December is not a good time to attempt to do any special project on a daily basis. Naturally, I failed. So, I'm going to rechristen Charity December as "12 Days of Giving" (since I did manage 12 of them!) and call it a year. ;)
Hope you and yours have a wonderful holiday season, whatever holidays you celebrate--even if it's just extra time off work!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Charity December: Salvation Army
Each day during December, I'll be featuring a charitable organization that I support. These are my personal choices and reflect nothing other than that.
Tis the season for Salvation Army bell-ringers! Those ubiquitous donation kettles are just the tip of the iceberg, of course. The Salvation Army provides a wide range of services to those in need, including disaster relief, youth camps, elderly outreach, and assistance for families during and after the holidays with food, clothing, and financial support. The well-known Angel Tree program provides Christmas toys to needy children.
Tis the season for Salvation Army bell-ringers! Those ubiquitous donation kettles are just the tip of the iceberg, of course. The Salvation Army provides a wide range of services to those in need, including disaster relief, youth camps, elderly outreach, and assistance for families during and after the holidays with food, clothing, and financial support. The well-known Angel Tree program provides Christmas toys to needy children.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Charity December: Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation
Each day during December, I'll be featuring a charitable organization that I support. These are my personal choices and reflect nothing other than that.
After actor Christopher Reeve was paralyzed in a riding accident in 1995, he and his wife Dana became activists on behalf of those with spinal cord injuries, mobility impairment, and paralysis. The year he was injured, they teamed up with the American Paralysis Association to form what is now the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, which continues its work in their memory. The organization funds research into cures for paralysis and provides resources to improve the lives of those living with paralysis.
After actor Christopher Reeve was paralyzed in a riding accident in 1995, he and his wife Dana became activists on behalf of those with spinal cord injuries, mobility impairment, and paralysis. The year he was injured, they teamed up with the American Paralysis Association to form what is now the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, which continues its work in their memory. The organization funds research into cures for paralysis and provides resources to improve the lives of those living with paralysis.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Charity December: Housing the Homeless
Each day during December, I'll be featuring a charitable organization that I support. These are my personal choices and reflect nothing other than that.
Today I'm spotlighting two organizations I've just learned about recently myself, both of which help provide housing to the homeless. (Information about other homeless assistance programs is available through the National Coalition for the Homeless.)
First is a local Atlanta charity, Nicholas House, which has provided housing for homeless families for over 26 years. The organization accepts families in their entirety, in contrast to most shelters, which are generally gender-specific. Nicholas House has provided transitional housing for more than 1,500 families.
Second is the Ali Forney Center in New York, which provides housing and other assistance to homeless lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth, many of whom have been thrown out of their homes by their families because of their sexuality. In addition to emergency and transitional housing, the center provides health care, food, showers, employment assistance, and street outreach. Links to similar programs in other locations are also provided on the center's website.
Today I'm spotlighting two organizations I've just learned about recently myself, both of which help provide housing to the homeless. (Information about other homeless assistance programs is available through the National Coalition for the Homeless.)
First is a local Atlanta charity, Nicholas House, which has provided housing for homeless families for over 26 years. The organization accepts families in their entirety, in contrast to most shelters, which are generally gender-specific. Nicholas House has provided transitional housing for more than 1,500 families.
Second is the Ali Forney Center in New York, which provides housing and other assistance to homeless lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth, many of whom have been thrown out of their homes by their families because of their sexuality. In addition to emergency and transitional housing, the center provides health care, food, showers, employment assistance, and street outreach. Links to similar programs in other locations are also provided on the center's website.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Charity December: Equality Now
Each day during December, I'll be featuring a charitable organization that I support. These are my personal choices and reflect nothing other than that.
Note: I was sick on December 9, which is why I had to miss a day.
I discovered Equality Now through the annual Can't Stop the Serenity events, which combine screenings of Serenity (the "Firefly" movie) with auctions, raffles, and other fund-raising opportunities that benefit Equality Now (as well as other organizations). Equality Now's purpose is to end violence and discrimination against women and girls throughout the world. From their website: "Issues of urgent concern to Equality Now include rape, domestic violence, reproductive rights, trafficking of women, female genital mutilation, and the denial of equal access to economic opportunity and political participation."
