Battersea Dogs & Cats Home: A World Without Homeless Animals

Founded in 1860 by Mrs. Mary Tealby, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home is one of the UK's oldest and most famous animal rescue charities. Currently made up of three centers in Battersea (London), Old Windsor (Berkshire), and Brands Hatch (Kent), the Home aims to never turn away a dog or cat in need. The organization reunites lost pets with their owners; when this isn't possible, the dogs and cats are cared for until they can be placed in new homes. Battersea Dogs & Cats Home also educates the public about responsible pet ownership.

Originally established as the Temporary Home for Lost and Starving Dogs in Holloway, North London, the charity moved to its current location in Battersea in 1871. A little over a decade later, the Home began taking in cats. Since its inception, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home has cared for more than 3 million animals. Now London's leading animal rehoming center, it has been part of southwest London for as long as people can remember. Working towards a world where all cats and dogs are in loving and permanent homes, Battersea will look after a dog or cat for as long as necessary and never put an animal to sleep unless there are significant temperament or medical issues that will make rehoming unlikely.

In 2011, Battersea spent £13.5 million caring for 9,000 animals; found new homes for 5,255; and reunited 104 lost cats and 1,094 lost dogs with their owners. Last year, the Home's 331 staff members were assisted by 616 volunteers who donated nearly 66,200 hours of their time exercising and socializing the animals, helping in the offices and at events, and raising awareness about responsible pet ownership in schools.

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home has enjoyed royal patronage since 1884 and celebrity support since the early 1860s, when Charles Dickens wrote an article about the Home in his newspaper.

K9 Connection: Improving the Lives of At-Risk Youth and Homeless Dogs

Founded in 2005, K9 Connection is a 501(c)(3) project of the Ocean Park Community Center in Santa Monica, California. The experience-based program helps at-risk teens ages 14 to 18 gain positive self-esteem and compassion as they train homeless shelter dogs in basic obedience. In assisting the dogs learn the skills they need to become adoptable, the teenagers in turn develop the skills they need to become responsible members of the community.

K9 Connection's three-week programs are limited to eight pairs of teens and dogs per class and consist of both indoor and outdoor sessions. Inside the classroom, K9 students set and work on goals for their dogs and themselves. Outside, they are given the opportunity to apply classroom ideas in the real world as they learn to train their dogs through positive reinforcement.

The program concludes with a graduation ceremony for the teens and the placement of each dog in a loving, permanent home. After graduation, K9 Connection checks in with each student monthly to provide continued mentorship.

Beat: Helping People in the UK Beat Eating Disorders

Founded in 1989, Beat is the UK's only national non-profit organization dedicated to supporting people with eating disorders and their family and friends. The world's largest eating disorders charity as well, Beat began as the Eating Disorders Association when local charities Anorexic Aid and Anorexic Family Aid merged to form the country's first nationwide organization devoted to helping individuals affected by anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating. In early 2007, the Eating Disorders Association changed its working name to Beat to reflect its new vision that “eating disorders will be beaten,” though it maintains Eating Disorders Association as its legally registered charity name.

Beat aims to help people with eating disorders believe that they can overcome their condition, improve relevant treatments and services, and change the way society views eating disorders. Consequently, Beat's programs are designed to provide support and information to people living with eating disorders, enhance the skills and understanding of professional staff, and raise the public's awareness and knowledge of eating disorders. The charity runs telephone helplines, local support groups, and a website that includes information, online chat, and message boards. Last year, Beat directly assisted 250,000 adults and young individuals in the UK, and thousands more through its website and the media.

Over the years, Beat has received a number of accolades for its work, including the Telephone Helplines Association Quality Standard Award, the Charity Awards' Highly Commended honor in the Healthcare and Medical Research category, the Royal British Legion Humanitarian Award, and the British Red Cross Humanitarian Citizen Award. Beat will not be taking any breaks this holiday season and will keep its helplines and message boards open throughout the festive period. The charity has made a Christmas appeal for donations – £25 will answer five questions on the message boards, £50 will fund its helpline for an hour, while £100 will give online support to 50 young people with an eating disorder.

Belong To: Giving Ireland's LGBT Youth a Safe Haven

Based in Dublin, Belong To is a non-profit organization that helps lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people ages 14 to 23 in Ireland. As a national youth service, Belong To provides direct youth work services to LGBT individuals in Dublin, as well as supports LGBT youth groups across the country. The organization offers safe spaces where the LGBT community can get personalized help from youth workers, meet like-minded friends, participate in various activities, and more. Additionally, Belong To runs a free, confidential, and non-judgmental drugs service that addresses any concerns LGBT youth may have about drug and alcohol use.

Aside from assisting LGBT people, Belong To works with their parents as well, giving them the tools they need to cope and ultimately support their child. Belong To also seeks to change negative societal attitudes towards LGBT youth by training youth workers and teachers, running awareness campaigns in schools, and collaborating with government departments.

826 National: Inspiring Under-resourced Students' Creativity and Imaginations

Founded in 2002 by award-winning author Dave Eggers and educator Ninive Calegari, 826 National is a non-profit organization that offers various learning, writing, and arts education programs to under-resourced students through its network of eight tutoring centers. Located in San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, Ann Arbor, Seattle, Chicago, Boston, and Washington, DC, 826 centers give young people ages 6 to 18 the opportunities to improve their writing skills and explore their creativity. 826 National, which also helps educators get their classes excited about writing, believes that one-on-one attention can enhance learning and that strong writing skills play an important role in future success.

