Hope for those with Medical Debt

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By JohnPosted In: Charity Activity, Financial Services, Health, Poverty

In 2011, Jerry Ashton and Craig Antico, were executives in the debt collection business. The two decided to visit the Occupy Wall Street protests that were taking place in Zuccotti Park in New York City, not knowing that it would change the course of both their lives.  

While there, protestors approached them, asking if it would be possible to get a group of people together for the purpose of buying debt in order to forgive it. Ashton and Antico loved the idea, and in 2014 they created a charity called RIP Medical Debt, which buys up past due medical debt for a low price.

According to Allison Sesso, president and CEO of RIP Medical debt, “We take $1 and turn it into at least $100 of medical debt relief by acting like a for-profit debt buyer… Once we get our hands on those debts, we identify people that are 400% of poverty [or below], or if their debt is 5% or more of someone’s income.”

Dr. Steffie Woolhandler, professor of public health at New York’s Hunter College, and an expert in medical debt, explains that 20% of all U.S. households have medical debt. In fact, medical illness and medical bills are a factor in the majority of U.S. bankruptcy cases.  

To date, RIP Medical Debt has abolished more than $10 billion worth of medical bills for nearly 7 million Americans. While these are impressive figures, there is still much more work to be done, as somewhere between $80 and $120 billion in medical debt continues to exist.

In the meantime, those who benefit from RIP Medical Debt are thrilled that they no longer have to worry about their medical debt.

Taylor Swifts Donates to Community Food Banks in Eras Tour Cities

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By DouglasPosted In: Charity Activity, Feeding America, Poverty

Taylor Swift is delighting the country with her 2023 Eras Tour – but it’s not just her music that is bringing joy to fans. Swift has been making generous donations to food banks in every city where she performs.

During a two-night stint in Detroit, Swift, age 33, made a large donation to Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan. Gleaners representative, Kristin Sokul, said, “Taylor Swift’s support of food banks across the country comes at such a critical time for so many emergency food providers — when resources are down, and need is up… The space in her heart will empower households across Southeast Michigan to live happier, healthier lives and elevate the important issue of food security so others who have the ability to help can be inspired by her example. The entire Gleaners team is so grateful for this incredible gift.”.

Swift’s donation to Denver’s Food Bank of the Rockies was enough to purchase 75,000 meals. Donations such as these are crucial – Feeding America claims that 34 million people in the US are currently dealing with food insecurity. Chief marketing officer for Food Bank of the Rockies, Aditi Desai, said, “We’ve been able to meet the increased demand thanks to the generosity of individuals like Taylor Swift. Her gift will help fuel our work across the Rockies and allow us to distribute more food to our communities. I was shocked and then thrilled by the news! We are grateful for her inspired support in answering the challenge of hunger.”

Solarpunk Simulator – Playing Video Games for Charity

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By DouglasPosted In: Charity Activity, Family, Poverty

In March 2023, Roblox unveiled its latest idea to help promote giving in the youth community. This online, social gaming platform has partnered with ComicRelief US to create the “Kids Relief Presents: Solarpunk Simulator” in an effort to help kids have fun while fighting poverty.

Solarpunk Simulator takes place in a peaceful future world. It features Jack Black as well as a host of Roblox influencers who encourage players to work towards the common goal of building a spaceship. When participants buy virtual items in the Solarpunk Simulator virtual store, money from their purchases goes to charity.

Kids Relief was built by Wonder Works Studio. CEO Zach Letter explained that the concept for the simulator is similar to that of the popular school fundraiser “Penny Wars”, which awards prizes to the classes that bring in the most pennies for charity. Solarpunk has teams of kids competing to collect parts of a spaceship, and the winners are awarded prizes, such as tickets to a virtual concert by singer BoyWithUke.

Letter explains that the game itself is fun and exciting, “It’s really satisfying to play and you always feel this sense of power over collecting the materials. You don’t want to be shoving charity in someone’s face and make it feel overwhelming and that it’s all about the donations. We really want kids to have a great time here and educate themselves.”

The Kids Relief campaign aims to raise $10 million over the next three years directed towards ending intergenerational poverty.

London FoodCycle to Open Six New Locations

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By DouglasPosted In: Family, PovertyTagged:

With the cost of living rising across England, more citizens are finding themselves in need of basic necessities. Unfortunately, an increasing number of residents are finding it impossible to provide their families with three meals a day.

FoodCycle is a London-based organization that offers meals on a weekly basis to whomever needs. Their 11 centers across the capital work to transform surplus groceries into three-course vegetarian meals. Thanks to a generous grant of £174,800 from City Trust Bridge charity funder, FoodCycle plans to expand its service by opening six new centers over the next year. The goal is to feed over 4,000 people in 30 districts within London by 2024. The organization estimates it will be using more than 126,000kg of surplus groceries – that is the equivalent of the weight of 25 African elephants!

