Patricia Little, headed to Uganda this Saturday to distribute mosquito nets to help protect villagers from malaria-carrying mosquitos, is not the only Idahoan with her charitable eye on Uganda... 

A truly sweet, Sweet 16

Emily Bridges, a student at iSucceed Virtual High School, decided to celebrate her “Sweet 16” in a refreshing way — by saying no thanks to presents, and organizing a benefit concert for Invisible Children, a group that helps children living in war-torn Northern Uganda, instead.

The national website, Zootoo.com is giving Simply Cats, Boise’s no-kill shelter, the chance to compete for a fabulous makeover.

To help Simply Cats make the cut, all you have to do is register on the site, then earn points by contributing reviews of pet products, sharing advice, and more — all stuff you might enjoy doing anyway.

Simply Cats, and four other shelters in Idaho are in the running.

Patricia Little, a Boise State graduate student, started out with a goal last fall, to raise $5,000 to buy mosquito nets for Ugandan villagers.

Mosquito nets protect people from the bites of malaria-carrying mosquitoes. Many Ugandans — children and adults — have HIV/AIDS. Getting malaria on top of that is a sure death sentence.

2009 “Break Through” at Farmway Village needs volunteers
As you know, United Way is involved in all kinds of good works around the Valley. Their alternative spring break projects are among my favorites, because they help plant the good-citizenship bug in people at an early age, and show them parts of the community they might not see otherwise.

Local opportunities are many, ranging from tutoring students, driving a van, visiting home-bound people in the community and more.

Neva Geisler, a volunteer coordinator at United Way, is giving a free presentation for seniors interested in helping others, 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 10 at the Library! at Hillcrest.

Angelina Garcia, Mrs. Boise herself, is hosting a special Locks for Love event, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday March 14 at Two Rivers Salon and Spa, 661 S. Rivershore Ln., # 100, in Eagle.

Locks for Love, in case you're not familiar, is the program that lets long-haired sorts donate their locks to make wigs for kids for cancer. Simply put, it's a great cause that lets all kinds of people give something of great importance. Who knew that was such a goldmine sitting on your head?

Guidestar, a database of info on close to two million US nonprofits, is onto something.

The organization's most recent newsletter included an article, "The Dance of the Four Veils," meant to help organizations see themselves through donors' eyes.

The piece discussed the four errors, veils, if you will, that nonprofit organizations often make when trying to build support for their cause. 

Garden season is picking up at Idaho Botanical Garden, one of the most sensory-pleasing nonprofits around. Here are some ways to help that garden, and your own.

— Second annual seed exchange:
Bring your extra seeds to share with your fellow gardeners, and find new seeds to take home. The exchange is 10 a.m.-noon, Saturday, March 14 at the garden office, everyone is invited.

— 2009 Spring Plant Sale:

Are you a new subscriber?

You're eligible for a win-win deal if you sign up to receive the paper by March 31.

Along with your subscription to the always-info-packed, new and improved paper, the Statesman will donate $10 in your name to one of these local charities:

Boise Rescue Mission is inviting kids from local schools, youth groups, churches, and other community groups to  “march” around the 1400 block of Jefferson Street in Boise to raise funds and food for Boise Rescue Mission shelters, and get a better sense of the young people who now call the shelter home.
 
The march is from 9 a.m.-noon, Saturday, March 28, beginning at the City Light Home for Women and Children, 1407 W. Jefferson in Boise.