Lego Foundation Awards Nearly $20 million to Foster Playful Learning

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By DouglasPosted In: Childrens Charities, Education, The Children

The Lego Foundation believes that children learn through play. To foster classroom play and learning, the Lego Foundation has awarded $19,980,000 to Temple University Professor Kathy Hirsh-Pasek and her team, as they implement a playful and socially interactive learning model in pre-k through 4th grade classrooms. This five-year grant will allow Hirsh-Pasek to take her ‘playful learning to teaching’ model, which she piloted in schools in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and New Hampshire, and expand it to California, Illinois, Texas, and Virginia.

Based on the philosophy that playing facilitates learning, which enables children to thrive and develop the skills they need to engage with the world, this project will work closely with under-privileged schools to promote a teaching approach that is based on the science of how the human brain learns. Hirsh-Pasek explains that cultural inclusivity is also a major tenet of this program, “The first step is to respect cultural values and find out where the community values lie—what is important to parents, what do people care about? In our research, and in the method that we’re using for education, we bring parents and the community in as partners”.

Creating Hope – Make-A-Wish Foundation Launches New Campaign

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By DouglasPosted In: Charity Activity, Charity in Business, Childrens Charities, HealthTagged: ,

The Make-A-Wish Foundation is launching a new fundraising campaign in advance of World Wish Day. Occurring every year on April 29th, World Wish Day commemorates the wish of Chris Grecious, a 7-year-old with leukemia, who dreamed of being a police officer. Chris’ wish in 1980 inspired the creation of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which has gone on to grant more than 500,000 wishes to children with critical illnesses all over the world.

Throughout April, the Make-A-Wish Foundation will run a fundraising campaign entitled “Don’t Wait for Hope. Create it.” This campaign acknowledges that the pandemic has been a devastating time for the families of children with critical illnesses, increasing their loneliness and isolation. Granting wishes to these children is more important than ever before, as it can restore their hope and joy at a particularly dark time.

President and CEO of Make-A-Wish America, Richard K. Davis explains, “With our new campaign, we are focused on conveying urgency and driving action because Make-A-Wish is uniquely qualified to deliver hope to children with critical illnesses and their families at a time when they need it most”.

Leading up to World Wish Day, national sponsors of Make-A-Wish such as Macy’s, Avis, and Keebler will demonstrate their support for the Foundation.

The 2023 PeopleReady Force for Good Challenge Is Underway!

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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.” 

Who’s Behind the Mask?

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By DouglasPosted In: Childrens CharitiesTagged: , , , ,

Members of Scotty’s Little Soldiers were treated to a surprise visit from the Duke of Sussex at their annual Christmas party. While not a real-time visit, Prince Harry appeared in a video message recorded specially for bereaved British forces children.

Scotty’s Little Soldiers is bereaved military charity based in King’s Lynn, Norfolk. This is not the first time the Royal Family has chosen to support this important organization. In 2018, the charity benefited from contributions given in honor of Harry and Meghan’s wedding. A year later, Prince Harry delivered a video message to the charity’s children while dressed as Santa Claus.

In the latest video, Prince Harry sought to empathize with the sorrow experienced particularly during the Holiday Season. Dressed in a Spiderman costume as per the event’s heroes and villains theme, he said: “Christmas is a time when we miss our loved ones really, really badly and that’s OK. But at the same time, it can be possible to feel guilty for having fun without our parents.”

He went on to offer more comforting words: “But I am here to assure you that our parents always want us to have fun, OK? So don’t feel guilty. You are allowed to have the best time ever, especially with this Scotty’s Little Soldiers community. Go out there, have the best time, and Merry Christmas.”

Prince Harry then took off his mask and revealed his identity.

Walking for a Purpose

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By DouglasPosted In: Charity Activity, Childrens Charities

Tony Cunningham has a mission. He has pledged to walk 10 miles a day throughout the year 2022. He is also a 72-year-old great-grandfather who has recovered from a quadruple heart bypass. Being the determined man that he is, the Coventry, England native is walking to raise funds for Molly Ollys, a children’s charity based in Warwickshire.

With 2,500 miles already under his belt, Cunningham is currently 450 miles beyond his halfway target. He has been starting his laps in Memorial Park at 5:00 AM daily, without fail. To this date, he has raised over £4500 for Molly Ollys to be used to support kids suffering from life-threatening illnesses.

According to Cunningham, the toughest part of this endeavor has been getting through the winter months. With floods hitting the city hard in January, he was cold and wet. There were days he questioned his ability to achieve his goal but always gathered the strength to continue. He explained: “It suddenly dawned on me what a mammoth challenge I’d set myself, but a guy who was jogging the opposite way suddenly stopped in his tracks and just started applauding me. I felt quite emotional at that moment and it gave me a mental boost to carry on.”

Tony Cunningham is scheduled to complete his final walk on New Year’s Eve.

Young Author Inspires and Fundraises with Anti-Bullying Book

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By DouglasPosted In: Childrens Charities, EducationTagged:

In Toronto, there is a young author with a mission to impact how kids grow up.

