Living Philanthropic

The support I have received for my journey has been overwhelming and I am inspired by all the messages. I have received some requests for places to donate to, so I am expanding my mission and will be picking a monthly charity to sponsor, and if you feel inclined please feel free to show them your support. As always, there is no obligation and if another charity I feature speaks to you more, please show them your support.

I decided to utilize Crowdrise as the project management tool for this month’s featured charity. Since September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month, I wanted to highlight an organization working to improve the lives of children diagnosed with cancer, so I choose Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer is a unique childhood cancer charity for many reasons!
 
Changing Childhood Cancer, One Research Grant at a Time:   They are unique in their approach to providing grants, having donated millions of dollars to support life saving childhood cancer research. With careful consideration and consultation with leading researchers across the country, they have developed our grant program to make the biggest impact possible.   Their smart spending of your donations has translated into innovative breakthroughs, more access to new treatments, and a dramatic change in the landscape of pediatric cancer. All this leads to one very important change for children and their families — hope for new and improved treatments!

ALSF cares about the quality of life for childhood cancer patients and their families:  In addition to funding cutting edge research and making new treatments available to children with cancer, they are one of the only national charities that funds pediatric oncology nursing research and grants, designed to improve the quality of life and care as children battle cancer.
 
ALSF  helps provide resources for families battling cancer immediately: Through the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Travel Fund, funded with support from TD Bank, they provide families with lodging and travel expenses up front, rather than requiring them to apply for reimbursement.  Additionally, theor annual symposium is free and open to all families whose children battle cancer, at all stages of childhood cancer treatment.
 
One simple idea, a world of change: Alex Scott took the “simple” idea of holding a lemonade stand and combined it with the cause of childhood cancer, unknowingly becoming the catalyst for something much larger than she had imagined.
 
Kids helping kids: The concept of “fighting childhood cancer, one cup at a time” has allowed people who would not usually participate in fundraising, especially children, to raise money and awareness for childhood cancer. Lemonade Stands allow children to be a part of the change.
 
A simple but powerful lesson: Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation believes that every person can make a difference in the world. Alex’s Lemonade Stands have been organized by a diverse group of devoted volunteers including inner city school children, senior centers, pre-school aged children, college students and even sports enthusiasts.

No donation is too small: Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation has inspired people who would not likely donate to childhood cancer to make donations - no matter the amount.

Bringing Communities together: Lemonade Stands encourage charitable giving to communities and neighborhoods, making donating simple and rewarding for everyone.

Amount Donated: $71

To make a donation on CrowdRise* this month’s featured charity, please visit: http://www.crowdrise.com/LP-SEPT

*using CrowdRise will allow me to better track donations and update the inspired by totals accurately. You can choose to match my $10 donation or more. You might even win some prizes! Donate once or everyday, it’s up to you! Take the September challenge and join the Living Philanthropic team!

Today’s give was recommended on facebook by Bethany L. and it is a great local non-profit empowering low-income children and families. This was an easy choice for me, coming from a low income family and given that my mother has dedicated her entire life to early childhood development and education, it seemed appropriate to show my support to Christopher House.

Christopher House is a catalyst for strengthening and empowering low-income children and their families. They provide a web of support that helps families become self-sufficient and allows communities to become stronger.

They help children through programs that enhance their cognitive, social, physical, and emotional development enabling them to succeed in the classroom and in life. Christopher House works with their parents to provide educational, financial, and emotional support to help them to build strong families.

At Christopher House, they see promise in each of the 5,000 family members who walk through our doors each year. With the right support, they believe that every family can succeed in reaching their goals for the future. Their programs provide integrated social, educational, and human services that help families thrive in an environment that nurtures and values diversity.

Discover more about their programs today by exploring our integrated services including Early Childhood Education, Youth Development, Teen Parent and Infant Development Services, Family Support Services, Literacy Services and Social Work Services.

Amount Donated: $10

To Support the Christopher House, please visit: http://www.christopherhouse.org

With all the damage that’s been done to our oceans in recent history, it is more vital than ever than we be responsible for protecting the marine life and underwater culture and keeping our oceans clean and thriving. Oceans fuel our food chain and water cycle and without it, this world would be a very dismal place. Project AWARE is a unique organization dedicated to conservation of underwater environments. 

Project AWARE Foundation in partnership with scuba divers and water enthusiasts combine efforts to conserve aquatic resources in more than 180 countries and territories of the world. Project AWARE Foundation conserves underwater environments through education, advocacy and action. 

Project AWARE Foundation works in partnership with divers and water enthusiasts to combat challenges facing underwater environments. Project AWARE and dedicated volunteers are committed to conservation initiatives including:

• Underwater Cleanups and Marine Debris Prevention
• Coral Reef Conservation, Monitoring and Data Collection
• Shark Education, Reporting and Conservation
• Improved Management Policies and Marine Protection Efforts
• Environmental Training for Divers and Education Programs for Kids

Amount Donated: $5

To support Project Aware, please visit: http://www.projectaware.org

Today’s give is a special one, I have always respected and honored the men and women who have bravely volunteered to defend our country. Many of these souls will be coming home soon from Iraq and I want to do my part to help make a few wishes come true. Ever since war has been around, coming home has always been the hardest part, there is so much uncertainty and time needed to re-adapt to life at home. I feel a responsibility to support the organizations helping ease the transition and bring some happiness to our soldiers. I may not agree with the idea of war, but I support and respect our troops who help maintain our freedom.

Warrior’s Wish Foundation enhances the lives of United States Military Veterans and their families who are battling a life-limiting illness. Through the fantastic financial support of generous donors, the financial contributions of  Veterans’ Service Organizations, their volunteer network and their wonderful corporate partnerships, they are able to grant the wishes of those who have served this great nation of ours. A wish may be as simple as a new hearing aid or scooter chair, or as involved as one last family vacation or reunion.

