Affinity4 Community Blog

The recent downturn in the economy is affecting Americans in many different ways. Between rising gas prices, inflation, and the recent fear and skepticism surrounding the potential bail out on Wall Street, it seems like everyone is expecting things to get worse before they get better. In the charity and non-profit world, this can have an even greater impact than in other areas. Many charities even worry that a large decrease in donations could impact their sustainability.

According to the Chronicle of Philanthropy, 29% of Americans plan to cut their charitable giving this year. Many older donors claim that they will have to stop giving all together. There are many ways that charities can help keep the donations coming in. Some ideas include: use campaigns that include matching donations, give prospective donors details on how their money will be spent, and target the younger population. The last tip comes from a recent national poll that found people ages 25-34 are the most likely to increase their charitable giving this fall and winter. This economic downturn often means that there are more people out there that need help, and that charities have less money in their budgets to help those in need.

As charities search for ways to keep their budgets intact, all of us as potential donors are also looking for unique ways we can contribute this season without putting a bigger dent in our budgets. There are many choices we make every day as individuals that can be used to give back and help others. One way to make a difference during the upcoming holiday season is by shopping for a cause. There are many great products out there that help give back to charities or that support worthy causes. Some ideas include: Go-Red products, hand-woven bags made by women in Rwanda, or an even an Affinity4 service that gives back to your favorite charity or ministry. There are many ways to give back to your community even during times of economic hardship, whether through donations, shopping for worthy causes, or by donating your time through volunteering. Do you have any unique ideas on how to help others and give back in your community? Please share them with us!

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Leaving an area you have been in your whole life is never easy. However, new faces and new places can open your eyes and broaden your horizons. It is exactly these thoughts that I have been going over for the last month. My decision to come work for Affinity4 was a difficult one, but well worth it.

It started out like any other job search; I was sending out resumes and waiting for responses. When I received the reply back from Affinity4 I was extremely excited. It was then that I noticed that where Affinity4 was located, I would have to relocate if I accepted this position. I had never even considered relocating, I was born in this area (Charlotte, NC) and so were my children. Eventually I was offered the Senior Graphic Designer position and after weighing options, talking with my family, and hours of thinking about it, I accepted.

With only 2 weeks to get everything in order for moving, my wife and I thought it would be impossible. Through long nights and a few cuts and bruises, I managed to finish every project in our house I had started in the last 5 years. We found a realtor, got the house on the market, found a rental house in the new location (Norfolk, VA) and moved. It was incredible how everything fell into place. It helped prove to me that we were doing the right thing.

We are now living in and discovering a new area. The kids are adjusting to new schools and new friends, and we are all excited about my new position at Affinity4. I feel like every day I come into the office I am helping people fight for what is right and the beliefs that I hold so dear. I love the fact that 10% of what I spend on my ordinary activities is given back to charity and I want to make the process of giving back even easier. It will be my number one goal to improve Affinity4’s web presence and work with others to reach people that we have never before. I am thankful for this opportunity and look forward to any and all connections I can make with new and current customers.

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Affinity4 has just launched a campaign to help raise money for the victims of Hurricane Ike. In the aftermath of this storm, many charities have expressed concern over their ability to raise the funds needed to support the relief effort. According to Andy Miller III, an officer at Salvation Army’s office in Arlington, Texas “Although this hit as a Category 2 level storm, the devastation is close to Category 5 in terms of the number of power outages and how hard-hit Galveston was…”

To aid in the relief efforts for Hurricane Ike, Affinity4 has pledged to donate $10 for every person that signs up for our long distance, digital phone, Internet or Wireless service! This campaign starts today and will continue for the rest of the month.

All money raised will be donated to the Red Cross for their disaster relief fund and will be designated specifically for the victims of Hurricane Ike. The Red Cross uses the money from this fund to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to these victims.