The organization's free programs are designed to engage under-resourced youth, spark their imaginations, and help them realize their full potential. These include after-school tutoring, with students receiving one-on-one assistance with their homework, regardless of subject, at least four days a week. 826 National also hosts field trips, where entire classes visit an 826 tutoring center for a two-hour fun and interactive writing event. Students learn how to compose an original story as a group and go home with personalized books. For those who are unable to drop by an 826 center, the organization sends teams of volunteers to local public schools regularly. Volunteers provide one-on-one help to students with writing projects such as oral histories, school newspaper articles, and college entrance essays. Moreover, 826 National offers several workshops and scholarships, as well as runs the annual Young Authors' Publishing Project, a program that gives students the chance to be professionally published.

Over the years, 826 National has received numerous awards, including the 2010 Jim Henson Community Honor and the 2012 INFORUM 21st Century Visionary Award (presented to co-founder Dave Eggers). Between 2011 and 2012, 826 National accomplished 1,714 after-school tutoring sessions, 756 field trips for 364 schools, 1,024 publishing projects, 180 in-school projects in 88 schools, and 351 writing workshops, serving 31,669 students and 933 teachers.

Habitat for Humanity: Shelter for Everyone

Founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller, Habitat for Humanity International is a non-profit, non-denominational Christian housing ministry that works with people of all backgrounds to build and repair simple and affordable houses. Since its inception, Habitat for Humanity has become a world leader in addressing poverty housing issues, having built or repaired more than 600,000 houses and served over 3 million people globally. With headquarters in Americus and Atlanta in Georgia, the organization envisions a world where every person has a decent place to live.

Operating across the world, Habitat for Humanity works with families in need of shelter, who are selected based on their level of need, willingness to become partners in the program, and ability to repay their loan. Homeowner partner families put hundreds of hours of their own labor into building their own house as well as those of others. Habitat houses are sold at no profit, and partner families' monthly mortgage payments are used to build even more homes.

Style + Philanthropy = Closets for Causes

Founded by designer Talia Bella, Closets for Causes is a premiere cause marketing agency that bridges the gap between style and philanthropy. Closets for Causes raises funds and awareness on behalf of non-profit organizations by working with some of Hollywood's biggest celebrities and auctioning off their pre-owned belongings. In addition, the agency generates celebrity buzz by integrating social media, blogs, viral videos, and other strategies in their campaigns. Closets for Causes' partner organizations include the American Red Cross, Hounds of Hope, Pencils of Promise, Children Mending Hearts, and the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

The latest celeb to team up with Closets for Causes is comedian Michael Yo, who has donated many items from his personal wardrobe. Proceeds from the auction will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Yo's mother is a two-time breast cancer survivor, so the cause is very close to his heart. Other celebrities who have previously collaborated with Closets for Causes are Jenna Ushkowitz, Sophia Bush, and Brooke Davis.

The Bob Woodruff Foundation: Support for All Injured Troops

In 2006, award-winning television reporter Bob Woodruff was covering the Iraq war when he sustained serious injuries. He and his family realized that they were in a unique position to serve as a national voice for US service members and their families; hence, they subsequently founded the Bob Woodruff Foundation (BWF), which became an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in early 2008. Since then, the Bob Woodruff Foundation has been providing resources and support to injured service members, veterans, and their families so that they can return to their communities and thrive physically, psychologically, economically, and socially. BWF works to assist all injured service members of America, especially those who have sustained the “hidden injuries of war,” i.e., traumatic brain injury and combat stress, as these have a long-lasting impact on an individual and are the most difficult to treat.

Whether a service member or veteran is seeking counseling, job training, or career placement, the Bob Woodruff Foundation can connect them to the assistance they need through national and community-based programs. BWF also works with key federal, state, and local experts to ensure that troops return to civilian life successfully. Moreover, the organization educates the public about the needs of soldiers coming back from war. To date, BWF has raised more than $14.5 million for injured service members and their families and invested over $12 million on education, public awareness, and various programs – efforts that have impacted over a million veterans, service members, family members, and support personnel.

Earlier this month, the Bob Woodruff Foundation held its annual benefit event, Stand Up for Heroes, to raise funds and kick off the New York Comedy Festival. This year's event, which raised more than $3 million, was streamed live on YouTube and included performances by Bruce Springsteen, John Mayer, Roger Waters, Ricky Gervais, Jon Stewart, and Robin Williams, among others.

Mike Tyson Launches Charity to Help Needy Children

Former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson wants to “give kids a fighting chance” with his new charity, Mike Tyson Cares. The foundation will provide for the needs of children from broken homes by offering health care, shelter, mentoring, school assistance, job placement help, financial support, and other services. Mike Tyson Cares will officially launch on December 7 at MGM Grand Las Vegas' Tabu Ultra Lounge. Proceeds from the star-studded event will benefit the non-profits Awakenings and The Shade Tree, both of which are dedicated to serving the disadvantaged youth in the Las Vegas area.

In addition, Tyson is auctioning off an opportunity to sit ringside with him at the December 8 Pacquiao vs. Marquez fight in Las Vegas. Proceeds from the auction, which is being held on CharityBuzz, will benefit Mike Tyson Cares.

“I want my legacy to be about charity and helping children,” said Tyson. “This is my start.”

Cahonas Scotland: Bringing About Positive Change in Male Cancer Awareness

Headquartered in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, Cahonas Scotland is a male cancer awareness charity founded by Ritchie Marshall. The non-profit was established to help improve Scotland's poor health record and raise the profile of male cancers in the country. By working with individuals, representative groups, and cancer-focused organizations, Cahonas Scotland ensures that men, especially those who are most at risk of significant health inequalities, have open access to information and are no longer embarrassed about their health issues.

