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The International Rescue Committee is one of the prominent non-profits advocating for refugee rights in the U.S. where newcomers often feel displaced and lonely. The IRC has responded to humanitarian emergencies and has fought against human trafficking and gender-based violence. Four of IRC's workers were killed in an August 13th ambush in Afghanistan; yet the organization continues to strive for peace all over the world, in war-torn Lebanon and rescue efforts in post-earthquake Pakistan. Above all, the organization founded in 1933 at Albert Einstein's behest has aimed to reorient displaced refugees and fight for refugee rights in multiple environments.International Rescue Committee, Charity of the Day
The International Rescue Committee is one of the prominent non-profits advocating for refugee rights in the U.S. where newcomers often feel displaced and lonely. The IRC has responded to humanitarian emergencies and has fought against human trafficking and gender-based violence. Four of IRC's workers were killed in an August 13th ambush in Afghanistan; yet the organization continues to strive for peace all over the world, in war-torn Lebanon and rescue efforts in post-earthquake Pakistan. Above all, the organization founded in 1933 at Albert Einstein's behest has aimed to reorient displaced refugees and fight for refugee rights in multiple environments.The Arc of the United States, Charity of the Day
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The Arc of the United States is the largest organization dedicated to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It's the group behind the outcries against the controversial film Tropic Thunder and has effectively lobbied for public policy that will support individuals living with autism, epilepsy and various other developmental disabilities. The national org facilitates smaller chapters all over the country, offering community-based support to the over 7 million people with intellectual disabilities in the U.S.
Its National Convention -- open to anyone interested in learning more -- will take place this November in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Participants can sign up now and until mid-October.
One World Running, Charity of the Day
This morning I decided the running shoes I've had for almost a year need to be replaced -- time to buy a new pair! I love the bounce of a brand new pair of shoes...unspoiled and ready for everything I plan to put them through. I wanted to find a place to donate my less bouncy pairs to the benefit of others and came across One World Running, a non-profit organization based in Boulder, Colorado. Collecting and donating thousands of new and 'nearly new' shoes to needy individuals across the U.S. and the world this ambitious organization is supported by Scout troops, individuals on a mission, shoe companies and even local store drives. With an international scope they have provided shoes to children and adults alike, athletes and humanitarians too from Belize to Africa. Whether you donate your sneaks or funds you will ensure that others can stride in comfort and continue along their own journeys whatever terrain it takes them over. (The photos in the gallery below really showcase their efforts).
Gallery: One World Running
Monkeybiz Beaded Creations Help Women, Charity of the Day
Exquisite, handmade, one-of-a-kind beaded creations are the product of Monkeybiz but the non-profit organization does much more than these crafts. Offering women in Southern Africa the opportunity to earn an income from home while encouraging entrepreneurship and developing skills is Monkeybiz's end goal. Providing materials for these unique projects free of charge and ensuring a sustainable income through growth of new markets and retailers means women can help provide for their families. There is even an associated health clinic for HIV+ women, a soup kitchen to fulfill nutritional needs and funeral financial assistance. Donate funds or materials, purchase their handcrafted works or volunteer your time if you feel passionate about the mission of Monkeybiz.
Gallery: Creations by Monkeybiz
Operation Smile, Charity of the Day
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Recently named non-profit organization of the year by the Direct Marketing Association's Non-Profit Federation, Operation Smile has performed over 115,000 surgeries to repair children's cleft lips and cleft palates. Dr. Bill (a plastic surgeon) and Kathy (a clinical social worker) McGee founded Operation Smile in 1982 and have since organized missions in 26 countries annually, where medical volunteers travel to perform free surgeries on children and young adults with facial deformities. A popular cause among many high-profile socials (Donald Trump, Jr. and his wife recently volunteered in Nicaragua), Operation Smile stands to gain even greater public prominence -- Cindy McCain sits on the board.The Campaign for Mayo Clinic, Charity of the Day
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The Campaign for Mayo Clinic is nearing the end of its five year mission to raise over a billion dollars for continued patient care, research and education. The largest non-profit practice group in the world, the Mayo Clinic is preparing for extensive Medicare cuts and other reductions in government reimbursement for medical care. The campaign began in 2005 with a significant leadership gift of $25 million from the CEO of Marriott International, Bill Marriott, whose daughter was cared for at the Mayo Clinic in the 1960s.
The campaign recently surpassed the $1 billion mark but has a bit further to go to reach its ultimate goal of $1.25 billion by the end of 2009. Most gifts have come from former patients, but the Clinic's development staff hopes that its call to the general public in May will help the Campaign meet its goal on time.
Burning Hawk Wine
Burning Hawk sounds like a bit of a poetic name for a wine until you learn that the name comes from a hawk which hit a power line and caused a fire in a vineyard. Burning Hawk wine gives ten percent of sales to groups working to prevent bird electrocutions. The wine is produced by Windsor Vineyards and will offer two $30-a-bottle wines. The Burning Hawk 2005 Napa Valley Red Wine is a Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot, Malbec and Merlot from the Napa Valley and the 2006 Burning Hawk Chardonnay, Alexander Valley is a buttery Chardonnay with tropical fruit and vanilla oak notes. The organizations that will get the proceeds haven't been chosen yet but according to an article in the Press-Democrat the label's founder Nick Papadopoulos has been speaking with groups around the country to see if they can prevent birds from being killed through electrocution or collisions with power equipment. Windsor Vineyards produced 2,000 cases of each wine.Gallery: Wine For A Cause
The Clinton Foundation, Charity of the Day
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The Clinton Foundation has recently concluded its philanthropy tour of Africa, where the former President worked tirelessly to reduce treatment costs for malaria and spoke in support of public health efforts to reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS among children. He also helped celebrate the opening of a $1 million, 180-bed hospital in Rwanda. The foundation's Travel to Africa Blog followed Clinton on his multiple stops throughout the continent between the end of July and August 6 and includes video of some of Clinton's speeches during his visit.
