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Help From Home Newsletter - July 2010

Medium Experiment 4.1 - This online research questionnaire examines whether medium communication with those who have passed away is possible, and whether such communication can improve the psychological well-being of the bereaved. Claims to also give a free reading as well.

One Hen - Designed to teach kids about microfinance loans, but also allows them to play games that earn virtual beads which they can invest and turn into actual real money for loans to micro-entrepreneurs around the world – all for free.

K9 Rescue Knitting Club - The K9 Rescue Knitting Club knit dog coats or snoods, which are then sold to dog owners. 100% of the proceeds from the sale are then donated to various UK dog rescue centres. They're always after new volunteers to help them out as well as any spare wool.

Trash Cycle - Trash Cycle really is for recirculating your trash - the stuff nobody wants... or do they? Maybe somebody wants your yogurt cartons, aluminium cans, egg boxes or milk bottle tops etc. Maybe!

Help A Reporter Out - Journalists don't know everything and they rely on sources for their information. If you want to prevent the misunderstandings and distress caused when an incorrect fact is published, then help a reporter out with your knowledge.

SITES OMITTED

Spare A Minute

SiCKOCure

The Web Experiment List

swapXchange

Laserxchange

All sites omitted because they have either closed down or are no longer operational.

FEATURED VOLUNTEER ACTION

Nessie On The Net

The Loch Ness in Scotland is one of those places in the world where there has been an enduring interest in a lake monster called surprisingly, 'The Loch Ness Monster'. Loch Ness plunges to a depth of over 250m (750 feet) and the crushing pressure and pitch black water has made investigation by diving more or less impossible. Nevertheless, one or two submarines have paid a visit to the bottom but have failed to locate comprehensive proof of a large monster. Over the years hundreds of witnesses have come forward with tales of what they have seen in or around the loch. Classic evidence includes stories of upturned boats and serpent-like necks twisting up out of the water.

In response to the phenomenon around the monster, leading Loch Ness Monster researcher, Mikko Takala has set up a web cam so that you can keep a watch out for Nessie, as it is affectionately known, from anywhere in the world. If you spot anything anomalous there's a Snapshot button that records the image you've just seen. You can search the Archive for snapshots that other people have taken and there's even a link to the sounds of Nessie.

All in all, it's rather fun but there is a serious flipside to it as you could be responsible for spotting the monster and thus helping researchers with their investigations.

This action can be found here in the 'Webcam Watch' category

VOLUNTEER ACTIONS LISTED

'Do Good' = 215

'Green' = 193

Advocacy = 122

SITES OF INTEREST

Whitedot

Whitedot is an international campaign against the watching of television. It argues that you can do and achieve so much more with your time if you weren't watching telly. It also argues that TV is bad for kids and for democracy. Read their arguments to see where they're coming from.

Cut It Out

Cut It Out is a program dedicated to mobilizing salon professionals and others to fight the epidemic of domestic abuse in communities across the United States. Cut It Out builds awareness of domestic abuse and trains salon professionals to recognize warning signs and safely refer clients to local resources.

CHARITY GAMES

Play a game and a donation goes to charity at no cost to you.

Charitii

For every puzzle answered correctly, they donate to charity 10 ounces of clean drinking water or 10 grains of wheat or 10 minutes of education or save 10 square inches of rainforest land. You select the charity they donate to.

10 SECOND FREE DONATION

Click the link below to take you to a webpage that generates cash donations to the Surrey Wildlife Fund - all at no cost to you. Just click on the 'Click here to donate for free' button.