Warrior’s Wish FoundationTM is the first and only of its kind granting wishes exclusively for Veterans of the United States Armed Forces. Working with an extensive network of Wish Facilitators, we grant wishes for Veterans in all 50 States. Our continued existence is dependent upon the generosity of folks like you who contribute cash and in-kind donations and answer our call to help.

They receive Wishes from Veterans themselves and in many cases, the request are submitted by Hospice or Healthcare Providers on behalf of the Veteran. After eligibility is verified the Wish Granting Mission begins.Veterans’ Service Organizations in the Wish Maker’s community are contacted and petitioned for assistance to raise the funds to grant the wish or fulfill the dream. Since each Wish is independently funded, the Veterans’ Service Organizations play a crucial role in its success.

Amount Donated: $10

To support Warrior’s Wish Foundation, please visit: http://www.awarriorwish.org

Even in the most challenging times in my youth, I was lucky enough to have the friends and family support to provide a place for me to stay and never had to sleep in the streets. Sadly, there are millions of kids out there who are not so lucky. For them I am thankful there are organizations like Covenant House out there working to help provide shelter and food to these homeless kids. These groups are important to give the homeless youth of America a fighting chance at life, and I am proud to show them my support. 

For millions of homeless kids, basic needs like a hearty meal, warm bed, and safe shelter are true luxuries. Instead of knowing the joys of childhood, every day these kids face the life-or-death dangers of living on the streets.

Incorporated in 1972, Covenant House has been leading the effort to help homeless kids. And today, we are the largest privately-funded agency in the Americas that provides food, shelter, immediate crisis care, and an array of other important services to homeless, throwaway, and runaway kids.

Covenant House doesn’t stop at offering an immediate safe harbor to homeless youth, we strive to move each kid forward down the path to an independent adulthood, free from the risk of future homelessness.

Among the services Covenant House provides are:

• Street outreach
• Health/Medical care
• GED High school diploma
• Job readiness and vocational training
• Drug abuse treatment and prevention
• Legal aid
• Mother/child services
• Transitional housing
• Life-skills training

Amount Donated: $16

To support Covenant House, please visit: http://www.covenanthouse.org

It’s staggering the number of people enslaved in the sex trade from pornography to prostitution. The number in the US is anywhere from 150,000-300,000 alone, and even worse worldwide. It is our basic right to be free from any type of slavery, and it’s important that we use our freedom and voices to protect those victims of injustice. I commend Demi and Ashton for taking their position against this issue.

DNA - The Demi and Ashton Foundation – aims to eliminate child sex slavery worldwide. Believing that freedom is a fundamental human right, Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher founded DNA to help raise awareness about this horrific problem, change cultural stereotypes and rehabilitate the innocent victims.

The DNA Foundation launched on January 25, 2010, following a field visit with the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the US-Mexico border. Expanding law enforcement’s reach and effectiveness are critical to freeing slaves.

Demi and Ashton hope to help abolish modern day slavery, punish perpetrators and free the many innocent and exploited victims. The DNA Foundation is committed to protecting the freedom of the world’s most vulnerable citizens by forcing sex slavery out of the shadows and into the spotlight. Freedom is a basic human right and slavery is one of the greatest threats to that freedom. No one has the right to enslave another person.

Amount Donated: $20 (via crowdrise)

To support Demi & Ashton Foundation, please visit: http://www.demiandashton.org

I really like what Tipping Bucket is doing, they are much in line with my frame of thinking. It’s all about the power of community and how as little as $1 can help change the world, when we band together and pledge our support to a common goal. We are capable of doing anything with such power! So, I decided to come back and support another project, the Big Sister’s House.

They call her Ayui, “big sister.” And that’s just what Sumalee Milne tries to be for the 20 teens living in the hostel she started in Chang Rai, Thailand 4 years ago. The kids are all members of the Akha Hilltribe, an ethnic minority in Thailand often treated as second-class citizens or even not citizens at all in the country their people have lived in for centuries. They come to “big sister’s house” from impoverished single-parent homes just needing a safe place to live, food to eat, and a little support to persevere through the language and economic barriers that make education such a challenge for them. 

This project is the first step of a new agricultural program planned for Baan Ayui (big sister’s house.) As they see success raising and selling the chickens, TippingBucket plans to help Sumalee and the kids complete other projects: a fishpond, latrine and irrigation system that will help them become self-sustaining and grow the organization to help more at-risk Akha teens take pride in themselves and their unique heritage.

Amount Donated: $5 (bucket successfully tipped!)

Check out Tipping Bucket and see who you can help this week: http://tippingbucket.org for as little as $1!

This has been an educational journey for me, throughout my life I’ve heard the names of diseases and disabilities, aside from the negative connotations, I never knew exactly what some of them are. I would have a general idea, but through the process of researching organizations to support I have learned a great deal about the actual conditions. Unless you or someone you love is stricken with a particular disease, the odds are you might not know exactly what the disease is. So, in hopes to bring awareness and knowledge, here is some information on Cystic Fibrosis (courtesy of CFF). Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system. A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that:

• clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections; and
• obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food.

The mission of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, a nonprofit donor-supported organization, is to assure the development of the means to cure and control cystic fibrosis and to improve the quality of life for those with the disease. The Foundation is the leading organization in the United States devoted to cystic fibrosis. It funds and accredits more than 115 CF care centers, 95 adult care programs and 50 affiliate programs, and more than 75 chapters and branch offices nationwide.

When the Foundation was established in 1955, children with CF were not expected to live long enough to attend elementary school. Due in large part to the Foundation’s aggressive investments in innovative research and comprehensive care, the predicted median survival age for people with this disease is now more than 37 years. In 1989, CF Foundation-supported scientists discovered the defective gene that causes cystic fibrosis—a monumental breakthrough on the road to a cure. 

The Foundation has played an integral role in the development and FDA approval of four therapies that are now a routine part of treatment regimens for many with CF. The Foundation is actively supporting more than 30 potential new treatments currently in development—that’s more than in the entire history of the disease. Their challenge is to find enough patients to join clinical trials to keep the research moving forward.

