Monday, December 31, 2012

Day 37

Boys Town

Boys Town was founded on one simple belief: that every child has the inherent potential to succeed, no matter what his or her circumstances.  So, we strive to help every child, from those who may simply be struggling or in doubt to those who are in need of the most severe behavioral care.  We strive to reunite children with their families whenever possible, or give them the skills and foundation they need to build a life on their own as caring, responsible adults.




Sunday, December 30, 2012

Day 36

Summer Search

The mission of Summer Search is to find resilient low-income high school students and inspire them to become responsible and altruistic leaders by providing year-round mentoring, life-changing summer experiences, college advising, and a lasting support network.

Summer Search changes the odds for low-income youth and ensures they succeed in school and in life.  In 2010 across our network of seven locations:

  • 99% of Summer Search seniors graduated high school
  • 95% of seniors went to post-secondary education, including 93% to college
  • 85% of students in post-secondary are on track to graduate
 
As important as their success in school, Summer Search expects youth to give back and become leaders.  In 2010 over 80% of Summer Search high school students engaged in their communities with 24 or more community service hours.





Saturday, December 29, 2012

Day 35

Shoes That Fit

Going barefoot in the summer is one thing.  Doing it all year long – or having to wear worn out, mismatched or poor fitting shoes every day throughout the year is something else entirely.  It destroys self esteem.  It degrades and depresses.  It makes going to school embarrassing and almost impossible.
It’s also why Shoes That Fit was born.  Because studies show that properly fitting shoes can enhance self confidence in school-children and boost their development and overall growth.  That’s a lot to get from a simple pair of shoes, but we see it work in the lives of precious children every day!

With shoes that fit, kids fit too – into their schools, into their social networks and into lives with hope and dreams.

Today, Shoes That Fit is helping children in need in thousands of schools across America. Hundreds of thousands of new shoes and other items have been given out and that number is growing rapidly.





Friday, December 28, 2012

Day 34

The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp

Our friend Holly has pointed us towards today's wonderful charity.

The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp is dedicated to providing “a different kind of healing” to seriously ill children and their families throughout the Northeast, free of charge.  It’s a community that celebrates the fun, friendship and spirit of childhood where every kid can “raise a little hell.”

The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp was founded in 1988 by Paul Newman with one simple premise in mind, that every child, no matter their illness, could experience the transformational spirit and friendships that go hand in hand with camp.





Thursday, December 27, 2012

Day 33

Big Brothers Big Sisters

With the help of a network of donors, partners, family members, and advocates, Big Brothers Big Sisters carefully matches at-risk youths with caring, adult role models.  Research proves that children enrolled in Big Brothers Big Sisters programs are more likely to improve in school and in their relationships with family and friends, and less likely to skip school or use illegal drugs or alcohol.

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Day 32

Children's Cancer Association

We're especially excited about finding today's charity and you're about to read why :-)

When seriously ill children and their families need more than medicine, CCA's innovative programs create joy one moment at a time.  The Children’s Cancer Association didn’t start with a foundation, it started with a family.  One who faced its own battle with serious pediatric illness almost two decades ago in Portland, Oregon.  From that experience came a passionate commitment and focus: To deliver the resources, the friendship and the healing power of music to families facing the same challenges.

We prescribe joy. 

For children diagnosed with serious illness and their families, every moment is precious.  At CCA, our goal is to transform as many of those moments as possible — with joy.

Why joy?

Because in the fight against devastating illness, joy is often forgotten.  Because joy connects us with the power of hope, comfort, and happiness and helps families and children feel uplifted when their lives have been turned upside down.  Because joy is something every child deserves.

One of their programs is called MusicRx.  You can read more about it and also take a look at their Amazon Wish List.




Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Day 31

Lily Sarah Grace Fund

1 year ago today 9 year old Lily, and her 7 year old twin sisters Sarah and Grace, lost their lives in a fire.  Their father, Matthew Badger, started the Lily Sarah Grace Fund to honor their lives and to support the arts in elementary schools.

Mission: To challenge and empower teachers in underfunded elementary schools across the United States to teach their curriculum through the universal language of Art and Creativity.

