July 22 (Day 144) - You Are My Sunshine!

Nestled alongside the shores of beautiful Sebago Lake, Camp Sunshine provides respite, support, joy and hope to children with life-threatening illnesses and their immediate families through various stages of a child’s illness. The year-round program is free of charge to all families, and includes 24-hour onsite medical and psychosocial support. Bereavement groups are also offered for families who have lost a child to an illness.The camp has the distinction of being the only program in the nation whose mission is to address the impact of a life threatening illness on every member of the immediate family—the ill child, the parents, and the siblings. Since its inception, Camp Sunshine has provided a haven for over 30,000 individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.


Families with a child diagnosed with diseases such as cancer, kidney disease, lupus, solid organ transplants, and other life threatening illnesses attend one of the week-long camps. Our focus is on alleviating the strain that a life threatening illness takes not only on the sick child but also on other family members. Families have an opportunity to rebuild their relationships together and meet other families facing similar challenges.



Free quality services are provided at the camp including accommodations and meals, onsite medical services, counseling services, and recreational facilities. While the camp is in session, each family stays in their own family suite. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served each day.


Volunteers, except for those who live nearby, also stay on the property. Camp Sunshine is staffed almost entirely by volunteers, many of whom return year after year. The volunteers reflect the diversity of the families and help with recreational leadership, childcare, food service and whatever else needs to be done.


Another distinctive component of the program is the medical facilities and professional staff that are available to address the taxing physical needs of children with intrusive diseases. A physician is located at the camp for the entire session so that families can be secure in the knowledge that the camp offers 24-hour onsite medical support. In addition, a hospital with full-time emergency room physicians and pediatricians is only 25 minutes from the camp.


Recreational hours allow children to relax and enjoy the simple pleasures of childhood while their parents find quiet moments to walk by the lake and reaffirm their support for one another. In addition, games and events are designed to foster family involvement, encouraging families to laugh and play as a unit. This approach builds a new foundation the family can take with them when the camp is over to unite them during the darker times they will face.


Each family is sponsored by an individual, civic group, corporation, or foundation, which enables a family to spend a week at Camp Sunshine free of charge. The sponsorship for one family to participate in the week-long program is $1,500. The Family Sponsorship Program provides a way for donors to sponsor a family or families from their geographic area.


The Camp Sunshine Program is FREE.



Get Involved:

Ways to donate to Camp Sunshine.

Camp Sunshine's Wish List.

Sponsor a family for Camp Sunshine.

Volunteer at Camp Sunshine. Camp Sunshine staff consists almost entirely of volunteers who donate their time. Over 2,000 dedicated volunteers participate in our program each year. Many return again and again. They help with food service, arts and crafts, recreational leadership, one on one assistance, child care and more.

Shop at the Camp Store.




Source:  Camp Sunshine

July 21 (Day 143) Putting used bikes to good use.

When most American's think of bicycling, we think of a recreational activity - a fun way to spend some time outdoors and get some exercise. Maybe some of us think of the Tour de France.  In many parts of the world, a bicycle means much more. It provides much needed transportation and increases the economic viability in those areas. Today's post highlights a charity doing a great work in helping to provide just those things. Take a look....

Every year, affluent Americans buy 22 million new bicycles and discard millions of old ones, abandoning many more unused in basements, sheds, and garages. We rescue bicycles destined for overburdened U.S. landfills and ship them todeveloping countries where they are sorely needed and highly valued. 


 Pedals for Progress has received, processed and donated over 115,000 bicycles, 1,000 used sewing machines and $10.8 million in new spare parts to partner charities in 32 developing world countries.  P4P bikes are put to work not only as basic transportation, but are used as a supplement to school and community programs. The bikes are adapted for useas trash haulers, produce trucks, taxis, and farm machinery. Some of the municipalities even sponsor recreational cycling programs, making bikes available to all who care to participate.

When we can establish a program with an overseas partner, the bicycles take on an even greater significance; to keep the bikes working, maintenance is necessary. Children and adults are trained in bicycle repair and maintenance, then the bicycles are sold within the community, fostering the development of a local economy. If a person would like to have a bicycle but cannot pay for it, that person has to work for the shop (and learn a new skill) in order to cover the cost of the bicycle.

P4P also arranges for the bicycle shops to have a supply of tools, parts, accessories, and lubricants for maintaining the bikes. With Pedals for Progress, a bicycle becomes a valuable commodity for trade, employment, transportation, local government - the list goes on. In the countries where PfP has an established Partner Program, the most successful entrepeneurs are the ones who use bicycles to get to work and deliver the goods and service where they are needed most, allowing them to expand their businesses and increase their personal incomes. Medical personnel in remote areas rely on the bicycle to get them to villages not accessible by roads. Without these "mobile bike medics", people in these villages would not get the vaccines or medical attention most of us often take for granted.

Pedals for Progress isn't just donating used bicycles: It's also helping developing world economies by promoting self-sustaining bicycle repair businesses.



Get Involved:

Make an online donation to P4P.

How to hold a bicycle or sewing machine collection.


 
Source:  Pedals for Progress

July 20 (Day 142) Habitat for Humanity

I would guess that most everyone has heard of today's charity and the great work that they are doing all over the globe!  I was really amazed in reading the history of this organization and discovering their humble beginnnings and rapid expansion.  I guess when you have a great idea and you are doing a great work... word gets around and people want to help!

Shelter from wind, rain and cold is a basic human need


Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian organization. HFH is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing and homelessness worldwide and to making adequate, affordable shelter a matter of conscience and action. HFH was founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, decent place to live in dignity and safety.

Habitat has an open-door policy: All who desire to be a part of this work are welcome, regardless of religious preference or background. We have a policy of building with people in need regardless of race or religion. We welcome volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds.

