If challenges turn you guys off my request doesn't stand a chance, but what the heck! I'm giving it a try anyway, in the hopes of earning that care box for the worldwalker in my life. Do I really need to say ours is a very long-distance far-from-perfect relationship? Then again, I can't really think of anyone else who deserves, and will appreciate, that box the most. (my parents still get my phone calls) But this person is one day
sleeping on his tent in a small town and the next hiking a mountain, and because he refuses to become a slave of cellphones we don't really talk a lot.
-bare with me, I'm almost done-
Once in a blue moon he comes to his parents' home in Miami, that will happen in May, so he will get the box if you mail it there, after that who knows where he'll go.
If neither the entricacies nor the romantic tone of our love convinces you
perhaps the fact that it was He -whose name I do not speak of- who introduced me to your magazine will.
If that's the case say "macaroni" just kidding, here's my list

-1 small and light pen (for he's always writing postcards and letters)

-stamps (for the see-above reasons)

-red shoelaces (for he had recently decided to introduce color to his 'shoedrove' when he found himself going through a pond of mud and the red shoelaces he had bought came out, well...far from red...they never recovered the color)

-you know that postcard of a naked John Lennon and Yoko embracing, her hair all spread on the floor? He loves it...I do too, so why dont you please two readers instead of one? It's a offer you can't refuse!

-1 chocolate chip cookie (he's diabetic so he only gets one you hear me?! One!)

-dry nuts

-a Fandango gift card (sometimes between buses, hotels and flights he catches a movie)
-one pearl earring (without the girl)

-if there's any item/accessory (such as a tie, socks, handkerchief, hat) you can find that reads "old man" include that too (i like to tease him, he's 12 years older than me)

-and finally, a copy of your most current issue of course.

Thanks.
(if there's any empty space left in that box make that two chocolate chip cookies, he deserves it after all)

Posted on April 11, 2007 — by Gretchen

0 comments

I don't know if this will qualify, but when I had finished reading your zine, all I could think of was my mom. She is overworked (2 jobs, one entrepreneurial and one as a secretary part time for an investment firm, not to mention keeping up with my 16 year old sister) and is the only income in our family right now because my stepfather is in prison on what we all think is a rather erroneous charge. All she has time for is work, paying the bills, and writing letters to/visiting my stepdad. Sure, she catches a movie once and a while, or comes to visit me at school, but she is almost always exhausted.

I think if she were to get a care package, it would be composed of these things:

-a roll of stamps for mailing letters to my stepdad
-a box of chocolate turtles
-a roll of quarters for her visits
-a quantity of calla lily seeds (or bulbs, i don't know how this particular flower works, or even if these are an expensive request. if they are, feel free to leave them out)
-a copy of the current issue of GOOD so that she can read Chains Of Love. ^_^

thank you guys so much if you end up doing this,
Tawny

Posted on April 11, 2007 — by aliceinreality

1 comment

This is such a cool and unique idea for your magazine to take on!

How about we honor some of the people who do GOOD every day by volunteering in their communities with homeless shelter animals? I am attaching the wishlist of our local animal shelter and I know they would be thankful for ANYTHING on the list. I can't wait to read all about the care packages you select & send in a future issue!

www.whatcomhumane.org/php/index.php?help_wishlist

Posted on April 12, 2007 — by Misty

1 comment

When I saw the notice of this project I immediately thought of Mme. Lucette and the 25 kids that took part in the lunch program that I started as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Madagascar. Alison, The current volunteer is trying to keep the lunch program going, but a recent string of destructive cyclones has made it tough for anyone to help anyone else out. Mme. Lucette is a gutsy woman in her early 30's who, in addition to caring for her own children and step children, has generously donated her time, energy and home to providing lunch 5 days a week to 25 kids who may not get another full meal.

The ideal care package would include: small luxuries for Lucette such as nail polish, nice smelling soaps and uniball pens (she works as a secretary and loved my american pens)

items for the kids such as toothbrushes, notebooks, pencils and art supplies

Items for the community library such as childrens books, french-english dictionaries, books in French, maps,and those double-sided adhesive foam squares for mounting posters on the wall (they are the only thing that seem to stick to dirt walls).

I am sure the current volunteer would also appreciate some words of encouragement, a copy of Good, some snickers bars and a trashy novel.

If anyone wants to support the lunch program by contributing to the rice purchasing fund, please let me know!

Lucette's address is:

Mme. Lucette RAZANDELINA
c/o Alison Mickiewicz, PCV
BP 29
Station Alaotra, 503
Madagascar
East Africa

Posted on April 12, 2007 — by cunites

0 comments

Package contents:

- Myoplex
- Old Spice
- Skoal tin

Dennis Kucinich
2445 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-3510

Posted on April 13, 2007 — by supplypants

2 comments

Package contents:

- GOOD issues 001 and 002
- Canon PowerShot SD Digital ELPH
- Letter of recommendation
- illy Medium Grind/Medium Roast coffee
- Gee's Bend Quilts booklet of 20 self-adhesive postal stamps
- RollandHITECH 80 lbs. 8 1/2 x 11 bright white paper
- Honest and courageous simplicity
- $40,000

Beth Lundell
Rafael Vinoly Architects PC
500 16th Street
San Francisco CA 94158

Posted on April 14, 2007 — by bethisnice

0 comments

Every one’s posts look promising. The animal shelters will get my vote every time… As for my wish, I need a moment to think. Its 9:20 on a Friday evening and I’ve been at my PC all day. I’m too tired to be witty and clever. A brief kitchen break brought me back to my screen to log in a code from an empty green capped soy carton. It is by chance that I have stumbled upon this site and I’m hoping that my eco Karma will allow a package with my chosen contents to be sent to someone or something I feel is deserving. What power. It reminds me of an old episode from the Twilight Zone, the one where they feature a box with a button that grants enormous fortune. The catch is than when someone presses the button a stranger dies. The drama ends with the current victim pushing the button only to find that after receiving the cash the box is given away to someone else who must decide whether they will succumb to greed.
It’s now 9:37. My vote is to
randomly “pay it forward” and send the St. Mary's Family Respite Center a donation of baby food, toddler toys and books. Their mission is to provide relief to HIV-affected families with children.Relief from HIV? They need all the help they can get.

http://www.stmarysrespite.org

It’s now 9:51. Good Night all...