Amount Donated: $5

To support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, please visit: http://www.cff.org

I was in high school when Matthew Shepard was murdered, but I didn’t understand what happened until college. I remember watching the MTV movie and then our college did a production of The Laramie Project a few years later and the universal message became clear. We need to replace hate with understanding, compassion, and acceptance. There is no reason for anyone to be beaten or killed for the way they live their life, their religion, the color of their skin or any other reason. I believe that we are capable of so much more than barbaric behavior, when we help each other and show a little compassion the future of the world becomes a little brighter. 

The Matthew Shepard Foundation was founded by Dennis and Judy Shepard in memory of their 21-year old son, Matthew, who was murdered in an anti-gay hate crime in Wyoming in October 1998. Created to honor Matthew in a manner that was appropriate to his dreams, beliefs and aspirations, the Foundation seeks to “Replace Hate with Understanding, Compassion & Acceptance” through its varied educational, outreach and advocacy programs and by continuing to tell Matthew’s story. Their mission is to support diversity programs in education and to help youth organizations establish environments where young people can feel safe and be themselves. To educate and enlighten others on the importance of diversity, understanding, compassion, acceptance and respect. Everyone must participate in developing solutions to problems that are rooted in ignorance and hatred.

MATTHEW SHEPARD FOUNDATION PRIORITIES

HONOR MATTHEW’S LEGACY
The Matthew Shepard Foundation understands that like the Stonewall Riots of 1969, the murder of Matthew stands as a watershed moment in civil rights.  During 2010, the Foundation will work in collaboration with the LGBTQ movement and the anti-violence movement to honor this anniversary.  Equally important, the Foundation must be strong to withstand the efforts of the religious right to distort history.

FIGHT FOR THE QUICK PASSAGE OF THE MATTHEW SHEPARD ACT
We are committed to fighting for inclusive hate crimes legislation. We will do what it takes to achieve passage of this milestone human rights legislation.

STRENGHTHEN MATTHEWSPLACE.COM
MatthewsPlace.com is an online community for the LGBTQ and allied youth.  We look to add new features including the video news by youth, moderated chats, discussion boards and a searchable database of resources about youth friendly shelters and outreach programs.

PROVIDE RESOURCES & SUPPORT TO SCHOOLS PERFORMING THE LARAMIE PROJECT&
Over this past year, Foundation staff have spoken to countless casts and traveled to campuses nationwide to facilitate discussions on the impact of Hate.  

CONTINUE TO BUILD OUR NATIONAL SPEAKING PROGRAMS

‘LEGACY OF MATTHEW SHEPARD’ AND ‘ERASING HATE: A COMMUNITY DISCUSSION’.
Our national speaking program gives me the opportunity to share Matthew’s values of respect and dignity with others.  We’ve spoken to over a million people since our Foundation work began at colleges, high schools, universities, corporations and churches. 

Amount Donated: $5

To support the Matthew Shepard Foundation, please visit: http://www.matthewshepard.org

Today’s give might sound a bit cheeky, but the organization’s goal is to raise awareness for breast cancer and to remind young women to check themselves, is an important one. Sometimes an unconventional approach can garner the attention to make a difference, their approach has already been credited with saving some women’s lives and that is an incredible feat. I will be sending this link to all five of my sisters, please tell the important women in your life to…

Feel Your Boobies® was founded in 2004 after the Founder, Leigh Hurst, was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 33. She found her lump simply by “feeling her boobies”, not through a formal self-breast exam. What originally started as a few fun t-shirts she designed to remind her friends to “feel their boobies” has evolved into non-profit Foundation and international campaign focused on spreading this life saving message to young women using unexpected and unconventional methods.

Why they unexpected and unconventional methods? Well, based on Leigh’s experience, many young women tune out messages about breast cancer because they don’t believe they are at risk or the messages are too clinical. At Boobies Central, they know that research shows that simply “feeling your boobies” (aka “breast awareness) is just as effective at identifying lumps or other breast changes as the traditional step-by-step process of “breast self-exams”. And that’s their mission - to give “a friendly reminder when you least expect it”. So get feeling girls, and remind a friend to do the same.

Amount Donated: $5

To support Feel Your Boobies Foundation, please visit: http://www.feelyourboobies.com

I truly believe in the power of education and literacy as tools to shape our lives and future. There was a man I knew as a child, who never learned how to read. He was streetwise and a fighter, but if you handed him a note or book, he would fiddle with his glasses and struggle to make sense of the written words. It was a sad case of insufficient education, he never received a proper education. As a young child, I realized then how important education was. If I was going to excel and create a better life for myself, education was going to be the first step. I may not be the smartest person or the most appropriately punctuated writer, but I am blessed to be literate. There are a number of literacy and mentoring programs in the US, and while I can’t hit them all in my current journey, I will support as many as I can. Today’s give is for Open Books! 

Open Books is an award-winning nonprofit social venture that operates an extraordinary bookstore, provides community programs, and mobilizes passionate volunteers to promote literacy in Chicago and beyond. Open Books offers 4 signature literacy programs for students from across Chicago. We’re proud to have served more than 4,000 students and look forward to working with many more.

Their programs include:

• Open Books Buddies: One-on-one reading with elementary school students.
• Adventures In Creative Writing Field Trips: Nonfiction writing workshops for 4th - 12th graders.
• VWrite: One-on-one “virtual” mentoring for high school juniors.
• Wordshops: Literacy- and literary-themed workshops for students of all ages.

Amount Donated: $5

To support Open Books, please visit: http://www.open-books.org

Friday. Payday. It comes and goes every 2 weeks, I’m blessed to be so fortunate. After paying off some bills, I had a few extra dollars so I thought I would make a bigger donation today. It’s time for back to school, so I wanted to support another great mentoring organization targeting at-risk and foster youth and hopefully help a kid to get this school year off to a good start. So, I today I am showing my support for Children Uniting Nations.