Habitat's ministry is based on the conviction that to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, we must love and care for one another. Our love must not be words only— it must be true love, which shows itself in action. Habitat provides an opportunity for people to put their faith and love into action. We bring diverse groups of people together to make affordable housing and better communities a reality for everyone.

Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization that works to eliminate poverty housing.   They build homes in partnership with families who demonstrate need and a willingness to work with Habitat for Humanity by helping to build a home of their own. Habitat homeowners gain self-respect as they work alongside volunteers to construct their homes.With safe, decent and affordable housing, families are better able to concentrate on parenting, employment, education and community involvement. Each Habitat build site provides a setting for people from all walks of life to work side by side in partnership with future homeowners. Since 1976, HFH has built over 350,000 houses worldwide for more than 1.75 million people.

Get Involved: 

Donate to Habitat for Humanity, Intl.

Looking for volunteer opportunities in your local area? Want to donate to your local Habitat? Find your local Habitat Affiliate. 

Check out their volunteer programs.  HFH has programs catering to women, youth, international programs and a program tailored to RV'ers!

Shop or donate to a HFH ReStore. ReStores accept donated goods which are sold to the general public at a fraction of the retail price. The proceeds help local Habitat affiliates fund the construction of Habitat homes within their communities.

Shop the HFH online store.





Source:  Habitat For Humanity

July 19 (Day 141) Rescuing Dogs - Enhancing Lives

Rescuing homeless dogs and professionally training them to enhance lives is what Dogs for the Deaf is all about. In over 30 years, Dogs for the Deaf has rescued and placed over 3,000 dogs in homes as Hearing Dogs, Miracle Mutts (Special Dogs for Special People), Harmony's Hounds (Dogs with Special Needs), and Career Change Dogs.

In keeping with this tradition, we are proud to announce the start of a pilot Autism Assistance Dog Program. This program will allow us to rescue and train more dogs, specifically more large dogs. Our primary focus is training Hearing Dogs and that will not change. The Autism Assistance Dog Program is a small program that will enhance our organization's ability to help more people and dogs but will not detract from our primary focus of training and placing Hearing Dogs.


DFD rescues dogs from animal shelters throughout Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California. We choose dogs between the ages of eight months and three years old that are people friendly, confident, and motivated by toys, treats, and affection. We rescue, train, and place 30-40 dogs annually.  The dogs are trained with positive reinforcement and lots of love.  All dogs that enter training are first spayed or neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, and receive any necessary medical treatment so they have the best possible chance to succeed.


Check out the different programs offered by Dogs For The Deaf:

Hearing Dogs are trained to alert to the sounds: fire/smoke alarm, telephone, door knock, doorbell, oven timer, alarm clock, and name call. In some cases a dog may be trained for the baby cry.  In addition to sound training, Hearing Dogs are also extensively obedience trained and socialized.
More than 1½ million of the 23 million deaf or hard of hearing individuals in the United States and Canada could benefit from a Hearing Dog.

Autism Assistance Dogs are trained to enhance the safety of children with autism by acting as an anchor and preventing the child from bolting into dangerous situations. These dogs can also have a calming effect on the child and possibly improve the child's willingness to communicate and bond.

Miracle Mutts (Special Dogs for Special People) - Special furry friends who provide companionship, motivation, and emotional support to people who need a helping paw. These dogs help with depression and loneliness; they provide a reason to get up in the morning and motivation to exercise; and they generally make life more worth living.

Harmony's Hounds (Dogs with Special Needs) - Dogs who have a special physical or emotional need and are looking for someone willing to provide a stable, loving home and any special care they might need with things like on-going medical concerns, old age, anxiety issues, allergies, and seizures. In the right, special environment, these dogs can thrive and provide lots of love.

Career Change Dogs - Wonderful dogs that make loving pets and companions.



Get Involved:

Donate to DFD.

Donate "Wish List" items.

Volunteer opportunities with DFD.  Most opportunities require you live in the area of DFD, but volunteer interviewers is an ideal opportunity for people who'd love to volunteer but do not live close to the DFD facility.



Source:  Dogs For The Deaf

July 18 (Day 140) Buy Groceries... Give Back

I HATE GROCERY SHOPPING! I am sure I am not alone in feeling this way because grocery shopping is just one of those things that you have to do, not that you want to do! There is only one positive to grocery shopping...I can console myself with the knowledge that I am helping a charity that is important to me.

How am I supporting my cause while grocery shopping?  It's easy... I use my loyalty card when I make my purchase and a percentage (usually 1%) of my purchase goes to the charity I have registered. It may not seem like a lot of money but to the charity receiving the donation, it can make a big difference.


I recently met with the volunteer coordinator of a small animal rescue in my area and she told me that they receive about $250. a month through their participation in this program. That may not seem like a lot of money but to the charity receiving the donation, it is greatly appreciated.  In this tough economy, charities are looking for every available revenue stream.


Loyalty programs will differ from company to company, so check out the loyalty program where you shop.  You can get information from the customer service desk or at the company website.  I have included a few links below for companies that offer a loyalty program that gives a portion of sales to charity.  Just click on the link for information.

Krogers 
Ralphs
Randalls / Tom Thumb
Food Lion
Pik N Save  - Sign up at customer service.
and my favorite...
Piggly Wiggly - although there is not a location in my area, I want The Pig Card!



This list is by no means exhaustive. If your favorite grocery store is on this list, please consider linking your loyalty card to a charity you support.  If your favorite store is not on this list, stop by the customer service desk and see if they offer such a program.  This is such an easy way to make a difference... Can you help?!

July 17 (Day 139) The 3 Rs: Rescue, Re-use, Recycle

Today's post highlights an organization that is doing awesome work in Arkansas. This program can serve as an inspiration to all of us.  If you are able to help this program, please do! Maybe someone out there who is reading this will be inspired to replicate this program in their area. 

