Catchin' the Spirit
December 11, 2009 I've jokingly told my friends and family that I'm boycotting Christmas this year, and I bet a lot of you can relate: too much stress, too little time to sit back and remember what it was that you used to love about this time of year, and too many annoying advertisers screeching that you're a bad parent or friend or loved one if you don't BUY STUFF - and lots of it.
But here's the thing: buying the usual run of candles and foot massagers and, yes, even outrageously funny gift books [wink wink] for my loved ones doesn't get me in the holiday spirit. Frankly, most of these gifts don't get them in the spirit, either.
"Gee, you shouldn't have. No, seriously."I found inspiration in the form of Wreckie Collette Yates (no relation) and the Charity Cake-Wreck-a-thon she and some friends recently put together in Brighton. See, they asked friends and community members to bring in horrendously decorated baked goods (and boy, were there some doozies) which they sold at a local train station. In one afternoon they managed to raise 450 pounds for two cancer-fighting charities.
(From the left, that's Rachel, Collette, & Helen)Which got us thinking: If 3 gals can use Cake Wrecks as a springboard to organize something that cool for charity, why can't we? And since Wreckies are some of the most creative, giving, and nattily dressed folks we know....
(You continue to rock, Mary Beth.)So here's the deal: instead of buying gifts or trees or decorations this year, John and I are going to donate a minimum of $200 to a different charity or worthy cause, every day, for the next two weeks.
Which ones?
Well, that's where you come in.
See, we have a few organizations in mind, but certainly not 14. So, I'm asking for your recommendations.What are you passionate about? Where do you volunteer your time, talents, and money? Who do you know that needs help? Tell me in the comments (not e-mail!), so that we all can read and learn and maybe even give a little together.
Oh, and if you're worrying that CW is going to turn into a charity-pushing propaganda site for the next few weeks: don't. I'll just be adding a footnote to each day's post giving you the name of the organization, a one-sentence summary, and a link if you want to learn more.
Now, John and I will be choosing each day's charity based on our own individual passions - which might not match up exactly with your own - but even so I'm going to issue you a little challenge. Ready? Here 'tis:
If you each give one dollar - just one solitary smackeroo - together we can raise over $80,000 each day. BAM. Just like that. Imagine that 14 times over, all for worthy causes. Imagine the number of lives that could impact. Imagine, if you will...the bragging rights.
Yeah, you heard me. When you get involved in something that awesome, you get major bragging rights.
Ok. So. You pumped? You with me? You...ready for this post to be over? Heh, I hear ya.
Today's charity is Charity: Water. These guys use 100% of all donations to drill wells and provide clean drinking water to developing nations. Believe it or not, 1 out of 8 people on the planet lack this basic life-need, and every $5,000 builds a well that serves over 250 people.
Go here to donate your $1. That's the CW campaign page, where you can watch our progress, leave notes, and learn more. (Watch the video: it'll make you do a happy dance.) I've set us an easy goal - just $20K, or 4 wells - so I can't wait to see how far above and beyond that you guys are going to get us.
It's just a dollar, guys. C'mon. Let's do this together.
Note: PayPal *is* an option to donate, if you click here and hit the red donate button. A few caveats, though: PayPal takes $.30 of your dollar in fees, and your donation can't be tracked as part of the CW campaign that way. However, the point here is to give, so if you're only comfortable using PayPal, then please do so!
Reader Comments (1529)
Personally, I'm a fan of these organizations:
1. MADD: Mothers Against Drunk Driving. My grandparents were struck and killed by a drunk driver when I was a young teenager. The drunk driver was 3 times the legal limit (.24). My hope is that others don't lose their grandparents or other loved ones to such selfishness.
2. American Diabetes Association: My mother had juvenile diabetes from the age of 9. It affected her life completely and even a kidney-pancreas transplant didn't outlast the damage done by this ravaging disease. Mom died at age 56 in 2007.
3. City of Hope: A cancer research hospital located in Duarte, CA. They helped in my sister's brain tumor treatments when she was 8 in 1981. They also employed my husband as a research scientist for a couple of years. It's a special place and I've talked to people from various regions of the country who've been treated there.