Children Uniting Nations is a proactive non-profit organization created to bring attention to the plight of at-risk and foster youth. Their goal is to reach as many children in out-of-home care by offering role-model support, guidance, a sense of community and promoting the importance of an education.  They match participants with highly trained mentors that are compassionate, steadfast and have an unconditional desire to give of themselves in order to make a positive difference in the lives of their most vulnerable children.

Pioneered in Los Angeles in 1999 by their Founder and Chair, Daphna Ziman, their mission is to create loving, tolerant, and capable world citizens and they are dedicated to help children find their way to fulfill their dreams.  Sadly, children are the main victims of adult difficulties-whether it’s financial or political problems, war, lack of education, malnutrition, or carelessness. We must break the cycle and help EVERY child find a way out of cruelty, neglect and anger and strengthen our leaders of the next generations.  We have the ability to make the change now and create compassionate and loving children for the future.

Children Uniting Nations provides two types of local mentoring programs to at-risk and foster youth: a School Based Program and a Community Based Program.  They work closely with local foster agencies, foster families, teachers, counselors, and Extended Learning (ELA) staff to assess students’ levels of academic achievement and self-esteem and to develop individual mentoring plans with specific goals.

Amount Donated: $25 (pays for one backpack of school supplies for one child)

To support Children Uniting Nations, please visit: http://www.childrenunitingnations.org

Every home has its own adversities, I feel blessed that ones my family had to overcome seem trivial by comparison to the children dealing with real trauma. When a child is neglected or abused, it’s important that the support services are in place to make sure that child is protected and placed in home that is safe and nurturing. The work that National CASA does through it’s network helps pave the way for many children to live healthy and fulfilling lives in safe homes.

National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association’s mission, together with its state and local members, is to support and promote court-appointed volunteer advocacy for abused and neglected children so that they can thrive in safe, permanent homes.

National CASA and our network of over 1,050 local community program offices support volunteers serving children. The role of local CASA programs is to recruit, train and support volunteers in their work with abused children.

Role of National CASA: National CASA offers critical leadership and support to provide quality advocacy and lead the continued growth of the CASA network. Some of our specific activities:

• Training & Curriculum: National CASA creates new, research-based training opportunities, such as our new e-learning series on educational advocacy, and continuously improves our core volunteer training curriculum.
• Technical Assistance: We offer extensive technical assistance to help programs serve more children more effectively.
• Volunteer Recruitment and Public Awareness: We coordinate national campaigns to help recruit CASA volunteers and raise awareness about child abuse. In recent years, the CASA cause has been featured in various media, reaching more than 155 million individuals. Much of this awareness is the result of National CASA being selected as a CBS Cares network charity.
• Resource Development and Grants: National CASA provides pass-through funding to local and state CASA/GAL programs. Grant funding comes primarily from the Department of Justice but also from private corporations and foundations. Read more about the National CASA Grants program.

Amount Donated: $5

To support National CASA, please visit: http://www.casaforchildren.org

I’ve received a lot of great responses via email and tumblr messages of support and recommendations. It’s truly wonderful to hear how much people care and I am inspired by your support. Today’s give is inspired by a fellow tumblr member, who wrote me a very passionate message that I wanted to share.

“St. Jude is located in Memphis, TN and is the worlds premiere childhood cancer research and treatment facility. No child is ever turned away because of a family’s inability to pay. Anything not covered by insurance is FREE. The children and their families also receive free housing and domestic care while the child is being treated at St. Jude. I had the opportunity to visit St. Jude last summer and meet some of the patients, their families and doctors and it is truly a special place. I have been giving time and money to St. Jude for two years, and was the president of an organization on my college campus to raise money and awareness for St. Jude. Therefore, I felt almost obligated to share some information about St. Jude with you, because I know that if you shared it on your blog, more people would be aware of the life saving work they do.” -runwildandfree

Thank you for sharing your story and for being such an inspiring person, I am sure St. Jude’s appreciates all the time and energy you’ve dedicated to spreading the good word.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas, is one of the world’s premier centers for the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other catastrophic childhood diseases. St. Jude is the first and only pediatric cancer center to be designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute. Children from all 50 states and from around the world have come through the doors of St. Jude for treatment, and thousands more around the world have benefited from the research conducted at St. Jude - research that is shared freely with the global medical community. St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatments that are not covered by insurance. No child is denied treatment because of a family’s inability to pay.

Amount Donated: $10

To support St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, please visit: http://www.stjude.org/

For a while my mother operated a small business, a restaurant my dad started that she eventually ran until the land was sold and the business closed. For as much headaches and work that business was, you can still tell how much she misses it. It was a way for her to be self-sufficient, take care of her family, and run her own business. I believe that everyone with the desire should have the opportunity to experience the thrill and the challenges of running their own business and the WBDC is working to assist women in their goal for entrepreneurship.

The Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) is the oldest, largest, most comprehensive, and successful women’s business assistance center in the United States. They’re nationally and internationally recognized for their responsive, innovative, and effective programs and advocacy efforts. WBDC delivers business services and financial assistance to empower women towards entrepreneurship and economic self-sufficiency.  Since founding in 1986, they’ve grown from a two-person operation to a national leader in women’s economic development with a budget of $2.2 million. WBDC operation has grown to a staff of 24 full-time employees and consultants, a roster of expert trainers, industry-specific advisory boards, and a powerful Board of Directors comprised of Chicago women considered leaders in their fields.

Over the years, they’ve assisted more than 55,000 women in the greater Chicago area, helped establish 14 additional women’s business assistance centers in six states in the U.S., and continue to be credited for  programs and policies that impact women’s economic development across the nation and globally. 

Now in their third decade, the WBDC serves diverse entrepreneurs at all stages of development through the following programs and services:

• Targeted entrepreneurial training in workshops and seminars
• Industry-specific programs
• Multicultural Outreach Programs
• Professional business counseling
• Financial assistance
• Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) certification
• Procurement and business opportunity assistance
• Advocacy on women’s business ownership and economic development 
• Regional and national events and conferences 
• Access to information and resources covering all aspects of business ownership.