Established in 1989, Potluck Food Rescue is on a mission is to alleviate hunger by bridging the gap between excess food and the hungry.  Potluck was founded on the uncomplicated yet visionary concept that excess food should be put to good use by rescuing, re-using and recycling it to help feed someone who is hungry rather than have it go to waste.

In 2009, the organization rescued over 4.5 million pounds of a wide variety of food from restaurants, hospitals, caterers, farmers, farmer’s markets, corporate cafeterias, specialty food stores, bakeries, dairies, schools, wholesalers and more.

Food is distributed free of charge to a broad, diverse and rapidly growing network of nonprofit community food programs that include: KIDS’ PANTRY sites serving children at-risk, soup kitchens, day centers for seniors and veterans, homeless shelters, women’s emergency shelters and food pantries.

When there’s good food that’s going unused – rescuing it so it can be put into the hand of those who need it the most makes good sense. Potluck is proof that the smart idea of food rescue can be transformed into a fully-functioning and efficient operation that helps feed Arkansans at-risk.


Hunger in Arkansas

One in Six
One in six of our neighbors live below the poverty line and struggles to make ends meet and provide enough food for their family.
One in Four
One in four children in Arkansas does not get enough to eat in order to sustain their growth and development.  Arkansas’ childhood poverty rate is 26% - compared to the national average of 18%.


There is a Demand
Potluck agencies report a 44% increase in the number of individuals they serve.
The fastest growing populations of individuals seeking some form of emergency food assistance are single mothers with children, working two-parent households and senior citizens.

There is a Supply

More than 100,000 pounds of good, wholesome food is discarded daily in Pulaski County.


Rescuing excess food to feed the hungry is logical, practical – and the right thing to do.


 
 
Get Involved:
 
Donate to Potluck Food Rescue.
 
Become a Food Donor.
 
 
Source:  Potluck Food Rescue
 
 

July 16 (Day 138) Giving the Gift of Music

The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation keeps music alive in our schools and communities by donating musical instruments to under-funded music programs, giving youngsters the many benefits of music education, helping them to be better students and inspiring creativity and expression through playing music.

The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation (MHOF) was inspired by the acclaimed motion picture Mr. Holland’s Opus, the story of the profound effect a dedicated music teacher had on generations of students. The film's composer, Michael Kamen, founded MHOF in 1996 as his commitment to the future of music education.


MHOF donates both new and refurbished instruments to school and after-school music programs that lack the resources to keep up with equipment loss due to attrition, depreciation and wear over time, and to accommodate students on waiting lists or who have to share instruments. An infusion of instruments enables more students to participate and to experience a quality music education. It is vital that efforts are made to give youngsters every tool available within the small window of time when they can make the most of their education, and experience the benefits inherent in learning to play music.


Every year, an average of 10,000 young people across the country benefit from MHOF Programs. Students who can't afford to rent an instrument and kids on waiting lists are given an opportunity to play quality instruments which improves their experience and inspires them to accomplish more and more. A grant from MHOF elevates the music program and elicits more support and demand for music education for all students. Schools have fewer discipline problems, higher attendance and have more kids graduate when they are involved in the music program. Kids learn a skill and positive behaviors that will last well into their lives.

 
 

Click here to see past recipients in your area.




Get Involved:

Make a monetary donation to MHOF.

Donate an instrument to MHOF.

Other ways to get involved.




Source:  www.mhopus.org

July 15 (Day 137) School Supply Drive

Learning becomes difficult when you don't have the necessary tools.  Many low income families and children living in school districts where poverty is prevalent face this difficulty everyday. Children of poor families are up to six times more likely to drop out than wealthy children.  In 2004, 17 of the nation's 50 largest cities had high school graduation rates lower than 50%, with the lowest rates reported in Detroit (24.9%), Indianapolis (30.5%) and Cleveland (34.1%). Source: Do Something

Here's your chance to make a difference!   This summer, Staples has partnered with DoSomething.org (a website promoting teen philanthropy) to host their third annual Do Something 101 School Supply Drive! This is such an easy way for adults, teens and even younger children to give back!  You can help right now by holding school supply drives in your school and community or how about your workplace! Get creative, spread the word, make signs and then gather the donations. 


Now through September 18th, you can drop off the school supplies at Do Something 101 collection bins at any Staples store across the US. Each Staples store is teamed up with a local non-profit organization that will ensure your supplies will help students in your community.  Your donations will benefit your community... that is awesome! 


So let's get busy and gather up those school supplies and drop them off at our local Staples.  If you like, you can buy your supplies at Staples and leave them in the collection bins... HOW CONVENIENT!  One stop philanthropy!  There are other ways you can help....

Donate $1 at register at any Staples store nationwide from 7/4 – 9/18.

Mobile giving:  Text NOTEBOOK to 20222 to make a $5 donation to Do Something 101.



Source:  dosomething.org

July 14 (Day 136) Celebrating Seniors & Making Dreams Come True

Mother Theresa was once asked what is the loneliest place in the world --
Her answer was "nursing homes in America."

When I read that, I was a little suprised... but as I reflected on it - I get it... I understand.  Nursing homes can sometimes be a depository for our elderly.  Families get busy and lives become hectic.  Sometimes Seniors feel as if they have been forgotten.  Everyone wants to feel loved...everyone wants to feel relevant.  Oh, and God willing, we will all be a twilighter someday! 

The mission of Twilight Wish Foundation is to honor and enrich the lives of deserving seniors through wish granting celebrations that connect generations. Our vision is to make America a nicer place to age.


We believe it's time to say "thank you" by bringing smiles and joy into quiet, humble lives. We celebrate the life of someone special by giving a "thank you" they never expected in the form of a wish come true. Twilight Wish honors every wish recipient with formal wish numbered certificates stating their life accomplishments and wish details.


