Twanna A. Hines @ FUNKYBROWNCHICK.com | sex. dating. relationships.

Twanna’s 2008 “Holiday Giving” Guide

I see the headline “One in Three Women Would Dump Their Partner over an ‘Inadequate’ Christmas Gift” and I wonder: what the fuck has this world come to? In celebration of Liam, Diva, Judy, Dacia, Tess — and the awesome goodwill of other folks who recently organized, supported or spread the word about using $$$ or time to support good causes this holiday season — I thought I’d do a teeny little “Holiday Giving Guide.” If you know any other great programs that need support this season, feel free to leave the details in the comments section.

There’s No Christmas in Darfur (Monday Dec 15 @ 7:30pm, The Bell House located at 149 7th St., 718-643-6510, $25.) What’s hotter than fine ass Ryan Gosling wearing a Darfur t-shirt on the MTV Movie Awards? NOTHING. Well, maybe, the “There’s No Christmas in Darfur” benefit. (Pssst! People, did you SEE the best kiss reenactment??? I almost fainted from the hotness. But, I digress.) Hosted by comedian and friend of the FBC Liam McEneaney, Monday’s benefit for Save Darfur includes the Daily Show’s John Oliver, comic Todd Barry, Hot Tub host Kurt Braunohler and a bunch of other funnymen. “You’d be hard-pressed,” says Flavorpill, “to find a more rewarding — or funnier — way to spend your bucks on a good cause.” It’s only $25. Plus, they’re giving out prizes from Comedy Central and The Onion. Please support it. Totally worth it.

9th Ward Field of Dreams. (Donate any amount by Monday 12/15, Website: http://9thwardfieldofdreams.com) “When I was down in New Orleans this past October,” Judy McGuire mentions, “I was horrified to see that the Ninth Ward is still completely wrecked.” Given a tour of the area by a local high school teacher, Judy learned kids had neither books nor safe spaces to run around and play. “Pretty much every child there has lost something,” Judy said pretty honestly, “even if it’s ‘just’ their home.” GW Carver High School wants to build a community football field/track to bring entertainment, play and the spirit of happiness back to the lives of those touched by Katrina. If they raise 200k by the 12/15 deadline, NFL’s Grassroots Program might do a matching gift. Please give. Any amount helps. Details: http://9thwardfieldofdreams.com.

NYC Sex Bloggers Calendar. Of course I’m gonna plug the calendar — not just because I’m Miss March, but because your $20 actually goes to a good cause and because Tess is such a fucking saint for organizing the whole thing, and Diva’s been doing awesome stuff to promote it. Money from your purchase / donation goes to Audacia Ray’s nonprofit Sex Work Awareness. SWA does sexy stuff like support institutions that help sex workers, conduct research about the sex industry, develop public education initiatives and other things. By the way, as a reminder, I’ll sign your calendar for you if you buy one. Read this to find out how to make that happen.

Vigil to End Violence Against Sex Workers. Speaking of sex worker rights and stuff, there’s gonna be a candlelight vigil from 7 – 8 pm on Wednesday, December 17th in New York’s newly reopened Washington Square Park to commemorate the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. If you can’t give money, give time by dropping by the march to support the cause.

National Public Radio. If you haven’t heard the news, NPR is cancelling a couple shows. I gave my first donation to NPR a couple years ago when I still lived in Chicago. I was listening to This American Life on WBEZ because I fucking love that show. During a pledge drive (surprise, surprise), David Sedaris and Ira Glass tried to convince this random woman to give money. I think she gave like $20. So, the NPR folks were like: “Say it with us: I. Saved. Public Radio.” She wouldn’t because she was like, “My $20 didn’t save NPR.” And, they were like: no, seriously, we need donations & each one collectively “saves” NPR. I got that. I donated the next day and got a kickass “I Saved Public Radio” mug for my efforts. Donate today to save NPR. In particular, if you’re a fan of News & Notes ( … all Funky Brown Chick readers should be because they kindly had me as a guest on their show … ), please join this Facebook group to learn how to help snatch the show off the chopping block.

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Credit paid: Images appear online as follows – Ninth ward (AP Photo/Don Ryan); prostitute (Der Spiegel); News & Notes team ( NPR); calendar girls (my Flickr); and Ryan Gosling Save Darfur (ecorazzi).

Technorati Tags: Audacia Ray, best kiss ryan gosling, Farai Chideya, International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, Judy McGuire, Liam McEneaney, MTV, ninth ward, NPR, NYC Sex Bloggers Calendar, Ryan Gosling, Save Darfur, Save News & Notes, Tess Danesi