Monday, November 25, 2013

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

Hello, 
If you haven't been on Google today, or maybe you just didnt notice a small white ribbon beneath the search bar. This ribbon stands for a cause that is very dear to my heart. 


ORANGE DAY
In July last year the Secretary-General’s UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign proclaimed every 25th of the month as Orange Day. Initiated and led by the UNiTE campaign Global Youth Network, worldwide activities implemented on this day by UN country offices and civil society organizations strive to highlight issues relevant to preventing and ending violence against women and girls, not only once a year, on 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women), but every month.
Under the heading ‘Safe Spaces for Women and Girls’, this year the UNiTE campaign is focusing its Orange Day activities on highlighting recommendations of the agreed conclusions of the 57th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW57) which took place in March this year. In April, UNiTE focused on ‘Safe Work Places for Women and Girls’, in May, ‘Safe Homes for Women and Girls’ while in June, Orange Day coincided with the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture (June 26th) and the campaign focused on‘State Custody and Care as Safe Spaces’ . In July it drew attention to ‘Cyber Space as Safe Space for Women and Girls’ while the theme for August was Sexual Violence against Women and Girls in Conflict’. Ahead of the International Day of the Girl Child (October 11th), the theme in September was ‘Safe Schools for Girls’ and on October 25 the UNiTE campaign highlighted‘Safe Public Spaces for Women and Girls’.
25 November is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. From 25 November to 10 December, the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence, we want your help in a huge global action to ‘Orange the World in 16 Days’. Raise awareness about violence against women and girls. Engage your community, local or national government, members of law enforcement or judiciary, young people and the media. Share your actions with us by posting images and messages on our Facebook wall and your Twitter using the hashtag #orangeurworld. Find out more about how you can participage and orange your world!  
 For further information about Orange Day, please contact Anna Alaszewski, UNiTE Campaign Coordinator, anna.alaszewski@unwomen.org and visit http://saynotoviolence.org/16days2013


So today I am challenging you to go orange and do all that you can to help end domestic violence against women
6 Days of Activism against Gender Violence is an international campaign that began in 1991. From 25 November, the International Day of Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December, International Human Rights Day, the campaign calls on individuals and groups around the world to act to end all forms of violence against women and girls.

Orange the World in 16 Days!

The UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign has proclaimed 25th of every month as “Orange Day” – a day to take action to raise awareness and prevent violence against women and girls. Activists from around the world, governments and UN partners have organized Orange Day actions calling for safety from violence at homes, schools, work places and public spaces.
From 25 November to 10 December, we want your help to make these actions bigger, bolder, and global. We want to Orange the World in 16 Days.
This year, 16 Days of Activism is even more special for Say NO – UNiTE as it marks our next step to build our biggest momentum yet, exclusively on social media. We are counting on you to raise a tsunami of actions on the online platforms you like best. You can count on us to amplify them on social media.

And here is what you can do!
Raise awareness about violence against women and girls. Engage your community, local or national government, members of law enforcement or judiciary, young people and the media. Did you know that governments of 60 countries have announced national commitments to end violence against women and girls? Is your government among them, and have the commitments translated into action? What needs to be done to stop violence against women and girls in your community? Here are some event ideas from us. Share your actions with us by posting images and messages on our Facebook wall and your Twitter using the hashtag #orangeurworld.
  • Organize a panel event in your university, or a talk show with your broadcaster or community radio station.
  • Orange your streets with a flash mob, or walk against violence! Wear orange and carry posters and banners to mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence.
  • Organize an Orange Concert with your local musicians and encourage them to promote messages to end violence against women and girls through their music. Invite local women’s organizations to speak about the issue and distribute information about existing laws and services.
  • Organize a film screening or host a “Orange the World” party at your home! Check UN Women’s video libraryor Say NO – UNiTE YouTube channel for films.

And post a picture of you wearing orange!
Cheers.

The Color Run 5K!

Greetings earthlings!

A few days ago my family and I decided (without training first) to run a 5K Color Run to benefit the Pink Hill Education and Wellness Center. 

It WAS GREAT.

To start the day off we showed up to the race and finished signing forms etc and were given a bright white t-shirt with the sole mission to color it. 

What was awesome about this 5K was that it was a fun run where runners can walk as much as they need to. We entered the race as a family and all 5 of us completed it in heavily colored glory.

Before the Race

My dad after finishing his first 5K ever at 47 with no previous training,



Skylar and I crossed the finish line together (before the rest of the family) and volunteered to spray color at the runners.




My parents at their proudest rainbow glory.


Overall it was tremendous fun and raised money for a great youth running program out of Pink Hill. It was a fantastic day of color and sweat but we each finished the race with one less thing on our bucket lists!


If you have ran a Color Run let me know! I want to see your Rainbow Brites!


Dont forget to check out my links for more Elfin Awesome and stay tuned for the launch of the official Elfin Website!

Etsy shop: www.etsy.com/shop/ElfinAdventure
Facebook: www.facebook.com/elfinadventure
Email: elfinadventure@gmail.com
Instagram: @Blue_Owl78


50 Cans!

Hello, my incredibly powerful world changers!

Today I wanted to share with you another awesome campaign started by the amazing nonprofit Do Something


With this campaign they are reaching out to people all over the globe to hold a drive or just collect 50 soda cans, take a picture, and recycle them. 
This campaign began with a bit of research showing aluminum cans are the only widely used substance in the world that can be entirely recycled and made into new things. This is great, only many soda drinkers just toss their cans in the trash or on the ground when they're done. 

Aluminum cans can be recycled over and over indefinitely, so that soda companies would never have to create another can out of raw materials!

This campaign runs until December 12, 2013 with hardly any effort at all. Not only is it easy, but Do Something is also offering a great incentive. For everyone 50 cans recycled, you are entered to win a $4,000 scholarship!

Collect the cans, take a pic, and win cash for school. Could it get any better?

I finished my first 50 on 11/20/2013 

If you collect 50 cans (or more!) Let me know! Put your picture in the comment below I want to see your hard work pay off! (and how creative you can get with some old cans :) ) 

Or if you would like to mail me some empty soda cans shoot me an email! (elfinadventure@gmail.com) 

Lettuce change the world one fizzy drink at a time!

Cheers. 


Don;t forget to check out my links for more Elfin madness and stay tuned for the launch of the Elfin website!

Etsy Shop: www.etsy.com/shop/ElfinAdventure
Facebook: www.facebook.com/elfinadventure
Instagram: @Blue_Owl78
Email: elfinadventure@gmail.com