Detroit Youth Non-profits to Receive Millions for Endowments

Posted on
By M. MarksPosted In: ChildFund International

In an inspiring collaboration, Lisa Ford and her husband Bill, the Executive Chair of Ford Motor Co., have launched a visionary campaign to bolster the future of Detroit-based youth organizations. In partnership with The Children’s Foundation, the Fords aim to secure a minimum of $10 million to establish permanent endowments for ten deserving nonprofits focused on serving the city’s younger population.

Endowments offer increased financial stability, allowing nonprofits to draw annual returns to support their operations. The chosen Detroit nonprofits will be announced in June. They will each receive $500,000 that will enable them to launch an endowment, and they will have the opportunity to grow the endowment through matching contributions and fundraising efforts.

Lisa Ford’s approach was shaped by prior successful fundraising endeavors and a belief in the power of collaboration to effect meaningful change. The campaign’s innovative approach to endowment selection will involve community input, emphasizing a broad spectrum of services eligible for support. The initiative seeks to challenge the norm, where only a fraction of nonprofits are privileged to have endowments. Experts in the field of philanthropy advocate for endowments as a means of ensuring generational equity and organizational stability.

By fostering a financially secure environment for youth-focused nonprofits, the Fords and The Children’s Foundation aim to create a lasting impact, ensuring these vital organizations can continue their work for generations to come.

Unicorn Licenses Raise Money for Animal Care

Posted on
By M. MarksPosted In: Animals and Nature

Los Angeles County presented its inaugural unicorn license to a local first-grade girl in December, sparking a global phenomenon. Madeline’s heartfelt letter to L.A. County Animal Care and Control asking for permission to house a unicorn in her backyard if she can find one, has gathered significant attention worldwide.

While shelters all over the country are struggling under increased pet surrenders, insufficient funding, and staffing troubles, Madeline’s search for a unicorn has inspired a new fundraising initiative at the Los Angeles Count Animal Care Foundation. To help support local pet owners, the Foundation has started offering unicorn licenses in exchange for a donation. In 2023, 417 unicorn licenses have been issued to people around the world, and Madeline’s Magical Unicorn Fund has raised $17,420.

Marcia Mayeda, L.A. County Director of Animal Care and Control explains, “Local government can only fund resources and activities at a certain level… The foundation is absolutely critical in making sure we can go above and beyond that.” Mayeda is curious as to whether she will receive license requests for any other mythical creatures. She reassured the city that she “made it clear when I issued the unicorn license that if anybody wanted a license for a dragon, I was going to refer them to the fire chief.”

Surprised Town Receives Millions from Modest Man

Posted on
By M. MarksPosted In: Charity Activity

Geoffrey Holt was the modest caretaker of a mobile home park in Hinsdale, New Hampshire. He could often be seen riding his lawnmower around town in worn-out clothing. When Holt died in 2023, the 4,200 people of Hinsdale were shocked to learn that he had left $3.8 million to benefit the community.

Holt left a will with brief instructions that the money could be used in the areas of education, health, recreation, and culture. These funds have the potential to transform Hinsdale. Suggestions for how to use the money include upgrading the town hall clock, restoring buildings, or establishing an online drivers’ education course.

Holt’s close friend, Edwin “Smokey” Smith, discovered Holt’s fortune while serving as the executor of his estate. Despite his wealth, Holt lived frugally, investing wisely after working as a mill production manager. His investments grew over time, making Holt a multimillionaire.

Growing up in a strict and frugal household, Holt adopted a similarly modest lifestyle. He avoided attention, declined a promotion, and was happiest when his actions went unnoticed.

Several years ago, Holt suffered a stroke, and his mobility declined. He was no longer able to mow the lawns of the trailer park, an act which brought him great joy.

His parting gift has the potential to bring much joy to others, rejuvenating the overlooked town of Hinsdale, and leaving a lasting legacy.

Damar Hamlin to Donate $10 Million to Foundation

Posted on
By M. MarksPosted In: Charity Activity, Charity in Sports

In January of 2023, Buffalo Bills safety, Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field during a Monday Night Football game. Viewers watched as he was rushed to the hospital, and concerned football players, fans, and well-wishers immediately began donating money online to assist Hamlin and his family. Fortunately, Hamlin was released from the hospital 9 days later, and his recovery continues to progress. Nearly 5 months after the incident, Hamlin has announced that he will use the $10 million he received in donations to fund his own non-profit, the Chasing M’s Foundation.

