Community Actions/Charity

[Kaylara]

Ok, here's my question...

What kind of things would you like to see pagan groups in your area doing? (IE. Charities, soup kitchens, beach and road clean ups, blood drives, etc, etc, etc...)

What is your feeling on Pagans being actively involved in the community at large, and would you join/be active in/support pagan groups that would do specific community oriented programs?

[Kaylara]

*crickets*

[BrigidMoon]

My area? I have no idea because I don't belong to a group in my area. I know MW has done a several things. Any more information to share?

[Kaylara]

It doesn't have to be an existing group. What I mean is, what kinds of thing would you like to be available near you?

[WandererInGray]

I know some of the Pagan organizations in CO had a community closet type of thing going, but it was hard to keep going from the sounds of it.

I would love to see organizations that donate both time and money to local charities. (as well as national/international)

Blood Drives
Christmas Toy Drives
Adult Care Facility Visits
Children's Hospital Visits

I would also love to see local Pagan groups get more politically involved. Even though we have a separation of church and state in this country, it doesn't stop more mainstream religions from being politically active. If we want our views and beliefs (whatever they are) to be heard, we have to start being seen as more than just a "fringe" religion.

[jaiden]

I've got to say, we have a really wonderful group in my neck of the woods - they not only support Pagan charities/causes, they do much for the community in general. They even sponser a homeless shelter (non-pagan/denominational), and trade items the shelter needs for raffle tickets at every event. They participate in a local church's crop walk, too. This is something I would like to see done by more pagan groups across the country. What better way to change negative stereotypes than to work with groups of other faiths to build bridges between the communities??

jaiden
Dum spiro, spero

[BrigidMoon]

It doesn't have to be an existing group. What I mean is, what kinds of thing would you like to be available near you?

Good question. I think a bowl-a-thon would be fun. Not sure what types of rituals could be used in order to raise money for a good cause.

[Teresa]

I would like to see soup kitchens and food banks and toy drives,shelters for battered women, More child advocates that are pagan.

[Regulus]

I'm in the very early stages of starting a Pagan group on campus where I am, centered on awareness through service. I would like to mobilize the pagan students here in town that go to my college (though I wont turn anyone away who wants to help) and get them connected to organizations that are in need of volunteers. Still in the planning stages but within a week or two I intend to go to the head of student activities and begin the paperwork, which I'm told is rather easy.

[WynterWynd]

Our group here adopted a stretch of highway. I'd like to see them do a food drive and some similair charity work.

[Cinnamon Girl]

There is the Pagan Aid Network (http://paganaid.unlc.biz/) although they are either just starting up or not very active.

I would definitely support community outreach programs. One of the things we're planning for next year's RI PPD is to have people from different community orgs present, have a blood drive at the event, etc. To me, that's part of what pagan pride day is all about, reaching out and showing ourselves as part of society, not on the outside of it.

[Aine of the Fae]

Blood drives
Soup kitchen
Food pantry
Clothes closet
Adopt-a-highway
Adopt-a-family-for-the-holidays
Prison work
Women's shelter work
Hospital/hospice work
Networking events
Volunteer work at various charities (like Red Cross and such)
Interfaith work
Community outreach
Housing assistance for lower income peoples

Basically all those things that Christian churches do.

When I'm better I'm starting a temple and that's just some of the stuff I plan on doing. (When you're sick you've got LOTS of time to think about the important stuff :D And people are the important stuff :D )

[Suzette]

I'm solitary, but my local shoppe (which changed hands) used to have various events for the Pagan community, including open rituals. They would ask for all attending to bring a donation whether monetary or goods for our local runaway shelter Children of the Night and Best Friends animal rescue.

I personally volunteer for many organizations such as Childhelp USA, The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation, Pet Orphans Fund, my neighborhood senior center, and others.

So if you can't find or agree on something as a group, pick something you are interested in and volunteer yourself. I laugh when I tell friends, "Kids, old people and animals," LOL... You'll feel really good when you wake-up in the morning :)