The Lily Sarah Grace Fund has made a tremendous impact across the country funding arts projects.





Monday, December 24, 2012

Day 30

Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation

Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) emerged from the front yard lemonade stand of cancer patient Alexandra “Alex” Scott (1996-2004).  In 2000, 4-year-old Alex announced that she wanted to hold a lemonade stand to raise money to help find a cure for all children with cancer.  Since Alex held that first stand, the Foundation bearing her name has evolved into a national fundraising movement, complete with thousands of supporters across the country carrying on her legacy of hope.
  • To raise money and awareness of childhood cancer causes, primarily research into new treatments and cures.
  • To encourage and empower others, especially children, to get involved and make a difference for children with cancer.





Sunday, December 23, 2012

Day 29

Save the Children

Save the Children serves impoverished, marginalized and vulnerable children and families in more than 120 nations.  Our programs reach both children and those working to save and improve their lives, including parents, caregivers, community members and members of our partner organizations.  We help save children’s lives, protect them from exploitation and assist them in accessing education and health care.

Through disaster risk reduction, emergency preparedness, rapid humanitarian relief and long-term recovery programs, Save the Children also assists millions of girls and boys at risk of or affected by natural disasters, conflicts and ethnic violence.

One of their programs is called HEART (Healing and Education through the Arts).  Here's a video for that program that makes us smile every time :-)



Saturday, December 22, 2012

Day 28

Children's Aid and Family Services

I volunteered some of my time this past summer with this organization that serves my area of NJ.

Children's Aid and Family Services preserves, protects and, when needed, provides families.  Motivated by compassion for vulnerable children, young adults, frail elderly and their families, we provide high quality and innovative services that meet their social, educational and emotional needs.

We believe that vulnerable and wounded children, as well as all human beings, have the capacity to learn, to heal, and to grow.  We believe that interdependent relationships that practice and teach mutual respect, responsibility, honesty and permanency play an integral and powerful role in a person's growth and development at all stages of life.  Furthermore, we believe that self-sufficiency is intrinsic to human dignity and to society's health and prosperity.

Friday, December 21, 2012

Day 27

Canines for Disabled Kids

Today we bring you another charity suggested by our friend Ellen.  We'll just simply suggest that you read through some of their success stories that will warm your heart and spirit :-)

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Day 26

Children's Organ Transplant Association

As I was watching the Giants play on Sunday I saw a message about Fox Sports supporting this organization for the 2012 football season.

COTA exists to assist patients who require a life-saving organ, bone marrow, cord blood or stem cell transplant.  COTA works with any patient who needs a transplant due to a genetic disease such as Cystic Fibrosis or Sickle Cell Anemia, and all patients 21 and under for any disease complication.  COTA guides the family and their volunteers through every necessary fundraising step, including organizing and training the campaign committee; planning successful events and activities; working with the media; and finding multiple sources of funding.



Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Day 25

Locks of Love

Our friend Ellen gave us another wonderful suggestion for a charity that supports children.

Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis.  We meet a unique need for children by using donated hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics.  Most of the children helped by Locks of Love have lost their hair due to a medical condition called alopecia areata, which has no known cause or cure.  The prostheses we provide help to restore their self-esteem and their confidence, enabling them to face the world and their peers.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Day 24

The Children's Aid Society

Growing up in NJ I always knew about this organization, but more on that later :-)

The Children’s Aid Society helps children in poverty to succeed and thrive.  Today Children’s Aid serves New York's neediest children and their families at more than 45 locations in the five boroughs and Westchester County.  Our caring begins even before birth, through prenatal counseling and assistance, and continues through the high school years with college and job preparatory training programs.  All aspects of a child’s development are addressed as he or she grows, from health care to academics to sports and the arts.  And because stable children live in stable families, a host of services are available to parents, including housing assistance, domestic violence counseling and health care access.

As a kid I remember seeing the following commercial many times.  If you want a lesson on a catchy jingle look no further.  To this day I still remember the tune and most of the lyrics!  So this was definitely an effective campaign, albeit it took 30+ years before paying dividends for the charity ;-)




Monday, December 17, 2012

Day 23

Ronald McDonald House Charities

Our friend Ellen sent us today's suggestion and we couldn't be more pleased to support such a wonderful organization.

