Kate Middleton Camps Out with ARK Organization Kids

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By JohnPosted In: EducationTagged: , , , , ,

Kate Middleton’s love of nature is well known; her and Prince William’s definition of a perfect getaway consists of a romantic lodge with no electricity and lots of campfires and candles.

A source once described their engagement spot as “the safest place in the world for William. It is the one place he can be by himself. And he does not have to be guarded because the wildlife there are his guardians.”

It’s no surprise then, that the Duchess of Cambridge recently joined a group of 28 children in a campout as part of an ARK ‘Expanding Horizons’ primary school camp project that works to connect inner-city kids in an outdoor setting. ARK is one of the charities that Kate is supporting this year.

Kate joined the children in teepee building, a cookout and a bonfire, later sharing about her new life with royalty.

“Well, it’s been very busy and great fun,” she said. “but I am very well looked after. William is very sweet and kind of spoils me.”

One Charity is Cashing in on Federer’s Win

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By JohnPosted In: PovertyTagged: , , ,

A non-profit never knows where its next big check might come from. And little did Oxfam, an international charity that fights poverty, know that Roger Federer’s win at Wimbledon would bring them $157,750. But that’s exactly what happened this week.

Nine years ago when Federer won Wimbledon for the first time in 2003, Nick Newlife of Oxfordshire, England made a bet. He bet approximately $2000 that Federer would set the all-time record for the most victories at Wimbledon. His odds were 66/1 that he’s win seven titles by 2019.

Unfortunately, Newlife didn’t live to see his prediction come to fruition. Dying at the age of 59, he left his betting slip in his will to Oxfam. And they did get to reap the reward after Federer defeated Andy Murray on Sunday.

Oxfam’s Andrew Barton saw the cash windfall as a bittersweet financial gain for his charity. As he explained, “It’s just so unfortunate that he nailed it against Murray. I was just sitting there watching the tennis and I kept finding myself calling for Murray, particularly in that long game in the third set.”

Fortunately for Oxfam England’s hero didn’t win it this time.

Gates Foundation Puts Birth Control at Top of Its Priority List

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By JohnPosted In: Charity ActivityTagged: , , , ,

Bill and Melinda Gates are able to put significant sums of money towards causes of their choosing. For the last 15 years, they have been working to create and distribute vaccines in under privileged areas of the world through their Gates Foundation.

Now, Melinda Gates has recently announced that they plan to put birth control on their international agenda by making it her signature issue. This week, the Gates Foundation and the British government plan to convene a summit of world leaders in London. Their goal is to raise $4 billion to offer contraceptives to another 120 million women in the poorest of countries.

A Catholic, Melinda understands that her efforts are going to pit her against the Catholic Church. She is trying to explain her goals and diffuse that controversy. When she kicked off her initiative at the Berlin TEDxChange talk, she explained that,

“We’re not talking about abortion. We’re not talking about population control. What I’m talking about is giving women the power to save their lives, to save their children’s lives and to give their families the best possible future.”

The Catholic world has accused Belinda of mounting a “blatant attack on Catholic sexual morality.” The Gates Foundation has created a website where they are asking people to share their personal stories about birth control and offer their support to the effort.

Hilary Swank’s Hilaroo To Connect Strays and Children

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By DouglasPosted In: EnvironmentTagged: , , ,

Hilary Swank, the Oscar-winning actress, has recently focused her energy on a more monumental cause; animal welfare.

Last month, Swank visited Romania and got involved in a number of Vier Pfoten projects aiming to “connect rescue animals with institutionalized people.”

Bucharest, Romania’s capital, teems with over 30,000 stray dogs. Last year, a law initiated a program that rounds up the dogs and places them in a shelter for 30 days. If they are not adopted in time, they are euthanized. Vier Pfoten is one of several non-profits working to alter the effects of the law.

Swank, inspired by the organization’s efforts, has brought the battle to the United States in the form of ‘Hilaroo,’ a similar organization that will help children and rescued animals.

“I believe that is so healing to these kids who don’t trust people anymore,” she said. “The unconditional love of an animal is very healing and teaches them about not just unconditional love but about a relationship, about responsibility, about anger management.

“I believe in a ‘no-kill’ policy. Hopefully we are getting to a place where we have ‘no-kill’ universally and just a more caring attitude in general to all animals.”