Posted on April 20, 2007 — by Boasafa

0 comments

I'm 25, and have one high school friend who I still exchange birthday presents with. But this year I was out of the country for her birthday, and when I got back I had a long to-do list, and my friend's birthday just hasn't yet made the cut. It was almost a month ago-not long enough to be gloss over, but long enough that it's clearly LATE. A standard present and a "Happy belated birthday" card feels steril, but I haven't come up with an alternative. This would be perfect! AND, she would jump at joining the GOOD Magazine bandwagon. You'd have a new lifelong subcriber for sure; this would be the perfect introduction for her. Here's my list of suggestions:

-white chocolate anything (she hate chocolate)
-funky wine glasses
-postcards and stamps (her boyfriend is moving far away shortly)
-NY Fire Department paraphernalia (she is designing a training tool for hazmat situations that the NYFD is currently using, and as a result is their biggest fan)

Posted on April 21, 2007 — by molly0822

0 comments

Not to get *too* heavy, but...

Recipients:
Children detained at the Hutto "Family Residential Facility" in Taylor, Texas.

More background is available on the ACLU web site.

It's unclear to me from the reports on this how many children may still be detained, but maybe a general care package for any future cases would also be helpful.

Books (English and Spanish)
Toys
Paper and pens/markers/crayons
Etc.

Thanks,

Posted on April 21, 2007 — by gregrmurphy

0 comments

My best friend has taken on an amazing feat for the summer. From the day of her students' graduation (she is a high school teacher) to the day before she has to report back to school for the fall, Shelby will be the nature director at a summer camp for children with disabilities. These exceptional children work to raise and care for animals with disabilities. A predeparture care package full of GOODies needed to make this summer incredible for both her and her campers would be a perfect match for this project. The following items would be perfect for her care package:
- A bottle of SPF 30 waterproof sunscreen
- A few purple bandanas
- A book on Arizona plants and wildlife
- A camelback water pack
- An FM transmitter for her iPod for the long drives to and from Arizona (this is only on the wishlist... everything else would be wonderful!)
- Animal stickers to share with her campers for the summer
- A container of cheeseballs
- Size 6 women's hiking boots

Let's help Shelby make this summer special for her campers!

Contact annie.hoffman@gmail.com for more information.

Posted on April 22, 2007 — by texannie

0 comments

Please send a care package to my wife as soon as possible. Without complaint she has been caring for our mostly non-verbal autistic son Blake for almost eight years now. Okay, the "without complaint" part isn't exactly true, she's only human after all. In addition to working part time, my wife Robin finds time to volunteer at Blake's school, shuttle him from therapy to therapy, feed his persnickity appetite, care for him when he's sick, and advocate on his behalf. She even manages to clean up around here once in awhile. Please include he following items in the care package:

Personal Chef
Personal Driver
Stylist/Shopper
House Cleaning Services
Tropical Island Vacation
Eight Hours of Sleep (in a row)
Mind Reading Abilities
And a Cure for Autism

Thanks,

Chuck LaVoie

Posted on April 23, 2007 — by Chuck

0 comments

My grandmother is in an assisted living home...I try to visit every day...tell her a story or two..but then I have to tend to my very busy life. My grandmother shares a room with another grandmother who gets NO visitors and can not talk or move. My grandmother talks to her...tells her stories all the time but she is running out of stories to tell. If you would make a box for her perhaps the following would be helpful:
Audio books (en Espanol por favor)
The Planet Earth, Earth DVD's
An ipod to store ALL of her music
A box of Dates and a Gardeners Hat so she can enjoy a sunny afternoon here in Santa Ana!!!
Thank you!!! I love GOOD!!!

Posted on April 24, 2007 — by SolArt

0 comments

I recently moved to Topsham, Maine and found that this town has hands down the kindest local library staff I've ever encountered. They make the local library a fun, interactive, welcoming place for readers of all ages. Public libraries can be such a force of GOOD in our world, supporting literacy, giving kids and adults access to all kinds of information and opportunities to learn. I'd like to the Topsham Public Library a care package of appreciation. I would send:

-a subscription to GOOD for the library
-a certificate of appreciation
-a pinata to celebrate all their hard work...library-themed or shaped like a book or card catalog(?) would be cool, but the regular old donkey or sun will do just fine

Topsham Public Library
25 Foreside Road
Topsham, Maine 04086

Posted on April 25, 2007 — by josephine

0 comments

What where your favorite toys when you were a kid? Try to remember the most simple ones that you had the most fun with. Playdough, a jumprope, jacks? Did you play an instrument? The guitar, flute, drums perhaps? If you are reading this it is safe to say that as a child you had your share of fun and at least a handful of toys. You didn't think about where you were going to sleep at night or where your next meal would come from or if it would come at all? I hope that someone took care of you and showed you affection. My heart goes out to those children who aren't so fortunate and live on the streets all over the world, but more specifically those of the streets in Bolivia. I have seen their sad eyes, torn and dirty clothes, numbed hearts. I know, too, that to many people they are invisible and some wish they actually were because they see them as a nuance. 1 out 1100 children in Bolivia live on the streets, day and night, sleeping in sewars, tree branches, wherever they can. Thanks to Dr. Chi Huang, a doctor from Harvard Medical School, many of these children are leaving the streets, getting an education and most importantly, recuperating their dignity and human rights. The title of this email is the title of the book written by Dr. Huang about the Bolivian Street Children. Please send them a box with things that tell them that we do see them. That they deserve to be seen and to sing, laugh, learn, play and be loved. Check out the website www.bolivianstreetchildren.org for more info. They need many things so almost anything that goes in the box will be welcomed.
Here's my list of what to include in their box. If you read this and think of anything else that can go along, please add it and please know that just like you when you were a child, these children deserve to be seen.

crayons, coloring books, jumpropes, soccer ball, basketball, volleyball, dolls, playdough, cotton, q-tips, t-shirts all sizes and most of all TLC, lots of it!!!!

The Foundation has offices here in the United States:
Bolivian Street Children Project
PO Box 990579
Boston, MA 02199

or if you want to send it directly to Bolivia, the address is:
Fundacion Bernabe
Casilla 3-34985 SM
La Paz, Bolivia

Just, PLEASE, send it! Thank you, thank you. For all the children I thank you!

