Melissa E. Johnson

I wake each morning torn by a desire to save the world,

and a desire to savor it.

That makes it hard to plan the day . . .

~E.B. White

 

United by One.  © 2008 by Melissa Johnson.

Early in my career, surrounded by legal dramas and the chaos-driven business world, I learned that the best way to get out of myself was to give back to someone else.  And I found that, in giving, I was freed from my own thoughts of lack--rising above the pettiness of my day-to-day--as I connected to the larger purpose and flow of Life; a real gift to the giver, if you ask me.   

SO MANY CAUSES, SO LITTLE TIME. . . 

I have since connected with some wonderful philanthropies that allow me to contribute my time, passion and talents in unique ways.  Here are just a few . . .

The Children's Hospital in Denver, Colorado is one of the leading facilities of its kind in the nation, providing extraordinary care to children from around the world.  With floors devoted to oncology, neurology, burns, trauma, rehabilitation, general pediatrics, cardiac and pulmonary care, this state of the art facility is an amazing blend of technology, art, medicine and science.  I am honored to be a Patient Activity Volunteer on the 9th floor, providing hands on contact and visitation with the littlest ones from the Heart Institute recovering from open heart surgeries, transplants, cystic fibrosis, and other cardio-pulmonary issues.  Whether I'm reading to them, helping with art projects, or holding and rocking a little one to sleep, I learn something new from these angels every time we visit.  What began as my mission to help the children has become one of the greatest gifts I've ever received--life-enhancing perspective.  www.TheChildrensHospital.org.

Abolish Slavery Coalition is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to combating human trafficking and restoring dignity to victims. Working together with top professionals in the movement to combat slavery and human trafficking, Abolish Slavery Coalition is dedicated  to giving voice to the rights of victims, while organizing and coordinating investigations and field operations to find, identify, and retrieve men, women, and children from slavery, providing for their safe aftercare, rehabilitation and vocational training.  Currently, I work with this distinguished group as a legal and fundraising consultant to help establish local chapters of this California based organization, and to plan educational and fundraising events in the Denver-Boulder, Colorado area.  To learn how you can become an abolitionist, visit their website at www.AbolishSlavery.org. 

Animals & People Together is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that promotes healing, awareness and unity of life, bringing animals and people together in unique, life-enhancing ways including:  animal-assisted therapies, nature and farm therapies, wilderness exposure and wildlife exploration, together with financial and volunteer aid for those in need of APT sponsored services.  This is a new and growing organization, and I am honored to serve as an advisory Board member, providing a creative and legal eye for their program efforts.  To learn more, please visit their website at www.animalsandpeopletogether.org. 

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep is a ground-breaking 501(c)(3) non-profit volunteer organization of photographers and creative types who provide professional infant bereavement photography services to parents of terminally ill or stillborn babies.  These services are available for infant loss as early as 25 weeks gestation.  Working with hospital staff and community coordinators, NILMDTS volunteer photographers provide families with beautiful, heirloom portraits of their children.  I am honored to be a volunteer photographer for this incredible organization.  To find a local photographer or recommend this service to a family in need, please visit www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org.

What if just one book could change a life forever?  That's the mission of the Global Education Fund, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of orphans and vulnerable children around the world through education.  Understanding that education is one of the keys to breaking the cycle of poverty, GEF provides scholarships to deserving children and creates libraries for orphanages and impoverished communities around the world.  Listening to local needs and empowering leaders in remote areas, to date GEF has established close to one hundredred libraries in more than twenty countries across Latin America, Asia and Africa.  As an avid reader and writer of childrens' books, I connected with GEF's mission straight away.  Now I volunteer my time as needed to help build libraries.  To learn more about this grassroots educational effort, visit their website at www.globaleducationfund.org. 

Wild Earth Guardians is a true "force for nature," as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to protection of wildlife, wild rivers and wild places in the American West.  Since moving to Colorado in 2006, I have been a supporter and donor of this thoughtful organization, whose aggressive lobbying efforts have helped to pass legislation that protects endangered wolves, cougars, lynx and other species, and preserves environmental hot-spots in the West.  To learn more, visit their website at www.wildearthguardians.org. 

And so many more . . .

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE YOUR POWER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Find what gives your heart the greatest joy and connect with a like-minded organization that needs your help.  I promise, it will change your life forever.