Hamlin created the Chasing M’s Foundation in 2020 when he was playing college football at the University of Pittsburgh. According to the Chasing M’s website, the “Charitable fund is dedicated to the development, health, & safety of youth sports, engagement activities, & programming.” The Foundation’s articles of incorporation have recently been updated to include sports education, including CPR and AED training.

Hamlin told the press, ““We have been very deliberate and intentional about taking our time to set my charity up properly, … I’m excited to begin sharing news about programs we are creating to impact a generation of youth and give back to others.”

The 2023 PeopleReady Force for Good Challenge Is Underway!

Posted on
By M. MarksPosted In: Charity in Sports, Childrens CharitiesTagged:

Staffing provider PeopleReady is once again partnering with Indycar to sponsor the PeopleReady Force for Good Challenge.

Throughout the 2023 NTT INDYCAR Series, the first driver and race team to win a race on all three types of circuits (road course, street circuit, and oval) will earn $500,000 to divide amongst themselves, and an additional $500,000 to give to the charity of their choice. 

But that’s not all! Winners of each of the 17 individual races in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES will receive $5,000 for themselves, and $5,000 for their chosen charity.

Last year’s grand prize winner was Josef Newgarden and Team Penske. After finishing first at the Texas Motor Speedway, in Long Beach, California, and on the course at Road America, the victors split their winnings between two charities, SeriousFun Children’s Network, which offers free camp experiences to children living with chronic health problems, and Wags and Walks of Nashville, a rescue center for dogs.

The first race of the 2023 season, the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersberg, took place in early March. Winner Marcus Ericsson split $5,000 with the Chip Ganassi Racing team, and presented $5,000 to the Riley Children’s Foundation, which funds pediatric research and care in Indiana. 

According to Indycar.com, Newgarden explained that the charity money provides extra motivation to win the race, “I just know how impactful (the money) is, so I get really competitive and want to make it happen.” 

Dak Prescott is 2022’s Walter Payton Man of the Year

Posted on
By M. MarksPosted In: Charity Activity, Charity in Sports, HealthTagged: , ,

Every year, NFL teams are invited to nominate their players for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, which is given to a player who shows excellence on and off the field. 

This year’s winner is Dallas Cowboys Quarterback, Dak Prescott, who’s charity work for the Faith Fight Finish Foundation focuses on cancer research and suicide prevention. 

As reported in People Magazine, Prescott’s mother, Peggy, died of colon cancer in 2013. At the NFL Honors ceremony in early February, Prescott spoke lovingly of his mother,

“My mother was, and still is, my moral compass. And through my own charitable contributions, I seek to share her strength and courage with the world.”

Following his brother Jace’s suicide in 2020, Prescott expanded the work of the Faith Fight Finish Foundation to include suicide prevention. He made a promise to himself “that that would be one life taken to save millions.”

Winners of the Man of the Year award are granted $250,000 to donate to a charity of their choice. Nominees are granted up to $40,000 to donate to charity through the NFL Foundation and Nationwide.

Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes was also nominated for the award in 2022, as was Saquon Barley of the New York Giants. Last year’s winner was Los Angeles Rams tackle, Andrew Whitworth.

Firefighter Challenge 2022

Posted on
By M. MarksPosted In: Charity Activity, Family

This year’s annual Firefighter Challenge event took place over the weekend in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The fundraiser began with a relay on Friday night, and continued with individual competitions on Saturday, attracting over 250 people. Team competitions were scheduled for Sunday. Over $85,000 has already been raised for the Grand Rapids Fire Department Fire Prevention Foundation, which will go toward smoke detectors and other safety measures to keep locals safe.

The event brought in firefighters from over 1,300 miles away. Organizers reported that the Firefighter Challenge is also an opportunity for people to learn more about the work firefighters do, and even recruit interest. By the end of Saturday, over a dozen attendees were considering the line of work.

