I was wondering, will all the "charitable" organizations out there is there one that you all would paritically like or have had good experiences with?? At work every year we are asked to give to several "worthwhile" causes as well as give to the United Way. This year we just raised money for one which I felt like was a great cause..Make a Wish. My daughter has participated in Special Olympics for years and it is a truly great and chartiable organization that is a really worthwhile cause. Any one else care to share?? Shelly
The Salvation Army. You would not believe the work they do for people with substance abuse problems, as well as the downtrodden, the homeless, etc. Another fave is the Red Cross - they are undaunting in their help of others - and our troops.
There are a number of therapeutic riding centers out there that do a world of good for many people. You give someone who spends all day in a wheelchair a chance to get up on a horse and tell it where to go, and you should see the joy. They also work with various other types of riders in all age ranges, those with degenerative diseases, cognitive or behavioral challenges, or emotional damage. They operate mostly through donations and need anywhere from 1 to 3 volunteers per riding lesson. Safety is definitely first and not third. The movements of the horse require that the rider develops strength, balance, coordination and concentration. And animals, even horses, don't care about your issues, they just like to receive a kind word or touch.
Everyone I've worked with has been fantastic and this is the most rewarding thing I've ever done, besides raising my own children.
the blowing your own horn, i am wonderful and mike only loves me threads are getting on my one last nerve.
i belong to a organization called 'the mended hearts'. this is for people who have had open heart surgery and we share with others what they might be going thru and are there for support and to learn to have a healthy lifestyle. also things like helping a child go to camp and not feel self-conscious about their scar and enjoy being a normal kid. i am one of the younger members there and those old folks are so cute and are such characters!
One of my favorite programs, and closest to my heart, is Buddy Ball.
I'm sure most of you have heard of this organization. It allows children with special needs, to participate in athletic programs, regardless of their limitations. My niece, who has Asperger's Syndrome, is involved in this program. It has helped tremendously with her self esteem.
My three children, volunteer their time to help out on Saturday's with this wonderful program. So for me, watching them, open their hearts, and work with these children, is very special.
We are so fortunate and privileged that there is always something which we can share with others. Often it is easier to just make a charitable donation. However, I think if we look deep into ourselves, we are so capable of much more than doling out changes (monies). Right now, money is needed in Burma, China and even in our own backyard for the many calamites that have fallen. This is the time to "GIVE".
Personally, I think giving of our time (ourselves) does good for our soul. I do volunteer at the senior home.
True Shelly, that no matter whatever capacity we offer of ourselves, any small step is a good step as in "giving rather than receiving".
"Running Wild in the Night" is a fundraising initiative for Covenant House California founded by Motley Crue bassist, NIkki Sixx. Nikki wants to raise awareness and funds for Covenant House and to create a creative arts program, starting with an emphasis on music, to enable Covenant House to help young people discover and nurture their talents.
I usually just give locally. There are a lot of folks in town who are struggling to make ends meet beacuse of all the lay-offs by the car plants. The feeder factories have been hit quite hard and there are more lay-offs coming. It's a very troubling time right now.
Every summer, I walk in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. It's an amazing event, where anyone in the community can have a 'team' of a dozen of so people and participate.
The teams set up camp on the evening of the event. Starting at sundown, they walk. One person from each team must then be on the track walking at all times.
The walk goes on all night long. Each part of the walk signifies something in the cancer patient's battle. When the sun sets, that is when the cancer patient finds out they have cancer.
At 2am, when it is darkest, that signifies the darkest point in the cancer patient's battle...the hard times, the unsure times, the times they don't know if they can make it.
Then, finally, comes the dawn. There is nothing quite like walking all night, and feeling that change in the air as dawn comes. The dawn represents the cancer patient's battle being over...the battle is won. I have chill bumps right now just thinking about it.
Cancer never sleeps. I walk for my mom, I walk for other survivors, I walk for those that lost the battle.
Our little town raised over 100,000 in this event last year for the ACS. This year, we hope it's more!
Very great answers and thanks for all your input. I hope more answer. I don't have alot of extra cash to give either, but alot of organizations need time and volunteers as well. My daughter has been involved in Special Olympics for 7 years and even got to to the national games in Iowa in 2006. I have done several Race for the Cures as well (my mother in law is a breast cancer survivor for 13 years). I also have thought we needed a different kind of thread started, so if anyone else wants to share, feel free. Shelly
We donate all of our aluminum and steel cans to our local humane society. Anytime you use something canned, just remove the label and rinse it out. We save a lot of space in our trashcans by doing this, and since we don't need to adopt another critter this makes us feel better at least. Jorey
I may have posted this before, but my oldest son's best friend, Tyler, has Duschend's Muscular Distrophy. Duschends is a muscular disease that affects ALL of the muscles in the body (including the heart). I and my family have worked with Tyler's family and others to raise money for research for Duschend's. MDA research has come a long way in slowing down the progression of the disease, but unfortunately, they have not come up with the med's to completely stop the progression. Camp Good Days and Special Times, a summer camp for children that have special needs, here near Rochester, has become somewhat of a new organization I am looking to work with. Last month, my DH's 11 yr old cousin died of terminal brain cancer and he was very involved at the camp. Scott's Mom has asked us to help out with fund raising for the camp (so other kids can go to camp that otherwise wouldn't be able to) and the juvenile cancer research center in Rochester,for more research. Some day, our prayers will be answered. Diana L