Note: I was sick on December 9, which is why I had to miss a day.
I discovered Equality Now through the annual Can't Stop the Serenity events, which combine screenings of Serenity (the "Firefly" movie) with auctions, raffles, and other fund-raising opportunities that benefit Equality Now (as well as other organizations). Equality Now's purpose is to end violence and discrimination against women and girls throughout the world. From their website: "Issues of urgent concern to Equality Now include rape, domestic violence, reproductive rights, trafficking of women, female genital mutilation, and the denial of equal access to economic opportunity and political participation."
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Charity December: Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS
Each day during December, I'll be featuring a charitable organization that I support. These are my personal choices and reflect nothing other than that.
I'd planned a different charity for today, but with the news that As the World Turns has been cancelled, I'm moving this one up the list, in honor of Van Hansis and Jake Silbermann, who play Luke and Noah on the show. They've been big supporters of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, and as a long-time Broadway fan, so have I (well before I started watching ATWT). BC/EFA works through the theater industry to raise funds to provide services to people with AIDS and other critical illnesses, both through programs for those working in the entertainment industry and through grants to community-based service organizations.
I'd planned a different charity for today, but with the news that As the World Turns has been cancelled, I'm moving this one up the list, in honor of Van Hansis and Jake Silbermann, who play Luke and Noah on the show. They've been big supporters of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, and as a long-time Broadway fan, so have I (well before I started watching ATWT). BC/EFA works through the theater industry to raise funds to provide services to people with AIDS and other critical illnesses, both through programs for those working in the entertainment industry and through grants to community-based service organizations.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Charity December: Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Each day during December, I'll be featuring a charitable organization that I support. These are my personal choices and reflect nothing other than that.
Seven years ago, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Thankfully, it was caught very early, and she's been cancer-free for over six years now. There are many breast cancer charities that do great work, but today I'm featuring Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Founded in 1982 and best known for the annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure series of 5K/fitness runs, the organization is "the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists" (from their web site). The foundation raises funds to support research into finding a cure and raises awareness about prevention and treatment options.
Seven years ago, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Thankfully, it was caught very early, and she's been cancer-free for over six years now. There are many breast cancer charities that do great work, but today I'm featuring Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Founded in 1982 and best known for the annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure series of 5K/fitness runs, the organization is "the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists" (from their web site). The foundation raises funds to support research into finding a cure and raises awareness about prevention and treatment options.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Charity December: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Each day during December, I'll be featuring a charitable organization that I support. These are my personal choices and reflect nothing other than that.
In college, I was a little sister to Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, whose national charity was St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. (The fraternity recently renewed its partnership with St. Jude.) Founded by actor Danny Thomas (a TKE brother), St. Jude treats children of all ages who have cancer and other serious illnesses, without regard to the family's ability to pay. The hospital also supports and conducts research to discover cures and better treatment options. About 5,700 patients are treated at the hospital every year.
In college, I was a little sister to Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, whose national charity was St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. (The fraternity recently renewed its partnership with St. Jude.) Founded by actor Danny Thomas (a TKE brother), St. Jude treats children of all ages who have cancer and other serious illnesses, without regard to the family's ability to pay. The hospital also supports and conducts research to discover cures and better treatment options. About 5,700 patients are treated at the hospital every year.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Charity December: Heifer International
Each day during December, I'll be featuring a charitable organization that I support. These are my personal choices and reflect nothing other than that.
A few years ago, I gave my sister a water buffalo for Christmas. (Veggie Tales fans will get the in-joke.) Wouldn't have been able to do it without Heifer International. Sure, you can actually give a heifer; the animals go to families in developing nations, both to supplement their food and to help them make money to improve their living conditions. But beyond heifers and water buffalo, you can give animals as varied as llamas, honeybees, goats, and geese, plus trees and all sorts of different combinations. (And if you can't swing a full animal, you can even give part of one.)
