Jack Johnson Supports the Kokua Hawaii Foundation

Jack Johnson, singer, songwriter and former surfer, recently announced a new album to benefit a Hawaiin environmental charity called the Kokua Hawaii Foundation. The album, entitled Jack Johnson and Friends – Best of Kokua Festival, will feature live recordings from performaces of the last six years, including tracks with Willie Nelson, Jackson Browne, Eddie Vedder, Ben Harper, Dave Mathews and many others.

Johnson also launched a Kokua Festival benefit concert in Hawaii last month, pledging the proceeds from recording sales to the cause, which works to promote green education in schools throughout Hawaii.

Lastly, Johnson will tour Hawaii alongside John Cruz and Paula Fuga, performing in seven intimate, all-acoustic gigs, also to benefit the Kokua Hawaii Foundation.

This is a video made by Jack Johnson and the Kokua Hawaii Foundation last year:

‘Storage Wars’ Staff Aids Charity Storage Auction

This past February, a non-profit managed to raise $5,000 in five days with the help of the film crew and stars from TV show Storage Wars. Charity Storage launches self-storage auctions at U.S. Storage Centers throughout Southern California, and donates the money to local and national charities.

In short, storage operators choose a storage unit in which to collect the donated goods. Tenants, auction buyers, residents and businesses alike can all donate and receive a tax deductible receipt. Once the public auction takes place, the Charity Storage unit is sold alongside others, with the sales money forwarded to charity.

“This is a blueprint for how we hope the entire self-storage community across America will react to Charity Storage,” said Lance Watkins, co-founder of the organization. “It was well planned and well executed, and there were so many winners: US Storage Centers, charities and the industry in general. It’s a great way for self-storage owner-operators to give back to their local communities. This is just the start to what we hope will be a highly successful year.”

Westport Properties founder and owner Barry Hoeven is also the co-founder of Charity Storage and ‘Kure It’, a cancer research organization. He explained that the “Storage Wars” stars contributed greatly to the success of last month’s auction.

“The presence of ‘Storage Wars’ celebrities and their film crew contributed to the higher-than-usual bidding, as did the contents of one antique-filled unit,” Hoeven said. “But this was certainly a great illustration of the impact Charity Storage can have as we implement it nationally.”

Ronald McDonald House Charities Makes Huge Impact

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.”

The Barefoot Foundation Founder Shakira Nominated for Charity Award

Shakira, the Colombian singer and dancer beloved by nations worldwide, was recently nominated for a charity award in Spain.

The Prince of Asturias Concord award is presented to individuals “whose work has significantly contributed to fostering peace, the defense of human rights, freedom, solidarity, the safeguarding of heritage, or, in general, the progress of humanity.”

Previous recipients include Stephen Hawking, the renowned scientist, and J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series.

Shakira is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, as well as the founder of the Barefoot Foundation, having created its partner, the Pies Descalzos Foundation, when she was only 18 years old. This past year, the organization raised funds to build schools in Colombia and Haiti.

The Barefoot Foundation works to provide education to children across the globe. It supports practical and innovative education programs while promoting the importance of childhood education.

The organization believes that “Education is the key to a better world for everyone, not just underprivileged children. Education is not just books and facts; it is also social and emotional growth.”

The Barefoot Foundation “helps children exercise their basic right to an education, paving the way for their growth in society.”

According to their website, the foundation works “with boys and girls whose lives have been disrupted by violence and poverty hoping that someday we will no longer lose young human potential to poverty, malnutrition and violence.” They add that “Simply providing teachers and schools is not enough when children are faced with extreme poverty, so we work to ensure that they do not learn with empty stomachs and broken homes.”

Ex-Service Amputees Climb Kilimanjaro to Support ‘Pilgrim Bandits’

John Sandford-Hart and Corporal Ricky Hatten at Kilimanjaro's Peak

On February 23rd, twenty seven men volunteered to climb Mount Kilimanjaro- the highest peak in Africa. And these were no ordinary men- four of them were ex-military and single leg amputees from Pilgrim Bandits.

The volunteers, including Lance Corp. Johno Lee, Corporal Ricky Hatton, Rifleman Chris Parks and former REME John Sandford Hart, not only sponsored their own trip, but raised additional funds for the charity as well. The Pilgrim Bandits Kilimanjaro challenge may have raised up to $15,830, with another similar event planned for later this year.