We have granting more than 1,275 wishes since our founding. Twilight Wish has 13 chapters in 12 states We have granted wishes in 35 different states.  We are celebrating seniors as never before--by fulfilling "quality of life wishes" for hearing aids, visual aids, lift chairs, dentures; "one more time wishes" such as hometown visits and reuniting families; providing "shining moment wishes" like rides in a motorcycle sidecar, blimp, parade float or hot air balloon; and finally very simple "comfort wishes" such as a banana cream pie, radios, lap blankets, clothing and stuffed animals.


Twilight Wish also has an Intergenerational Caring Program that "connects generations" by getting many students and schools, clubs, organizations and companies involved by fund raising and directly granting wishes through our wish management. We encourage volunteerism and philanthropy towards seniors, 10% of whom live below poverty level and cannot afford even the basic necessities. A potential benefit of the Intergenerational Caring Program to this aging society where 3,500 people turn 85 everyday, is that students who have been introduced to residents in nursing homes will be more likely to enter the geriatric and gerontology fields. This becomes very important when it is expected that we will encounter a shortage of elder care providers over the next few decades.

Here are a few of the latest individual wishes that are waiting to be fulfilled:

Bonnie G., 72, Dexter MN
Bonnie has always dreamed of taking her grandchildren to Disney World. Her health is deteriorating and wants one last memorable moment with her family. Please help us send Bonnie and her family to Disney World.

Vera Jean P., 94, Washington, PA
Vera has broken both hips and is recovering from surgery. She needs a lift chair.

Syble J., 71,Trenton,  NC
Syble has volunteered to help others all her life. She was a volunteer for the county rescue squad for 10 years. The retired nurses assistant now needs our help. Syble needs a new stove and hot water heater.

Peggy, 68, Homestead, PA
Peggy has nothing in her apartment other than a broken futon and a couple of pots and pans. She needs almost all household items: a bed, towels, a table, lamps. Peggy volunteers regularly at a local senior and now needs our help. Any donation towards Peggy's wish would be appreciated.

Margaret L., 91, Fairless Hills, PA
Margaret's granddaughter wrote to us asking for help. She said her Gram used to go to bingo,mass and luncheons. Some of her teeth ave broken off and she is too ashamed to go out in public. She needs dentures.

You can make a Difference: 

Donate to Twilight Wish Foundation.

Find out how to start a chapter in your area.

Learn about Volunteer opportunities. 

July 13 (Day 135) Cleaning For A Reason

Today's post hits home for me... having several families members who have battled cancer. Having watched as my mom and sister battled breast cancer, I know just how debilitating this disease can be.  While undergoing treatment, you still have to function as normally as possible.  Many women still have to work, still have to manage their families and continue to run a household .... all while feeling like they have been run over by a freight train.  Today's charity tries to help women alleviate a little bit of the daily worry and focus on getting better.  What an awesome way to make a difference! 

Cleaning for A Reason knows that fighting cancer is difficult enough, but living with it is even tougher - and that's where the Cleaning for A Reason Foundation steps in. This nonprofit offers free professional housecleaning, and maid services to improve the lives of women undergoing treatment for cancer - any type of cancer. The foundation headquarters is located in Lewisville, TX. and has maid service partners located in all 50 states, D.C. and Canada.  


The need is always greater than the resources and Cleaning for a Reason is always in need of additional partners.  Do you operate a Maid Service, or know of a Maid Service who is looking for a way to give back to their community? Please consider becoming a partner with Cleaning for a Reason.  Fill out the online form and they will contact you. You must be insured and/or bonded and do background checks on employees.  Here is what one of the partner maid services had to say about their experience:

We serviced a client’s home today and never get used to the humbling feeling when [she] walks thru with us and praises our services and tells us how awesome we are… I quietly think to myself “how brave you must be and how strong a person to persevere through your fight… we are simply trying to make your day a little better… you are the awesome one.”

Get Involved:

Make a donation to Cleaning for a Reason. 

Sponsor a maid service for someone who needs one.

Shop at the Cleaning for a Reason online store.

If you currently use a professional house cleaning service to clean your home, please call and ask them if they've heard of the Cleaning For A Reason foundation.  Ask them to consider becoming a partner.



Source:  Cleaning for a Reason

July 12 (Day 134) Be A Doll... Shine On Now!

As a parent, one of the things I have always strived to do is to teach my children about giving to others. I want them to grow up to be productive adults who consider giving and helping others as a natural extension of who they are.  That is what I love about the American Girl Shine-On Now campaign.  The American Girl Shine-On Now campaign offers an easy way for parents to involve their daughters in a fun and free way to give back!  This is a great way for parent and child to share a "teachable moment!"

Any of us with young girls in our families know about American Girl dolls.  Well, starting tomorrow, July 13th and running through July 31st, American Girl is offering teens and preteens an opportunity to make a difference by taking part in a charitable giving program to donate a up to a million dollars to four different charities. Kids in Distressed Situations, Save the Children, National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions, and National Wildlife Federation are the four charities who will benefit from this initiative.


First, girls can sign up as “Ambassadors” for the Shine-On Now Program to start preparing. Visit the American Girl Shine-On Now website and enroll with name and an adult’s email address (you can check out their privacy policy). Then download the PDF file with more information.


Starting on July 13th, girls can donate stars, free of charge, through the website and American Girl will donate $1 per star on their behalf. Not only will each girl be able to donate 100 stars each day, but she’ll be automatically entered when she does to win an American Girl doll of her own. American Girl has created a fun way to empower young girls to make a difference by participating in charitable giving!


So if you have any young girls in your household, or know of any who might be interested in participating, please pass this information along! 



Source:  Shine on Now
              American Girl

July 11 (Day 133) Sunday - Sundae

The temperatures around the northeast have been soaring for the past week or so... I thought I would highlight a cool refreshing way to make a difference!  AND BEST OF ALL - it's FREE!!

