Long Beach Giving Project

I was nominated and chosen to be one of the "givers" in this upcoming project.
I have $500 to make as many Long Beach residents lives better.
I would love to get some of my readers ideas on what to do and who to help.
But we need to be quick, I really only have 10 days left to do it!

Below are all the details for this project. (stolen from Justin's page)

Thanks you guys!

-Samuel™


THE LONG BEACH GIVING PROJECT
hosted by Justin Rudd


INSPIRED BY OPRAH AND IDOL
Rudd's "Long Beach Giving Project" Will Give Away Thousands by May 10

OVER THE NEXT few weeks, Justin Rudd and his nonprofit 501c3 Community Action Team (C.A.T.) are looking to help people in need in the Long Beach area with their "LONG BEACH GIVING PROJECT." Inspired by Oprah's "Big Give" and "Idol Gives Back," Rudd says thousands of dollars in goods and services will be given locally to those who need it most.

Giving Long Beach at least $8,500.

WHERE DOES THE MONEY COME FROM?
Funds for the program are made possible, in part, by the successes of Rudd's Long Beach Turkey Trot and the Haute Dog Easter Parade charity events. Other funds will come from local philanthropists whose wealth ranges from meager to millions.

........
I AM A FIRM BELIEVER in the collective power of individuals joined in a spirit of goodwill and generous giving to bring about the success of a community.
Justin Rudd!
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KNOW A NEED?
In addition to individuals identified by the C.A.T. leadership team, project organizers are seeking input from community members who are aware of a person or family with a need that could be met for under $100.

WHAT NEEDS ARE WORTHY?
Every need is worthy. Maybe you know a student who can't afford tickets to the prom; or a mom who needs help buying formula for her newborn; or a co-worker whose relative just passed and needs some assistance; or an elderly woman who can't afford bus fare to get to her doctor appointments; or a neighbor who needs help with the electric bill this month.

Although every request will not be able to be met, the Long Beach Giving Project will fulfill many, many wishes based on need, circumstance and urgency -- in amounts up to $100 per person/family.

NOMINATE A PERSON WITH A NEED
To nominate, send a brief email to Justin@JustinRudd.com outlining the circumstance, what is needed (remember: $100 limit per person/family), and how the individual can be contacted. When writing, please state if the person nominating wishes to remain anonymous.

There is no limit to the number of people anyone can submit, and nominations must be received by April 30.

WHEN WILL THE GIVING TAKE PLACE?
The Project's giving will take place now until the afternoon of Sat., May 10, 2008.

To donate to the Community Action Team's Long Beach Giving Project
contact Justin@JustinRudd.com. Donations to the Community Action Team are tax deductible.

HOW THE MONEY WILL BE GIVEN?
Justin Rudd and his 501c3 nonprofit Community Action Team (CAT) are giving $500 to 15 of their volunteers to give away to others in the Long Beach area in an approx. two-week time limit. In total, at least $8,500 will be given away by those volunteers who will become contestants and part of the "giving team." The contestant who does their giving best -- as determined by a panel of Long Beach's finest philanthropists -- will receive an extra $1,000 to give away.
WHO WILL DO THE GIVING?

Beth Barnes
Lisa Bland
Nancy Buchanan
Michael Day
Brad Gerow
Jenn Gonzales
Janet Higley
Samuel Lippke (see told you! I'm in this to win this!
Debi Miller
Ralph Millero
Amy Morin
April Rivas
Liliane Roy
Andy Vaca
Lisa Woodruff


RULES
- The giving should be done in the Long Beach area.
- No more than $100 can be given to any person.
- Cash, traveler's checks, gift cards and such cannot be given. Rather, contestants must make purchases for goods and/or services and then make presentations to recipients.
- No more than $100 can be given in one place.
- No more than $100 can be spent in any one place.
- Keep records and receipts of your giving.
- We encourage you to keep notes about your entire Long Beach Giving Project process, so you can refer to them when you present your project at the dinner.
- Each contestant must attend a dinner (Sat., May 10, 7-9:30; optional for you to bring one guest; we pay for the dinner for you and your guest) and informally present their giving to the judge's panel, and be willing to answer some questions from the judges.
- Contestants must agree to allow their name and giving stories to appear in the media and online. You may choose to only use a recipient's first name.
- Contestants will receive their $500 cash approx. April 20 - the night of the finale of Oprah's "Big Give" TV show.
- The giving is to humans only.
- The purpose of the project is to give, give responsibly and give with purpose.
- Any remaining cash not spent or given away must be given back to the organizers.
- Receipts must be presented at/before the dinner.
- Contestants are allowed to photograph or video tape recipients or their giving, but may not present that to the judges.
- The actual giving must be completed when the dinner begins.
- Each contestant may invite and bring one guest to the dinner. CAT pays for dinner. Please RSVP with your guest's name at least three days before the dinner.
- Dinner/presentation will last 2 1/2 hours.
- You can involve others (i.e. co-workers, friends, family) in your giving projects, but you are the giver. We want you to do the shopping, buying, giving.
- You may not supplement the $500 giving. (i.e. you cannot give an extra $25 of your own money on top of your $100 giving from CAT)
- We do encourage you to spend/give all $500.
- We do not encourage you to try to fundraise above the $500 we give you.
- We do not encourage you to solicit or give products or services beyond the $500 we give you.- You have the option to go through a few names/needs that have been sent in by public nominations. We are seeking nominations from the community of folks who are in need of a good or service. Contact Justin to see the nominations that have come in.
- The judges' decision will place an additional $1,000 in the hands of the winner, to be spent or given any way the winner pleases.
- Judging is based on: leadership, accomplishments, creativity, presentation of your giving to those in need, and resources to generate the most powerful and sensational ways to make real differences to those in the Long Beach area.