Atlanta - November 01, 2006

Get with the Program

A Twelve-Step Do-Gooder Guide

Sure you walk the walk and talk the talk. But the best Atlantans know that to make it in this town, you’ve got to give a little. Here’s how to do some local good in twelve simple steps.

Step One: Keep It Together
With vegan wallets and purses by Matt & Nat (Sole, 1245 Caroline Street, suite 100, Edgewood Retail District; 404-523-1777).

Step Two: Eat It Up
Sustainable, fair-trade agriculture group Georgia Organics publishes a free local food guide (Sevananda, 467 Moreland Avenue, Little Five Points; 404-681-2831).

Step Three: Mix Up Some Magic
Submit home recipes to the Refugee Family Services for their first fundraising cookbook, illustrated by kids in the youth program. Deadline: November 15.

Step Four: Spread the Word
Become a guest speaker and advocate for Girl Talk, a Georgia-based program in which high school girls mentor middle school girls. E-mail info@desiretoinspire.org for details.

Step Five: Let It Click
Link your eBay account to Mission Fish to share sales profits with the charities of your choice.

Step Six: Keep Hope Alive
Click here to support Breast Cancer Awareness today. Then get a mammography for the year and learn how to do a monthly self-exam.

Step Seven: Wear It Well
Ecoconscious Anna Sova wowed us with its chemical-free paints and is now making luxe silk bedding and bamboo home accessories (Eco-Bella, 1046 North Highland Avenue, Virginia Highland; 404-815-4280).

Step Eight: Toot Your Own Horn
Help the city’s first charter school start a music program by donating to their instrument drive. (Drop-off times: 7 a.m.-4:15 p.m., through December 3, Drew Charter School, 301 East Lake Boulevard, Decatur; 404-687-0001).

Step Nine: Make a Clean Break
Put your experience to good use at a meeting for Visions Anew, a nonprofit that partners with Junior Leagues and women’s groups to offer courses like Divorce Survival School.

Step Ten: Get a New Leash on Life
Purchase a collar to support spay and neuter efforts and improve area shelters.

Step Eleven: Make It Count
Find out the whens, wheres, and whys of voting in your area. (The whos and whats are up to you.)

Step Twelve: Relax, Relate, Then Do Something Already
Can’t decide? Log onto Volunteer Match to search do-gooding by your interests, area, and availability.

See there? Bet you’re feeling better already.