How to make a difference for five dollars

What can $5 buy these days? Hardly anything, it seems. A gallon of milk is close to that price. A gallon of gas is close to that price. There are some drinks at Starbucks that I think exceed $5. However, as small as this monetary unit seems, it can make a world of difference.

How, you ask?

Well, there’s this organization called USA for UNHCR (Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), and they are trying to close the funding gap that the UNHCR is experiencing as they try to help people in an increasingly severe refugee crisis. In 2011, there are 6,000 UNHCR agents around the world, and to support their work and raise money for their efforts, the USA for UNHCR wants us to buy 6,000 blue keys, which only cost $5 each.

“You don’t have to live like a refugee”

So Tom Petty sang. What does living like a refugee mean these days? According to stats provided to me by the Blue Key Campaign:

• There were about 43.7 million refugees in the world at the end of 2010

• 49% of refugees are women or girls

• About 47% of refugees are under the age of 18

• Many of the refugees were from countries torn apart by constant conflict like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Somalia

“Listen, do you want to know a secret?”

So sang John Lennon.

Here’s the thing. I was invited to become a Blue Key Champion, and part of my pledge was that I would make sure 25 people bought a blue key (you can get a pendant or a pin, your choice). I just got mine today. The process took about 2 minutes, and my credit card was pinged for $5.

Now, I don’t want these Blue Key folks to think I’m a poopy champion, so I really need your help in getting these 25 keys claimed and paid for. All you have to do is go to the “Get your Blue Key” page. Then, come back here and let me know you got one so that I can make sure I’m living up to my word.

And hey, if you want to become a champion, ping @shonali or @rachaelseda on Twitter and they will help you out, or visit this Blue Key Champion form!

Thank you for your help!

Image Credit: UN Photo http://www.flickr.com/photos/un_photo/6106232719/in/set-72157623533807618<by United Nations Photo> via Creative Commons