What do the competitions at the event actually look like? The purpose is to simulate real life scenarios. In one timed course, the participants carried a bunch of heavy hoses while climbing up five flights of stairs. They then returned downstairs to the street, broke through a door, and lugged a water hose through the doorway, spraying at the target. In the last stage, the firefighters simulated the rescue of a trapped person, pulling a 175-pound man to the finish line 100 feet away.

In addition to the competitions aimed at firefighters, the Firefighter Challenge is also designed to attract families. There are a variety of fun activities for children, such as the Kid’s Challenge Course and others which promote fire safety. An array of dining options are offered, including food trucks and a beer tent.

If you missed this year’s Firefighter Challenge, be sure to check back in a few months to see where next year’s event will be held!

KC Natives Return to their Hometown for Charity Event

Posted on
By M. MarksPosted In: HealthTagged: , , , , ,

This past weekend, as the crowd anticipated the initial clash between the Kansas City Royals and the St. Louis Cardinals, they were entertained first by a group of Big Slick celebrities hosted by KC natives Paul Rudd, Jason Sudeikis and Rob Riggle.

The three celebrities hosted the Little K Wiffle Ball Game, which, alongside a celebrity poker tournament, party and auction, supports the Cancer Center at Children’s Mercy Hospital. Teamed up with other celebs, including Jon Hamm and David Koechner, the three funnymen ‘slugged it out’ on the field against athletes both local and professional.
The annual event was established by Riggle and his fellow hometown icons a few years back.

“I’m a parent, and if you’re a parent and you come to Children’s Mercy and you see the work they’re doing, you’re hooked. It got to me,” Riggle said.

 

Charity Wine to Water Making a Difference

Posted on
By M. MarksPosted In: Education, UncategorizedTagged: , , ,

Doc Hendley

Doc Hendley

People’s individual stories can be incredibly inspirational. Doc Hendley was raised by Christian missionaries and soon became a rebel and party-goer.  As he said, “Everything was just about me and what I was doing that night.”

Then, a close friend pushed him to do something meaningful with his life, and he came upon the idea for a charity in 2004.  Wine to Water.org was started in Boone, North Carolina and today has a budget of $500,000 with programs that repair wells and offer water filtration in countries like Uganda, India, Cambodia, Peru and Haiti.

He’s recently published a book called “Wine to Water: A Bartender’s Quest to Bring Clean Water to the World.”

After visiting the Sudan’s Darfur region and seeing how emaciated the women and children were, Hendley enrolled in a well-repair training program that was run by the United Nations Children’s Fund.

As Hendley explained, “That began the evolution of my nonprofit. I want all the projects I do to have local involvement, to have the local people getting their hands dirty and doing the work. That way, it’s more sustainable.”

While he faces many uphill battles, Hendley feels good about the nonprofit he’s created and the work that he is doing.  As he said, “I kept asking: ‘Is this work worth it? And I said, ‘Yes.’ To see what happens when you give mothers an opportunity to give their children clean water so that they don’t have to bury any more of their babies from diarrheal disease, is so life-changing to me.”

Dunkin’ Donuts Donates Coffee for Good Causes

Posted on
By M. MarksPosted In: Charity in Business

Certainly, people who are hungry need food – but sometimes they can also use the pick-me-up of a great cup of coffee as well. That’s what Dunkin’ Donuts is assuming, anyway, as it gives away thousands of cups of coffee for charity.

Dunkin’ Donuts just recently donated 500 pounds of coffee, which is the equivalent of 16,000 cups, to the Food Bank of Central New York and to the Food Bank of Southern Tier. They started an initiative for the 2011-2012 sports season that they would donate 1 pound of coffee to a food bank for every goal that was scored by The Syracuse Crunch, the Syracuse Silver Knights and the Cornell men’s hockey team this season. And clearly they’ve stuck by their word.

Now, Dunkin’ Donuts is also setting its sights on donating an addition pound of coffee to the Food Bank of Central New York for every run that the Syracuse Chiefs score during the home games that they participate in this season.

In another Dunkin’ Donuts move, but one that isn’t related to coffee, they are also offering support to Hillside Children’s Center by donating $1000 to Hillside as part of the “Homers for Hillside” program.