First, let me announce the winners of yesterday’s Movits! contest:
Next, today we’re going to be getting the word out about another great organization, and offering a huge pile of swag to the lucky winners.
Prizes today courtesy of IAVA.org
The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America organization, with Executive Director and Founder Paul Rieckhoff, is the nation’s first and largest group dedicated to the Troops and Veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the civilian supporters of those Troops and Veterans. The organization offers news and support for veterans, and opportunities to volunteer and make a difference for civilians and veterans of other wars. Paul has been on the ‘Colbert Report’ twice (5/3/2006 and 5/5/2009), most recently to encourage people to join his organization and to get the word out about what IAVA does for veterans.
After posting some information about the contest he was holding to make Stephen an honorary member of IAVA, I was contacted by Paul himself, thanking me for getting the word out about his organization. He said he’d like to send me some goodies, and like an honest blogger who discloses such gifts, I said, sure. When I opened the box, I found a pile of t-shirts, notepads, military coins, hats, magnets, and other goodies. There was way too much for just me, so I’ll be giving it away to the Zoners for helping to get that vote count up to over 17,000 new members of IAVA.
Today, we’re going to have three winners, who will win the following:
- One (1) package containing a hat (S), polo (M), T-shirt (M) and miscellaneous swag
- Two (2) packages containing a T-shirt (XL) and miscellaneous swag
Three total winners, with all kinds of little goodies. To enter this contest, post a comment in this blog post answering this question:
In what ways has being a member of the Colbert Nation helped you give back to your community?
I’ve never seen a fandom who is so moved to support so many causes as the Colbert Nation. Let’s remind everyone about our charitable side. Have you become a member of IAVA to support the vets? Maybe given to a Donors Choose classroom? Do you wear your WristSTRONG bracelet in support of wrist awareness and the Yellow Ribbon Fund? Discuss the ways you’ve helped your community by supporting causes of Stephen Colbert in the comments!
Remember, use your real e-mail in the contact form, as that is how I’ll get a hold of you to get your e-mail to send the swag.
Again, admin here, so this doesn’t count as a contest entry, but I seriously love this contest question. :)
My charitable impulses prior to the Report were always pretty unfocused; I’d get something through the office email or I’d remember to call in during one of the NPR pledge drives, etc., but I didn’t necessarily get excited by the organizations I was hearing about.
What I love about the things I’ve heard about through The Report is that it’s so easy to find something to be passionate about. I love that Stephen’s involvement (or even casual association with) various organizations and issues can help spread the word about them. I like reading the other testimonials on the First Book site, for one example. Or consider the “Stephanie Colburtle” affair; it was a fun part of the show/fandom, but it really did help showcase a cool but under-publicized scientific endeavor.
More personally, I hopped over to IAVA after one of Mr. Reickhoff’s appearances on the show, and I’m genuinely interested in the updates I get periodically in my email; it’s hard not to consider veterans’ affairs a priority, given this country’s too-enthusiastic attitude about war. I also registered with Global Zero after Queen Noor’s interview with Stephen; a quieter organization overall, but still a very worthy one. And I’ve donated enough to DonorsChoose this year that I’ve had to stop going over there on a daily basis, as I truly can’t afford to donate more at this time, but it’s impossible for me not to be impressed by some of the projects I see when I’m there.
All in all, I like to think that I’ve helped my regional and/or global communities in lots of small ways as a result of things I heard or learned more about through this fun little fandom.
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again YAY I WON I WON I WON!
Since I won the last one I won’t make an entry for this one.many thanks.But it’s Viviane not Vivanne LOL
Once again thanks.
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Well, I’ll enter the contest. :-)
I became a member of IAVA after seeing Paul Rieckoff on the Report and I have donated more than once to both the YRF and DonorsChoose. Those were two charities the Report brought to my attention. I believe in giving/doing what I can for the greater good and I’m happy to see Stephen and the Report highlight so many worthwhile organizations.
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OK, I’ll post as I’d love some of this swag:
I donate through DonorsChoose. I don’t have much, but I make a donation to something once a month. Books in schools is my thing.
I wear my WristStrong bracelet all the time. Many people here in the UK don’t know what it is, and when they ask, I start out by telling them the part where it raises money for the Yellow Ribbon fund (and who they are).
The Royal British Legion are the UK veterans charity. They’re the guys behind the Poppy Appeal. For the past couple of years I’ve managed to get every single member of staff in the nightclub where I work to wear a poppy on their uniform. Trust me when I tell you that getting such a group of socially-unaware kids to do this wasn’t easy.
I too am a supporter of IAVA. Again, it’s not much, but, you know…
I don’t do much locally when it comes to politics, other than pushing the ‘anything-but’ position on the British National Party (wiki them if you need to know why… the first 12 words will tell you all you need).
I think the thing I’m most proud of in that area then is the US election. I can’t vote, I’m not allowed to donate to political campaigns, so there’s not much I can do. I was in New York for the election (I was lucky enough to be in the studio on election night), so after a friend of mine also in town had said about doing it, I found the campaign NY headquarters and volunteered. I spent all morning of election day calling voters in Florida, telling them where their local polling station is… When I left that building the sense of pride that washed over me was over-whelming.
OK, after all that bragging I feel dirty. People who know me know I don’t like to talk myself up. But it’ll be worth it if I win :blush:
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Just as a quick question – how long is this contest open for? :)
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Someone once said “A life not lived for others is a life not lived.” I think Stephen has definitely used his prominence to push for worthy causes and who knows what else he does behind the scenes.
I’ve donated to DonorsChoose.org, signed up as an IAVA member and bid on Stephen’s sweater last year for charity:)I feel like I’m forgetting something, but I feel that I need to be more charitable! I don’t make a lot of money, but I could still do better in giving!
Also, may I just say how nice of Paul Rieckhoff to send DB all of these items!
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I became a volunteer for IAVA after seeing Mr. Rieckhoff on the Report. I haven’t been called to do anything yet, so I would definitely like to win swag to spread the word about this great organization.
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I don’t know if the contest is still open, but I just wanted to post. I have given to DonorsChoose.org, first after Stephen made us all aware of it (and what a great board member he is) but then later on when I’d read a reference to it and find other projects that interested me. He deserves so much credit for that! I also have given to Feeding America, I know Stephen donated Colbert Christmas royalties to them(and I bought the album from Itunes) but I also give to them because they are such a great cause and so needed right now.
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