Help Kelly Ripa and Electrolux build Banana Splits for a Cause.  Indulge your virtual sweet tooth and build a banana split! Each day you do, Electrolux will donate $1 to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. Plus, you'll be entered for a chance to win the daily prize, $50 toward sweet summer treats, AND the grand prize - the ultimate kitchen "split" - the new stand-alone refrigerator and freezer from Electrolux.2. (You don't have to register for the prizes)


Well, okay - I admit it - I am taking a little bit of writer's liberty with today's post.  To be more precise, it is a virtually cool and refreshing way to make a difference.     It only takes a minute or less to create a Banana Split - so go ahead and take a minute to help out a worthy cause!  Plus... this Banana Split has no calories!!




A Quick Update:

I received a thank you from Be The Match Foundation to pass along to all of you who had a part in helping them win a $100,000 grant from the Pepsi Refresh Project.  Thanks to all of you who took the time to participate and vote,  Be The Match will be able to assist many families of pediatric bone marrow transplants.  Press release below:

Purchase, N.Y. -- June 25, 2010


After three weeks of intense campaigning and more than 500,000 votes, racing fans have let their voice be heard – Jimmie Johnson’s idea to provide financial relief to pediatric bone marrow transplant patients as part of Be The Match Foundation has taken the checkered flag and will receive a $100,000 grant as part of the Pepsi Refresh Project.

“I’m thrilled that $100,000 will be going to Be The Match Foundation,” said Johnson. “This Pepsi Refresh grant will help kids and their families with the overwhelming costs that come with a bone marrow transplant. I’d like to thank everyone who voted -- the support that all of us have seen has been incredible.”

Source:  kelly-confidential.com

July 10 (Day 132) Fresh Air Fund

Remember your summer vacations?

Doesn’t every kid deserve that kind of fun?

 

I love the idea behind today's post...I wish I lived in the hosting area because I think it would be awesome to share my family with a young person this summer.  What an awesome honor and a great way to make a difference! I imagine this would have to be as much fun, or even more fun, for the host family as it is for the child - imagine opening up a whole new world for a child in need. 

If you live outside the hosting area, there are still opportunities to help. Please consider making a donation to allow children the experience of summer camp. 

THE FRESH AIR FUND, an independent, not-for-profit agency, has provided free summer vacations to more than 1.7 million New York City children from low-income communities since 1877.  Nearly 10,000 New York City children enjoy free Fresh Air Fund programs annually. In 2008, close to 5,000 children visited volunteer host families in suburbs and small town communities across 13 states from Virginia to Maine and Canada. 3,000 children also attended five Fresh Air camps on a 2,300-acre site in Fishkill, New York. The Fund’s year-round camping program serves an additional 2,000 young people each year.

FRESH AIR CHILDREN:

Children are selected to participate in The Fresh Air Fund Friendly Town program based on financial need. Children are from low-income communities, and often come from families without the money to send their children on summer vacations. Most inner-city youngsters grow up in towering apartment buildings without large, open outdoor play spaces. Concrete playgrounds cannot replace the freedom of running barefoot through the grass or riding bikes down country lanes.

FRESH AIR FUND FRIENDLY TOWN PROGRAM:

Fresh Air children, boys and girls from six to 18 years old, visit 300 Fresh Air Friendly Towns in the summer. Fresh Air children on first-time visits to Friendly Town host families are six to 12 years old and stay for up to two weeks. The program also has a special one-week option for New York City families who would like to host children on their summer vacations in the country. Over 65 percent of all children are reinvited to stay with host families, year after year. Reinvited youngsters may continue with The Fund through age 18, and many spend the entire summer in the country. Fresh Air children and volunteer families often form bonds of friendship that last a lifetime.

FRIENDLY TOWN HOST FAMILIES:

Fresh Air Fund volunteer host families open their homes to inner-city children for two weeks or more in the summertime. Each Friendly Town community is supervised by a committee of volunteers. Committee members select host families after reviewing their applications, visiting them in their homes and checking their personal references. There are no financial requirements for hosting a Fresh Air child. Most hosts simply want to share their homes with inner-city youngsters. Host families are not paid. The Fund has a program for placing children who have special physical or emotional needs.  If you are interested in hosting a child, refer to the hosting area map to see if hosting is available in your state.

Get Involved:

Donate to the Fresh Air Fund.

Volunteer opportunities at Fresh Air Fund.

Fresh Air Fund on Facebook.

Source: Fresh Air Fund

July 9 (Day 131) Loans that Change Lives

Kiva is a Swahili word meaning “agreement” or “unity”.  Kiva's mission is to connect people, through lending, for the sake of alleviating poverty.  Kiva empowers individuals to lend to an entrepreneur across the globe. By combining microfinance with the internet, Kiva is creating a global community of people connected through lending.

Kiva.org is a non-profit that is revolutionizing the fight against global poverty by enabling people to connect with and make personal loans—of as little as $25—to low-income entrepreneurs in the developing world. Most of the poor in developing countries are self-employed entrepreneurs and a small loan to purchase business-related items such as sewing machines or livestock can empower them to earn their way out of poverty.   View the current entepreneurs stories and loan requests here.

Kiva was born of the following beliefs:

• People are by nature generous, and will help others if given the opportunity to do so in a transparent, accountable way.
• The poor are highly motivated and can be very successful when given an opportunity.
• By connecting people we can create relationships beyond financial transactions, and build a global community expressing support and encouragement of one another.

Kiva promotes:

• Dignity: Kiva encourages partnership relationships as opposed to benefactor relationships. Partnership relationships are characterized by mutual dignity and respect. 
• Accountability: Loans encourage more accountability than donations where repayment is not expected.
• Transparency: The Kiva website is an open platform where communication can flow freely around the world.

As of November 2009, Kiva has facilitated over $100 million in loans.   Check out their website and learn more about Kiva and their mission.  Their website is awesome and is loaded with information about what they do and how you can help. 