Cahonas Scotland has four missions: to increase the availability of resources and support services that cater to the needs of men living with cancer; to educate the public about male cancers to reduce stigma and discrimination; to alleviate the suffering of men who have cancer; and to make sure the charity's efforts contribute to real positive change in male cancer awareness.

Recently, Cahonas Scotland launched its year-end fundraiser, the Celebrity Loosen Up Auction, on International Men's Day. Inaugurated in 1999 in Trinidad and Tobago, the annual International Men's Day is celebrated on November 19, and the theme for this year is “positive male role models.”

From now until November 25, fans can bid on autographed items donated by various celebrities from the worlds of music, movies, television, and sports. Cahonas Scotland hopes that the online auction and campaign will encourage men to discuss and deal with their health issues. Stars who have “loosened up” and donated ties and scarves include Sir Paul McCartney, Brad Pitt, Eric Clapton, Piers Morgan, Olly Murs, Brandon Flowers, and John Slattery. Female celebrities such as Katy Perry, Jessie J, Dita Von Teese, Sienna Miller, Amanda Holden, and Dawn Porter have also pledged their support to male cancer awareness. Money raised from the campaign will go towards Cahonas Scotland's efforts to advance education about male cancers and prevent discrimination and stigma around the cancer experience.

Building Bridges for the Future: American for Peace Now

Some non-profit organizations aim to assist the individual. By providing health care to persons afflicted by terminal illnesses or affording one-on-one tutoring to socio-economically disadvantaged youths, they hope to empower the single person who may then contribute to the community as a whole. Other groups stress a larger goal accomplished by the participation of people devoted to the cause. In this factor lies Americans for Peace Now (APN). Theodore H. Friedman and numerous other volunteers work together to further the mission.

Established in 1981, APN exists to foster understanding between the Israeli and Palestinian states. Friedman formerly served on the Board of Directors of the organization and later catalyzed its inclusion into the Conference of Major American Jewish Organizations. Today, APN oversees a number of initiatives and events. The non-profit oversees grassroots political activism campaigns, organizes large demonstrations, and monitors the safe settlement of Israelis in the West Bank. APN also maintains an active voice through government relations, effectively creating a diplomatic channel through which citizens and officials and communicate. APN emphasizes a host of pressing issues, including Palestinian statehood, the boycott and divestment of Israel, U.S. National Security, aid to Palestinians and Israelis, and Palestinian statehood. Dedicated to providing the world with intelligent conversations rather than violence, APN also supervises a number of news outlets. The group publishes News Nosh, daily news from Israel, as well as a cache of online articles exploring the current political climate and video segments entitled Hard Questions, Tough Answers. Working for peace for over 30 years, APN continues to elicit progress. 

Carrie Ann Inaba Launches Animal Charity

Dancing With the Stars judge and lifelong animal lover Carrie Ann Inaba has launched the CAI Animal Project to support the rescue, welfare, and well-being of animals. Founded in partnership with the Entertainment Industry Foundation, the CAI Animal Project aims to develop original programs to help animals in need, especially the homeless critters of America. The charity will also work with other pre-existing organizations to ensure that animals are given what they need, be it medical care, housing, food, transport, fosters, or friends.

The CAI Animal Project will offer financial assistance to the animal rescue community as a whole, raise awareness about animal issues via social and other media, educate the public about pet adoption, and help place rescue animals in loving homes, among other missions. The proud parent of four cats and two dogs (all rescues), Inaba has been an active participant of the animal rescue community for many years.

“Love is the most beautiful thing in this world,” she says. “But the love of an animal is the purest thing in this world.”

Pencils of Promise: The Global Movement That Began With a Pencil

Over 75 million children in the world do not have access to education. During a trip to India, Brown University alum Adam Braun met one of them. The small boy was begging on the streets, and when Braun asked him what he wanted the most in the world, his reply wasn't money or food. He wanted a pencil.

“I reached into my backpack,” Braun recalls. “Handed him my pencil. And watched as a wave of possibility washed over him.” Inspired by the “profound power and promise” of something as simple as giving a pencil to a child, Braun spent the next five years backpacking across more than 50 countries, handing out pens and pencils. He met countless local parents and children, and talking to them made him realize that there was a need for an international education non-profit that was led on-the-ground by a staff of locals to ensure its success.



In October of 2008, Braun founded Pencils of Promise with $25 to build a school in Laos. Since then, Pencils of Promise has grown into a global movement of passionate individuals dedicated to creating a better world through education. So far, the organization has completed 74 schools in Laos, Nicaragua, and Guatemala; educated over 4,500 children; and delivered more than 2.8 million education hours. Additionally, Pencils of Promise is currently building or planning 32 more schools.

Beyond building schools, Pencils of Promise provides support to its villages through ongoing education programs. The organization also hires and invests in local talent, many of whom are women and minorities, giving them professional development training. Local teams then monitor and evaluate Pencils of Promise's impact through data analysis and conversations with communities.

Pencils of Promise is one of the world's most impactful new non-profits today, with a large social media following and recognized by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Katie Couric, and Barbara Walters.

The Lupus Foundation of America: Spearheading Lupus Research

Headquartered in Washington, DC, the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) is the largest and oldest national non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people affected by lupus. The LFA's mission is twofold – to serve the needs of those living with lupus, as well as to lead efforts to find a cure for the chronic, autoimmune disease.

The LFA assists people with lupus and their health care providers by supplying them with latest education materials and tools, offering support groups, and hosting various programs and events with medical experts. The organization also advocates for people with lupus through awareness campaigns, social networking, and media outreach. In addition, the LFA runs a national research program called “Bringing Down the Barriers” to accelerate the science and medicine of lupus.

