an item to Clara House and receive a 10% coupon at SARAJANE accessory boutique for the month of June. This Mother’s Day promotion will go to support women and children who have been victims of domestic violence. It’s a great way to give a mom in need a helping hand. To see the current wish list, click here: www.safeandhealthyfamilies.com/give/wish.htm

young women from having to decide: dinner or pills? A legislative error made the price of birth control skyrocket for low-income and college-age women. It was an unintended mistake, but Congress has been slow to fix it. Contact your representative through www.ppaction.org/campaign/birthcontrolprice/.

ahead while you run errands. On the walk to lunch, in your office window, or on your bike ride home your phone or iPod is ripe for rejuvenation. www.Noonsolar.com sells tote bags with solar panels stylishly incorporated on the outside to catch the sun’s rays and convert them to iPod juice. The bags are made of sustainable materials and are hand-dyed using natural pigments.

your Senators to support the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. It’s already passed the House, but Senate Republicans prevented the bill from moving forward. Afterwards, Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), said, "Women of America: Put your lipstick on, square your shoulders, suit up… The revolution starts tonight." Start our revolution at www.nwlc.org/fairpay/.

mail-order catalogs that you’re only using to line the bird cage. Sign up at www.catalogchoice.org and they’ll get the message to the mailbox busters that you’re not particularly in need of metallic man thongs.

state-sponsored censorship by publishing fragments of censored material on your blog. Irrepressible.info is an Amnesty International campaign to protect freedom of expression. Internet repression occurs in countries like China, Vietnam, Tunisia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Syria, and IT companies like Yahoo! have become compliant in handing over users’ private data.

your old appliances, carpet, cabinets—you name it—to Habitat for Humanity Restore, which resells the items and uses the money to help build Habitat homes. Or visit the store to find one-of-a-kind hardware, lighting or mantels at 50-70% off retail. Now you have no excuse not to remodel that old, outdated bathroom. 336.851.2929

up your oven and join in the Great American Bake Sale, now through June 30. Proceeds will benefit Share Our Strength, an organization that works to end childhood hunger. http://gabs.strength.org for more info.

zoo visitors. The North Carolina Zoo relies on volunteers to greet guests and help them find their way. The greatest need is on Saturdays during the months of April, June and October. www.nczoo.org/volunteer or 800.488.0444.

someone feel beautiful. Bell House, a nonprofit agency that supports adults with physical disabilities, is in need of people to paint ladies’ fingernails, as well as companions for outings and swim buddies at the YMCA. To volunteer or for a full list of opportunities, call 336.621.0938 or go to www.bellhouseinc.org. 

a dinner party. On Saturday, May 17, hosts and hostesses across the Triad will invite friends and family to share dinner and drinks in exchange for a donation to Triad Health Project, which works to fight HIV/AIDS. Participants will gather at the Greensboro Coliseum at 9pm for a dessert gala. To register: 336.275.1654 or www.triadhealthproject.com.