Do More:

Donate to Kiva.

Help spread the word about Kiva.



Source: kiva.org

July 8 (Day 130) Goodwill Industries

Today I wanted to highlight an organization that is working to help unemployed people find employment.  I live in Michigan - one of the states with the highest unemployment rate in the country.  Too many people are hurting and without jobs.  Many people have lost their unemployment benefits and the prospects of finding a job here are very difficult.  Thank you to organizations like Goodwill Industries who are working diligently to get people working!  Goodwill Industries is all about people working!

Goodwill is North America’s leading nonprofit provider of education, training, and career services for people with disadvantages as well as those with physical, mental and emotional disabilities.


They believe that work has the power to transform lives by building self-confidence, independence, creativity, trust and friendships. Their mission is to enhance the dignity and quality of life of individuals, families, and communities by eliminating barriers to opportunity and helping people in need reach their fullest potential through the power of work.



When you donate your gently used household items and clothing to Goodwill, and when you shop at Goodwill, you are playing a vital role in fulfilling their mission of helping people go to work. The sales of donated items in their stores and online at www.shopgoodwill.com  fund the Goodwill job training programs and other services that are critical to the health and well-being of communities across the United States and Canada.  Shopping at Goodwill is making an investment in your community because 84 percent of the revenues help fund job training programs and employment placement services for people who want to work or others having a hard time finding employment [OR people who have physical, mental or emotional disabilities lack education or job experience, or face other employment challenges].


So get busy and clean out all those closets... Donate to Goodwill Industries! 



Get Involved:

Make an online donation to Goodwill Industries.

Donate merchandise and Shop at Goodwill. Find a Goodwill location in your area.

Find volunteer opportunities with Goodwill Industries in your area.  There are many ways to help, so check it out and see how you can make a difference.




Source:  Goodwill Industries

July 7 (Day 129) Bake Me Home

Making the World a better place.... ONE COOKIE AT A TIME!  That is the mission of 9 year old twin sisters, Emma and Amy.  In 2008, when the girls were 7 years old, they along with mom Alison, established Bake Me Home. 

 

 

Bake Me Home grew from their desire to do something more for the homeless family shelter where they had volunteered together for 3 years. Their volunteer work began with collecting items for the Bethany House Shelter at the twins birthday party each year. In lieu of gifts from their friends, the girls asked for items for the shelter such as books, infants toys, and snacks for summer field trips. (What a great way to teach children about helping others.) Once the items were gathered, they delivered them to the shelter and prepared a homemade pancake breakfast for the families. The girls favorite part was always staying after breakfast to play with other kids at the shelter.

 

Desiring to help more families, Bake Me Home has expanded to include the YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter, and the Tom Geiger Guest House in Cincinnati, Ohio and the YWCA House of Peace in Clemont County, Ohio. These organizations do a great job helping the families find new homes and we want to give them a present on moving day. "We love making homemade cookies with our Mom and we want other kids to spend time with their moms, and enjoy eating cookies in their new home. So we give each family everything they need to make their own homemade cookies, all in one of our “Bake Me Home” cloth grocery bags (because we saw a show about how plastic bags are bad for our Earth). Here’s what’s in the bag:" 

• A $20 Kroger Grocery Store Gift Card
• Jar of homemade oatmeal chocolate chip cookie mix
• Mixing bowl
• Wooden spoon
• Baking sheet
• Pot Holder
• Spatula
• Toothbrushes (Family pack of 6) and a tube of toothpaste
• A booklet of recipes donated by the Nutrition Council of Greater Cincinnati and printed by our friends at Mt. Washington Presbyterian Church

 

 

What is really amazing about these awesome kids is that they did not stop with their tote bag program, they have started 2 additional programs that complement Bake Me Home! They have a modified version of their Tote Bag program working in conjuction with local food pantries. They also have started the Bake Me Home Family Portrait Program.  The Family Portrait Program has to be, without a doubt, the program that makes the biggest impact for the least money. For approximately eighty cents worth of ink and paper they have seen mothers cry as the only picture they have of their kids comes to life. What an awesome way to make a difference!

 

 

I am so impressed by these 2 AWESOME young ladies!  They truly represent what this blog is all about.  Finding a need and doing what you can to make a difference!  Thanks to Mom & Dad too, for never telling the girls that they are just kids... they can't make a difference!  KIDS CAN AND ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE!   Amy, Emma and Mom.... YOU ROCK!! 

 

 

Get Involved:

Donate to Bake Me Home.

WE NEED YOUR HELP! Even little bits of money can be a big help. For example, only $5.00 will buy enough brown sugar for 30 jars of cookie mix!

 

Check out the BAKE ME BACK HOME  fundraiser page and send cookies to a service member while helping support the work of Bake Me Home.

 

If you are interested in a volunteering opportunity or donating 5x7 frames or potholders, send an email to cookiegirls@bakemehome.com regarding your specific interests. 

 

Bake Me Home on FaceBook.

 

 

 

Source:  Bake Me Home

July 6 (Day 128) Bountiful Bowls

Because of the downturn in the economy, many pet owners are feeling the pressure - and many pets are becoming homeless. Many families just cannot afford to care for their pets any longer. They may have lost their jobs or homes and are forced into new living arrangements which causes them to make the painful decision to surrender their pet to a shelter. 

I can't imagine having to turn over my dog....I would be heartbroken.  Although today's post is specific to my area, please contact your local animal shelter, as many shelters have similar programs to help families keep their pets! There is a way to help, please help if you can!

 

For the month of July, Huron Valley Humane Society is holding their Bountiful Bowls Food Drive. Now through July 31st, there are ten different local locations where you can donate food to the HSHV Bountiful Bowls Food Program and help keep local pets with their owners during these tough times.