Twelve-year-old Shreya Gupta has published two books which focus on young students’ overcoming bullying in school. After the release of her most recent book earlier this year, she decided to donate all proceeds to charity.

The organization she chose is called Kids Help Phone. It is an e-resource available 24/7 for guidance through mental health issues, abuse, and bullying. Trained professionals are available to the youth at all times via phone or text.

Shreya Gupta’s first book, Flamingo Feet, tells the story of a young ballet dancer who is compelled to drop out of a competition after being verbally ridiculed by a peer. Her new book, The Flip Side, describes the experience of a young girl who is cyberbullied after moving to a new school.

A victim of school bullying herself, Gupta was inclined to write these books to raise awareness and is happy to make a difference by supporting Kids Help Phone.

Gupta is pleased that her own school in Toronto has been making strides in dealing with bullying and its impact. There are now mental health clubs offered and assemblies that focus on these matters. She explained, “In our diverse community, everyone can feel welcome there, and it’s a really important topic which we have to talk about.”

In an effort to inspire others, Shreya Gupta encourages young people everywhere to make a difference in any way they can: “You don’t have to write a book to make a difference. Organizing a fundraiser, spreading awareness, or raising money for charity are things that people of all ages can do.”

As Shreya Gupta has demonstrated, if you have an idea that can change our world for the better, go for it!

Lending A Helping Hand

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By JohnPosted In: Childrens Charities, HealthTagged:

It’s amazing what people can accomplish when they are truly dedicated – regardless of their age or training.

Two Miami senior high school students have successfully developed prosthetic hands for children in Haiti. The twin brothers, Jonathan and David Tamen, came up with the idea two years ago, and quickly turned their vision into a reality. The boys started a nonprofit called Helping Hands MB and recruited others in their school along the way.

The parts are designed by e-NABLE, an online engineering charity. The organization trained David on how to print and assemble the prosthetic hands, making him the Helping Hands engineer. His brother Jonathan explains, “The biggest challenge with actually assembling the devices is you have to be very precise. It is a medical instrument.” David explains that the prosthetic hand is split into many 3-D models, and each is downloaded and printed individually. After an average of about 18 hours, the parts are finished being printed. With the assistance of the Miami Beach Senior High’s 3D Printing Club, the raw plastic parts are joined together to create the prosthetics. This process usually takes about six hours for each prosthetic hand and forearm. The group of students, with participants from all grades, meet every other week to pursue this project. Although Jonathan and David are graduating at the end of the year, the 3D Printing Club plans to continue meeting.

After production and assembly are complete, the next step is transferring the devices to their users. One shipment of prosthetic hands is already on the way to Haiti, with more planned to be sent in the future.

Despite all the challenges involved, the Tamen twins are proud of what they’ve accomplish and learned along the way. The brothers hope their creations will make everyday tasks easier for disabled children.

A Marathon, Even During Covid-19

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By JohnPosted In: Childrens Charities

Here is a heartwarming story at a time when we could probably all use some. A 9 year old boy with cerebral palsy and autism just completed a marathon. Tobia Weller who lives in Sheffield, England decided to walk back and forth on his street to get to his goal of completing a marathon. When the COVID-19 lock down started, he could only walk 50 meters a day, but managed to get to the enormous task of walking as much as 750 meters by the time the challenge ended.

The challenge took him 70 days, but he did it and he has raised $100,700 so far for Sheffield Children’s Hospital and Paces School. Way to go Tobias!

Where to Help During COVID-19

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By JohnPosted In: Childrens Charities

Certainly, during these difficult times there are many people under economic duress. It’s not an easy time for anyone, but some people have been able to keep their jobs and keep their financial heads above water. The New York Times recently published an article offering suggestions for ways that you could use your stimulus check from the United States (assuming you received one) to help others. It’s a brilliant list and certainly worth looking at if you have the ability to donate.

The Washington Post also has an article about how you can help others during these difficult times. And here is another article that covers many organizations that are worthwhile and that could definitely use your assistance if you have the money to give.

Certainly, this is a tiny look at the many ways that you can give. Many people can start just by looking in their own neighborhoods. Is there a collection started for those who can’t afford groceries in your area? Does your religious institution have a fund that they’ve started? Ask around and see what other people are doing to help and you can get involved. Every little bit matters – particularly at a time like this.

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation

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By JohnPosted In: Charity Activity, Childrens CharitiesTagged: , ,

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation is a charity that raises money to help cure childhood cancer.

Its main focus is on funding research. Although 700 children worldwide are diagnosed with childhood cancer, childhood cancer research receives less than 4 percent of the National Cancer Institute’s annual budget.

Alex’s Lemonade Stand was founded by Alexandra Scott, who passed away from cancer in 2004. When she was just four years old, Alex set up a lemonade stand in her front yard and raised over $2,000. Alex raised one million dollars before her death in 2004.

Best of all, setting up a lemonade stand and donating the proceeds can be done by anyone, adults and children alike.