In addition, if you are an Affinity4 customer affected by this storm, please know that we understand what a difficult time you are going through. If you have to make a late payment or have any other Affinity4 service concerns as a result of Hurricane Ike, please call us and we will assist you in any way we can.

Hurricane Ike is the worst storm to hit Texas in 25 years. Over 35,000 people are still in shelters and over 2 million people are living without power. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those affected by Hurricane Ike. Click here to find out more about our relief efforts and how you can help!

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On the 7th anniversary of September 11th, presidential candidates Barrack Obama and John McCain put aside their campaigns and appeared together in New York both at ground zero and at a Columbia University forum entitled “Nation of Service”.

As I spent yesterday thinking about the victims of 9/11 in New York, in Washington D.C. and in Shanker, PA, it was hard to believe that it has been seven years since this tragic event. I imagine most people alive that day will never forget where they were and what they were doing when they heard the news. I remember sitting in my college apartment with my roommates. We had just moved in and didn’t yet have TV or Internet set up, so we sat around listening to the radio trying to comprehend what was happening around our country. As tragic and horrific as that day was for all Americans, I also remember the spirit of unity and patriotism that followed. I remember seeing American flags hanging outside nearly every home, I remember one of my professors handing out his personal calling card number for students who needed to call loved ones to check on their safety, and I remember going with a group of friends to donate blood just to feel that we were helping in some small way.

Looking back at that day and the days that followed, it is hard to believe how we moved so quickly from that sense of unity as Americans to where we are today in the midst of one of the most divisive elections in our history. In spite of this stark contrast, it was inspiring to see that both of our presidential candidates put aside their political campaigns for a day and spent the anniversary of 9/11 at a forum on national service. Both candidates discussed how their regime would focus on increasing service and volunteerism in America. Obama proposed a $3.5 billion dollar budget that would vastly increase the size of AmeriCorps and the Peace Corps as well as expand programs geared toward retirees. McCain proposed a plan called the “Service to America Initiative”, which would coordinate federal service efforts and volunteerism. McCain’s plan would also include opening up more opportunities for service overseas and service through additional methods not available today. Both candidates expressed their commitment to increase the size of the military and to encourage more Americans to serve their country in other roles.

I hope that all of you had the chance yesterday to remember those we lost and to appreciate the freedoms we have as Americans. Although there will always be politics and there will always be rights we must fight to protect, it is important to remember that we are all Americans and that there are many ways that all of us can serve our country and our fellow citizens.

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Last Friday in a move that shocked most Americans, Republican Presidential Candidate John McCain announced that he had chosen Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate. A historic choice, Palin is the first woman to run on the GOP ticket, following in the footsteps of Geraldine Ferraro, who ran on the Democratic presidential ticket in 1984. Ferraro ran as Democratic nominee Walter Mondale’s running mate. The news of McCain’s selection shocked Democrats and many Republicans, since Palin was not on the “short list” of people being named as likely choices. Palin has been serving as the Governor of Alaska for two years, prior to that she served two terms as the Mayor of Wasilla, AK.

The response from the Democratic side has been mostly criticism of Governor Palin’s lack of experience especially in the area of foreign affairs and national security. Most Republicans however, seem to be pleased with the Governor Palin’s socially conservative record and commitment to cracking down on unethical misconduct in her own state government. Governor Palin spoke to fellow Republicans and Americans nationwide Wednesday night at the Republican National Convention. She addressed her own strengths as a candidate as well as those of John McCain and made a harsh comparison between their strengths and experience to the experience of the Democratic candidates. She received a warm reception at the convention where most of the audience were on their feet applauding for the majority of her speech.

The Republican National Convention began Monday and will continue through tonight in Minneapolis-Saint Paul. An expected 45,000 people are in attendance. So far the convention has included several guest speakers such as Laura Bush, Cindy McCain, Senator Lieberman and former mayor Rudy Giuliani. This convention is the latest nominating convention in history and will end two months before the general election takes place on November 4th.

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