Posted on April 26, 2007 — by marcelcita

0 comments

I read about this project and immediately thought about a good friend of mine who is currently teaching in Guyana. It is great to hear her stories. I teach kind of pampered students, so I love telling them her stories like the first day she helped open the school and the students were all there working to get the school open...clearing the brush with machetes and working to clean and get the school ready (and these are middle school age students). She has been there for a while and absolutely deserves a care package so it would be wonderful if you could help out!!

Here is what I would like to add...

A copy of GOOD magazine
Fruity gummie candies like gummie bears or licorice
A motivating book for teachers or possibly a book with advice for dealing with adolescents
A book about adjusting to culture shock when returning from time abroad (if one exists)
A headset/microphone for the computer to be able to use skype
Stickers, pencils, and other fun school supplies for the kids

Thanks for thinking of this project!!

I am not sure how you contact people for the boxes you send, but if you send me an email at lilybeth77@gmail.com I can give you the address.

Thanks!! And wonderful magazine by the way!

Posted on April 26, 2007 — by lilybeth

0 comments

My boyfriend and I are both 28, and have been working our way through school. We had a wonderful year here together in Seattle, but now he's in Kentucky and I will soon be in Pennsylvania so we can pursue our PhD's in our respective programs.

He took the Greyhound to Kentucky, lives in an apartment that is less than clean/ideal/safe?, sleeps on an air mattress, and has no pots/pans or dishes. He's working 12 hour shifts driving a cab at night, and that doesn't leave much time for anything beyond working and sleeping.

He has seen me through so much, including tutoring me on my math for my GREs, picking me up when I worked until midnight, being a shoulder to cry on, and getting me through graduate school applications and interviews.

I'd be so grateful if you considered sending him some things that could make his house more of a home:

- a pot for cooking
- a skillet
- some dishes and glasses
- and maybe even an inexpensive microwave

Thanks for thinking of him. He's a good man, he's working like crazy to make his life what he wants it to be, and we're both lonely and missing each other.

Posted on April 29, 2007 — by cadyms

0 comments

I am a fan of 60 Minutes, and watch it often. But I'm finding that every time I see Mrs. Stahl do an interview she's wearing the same earrings. She has several versions of the same style in different colors. They jangle about so they're distracting and really dull looking and unflattering.

Could you pick out a few new pairs in blue, green and red for the seasoned professional who doesn't have time for this type of non-sense.

Thanks,

Phyllis

Posted on April 29, 2007 — by blicit

0 comments

I’m a college student in Los Angeles. Though I went to high school in Hawaii, my mother’s change in jobs recently sent my parents back to Tucson, Arizona. We lived in Tucson from 1996-2000 and though my father loves the mountain biking, he hates the heat. Also I think he’s a little angry about having to leave Maui, I wonder why? As I stated before I go to college (I’m broke) but I really want to cheer up a man who has always been there for me (whether it meant buying me a cheap bike so I would stop bugging him for rides at age 8 or giving me the hymlic maneuver as I choked on a gobstopper when I was 14).
Dad
White Prince O3 tennis racket
He has become a real tennis enthusiast. He has been taking lessons, I think a big factor is he wants to get competitive matches with me again. He told me recently that he tried out this racket and thinks it gives him more spin and power.
Mountain biking socks and some colorful Patagonia shorts
Tucson’s not always 110 degrees and among my friend’s these are my dad’s trademarks. He could defiantly use a new pair of Patagonia’s (he has had the same purple and green pair for as long as I can remember).
Barack Obama’s “The Audacity of Hope”
My father is one of the most politically cynical people I have ever met. His homepage is the Huffington Post and he frequently considers buying a TV and cable just so he can watch Wimbledon and Stephen Colbert. I’ve been to two Barrack speeches recently and I think my dad would love his liberal charisma.
‘Dire Straights’ and ‘The Counting Crows’ Sheet Music
My dad loves to play the guitar. He picked it up around 10 years ago. However I am getting pretty tired of some of the songs he is always playing (If I have to hear “Mustang sally” one more time I won’t be responsible for my actions). I know that my mom, dad and I love both these bands so my dad can continue his hobby while actually pleasing an audience.
Age of Empires 3: The Warchiefs Expansion
I sort of got my dad hooked on Age of Empires 2 a few years back. He is now way better than me. I got him to go halvsies with me on AOE3 and I think he would really dig this expansion. Plus he is going to need to be able to have another excuse to stay inside his air conditioned office over the upcoming summer.
Noise canceling headphones
My family loves to travel. My mother and I can’t stay awake on a plane ride while my dad can’t even get comfortable. He had some of these headphone before but he lost them. Do this one for me, if he can get some sleep he is not nearly as irritable when we land.

Posted on April 29, 2007 — by Milosh

1 comment

Circle K International (CKI) is a co-educational service, leadership development, and friendship organization, organized and sponsored by a Kiwanis club on a college or university campus. It aims to provide service to the local and world communities and is located in over 15 nations in North and South America, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, and West Africa. The Virginia Tech CKI club is one such club who contributes hundreds of hours of community service each year.

Virginia Tech was the location of the worst ever shooting in recent United States history, clearly the worst such event on a college or university campus in recent years. This club lost one of their own, Ryan "Stack" Clark, an RA at the residence where the first shooting happened. He was a model CKI member, who was well known throughout CKI and who contributed much of his time to helping everyone in the community around him. Each member of this club was affected by the shooting, classes interrupted, friends and professors lost, and the sense of security ruptured.

I firmly believe that the club deserves a surprise in the mail to help encourage them to continue working to keep Ryan "Stack" Clark's memory alive and to help improve the campus and community around them. The motto of CKI is "Live to serve, love to serve" and with a bit more encouragement, I believe that this club can and will do far more to better the area and the world in the coming weeks and months.

