MUSICIANS PETER BUFFETT AND AKON RAISE AWARENESS
FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING WITH WEBSITE RE-LAUNCH

IsThereSomethingICanDo.com Re-Launches To Draw Attention To Worldwide Social Issues

DALLAS (March 24, 2009) – YourCause.com, announced today that it would power IsThereSomethingICanDo.com, a joint, cause-focused venture between musicians Peter Buffett and Akon. Celebrated with the release of the duo’s anti-slavery song collaboration, “Blood Into Gold,” the website will re-launch on March 25. 

IsThereSomethingICanDo.com will address worldwide social issues, feature various charities, and offer new music downloads and live news with revolving subject matter. Spotlighting human trafficking during March and April, the site will feature NGO’s including: ...

On March 25th, in the UN General Assembly, a first of its kind cultural evening and concert entitled “Breaking the Silence, Beating the Drum” will form the centerpiece of the 2009 International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, with a chorus of celebrities and dignitaries representing the global community collectively celebrating the resilience of the human spirit and victory over adversity.

For the commemoration, the United Nations will hold a series of event...

They write:

The other day we received a fantastic comment from Duncan. He writes:

It all impacts the soul of the planet. We can all begin with the steps that are within our reach [...] It may begin with helping those in need to find hope. But it doesn’t end there. We need to work together to turn hope into action. [...] We can do what’s right with the resources we have available - could be time, could be money, could be as simple as consuming only what we actually need. It’s all connected.

I think the idea of “the soul of t...

Hello! Recently, a friend of mine has been involved with Dream for Darfur, working with celebrities, actors and artists calling attention to the current crisis in Darfur. Particularly during the Olympics, when we come together in good faith and sportsmanship, we must not lose sight of those less fortunate than us, which in this case is only putting it mildly. The suffering that is ongoing is heartbreaking and as a global community, we have a responsibility to respond. They are broadcasting everyday during the Olympics from refugee camps in Darfur, hosting what they’re calling the “Darfur Olympics.” The hope is of course for the Darfur Olympics to inspire action and end the genocide. Below, famous words:

When the Nazis came for the communists, I remained silent;
I was not a communist.

When they locked up the social democrats, I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.

When they came for the trade unionists, I did not speak out;
...

Recently, we received a wonderful email from an 8th grader in California, Jennifer Sekar. She has founded a non-profit called A Day Of Rest (ADOR) to stop pollution. She writes:

[The] goal of ADOR is to get 1 million people with cars to take rest and Not Drive on OCTOBER 4, 2008 (SATURDAY). 1 Million cars off the road will prevent 10,000 Tons of Carbon Dioxide emission in just one day.

There are 700 million cars worldwide emitting 2.8 billion tons of carbon dioxide. 1 million cars emit 10,000 tons of carbon dioxide each day.

ADOR is collecting pledges, at the web site at http://www.adayofrest.org/pledge.html, not for money, but for a promise to rest and not drive for one day.

I am seeking your support in promoting ADOR’s effort to make an impact on the environment and reaching out to a million people worldwide

...

Ricken Patel from Avaaz checked in. He’s the Executive Director and if you haven’t checked it out yet, please do! They are doing some powerful work - it’s what will make parts (all…) of this world a true democracy, I think. People’s voices - real time - being heard.

Here’s something Ricken would like us all to know about:

Oh and if I could recommend another participant organization, one of the issues we’re working on right now is victims of the violence in Zimbabwe. There are some brave, effective, very small budget human rights organizations there that could really use some help.

Send us some links!

A while back I saw a commercial for a powder created by Pur through Proctor & Gamble that sterilizes water. The powder can be added to any contaminated, dirty water and will settle dirt and bacteria at the bottom. The water can then be poured through a cloth to further strain contaminants and thus creating clean drinking water. Procter & Gamble have partnered with a non-profit to specifically help those in Kenya, which you can learn about at their website: Children’s Safe Drinking Water. This wonderful innovation speaks to so many issues: clean drinking water leads to better health, larger crop yields, more food, and less hunger. I hope some of you enjoy this link and take the opportunity to find out more about ways to help this great project!

Recently, Peter was excited to spend a few minutes on the Fox Business Network show “Happy Hour,” as well as hear from Billboard magazine this week. So please keep an eye out for those.

Someone on our website commented on the growth of giving. Like any decision we make to change in our lives, it helps to start small and continue steadily instead of being overwhelmed by the thought of something so big we don’t know where to begin. This idea is really what cuts to the heart of our mission; they write:

...

It can be frustrating to see national attention and aid being directed towards poverty around the world, when as a country we have citizens fighting and struggling with their own battles right in our own backyard. A helping hand doesn’t have to extend across an ocean - it can be just as important to reach around the corner. You can connect locally or globally. I’ve found that the key is finding good organizations that have the kind of leadership that really understands the needs of the people their trying to reach - no matter where the need is. Some places we support are Volunteer Match and Youth Noise. Let us know of other places you've had great success with!