How do you learn what it means to be American? Can you learn it in school? What do you learn if Americans you see don't look like you or your family? Mrs. M writes that The dolls and other resources currently available to my students do not represent their ethnic backgrounds nor those of other diverse communities and varied ability groups.

In a time when the conditions in Darfur are worsening, Maw Books Blog is leveraging her more than 20,000 monthly visitors to raise awareness about Darfur.  For the month of September, blogger Natasha Maw will be Reading & Blogging for Darfur.

Think about the last time you did something for a cause. Maybe you gave them money. Maybe you did a walk. Maybe you signed a petition. Why did you do it?

Waterbirth International is a 20-year-old organization founded by Barbara Harper with one goal in mind: "To make water birth an available option for all women." Since the organization's inception, Waterbirth International has been providing education, training, programs, consultations and birthing pools to women and health care providers all over the world. But WI is facing serious financial difficulties and is in danger of closing its doors permanently by January 31. Although Waterbirth International acknowledges that their participation in the Gentle Birth World Congress was "a fabulous success in every way for international and local attendees," they accept that it drained all of their resources. As a result, they are in desperate need of raising $200,000 in donations to keep the organization alive.

In a time when fundraising widgets, Causes on Facebook and other forms of web-based giving are rising in popularity, it's important to not forget the power of people connecting face-to-face.

Susan G Komen Benefit Concert at The Dance Place, Inc