Thanksgiving Week Giveaways - Win a Copy of Adobe Lightroom Today, More on Tue and Wed
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Last week, Jason Dean and Ray Camden both gave away software they received for speaking at Adobe MAX. I also received software from MAX that I either have duplicates of, or don't need. So I thought I'd carry on the tradition and pay back the community for all the help I've received over the years.
Since this is Thanksgiving week, I thought I'd do a holiday themed contest. I'm giving away a copy of Adobe Lightroom. Here's how it's going to work. In the comments below explain how something that YOU'VE done this year could give someone else cause for thanks. In other words, if you've volunteered at a charity, or worked on Habitat for Humanity, or donated money to your favorite local charity. As Thursday approaches, let's all keep in mind that those of us more fortunate have a multitude of opportunities to help those in need. And no, tipping the barista at your local Starbucks doesn't count as charity. :)
At 5pm CST I'll select a random comment from the meaningful comments below and email the serial number to that person so please make sure to leave a valid email address.
Finally, I'll be giving away a copy of ColdFusion Builder on Tuesday, and a copy of Flash Builder on Wednesday so make sure you check back on those days too.
Update: GREAT idea molaro! If you worked with an organization that has a website, please leave a link to it here. Let's share the love!
If this article was interesting, or helpful, or even wrong, please consider leaving a comment, or buying something from my wishlist. It's appreciated!
I have donated a custom vinyl toy from my private collection to the VinylHearts auction. The piece is currently on eBay now and ALL purchase price will go directly to VinylHearts. I am picking up shipping and eBay fees. VinylHearts is currently raising money to help Andy Heng, of the ToysREvil toy blog. The blog is one of the top places for information for vinyl toy design. Andy suffered a stroke about a month ago, that has left him in a hospital in Singapore. He has been unable to continue the blog and is currently going through some rough rehab. His spirits are good and we are all just trying to help him out by raising money so his hospital bills will not get out of hand. Here's some links: Cause: www.vinylhearts.com My Auction (please bid!): bit.ly/9KeNTY Andy: toysrevil.blogspot.com
molaro - November 22, 2010 08:07 am
The coolest charitable cause I was involved in this year was the CodeJam for Charity at 360|Flex DC. Some very talented coders crammed themselves in a hotel suite for 2 straight days to code a Flex app for volunteers of the St. Baldricks Foundation to use out in the field. All I did was play music and act as hostess. It is the organizers and coders that did the hard work. John Wilker provided the funding, and Adrian Pomilio organized the event. http://www.stbaldricks.org/ - The St. Baldricks Foundation http://www.codejammers.com/codejammers/index.html - The CodeJam Event Website http://codebass.net/2010/10/04/360flex-dc-sights-and-sounds/ - My 360|Flex DC review which contains a video of Adrian Pomillio presenting the results If I win the software, what I would do is offer it up to everyone who participated and give it to the first one that states a need for it. I'm mostly just happy to have this opportunity to bring them all up again, because what I witnessed was amazing. The idea of CodeJams can be publicized enough. I update The Sharing Foundation website a couple of times a year when they run an event, but charity in the form of software development was something I had never seen. What these people accomplished in two days' time was incredible, and I felt priveleged to support them in this endeavor.
Vicky - November 22, 2010 08:43 am
I am working on a book about the Panthera cats and how communities can learn to live together with the big cats so that both gain from it. It is a book in progress and my plan is to donate as much as possible, hopefully everything, to different organizations like WWF, Panthera.org and other like them. Yes, I could surely use a newer version of Lightroom. I am use it almost everyday and even started to look at developing my own plug-ins.
Jens - November 22, 2010 09:02 am
I just made a donation to our russian foundation "Give Life" (podari-zhizn.ru), which deals with helping children with cancer, hematological and other serious illnesses.
inj - November 22, 2010 09:04 am
Good idea, Andy. It's always important to appreciate how green our own grass is. The last 2 years I have ridden in our local MS 150 ride. It's a 2-day, 150-mile bicycle ride from my hometown of Richmond. Va to Williamsburg, Va and back again the following day. The idea is to raise money and awareness for MS research and to provide programs which address the needs of people living with MS today. I was able to raise over $1000 last year and the team I ride with, Team Capital Ale House, has raised the most money for 3 years in a row and have a 4-year fund raising total of over $159,000. I'm a recreational cyclist and I log about 50 miles a week during the warmer months of the year so to knock out 150 over two days takes several week of training to get in shape enough to make the ride. The personal, physical improvement I get from cycling is far outweighed by the positive help I can contribute by raising money for this cause. Have a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving.
Michael Flynn - November 22, 2010 09:06 am
Every year I donate to the JDRF (http://www.jdrf.org/). My wife's oldest neice has Type 1 diabetes so we are big supporters. We also participate in the annual JDRF walk in Memphis (where the neice lives).
RHPT - November 22, 2010 12:34 pm
Well... I hardly ever talk about 'charitable' things I do, but I really need a copy of Lightroom so I'll break my rule. :-) Probably the most meaningful thing (for me) I was able to do this year, was help some neighbors after the flood. My neighborhood was hit pretty hard, but I was fortunate. The water didn't quite make it to my house. I was out of the country when it happened and once I got back to Nashville, it was nearly a week before I could move back in because we had to wait for the water to recede and for the power to be restored. The damage was overwhelming to my neighbor's homes. Most of what they owned was piled up in their yards. Furniture, carpet, appliances, stuffed animals, photographs... everything. I wanted to help if I could so I just picked a house and found the owners and asked what I could do. They needed help sorting though things to see what could be salvaged & needed someone to go to pick up a wax ring so they could re-install their toilet. The lady who lived there, reached in her purse to give me money & I told them it was okay, that I'd just get it for them. And she and her husband just broke down & cried. Over a $6 wax ring. It was such a small thing for me, but it really meant something to them. Sometimes it's the tiniest little things that you can do that will touch someone's heart. Over the months I went over there several times to help & now we've become friends. So, I'm really the one who was blessed. If nothing else, I would just encourage people to reach out whenever they can, step out of their comfort zones and show people that they're loved & that someone cares...
Fuchsia - November 22, 2010 01:21 pm
Thanks to everyone who participated. The people you've helped are the real winners. But since we're giving away software the winner is Vicky! You didn't leave an email, but since you follow me on Twitter, drop me a line and I'll send you your Lightroom serial number. Congratulations!
andy matthews - November 22, 2010 04:03 pm
Thanks! :) I am contacting Adrian now and will let you know who ultimately winds up with the software. It's very cool to be able to give unexpected recognition to the CodeJam participants a couple of months after the fact, even though I'm sure they didn't go into it expecting anything.
vicky3@gmail.com - November 22, 2010 05:14 pm
Jesse W. was the lucky winner of the software. I emailed the CodeJam team asking those in need to respond within a day or so. Then, I put the names of those who responded in the only pan I'm not using to cook with, and I had a friend draw for me. Very professional. :D And very fun. Thanks, Andy! Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate, and those who don't have a happy day anyway. :)
Vicky - November 24, 2010 10:40 pm