Over the years, the Lupus Foundation of America has achieved a number of milestones, including publishing the only lupus-focused magazine, launching the only research program dedicated to pediatric lupus, and convening the second International Conference on Lupus Flares.

Only Make Believe Brings Real Joy to Chronically Ill Kids

Founded in 1999, Only Make Believe is a non-profit organization that organizes and performs interactive theatre for chronically ill children in hospitals and care facilities. Currently bringing joy and inspiration throughout New York City, Only Make Believe plans to reach as many kids as possible by eventually expanding across the United States and around the world. Only Make Believe began as a project of The James and Dena Hammerstein Foundation, with its first event taking place at Rusk Institute's Pediatric Unit, NYU Langone Medical Center. Dena started Only Make Believe in memory of her husband James, theatre director and producer and son of renowned librettist Oscar Hammerstein II.

Believing that freeing a child's imagination played an integral role in the healing process, Dena decided to bring the magical world of theatre to kids living with chronic illnesses and disabilities, as having them travel to the theatre would be too overwhelming for many of them.



What makes Only Make Believe different from other charities that perform at hospitals and care facilities is its six-week interactive program. Performances are conducted once a week for six weeks, allowing the actors and children to bond and get to know each other. And because the kids get to participate in the show, they're engaged, inspired, and empowered. At present, Only Make Believe has eight scripts, with two more in the works.

During its first year, Only Make Believe served only one hospital and reached 132 children. Since then, the organization has visited about 50 hospitals and performed with more than 25,000 kids in the NYC metropolitan area. In March of 2011, Only Make Believe conducted a trial in Washington, DC. The trial was a success, leading the non-profit to recently start performing at Children's National Medical Center, The Children's Inn at NIH, and the Psychiatric Institute of Washington.

The Human Rights Campaign: Advocating for Equality for Everyone

Founded in 1980, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is the largest civil rights organization dedicated to achieving equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans. With over a million members and supporters across the country, HRC advocates for fairness for all at work and in the community through its various outreach, advocacy, and education programs.

The Human Rights Campaign's programs include the HRC Coming Out Project, which encourages LGBT Americans to come out and live their lives openly by providing empowering resources and guidance. The organization also runs the HRC Family Project, which is catered to LGBT families; it provides up-to-date information on relevant matters such as civil unions, marriage, adoption, parenting, schools, state laws and legislation, and more. Meanwhile, the HRC Workplace Project offers resources, on-site training, and expert counsel to executives and decision makers to help them position their company as a workplace that respects employees of all sexual orientations.

Toys for Tots Delivers a Message of Hope to Needy Kids This (and Every) Christmas

In the fall of 1947, Major Bill Hendricks, USMCR was asked by his wife Diane to deliver a homemade doll to an organization that would give it to a needy child at Christmas. When Hendricks learned that there was no such organization, Diane suggested that he start one. That year, Hendricks and a group of Marine Reservists in Los Angeles collected and distributed 5,000 toys to disadvantaged children. Because Hendricks' Toys for Tots project was so successful, the Marine Corps decided to adopt it in 1948 and turned it into a national campaign, running the program in every community that had a Marine Reserve Center. Hendricks, who served as the director of public relations for Warner Brothers Studio on weekdays, was able to get various celebrities to support Toys for Tots. Walt Disney designed the campaign's logo and first poster, while Sammy Fain and Paul Webster composed the theme, which was recorded by Peggy Lee, Nat “King” Cole, and Vic Damone.

The Marines have collected and distributed toys for less fortunate kids ever since to bring them the joy of Christmas. Beginning in 1980, only new toys were collected to avoid health and safety issues and to deliver a message of hope. This in turn boosts self-esteem and encourages children to become productive, responsible, and patriotic members of their community.

In 1991, the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation was established as a non-profit charity committed to supporting the program. To date, Toys for Tots, which is now an official activity of the US Marine Corps and an official mission of the Marine Corps Reserve, has delivered over 452 million toys to more than 209 needy children in America. Over the years, the Foundation has earned a number of accolades, including the DMA Nonprofit Federations' “Outstanding Nonprofit Organization of the Year” and Reader's Digest's “America's Best Children's Charity.” The Marines have recently kicked off this year's Toys for Tots campaign, which is being conducted in more than 700 communities in all 50 states.

The David Lynch Foundation: Spreading Peace to America's Most Stressed Populations

Founded by award-winning director, writer, and producer David Lynch in 2005, the David Lynch Foundation is dedicated to transforming the lives of at-risk populations by giving them access to scientifically proven stress-reducing techniques including Transcendental Meditation. When people suffer from epidemic levels of chronic stress and stress-related conditions, violence, crime, and health costs go up. Moreover, the effectiveness of existing health, education, rehabilitation, and vocational programs are compromised. 

The David Lynch Foundation focuses on serving disadvantaged inner city students; veterans with PTSD and their families; homeless men in re-entry programs; incarcerated youths and adults; and American Indians suffering from diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and high suicide rates. Additionally, the charity funds university and medical school research to evaluate the effects of its programs on academic performance, ADHD, substance abuse, anxiety, depression, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and PTSD. Various private organizations and government agencies have endorsed the effectiveness of the foundation's programs.

Since its inception, the David Lynch Foundation has provided more than 120,000 scholarships for at-risk individuals to learn Transcendental Meditation. 

