It's the Season for Giving
We’re entering into the season of giving. I’m discovering more and more that there are countless ways of sharing that can truly benefit those in need. I recently had the great honor of having the 42nd president of the United States, Bill Clinton, as a guest on my television show.
Since leaving office, Clinton has been doing amazing things to better the world. In 2005, he formed the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), a non-partisan catalyst for action. Its purpose is to bring together global leaders, business moguls, preeminent scholars, philanthropists, and celebrities to devise solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems. The initiative focuses on four key areas – poverty alleviation, education, energy and climate change, and global health.
The CGI is held in September at the United Nations and each year 1600 people attend. Everyone at the meeting is asked to make a commitment and to keep it. If they do not, they are not invited back the following year. In the past two years, over 600 commitments have been made worth $10 billion dollars involving more than 1,000 organizations in 100 countries.
I am pleased to report that this year, I was invited to CGI and my commitment is to create a handbook about care giving for the elderly. My signed document states, “I commit to ease the difficulties associated with the oversight of care for our elderly. Through the development of on-line and in-class materials for doctors, medical students, and family caregivers on how to educate, support, and provide assistance to those who find themselves in a care giving role.†And I feel really good about this.
That’s just the thing about giving – it does make you feel good, whether you are donating money, your time, or your skills. If you have thought about giving but are not sure how to get started, pick up a copy of Bill Clinton’s book called GIVING – how each of us can change the world. You can also visit his Web site at mycommitment.org where you will discover that regardless of your age, income, or where you live, you, too, can do something that has a lasting impact and makes a profound difference in the lives of others.
I found this photo of an earlier meeting with President Clinton.
What an honor for my mother and me!
Get well soon mom! 
Martha, what a great organization he's formed! I'm going to check out the website.
-Amy
Posted by: Amy Mowbray | November 13th, 2007 at 7:18 am
Please give my best wishes to your Mom. I cannot get your show anymore and was so sad to read the news on your website. I enjoyed so much the times she would come to your show.
Posted by: Rosa Swanson | November 13th, 2007 at 9:45 am
Your generosity has not gone unnoticed, Martha, nor shall it in the future. In fact, I would say that your entire company is based on generosity: sharing, giving, teaching. It's an offering to us. The handbook on caregiving for the elderly sounds like such a wonderful project!
-Andrew
Ottawa, Canada
Posted by: Andrew Ritchie | November 13th, 2007 at 1:34 pm
Thank you for taking time on your blog (and tv show) to talk about philanthropy. It's important we all remember what we can contribute.
Posted by: Melissa H | November 13th, 2007 at 7:26 pm
Your mom is indeed beautiful and I'm glad to hear that she's fairing well. I will add her to our prayer list (there's a link on my sidebar if you wish to give an update). Blessings... Polly
Posted by: Polly | November 13th, 2007 at 8:07 pm
Martha,
Wishing your Mom the best. And I think it is wonderful that you are joining Bill Clinton in this Global Initiative. We still need so many more to join. Congratulations.
Posted by: BeachMama | November 13th, 2007 at 9:25 pm
Dear Martha,
So sorry to hear about your Mom. She was so fun to watch on your show, don't give up your hope, she
is a fighter and hopefully with all our prayers she will pull through.
All the best,
P
Posted by: Patricia Klein | November 14th, 2007 at 10:28 am
Martha, this website is inspirational. My daughter and I are looking into which organization we would like to be part of too! Bill Clinton has made it easy for anyone to reach out... Your Mom and you look beautiful in that picture! Sending healing thoughts for your mom.
Posted by: Teri | November 14th, 2007 at 10:57 am
Wonderful ideas and organization! And I love the picture with your mom. I am sending good thoughts to your family. Big Martha feels like family to all your devoted fans, and we wish your family lots of love. Take care!
Claudine
Posted by: Claudine | November 14th, 2007 at 12:59 pm
I have to say I am absolutely thrilled to see that you maintain a blog! What a wonderful picture of you, your mother and President Clinton. I hope your mother is feeling better soon!
One of the charities I am particpating in this year is a very simple way to give. You can send holiday cards to US soldiers injured while serving. Such an easy way to make someone smile. Just take a few moments and send a card to:
A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Ave., NW
Washington, D.C. 20307-5001
Posted by: Rebecca | November 14th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
May you find comfort in knowing so many people are praying for your mother, you, and your family at this time. Your strength and fortitude in getting through the Today Show segment was touching. Wishing you and your family the best, Cathy
Posted by: Cathy | November 14th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
Dear Martha
you have the best shows
I wish your mother good health
I like the pictures with bill clinton and you and your mother
thats a nice.
have a nice Thanks giving!