The Ronald McDonald House Charities provide families stability and resources so they can keep their child healthy and happy.  Whether those problems involve how to stay near and support a hospitalized child, how to afford staying together in another city while a child is undergoing treatment, or even getting basic medical and dental care in a vulnerable community.




Sunday, December 16, 2012

Day 22

United Way of Western Connecticut

United Way of Western Connecticut in partnership with Newtown Savings Bank has created the 'Sandy Hook School Support Fund' that will be able to provide support services to the families and community that has been affected.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Day 21

UNICEF

With the tragedy in Newtown, CT yesterday at the Sandy Hook elementary school, we are going to dedicate the remainder of the 37 days of giving to supporting charities that help children.  Today we are starting with UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund.




Friday, December 14, 2012

Day 20

Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana

We heard that the incredible Harshman Band is heading over to Gleaners today to volunteer.  How terrific!  Thank you for helping with the fight against hunger.  Have an inspirational day today!  Since we can't join you we've done our small part in making a donation in your honor today :-)

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Day 19

Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra

Having just returned from another wonderful evening enjoying the NY Philharmonic, I realized how lucky I am to be able to live in the NY/NJ area and be able to attend their concerts.  Not everyone lives close enough to a big city that has a major orchestra that they can enjoy.  But even where you may live near enough to a big city to enjoy your local orchestra, that's no guarantee your local orchestra will be playing.

With that thought in mind I decided to make today's donation to the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.  This orchestra had to cancel several of its concerts at the start of the season because it couldn't meet its obligations to its musicians.  That of course left the residents of Indiana without a place to enjoy amazing music.  I know how devastated I would be if that happened in NY.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Day 18

Cite Soleil Music School, Haiti

Local Haitians founded the Cite Soleil Music School in 2006 as an alternative to the violence that has ravaged Cite Soleil, with the philosophy of replacing weapons in the hands of children with musical instruments, using music to foster peace in Haitian communities...The Music School, directed towards creative opportunities and productive reflections, offers youth a safe community space for growth through music.

Want more inspiration?  Check out this trailer: Cite Soleil School of Music Trailer

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Day 17

Fisher House

Today's donation is another suggestion from our friend Dana.

The Fisher House program provides a "home away from home" for military families to be close to a loved one during hospitalization for an illness, disease or injury.  Annually, the Fisher House program serves more than 17,000 families, and have made available over four 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!

Monday, December 10, 2012

Day 16

NAMM Foundation

We recently saw a tweet by our friend Ellie -- "I Wanna Play!" Check out the perfect way to put an instrument in the hands of a child!

The NAMM Foundation's Wanna Play Fund seeks public donations to support programs and activities that strengthen music education in schools and provide opportunities for people of all ages to learn and play music.  Specifically, donations to the Wanna Play Fund will provide musical instruments to schools that are expanding or reinstating music education programs.  Instruments will be provided to schools that demonstrate commitment to expanding opportunities for all children to learn music as part of the core curriculum and to schools that employ quality music teachers.  The NAMM Foundation will also provide instruments to individuals whose circumstances inhibit their ability to meet their full musical potential.  Instrument donations will also be considered for non-professional music makers in community-based music programs and people pursuing professional music careers.

Thanks for the wonderful idea Ellie!

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Day 15

True Colors Fund

Our friend Amber who runs the much renowned and celebrated Costume Box posted the following:

This evening, Adam Lambert will be performing in New York to help Cyndi Lauper's True Colors Fund and its work on behalf of LGBT homeless youth.

Having never heard of this organization we decided to look it up.  The best way to describe its mission is to read this message from Cyndi.  We're standing with you Cyndi!

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Day 14

Greenwich House

Founded in 1902 as a settlement house to help New York’s increasing immigrant population adjust to life in a new country, today Greenwich House offers programs in social services, arts and education that provide thousands of New Yorkers with enrichment and cultural experiences.

The programs we offer provide a valuable resource to the clients we serve. Whether it be counseling at the Chemical Dependency Program or a class at the Music School or Pottery our professional, well-trained staff ensures that each client receives the care and service they need.  Each individual—be they staff, volunteer, client or supporter—helps to contribute to this caring community of friends and neighbors in New York.