St. Giles Trust: Creating Safer Communities in the UK

It was the early 1960s and post-war London was in decline. Many had become homeless, insane, alcoholic, lost, or dispossessed. Fr. John Nichols, the vicar of St. Giles Church in Camberwell, saw the need to form a trust “for the purpose of assisting those suffering in soul, mind, or body.” The weekend before, he had just buried three suicides and attended seven attempted ones. Thus, he brought together an eclectic group that included a celebrity boxer and several local dignitaries to form the Camberwell Samaritans. The Crypt of St. Giles Church was cleared of coffins to make room for a center that offered food and shelter to the destitute. One of the first day centers for homeless people, it  was opened by the Queen Mother in 1963.

That day center has since evolved to become St. Giles Trust, a leading charity in the UK that works with ex-offenders, the homeless, and other socially excluded individuals. The organization helps them break the cycle of crime, disadvantage, and offending by offering housing support, vocational training, support into employment, and more. St. Giles Trust also provides prison-based services – its award-winning Peer Advice Project trains serving prisoners to become qualified professionals who support their fellow inmates. In addition, the charity runs a homeless weekday drop-in center which assists the partners and children of offenders as well as young people involved in gang crime. With a mission of creating safer communities throughout the UK, St. Giles Trust helps more than 15,000 people every year.

Prince William, who attended St. Giles Trust's recent 50th anniversary fundraising dinner, praised the organization for its work. “This charity truly inspires me. It has touched the lives of a quarter of a million people over the past five decades,” he said at the event. “These are people from the margins of society who, thanks to this charity, were able to recover from an appalling start and go on to live successful, productive, and positive lives.”

We Are Family Foundation: We're More Alike Than Unalike

Following the events of September 11, 2001, musician, songwriter, and producer Nile Rodgers got the idea to re-record the hit song “We Are Family,” which he wrote for Sister Sledge in the 1970s. Less than two weeks later, Rodgers and music industry exec Tom Silverman had gathered a diverse group of more than 200 people – from celebrities to firefighters to everyday citizens – to sing the song and start the healing process.



Rodgers subsequently founded the We Are Family Foundation to promote the message of one global family. Today, the non-profit runs programs designed to educate the next generation about understanding, respect, and cultural diversity. Additionally, the We Are Family Foundation strives to solve some of the world's biggest problems by producing international teen summits, forming global coalitions, creating worldwide curricula, and building schools in highly illiterate communities.

The We Are Family Foundation has declared March 11th We Are Family Day to celebrate our common humanity.

The Duck Plushie That Support Kids With Cancer

Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Gabe's My Heart is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing support and education to children and families dealing with childhood cancer. The charity was founded by Louise Sipos, whose son Gabe was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma (a soft tissue tumor) in December 2002, just a week before his first birthday. Though Gabe has been declared cancer-free many years ago, Sipos continues the fight against the disease by supporting others who are experiencing what her family has gone through.

In 2004, Gabe's My Heart started Gabe's Chemo Duck Program, which gives free Chemo Duck plush toys to kids who are coping with cancer. Designed to help make cancer treatment less frightening and confusing for children, the 12-inch-tall Chemo Duck sports blue hospital scrubs, has an arm immobilizer, and a Hickman line or portacath for simulating medical care. Each toy comes with a DVD explaining the program, an educational coloring book, and access to additional resources and printable activities. Since its inception, Gabe's Chemo Duck Program has distributed over 15,000 ducks to children across the US.

Recently, Gabe's Chemo Duck Program teamed up with Flocabulary, an award-winning New York-based company that produces educational hip-hop music and learning tools. The result of the collaboration is “I'm Still Me,” an animated music video that promotes self-esteem for children who have cancer. “I'm Still Me” tells kids that despite the difficulties cancer treatment may bring, they are still themselves and they're not alone. The video encourages them to continue doing what they love, as well as sheds light on the changes they will experience during treatment. According to Sipos, Flocabulary has been instrumental in helping children understand what they're going through.

“I'm Still Me” is Flocabulary's first project in the health care industry. Co-founder and CEO Alex Rappaport says, “If we put a smile on just one kid's face, then we have done our part.”

Musicians On Call Brings Music and Joy to Hospital Bedsides

In 1999, singer and guitarist Kenli Mattus played a show at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. The event was sponsored by the Kristen Ann Carr Fund and organized by entertainment executives Michael Solomon and Vivek Tiwary. Once Mattus started performing, patients began to smile and move their heads and feet to the beat. When a nurse mentioned that it was such a shame that some patients couldn't attend because they were in treatment or too sick to leave their rooms, Mattus visited those who had missed the concert and played at their bedsides. Solomon and Tiwary, who witnessed the magic that ensued, knew they had to form an organization that would bring music to those who need it most; thus, they founded Musicians On Call. Since its inception 13 years ago, Musicians On Call has performed for more than 300,000 patients and their families, delivering joy and the healing power of music to healthcare facilities in six US states. The charity plans to expand nationally and internationally.

Drug Prevention Charity Urges Kids to Pursue Their Natural High

Jon Sundt lost both of his younger brothers to drugs. Steven died of a cocaine overdose in the backseat of a police car, while Eric committed suicide due to depression that was very likely linked to his long-term drug use. For more than a decade, the Sundt family struggled with Steven and Eric's drug addiction and looked for adequate resources to help them get well. During their search, the Sundts came across privately funded programs that provided free treatment to young people with substance abuse issues. Encouraged by these non-profit centers and believing that they could also make a lasting impact in the lives of children, Sundt, with the support of his wife and family, started the Sundt Memorial Foundation in 1994.