The Humane Society of Huron Valley understands that financial difficulty often means making a list of priorities. Frequently, animals are forced to be low on that list. HSHV's Bountiful Bowls pet food assistance program helps Washtenaw County, Canton and Plymouth residents who are having difficulty meeting the nutritional needs of their dog or cat due to financial burden. Trying times can be temporary. With a little assistance, a pet owner can often find a way to keep their pet in their home.


The Bountiful Bowls Pet Food Assistance Program was started by HSHV to help people that need assistance for a short period of time. We are distributing around 2,500 pounds of food each month to 232 families in need. This includes donations we take to Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels who transport the pet food to homebound seniors and people with disabilities. We also work with Food Gatherers to transport pet food to the Manchester Family Services food distribution each month.

Overall, we are consistently coming up short of cat food. The majority of our recipients have multiple cats, so 60% of the food we distribute is cat food. Only 54% of the food we receive is cat food, so we often need to buy cat food to meet the needs of the recipients.

HSHV recommends using/donating cat & dog food that has protein as the #1 ingredient on the list. Examples of good pet food: IAMS, Hills, ProPlan, Eukanuba, Purina, Nutro, Nutro Max, Nutro Max Gourmet, Classics, Nutro Natural Choice, Nutro Ultra, Canidae Pet Food, Royal Canin, Pedigree, Fancy Feast.

How Can You Help?

Donations of pet food for this program comes from different sources which includes private citizens & local stores. Donations can be dropped off anytime during normal adoption hours at the Shelter.

If you would like to make a monetary donation to support this important program, please click here.

Click here for a list of drop off locations.

HSHV will accept the following donated food: 

• Dog and cat food in the original unopened bag within 3 months after the expiration date  
• Dog and cat food in the original opened bag within 3 months after the expiration date, providing it is free of bugs or rodent waste

Source: hvhs.org

July 5 (Day 127) Operation: Old Navy

I try not to post similar causes 2 days in a row, but I really wanted to help get the word out about this effort to help the troops.  It is such a simple way to help and since today is the last day - I decided to change the post I had originally scheduled for today to make room for this one.  Please help if you can....  

To celebrate the 2010 Independence Day holiday weekend and honor troops deployed overseas, Old Navy's entire fleet of 1,000 US stores will host a donation drive from July 1 - 5 to collect everyday items needed by the men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Items will be collected by armed services volunteers at all Old Navy locations, which will then be sorted, packaged and shipped to deployed troops by Operation: Care and Comfort.

Old Navy has partnered with Operation: Care and Comfort to send money and supplies to our deployed troops overseas. For you, that mean's a great sale... and a great excuse to shop (like you really need an excuse to shop!) All Old Navy stores nationwide are accepting donations of:

• T-shirts
• Socks
• Underwear
• Undershirts
• Sunglasses
• Flip Flops
• Lip Balm
• Foot Powder

Old Navy customers who participate by donating items will receive a 10% discount off their entire purchase in-store that day. In addition, Old Navy will be offering a "Buy One, Send One" special on Old Navy's famous Flag Tees. For every purchase of an Old Navy Flag Tee purchased in-store between July 1 and July 5, Old Navy will send one to troops overseas, up to 500,000.  (Shirt pictured above.) In case you forget to bring something to give, there's also going to be a "Troop Essentials" section at the front of each store full of items you can donate — all for under $10.

"Operation Old Navy" began in April 2009 in the San Francisco Bay Area with a limited numbers of stores. This year, due to tremendous community interest and support, all of Old Navy's fleet of stores across the country will participate.

"Old Navy cares about our troops overseas and knows that our customers do too," said Tom Wyatt, president of Old Navy. "We hope the effort will help bring families together, and give our customers an additional opportunity to support the men and women that are currently deployed overseas in our communities."

"Operation: Care and Comfort is excited about the 2010 'Operation Old Navy' donation drive," stated co-founder Julie DeMaria. "The outpouring of gratitude from our troops abroad has been tremendous. We received such wonderful pictures and emails from the troops thanking us for sending the Old Navy items to them last year. We can't wait to do it again, and thank Old Navy for their genuine support of our service members."

Since April 2003, the all-volunteer Operation: Care and Comfort program has shipped over 300 tons of care packages for distribution to Marine, Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard personnel deployed in conflict regions. Adopted military units receive care packages monthly, until they return home. Operation: Care and Comfort is proudly listed on the Department of Defense "America Supports You" web site and has received national awards and recognition for its work on behalf of the military. For more information on how you can support this worthy program, please visit http://www.operationcareandcomfort.org/.

So pick up some of the requested items at your local Old Navy.  You can get 10% off your purchase by making a donation.  While you are there, pick up one of the special Buy One/ Give One T-shirts.  It's a win/win.... shop and make a difference at the same time!

July 4 (Day 126) Fisher House

Happy Independance Day!! Today we celebrate the Red, White & Blue by highlighting another great charity doing a great work on behalf of America's brave military men and women.  Take a look....

The Fisher House™ program is a unique private-public partnership that supports America's military in their time of need. The program recognizes the special sacrifices of our men and women in uniform and hardships of military service by meeting a humanitarian need beyond that normally provided by the Departments Of Defense and Veterans Affairs.

Because members of the military and their families are stationed worldwide and must often travel great distances for specialized medical care, Fisher House™ Foundation donates "comfort homes," built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. These homes enable family members to be close to a loved one at the most stressful times - during the hospitalization for an unexpected illness, disease, or injury.

There is at least one Fisher House™ at every major military medical center to assist families in need and to ensure that they are provided with the comforts of home in a supportive environment. Annually, the Fisher House™ program serves more than 10,000 families, and have made available nearly three million days of lodging to family members since the program originated in 1990. By law, there is no charge for any family to stay at a Fisher House operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs; and Fisher House Foundation uses donations to reimburse the individual Fisher Houses operated by the Army, Navy, and Air Force. No family pays to stay at any Fisher House!