Get Down with Music in Action

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By JohnPosted In: Charity ActivityTagged: , , , , ,

If you love music, then “Music in Action” is a concert series that you won’t want to miss. In addition to the music that you’ll be able to enjoy, you’ll also be supporting quite an interesting cause. ProtestTunes.com has just announced the series of live shows that they’ll be putting on, starting with a kick-off performance at Echoplex in Silverlake, California that will take place on Thursday, July 12th.

Bands that have confirmed their attendance at this show include: Gilby Clarke (Guns N’ Roses Guitarist) Jill Sobule (Singer/Activist) Corey Parks (Nashville Pussy Bassist) Cody Marks (Singer/Songwriter) Zach Blair (Rise Against Guitarist) QBN Montana (Latin hip-hop DJ) And very special guests from Austin, Texas — English Teeth w/singer Elijah Ford.

Tickets will cost $25 and all proceeds will go directly to Jail Guitar Doors, founded in the US in 2009, and intended to help to rehabilitate prisons through music.

Wayne Kramer from the rock bank MC5 started Jail Guitar Doors in the US with singer-songwriter Billy Bragg. Kramer called their organization “the loudest charity on earth.” As singer-songwriter Jill Sobule explained,

“In prison, we always think of it as punishment. But we forget the rehabilitation and redemption.”

Taking his idea and turning it into action, co-founder of Jail Guitar Doors Wayne Kramer will now join with co-creator of ProtestTunes.com Adam McKay to create this new project.

“Music and activism have always gone hand in hand from Woody Guthrie to the Clash to Rage Against the Machine. With ProtestTunes.com, we’re hoping to provide some of the background score for a new age of civic involvement. Plus, it’s fun as hell and the tunes rock.”

As Wayne Kramer explained the joint project, “Adam McKay and his wife Shira Piven were JGD’s first board members and the first to step up to support justice reform. They are themselves artists and activists and they understand that there is a connection between our shared missions: A message of education, action and expression for social change. Now, let’s make some noise together.”

No-Limit Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament for a Great Cause in Vegas

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By JohnPosted In: EducationTagged: , , , , ,

Things are heating up in Las Vegas at the moment (aren’t they always?) for a good cause. The World Series of Poker taking place right now includes a no-limit Texas hold ‘em tournament that will last until Tuesday. The tournament has, to date, raised $5.5 million for One Drop, a Montreal charity that supports clean drinking water.

The tournament requires a $1 million buy-in and grew out of a conversation that Guy Laliberte, the founder of One Drop, and Mitch Garber, the chief executive of Caesars Interactive Entertainment had.

Many heavy-hitters are taking part in the tournament, including hedge fund manager David Einhorn. He has staked $1 million of his own money on the charity tournament, which will be awarding $18.3 million to the winner.

Mr. Einhorn’s goal is to donate any proceeds that he wins towards City Year, a Boston-based organization that works with public schools to prevent dropouts.

Other entrants at the tournament from the investment realm include Daniel Shak of SHK Asset Management and Chamath Palihapitiva, a venture capitalist. Last year, Mr. Einhorn lasted until day two of the tournament; in 2006 he managed to finish in 18th place and to earn $600,000 for a charitable cause. As a spokesman for Mr. Einhorn, Jonathan Doorley, said, “David believes that to solve the education crisis, public schools have to succeed through creative and proven initiatives. City Year is at the forefront of making needed improvements within the education system.”

Be Bold, Be Bald! with Small Army for a Cause

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By JohnPosted In: HealthTagged: , , , , ,

Small Army for a Cause has just opened an invitation to all cancer-related 501c3 organizations to benefit from its 4th annual fundraiser that will take place on November 2nd. This event called Be Bold, Be Bald! Has already raised almost $500, 000 and has had more than 4000 participants across the U.S. The event is a day when participants all wear a bald cap all day to honor cancer patients and to raise money for charities that are related to cancer.

During the 3rd annual event, they raised money for 25 cancer related charities. Beneficiaries included The Jimmy Fund, The Lance Armstrong Foundation, UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center and Aimee’s Army, among others.

As Jeff Freedman, the founder of Small Army for a Cause explained, “Be Bold, Be Bald! is an opportunity for all cancer organizations – large and small – to join together for one day to honor those that they are fighting for, and raise money for their organizations. We are honored to be able to help so many great organizations accomplish their unique missions.”

One of the brilliant things about Be Bold, Be Bald! is that there are no physical or time constraints on the activity. Anyone, anywhere can participate as long as they are willing to wear a bald cap for one day and to raise money through their action.

501c organizations can request to be a beneficiary of the event just by going to the event website. Learn more about the Small Army for a Cause and about their Be Bold,Be Bald! program today.