Following the deaths of his brothers, Sundt realized that they might not have gotten into drugs if they were aware of how devastating the effects were. This led to the production of the Natural High DVDs, a series of videos that aim to steer young people away from drugs. Featuring interviews with drug-free celebrities, athletes, and role models, as well as exciting music and action shots, the DVDs encourage kids to say no to drugs and alcohol and say yes to life and pursue their natural high. Previous celebrity messengers include Grammy-nominated rock band Switchfoot, WNBA player Lisa Leslie, and professional skateboarder Paul Rodriguez, Jr.

In 2011, the Sundt Memorial Foundation officially changed its name to Natural High after the series it is best known for. The DVDs are sent free to public, private, and alternative schools throughout the US. There are currently five volumes, with Natural High 6 scheduled to be released in fall 2013. Aside from the DVDs, Natural High also produces an online series of short videos that kids can view from home or teachers can assign as homework.

City Hearts: Introducing Underprivileged Kids to the Arts

In 1984, criminal defense attorneys Sherry and Bob Jason established City Hearts: Kids Say “Yes” to the Arts to offer free visual and performing arts classes to the disadvantaged and at-risk youth of Los Angeles. The non-profit organization believes that the arts are the most effective means to reach out to troubled children and teens; thus, it intervenes in a supportive and nurturing way by providing the highest quality arts education and experiences that foster creativity, self-esteem, literacy, vitality, and social and academic skills.

City Hearts runs a number of programs to achieve its goal of helping kids become productive and creative members of their community. Among them are: Fresh Focus, a photography class that encourages at-risk youth to shoot with cameras, not guns; Let's Make a Show, a two-week intensive course that culminates in a full-length production of a musical, dance performance, or Shakespeare play; and Kids Sew for Kids, a program wherein participants make functional products to give to other children.

Kitten Rescue: Saving LA's Stray and Abandoned Cats Since 1997

Founded in the spring of 1997, Kitten Rescue is a non-profit, volunteer-run organization dedicated to saving homeless and abandoned felines in Los Angeles. Since then, it has grown into one of the biggest animal welfare groups in the city, placing about 1,000 cats and kittens into new homes every year. Kitten Rescue provides for the medical needs of all its rescued cats; prior to adoption, each feline is spayed or neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, tested for leukemia and FIV, treated for fleas, and microchipped. Furthermore, the organization offers public education and assistance regarding the importance of spaying and neutering, responsible pet ownership, and the proper maintenance of feral cat colonies.

In early 2006, Kitten Rescue achieved one of its primary goals of owning a shelter. The Kitten Rescue Sanctuary is a private, no-kill shelter and boarding facility that houses around 150 residents at any given time. Located in the Atwater Village neighborhood of LA, the Sanctuary is operated by a full-time staff and several volunteers and allows Kitten Rescue to save more animals, carry out large-scale rescues, and move faster during emergencies.

On Sunday, October 7th, Kitten Rescue will host its fifth annual Fur Ball. Taking place at the Avalon Theater, the fundraising event will feature silent and live auctions to benefit the organization's programs, a no-limit Texas hold 'em poker tournament, casino gaming tables where guests can win raffle tickets to bid on prizes, food and drinks, and music by DJ Kid Fish. This year's Fur Ball will honor Jackson Galaxy of Animal Planet's “My Cat From Hell” for his advocacy work, as well as Kitten Rescue's Volunteer of the Year Sandra Harrison. The event will be a star-studded one – celebrities confirmed to attend include Tricia Helfer, Kyle Massey, Katrina Parker, Justin Hopkins, Shanna Moakler, Nestor Serrano, and more.

The Different Shapes of Need

What do we need to survive? Most of us, if faced with this question, would name the essentials: food and water, a roof over our heads. Beyond that, money to acquire the things our family needs, and useful work to fill our days. Further than that, however, lies the realm of satisfaction and need that is not as easy to define, but often just as key to our health and happiness. While some charities and organizations tend to this first category, it’s those that turn towards the latter regard we focus on today.

Rabbi Leib Tropper nurtures a life long dedication to study and community outreach. Raised by an elementary school teacher in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Tropper moved to Israel at 14 and continued to exceed in his studies. This laid the foundation for his later efforts, which transformed his knowledge into sustainable service to others.

As an adult, Tropper gained recognition from the globalcommunity for his works at the head of Horizons. The traveling program, which drew audiences in Paris, Berlin, London, and throughout small towns in the United States, afforded people who might not otherwise have been exposed to the Torah a window into understanding. The lectures featured insight into the culture and principles and garnered a strong reputation amongst leaders. 

Currently, Rabbi Leib Tropper supervises Character First, an Israel-based organization. The group focuses on promoting the development in character as guided by the Torah, and commands the support of the greater religious community. Through his commitments over the years, Tropper assists people in finding the tools to thrive.

Rabbi Leib Tropper from Leib Tropper on Vimeo.

Concern: Ireland's Biggest Humanitarian Charity

International humanitarian organization Concern began as a response to the famine in war-torn Biafra in 1968. Originally called Africa Concern, the charity was founded by a small group of people determined to fight suffering, hunger, and poverty. Two years later, a cyclone ravaged East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and the organization changed its name to Concern.

Since its inception, Concern has made an impact in more than 50 countries, responding to major crises and running long-term development programs. It currently operates in 25 of the world's poorest countries, working directly with the underprivileged and getting involved in relevant decisions made at the local, national, and international levels. Concern primarily focuses on five issues, namely: education, health, emergencies, livelihoods, and HIV and AIDS.

Headquartered in Dublin, Concern is the largest humanitarian organization in Ireland. It is presently led by CEO Tom Arnold, who served with the Irish Department of Agriculture and Food before taking over the role in October 2001.