4. St. Jude's just because. I've had friends whose kids were treated there and it's so amazing
Great Idea! I love the first charity choice, and suggest readers check out the group We Add Up - http://www.weaddup.com/ - to help promote causes, including "Drink Tap!" to remind us here in the US to drink our nice, clean tap water, rather than impacting numerous resources with bottled.
What a great idea! The charity I'm going to suggest has to do with cakes. Birthday cakes for children. Free Cakes for Kids provides a free birthday cake to children whose families may not otherwise be able to provide or afford one. This was started by Toni Paulos in GA when she made a cake for her 8 yr old foster child and the little girl began to cry because she had NEVER had a birthday cake before! Since then, other generous cakers, working with Toni, have started local chapter in cities throughout the USA, in Canada, and UK. We recently launched the San Antonio, TX chapter and have made four birthday cakes to date. The main website to the organization is www.freecakesforkids.com, and the local chapters are listed on the two volunteers pages.
I was so inspired I donated $5 :) Not much but I am jobless, but I love Paypal for making it so easy to dinate!
I'd like to make a suggestion for a charity, though I don't know of an American one (cannuck here). Allow me two seconds to tell you my story:
My father died of brain cancer when I was 14. I hardly even got to know him. He had 6 tumors in his brain and more in his lungs. He went paralyzed down his left side and was only 51 when he died. He suffered with it for over 2 years.
I'd really like, in my heart of hearts, to see something go towards cancer, regardless of the type--though brain cancer is of course what pulls at my heart strings. Think you can do that for lil' ol' me?
March of Dimes -
Last Thanksgiving my twin sons were born at 27 weeks weighing 1lb14oz and 2lb5oz. Without the research funded by March of Dimes (specifically the lung medication surfactent), I would not have 2 healthy, happy 1 year olds (19lbs each!) wrestling each other on my floor right now.
Great idea - will definitely be donating!
The charity I donate the most time, money and effort to is Autism Society. http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=donate_home
I have 3 family members with Autism varying from 'Classic' to Asperger's, and so this one is always on the hot seat. :)
Heifer International FTW!
Also, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is an organization that works with kids in the foster system, and helped three of my adopted brothers and sisters. They're amazing! From the website: "CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to watch over and advocate for abused and neglected children, to make sure they don’t get lost in the overburdened legal and social service system or languish in an inappropriate group or foster home. They stay with each case until it is closed and the child is placed in a safe, permanent home. For many abused children, their CASA volunteer will be the one constant adult presence—the one adult who cares only for them.
Last year, more than 68,000 CASA volunteers served more than 240,000 abused and neglected children through 1,018 program offices. CASA volunteers have helped more than two million abused children since the first program was established in 1977."
http://www.casaforchildren.org
World Vision. I sponsor two girls in Zambia, Dorcas and Teletha. They are about the same age as my boys and they've almost removed my desire to keep trying for a girl of my own! So, that's how they've helped me. World Vision also makes sure they have clean water, clothes, and tries to make sure they go to school. They also teach them about Jesus. And, I don't have a problem with that. Jesus was a good guy.
I love getting letters from their community. And, I'm looking forward to when they are old enough to write themselves. See, this is all about me. I'm not expecting them to give me grandbabies or come over for Sunday supper in 20 years. But, I'm looking forward to watching them grow up knowing that I'm able to do a small thing that makes a big difference in their lives.
Hi Jen and John!
This is a wonderful post and a wonderful idea.
My name is Lauren; I'm an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer at a small Red Cross chapter. I sometimes think the American Red Cross is in a funny position--everybody knows about us, which is a blessing; but this also sometimes means it’s easy to take us for granted. But the work of the Red Cross is so essential and so, so lovely—and so dependent on YOU. When there's a disaster (some 70,000 a year!), we're there to provide the victims with all their basic needs--food, shelter, counseling, and much more. I've witnessed first-hand the passion and commitment of our disaster volunteers, out of bed at three in the morning to rush to a house fire. We educate over 15 MILLION people every year in disaster-preparedness and lifesaving skills (CPR and first-aid, babysitting, lifeguarding--trust me, you know SOMEONE who's taken a Red Cross course!). Through us, some 4 million people give blood--a way for the average person to literally save a life--every year. We also (little-known fact!) exchange more than a million emergency messages between service members and their loved ones annually.
