May 2010
33 posts
4 tags
Day 40: DAV Charitable Service Trust
On this Memorial Day, it is important to remember all the brave soldiers who given their lives to protect the freedoms and well-being of our families and home. It is also vital to remember those veterans who have made the same sacrifices and experienced life-changing injuries. The Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust has been working hard to help these veterans build a better life.
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Day 39: Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation
I remember as a kid watching the Superman movies and looking up to Christopher Reeve, I thought he was the coolest. When he had the tragic accident that left him paralyzed, I found his fight to walk again and his devotion to the paralysis community even more inspiring. His strength and passion inspires hope and I am supporting the Reeve Foundation with the hope that one day his vision for a better...
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Day 38: To Write Love On Her Arms
For Mental Health Awareness Month, my goal was to donate to an organization dedicated to mental health each week of the month of May. My friend Michele turned me on to To Write Love on Her Arms.
To Write Love on Her Arms is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. TWLOHA exists to encourage,...
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Day 37: Gilda's Club
For people living with cancer, it is truly beneficial to have a warm and welcoming community to learn, express, and share to maintain their well-being and find the necessary support and Gilda’s Club is dedicated to creating and providing these services free of charge. I was reminded of Gilda’s Club by a fellow Cherrywood cast member and decided to support them today.
The Gilda’s...
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Day 36: Chicago Public Radio
In my opinion, the best thing on the radio dial is Chicago Public Radio. The programs, segments, and local spotlights CPR provides is a important service to Chicago, which is why the medium must stay in tact and expand. This may be a media organization, but its existence relies on the support of the public and philanthropic.
Chicago Public Radio has been celebrated for creatively ...
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Day 35: March of Dimes
Healthy and rewarding lives are created and nurtured before we are even born, which makes it vital that organizations like March of Dimes are dedicated to promoting healthy babies and healthy mothers.
March of Dimes’ mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. We carry out this mission through research, community...
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Day 34: Between Friends
I can not stress enough how important it is to the mental and emotional health and growth of a child that home be a safe place free from violence and abuse, whether it’s physical, sexual, verbal or psychological, the cycle must end.
Between Friends is a nonprofit agency dedicated to breaking the cycle of domestic violence and abuse by providing education, support, counseling, and advocacy...
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Day 33: Association House of Chicago
The Association House has been helping people help themselves for more than 100 years. They serve a multi-cultural community by providing comprehensive, collaborative and effective programs in English and Spanish. They promote health and wellness and create opportunities for educational and economic advancement with 5 main programs.
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES offers an array of healthcare and...
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Day 32: Mission 4 Marybeth
When I was in grammar school, I remember our class praying in the morning for Marybeth when she was having brain surgery. While I was not a close friend or in her circle, I felt bad for the pain and trauma she was in. When I found out about her most recent bout with cancer, I felt compelled to do a little something, even though I have not spoken with anyone from grammar in a long time. Today I am...
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Day 31: Oceana North America
One month into the Gulf Oil spill and things are not getting better, Obama is finally stepping in. But the damage will have a long term effect on our oceans, coasts, wetlands, and wildlife, it’s a truly a tragedy. I am supporting Oceana’s efforts to protect our oceans.
Oceana, founded in 2001, is the largest international organization focused solely on ocean conservation. Their...
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Day 30: Guide Dog Foundation For The Blind
Dog is truly is man’s best friend, they are capable of love and protection and the Guide Dog Foundation has been training dogs to provide an important companionship for the blind for the past 64 years, which is quite incredible.
The Guide Dog Foundation offers all their services free of charge to people with disabilities. The rely on voluntary contributions from individual donors,...
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Day 29: Laura Twirls Suicide Awareness Foundation
Today I am making a small donation to the Laura Twirls Suicide Awareness Foundation, The Laura Twirls Suicide Awareness Foundation was created by the family and friends of Laura Maceika. Laura Maceika, was a talented dancer who worked with my friend’s at Chicago Dance Crash, Laura sadly departed us on May 9, 2009.
In addition, to my small donation, I will be donating my time and services...
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Day 28: The Conservation Fund
As our country continues to grow and use resources and expand communities, it’s important to have organizations such as The Conservation Fund who work to save America’s wild havens and working lands, invest in sustainable small businesses and help communities plan for growth. We are only renting this country from future generations and we need to protect it.
The Conservation Fund is...
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Day 27: Aspire of Illinois
Today’s give is to an organization dedicated to providing employment and life changing programs to children and adults living with disabilities for the past 50 years. Their mission is to provide quality lifetime supports to people with developmental disabilities so they can achieve their individual highest potential where they live, learn, work or play and that’s a good goal.
Aspire...
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Day 26: Ronald McDonald House Charities
When I was in high school, I volunteered for a few different organizations, the experiences I had and time spent volunteering gave me a great deal of perspective. There are a few experiences in particular that have left lasting impressions on my life. I remember witnessing the first hand benefit the Ronald McDonald Homes provided to families with hospitalized children, offering them a place to...
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Day 25: Howard Brown Health Center
It’s important to recognize organizations that are making a difference in their community, that has been one of the main driving forces of my year-long mission. The amount of health and social services that Howard Brown Health Center provides is extraordinary, from the at-risk teen center to substance abuse programs to HIV testing and more. It’s important that Howard Brown and other...
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Day 24: Neurofibromatosis, Inc (NF)
Sometimes it’s best to keep your eyes open for causes to support at all times and who says there is nothing good on TV. MTV had a True Life episode on Neurofibromatosis (NF). I caught while channel surfing. You can watch it online, I found it to be informative and inspirational, exactly the type of programming young people should see.
Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a genetic disorder of the...
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Day 23: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Is suicide a problem? I can safely say it’s definitely not a solution. I know several people who have attempted or committed suicide over the years, and I know I am not alone. This leads me to believe that suicide is a major problem. I am so thankful that most of those attempts were not successful, my heart would be much heavier today without you all. It is with full heart and mind that I...
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Day 22: Hands on Nashville
The floods in Nashville were catastrophic, I am thankful a few of my clients in Nashville were spared from the major flooding. While the danger is decreasing, the clean up efforts and need for volunteers is reaching a peak level. ”The death toll has risen to 21 in Tennessee, ten of those deaths have been in Nashville. The estimated cost for the cleanup and recovery is a whopping $1...
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Day 21: Maasai Wilderness Conservation
Today’s inspiration for giving comes from one of my favorite musicians, Glen Hansard (of The Frames & Swell Season) has been raising funds to help the Maasai Villagers purchase a Landrover via the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust. “What the community really lacked and asked for was a truck. I thought, “how hard can that be” but getting trucks into Kenya with...
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Day 20: ASPCA
As human beings we have the responsibility to live humane, that means being compassionate to all of nature. ASPCA is there to make sure all animals are treated with the respect they deserve.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) was the first humane society to be established in North America and is, today, one of the largest in the world. Our organization was...
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Day 19: Not For Sale
In an ideal world, slavery and human trafficking would be abolished forever. Unfortunately, there are 27 million people worldwide made victim of modern day slavery, mostly women and children sold into sex slavery. There are some recommended articles available here. I am showing my support to Not For Sale Campaign as they work to fight the slave trade in our own backyard and across the globe.
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Day 18: Avon Walk for Breast Cancer
Happy Mother’s Day! In honor of today, I am donating to the Avon Foundation by supporting a walker in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. While doing some online research, I noticed Eileen T., a member of the Chicago theater community was raising money for her walk, so I decided to show my support for the Avon Foundation via her walk page. Good Luck, Eileen!
Funds raised are managed and...
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Day 17: Rainbow House
I believe every home deserves to be a place free of violence, unfortunately Domestic Violence is a real problem in Chicago and across the US, roughly 150,000-200,000 reports of Domestic Violence are logged every year in Chicago. That’s about 500 calls a day, what I appreciate about the Rainbow House is that they are committed to ending the cycle of domestic violence, by reaching through...
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Day 16: NARSAD
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, I will be contributing to one mental health related organization each week in the month of May. This week I am supporting NARSAD: the Brain and Behavior Research Fund for their efforts in investing in the research needed to help fight mental illness.
NARSAD raises money from donors around the world and invests it directly in the most promising research...
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Day 15: Texas EquuSearch
Two weeks in and the conversation is beginning, I want to thank everyone who have sent me messages or recommended organizations to look into for potential donations. Today’s giving is inspired by an anonymous message I received via Living Philanthropic, I felt compelled to share their story and support an the organization that helped them locate a missing family member. Thank you for sharing...
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Day 14: Lupus Foundation of America
Today’s give is dedicated to Sarah M., who is one of the most caring and generous people I’ve met, she is also living with Lupus. Not many people know or understand what Lupus is. It is a chronic inflammatory disease that can harm various parts of the body, especially the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys. Chronic means that the signs and symptoms tend to last longer than six weeks and...
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Day 13: Rock For Kids
Music has always been a big part of my life, its my go-to pick me up. Music can have healing effects and have a positive impact on children in development and Rock for Kids gets it right. Rock For Kids brings Youth Jam music classes right to the kids who need them most. Youth Jam programming takes place at Chicago schools, after-school programs, homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters and...
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Day 12: National Association of Free Clinics
When you need medical assistance and have no where to go, it’s re-assuring to know there are free clinics out there to help those in need. In an effort to stimulate conversation, I asked Keith Olbermann of MSNBC’s Countdown via twitter, what his favorite charitable organization was, his reply was the National Association of Free Clinics. I appreciate his willingness to communicate...
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Day 11: Louisiana Wildlife Rehabilitators...
Another day’s giving inspired by the headlines, the Gulf Coast oil spill that resulted from a BP rig explosion, has been spewing more oil than original reported and will have a ripple effect on us all for a long time. There are close to 400 species of wildlife that will be potential affected by the spill, which has been spreading since April 20th in the tune of an estimated 8 million gallons...
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Day 9: Natasha McShane & Stacy Jurich
Anyone who has paid attention to the news, is well aware of the tragic attack on two women in Bucktown last Friday night, Natasha McShane and Stacy Jurich were beaten with a baseball bat, robbed, and left unconscious. “The attack in the 1800 block of North Damen Avenue left McShane in a drug-induced coma and Jurich struggling with seizures and short-term memory loss.” I am donating...
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Day 10: Pro Mujer
Here’s something you may not know, I have 5 sisters, it’s almost like that Chekhov play only more traumatizing, I’m only kidding. Today’s give is dedicated to my mother and my 5 awesome sisters who work hard to provide for their families. Every woman should have the means necessary to provide for their family and organizations like Pro Mujer give women in Latin America the...
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Try this at home: Drop in the Bucket
Here is something you can try at home from your facebook account, it’s a click of a button that proves the power in numbers.
A donor has agreed to pay for the cost of a well for Ajibijibi Primary School in Uganda if 10,000 people sign up to be fans on the Drop in the Bucket Facebook page.
Please go to http://www.facebook.com/dropinthebucket and sign up as a fan. For every person that...
