John has much experience working in the philanthropic world, and takes great interest in charitable goings on today.

Walgreens and the Magic Johnson Foundation Teaming Up for Underprivileged

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By JohnPosted In: PovertyTagged: , , , ,

Magic Johnson Foudation

Run, don't walk, to Walgreens and Duane Reade will supplies last to grab up the commemorative charity bracelets they are selling for the Magic Johnson Foundation.  Teaming up to raise money for health, educational and social needs or urban communities, Walgreens is selling the bracelets at all 7800 of its stores with $2 of each purchase going towards the Magic Johnson Foundation.

The relationship formed because of The Celebrity Apprentice.  The winning celebrity team on the show, led by Arsenio Hall, had selected the Magic Johnson Foundation as the charity that would receive its $20,000 donation from the show.  Walgreens kicked in another $30,000 donation.

As Joe Magnacca, one of the Walgreens presidents, said,

“The Celebrity Apprentice provided a great platform for us to engage celebrities and a national TV audience in Walk with Walgreens, and we’re proud to be working with the Magic Johnson Foundation to help make an impact in many of the same communities that rely on our drugstores and Walgreens pharmacy, health and wellness services every day.”

Amelia Williamson, president of the Magic Johnson Foundation, said, “Walgreens has been truly amazing in supporting the Magic Johnson Foundation. Both Arsenio Hall and the Celebrity Apprentice teams have displayed such enthusiasm and passion for organizations that focus on giving back. We could not have asked for a better platform to spread the word about prevention and empowerment."

The bracelets will be available for purchase at the Walgreen and Duane Reade locations while supplies last.

 

Dress for Success at The Grille at Morrison House

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By JohnPosted In: PovertyTagged: , , , , ,

Dress for Success Fundraiser

Today, The Grille at Morrison House is doing a meaningful and fun fundraiser.  While raising money for the Dress for Success nonprofit, they are creating an entertaining night for all.  Emily Wines will be teaching those in attendance how to make champagne cocktails.  Brian McPherson, the Morrison House chef, will offer delicious caviar and blini snacks; pianist Pat Rohrer and singer Krista McClellan will entertain. 

Tickets will cost $25, which include the food and drink being offered, and all proceeds will benefit Dress for Success.  Dress for Success aims to help economically challenged women to have professional attire for interviews and jobs and to find employment.  They are an international non-profit that helps clients find and retain employment.  Each woman who comes to their store receives a suit for a job interview, and then another when she finds work.  Since its founding in 1997, Dress for Success has helps more than 550,000 women around the world.

While having fun, those in attendance at The Grille at Morrison House will be helping women to get back on their feet, one outfit and one job interview at a time.

Jackie Kaufman Honored by Boys and Girls Home and Family Services Inc.

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Jackie Kaufman

Jackie Kaufman

Jackie Kaufman recently became the most recent recipient of the Boys and Girls Home and Family Services Inc. Jeff Dible Volunteer of the Year Award for 2011. Jackie first became involved with the Boys and Girls Home after a lunch date with a friend years ago.  As she recounted,

"One day right before Christmas, she told me about a girl who was terrified even thinking about the holiday. I could not understand that, as Christmas has always been such a special time for me and my family," she recalled. "It seems this little girl was abused by her father and her uncles before she was allowed to open her one gift. She associates the holidays and gifts with abuse. How terrible is that? Right then and there I asked what I could do to help."

The volunteer award is giving each year during the annual meeting and recognition program to recognize one volunteer whose leadership and commitment are outstanding.  She has primarily focused on fundraising for the organization.  As Terri Dooley, executive vice president of development said,

"Jackie is driven by planning Boys and Girls Home and Family Services events that each year continues to raise more money to support programs and services for the clients. That's her motivation."

She continued to explain that the best part of volunteering, from her point of view, is in helping children who have experienced trauma. As she said,

"I am involved because there is such a need. These kids will really tug on your heart strings. Some of them have gone through so much in their short lives, and they just need help dealing with the bad situation that they landed in. Boys and Girls Home is that place. It is a loving and protective environment for the kids."

Dooley added, “Her boundless creativity, passion, selfless dedication and amazing contributions best describe why she is so treasured."

 

Todd Simon of Omaha Steaks Hands Out $40,000 to Charities

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By JohnPosted In: HealthTagged: , , , , ,

Omaha Steaks Ultimate Burger Experience.