The American Red Cross and The Walking Dead Team Up for Zombie Blood Drive

Founded by Clara Barton in Washington, DC on May 21, 1881, the American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization that provides disaster relief, community services, and health and safety education throughout the United States. Barton led the Red Cross for more than two decades and resigned in 1905, the same year the organization received its second congressional charter. During Barton's presidency, the Red Cross carried out its first disaster relief efforts both at home and abroad, assisted the US military when the Spanish-American War broke out, and successfully campaigned for the adoption of the American Amendment to the Geneva Treaty.

The Red Cross launched its first aid, water safety, and public health nursing programs before World War I. After the conflict, the organization focused on serving veterans as well as enhanced some of its programs. With the outbreak of World War II, it enrolled over 104,000 nurses to help the US military, Allies, and civilian war victims; prepared 27 million packages for prisoners of war; and sent more than 300,000 tons of supplies overseas. Additionally, the military requested the Red Cross to start a national blood program for the armed forces, an undertaking that ultimately collected 13.3 million pints. Following WWII, the Red Cross initiated the first countrywide civilian blood program that supplies 40 percent of the blood and blood products in America today.

Recently, the organization partnered with AMC's hit show The Walking Dead to raise awareness about the constant need for blood, encouraging everyone to donate. The American Red Cross Zombie Blood Drive will run through October 22 and is supported by celebrities such as Peter Jackson, Mena Suvari, The Black Keys, Aisha Tyler, and Kurt Busch, all of whom have been “zombified” for the campaign's PZA – Public Zombie Announcement. AMC is also running a sweepstakes to thank the blood drive's participants; the grand prize is a trip to the set of The Walking Dead.

The Elephant Project, Increasing Awareness for Alzheimer's Disease

Founded in 2006 by David Niederhoffer, The Elephant Project is an organization that raises funds and awareness on behalf of the Alzheimer's Association. The NYU Stern School of Business student decided to start The Elephant Project after losing his grandfather to Alzheimer's disease. The elephant is chosen as the symbol of the project as “elephants never forget.”

Niederhoffer asks celebrities to pose for a picture with an elephant beanie baby and sign an Elephant Project card, which are auctioned off together with an elephant beanie baby. All proceeds are donated to the Alzheimer's Association, and Niederhoffer has raised over $30,000 for the organization so far.

The Elephant Project's fall 2012 auctions are currently ongoing and will end on September 20. Participating celebrities include One Direction, Justin Bieber, Lea Michele, Sofia Vergara, Jimmy Fallon, Carson Daly, Ian Somerhalder, Rihanna, Zooey Deschanel, Zachary Quinto, Tom Felton, Kim Kardashian, Jensen Ackles, Emmy Rossum, and many more.

More Than Me, Changing the Lives of Liberian Girls

Founded in 2009 by Katie Meyler, More Than Me is a non-profit organization that gets young girls off the street and into school in one of the world's poorest and most dangerous slums located in Liberia, West Africa. Meyler, who grew up in a disadvantaged family despite living in one of the wealthiest counties in America, has long had a passion to serve the poor. The first person in her family to go to college thanks to a scholarship, Meyler was determined to help children in developing countries as much as possible after she graduated. Seeing a part of herself in these kids, she applied to work with a non-profit organization that sent her to Koryah, a village in Liberia.

While there, Meyler lived at an orphanage and managed a literacy program for adults who were learning to read and write for the first time. After her contract expired, she moved to the country's capital city, Monrovia, where she later started More Than Me. “Often when talking to children in countries where there is not free education for all, children tell me that their biggest dream is just to go to school,” Meyler says. “I do not think that is too much to ask. So their dream has become our mission.”

More Than Me works with community leaders to find girls who are at the highest risk of being sexually exploited. The non-profit not only provides the students' tuition and school lunch, it also coordinates with the school and community to ensure their success. More Than Me has helped more than 200 girls to date and is now officially supported by the Liberian government. Meyler has received numerous awards for her work, including the NJ Commission's Outstanding Woman of the Year honor and the Boy Scouts of America's Extraordinary Woman recognition.

CPF and Rose McGowan Raise Awareness for Pulmonary Fibrosis

The largest pulmonary fibrosis (PF) non-profit organization in America, the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis (CPF) was founded in 2001 to accelerate research efforts to find a cure for the disease. The CPF also sprovides resources and hope to individuals and families affected by PF, as well as serves as a national voice for patients and medical professionals by advocating on their behalf in Washington, DC.

To increase public awareness about this unknown but deadly disease, which kills 40,000 annually, the CPF is declaring September Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month with the help of actress Rose McGowan.

McGowan, who lost her father to PF, says. “Many illnesses, including breast cancer, are better known than PF, but PF is claiming just as many lives as these illnesses. Even worse, the investment in research for PF is minimal. It's time for a change.”

Throughout the month, patients, families, and advocates will hold fundraisers and awareness-building events across the country.

NDSS: The National Advocate for People With Down Syndrome

When Barton and Betsy Goodwin learned that her daughter Carson had Down syndrome, they dedicated themselves to gathering information about the genetic condition and creating opportunities for Carson to live normally. During the 1970s, however, very little support and resources for parents of a child with Down syndrome existed, as the Goodwins soon found out. In 1979, Betsy and her friend Arden Moulton founded the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS). Since then, the non-profit organization has been advocating for “the value, acceptance, and inclusion of people with Down syndrome.”