How to Participate:
Donate to Fisher House.

Become a Fisher House volunteer.

Read words of thanks from soldiers.



Source:  The Fisher House

July 3 (Day 125) Tickets for Charity

Summer is in full swing - time for all of that outdoor fun!  Here's a great way to give back while seeing a concert or sporting event.   Take a look....

Tickets-for-Charity works with some of the biggest names in entertainment to offer music, theater and sports fans hard-to-find seats and event tickets online. T-F-C offers the same or better prices you’ll find elsewhere while supporting great causes in the process. From sold-out shows, concert tickets and VIP Packages to this year’s hottest theatre and sport tickets, Tickets-for-Charity helps you find seats and buy tickets while benefiting the causes you care about most!

How it Works:

1. Tickets-for-Charity works directly with artists, management, venues and promoters to make high-demand live event seats available at face value plus a separate donation directed to partner charities. (Tickets-for-Charity is not an auction platform – donation amounts are pre-determined by Tickets-for-Charity with our partners.)


2. Each event features a specific artist-designated charity and typically offers customers the opportunity to select additional charities to benefit from their purchase.

3. 100% of the donation amount (less direct transaction costs) is distributed to the charitable organizations chosen by customers from a list of leading partner charities.

4. Similar to any other entertainment purchase, 100% of the face value of each ticket is remitted back to the original ticket source. The charitable donation is captured from the premium fans often pay unauthorized ticket brokers and scalpers, but given the option would much rather direct to charity.

5. Tickets-for-Charity charges an industry standard per ticket service fee to operate the platform, fulfill ticket orders and distribute donations to partner charities.

Working with artists such as Billy Joel, Brad Paisley, Coldplay, Elton John, James Taylor, John Mayer, Kenny Chesney, the Rolling Stones, The Police, Barbra Streisand and many more, T-F-C has generated over $3.4 million in donations for leading charities. If you are looking for hard to find and sold out tickets online, you have come to the right place.

Featured upcoming events include Brooks & Dunn tickets, Boston Red Sox tickets, Boston Celtics playoff tickets, U2 tickets, James Taylor & Carole King tickets, Eagles tickets, Sting tickets and more!


So check it out and if you need any tickets, consider buying your tickets through T-F-C and make a difference all at the same time!


Source:  Tickets for Charity

July 2 (Day 124) Gift Card Giver

Over and over again, I am amazed by the compassion of people for helping others and doing good.  I am amazed at the ingenuity and creative ways people come up with to support the causes they care about. Today's post is one of those simple ways to make a difference - Wow, what a great idea! 

Four friends had an idea to collect gift cards and give them to people in need. They went to a gathering and asked 8 people how much money in unused Gift Cards they had in their wallets and walked away with $50 in Gift Cards to help people in need. Gift Card Giver was born.

Gift Card Giver is a new form of giving. The Gift Card industry has risen to be a 60 billion dollar industry. Ever wonder how many gift cards are unused? Between 10 – 15%. That means billions of dollars are sitting on gift cards, waiting to be used for good.

How many gift cards do you have sitting in your wallet? We guess you have at least $5 of unused gift cards right now. What’s 5 bucks going to buy you? Maybe a pair of socks…but 10 people giving 5 bucks will buy a kid a winter coat, or 1000 people giving $5 may give that same kid a warm bedroom to sleep in through the night.

We collect and distribute the cards to appropriate Non-Profit Organizations that can use those cards to help others. We have never used a card for ourselves and never will. This is a grass roots campaign that has created a new form of giving and you are an important piece to the idea coming to life.

We collect the donated gift cards and organize them in secure bins by company name. When we obtain a reasonable mass of dollars in gift cards (typically between $100-$500) we give those cards toward a project, person or organization that can best use that gift card for a significant need. Sometimes, we purchase the needed items ourselves and deliver the gift directly. Other times we give the individual or organization a tall stack of gift cards with a combined total dollar amount so they can go buy the needs themselves. Many people ask if we can combine gift card dollar amounts into one gift card? The answer is sometimes, depending on the technology of the company and the willingness of each unique store’s manager to work with us on the project.

After we contribute cards to projects, we share the experience with you in our Giving Stories. Without your small donation of gift cards, the stories would not be possible. If you would like to hear about all our Giving Stories, please sign up for email updates at giftcardgiver.com.

Get Involved: 
 
It is very simple to get involved:  Send your Gift Cards...


STEP 1: Use as much of your card as you want (or send a full card).
STEP 2: Write how much is left on your card using a permanent marker.
STEP 3: Place the card in an envelope and send it to us at:
Gift Card Giver
PO Box 17628
Atlanta, GA 30316


Host a Gift Card Giver House Party.... Find out how.
 
Make a donation to Gift Card Giver.
 
Gift Card Giver on FaceBook.
 
 
 
Source:  Gift Card Giver

July 1 (Day 123) Racing for Kids

Founded in Detroit in 1989, Racing For Kids® is designed to use the increasing popularity of motorsports to focus public attention and funding on the health care needs of children.

The hospital visits form the heart of the program. Racing For Kids® drivers visit children in Children's Hospitals wherever they race. They spend time with each sick youngster answering questions about their sport, posing for pictures, signing autographs and handing out the distinctive Racing For Kids® hats, coloring books and assorted memorabilia provide by our sponsors. For many hospitalized youngsters,these visits by the racers are the lone bright spot in what is often a rather gloomy experience. Attending physicians report that these visits play an important part in each child’s recovery therapy.

Racing For Kids® representatives have visited with more than 20,000 young patients in nearly 400 hospitals in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan, and Australia.

Check out upcoming Racing For Kids® hospital visits.



Get Involved:

Donate to Racing for Kids.
There are many great reasons to volunteer.




Source:  Racing for Kids