Plans For the Rest of the Summer

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How much time do you have left before school starts up again? What do you want to do before that dreaded day? Has anyone done anything really exciting this summer? How about more mudane activities? Do you ever make a list of things to get done before the end of summer and have you ever accomplished everything on it?

Share your replies with us by leaving a comment.

P.S. In an earlier post I encouraged everyone to donate some food to their local causes. Now with the start of school upon us and back-to-school shopping in session, please consider picking up some extra school supplies to donate. One way to do this is by going to http://www.staplesgivebackpack.com/. By joining, a dollar will be donated on your behalf. Don't forget to join the Facebook group; there is a link to it on the page.

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Advocacy Makes a Difference in Nike Case

Advocacy and volunteering is a big thing amongst college students, and has been at least since the 1960s. Organizations such as Student United Way, Amnesty International, and Circle K give students more opportunities to volunteer, write letters, and protest. It also insures that its mambers are well aware of what is going on in their country and around the world.

A rally at my school protesting the rising cost of tuition

Because of all of the efforts put into noble causes, its always rewarding to see those efforts make a difference. Universities and an Organization called United States Against Sweatshops put enough pressure on Nike that they finally agreed to pay severance costs as well as health insurance for a year to 1800 workers in Honduras who worked for Nike's subcontractors. They will also give them priority hiring.

You can read the whole artilce here.

Let's get some discussion going here. Are you involved in any advocacy at your school? What kind of causes do you feel are most important? Also, share one of your favorite stories about a protest or volunteering of some kind.

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• Nike Compensates Laid-Off Honduran Factory Workers (time.com)
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Also Read:

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  How Volunteering Can Take You Places
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  Volunteering in the Off Season

Food in the Summer

Lot's of low-income children rely on the free or reduced cost lunches (and breakfasts) for their nutrition. And during the summer, they aren't getting that. Many programs, such as Energy Express, help make up the difference, as well as food banks. Unfortunately, due to the economy, they are suffering. Please take the time to go to this site and find a local food bank to donate to. Just think about what some of your favorite foods were as a kid (macaroni, T.V. dinners, soup, etc) and donate it.

One of my pet peeves is how easy it is to donate to worthy causes during Christmas and Thanksgiving but it is much more difficult during other parts of the year, even though it is no less needed.

Going on Free Trips

It may sound crazy, but there will be quite a few chances to travel while you are in college, at no cost to you, especially if you are willing to get your hands dirty while you're at it. Many schools offer alternative spring breaks. For example, my school once took interested students to Nashville, TN to volunteer with homeless organizations.

Other campuses groups, such as greek organizations and Student government, send their members to annual conventions. I personally have been to Chattanooga, TN, Philidelphia, and North Carolina for activities conferences, and in a couple of days I am going Birminghan, AL for a sorority convention.

These chances are once in a lifetime. You will not get to have this much fun on a free trip after college, so take advantage of it while you can.