

PS: Did I mention I'm terrified?

Here are the three charities that Jennifer has selected to raise money for.

Childrens Hospital Los Angeles-Center For Cancer & Blood Diseases

The Center is one of the largest pediatric hematology/oncology programs in the nation. Breakthroughs in the treatment of childhood cancer, many pioneered at Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles, offer children, teenagers and young adults the most advanced treatment available anywhere. Your donation supports the Center's vital services for children and families, research for cures and new therapies, and training of future scientists and caregivers.
Donate to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles


Matthew Shepard Foundation

The Matthew Shepard Foundation was founded by Dennis and Judy Shepard in memory of their 21-year old son, Matthew, who was murdered in an anti-gay hate crime in Wyoming in October 1998. Created to honor Matthew in a manner that was appropriate to his dreams, beliefs and aspirations, the Foundation seeks to "Replace Hate with Understanding, Compassion & Acceptance" through its varied educational, outreach and advocacy programs and by continuing to tell Matthew's story.
Donate to Matthew Shepard Foundation

I Live Here Foundation

The I Live Here Foundation is dedicated to telling the stories of silenced and unheard people through a series of books and other media projects about our world. It establishes creative writing programs in areas where it works, building an artistic dialogue between strangers with the belief that art is a means of survival.

The I Live Here Foundation is spearheaded by the extraordinary Mia Kirshner, J.B. MacKinnon, Michael Simons and Paul Shoebridge. Its first book, I Live Here, will be published by Pantheon Books in October 2008 and launched in conjunction with a creative writing program in Lilongwe, Malawi.

Coming in 2009: I Live Here begins its next series on books and launches a creative writing program within a brothel in Burma.
Donate to I Live Here Foundation

Personally, my idea of a triathlon is floating in the pool for three hours, riding my beach cruiser along the bike path and running after the ice cream truck. I give Jennifer Beals credit for doing such a tough event. She chose three amazing charities that mean a lot to her and hopefully you'll find some meaning in them too. Please donate if you can, even $5 or $1 is better than nothing. Every little bit helps!


Technorati Tags: Jennifer, Beals,, L, Word,, Charity,, Triathalon,, Matthew, Sheppard,, Giving, Back