There's so much more to say--but this is already too long! Like I said, I sometimes think the Red Cross, because of its very reliability and steadfastness, fades into the background a bit. But I truly believe that this country would feel, instantly, if the Red Cross were not there to provide our vital services--entirely funded by donations of time, money, and blood.
Thanks so much for the chance to tell you about this organization I care so much about, and best of luck with your wonderful endeavor!
Lauren
I agree with the KIVA suggestions, as well as Feeding America and Habitat for Humanity, and the Humane Society International.
I also think an international AIDS/HIV charity would be a great idea: maybe http://www.avert.org/" rel="nofollow">AVERT. Also http://www.amnesty.org/" rel="nofollow">Amnesty International
Props to you, CakeWrecks for doing something philanthropic this year! Acts of kindness seem to be few and far between in my neck of the woods, unfortunately.
Here are my two charity suggestions:
The Humane Society. Why? Because I own two shelter dogs, and they have enriched my life far beyond I ever expected. Without the humane society (and their funding) I may have never found them--because they would have been euthanized right away. Funding gives the humane societies across the nation food, electricity, and vet resources help these wonderful animals find new homes.
And, the American Cancer Society. Why? I lost my mom to colon cancer in July of this year, and the ACS was there at every turn to help us with resources, support and information. She was only 55, and early detection could have saved her life--if we had known.
And the last one, which I know you probably won't choose but which I'd like to tell you about is the Hanne Howard Fund in the Lenana Slum just outside Nairobi, Kenya. Hanne Howard is my distant cousin, and she works tirelessly at this orphanage for AIDS orphans, using funding entirely out of her own pocket and whatever donations she can get. She provides children who have no chance at life an opportunity at education, at access to the outside world, and for even the simple things like a clean bed, food, clean water, and someone to love them.
Here in the link if you'd like to learn more about her efforts:
http://www.hannehowardfund.org/
OK, now I've blathered on for too long. Best of luck, and thank you so much!
I would like to nominate Honor Flight Chicago for your charity list! Honor Flight Chicago provides veterans, especially those who served in WWII, a chance to visit the memorial in Washington D.C. that was erected in their honor. Our veterans have given so much, and yet many of these individuals have never even seen the memorial, let alone get an opportunity to both be honored and have a chance to say goodbye to those they lost in battle.
http://honorflightchicago.org
Thank you so much for this!!
Maureen
Definately Heifer International. They give hope and skills. A great organization!!!
I don't know if they have to be national charities - if it's okay, I want to suggest something in my local area that is a huge part of my life. Eastside Community Center in Columbus, Indiana.
This is their website: http://eastcc.org
It's just a little building that puts out free meals every Wednesday, does free meals on Thanksgiving (and various other points throughout the year), adopts a family at Christmas, has family-friendly activities, and provides a place for meetings for anything from AA to the local Writer's Group.
They host classes on resume writing, interviewing, have financial literacy classes, and help people with their taxes. Most recently, they've become a part of the Indiana Foreclosure Prevention Network. That's just a small amount of what they do on a regular basis.
And, they rise to the occasion. In June 2008, Columbus had an awful flood. Plenty of people had their homes destroyed or severely damaged. Only days after the flood, Eastside began delivering a meal every day to hundreds of people who were working on their homes, and to the people who were helping. And they went going, long after everyone else had stopped delivering or helping the flood victims with food. They went through to December, ultimately serving 38,413 meals. I actually texted my mother for that number, and she knew it right away, because that's when she started working for them. She started that, and she continues to volunteer for Eastside nearly 60 hours a week for nothing.
Eastside does so much and they have so many plans for the future. I grew up with them, and I know there are many worthy places, but I think it would be absolutely fantastic if you could help them.
- Sarah H.
I nominate New Hope Outreach Ministries. I have been on their trips, I have met John and Evelyn, and I have spent time with them and their staff. I can tell you that they are committed and passionate about what they do, and they do awesome work around the world. www.newhopeoutreach.org
With great power comes great responsibility, eh? Way to use your platform for good guys!
The group I'd recommend is http://www.creativitytour48.com We are Destination ImagiNation alumni who are taking a road trip through all lower 48 states this February to promote this fabulous program.
