eBay’s give-a-toy stores

Starting last Friday and for the next month, shoppers in New York City and San Francisco can use their mobile phones to purchase toys for children in need at two new interactive storefronts presented by eBay and Toys for Tots. The initiative conceived and produced by advertising agency Venables Bell & Partners features interactive displays created by international production company and design studio Brand New School (BNS) and its School of Interactive Media.

As reported by TheInspirationRoom.com, all web-connected shoppers can experience the Give-A-Toy Store and make donations online by visiting www.eBay.com/GiveAToyStore and www.Facebook.com/eBay.

A day of ceremonial gratefulness

I’m not sure of its exact origin, but I’m indebted to ESPN SportsCenter star Stuart Scott for introducing me to this phrase: “Clear eyes, full heart, can’t lose.” Tomorrow (Nov. 24) is Thanksgiving Day here in America, and on the occasion, I am feeling deeply grateful.

Like many other entrepreneurs in America and elsewhere, I find a great deal to be thankful for in my occupation. Writing for OnStartups.com, Dharmesh Shah has posted an excellent short article today entitled “12 Things Entrepreneurs Should Be Thankful For,” which I encourage everyone to read.

Among the story’s growing list of comments, here are a few of my favorites.

. Sean Rosensteel: “I’m thankful for the small (but meaningful) windows of freedom you experience while being an entrepreneur and blazing your own trail.”

. Kathy: “I’m thankful for the folks I’ve met that are willing to help me out, even though the returns for them will be a couple more years down the road!”

. Artin Youssefian: “It’s nice to stop and be thankful once in a while. It reminds us all about why we started down this path to begin with. I’m thankful for everyone that has come before me and being able to stand on the shoulders of giants.”

. Chris Wachowiak: “Another reason I’m thankful for being an Entrepreneur: Giving me the ability to be the change I want to see in the world around me.”

I hope you also have lots to be thankful for today and in every day to follow. With clear eyes and full hearts, together, I believe we can achieve anything, and that optimism is just one of the many blessings I am counting today.

Honor military veterans

Tomorrow is Veteran’s Day here in America, and it’s a day of honor and celebration that has its roots in “the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month” of 1918, when Germany signed the Armistice to end World War I. I have written before about what this day means to me personally, and since America’s businesses are made up of its citizens, it’s natural that our esteem for our military veterans is the inspiration for the explosion of related cause-marketing campaigns detailed this week by Stuart Elliott of The New York Times.

Although my military service was during the relatively peaceful era of 1985 to 1990, it still was not all that easy. I know firsthand about the dread of boot camp, and the difficulty of enduring even basic training… but to me, my motivation was clear: I wanted to serve my country. Through those experiences and others, I came to have ultimate respect for those who have gone far beyond “basic training” to become the Marines, the SEALS, and other elite members of our special forces… whose bravery and daily commitments are seemingly made of granite. It is nearly impossible to duly honor them and express the appreciation they deserve.

Below, I am very proud to share the touching personal message I received from my cousin, whose son will graduate today as a Navy SEAL. Throughout the ordeal of her son, we received updates of the harrowing experiences — one after the other — that this young man, and others like him, were willingly facing in order to serve our country. He was literally knocked back time and again, and each time, he stepped back up with even more determination; he never gave up, and today, his dream of being one of America’s finest and best trained specialists is a reality. And like everyone who wears a military uniform, ultimately, he did all of this to serve us.

As you read this and otherwise participate in Veterans Day in your chosen ways, please think of those young people who have dedicated their lives to the military, and consider reaching out somehow to let them know you appreciate them. Also, I invite you to learn more about the Wounded Warriors Project, and consider making a donation. Thank you! Read more

Thoughts for food

Blog Action Day occurs every October, uniting the world’s bloggers in posting about the same issue on the same day to spark global discussions and drive collective actions. For 2011 it coincides with World Food Day to focus on FOOD.

If you’re interested in ideas about eating locally, I’m with you. Courtesy of my friends at HighCountryLocalFirst.org, check out the top ten reasons to buy local food listed below.

I also invite you to join me in sending a “click” to www.hungersite.com, where simple mouseclicks benefit vital causes each and every day… and provide real food to the hungry.

The above video introduces a new TV show entitled Food Forward. You can visit Food Forward on Kickstarter.com to learn more about this bold initiative exploring alternatives to current industrial food systems. Those behind it include “food rebels who are fundamentally changing the way we eat…” a vanguard of innovators including educators, scientists, farmers and chefs across America.

Finally, if you haven’t already done so, strongly consider joining Jamie Oliver’s food revolution! Read more

Sisters and brothers should all think Pink…

Breast cancer is a devastating disease that affects about one in eight women during their lives, and can also impact and end the lives of men, as all my close friends and family-members are sadly aware. My father-in-law, the late great William Kiefert, died at the age of 65 due to cancer that began as breast cancer. This month, individuals, communities and organizations across North America are trying to raise awareness, encourage regular mammograms to increase the likelihood of life-saving early detection, and collect funds to escalate the battle against breast cancer.

Good works from Thornberg & Forester

Ever since DreamWorks Animation and Conservation International commissioned the principals of award-winning design and production company Thornberg & Forester (T&F) to create a special feature PSA for the DVD release of Kung Fu Panda back in 2008, the NYC-based group has kept on applying its diverse talents to the needs of worthwhile nonprofit and non-governmental organizations and environmental causes. Videos from those projects now appear on T&F’s Good Works channel on Vimeo, and more project information is available at www.thornbergandforester.com.

International peace day

Today, September 21, is the International Day of Peace, as declared by the General Assembly of the United Nations more than 30 years ago. It is devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace within and among all nations and peoples. For more information, please visit this link.

More reasons to love San Francisco

Courtesy of Ad Age: Attend the Ad Age Digital West Conference on Tuesday, September 20

Ready for 24 hours of climate reality?

I wrote a few weeks ago about Nobel Laureate and former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and The Climate Reality Project. Guided by the knowledge that the climate crisis is real and we know how to solve it, more than 5 million members and supporters worldwide are about to launch their campaign to bring climate crisis facts into the mainstream, with the goal of engaging the public in conversations about real solutions. As recently reported by Morgan Clendaniel for Fast Company, the project’s 24 Hours of Reality event is sending clear signals:

Please visit climaterealityproject.org and consider joining the fight.

9/11/01 to 9/11/11 and beyond

Those of us who experienced the events of September 11, 2001, will never forget them, nor the stories, images and thoughts that permanently changed our world that day. Looking around, it’s easy to see that the struggles that began with this new era ten years ago continue. I’m proud to share the tribute film above created by my friend H. Scott Bayer, and I invite you to click on the image below (“Untitled (Andrea)” copyright 2001 by Tim Barber) to read a story from SPREAD | ArtCulture detailing three current exhibits in the city commemorating those events.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, please also visit the website for ONE: The Event and consider participating wherever you are in the “Moment of Love” they have proposed for 9/11 in the spirit of Making The Shift to Love and Unity.