Amount Donated: $5

To support the Women’s Business Development Center, please visit: http://www.wbdc.org

Eyesight is a blessing that we need to preserve, with vision tests, awareness and safety programs, and research to discover cures to future eye diseases. It’s very easy to take eyesight for granted, but we need to acknowledge the importance of preserving and improving sight.

Founded in 1908, Prevent Blindness America is the nation’s leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight. Focused on promoting a continuum of vision care, Prevent Blindness America touches the lives of millions of people each year.

PBA checks the eyes of millions of children and adults each year. Their vision screenings help preschoolers at risk of vision loss from lazy eye (amblyopia), school children who depend on good vision for learning, and adults threatened by glaucoma and other serious vision problems.

PBA gets the word out on better eye health through brochures, fact sheets, public service announcements, newsletters, media campaigns, special events and the web. Every year more than 120 million people read, hear or see their messages about early detection of eye disease and prevention of accidents that can cause permanent loss of sight. 

PBA works with government officials at the state, local and national levels - building grassroots advocacy movements that will improve our nation’s public health policies.

PBA supports the work of scientists who will find tomorrow’s cures for the eye diseases that threaten Americans with vision loss and blindness.

PBA trains and certifies adult and children’s vision screeners and screening instructors through the only national program of its kind, providing 20,000 vision screening personnel with the skills they need to help people in their communities. PBA improves the quality of life for hundreds of thousands through our community programs. 

Amount Donated: $5

To support Prevent Blindness America, please visit: http://www.preventblindness.org

Our world is a very precious and fragile place, with all the recent environment catastrophes that have occurred in the past years, from oil spills, to shrinking glaciers, to forest fires, it’s important to acknowledge how we are affecting the environment, wildlife, and people and develop ways to protect it. The Environmental Justice Foundation is one of many great organizations working to empower the people affected by environmental abuses and eventually create long term solutions to everything from child labor, to pirate fishing, and more.

Environmental Justice Foundation is a registered charity established in 2000 to empower people who suffer most from environmental abuses to find peaceful ways of preventing them. EJF makes a direct link between the need for environmental security and the defence of basic human rights

EJF provides film and advocacy training to individuals and grassroots organisations in the global south, enabling them to document, expose and create long term solutions to environmental abuses. EJF campaigns internationally to raise awareness of the issues our grassroots partners are working to solve locally. 

Today EJF has a team of campaigners and film-makers based in London, and works internationally with partners in Brazil, Vietnam, Mali, Sierra Leone, Uzbekistan, Mauritius and Indonesia.

Their campaigns include: 

Climate Refugees
Climate change is set to create millions of environmental refugees. There needs to be a new legally-binding instrument identifying and protecting climate refugees.

Cotton production abuses
Ethical and sustainable cotton production free from forced child labour and deadly pesticides.

Pirate Fishing and Bycatch
An end to illegal fishing, that causes massive damage to the marine environment and livelihoods of coastal communities in developing countries

Impacts of shrimp farming
The protection of coastal regions and communities from the destruction of precious natural habitats caused by shrimp farms.

Deadly chemical pesticides
Governments to ban the use of Endosulfan, one of the world’s most dangerous and pervasive pesticides.

Wildlife
Illegal trafficking of plants and animals is reducing wildlife populations, some to the verge of extinction.

Amount Donated: $5 (U.S.)

To support the Environmental Justice Foundation, please visit: http://www.ejfoundation.org

It’s very easy to brush off or complain about a homeless person asking for you for change, it maybe to easy. Why do we complain, is it the constant nagging or the feeling of how bad a community has become? I feel the best way to counteract these feelings is to tackle the problem head on and actively support the organizations working responsibly towards fighting the issue. Homelessness and poverty are huge issues facing our nation, especially when so many people are unemployed. In my research of organizations working to help the homeless, I found Project H.O.M.E., their words to live by inspired me: None of us are home until all of us are home. One of their initiatives is Street Outreach, which makes the world of sense to me, they work around the clock reaching out to people living in the streets (about 2,200 unduplicated individuals annually). This in my opinion is one of the most important tools in the fight. Sometimes people need a little help to get the services they need, so if those in need don’t go to the shelters and support groups, these groups will need to do the street outreach and go to those in need. 

The mission of the Project H.O.M.E. community is to empower adults, children, and families to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty, to alleviate the underlying causes of poverty, and to enable all of us to attain our fullest potential as individuals and as members of the broader society. They strive to create a safe and respectful environment where we support each other in our struggles for self-esteem, recovery, and the confidence to move toward self-actualization.

Project H.O.M.E. achieves its mission through a continuum of care comprised of street outreach, a range of supportive housing, and comprehensive services. They address the root causes of homelessness through neighborhood-based affordable housing, economic development, and environmental enhancement programs, as well as through providing access to employment opportunities; adult and youth education; and health care.

Project H.O.M.E. is committed to social and political advocacy. An integral part of their work is education about the realities of homelessness and poverty and vigorous advocacy on behalf of and with homeless and low-income persons for more just and humane public policies.

Project H.O.M.E. is committed to nurturing a spirit of community among persons from all walks of life, all of whom have a role to play in making this a more just and compassionate society.

Amount Donated: $5

To support Project Home, please visit: http://www.projecthome.org

There has been a lot of excitement and encouragement along this journey so far, and I thank you all for the kind words, recommendations, and support. Today’s give is to a local charity doing some good within their community on the south side of Chicago, not far from where I spent most of my adolescence. The Saint Rose has been providing a wide range of programs and services to disabled adults with a limited budget and lot of heart.  I encourage you to look within your own community and see what groups are making a difference and do whatever you can to help these local organizations grow. 