This package should include:
- a donation to the memorial scholarship in honor of Ryan “Stack” Clark in form of a check payable to checks payable to “Capital District Kiwanis Foundation” sent to
Capital District Kiwanis Foundation
Ryan “Stack” Clark CKI Memorial Scholarship
1601 Charrington Drive
Midlothian, VA. 23113
- cards of love and hope for the club and campus
- cookies and other treats to help these students through exams
- a large teddy bear, because everyone needs a hug sometimes, and not everyone has someone around to hug
- red and orange ribbons to distribute to friends and loved ones
-A picture frame to remember Ryan "Stack" Clark with
-motivational music to keep on going during the tough times
-A scrapbook to keep all the memories alive
-several pairs of work gloves to protect hands during service projects
-hats or visors to keep the sun out of their eyes when they are doing good works
-gift certificates for an ice cream party to celebrate the end of the year with
-and many many smiles from all around the world.

The above package should be sent to:
Circle K
121 Squires Student Center
Blacksburg, VA 24061

Thank you from a Circle K member and far away Canadian.

Posted on April 30, 2007 — by AliKira

0 comments

A close friend of mine of twenty years is going back to school--law school, that is. She's studying employment law in order to keep the less fortunate from being screwed over. She's worked in Human Resources before for a restaurant chain and has seen firsthand how the busboys and servers can be taken advantage of. Having personally been screwed over in a minimum wage job, and seeing different friends and acquaintances go through similar situations makes me an even more staunch supporter of her.

I have hope that she's going to make a big difference. Meanwhile, she's spending 8-10 hours a day at the library in order to keep on top of everything, and she hasn't even gotten to her specific field since it's her first year. She's lost about 15 pounds because she's living off vending machine food. I'd like to send her a care package but I don't make very much .

Most of my care and support comes through phone calls and emails. But I think that a package would be just the thing to get her mind away from the stress (and my emails are just more reading). Some things that might help encourage her are:

1. a soothing eye mask for all that reading she does
2. a law school survival book (Law School Confidential?)
3. a plastic coin container for those vending machine goodies
4. A t-shirt that says "I'm getting my edumacation!" Don't know if it exists but it would be awesome if it did.
5. a copy of the current issue so she can see that other people give a damn.

It would be really great if you could send this because she's the first person I've met who is becoming a lawyer to make a difference, and is not in it for the money. Her heart is genuine.

Even if you don't pick this list, thanks for the work that you do. I enjoy reading your magazine every month because it challenges me to look at everything differently.

Melissa L.

Posted on April 30, 2007 — by Mal

0 comments

Hi Good, I would love for you to send a care package to my Mom. I am graduating from college in two weeks and simply could not have done it without her. It has been just the two of us since I was three years old, but she worked hard to make sure that I never missed out on anything, throughout my 4 years at school she has worked 2-3 jobs to make sure that I can take time off of my job to concentrate on school and my extracurricular activities. Unfortunately as a poor college student, I cant afford to thank her the way that I would like to, so if you would send her a box, this is what I would like it to include (things she wont spend money on for herself but that she truly deserves):

- MacGyver - Three Season Pack DVD's (Her fav TV show)
-Any audiobook by Dean Koontz or Harlan Kobon (she spends a lot of time in her car driving to and from work, and doesnt have time to sit down and read books)
-Tiffany Jazz™ necklace (the mothers day gift she deserves, but that I could never afford, she hasn't had a diamond since she sold her engagement ring for grocery money 20 years ago :/)
-Canon PowerShot SD800 IS 7.1MP Digital Elph Camera (She loves taking pictures, but is using an ancient camera)

please email me for the address (she would kill me if I ever put that info on a website for everyone to see!)
ayn.parrett@gmail.com

Thanks so much, this is such a lovely idea, even if you dont send a package to my mom:)

Posted on May 1, 2007 — by pparrett

0 comments

Three women have been working like stevadores for the last 16 months to create an organization for survivors of domestic violence. They've raised some money (a little), they've put together a 5 year plan, worked to make contacts with shelters and victims organizations. They want to help survivors get their power back by learning financial management, public speaking, leadership and entrepreneural skills. These women need a boost. How about care package with some chocolate, mint teas, coupons for a spa day and massage and some other personal renewal things so these ladies can reenergize and keep up the efforts to help domestic violence survivors? Their website is: www.healeverywhere.net

Posted on May 3, 2007 — by onemamma

0 comments

my best friend is the person I strive to be like. she does GOOD things in her everyday life and does it without a selfish thought. Her name is Emily and she really deserves a big THANK YOU from the world.

~she's currently a nursing major, she has gone on several community service trips to the dominican republic, haiti and other places, she is the most helpful person i've ever known and she's just full of love for mankind! (and animals and the planet)~

please send her the following items to let her know she's appreciated:
-a fun goodwill shirt
-a letter of appreciation from everyone in the world
-photos of people enjoying themselves
-a piece of jewelry from an old lady at a yard-sale or flea-market
-a sketchpad for her grand ideas
-a unique guitar pick
-a big hug or the idea of LOVE and PEACE

(emily chase
65 South Nelson Rd.
Sterling, MA 01564)

Posted on May 4, 2007 — by grazingpirate

0 comments

The long-time director of Temple Beth El Bakersfield's religious school is retiring as of May 20. We have been grappling over a fitting tribute. In the meantime a freak accident caused a sever in her achilles tendon. In addition to being very painful, it is quite inconvenient as she was to finish up the religious school year, her younger son has confirmation on 5/23 and her older son graduates from high school the following week. So what she needs is:

A certificate for a tree planted in Israel in her honor.

An actual tree for her to plant at the synagogue.

Assorted variety of plastic "unbreakable" bottles to avoid any recurrence of her "freak accident"

Whiskey for the pain.

Salve for the blisters she will get from her crutches.

Other ideas welcome!

Esther Brandon
c/o Temple Beth El
2906 Loma Linda Drive
Bakersfield, CA 93305

Thanks,
Laura

Posted on May 6, 2007 — by lwolfe

1 comment

John Lovejoy has been working like a machine for months now on a project to help Cambodian street children.
Lovejoy is trying to drive across the world, from Germany to Cambodia, in a plastic Trabant to raise $300,000.
See www.trabanttrek.org for details.
The sheer volume of work and effort needed to sort out such a trip is phenomenal, finding sponsors, creating a website, managing a publicity campaign, buying equipment, getting visas – the poor guy has been working crazy hours for months.
He gave up his job in Budapest to come back to the states and make the project happen. He’s been working day and night on it and surviving on a dwindling supply of funds.
Lovejoy is a great candidate for a care package – he needs the support as he pulls this epic project together, and he needs things for the trip like maps of central Asia, and a good drink.
Please send him: A bottle of scotch, detailed road maps of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Siberia and Mongolia, jumper cables, three walkie talkies and some long distance phone cards.