A charity of the New Forest, Pilgrim Bandits is an organization that aims to finance a number of challenges for amputee service men and women. The challenges encourage the amputees to push both their physical and mental abilities while raising money for additional ex-forces amputees to do the same. The events also promote awareness of the daily struggle amputees must cope with despite their impressive training and remarkable self-discipline.

Rhys Jones, an organizer who followed the expedition, said “Killi is the highest walkable mountain in the world, but it is a tough climb, a real challenge for anyone let alone someone with a prosthetic leg. It’s been a tough week for all involved and a real inspiration.”

Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation Is Born

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

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.

Midwest Sports Fans Donating to Military Charity

Operation Homefront

Operation Homefront

Sometimes people get it right – and the sports blog Midwest Sports Fans has certainly just done so.  On their site, they explain that they recognize that their job, blogging about sports, is not the most important activity in the world.  To bring more depth to their site, and to do something good with their passion for sports, they are creating a way to donate a portion of the MSF revenue to worthy causes.

Starting today, March 1, they will be donating a portion of their revenue to Operation Homefront, a charity that provides emergency financial and other help to families of those who serve. MSF will continue donating a portion of the revenue they generate from each pageview to Operation Homefront until September 15th, when they will turn their sights to another charity.

As MSF explains on their site,

“In fact, March is annually our highest-traffic month by a long shot. As soon as we decided to launch this program, we knew we wanted to fast track it to leverage our March traffic spike into a sizable donation for a good cause. Enter the wonderful folks at Operation Homefront.”

MSF will specifically be working with Operation Homefront’s Team Operation Homefront. This is an endurance event program that raises money for the larger charity.  Participants run to raise money for Operation Homefront, while honoring a specific veteran in the process.

Way to go MSF. And here’s hoping that they generate a lot of sports traffic in the coming months!

The Good Teenagers

Supporting Educational Programs for Kids

It seems that sometimes, teenagers just get a bad rap.  But truthfully, those are just the stories we hear about.  There are countless other tales of teens doing good things – really good things – out of the goodness of their hearts.  And that is exactly what has been happening in Norwalk when two volunteer teens used their love of math to support educational programs in the area.

Two students and St. Luke’s School –15 year-old Khushwant Dhaliwal and 16 year-old Sheetal Akole – rather than spending their Saturday afternoons engaging in some mindless activity, instead can be found at the Fairfield Math Club where they coach fifth to eighth graders for national math contests.  With the donations they receive from the students they are assisting, they choose a charity to help out.  For example, Dhaliwal just raised $300 and Akole, $800 for the Family & Children’s Agency.  Akole asked it to be used for the charity’s After School Program that gives academic support to 50 students in Norwalk public middle school.

Math Club Mission

As Akole pointed out, the math club’s mission is to provide a community service by helping prepare students for math contests and, simultaneously, help charities through such activities.  Naturally, the charity was thrilled to accept these donations.  It’s the second consecutive year Akole has chosen this charity and a first time for Dhailwal.  It shows that these teens have a very strong value of the importance of education in the community and wish to ensure others have as many educational opportunities as possible.

The Sutton Trust Launches Yale Summer School Program for Underprivileged Teens

Yale University is teaming up with the Sutton Trust to enable gifted but disadvantaged teens to get a real education in a new summer school program.

The project is similar to those already launched in the UK, and hopes to help 64 students within its first year. First priority goes to adolescents from homes with an income lower than $53, 550 a year. Recruiting begins on April 16th, and the classes will most likely be held in July.

The school, which is also in partnership with the Fulbright Commission, opens as U.S. college applications increase by the thousands. Harvard University has had a 45% increase in applications over the past couple of years. Still, according to the Sutton Trust, most applications come from private schools. 

Mr. Peter Lampl, chairman of the Sutton Trust, said “Studying at a US university is an appealing prospect to many UK state school students. The breadth of the four-year degree and the chance to experience another culture will make for an intellectually stimulating and fun time.

“With tuition fees increasing dramatically in England, and some generous financial aid packages in the U.S., it is also more attractive than before from a cost perspective.

“If successful, we intend to establish man more US summer schools next year and beyond- opening a pipeline for UK students to reap the benefits of higher education at leading US universities.”

The trust is proud to run seven leading university summer school programs. More than 1,000 students are affected each year, and three quarters end up at a leading selective university, Sutton Trust said.