Orange County Charities: "Let's Make a Better Day"

I relate well to music. I always look for the deeper meaning in songs and find that many inspire me. Today, I was listening to Tyrone Wells' recent release, Metal and Wood, and found such a great message of helping others and teaching our children to do the same. Tyrone Wells is a soulful vocalist and songwriter and writes many songs that inspire including this one. He's also from Orange County, California. There are many charities in Orange County that are in great need, especially now with the tough economic times affecting them. Spotlighted here are several that are seeking charitable volunteers and donations.

Take all the Metal and Wood / Used in the waging of the war / And teach the men that make those weapons / To build shelter for the poor

Habitat for Humanity of Orange County has a mission to find or build homes so that everyone has a decent place to live. Numerous projects (146 since 1988) have been completed in Orange County and many more are on the way. One ambitious charitable project, located in San Juan Capistrano, will provide homes for 27 military families. Dubbed "Habitat for Heroes and Foundations for Families," this charitable project is the first in the charity's history to earmark specific homes for active, retired, disabled and surviving military families. The Orange County homes will be completed in September 2010.

Habitat for Humanity of Orange County
2200 S. Ritchey St.
Santa Ana, CA 92705
(714) 434-6200

Take all the money we spend / On the way that we appear / Find the ones that die of hunger / And help them see another year

Working to banish hunger in Orange County, Second Harvest Food Bank Orange County diligently works to provide food to those in need in Orange County. The organization works with 450 local charities (church pantries, senior centers, homeless shelters and more) to provide food for 220,000 individuals a month. Second Harvest solicits donations, is active in fund raising and works directly with grocery stores and food manufacturers to acquire surplus foods to further the cause. Every dollar donated to Second Harvest provides three meals.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County
8014 Marine Way
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 653-2900

Before we fade away / Let's make a better day / This world will keep on turning / After we are gone... long gone.

There was a forest I loved / Where the air was fresh and clean / We took the forest for a factory / So we could build some more machines

The vision of the OC Parks is to preserve Orange County's parks and natural resources so that they can be used for education, recreation as well as inspiration. Parks, trails, beaches and nature preserves make up over 40,000 acres of open space in Orange County. There are many ways to help preserve these areas by becoming a charitable volunteer for OC Parks through the Adopt-A-Park program. Some of these duties include: clean up days, invasive plant removal, planting trees, habitat restoration and more.

OC Parks Volunteer Services
Adopt-A-Park Program
1770 N Broadway
Santa Ana, CA 92706-92606

When I was young I learned to sing / And music blossomed in my soul / We took the music from the schools / And left the darkest, gaping holes.

Where will our children be? / If they don't learn to see? / Millions of voices falling silent til' they're gone

One of the more disappointing things for me was when they began eliminating music and art from public schools. Many do not realize the importance that music and art have in conjunction with core subjects. In Orange County, two school districts were recognized as being one of the "Best Communities for Music Education" in the nation. Those school districts were Irvine Unified and Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified. These distinctions came as part of the NAAM Foundation's "National Wanna Play Music Week" encouraging everyone to experience music firsthand. Even though these two school districts received such distinguished recognition, many other Orange County school districts are cutting arts and music programs completely due to budgetary reasons. It may seem this cause is bigger than you, but every person has a voice and that voice should be heard. The NAAM Foundation has an extremely helpful website to help guide you in making your cause known, click here for more information.

When we were young / All the world was new / But soon we found / The childhood fairytales were never true

And how the story ends / Depends on you / And me / Where will our children be? / If they don't learn to see? / Millions of voices falling silent til they're gone...

These are just a handful of worthy Orange County charities that need your help and charitable donations. Be an example to your children, let them see you volunteer and you will be giving them a great example of how to help the world around them.

Before we fade away / Let's make a better day / This world will keep on turning / After we are gone / After you are gone. / After I am gone... long gone - Tyrone Wells, Metal and Wood ©2010 lyrics reprinted with permission.

Sources:
www.tyronewells.com
www.habitatoc.org
www.nammfoundation.org
www.feedoc.org
www.ocparks.com