Friday, December 7, 2012

Day 13

Guitars for Vets

On this day on December 7, 1941 Pearl Harbor was attacked.  That had us thinking about our military and then our military veterans.  So today's donation (another suggestion from our friend Ellie) is for our military veterans (and as a bonus relates to music!).

Guitars for Vets is a non-profit organization that enhances the lives of ailing and injured military veterans by providing them with guitars and music instruction.  Through self-expression and the healing power of music, it is our intent to restore the feelings of joy and purpose that can be lost after suffering trauma.

Guitars for Vets provides free private lessons and a new acoustic guitar to military veterans at VA medical and community-based Vet centers.  All veterans are referred to us by the VA medical team in order to integrate the Guitars for Vets program into their treatment regimen.  The private lessons are taught by volunteer instructors and are then followed by group sessions that provide a forum for the veterans to talk and play music with like-minded individuals, many of whom have had the same experiences, emotions and traumas.  The music sessions provide a communal atmosphere.  This has proven to be a catalyst that helps the Vets continue on their road to recovery and well being.

Upon graduation, each Vet in the program is presented a guitar, gig bag, strap, tuner, method book and a certificate of completion.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Day 12

Fender Music Foundation

"Did you know that students who study music tend to score higher on standardized test scores, get better grades, and have better attendance records than students who don't study music?"

The Fender Music Foundation believes that music participation is an essential element in the fabric of an enduring society.  The organization aims to keep music education alive and available in our nation’s schools and communities.  Founded in 2005, this public charity has reached over 150,000 people through its grants of instruments to music education programs.  These grant recipients, which give more people the opportunity to make music, include school music classrooms, community based organizations and music therapy programs.





Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Day 11

Jazz'd 4 Life

Today's donation is made in memory of Dave Brubeck who passed away today, 1 day before his 92nd birthday.  So we found it fitting to honor his life and achievements in jazz by making a donation to Jazz'd 4 Life.

Jazz'd 4 Life is a non-profit organization dedicated to building opportunities for young people around the world.  Our International focus supports schools, orphanages, medical clinics, camps, food and clean water programs.  Our Domestic initiatives support a variety of programs that strengthen our Urban American youth.  We do this through entertainment events that promote productive relationships, connecting the artists, the audience, and, most importantly, the cause.

Their next entertainment event just so happens to be tomorrow with an all-star concert for Dave Brubeck's 92nd Birthday Bash.




And a special thanks to our friend Ellie for suggesting this charity!

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Day 10

Lighthouse International

For more than 106 years, Lighthouse International has led the charge in the fight against vision loss through prevention, treatment and empowerment.

Lighthouse International also has the The Filomen M. D’Agostino Greenberg Music School that is "dedicated to helping people pursue their interest in, and study of, music while overcoming the challenges posed by vision loss."

This Saturday is their Sixth Annual Music School Performathon.

Monday, December 3, 2012

Day 9

Boys & Girls Aid

Our friends at Art ala Carte were recently looking for someone to sponsor 10 at risk youth from Boys & Girls Aid for a tie dying workshop and stocking decorating.  Boys & Girls Aid is an organization in Oregon that "finds children permanent homes through adoption and provides temporary safe places to stay through shelters and foster homes."

So for day 9 of our 37 days of giving we are not only choosing to highlight and make a direct donation to Boys & Girls Aid, but we are also sponsoring 10 at risk youth to attend an Art ala Carte workshop :-)

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Day 8

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Today's donation is made in honor of our friend Laura who suggested St. JudeSt. Jude "is the largest childhood cancer research center in the world in terms of the number of patients enrolled and successfully treated on research protocols."

The mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment.  Consistent with the vision of our founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family's ability to pay.




Saturday, December 1, 2012

Day 7

Sphinx

Our friend Ellie sent us a link to an organization that transforms lives through the power of diversity in the arts.  It was founded by a violinist "to help overcome the cultural stereotype of classical music, and to encourage the participation of Blacks and Latinos in the field."

You should check out the impact they have made.  What an amazing story!