It may have been a rather odd gimmick to gain attention for the Omaha Steaks, but the National Multiple Sclerosis Society probably doesn’t care if it was odd or not. That’s because they’ve just received a $25,000 check from Omaha Steaks.

It all began on January 9th, when Omaha Steaks started a competition called the Omaha Steaks Ultimate Burger Experience.  From January 9th through February 29th, they offered users on Facebook the opportunity to build the ultimate burger. Users had 50 ingredients at their disposal and could build their burger and then designate the charity to which they wanted to donate.  Participants were able to increase the number of votes they got for their charity by getting family and friends involved in voting for their burger.

In the end, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society will receive $25,000; three other cahrities each received $5000. These included charity: water; Disabled American Veterans and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

As Senior Vice President and fifth-generation family owner Todd Simon of Omaha Steaks said,

"Omaha Steaks has long supported health and human service organizations including the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The Ultimate Burger Experience Facebook application allowed our family of customers a unique opportunity to become actively involved in directing portions of our charitable giving and we are proud to honor their wishes with our gifts to these four worthy charities."

Car and Truck Show Benefits Walk for the Fallen & Food Bank

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By JohnPosted In: FamilyTagged: , , , ,

Concerns of the Police Survivors

On St. Patrick’s Day the Southwest Florida Corvette Club Benefit Car and Truck Show took place at Victory Layne Chevrolet. Admission was free and it was $25 to register a car. As Graham Reedy, the president of the Southwest Florida Corvette Club explained, they host this event twice a year.

Organizers expected to have 125-150 entries which included cars of all types, years and models.  Entrants all got a goodie bag and a plaque and more than 100 trophies were expected to be handed out for Best of Show, Best Overall Show, Most Original and more. There was even a trophy for the car that showed the most St. Patrick’s Day spirit.

In addition to the fun of the event, it’s a chance to support two very worthy causes: the Harry Chapin Food Bank and Walk for the Fallen.

As Reedy said,

"Everything we do, we do for charity. We enjoy our Corvettes, but everything we do goes to charity."

Part of the money from the event would be going to Walk for the Fallen, a fund-raiser created by Sgt. David Drum, of the Lee County Sheriff's Office. Drum has plans to walk 390 miles in May to raise money for C.O.P.S. (Concerns of Police Survivors). This national non-profit helps survivors of officers who are killed in the line of duty.  The Benefit Car and Truck Show looked forward to helping Drum and Walk for the Fallen in their efforts.

The Harry Chapin Food Bank would be a recipient of part of the money raised as well.  As Mark Baldassarre, general sales manager at Victory Layne Chevrolet, said,

"When times got tough here a few years back, we started thinking about ways we could help families that were around. We've just continued on with that and the public seems to absolutely like that idea."

Ronald McDonald House Charities Makes Huge Impact

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By JohnPosted In: HealthTagged: , , ,

Ronald McDonald House Charities

The Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) has recently awarded nine grants that total $2.3 million to other nonprofits that work with children in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the US. The list of the organizations that received the funds, and the amounts that they received include: $627,637 to ReSurge International; $454,312 to Curamericas Global; $450,000 to IVUmed; $302,400 to The State University of Iowa; $200,000 to East Meets West Foundation; $179,800 to Lwala Community Alliance; $50,000 to Wyman Center; $43,600 to INMED Partnership for Children; and $23,000 to Surgeons of Hope Foundation

The funds that are being donated will positively impact on the health of mothers and children in a vast range of locations from Peru and Kenya to Nepal and Nicaragua.

As Alan A. Harris, M.D. professor of medicine, hospital epidemiologist, Department of Internal Medicine/Infectious Disease, Rush University Medical Center and RMHC Board of Trustees member said, “Today, children face a range of health problems, from malnutrition to malaria, to HIV/AIDS, to surgical conditions and physiological issues stemming from peer pressure or abuse. While the barriers and problems vary by region, one thing remains clear: the need to help vulnerable children and create lasting change for them must continue to be a priority for those who can afford to help. RMHC grants help families by moving donation dollars quickly through to programs serving children around the world.”

RMHC has been helping other charities since 1974, trying to assist families and children in getting the care that they need.  They invest in longstanding non-profit organizations and assist with organizations that make large impacts.

As Susan W. Hayes, the president and CEO of ReSurge International said,

“More women are severely burned each year than are diagnosed with HIV and tuberculosis combined. Through this partnership, we look forward to providing sustainable medical care, resources and education regarding burns to communities worldwide.”

Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation Is Born

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By JohnPosted In: EducationTagged: , , , , ,
Born This Way Foundation

picture from advocate.com

Lady Gaga just unveiled her latest venture – and it had nothing to do with a wacky outfit or outlandish head dress.  She is rolling out a new youth foundation with her mother, Cynthia Germanotta. Called the Born This Way Foundation, she launched her plan on February 29th, 2012 at the Harvard University Sanders Theatre.  The Harvard University Berkman Center for Internet and Society and the Graduate School of Education are teaming with Lady Gaga in this new venture.

The Born This Way Foundation is a nonprofit charity that plans to “foster a more accepting society, where differences are embraced and individuality is celebrated.’’ It has three pillars which include Safety, Skills and Opportunity.

The charity roll-out at Harvard was no small affair. Gaga was joined by Oprah Winfrey, spiritual leader Deepak Chopra and the US Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius at the launch.

She explained that

“The goal of the Born This Way Foundation is to challenge meanness and cruelty by inspiring young people to create a support system in their respective communities,’’ she said. “This is about changing . . . the school environment, and not putting the power in the hands of the teachers or the government.’’

She emphasized that it is not, exclusively, an anti-bullying charity, but much of the talk at the launch did focus on cyber bullying and other issues.

Oprah Winfrey explained her excitement about the new foundation. As she said,

“What is exciting to me is that thought leaders have gathered together as one force to ask why does bullying and violence and hatred against young people continue in our society and what we can do about it.’’

Time will tell how the foundation fulfills its mission. At the moment, it’s certainly a breath of fresh air and a venture that has promise, from one of America’s most popular and powerful superstars.

Redhead Celebrities Support the Sumatran Orangutan Society

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By JohnPosted In: Animals and NatureTagged: , , , , ,

Famous redheads are pooling their efforts to support the Sumatran Orangutan Society, an Oxford charity, by donating items to be auctioned at the Jungle VIP online auction.

Sumatran orangutans share 96.4% of their DNA with humans. They are severely endangered, and may become the first great ape to become extinct since the evolution of humans. The Sumatran Orangutan Society, or SOS, works alongside local communities in orangutan habitats to create a more sustainable future for the species and their forests.

Some celebrities participating in the project include Nicole Kidman, Chris Evans, Nicola Roberts, Geri Halliwell, Anne Robinson, and even the band Radiohead. Donated items include celebrity fashion, handwritten lyrics, memorabilia and photos.

Comedian Tim Minchin donated one of his shirts from the ‘Ready For This’ tour. He said: “I think it’s a huge pity that any species should become extinct. Species have become extinct for different reasons and have done throughout history, but orangutans are having their environment destroyed in a way that doesn’t need to happen.”

Celebrity Jane Asher donated a green dress and joked: “I didn’t feel especially close to them before being asked to help with this campaign, but all redheads share an unspoken bond.”

Chris Evans said “Anything that helps to protect a species’ natural environment, within reason, is worth doing,” and donated a stay for two at his pub, called The Mulberry Inn.

PAWS Chicago

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PAWS Chicago’s mission is to “end the killing of homeless pets.”  Founded nearly 15 years ago, it has led to the reduction of homeless pets being killed by half.  Indeed, in 1997 the figure for killing homeless pets was 42,000 and in 2006, it was already down to less than 20,000.  Clearly these statistics show that what PAWS Chicago is doing is working.  That is why its aim to create a city in which no homeless pets are killed seems realistic.   The organization finds homes for thousands of pets, through the Lincoln Park Adoption and Humane Center. In addition, it offers a clinic for free spaying and neutering for those families on low-incomes who have pets.

Missoula Food Bank

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By JohnPosted In: Feeding AmericaTagged: ,

The Missoula Food Bank seeks, quite simply, to feed the hungry in Missoula.  That is its short-term goal.  Long-term, it is attempting to overall reduce the incidence of hunger in the neighborhood and how it impacts the entire community.  Every year, the food bank distributes over 250 tons of food (including fresh, canned, baked and baby items) to the residents in the area. Ultimately through this work, it serves around a thousand households per month.

Along with a full-time staff, the food bank is also blessed with many volunteers who work tirelessly for the organization’s efforts.  Aside from food distribution, the Missoula Food Bank has a free store; a ROOTS program for those who are home-bound or low income; a Café for kids that gives out lunches for those children that may not get a good meal during school vacations, and more.