Destination ImagiNation is an after-school activity in which students work in teams to solve mind-bending Challenges. Teams of students from kindergarten through college are challenged to think on their feet, work together and devise original solutions. You may remember the program's predecessor, Odyssey or Olympics of the Mind.
I support this program because I think it's the one of the best way to solve a lot of the issues raised by the other charities listed here. If we teach our kids how to think creatively and work together, they will be better prepared to come up with real solutions to things like disease, war, and hunger.
Plus, on our journey, we will be "wrecking" the nation. We're asking teams to send us decorated lawn flamingos so that we can "flock" national landmarks. We're hoping our flamingos will be ridiculous enough to bring lots of attention to the kids' creativity and this wonderful program!
Thank you for this opportunity!
Amanda
What a marvelous idea! My sister has ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease), so I have a particular interest in that. For some reason, it is also hitting our returning service personnel very hard, with twice as many cases as the general population.
I would like to recommend the Robert Packard Center for ALS Research at Johns Hopkins (www.alscenter.org). They do such great work with patient's who have Lou Gehrig's disease. They focus on research as well as patient care.
Jaclyn
Almost forgot. I used to work in the dementia units of a nursing home. Very rewarding, but also very heartbreaking. Any alzheimer's charity would be great. Also, big animal lover, so charities that help animals would be great. And cancer research. I lost my sister and grandmother to cancer, both my parents have had cancer, my friend's husband just died of cancer in his mid 30's, I could go on, but you get the idea. Cancer has probably touched every person in this nation and everyone is at risk of developing cancer. I think it should be a given that we need to support cancer research.
Krista
Yay! I gave dollahs. I'm so swank.
You should consider at least one animal rescue organization. They're really suffering in this economy.
Thanks for all the laughs- you folks always make my day!
Now you (and all your fans) have a chance to make MY day. You see, I run The Creative Oasis, a non-profit art studio in the heart of State College, PA (y'know, by Penn State University..) We are 12 years old, and are the largest public non-profit art studio in the whole county. And we are 100% volunteer run. All of our staff, our teachers, and yes, even our Illustrious Director (me), donate our time to keep the place up and running. We provide summer camps for kids aged 5-17, adult education, and a public gallery where local artists can sell and showcase their work.
The economy has really hit us hard, to the point where we may have to close our door for good. Our income just isn't covering our overhead, which is relatively low. We've got wonderful staff, programs, facilities and students...but what we really need is donor support.
We're not curing cancer, or saving the glaciers...but what we do every day is touch and enrich the lives of the community around us. My volunteers (and myself) have given thousands of hours of our time to make this a success. What keeps us going is the knowledge that giving people the gift of art is something you can't put a price tag on and it changes lives.
Won't you help us continue to make a difference?
http://www.thecreativeoasis.com
Thanks,
Rowan Rose
Director
The Creative Oasis
I second the Child's Play recommendation(www.childsplaycharity.org).
Not only do they help hundreds of children each year they show the true power of the internet (it was start by the writers of a webcomic).
I don't envy the task yall have ahead of you choosing your charities. I've teared up just reading through everyone's suggestions.
I have several charities that are close to my heart but I recommend:
alz.org
I lost my granny this year but before she passed it was the hardest thing seeing her lose her mind (as she would say), not know who we were, etc.
Off to donate to Charity: Water!
I also say the March of Dimes. Prematurity is not their only concern. They also focus on lots of different things that affect newborns including heart defects. We support them in honor of our youngest who was born with ToF. They are always needed support.
Great idea which makes me love your site even more!!
Habitat for Humanity is a GREAT charity that gives back to a person not just a home but a sense of accomplishment. Each habitat recipient is required to put in hours building other people's homes before they become eligible to receive their own.
What a wonderful idea! I also vote for a local no-kill animal shelter or animal rescue organization.
http://www.ldsphilanthropies.org/humanitarian-services/
LDS Philanthropies assists with both emergency response--often times they have semitrucks full of supplies waiting for a hurricane to pass so they can go in and deliver them--and longterm projects like clean water, neonatal resuscitation training, wheelchair distribution, etc. Although it is affiliated with a religious organization, aid is offered to everyone. They often partner with other humanitarian organizations throughout the world, including Catholic Community Services, Islamic Relief, and the Red Cross.
