Du Soleil indicated in the CBS story that while collecting bras might seem like an unusual cause, it’s a real need for women in tough circumstances that often doesn’t get filled. “When you’re from a low-income family and a decent bra starts at maybe $20, it is not a priority,” he says in the CBS story.

While the name of the group, Support 1000, was invented out of du Soleil’s intention to collect 1,000 bras, CBS indicates that he has in fact collected and distributed nearly 3,000 new and barely used bras so far. He has worked with a variety of organizations including local Chicago group Southwest Chicago PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter).

He indicates that there was a time when he was concerned that people might find the project odd, but he got over it – women’s dignity was more important.

The work of Support 1000 has previously been written about in a wide range of different media outlets, including a feature story in the Chicago Tribune.

It may just be a fleeting moment in your life, but it could make an incredible difference in the lives of women, girls, and communities!

Here are 3 opportunities to support One By One:

#1 Vote for One By One on One By One’s Chase Community Giving page.

We’ve been nominated for the Chase Community Giving Campaign. If One By One places within the top 200 charities, we win $20,000!  Please help us continue to make a significant difference in the lives of women and girls and vote* for One By One!

*(for those of you who are unfamiliar with Facebook, voting instructions are at the bottom of this email)

#2 Write a short review of One By One on Great Non-Profits 2010 Health Campaign

Please help OBO participate in the campaign by posting a review of your experience with us. With your help, we can gain greater visibility in the community, and potentially win $5,000!

**Be sure to choose “2010 Health Campaign” from the drop-down list of campaigns when posting your review.

To fill out a review, go to www.greatnonprofits.org/reviews/one-by-one_100777829

All reviews will be visible to potential donors and volunteers. We know this takes a couple minutes of your time, but we need at least 10 reviews to qualify for the contest.  We hope you value our work enough to write a quick review and help us gain the chance to win $5,000!

#3 Tell your friends to vote and write reviews by passing on the links!

*IF VOTING ON THE CHASE PAGE GIVES YOU ANY PROBLEMS, PLEASE USE THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS:

1. You must first have a Facebook account.

(Most browsers work, but problems have been found using Safari and Chrome.)
2. Go to One By One’s Chase Community Giving page.
3. Click on the “Get started to vote” button in the top right.
4. Click “Allow” to install the facebook app
5. IMPORTANT: Follow instructions in the pop-up to “Like” Chase Community Giving (most people forget this)
6. Click the “Vote now” button in the top-right until you see it replaced with the “Share with friends” button (and the vote count should increase).

Scratch and Feed Earth Now are seeking funding to expand the operation through an on-line store, education programs and equipment for producing large supplies of compost for schools and businesses. You can vote for Feed Earth Now here at the ‘Create Your Opportunity’ Contest which is giving a $50,000 prize to the project that gets the most votes.  The contest page also contains video of Scratch explaining the project.

More information is also available at the Feed Earth Now site.

It was recently reported that Fordham, a prominent private university with three campuses in and around New York City, now offers its faculty health benefits package for couples to all couples, including those who are gay or unmarried. Various professors at Fordham expressed approval of the decision, which was the culmination of a 4-year struggle for this form of benefits equality. The benefits package will be modeled after that in use at the University of San Francisco.

Launched with his Rotary Club, the project has achieved much more than Abelaf ever intended – to date, 42 mayors have declared such a day, including the mayors of Oakland and San Jose. One other result that was achieved was that everyone from the Rotary Clubs who participated in the project became aware of and proud of the Rotary clubs’ work in eliminating Polio, which is Abelaf’s ultimate goal.

The Facebook Group, which currently boasts 170 members, shows features on a wide variety of pet-related topics, with news stories, videos and pictures of dogs available for adoption. Visit Take me Home on Facebook.

The trip, which is taking place from June 26 – July 3, needs volunteers, over the counter medications and other medical equipment. This expedition will be working with local medical professionals and volunteers to give general physicals and eye and dental exams. Go to the Causes for Change site for more information/to go get involved.

Over the last 14 years since the organization was founded in 1996, Causes for Change has conducted dozens of difference making trips, to do everything from providing supplies to training firefighters to partnering with local medical organizations.

The website, Coaching for Bros, is promoted as being established by life coaches for dealing with the unique challenges faced by hispanic males, and how those challenges can be turned into opportunities for personal growth. It contains in-depth sections on building character, independent living, receiving criticism, communication in the work place, and much more. Visit Coaching for Bros today!

My special recommendation this month is Anita Kasonkomona; She has created an extraordinary event which I attended recently on women’s menstruation “The wild Genie: The healing power of menstruation” She brought together 5 wonderful women facilitators who enriched 30 women in understanding their menstrual cycle in the most revolutionary way. I felt soft, flowing and enlightened by the profound and ancient wisdom provided in this workshop and would highly recommend Anita’s forthcoming events to all women. The Mantra of the day was ‘ Lift the Curse’.

It appears that proceeds from the event went to the “Freedom for Girls” projects in India, which provides hygiene education and sanitary towels to girls in India.

Roper, a music teacher, organized the day to connect those who could benefit from music’s healing power with local musicians who might not have an outlet for their talent.

“Live music can be a wonderful way to bring people together and lift their spirits, especially right after the holidays,” explains Roper. “And with the wealth of local talent eager to perform, it’s a win-win combination for all.”

Musicians perfored at Heritage in Framingham, Cabot Park Village in Newton, and the Clark House in Westwood, as well as a few other venues.