Posted on May 10, 2007 — by mrdanmurdoch

1 comment

My girlfriend takes the subway an hour each way every morning to teach English in the south Bronx because those are the kids that need the most help. The school's library is vastly under-stocked and in an extremely low-income neighborhood the parents often have little time or money to take their kids to the library or bookstore. She found a series of inexpensive, age and language-appropriate books written for young urban adolescents of color called The Bluford Series. She buys them with her own money for her students when she can, but there's a lot of kids in the school and a teacher living in NYC doesn't make much. I'd like GOOD to send her school a few boxes of Bluford books along with a stack of Good Magazine. She'd appreciate it, and the kids would appreciate it more.

The Bluford series (scroll down):

http://www.townsendpress.com/order/customer/home.php?cat=3

Rock!

Posted on May 11, 2007 — by danieldantastic

0 comments

first off, this is by far the best interactive idea i've seen on a blog site that actually requires a significant level of involvement from the party offering the "service." i've seen anonymous letter-writing sites, but then again give me someone's address and i could think of a million useless things to say (probably useless, anyway) to write to them in a letter. anyway...

this would be to the best friend i've had that i've probably spoken the least to not because i don't want to, but because i don't have to say a thing and she understands. we both come from similar backgrounds, but her birthday's coming up and although i don't have funds to get her anything good, this is the perfect opportunity for good to get her something good.

- a bunch of seeds. of flowers. or plants. she loves gardening. and growing stuff, but it's hilarious because her cats love to eat anything she tries to plant. this will only add to her frustration.
- a variety of candy. she has an insane sweettooth that i have yet to see anyone match - this literally covers the gamut from those christmas-y hard candies you used to get as a kid to chocolate truffles. she especially loves those lindt white chocolate truffle things. why? i don't know.
- lomograph fisheye camera. she's into photography. and she's good. really good.
- an ice cream maker!!! she force feeds me coconut sorbet everytime i see her, and she's crafty enough in the kitchen to where she could probably whip up her own stuff rather than paying the $3 for every pint she buys. and she buys a lot.
- a vespa lx150 in dark blue with a tan seat. she's wanted one of these for as long as i can remember now, but it's not like it's something i can ever afford to get her. she's losing her car this summer due to funds, so this is a good practical, environmentally friendly solution for her.
- a matching helmet. for obvious (i hope) reasons.
- one margherita neopolitan style pizza. i swear she can ingest those things. it's ridiculous.
- a roomba!!!!! she has two cats and though her place is clean, it's like a pet hair tumbleweed NIGHTMARE. it's like an old western....nothing's there, no one's around....just tumbleweeds. made of cat fur. it's disgusting.

so this is a weird mix of common and not-so-common things that hopefully can get delivered to her. hopefully some of the stuff she loves so much it downright pisses her off (like the candy) part, or just absolutely detests her with its underlying meaning (like the roomba). the vespa will make up for it, though.

yes, her name's with an "e," not "a" as everyone likes to think...her mom actually misspelled it when doing her birth paperwork (zero generation chinese), so it stuck. her parents didn't even name her, either! the doctor did.

kethy wang
1020 seneca st, #416
seattle, wa 98101

Posted on May 14, 2007 — by ilovegoodmag

0 comments

if anyone I know could use package right now, its my sister. She just had her first break-up (she's 19 in July) and not taking it very well. My family isn't real big into communicating verbally but gifts are always welcome.
One thing I know she wants is an iPod or some other mp3 device she can use with her car stereo system so that she doesn't have to pop her trunk and take out her CD changer everytime she wants to change CDs. That thing also skips with every little bump in the road and won't play CD-Rs.
A gift I've been wanting to get for her is the book "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" by Betty Edwards. She's studying art in college but still doesn't know the basics of contours. Community college.
I don't know what else.
Words of encouragment from some of the female staff members might do some good. My mom said she has noone to talk to about it.
I bet she'd dig the new Joanna Newsom album.

I wish I knew what she needs to spark some drive in her life. She's tried art, music, photography but nothing seems to stick.
If shes anything like me, and I think she is, what she needs is a new perspective that will liberate her from the Americanized image of her self and help her to appreciate everyday life.
So anything that you think might help with that would be great.
Maybe some plane tickets to Austin Texas so she can fly here and hang out with me.
Thanks for your time and for this amazing offer
take care
-Christian

Tess Sawyer
920 Duke of Suffolk Dr.
Virginia Beach, VA 23454

myspace.com/tessanne

Posted on May 15, 2007 — by sapplin

1 comment

My fiance recently opened a new business with his father. When that happened i saw less and less of him. I have tried on several occassions to plan something special, but he always seems to be too busy and needs to cancel. I think by recieving a package, it might make him touch base with reality. Work shouldn't entirely = LIFE. He needs time for himself. So i ask of you (if of course you choose me) for :
-Two neat dinner candles (I'll make something gourmet that night)
- Some kind of drum paraphenalia (He's very into music)
-Art pencils (we used to spend a lot of time doing portraits together)
-A big cut out heart (i'm horrible at poetry, so if you could conjeur something mushy up to write on it he would laugh)
-Something shiny
-Something sweet
-Something "rad"
-Carhartt's (for work)
Lots of neat stickers- for his drum set
-The latest issue of Good
-Some socks
-Mouth wash anddddddddddd
- Anything to do with X-Men.(Wolverine is his favorite har har har)

Thanks again :D - His address is
Ty Chypyha
1200 government ave.
Merritt, BC
V1k 1k6

Posted on May 15, 2007 — by kateykatez

0 comments

My boyfriend Alex Holt.
Manchester.

He has been training night and day to be a cheff for the past four years, findind all written work horrifically difficult as his sever dislexia he says will NOT hold him back.
About 2 years ago in the middle of his course his father got and died from bowel cancer, breaking his world. Then a year later his aunty got and also died from cancer, and the stress also was the death of his grandmother within the same week.