Bill Clinton established his eponymous foundation during his second term as President. The foundation has grown to support programs focused on combating climate change, HIV/AIDS and other health concerns and childhood obesity.
ninemillion.org, Charity of the Day
ninemillion.org, in partnership with Nike and Microsoft, is the UN Refugee Agency's attempt to better the education of the nine million child refugees in the world by 2010. It was through this organization that Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt made their significant donation to children in Iraq in June, and Nike's upcoming Human Race -- a world-wide 10K involving a million runners on August 31 -- will donate up to $1.5 million in proceeds from registration fees and donations. There's still time to sign up!In addition to its fundraising efforts, ninemillion.org serves as a virtual bulletin board, where kids in refugee camps in Uganda or Thailand post their stories and visitors to the website can see their pictures.
Soles 4 Souls, Charity of the Day
Soles 4 Souls is a non-profit org dedicated to "changing the world, one pair at a time" as it donates shoes to those in need around the globe. Acting as a facilitator, the group accepts donations of new and used shoes whether from major retailers or individuals. It then ships them to 50 countries and 35 states in the U.S., whether to a domestic abuse victim who has left everything behind or a woman from a small village, toting a week's worth of drinking water barefoot for miles. The group has now donated over 3.3 million pairs of shoes worldwide -- or one pair every 23 seconds.Inspired by the group's mission, 19-year old Dashiel Alsup started a walk across America -- barefoot -- to show his support. Dashiel, who goes by the dead-on nickname Dash, has already logged 1600 miles to raise awareness for Soles 4 Souls. You can read about his progress on his blog, A Single Pebble. Dash sort of makes me feel all lazy and selfish inside, so I'm going to send in a pair of shoes. No, two pairs!
Survival International, Charity of the Day
A came across this organization when writing about Pippa Small's jewelry and thought I just had to include it in our Charity of the Day series. Survival International's mission is to protect tribal people's land and culture across the globe from encroaching governments and corporations whose expansion may very well wipe out these native populations. These secluded communities won't be able to preserve their way of life if other ambitious parties are not held in check. Support for this organization is possible through active participation such as sponsoring events, writing letters or becoming a campaigner (joining Richard Gere and Pippa Small as well) or through various levels of donations. Their website does a fantastic job of sharing their cause and enlightening those of us who wouldn't have known the depths of this struggle otherwise.
Gallery: Tribes Supported by Survival International
Tonic Generation, Charity of the Day
Tonic Generation offers just one product in many styles (T-shirts) but donates on average 40 percent of its revenue. The organization partners with designers and causes to create limited edition products in these areas: the environment, education, social welfare and poverty. Luella Bartley recently designed four T-shirts with names like Stag, Scary Douglas, Pagan Sun, and Robin. Each has been designed especially for Tonic. Made of a 70-30 bamboo/cotton blend, the fabric does not harm the environment and has been produced according to ethical practices. Tonic is similar to iGive in that you can choose your cause and track your impact. Read the FAQs for more info on how it works!Charity Of The Day: International Breast Milk Project
Minnesota Mom Jill Youse started sending her own breast milk to Africa in 2006, soon after which she began helping other moms around the country do the same through her organization, the International Breast Milk Project (IBMP). In just the past couple of years IBMP has successfully shipped over 85,000 pounds of milk to infants in Africa, primarily babies fighting illnesses that often abate when breast milk is introduced. Youse set up a program for women who have suffered the loss of an infant through the Madison Cassady Program , so that grieving mothers who still had milk stored in their freezers didn't have to throw it all away. Also distributed in the U.S. to children born prematurely or whose mothers cannot produce milk, donations are made easy for moms. Coolers and the necessary equipment arrive shipped to their doors and are later picked up and sent to babies in need. Even FedEx has chipped in to provide transport for the mothers' milk. Recognized as one of "Earth's Mothers" by Oprah Winfrey a little over a year ago, Youse and IBMP are revolutionizing how new moms think about breastfeeding, convincing them to add a few more mouths along the way.
Healthy Child Healthy World, Charity of the Day
It couldn't be more true that in order to have a healthy world we have to have healthy children, and Healthy Child Healthy World is a non-profit organization that makes that principle their main aim by working to protect our youth from harmful environmental exposures. Working through education, laws, governmental agencies, advocacy, and spreading awareness of environmental issues this charity is a no brainer because not only are they helping kids but they're also helping the environment (something we could all be doing more of).Lighthouse International, Charity of the Day
Lighthouse International is one of the nation's leading non-profit organizations working to preserve vision, restore vision, and support people of all ages who suffer from vision loss due to a variety of causes, including everything from cataracts to macular degeneration to accidents. They help people learn to recover and cope and provide them with access to various educational, advocacy, and clinical services.Lighthouse International was founded in 1905 in New York and they currently have locations in Manhattan and Westchester. Opportunities to get involved include donating money, volunteering, or simply shopping online.
