The idea for MSTD initially stems from my livelihood as a freelance graphic and web designer, working mostly with websites, interactive, and motion graphics projects. In July 2006 I read an online article about a New Jersey woman running a non-profit called New Beginnings. They rescued older dogs from shelters and would find permanent homes for them in retirement homes as pet therapy dogs. To me this sounded like a "Win-Win" situation for everyone involved.  However, her website was hosted with her provider account, boasting a lengthy and obscure domain name http://mysite.verizon.net/vze7yd6f/newbeginnings

I was really behind her cause, and wanted everyone in the world to know about them. Her organization would be difficult for people to discover online, and it was an address that no one could ever remember, even for the Million Dollar Question. I contacted her and offered to help obtain a proper domain name, web hosting, and help with the website. She took me up on my offer, and I voluntarily provided her with the information.

Since New Beginnings, I wanted to help every non-profit with my volunteer consulting services, especially organizations that weren't even sure of what questions to ask. For folks who don't work on a computer every day, the internet can be a spooky place. It eventually dawned on me that there weren't enough hours in the day to help every non-profit in need, so the wheels began turning about starting a non-profit of my own. MSTD would include a network of students, professionals, hobbyists, and retirees all volunteering their talents to "save the day", by helping non-profits gain better online exposure. I heard about the Netsquared grant opportunity, and figured this was as good of a time if any to really get the MSTD idea out there. In the meatntime, my non-profit application is still in the works.

Since New Beginnings, I've also done some volunteer graphic design work for:

Since January 2007 I've been a volunteer dog walker at the SPCA in Eatontown, NJ and will be volunteering graphics services when needed.www.monmouthcountyspca.org