Petition Coalition, 1/7/15 - Domestic Cornucopia Edition

Join the "Petition Coalition" by following these links and signing those that you agree with!

TLC (who are now a far stretch from “The Learning Channel”) are planning to air a special called “My Husband's Not Gay,” promoting the completely debunked idea that homosexuality is something that can be (or should be) “overcome” through prayer and/or the scandalous and widely banned “reparative therapy” that has damaged so many who believed in its ability to change their sexuality. Tell TLC that airing a special about something completely refuted by the medical and psychiatric communities is appalling: https://www.change.org/p/tlc-cancel-your-upcoming-tv-show-my-husband-s-not-gay

Cosmetics companies like L'Oreal promote their campaigns to fight cancer, but at the same time, they serve as a carcinogen delivery system to their customers, putting dangerous chemicals into many of their products—even baby products. Tell them that it they're going to talk the talk, they have to walk the walk, and remove all of these cancer-causing chemicals from their product lines: http://act.credoaction.com/sign/loreal_cancer

“The Volcker Rule” was passed to prevent banks from making the risky gambles that crashed the economy under President Bush and created the massive recession out from which we are still digging ourselves. Last month, the Federal Reserve announced that they were instituting a two year delay in implementing the law, allowing banks to act as hedge funds and put your—our—money at risk. Tell the Fed that this element of Dodd-Frank financial reform legislation must be implemented NOW: http://act.credoaction.com/sign/Volcker_Rule_fedreserve?sp_ref=93209231.4.11086.e.42969.2&referring_akid=.1276313.llp5N5&source=mailto_sp

92% of gun owners and even 86% of Republicans polled support expanding background checks to cover every gun purchase in the U.S., regardless of where and how it's bought. Rep. Mike Thompson of California plans to introduce a bill to expand background checks to cover the loopholes of online and gun show sales. Ask your member of Congress to stand with him and pass this sensible firearm safety legislation: http://act.watchdog.net/petitions/4804

Thanks for fighting the good fight, and for all the little ways you change the world!

A visit to Gilda's Club, a grant to Sweet Relief, and a whole lot more

This year is zooming by so far. So much for my resolution to blog daily. Apologies to the none of you who are disappointed that this is not the case! Anyway, even when I'm busy, I'm trying to do my little things, so here are the highlights since our last catch up:

- On what would have been Sean's 36th birthday, we announced that for third time, the Sean McGrath Fund would make a grant to our old friends at Sweet Relief, this time in the amount of $1000. They're the first group that we've funded more than once, let alone a three-peat, and we're thrilled to be able to continue doing our small part to make sure their vital services to musicians in crisis can continue. We're awaiting the results of our January matching donor challenge, as the final numbers have yet to arrive from one of our online donation conduits, but we should know what the campaign's final tally in a week or two!

- A few days later, my SMcGF co-founder Jessie and I were able to take advantage of an opportunity we only get a few times a year at best: to visit one of the sites we help to fund! This time around, it was a donor reception at Gilda's Club NYC, where Sean went when he was ill and where Jessie went for support after we (but especially she) lost him. It was great for me to see the place and meet some of the folks involved day-to-day, and great for Jessie to return after a few years, this time as a supporter rather than a member. They're an amazing group, so get behind them if you're able--and most definitely tap into their services if you or one of your loved ones is stricken with cancer!

- On the Carroll Park front, I requested a quote on a map of the park during its renovation in 1892 (likely its first redux) that I found while up to my neck in Google research. It seems to be in the NYU archives, even though it's listed in the Brooklyn Historical Society online catalog. I would LOVE to get a reproduction framed and displayed in our park house! I came up with (I think) the genius idea of toting my laptop and printer/scanner to our potluck and this spring's volunteer reception, so that when folks have clippings and photos, they don't have to let their precious memories out of sight for a second while we duplicate them. I'm hoping to build a really sweet digital archive of all things park-wise over the past 30 years (as well as smatterings from the past 125 or so, I hope!).

- Also, since our last check-in, I packaged and shipped 11 items that sold on Amazon and half.com for the Sean McGrath Fund. I also got word from a music industry supporter that he'll be sending a couple of boxes of CDs soon to help replenish our inventory. Hooray!

Put more love in your holiday greetings with cards that benefit charity

If you're like me, the holiday season might be the only time of the year when many of you actually pick up a pen and write out longhand well-wishes to your friends, family, business associates, and acquaintances. 

If you are one of those who enjoys sending and receiving holiday greeting cards, I hope that instead of picking up something treacly and generic at the Hallmark store this year, you'll buy cards that financially support one of your favorite charities. It's a great way to show your far-flung loved ones that you're not just thinking of them, but also about the greater good!

After the jump you'll find a wide variety of holiday cards that benefit an equally wide array of causes. I think everyone can find at least one organization they can get behind to do some charity work while also sharing the holiday spirit!