He is my hero being able to carry all of this on his shoulders, and still be there for his mother and sister, and then me.
I seriously don't know how he does it.
In his spare time if he ever has some, he is at home helping his mum in what ever she needs, and still has time to hold his college course and our relationship together.
I think he is one of the most beautiful people i have ever met, and one of the strongest.
He seems to trudge on and on and on, and i know there is much more behind that smile.
He definately deserves a package just to show hes being thought of and isnt as alone as he thinks he is.

- Canon PowerShot SD800 IS 7.1MP Digital Elph Camera because he loves photography, and always has a really naff one in his pocket for anything thatcatches his eye.
- A bunch of lowers for his mum, as he never has any money to make her smile and never shuts up about how much he would love to just do more little things for her.
- An actual rememberance for his dad, as i think this would mean so much to him
- a ticket to the next red hot chilli peppers gig. Were ever it is
- A plane ticket for were ever they are playing
- and a weeks holiday for him and whome ever he would want to take with no disurbances, and everything running perfectly for him.
- a perfect nights sleep.
- and a week off to sleep and relax
- an indian massage.
- A cupasoup hug. the blue fluffy one as it looks like the most comforting hug ever
- For his dad to have one last day with him.
- For all the hurt to go away even if it was only for a day.
- and a dime bar cake as he loves them!

Alex i love you. <3 forever.

Posted on May 15, 2007 — by Callymist

0 comments

My best friend of 16 years moved from (our) home in the south-eastern US, to London, England (Kingston upon Thames to be exact) early last year. We love each other through all of our similarities-- and differences-- only on some levels I wish we weren't so different.

Ashley is the world's greatest pen-pal. I recieve random postcards, letters, and packages in the mail from her, to both of our delight. However, I have only sent her ONE card since she has moved away. I'm ashamed of my procrastinating ways, and this oppurtunity with you guys at Good can maybe help me even out our far from equal "situation"!!

If my friend was selected to recieve a package from Good, I would like for her to recieve:

1. The book Post Secret by Frank Warren. She's an avid reader, and that's one she really wants.

2. Any non-perishable item from this list. As stated on her page, those are things she cannot buy in England, and really misses.

3. A pink umbrella, for those rainy days in London. She loves pink, hates rain. :)

She's always been a wonderful, generous friend to me. I would love to do something special for her. :)

Thank you for your time and consideration!

Sincerely, Ashley's best friend,
Wendy

Posted on May 15, 2007 — by aniste

0 comments

My best friend Quell means the world to me. She's 4'10", 18, going to stay around Austin for college, (she's going to UT in advertising- she figures she'll love psychology and art, right?), And has been someone that I care for in a way I cannot explain. It's not romance (I am male), but I really care about her like a sister I never had.

Though, she's quite beautiful, and I'm not just saying that.

This is how she describes herself in her own words:

"I am composed of contradictions.
I do not capitalize the word "i" unless it comes at the beginning of a sentence.
I am full of myself, but myself is insecurities.
My heritage as a Brazilian is my one great point of pride.
I am short. Very short.
I smell good.
I have an old soul but a youthful spirit.
I need God, and i will try my best to put him before you or anyone else.
I write, i sing, i dance, and i play. You will not hear or see any of this.
My smile is about the size of the Grand Canyon on steroids.
I do not think that is a good thing.
Correct spelling and grammar are important to me.
Those who will not express themselves correctly, intelligently and coherently have a hard time getting my respect.
I am sarcastic, subversive, and sweet as Häagen-Dazs.
In person, i am a shrinking violet.
I find beauty in just about everything.
I love flowers and happiness in nature, but hate it in artwork.
Yo soy quien yo soy, pero no siempre se que es esto. "

I'd love to give her the following:

-All/any of Sufjan Stevens' CD's
(She loves Indie music & Sufjan Stevens is high among them.)
-A Brazil Jersey Autographed by Ronaldhino
(She's fiercely Brazilian, and loves to play soccer whenever she gets to. It is her only point of unshakable pride.)
-A Nikon D70, or lesser but good camera.
(I know I'm shooting high, but I think the world of her. She loves photography, and has won a few competitions with her work. I have some of her first darkroom pieces hanging on my wall. She needs a real camera, and this would be awesome.)
-"The Pastel Book", by Bill Creevy+Talens Rembrandt Pastel Sets 45 Stick Portrait Set
(She loves painting in several mediums and has won competitions in many of them as well- she has done very little in pastel, however, and has expressed an serious interest in it. This would be a great, meaningful start)
-A shirt that say "I love Latin" on the front, and "I hate sarcasm" on the back.
(Hates Latin very much, loves sarcasm very much.)
-A Baby Taylor 3/4 guitar.
(She wants to play, but has a very shoddy one right now. She doesn't know how bad it is, but trust me- she needs a good one. It's 3/4 because she is a small person and would appreciate the small guitar. :)
-A pillow embroidered with "My friends love me."
(I'd like for her to be constantly reminded of this.)
-House shoes that are very comfortable and look like cute fuzzy dinosaur feet.
(Inside joke...)
-A half price books gift card
(huge reader)
-ESV, Thinline TruTone Bible (Charcoal, Crown Design, Red Letter)
-A deck of cards, with a note inside the box that reads "How to play Presidents:
1.Skip
2.Be skipped
3.Repeat"
-A lime green & orange lava lamp for the new place she'll be getting on campus. I don't know if one exists, so if a compromise must be made, orange is the predominant colour.
-A shirt that says "Frore is a lame word."
-The book "God Is No Fool", by Lois Cheney (VERY preferably an older copy in good condition, as opposed to the recent re-print.)
-The Album "Urban Hymns", by "The Verve"
(she loves the song "Bitter Sweet Symphony)
-One of the recent Thinkpad tablet PC's
(as a photographer, she uses lots of photoshop, so tablet PCs are the way to go [for things like vectoring it helps a lot]. And then, she just has an ancient tablet right now that has been broken and repaired a few times, like a leaky patched old wooden boat.)

That's a dream list that is made to have you include just a few of the things, I couldn't expect you to get everything. I'll be in infinite debt to you if you can do this, but I'm just a poor student/musician in limbo between high school and college this next semester.

If I don't travel, that is. Still figuring out life.

Thanks for doing this, regardless of me getting picked. It's a really GOOD thing, to have GOOD people working hard at being kind.