In addition to providing the physical sustenance needed for survival, the support offered by FoodCycle goes much further. Tom Osborne, FoodCycle Trusts and Foundations Manager, explains: “Our meals help our guests eat more healthily, try new foods and save money. They also have a really important benefit of helping people feel less lonely and more connected with their community by coming together in a safe space and making new friends.”

Given the help of volunteers and the team at FoodCycle, thousands of people are able to continue their daily lives knowing their physical needs will be met encompassed by a support system.

New York Concert Battles Extreme Poverty

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By JohnPosted In: PovertyTagged: , , , , , , ,

Late this September, three hot bands will combine their efforts at one of the most popular concerts of the year- the Global Festival 2012.

Tickets for the event, which will feature The Black Keys, Foo Fighters and Neil Young with Crazy Horse, cannot be bought in advance, however. Instead, fans must take part in an effort to fight extreme poverty though the event’s website or app, thus earning entry to the Central Park performance. Participation involves simple activities such as posting info on social media networks, signing petitions and small donations.

The Black Keys’ drummer Patrick Carney explained:

“The scale of things that they’re trying to do just felt really cool, and we’re trying to get the ball rolling. Especially with everything that’s been going on for the last three years, I supposed, after the stock market crashed. There’s attention on the amount of people living below the poverty line and the disparity between the rich and the poor and everything that’s going on now… It just felt like the right time to do something.”

Efforts against worldwide poverty have increased as the UN meetings in NY proceed. Hugh Evans, organizer of Global Poverty Project, has called the concert a “crescendo” to the outstanding effort.

“I think what’s exciting is all the world leaders are going to be in town that week for the United Nations meeting. And this concert and the associated campaign will give us the opportunity to ask these world leaders to make practical and tangible monetary commitments to the world’s poor and to the achievement of the UN’s Millennium Development Goals.”

Will Smith & Jada Pinkett Smith Travel to Ethiopia for Charity

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By JohnPosted In: PovertyTagged: , , , , ,

It’s nice to see some celebrities putting their money in the right place. On July 6, 2012, Will and Jada Pinkett Smith traveled to Ethiopia with charity:water.  Their plan started in 2010 when, rather than having birthday presents that year, they donated money to charity:water. They asked their fans to do the same and they vowed that they would take the top fundraisers on a trip to Africa.

With 2013 separate campaigns, they raised more than $789,000. The Smiths also raise another $109,000 on their own and all of this money was given to charity.

Along with top fundraisers, The Smile Generation and Authentic Jobs, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith traveled to Ethiopia, spending two days in Tigray visiting communities and schools. They were able to witness the inauguration of one new well called Yellow Thunder in Meago village as part of charity:water’s 31st dig. Just in Tigray, charity:water has funded over 1000 water projects with its partners, A Glimmer of Hope, and Relief Society of Tigray.

As Will Smith told US Weekly,

“Our trip to Ethiopia with charity: water was an incredibly eye-opening and authentic experience. It was extraordinary to meet and spend time with the people of Tigray and to see first-hand how clean water changes everything for these communities.”

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.

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.

Denver Bronco Safety Quinton Carter Making a Difference

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By M. MarksPosted In: PovertyTagged: , , ,

Quinton Carter

Quinton Carter

It’s always heartwarming to see famous people who are doing good deeds.  Denver Bronco safety Quinton Carter is one of these.  Last Friday, he joined other NFL players and celebrities for a two-week charitable trip to Uganda and Tanzania with Pros for Africa.  While there, they will dig water wells and offer hearing aids and food to people in need.

Carter was looking forward to the trip to Africa and expected to be joined by other NF players including Larry Fitzgerald, Vernon Davis, Tommie Harris and Santonio Holmes. In his unassuming manner he said,

“I hear Miley Cyrus is going to be there, so that’s pretty star-studded. I’ll feel like a regular person on the trip.”

Carter has been waiting for two years to be part of this charitable trip; he was unable to participate while in school at that time. Now, he was very excited to be part of something so special.

As he said,

“It’s the smiles. When you see those smiles, you just know you touched people. Seeing people cry because you touch them, it’s an unexplainable feeling.”

He continued, “I’m just doing what I can, the least I can do. It goes to show you the power that athletes and entertainers and people with influence have. Even if you’re not a big star – like I’m not a big star – but it’s crazy the influence I can have in a positive light on people.”

Carter is always amazed by the many opportunities that he has to change lives.  As he said,

“It’s crazy to me because it’s so simple and all it takes is some time. If everybody just puts in a little bit of time – a little bit of time – and a conversation, it goes a long way. You’ve just got to be focused and have some people around you that have that same common goal.”