Sounds frightful. It really does. So frightful, in fact, that my breath caught in my throat as I re-read that sentence after writing it (I'm not exactly the type of guy who makes it through movies like The Grudge, The Ring, Saw, or I'm-Going-To-Kill-Everybody-in-Sight-the-gruesomest-way-possible-formulaic-American-horror-movie. Insert a title in place of that long dash filled word if you like).
But with that piece of ridiculousity (did I just coin a word?) out of the way.... image and charity, dear reader, are not destined to come together in cataclysmic world-altering explosions. In fact, image and charity are a nice fit together. A hand-holding, strolling down the beach-side boardwalk on a sunny summer Sunday sort of fit.
The long and short of it? Get involved in charity. Whether you donate, volunteer, or support in some other way. Not only does charitable work make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, it softens the perception of others towards you. And in turn, they may begin to feel all warm and fuzzy towards you (single men: re-read that last sentence and recognize that some of the 'people' who begin to feel warm and fuzzy about you are attractive, single women).
Generosity is a wonderful thing. For your soul and for your image. Did I mention that already? Yes? Well, consider this a reinforcement.
There's a reason (besides the obvious tax incentives) why A-list celebrities, politicians, and public figures are heavily involved in charitable work. It humanizes them. If Britney was involved in handing out foodstuffs to starving African orphan-babies, we the public might feel a little different about her.
Or maybe not... she's a little too far gone for the benefits of charity, even. Poor example on my part.
... if Lindsay Lohan worked weekends at a soup kitchen ...
Perhaps it's best if I stop commenting on Hollywood's megastars. The last thing that I want is to have to stop writing on this blog due to a gargantuan, frivolous lawsuit.
So, back to image and charity. Pamela Anderson has PETA (for better or worse). Joan Rivers has the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and God's Love: We Deliver. George Clooney has the United Way. Angelie Jolie has Peace One Day. Ellen DeGeneres has the Red Cross. The list could go on for as many celebrities as you can think of. The point? It's very difficult to find a celebrity not involved in charitable work in one way or another. Whether or not a person truly believes in the charity that they give patronage to is something only that person will know for certain. However, the benefits are still the same.After I post this, I know that someone is bound to say 'well, then what charity do you support Mr. Porthos Man?'
I've been a patron of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, the Canadian Cancer Society, and St. Joseph's Care Foundation. Most recently, I've become involved with the Canadian Diabetes Association through Team Diabetes.
On that note, if you've now decided that you're ready to experience the warm fuzzies, I have good news for you. The best friend that I mentioned in an earlier post has decided to run a full marathon in Honolulu this December with Team Diabetes to raise funds for the Canadian Diabetes Association (I'm told her long-time boyfriend, Jeff, is also running with her. Which elevates the cuteness factor of the whole event up a few notches. Seriously. It made me smiley when she told me he was running with her).So, want some warm fuzzies in your thumper? Support her too.
Money for Anne:
https://ocp.diabetes.ca/pledge/cspledge.asp?prId=td&oId=10771747&tId=10706
Money for Jeff:
https://ocp.diabetes.ca/pledge/cspledge.asp?prId=td&oId=10771803&tId=10706
Oh, and take a read through her blog. It's witty, enticing, and very entertaining.
http://anniedeesadventures.blogspot.com/
I love youuuuuuuuuu!
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