.kS

Posted on May 15, 2007 — by lackinglatin

0 comments

Dr. Tony Lazzara is the most selfless man I know. He started a home in Lima, Peru for children requiring medical care. He would not want anything for himself, but could use a carebox filled with the everyday necessities it takes to run his home. Items like soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste,diapers, socks, medical supplies, food, etc. You can visit his website at http://villalapazfoundation.org to see the amazing work that he does.

Posted on May 15, 2007 — by pmiller

0 comments

I have a friend who does not value herself. As a strong, independent woman, it pains me to watch her go from one loser boyfriend to the next. She is smart, funny, pretty, a great dancer, amazing with kids (she plans to be a teacher), and just a devoted friend. Her relationship decisions have shown me that my advice does not make a difference in her head, she doesn't think she deserves a great guy. She just broke up with a guy who is a prime example of a cheating loser. I tried to introduce her to a quality guy friend but in less than a month she was back with the loser in an "open relationship." She loves getting packages. She has a summer birthday and I would be so happy to know that she would smile a few times because of the package.
Some things to include...
-Anything Belle related (loves Beauty and the Beast)
-ketchup (she is a french fry and chicken nuggets kinda gal)
-"Release Your Inner B****" by Rose Stadler (to get her revved up)
-An Ani DiFranco cd
-An issue of BUST magazine
-A gift certificate to a sportswear store where she can buy new running sneakers (sometimes running helps her take the edge off when she's frustrated)
-A cute pair of earrings for when she dumps the loser and goes out on her first date with a new/better guy (read: real man)
Thanks a bunch!

Posted on May 15, 2007 — by FunkyFootwearFetish

0 comments

My friend Ceri has had a hard time making friends since she and her husband were transfered to VA. (Her husband is active duty military). Ceri is such a giving person. When I had a kidney infection and my husband was out to sea, she went to the store in the middle of the night to get me medicine to calm my stomach, a movie to keep me company, and a book of puzzles to entertain my brain.
Such a wonderful person deserves to feel loved everyday. I am moving this month and Ceri will be all alone again.
For Ceri, I would like to send:
1-A pen pal from anywhere in the world (she is studying diplomacy, so this would be fun).
2-A set of movie passes, so she can go out with a friend.
3-Pictures from people all over the world doing what they love to inspire her to be her best.
4-An opportunity to contribute to good magazine (she's a fantastic writer), so she feels connected to good works.
5-A plane ticket to San Jose, CA where her best friend and I will be living.
6-A funky picture frame that she can use to capture and surround herself with happy moments.
7-A bag of hershey kisses to let her know she is loved.
8-A good book on peace, because it is what she is passionate about.
9-Construction paper hearts with uplifting messages.
And lastly, an invite from a local good group interested in the environment, peace, etc. So she can make new friends who are interested in the same things she is.
Please send to:
Ms. Ceri Hall
600 Sabal Palm Lane #104
Chesapeake, VA 23320

Posted on May 18, 2007 — by ophiolite

1 comment

My friend Ryan and Hannah are quite poor, but that has nothing to do with why they should receive some love in the mail. They read stellar pieces of literature together like East of Eden and sew much of their own clothes. They are humble, well cultured and laid back. The most amazing thing about this couple though is how they always give bits joy away in seed form so it can later grow in other people. I have never seen two people care so little for money and yet actively care for those around them. I picture them as unsung working class heroes instilling joy in the lives of others. I want us to thank them by giving them some small things that will help them further enjoy life.

a Venus Fly Trap (from the grow your own packages in toy stores)
a box of jacks
a Kings of Convenience Vinyl ( they have a record player)
an underwater disposable camera
a box of stationary
two glasses of POM white peach tea
a package of temporary tattoos (cool ones with birds please)
political party animal stickers from your first issue

They will love this and your love will be passed on

Posted on May 21, 2007 — by prose

0 comments

My sister is a 23 year old graphic designer and she absolutely loves GOOD magazine. My sister has undergone 3 heart surgeries and recently her Pacemaker/defibrulator defibrulated her(shocked like on TV when they yell "clear!") 14 times while she was conscious. She lives in constant fear that she will be shocked again. She is in desperate need of some cheering up, and mail and your magazine are two of her favorite things. She would be thrilled if she received a package from GOOD magazine. You could include:
1. a copy of GOOD magazine
2. a letter from a penpal at GOOD magazine (she would love to have a designer penpal)
3. flower and vegetable seeds (she loves plants)
4. Some encouraging notes
5. A tom petty CD, a harmonica, and a and a copy of "The Velveen Rabbit" (I broke some of her stuff when I was little and haven't gotten around to replacing it yet...)

Please consider choosing her as a package recipient! It would really make her day.

Posted on May 26, 2007 — by carly

0 comments

I have an amazing friend who I love dearly, but don't show it enough! I have known Sarah since we were in kindergarten together (that's 20 years of friendship)! She has the biggest heart of anyone I know, to the point of understanding that I had to back out of being her maid-of-honor in her wedding because I will be persuing my dreams of being a Peace Corps Volunteer in Bulgaria and leaving a month before her wedding instead.
I want her to know that I love and think about her often even though we currently live in opposite sides of the country and will be even further apart shortly.
So, as to begin my list, I begin with a (1)video recorder. This way she will be able to record memorable parts of the next 29 months of her life, hoping to see it because I won't be there with her. Next, I will suggest a (2)box of macaroni and cheese, (3)chocolate milk mix, and a (4)container of mint chocolate chip ice cream. Something we would indulge on once a week in high school when we got home early.
May I also suggest filling her box (if you so decide to choose to send her one) with (5) a gift card for a massage because they are so wonderfully relaxing and she has a lot going on in her life...recently becoming a home owner, soon to be married, and a crazy job that doesn't appreciate her enough! And lastly, (6) a pen and paper so that she can write, as journalism was her major in college and I would love for her to follow her dreams in that profession...and maybe write me a letter or two while I am away!

Thank you GOOD! This is a wonderful project to take on and help people like me show the people like Sarah how much I care.

Posted on May 29, 2007 — by Nellie

0 comments

I would like to nominate my sister Meredith to receive a package. She's had a especially tough year. Let me tell you her story. After a divorce that left her as single mom of 3 boys, she picked herself up, trained, studied, and earned a spot as the *first* female firefighter in her town. She remarried a fellow firefighter with a heart of gold who helps raise her 3 boys. They have another son together, making 4 boys, three of whom are now teens.