Posted by: megan | November 14th, 2007 at 11:16 pm
Martha, I recently checked out your gift boxes and other cool stuff at Michael's. I bought your gift boxes and I'm so excited to use them! They are 3" square and probably meant for truffles but I am going to use them to box my handcrafted jewelry and give as gifts to my kids' teachers. Thank you for making these cool boxes and all your other stuff available to us! You're the best!
Posted by: Lisa D | November 19th, 2007 at 9:43 am
Caregiving is one of the tenderist mercies we can share and Martha you seem to know the truest meaning of serving,sharing and caring.Your precious Mother will live on through you and I pray that the Lord has welcomed her home.Be blessed each and every day.
Donna
Posted by: Donna Champion | November 19th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
dear Martha and your family; So sorry to hear of your mom passing. I know for me she was so lovely and kind and loved to see her on your show cooking. I got hooked on your show when you made duck and went outside to get brussel sprouts from your garden. I loved your moms recipes and hope you do a book as a tribute to her, my mom was a good cook and the short rib recipe is my mom too and hope each day your family will grow close and happy as you and your mom were. much love to your entire family -k
Posted by: karen l. gohler | November 19th, 2007 at 2:51 pm
I applaud you for your commitment to improving care for our elderly. In your blog post you mention reaching out to doctors and medical students--I'd like to encourage you to include nurses and nursing students in your plans, as we are often the folks on the front line of providing expert care and caring. Best wishes!
Posted by: Anne R. | November 20th, 2007 at 11:38 pm
Dear Martha,
I totally agree that we each can do our share of giving weather it is in a big or small way.
Yet, sometimes giving is harder than one would imagine. In November 2007, I painted an oil painting of a little girl at one of the feeding stations in Darfur. I contacted the United Nations with hopes to donate the painting at the next fundraiser with the intend of having 100% of all proceeds go to aiding Darfur. The auction fell through and I was asked by my UN contact to put the painting up for auction on Ebay. But Ebay being a place for bargain hunters, I did not feel I could raise enough funds.
So here is my dilemma, I still have the painting and I want to find a way to donate it. With your fundraising experience can you PLEASE tell me who I should contact to get this auction off the ground?
Eventually, once I find a proper way to make donations work, my goal is to donate a painting for Yet I need someone's help to make sure that enough funds are raised to make my efforts worth while and make a difference for the people in need.
To see the painting visit
http://enzieshahmiri.com/Sudanese-Girl.html
PLEASE HELP!
Enzie Shahmiri
Portraits and Fine Art
Posted by: Enzie Shahmiri | April 26th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
I AM HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF DIFFICUTLY FINDING THE ACORN BOXES. I REALLY LIKED THE GLITTER ACORNS AND WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SOME MYSELF FOR THANKSGIVING. OUR LOCAL MICHALES STORE DOES NOT HAVE THAM AND I WAS TOLD THEY MAY NOT GETTING THEM IN. I WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE APPROX 12. I DID NOT SEE WHERE YOU WERE SELLING THEM ON YOUR WEB STORE. WHERE CAN I BUY THEM. PLEASE HELP.
THANKS
Posted by: MARY ROLLINS | September 19th, 2008 at 6:58 am
When I see people who are blessed and they become a blessing to others it makes my cuts smile! I came across this new catalog that came in my mail box. "at West End" amazing one of kind items and really good prices...then i read about the owners of the company. They give so much to charity and so much back to the communites of the thrid world countries they buy from. They give back and oh boy did it make me want to buy from them ...AS oprah would say ..CArry it forward. http://www.atwestend.com
Posted by: jeff | September 30th, 2008 at 7:58 am
In life, one of the greatest joys is to give. To be able to plant of seed in a person with a gift. That gift can come in many forms, a card, a bunch of flowers picked from your yard, a dontion to a charity that touched your heart, or a hug and a kiss. The act of gicing is not a snog...it does not matter how much you spend on a gift or how chic it is ...give to give, to give joy. As the holiday season starts I have been pooring over catalogs I have got in the mail. I think internet and catalog is so easy and GREEN as we all know its time to start giving back to mother Earth by searching for green items ...Pleaes go loook at http://www.atwestend.com. Its a new catalog and online store. They have some of the best Green items. ...so chic and so perfect for a season of giving to those you love and giving back to the Earth we so love and yet have forgoten
Posted by: jeff | October 13th, 2008 at 4:23 am
Dearest Martha-
You have been and still very much are a wonderful inspiration to me! I have a plan which I am in process of exectuing, with you as a role model.
I will be making my committment very soon.
Your handbook is necessary. I am an "over 40" who went back to school to get a Nursing Degree.
I have dealt with end of life care for both sets of Grandparents and now, the love of my life, my husband (86) of 27 years. It is very frustrating the lack of assistance devices, and help available to the average person to not injure themselves while giving care.
Thank you and your staff for all the good things that you do, share and inspire.
Lydia
Posted by: Lydia W. Ellis | November 5th, 2008 at 9:19 am