Since Fall of 1997 Saint Rose has been a center providing day training services to adults who have developmental disabilities. For over 40 years prior to becoming a day training center, they were a school who taught children with developmental disabilities. They provide developmental skills for people who wish to improve their lives. Their services are open to people of all religions, races, sexes, ages, and national origins. People come to Saint Rose Center to improve their lives, become more able, obtain training in everyday skills, work in our work program, obtain help in finding a job, or enhance their spirituality

To find out more about the programs offered, please visit: http://www.saintrosecenter.org/programs.html

Amount Donated: $5

To support the Saint Rose Center, please visit: http://www.saintrosecenter.org

Want to donate your time and be a volunteer? 

Saint Rose Center is in need volunteers for their Tag Days on 9/9, 9/10 and 9/11 and Tootsie Roll days 9/17 and 9/18. One hour or more of your time would help fund their desperately needed development programs. Please contact Maureen Sullivan at Saint Rose Center to find out more information or sign up to volunteer: 773) 436-1433

SAINT ROSE CENTER
4911 S. Hoyne Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60609
Email: strosecenter@aol.com

Maybe it’s due to my own upbringing, but I am drawn to organizations that help people in need obtain the food and nourishment to live full and healthy lives. I believe that hunger should not be so commonplace in our society, but there are people who live without and I have to show my support for organizations working to provide food for people in our community, and the Northern Illinois Food Bank fits the bill.

Northern Illinois Food Bank, a non-profit, 501(c)(3) charity organization and member of Feeding America (formerly America’s Second Harvest - The Nation’s Food Bank Network) was founded in May 1983 in Wheaton, Illinois and distributed 7,000 pounds of food in its first month. NIFB has grown tremendously in the past 27 years - distributing more than 36.5 million pounds of food in 2010 and currently serving over 520 food-assistance sites in 13 northern Illinois counties. Always striving to meet its mission, Northern Illinois Food Bank staff and board of directors aims to provide nutritious food to all those in need through its own efforts and those of its nonprofit partners.

Northern Illinois Food Bank (NIFB) acquires donated food and financial support from retailers, manufacturers, corporations, community resources, and individuals. Northern Illinois Food Bank distributes the food to hungry people through a network of over 520 nonprofit food pantries, shelters, soup kitchens, and other food assistance sites. Northern Illinois Food Bank serves 13 northern Illinois counties - Boone, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Will, and Winnebago Counties - in a geographical area surrounding Chicago’s Cook County.

Amount Donated: $5

To support The Northern Illinois Food Bank, please visit: http://www.northernilfoodbank.org

The tragedies of war are an unfortunate reality of our world and being responsible humans working towards a more peaceful community is important to the future of our world. I know it’s utopian, but we have to have a dream and goal. In the meantime, it’s integral that support services are in place to take care of the victims of war and WAR CHILD is a group working towards helping children affected by war.

War Child is a network of independent organisations, working across the world to help children affected by war. War Child was founded upon a fundamental goal: to advance the cause of peace through investing hope in the lives of children caught up in the horrors of war.

As you read this, over 30 wars and conflicts rage around the world. Some fill our TV screens with appalling images of distress, emphasizing war’s brutalizing effect on man.

Many of these wars go unreported, often due to political expediency or lack of interest. They reveal a shaming pattern: Sixty million people have been killed in wars during the 20th Century. Over 80% of war casualties are now civilians - mainly women and children.

Children are amongst the first casualties of any armed conflict, always the most vulnerable and innocent of victims. In the last decade alone 1.5 million children have died in wars. Four million have been disabled and a further 10 million traumatized.

The severe psychological wounds that war inflicts on children can scar them for life, crippling the very generations that must one day rebuild their devastated countries. For the future peace of the world we must do everything in our power to help these war children.

Amount Donated: $5

To support War Child, please visit: http://www.warchild.org

There is no doubt the impact that AIDS has on families, it becomes increasingly hard to ignore especially when it has reached the level of intensity as it has in Africa. When 14.1 million of the 15 million children orphaned by AIDS are in Africa alone, that is cause for serious concern and action. Sub-Saharan Africa is the most affected region in the world, and it is important that organizations like Keep A Child Alive are working to fight the disease and help the children and families affected by it.

Keep a Child Alive is dedicated to providing life-saving anti-retroviral treatment, care and support services to children and families whose lives have been affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa and India by directly engaging the global public in the fight against AIDS.

Keep a Child Alive focuses on:

Treatment: Anti-retroviral therapy (ART) has transformed the lives of people with AIDS in the West, returning them from sickness to health. But only 42% of the 9.5 million people who so desperately need treatment, have access to it. When children are infected, 50% die before the age of 2 and 80% die before the age of 5.

Care: Keep a Child Alive provides first class AIDS care through doctors, nutrition, testing, transportation, and treatment for opportunistic infections, which are all necessary for anti-retroviral treatment to be successful. KCA also provides the care and support to keep orphaned and abandoned children safe.

Orphans: 15.2 million children have lost their parents to AIDS. These children will face enormous risks in their struggle to stay alive. They will often be forced into sexual exploitation or enrolled as child soldiers. Keep a Child Alive supports the children’s extended family caregivers, and builds and sustains orphanages to keep the most vulnerable children out of harm’s way.

Amount Donated: $5

To support Keep a Child Alive, please visit: http://keepachildalive.org

I tend to look back at my childhood for perspective on how my life has evolved and progressed for the better, which makes me feel more inclined to help as many people as I can. Thinking back to adversities my family and I have faced provides me a sense of what is important in this life. Something as simple as the hot lunch program in grammar school, may not seem like a big deal, but for me it was a guaranteed meal each day. It’s really hard to focus on learning when you are starving, which is why I believe in programs like The Lunchbox Fund.

The Lunchbox Fund was founded in 2004 to address the needs of impoverished students at Meadowlands High School in Soweto, South Africa. The organization has since expanded to include two additional high schools in Soweto, and most recently Alexandra High School in Alexandra Township. The simple intervention of providing a free and healthy lunch, makes a substantial difference in the students ability to reach their potential by alleviating the plight of hunger-stricken children within the South African township school systems, and — as the mission develops — through Central and East Africa as well.