Last year a wrist injury at work left her disabled. She was broken-hearted to discover she won't be able to continue doing the job she loves and worked so hard to acquire.

They've struggled the past year to support the family on one salary while waiting for her disability to get approved. While struggling with the legal bureaucracy and medical paperwork, their youngest son was diagnosed with a moderate/severe case of autism. He has severe speech & communication issues. Needless to say this past year has been enough to make her want to tear her hair out, never mind the strain on her marriage and the children.

What she needs:
-gas money to drive her son to his various therapy appointments (100 miles away)
-scented candles and bubble bath, She loves to soak in the tub.
-steaks to grill for dinner
-microwave popcorn - her favorite snack
-chocolate- Her favorite is from Rebecca Ruth (she likes milk chocolate with caramel, peanut butter, almonds, plain...not so much the fruity stuff)
-a rebuilt floor for the living room (That part of the house is literally sloping) or gift cards to Lowe's and they can do it themselves.
-Kroger gift card (Do you know how much 3 teenage boys can eat?!?! The twins are over 6 feet tall!)
-a Carribean vacation for the whole family (6 people!) She fears they will never get to go on vacation together again.
-spa day - She needs a professional haircut, color, facial and massage like no one else!
-large capacity washer and dryer
-movie tickets for a night out
-Pay off their accumulated credit card debt/mortgage/car. After a year on one salary, they really racked up the bills

Anyway, if I had any money that is what I would do for her. She is constantly on the move and her husband is working himself into the ground.

BTW, it's her birthday on June 2!! She'll be 36 and this would be the perfect present.

Posted on May 29, 2007 — by melmoore

0 comments

If the Project care packages are chosen every week, why are there still postings accepting votes from April?

Posted on June 2, 2007 — by Renigade

0 comments

The two women who work at Emerson College's office of Service Learning and Community Action, are amazing and its due to them I became introduced to Good, which I had only heard of before and thought about. I was able to attend the Idealist Conference in Chicago with their help and learn more about Good (and even pick up a Subscription). They work a lot and in a bureaucratic institution of higher education its these people who need to be recognized.
In the package I would send stuff for them to relax or have fun with, inspire social advocacy, and be able to hand out to students.

Relaxation Supplies
1 pair of harry potter-esque glasses
2. Poster of the ocean beach (since working in a high rise in Boston isn't too much fun).
3. Some Mr. Bubble Bath with relaxation written over it.
4. Some funkey computer Keys for when they are having a bad day http://www.computergear.com/funkeysetof8.html
Social Advocacy Supplies
1. Copies and or a Subsciption to Good Magazine
2. Any Books you have sitting around on organizations to help inspire students
3. Buttons from various orgs
3. Some good t-shirts, because you should make them and students love free stuff.

Address
Jen Greer and Heather Flynn
Office of Service Learning and Community Action
120 Boylston St
Boston, Ma
02116

Posted on June 5, 2007 — by Pancakepopple

0 comments

Nothing that will change the world- just a simple thank you to a few women who are!

To:
The Incredible Women of Media That Matters

Why:
They kicked ass with the 7th Annual Film Festival that supports media of social consequence- always needed!
and because they inspire me to work for what I love.

What:
A margarita each or gift certificate anywhere they are sold in NYC. (there are 3 ladies)

Where: Leah, Diana, and Ay @
104 West 14th Street
4th Floor
New York, NY
10011
tel: 646-230-6368

Thanks a ton!

Posted on June 9, 2007 — by sarahb

0 comments

For 7 months this past year I volunteered in Santiago, Chile with VEGlobal (Voluntarios de la Esperanza), a non-profit group that brings love, caring and tons of fun programs to underprivileged kids in local community centers, children's shelters and orphanages. Working with girls between the ages of 9 and 20 is difficult in any country but try doing it another language! Although these girls put on convincing facades, they had been through terrible ordeals: rape, abuse, and neglect to name a few. Getting them to even talk to the new gringa (more of a term of endearment in Chile) was a difficult hurdle. Some of the girls bore so much anger and resentment that some of my efforts to reach out were met with comments like "why don't you go and die!" Eventually, their true and caring natures shined through and I was called Tia Marion with affection and respect rather than spite. Together we learned art, took fun excursions to museums and the beach, or just hung out, listening to their favorite reggaeton bands or talking about the latest episode of the telenovela, La Tormenta!

Just as I was beginning to feel a part of their family it was time to leave. And it wasn't just me leaving; the director and some of the staff were leaving due to personal reasons while VE volunteers like myself come and go every 6 to 12 months. I didn't want to become another person turning my back on them. So I continue doing administrative work for VE from home and I maintain contact with them through Skype and constant postcards and notes. Now I know that Lore has a new boyfriend and that Isa is doing better in school. This package, then, full of games, art supplies and other goodies unavailable to them, would be another reminder to the girls at Residencia EntreTodas that I will never forget them; that I will always care; that I will always be their Tia Marion.

Please send to:
VE Global (for Residencia EntreTodas)
Carabineros de Chile #33
Dept. 42
Santiago Centro, Chile

-large beading kit (preferably with some letter beads so they can spell their names, fun beads, string, hemp, barrels, earring hooks)
-two long jump ropes (so they can finally learn to double dutch properly)
-fun stickers for art class
-bags of individual candies for prizes in the volunteer-taught English workshops
-a good English-Spanish dictionary for their English homework (their dictionary is circa 1952 and has no cover)
-the newest Daddy Yankee album
-30 fun and/or sparkly chapsticks/lip gloss for each girl
-8 nice scarves for the hardworking and underpaid staff who will work through the winter without a heated office.
-a bar of Cadbury chocolate to my fellow volunteer and chocolate lover Ben who is still there working
-digital cameras so they can participate in the Ojos Nuevos photo project (to see photos taken by other VE institutions for this project, go to: http://flickr.com/photos/alucinora/sets/72157594454968865
-and: any markers, scissors, glitter, art books/coloring books, decks of cards, board games, Rebelde/Orlando Bloom/My Chemical Romance/Shakira/ Metallica posters that would fit
Please check out www.ve-global.org for more information about their work. THANK YOU FOR CARING!

Posted on June 15, 2007 — by