A few years ago, I gave my sister a water buffalo for Christmas. (Veggie Tales fans will get the in-joke.) Wouldn't have been able to do it without Heifer International. Sure, you can actually give a heifer; the animals go to families in developing nations, both to supplement their food and to help them make money to improve their living conditions. But beyond heifers and water buffalo, you can give animals as varied as llamas, honeybees, goats, and geese, plus trees and all sorts of different combinations. (And if you can't swing a full animal, you can even give part of one.)
Friday, December 4, 2009
Charity December: Kids Need to Read
Co-founded by actor Nathan Fillion and author P.J. Haarsma, The Kids Need to Read Foundation provides books to schools, libraries, and other institutions with a goal of increasing literacy and instilling in children a lifelong love of reading. The foundation maintains a list of age-appropriate books, magazines, and graphic novels, compiled by a professional book buyer, and has donated thousands of books through several dozen institutions so far.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Charity December: Earthjustice
Each day during December, I'll be providing information on a charitable organization that I support. These are my personal choices and reflect nothing other than that.
Earthjustice has one of the best slogans I've ever seen: Because the Earth Needs a Good Lawyer. Founded in 1971 as the Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund, the organization uses the legal system and legislative methods to defend the environment both in the United States and internationally. From their website: "Earthjustice works through the courts on behalf of citizen groups, scientists, and other parties to ensure government agencies and private interests follow the law. On Capitol Hill, we work to protect and strengthen federal environmental laws and preserve special places, like the Arctic."
Earthjustice has one of the best slogans I've ever seen: Because the Earth Needs a Good Lawyer. Founded in 1971 as the Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund, the organization uses the legal system and legislative methods to defend the environment both in the United States and internationally. From their website: "Earthjustice works through the courts on behalf of citizen groups, scientists, and other parties to ensure government agencies and private interests follow the law. On Capitol Hill, we work to protect and strengthen federal environmental laws and preserve special places, like the Arctic."
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Charity December: Feeding America
Each day during December, I'll be providing information on a charitable organization that I support. These are my personal choices and reflect nothing other than that.
The holidays are a particularly difficult time for families in need. Feeding America (formerly America's Second Harvest) is the largest hunger relief charity in the United States and provides food to more than 25 million people every year. From the organization's web site: "Our network of more than 200 food banks serves all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, securing and distributing more than 2.5 billion pounds of food and grocery products annually. Those member food banks support approximately 63,000 local charitable agencies and 70,000 programs, which provide food directly to individuals and families in need."
The holidays are a particularly difficult time for families in need. Feeding America (formerly America's Second Harvest) is the largest hunger relief charity in the United States and provides food to more than 25 million people every year. From the organization's web site: "Our network of more than 200 food banks serves all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, securing and distributing more than 2.5 billion pounds of food and grocery products annually. Those member food banks support approximately 63,000 local charitable agencies and 70,000 programs, which provide food directly to individuals and families in need."
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Charity December: World AIDS Day
Each day during December, I'll be providing information on a charitable organization that I support. These are my personal choices and reflect nothing other than that.
I'm starting out in recognition of World AIDS Day with the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.
Elizabeth Glaser, wife of "Starsky & Hutch" actor Paul Glaser, contracted the AIDS virus through a blood transfusion in 1981 while giving birth to her daughter, Ariel. Ariel contracted the virus through breast milk, and their son, Jake, contracted the virus in utero. Both Elizabeth and Ariel later died of AIDS, but the foundation lives on, helping to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS in children. Jake Glaser is now a healthy young adult, thanks in part to the foundation's efforts.
I'm starting out in recognition of World AIDS Day with the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.
Elizabeth Glaser, wife of "Starsky & Hutch" actor Paul Glaser, contracted the AIDS virus through a blood transfusion in 1981 while giving birth to her daughter, Ariel. Ariel contracted the virus through breast milk, and their son, Jake, contracted the virus in utero. Both Elizabeth and Ariel later died of AIDS, but the foundation lives on, helping to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS in children. Jake Glaser is now a healthy young adult, thanks in part to the foundation's efforts.
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