Hair, Blood and Pull Tabs?

Odd title I know, but it does have a point just keep reading to find out what these seemingly unrelated items have in common. I was thinking about ways that I've been able to help others and the idea for this piece came to me. I don't have much in the way of money so it's tough for me to help others in that sense most of the time. I have found there are things I can do that are helpful to others, which is where my title, 'hair, blood and pull tabs' comes into play. These are all things I can donate that don't cost me much, but can make a world of difference in someone else's life.

I let my hair grow out to where 12 inches can be cut off, and then I get it cut by a professional who braids it, cuts the braid off and then gives the braid to me to send to Locks of Love for processing by volunteers. Locks of Love is a non-profit organization that collects hair to be made into hair pieces for kids up to age 21 who have lost their hair due to medical reasons. For more information about Locks of Love, their website is located at ... http://www.locksoflove.org

The next thing I donate which really only costs me about $3 depending on what the current bus fare is at the time, is to donate blood. For granted my A positive blood type is pretty common, but it is still of use and could mean the difference between life and death for up to three people each time I donate. I prefer to donate my blood through the American Red Cross, because they have a long track record of helping people. They have a great site where you can learn not only about donating blood, and what happens to your blood after you donate it. Their site is located at ... http://redcrossblood.org

Now for the pull tabs, I don't drink much in the way of canned pop, but I do have a hobby that allows me to collect them easily. I go out with my metal detector and find the pull tabs. Since they are pretty dirty when I find them this way, I clean them up as much as I possibly can, and then string them on a shoelace. When the lace is full I bag them up and take them to my local McDonalds restaurant where they are then sent off for recycling to help families with sick or injured kids through the Ronald McDonald House. You can learn more about Ronald McDonald House by visiting their site at .... http://www.ronaldmcdonaldhouse.org

The cost for me to make these donations is minimal compared to what the donations mean to someone else, and I guess that I would hope that folks reading this who may think they can't help others because they can't afford to donate money, may get some ideas on how they could impact someone else's life by donating hair, blood, and pull tabs. Maybe you have things you do already, that you could turn into a donation to help others. Keep your eyes peeled and opportunities will arise if you just watch for them, and something you take for granted like your hair for example could mean the world to a kid who has lost theirs due to a medical condition. Make someone's day and donate to the cause of your choice.