Monday, April 30, 2007

CoolPeopleCare.org

By Bobby Hankinson

We admit it: We cross the street to avoid Greenpeace. We can’t afford to adopt needy children. And sometimes, we forget to turn out the lights when we’re not home.

It’s not that we don’t want to save the world, it’s just that we don’t really have the money and we certainly don’t have the time.
But if ‘‘American Idol’’ can give back, maybe we can, too. Lucky for us, CoolPeopleCare.org is making it easier to give a hoot.

Every weekday the site adds a short piece, ‘‘Five Minutes of Caring,’’ that provides ways to do good in five minutes or less. The short articles are full of tips and links to learn more.

There’s also a section for those with ‘‘More time on your hands.’’ These stories from users are easy to translate into your own life with ‘‘ingredients’’ lists, ‘‘caring time,’’ cost, and results included.

CoolPeopleCare.org, which began in Nashville, recently reached out to Boston, and the site is a hub of local volunteer events searchable by date, category, and time commitment. The organization partners with groups such as the Massachusetts-based Neighbors for Neighbors and Off Your Back Shirts.

Sam Davidson, cofounder and president of CoolPeopleCare, said the site plans to expand to 50 cities this summer. There’s also a book due in the fall called ‘‘New Day Revolution,’’ which details how to lend a hand throughout the day.

It turns out maybe we do have time to give back. And unlike ‘‘Idol,’’ we don’t even need Ryan Seacrest to make it happen.

Posted by Katie Johnston Chase at 06:43 PM

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