The Lunchbox Fund targets the poorest children and schools and provides them with nutritional meals. Typically the children are fed peanut butter and/or jam sandwiches on whole wheat bread with a piece of fresh fruit daily. For some of these children it may be their only meal of the day.

Amount Donated: $10 (sponsors a child for a month)

To support the Lunchbox Fund, please visit: http://www.thelunchboxfund.org

Today’s give highlights another friend of mine and local musician Trakan doing some good in our community. Trakan is currently working on a wonderful project to help raise money for Cabrini Connections & Tutor/Mentor Connection, these organizations provide a safe haven from street violence to at-risk youth by matching them with volunteer mentors to help give them an educational edge through tutoring. The importance of education and the power of these programs are vital to the communities they serve. Trakan has organized a back to school fundraiser concert at the Darkroom on August 29th, I recommend checking it out: Tutor/Mentor Jam. It’s a great way to show your support and help give back to our community.

Tutor/Mentor Connection (T/MC)’s mission is to provide an organized framework that empowers and encourages adult volunteers to contribute their time, effort, ideas and advocacy toward creating life-changing solutions for children in educationally and economically disadvantaged areas.

Cabrini Connections, a non-school tutor/mentor program operating in Chicago is an example of an “organized framework”. It has been connecting youth and adult volunteers since 1993. It’s founders are the  creators and operators of the Tutor/Mentor Connection. 

The goal is to help similar programs grow in all parts of Chicago. Their strategy is to help the ones already operating, then help new programs form, borrowing from ideas of existing programs.  For this strategy to work, organizes structures need to grow in business groups, faith groups, hospitals, colleges and many other places, where people are looking at the same information as program leaders are looking at, and innovating ways to provide a consistent flow of volunteers, dollars and other needed resources, to every tutor/mentor program in the city, not just to one or two well-known programs.

Amount Donated: $5

To support the Tutor/Mentor Connection, please visit: http://www.tutormentorconnection.org

For more information about the Tutor/Mentor Jam!, please visit: http://www.tutormentorjam.org

Can’t make the Jam? Donate here: http://www.giveforward.org/tmjam2010/

Do you remember your favorite book as child? Do you remember how happy it made you when you read it? Whether it was Love You Forever or Goodnight Moon, those books can leave a lasting impression provoking an emotional nostalgia when you read it again in your adult life. More importantly, those early books set you on a path to your own literacy and education, a path that every child should have the opportunity to tread. The title of today’s organization says it all, the importance of literacy for today’s under served youth is crucial to the world’s future.

Reading Is Fundamental, Inc. prepares and motivates children to read by delivering free books and literacy resources to those children and families who need them most.

Founded in 1966, RIF is the oldest and largest children’s and family nonprofit literacy organization in the United States. RIF’s highest priority is reaching underserved children from birth to age 8. Through community volunteers in every state and U.S. territory, RIF provided 4.4 million children with 15 million new, free books and literacy resources last year.

All RIF programs combine three essential elements to foster children’s literacy: reading motivation, family and community involvement, and the excitement of choosing free books to keep.

RIF’s accomplishments are due in part to the generous support of the U.S. Department of Education, corporations, foundations, community organizations, and thousands of individuals.

Amount Donated: $10

To support Reading is Fundamental, please visit: http://www.rif.org

Ever since I was 5 years old when I was impersonating Elvis and strumming on a toy guitar or listening to oldies while I fell asleep, music has always played a large part in my life. For years through my adolescence I attempted to write songs and learn to play guitar and piano, it wasn’t until recently that I actually learned chords and developed a basic skill set. I know the impact music has had on my development. For me, much like acting, music can be therapeutic, stimulate creativity and expression, and provide enjoyment even if it’s just an audience of one. Because I believe in the power and importance of music education, I am supporting the Fender Music Foundation.

The Fender Music Foundation was created to provide funding and resources for music programs across America so that kids and adults alike will have an opportunity to experience the joys of music. FMF also educates the public on the value of a musical education. FMF can make a difference in people’s lives by providing them a gift that lasts a lifetime.

The Fender Music Foundation believes that music participation is an essential element in the fabric of an enduring society. Their mission is to have the benefits of making music available to everyone in the communities in which they serve, to promote its importance through education and media initiatives, and to provide financial and in-kind resources in collaboration with other organizations to achieve our common goal.

They understand the impact music has on the lives of people of all ages, and the tremendous gift it brings to participants and listeners. They understand the power of music on the soul and the vehicle it provides for our sanity, health and creativity. They want to help make that gift available to everyone, with the understanding that the process of participating in music is a means to this end; that people don’t have to be rock stars or professional musicians to enjoy the rewards of music participation, and that age is not a factor in the enjoyment or ability to learn to play music.

Amount Donated: $5

To support the Fender Music Foundation, please visit: http://www.fendermusicfoundation.org/

I truly respect all the firefighters who put their lives on the line to help people in various states of peril. It makes me proud that the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation exists. The foundation works to honor those brave heroes that lost their lives as well as provide support services for their families and that is a wonderful mission.

The United States Congress created the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to lead a nationwide effort to remember America’s fallen firefighters. Since 1992, the tax-exempt, nonprofit Foundation has developed and expanded programs to honor our fallen fire heroes and assist their families and coworkers. Their mission is to honor and remember America’s fallen fire heroes and to provide resources to assist their survivors in rebuilding their lives.

Immediately after a firefighter dies in the line of duty, the Foundation provides survivors with a place to turn. Families and chiefs receive emotional support through peer support networks. Spouses and children of fallen firefighters are eligible for scholarship assistance for education and job training.

With the support of fire and life safety organizations, the Foundation has launched a major initiative to reduce firefighter deaths. Their goal is to reduce line-of-duty firefighter deaths by 25 percent in 5 years.