You can actually donate on the website to the specific projects, or to the general fund. The other great thing is that all of the money goes to the project it was donated for--absolutely no money is used for administrative costs, which are paid from other funds. It's awesome.
What an awesome idea! I'm definitely participating.
Oh and, I think it's so awesome that you guys can support yourselves on this now! We bought one copy of the book as a gift but now I'm regretting not buying several (one for me of course!) Guess I need to get some more! :D
Autism Speaks.
As a person who deals with a mild, high-functioning form on a daily basis, I have a great respect for those who dedicate their lives to helping those with Autism and seek to find a way to alleviate the symptoms and eventually cure it. It's a tough thing to live with some days on my level, and the parents and loved ones who have the patience to care for their family members who have extremely severe forms of it is just an incredible thing. I just think that groups like Autism Speaks offer hope for the future of it all.
Taylorstale.com
I would highly recommend Taylor's Tale, because every child deserves a second chance. A friend's sister is living with Batten disease.
Batten disease is an inherited, neurodegenerative disease that primarily strikes infants, toddlers and school-aged children. Presently, there is no treatment, and it is always fatal.
Taylor is currently 10 and we are fighting to find a cure!
http://www.endfistula.org/index.htm
Fistulas are a large medical problem in developing nations where women are married young and get pregnant before their hips finish developing. The pregnancy typically will result in the death of the baby and do damage to the mother making her smell no matter how much she cleans. She is then typically considered cursed and a pariah by the community and lives her entire life in isolation. $300 can pay for the surgery to repair the fistula and $60 can pay for a c-section to prevent it from happening and save the baby.
I think this is a very good cause and one that is probably over-looked for some big name charities like some of the ones mentioned. Help raise awareness of an issue that some may not even know exists please.
Love you guys, so proud that you're representing O-town :)
http://www.freetibet.org/
Free Tibet! Tibetans aren't allowed to teach or learn their native language or customs in their native land, and now that they have been spread around the globe, it is a constant struggle for them to maintain a connection to their rich and ancient culture. In the past ten years, twenty Tibetan families have moved into my town in Connecticut, and every day I am moved and awed by their kindness and goodwill, qualities that are sorely lacking in the world today. If this beautiful culture dies out, it will be a major loss, not only to Tibetans, but to the entire world. Freetibet.org is not just about ending Chinese occupation (which is vital); it is also about education, so that Tibetans the world over can hold on to their language and culture, as is every human being's right.
Not sue if this has been posted, but always make sure you research your charities before donating:
http://www.charitynavigator.org/
There are so many deserving places out there, but there are also charities that need to be much more efficient and cost-conscious.
Oh, and my vote is now and will always be for the Humane Society of the United States and the ASPCA.
One of my favorites and the place that helped us find our precious daughter Daisy, is Reece's Rainbow. www.reecesrainbow.org. Andrea, the founder, started Reece's Rainbow in 2006 to help bring awareness to children in Eastern European countries that have Down Syndrome and other special needs. Sadly, once these children reach the age of 5, they are transferred to mental institutions where most won't survive the first year. Through Andrea's mission, she raises grant money for each child in hopes of those children being adopted out of the poor conditions they are in or out of the institutions they are forced into due to their special needs and placed with forever families. In the few years Andrea has started Reece's Rainbow, over 300 children with special needs have found their forever families and many, many more are due to come home soon. Without her and Reece's Rainbow, we would have never found our daughter, and we certainly would have never been aware of the conditions that these precious children face, due to their special needs. I encourage everyone to stop by Reece's Rainbow and help out in any way possible. Donate, Pray, Adopt, whatever you feel led to do. I promise, your life will be forever changed by these special little ones.
The Wildland Firefighter Foundation
www.wffoundation.org
Helps the families of fallen and hurt firefighters.
My fiance is a wildland firefighter, to us this is one of the most important places to give.
Second on our list, the Humane Society, I'm a sucker for a cute face!
Andi F.
Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep is a wonderful organization of volunteer photographers that come to the hospital and give a portrait session to families that have a stillborn baby. It gives these families the only pictures they will have of their baby which is an important part of the healing process.
Susan G. Komen foundation, the ASPCA, Saint Jude's Children's hospital, and the Shriners are usually my charities of choice. Those people do amazing work.
Another reader here that never posts! LOL
May I suggest:
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
www.jdrf.org
Great organization trying to find a cure for juvenile diabetes that affects so many of our kids!
Patrick
My charity suggestion is HATCH.
Hatch is a Houston-based charity origanization that provides positive role models and safe environments for GLBT youths in the city. Through this organization we help young people trying to understand their identity find their place in the world, and help them cope with the coming out process. My social group the Houston Area Bears donates a lot of money from our fundraisers to this group and I've volunteered there as a peer counselor. It's a wonderful organization and I've seen a lot of great things come out of it.
http://www.hatchyouth.org/
The Pajama Program!
www.pajamaprogram.org
They give warm PJs and good books to kids in need - many of whom are waiting for adoption. It would break your heart to know the number of kids in shelters that don't have pajamas.
This is a perfect charity for the cold holiday season :)
Thanks Wreckies - you make me laugh every day!
Samaritan's Purse (http://www.samaritanspurse.com/)
is an incredible relief organization that responds to disasters and desperate situations all over the world. They are also the people who distribute Shoe Box gifts to children all over the world through Operation Christmas Child.
I support Right to Life. The organization raises awareness to help protect unborn children.
Love it! Thank you for doing this.
My faves include Heifer International (my big sister is getting chicks for Christmas this year! heh), World Vision, my province's Children's Hospital, Operation Christmas Child, and the AIDS orphanage in Cambodia where my little brother is currently doing a one year internship: http://placeofrescue.com/
And of course the list could go on and on!! Thanks again for doing this. GREAT idea!
I strongly believe that any donation towards SNAP (Spay and Neuter Programs), humane societies or the ASPCA would go a very long way.
In the current economy, many people are having to make the hard decision to give up their animals, which is overloading the system. Those that keep their pets are often unable to have them spayed or neutered, which results in more pets with no homes, again, overloading the system. It's amazing what just a few dollars can do for these organization, and I think they're a very worthy cause.
Having lost someone in the last year to Hodgkins lymphoma, The Lukemia and Lymphoma Society is dear to my heart, as are Team in Training and City of Hope. Any of these organizations could really use the help, and they do so very much good.
I really respect what Love146 is doing. They're working to abolish child sex slavery and exploitation.
love146.org
Hayley
I'm going to recommend American Rescue Workers in Baltimore, MD. This is a faith-based organization that provides overnight emergency shelter for homeless men, a residential substance abuse recovery program, a convalescent care facility for medically fragile homeless men, a soup kitchen feeds the residents and overnight guests daily and anyone who is hungry twice per week, and a children's ministry that provides emotional, spiritual, and material needs for very poor urban kids. Please check them out at www.americanrescueworkers.org . And as another poster had suggested that we include in the post, they do accept donations by paypal.
My parents are the commanding officers of this ministry, so I can personally verify that they are doing an excellent work in their community!
I support dinnergarden.org They send seeds to anyone who needs/wants them in order for people to grow their own food so that they will spend less at the grocery store and not be hungry.
I'm big on supporting Veteran's groups-national or local, specific branches or all, doesn't matter to me. Lately we've supported the US Navy Veteran's Association in sending care packages to out to all our overseas troops.
Also-why do so many Christmas cakes seem to be made with Valentine's heart pans? Just wondering.
My charity of choice would be The National Eating Disorders Association.
Nationaleatingdisorders.org
As a nurse whose sister spent 8.5 years with an eating disorder, I began volunteering for them out in Seattle. Now in recovery for over a year, my sister loves cake again and is a healthy strong person. NEDA helps so many people and is a really awesome group of people!
I work for HSI, a nonprofit in Minnesota that provides mental health, chemical health, and elder health services. You can learn more about our vast array of programming by checking out our website at hsicare.org. If you want to set up a similar campaign page like the one you are using for the water donations, you can go through GiveMN.org and create your own campaign for HSI.
Hope that is helpful, and feel free to contact me if you have additional questions.