The Foundation is expanding the national memorial site in Emmitsburg, Maryland, to create the first permanent national park honoring all firefighters. The park includes a brick Walk of Honor® that connects the Memorial Chapel and the official national monument.

Amount Donated: $5

To support the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, please visit: http://www.firehero.org

Endometriosis is a debilitating disease that is curable, but often misdiagnosed. So the Endo Foundation co-founded by Padma Lakshmi is working to bring about awareness and information within the medical community and that is a very admirable mission.

The Endometriosis Foundation of America (EFA) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that seeks to provide hope to women suffering from the debilitating effects of Endometriosis and associated diseases. In contrast to the enigmatic picture often painted of Endometriosis as an incurable condition, the EFA firmly believes that every stage of the disease is treatable with the correct surgical techniques. However, early diagnosis and timely intervention are crucial.

The EFA’s mission further addresses societal prejudices and misinformation about Endometriosis in the medical community. Through combining research and education, we are here to help the women who suffer from this disease by spreading awareness and actively working to find a permanent cure.

Amount Donated: $5

To support the Endometriosis Foundation of America, please visit: http://www.endofound.org

I recently stumbled upon an audition tape by Zach Anner, Zach was auditioning for a show on Oprah’s new network. Zach lives with cerebral palsy and uses a wheel chair for mobility. I thought his spirit and sense of humor was inspiring.  His idea for a travel show dedicated to those who might feel bound by limitations is such a grand idea. I hope that he wins the contest and his show is produced. Zach’s story inspired me to find other organizations working to help those seek out adventure despite whatever challenges may be in their way. I discovered No Barriers USA, a fantastic organization working to make these adventures a reality from mountain climbing to deep sea fishing.

No Barriers empowers people to push past their own real and perceived barriers, achieve a pioneering mindset and better understand their own potential. Many of their friends and followers live their life with physical challenges while others live with hidden or self-imposed challenges. Regardless of age, condition or state of mind, No Barriers is for everyone. They achieve their mission through No Barriers Festivals and the No Barriers University. 

Their signature program is a multi-day international Festival. Every couple years, in a naturally beautiful and challenging place somewhere in the world, the No Barriers Festival brings together adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts as well as scientists and innovators adventurers for an outdoor festival unlike any other. The No Barriers Festival combines hands-on clinics, product demonstrations, nature excursions, keynote addresses, leadership exercises and a scientific symposium with films, art and music. . No Barriers constructs their festivals to give people who live with challenges the technologies and techniques they are looking for to help them live more active lives. Their four festivals have been held on two continents and have included participants from dozens of countries as well as almost every state in America.

No Barriers University compliments the Festival and provides year-round, country-wide education on techniques, technologies, and ideas people are creating or have created to assist people with challenges. Their online program offers online viewers the opportunity to learn most everything that festival participants did and heard at past Festivals. Through educational videos and resources guides, individuals can learn about the equipment, devices, and technologies available that will help them to live more active lives. As well as companies who manufacture and/or sell the adaptive equipment and agencies that serve people with disabilities in an active recreational way.

The purpose of No Barriers is to promote innovative ideas, approaches, and assistive technologies which help people with disabilities push through their own personal barriers to live full and active lives.

Amount Donated: $5

To support No Barriers USA, please visit: http://www.nobarriersusa.org

Sometimes the littlest things in life can create the greatest impact, things we take for granted like water or books can enrich the lives of those that live without. A visitor to Living Philanthropic brought my attention to a local organization dedicated to bringing books to orphans across the world.

The Bookwallah Organization is a 501(c)(3) non-profit whose sole mission is to collect and distribute children’s storybooks, set up libraries, and spread the joy of reading to children of orphanages and children’s homes throughout the world. The origin of the name of the organization comes from the Hindi translation “bookwallah” which means “book peddler”. They believe by opening a child’s world to imagination and exploration, can greatly improve their lives and the lives around them. They also believe that the magic of stories can help foster creativity and innovation within a society.

There are 143 million orphans in the world whose lives can change through the power and magic of storybooks. As they evolve as an organization, their programs and partnerships will be designed to encourage and enable storybooks reading within the orphanages and children’s homes. Currently, Bookwallah has two core programs which they believe will yield tremendous impact.

Bookwallah Library Program: Establish libraries within the orphanages by providing children’s books in English and local languages.

Bookwallah Reading Rug Program: Build child-friendly, comfortable reading areas for the children within the orphanages. This will be the area designated within the orphanages for imagination and adventure.

Amount Donated: $5

To support, Bookwallah Organization, please visit: http://www.bookwallah.org

I remember as a child watching my mom sacrifice her own well being to make sure all of us kids were fed first. Many times she would go hungry and not eat all day, just to make sure us kids were provided for. The sacrifices she made for us, helped us grow into our productive futures and I am so thankful for everything she did for us. In ideal world, every mother would have the means to take care of their children, but in this world it’s not always the case. Feed My Starving Children delivers food to help nourish the children that need it most, and that is a mission I can stand behind. 

Feed My Starving Children is a Christian organization committed to “Feeding God’s Starving Children Hungry in Body and Spirit.” regardless of faith. Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) strives to eliminate starvation in children throughout the world by helping to instill compassion in people to hear and respond to the cries of those in need. Follow them on Twitter and see where all the food shipments go. 

To distribute the packed meals, the FMSC team began establishing partnerships with major global distribution nonprofits and imbedded missionaries such as Salesian Missions, Love A Child, Cross International, Samaritans International, and World in Need. These partnerships allow FMSC to reach desperately needy children in remote parts of the world by leveraging the partner’s in-country expertise.  This expertise allows the partner to help ensure that the orphanages, schools and facilities for disabled children are provided hot, nutritious meals—and a ray of hope for the future.

Amount Donated: $5

To Support Feed My Starving Children, please visit: http://www.fmsc.org/Page.aspx?pid=453