The 1980s saw the NDSS launch its first awareness campaign; the public service advertisement had  a baseball theme and was called “Give these kids a chance at bat.” It appeared in many magazines and was the beginning of the organization's ongoing work to raise awareness and acceptance of individuals with Down syndrome. Subsequently, the NDSS helped establish October as Down Syndrome Awareness Month in America. In 1995, the National Buddy Walk Program was introduced to help celebrate the month. There were 17 walks during the program's inaugural year; today, there are over 250. In 2011, more than 285,000 people took part in Buddy Walks across the country, collectively raising $11 million. This year's event is supported by Nancy O'Dell, Meredith Vieira, and John C. McGinley, who all star in the National Buddy Walk PSA.

Recently, the NDSS revamped its website. In addition to a fresh look, improved navigation, and updated information, new features include a search tool, a local support page, “You May Also Be Interested In” sections, and links to the NDSS's social media pages. The website also features the My Great Story public awareness campaign. Unveiled just a few years ago, My Great Story honors people  with Down syndrome by presenting stories written by and about them in an online storybook.

Nick Cannon to Walk With the National Kidney Foundation

Originally founded as the National Nephrosis Foundation by Harry and Ada DeBold in 1950, the National Kidney Foundation (NFK) is a non-profit health organization committed to preventing kidney disease and supporting the individuals and families affected by it. The NFK provides resources for both patients and professionals, as well as manages a network of transplant recipients and donors.

On October 14, the organization will hold its New York City Kidney Walk fundraiser at South Street Seaport in Manhattan. The 5K event, which is expected to attract 7,000 participants, will be hosted by actor Nick Cannon. Last winter, Cannon was hospitalized due to acute kidney injury and diagnosed with lupus nephritis. With his condition now stabilized, he's using his star power to raise awareness about kidney disease.

“By participating in the Kidney Walk, we're all helping get the word out about screening and the importance of healthy lifestyle in preventing kidney disease,” says Cannon.

Point Foundation Guides LGBTQ Students in the Right Direction

The largest scholarship granting organization for promising LGBTQ students in America, Point Foundation provides financial support, mentoring, leadership training, and hope to a community of individuals who are often marginalized due to their sexual orientation. Founded in 2001, Point was born out of entrepreneur Bruce Lindstrom's own past experiences. Growing up in a strict, evangelical household, Lindstrom came out to his parents and was subsequently excluded from all family get-togethers for 15 years. Despite a lack of support from his family, he was determined to do well in school and eventually finished college and graduate school.

During the 1970s, Lindstrom met membership warehouse pioneer Sol Price, who later became his mentor. It was then that Lindstrom realized the importance of mentoring and leadership. These principles, along with academic excellence, would form the foundation of Lindstrom's idea of “a different kind of organization.” Following a very successful career in business, Lindstrom and longtime partner Carl Strickland started Point Foundation to give back to the community and help young LGBTQ students reach their full academic and leadership potential.

In 2002, Point successfully supported its first class of eight scholars with seed capital from Lindstrom and Strickland. Last year, the organization funded 71 scholars at some of the country's best colleges and universities in various academic fields. To date, more than 120 Point alumni have received their higher education degrees.

Point Foundation also runs a mentoring program in which scholars are matched with a mentor who is a successful professional in his or her own respective field. Point mentors provide personal support and professional career guidance, as well as oversee the completion of a required annual community service leadership project.

On September 15, Point will host a fundraising dinner and concert at The Wiltern in Los Angeles. Called Voice on Point, the event will highlight the stories and achievements of Point scholars and feature performances and appearances by Robin Thicke, Mark Ballas, Queen Latifah, and more.

Light Gives Heat Gives Hope to Africa and AmericaI

Image credit: LightGivesHeat.org

Founded by husband and wife team Dave and Morgan Hansow, Light Gives Heat is a non-profit organization that seeks to create world-changing opportunities in both Africa and America. Based in Grand Junction, Colorado and Jinja, Uganda, Light Gives Heat empowers over a hundred Ugandan artisans by providing consistent incomes every week and offers Americans a way to support the less fortunate, urging them to “be the change they want to see in the world.”

Through its brands SUUBI and EPOH, Light Gives Heat sells stylish women's jewelry and bags in America and reinvests 100 percent of profits back into the Ugandan communities it serves. According to Light Gives Heat, charity doesn't work, but work does; hence, it offers training, management, and jobs to people who need them.

Light Gives Heat was formed in March of 2007, not long before the Hansows and their son moved to Uganda to adopt their daughter.

Falling Whistles Campaigns for Peace in Congo

Image credit: FallingWhistles.com

Right now, the world's deadliest war since WWII is taking place in the Democratic Republic of Congo. More than 6 million people have lost their lives to this war over the past decade. Every day, nearly 1,500 more people are killed. Additionally, sexual violence is more rampant in Congo than anywhere else in the world. Sean Carasso learned about these horrifying truths when he visited the country in late 2007. After traveling the world and volunteering with TOMS Shoes and Invisible Children, Carasso made a stop in Congo. During his stay, he heard of children being sent to the front lines of war; those who were too small to carry a gun were armed with nothing but a whistle.

Carasso wrote about these young boys being forced to fight (and oftentimes die), and people who read his account began asking what can be done. That journal entry quickly gave birth to a campaign for peace in Congo. Carasso and David Lewis founded Falling Whistles, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the war in Congo, helping the individuals affected by it, and ultimately putting an end to the conflict.

While it accepts donations, Falling Whistles mainly employs a commerce-based business model, selling fashionable metal whistle necklaces for $34 to $54. The organization encourages people to become whistleblowers for peace by wearing the necklaces as a symbol of protest and spreading the word about the movement. Sales from the whistles go toward funding the campaign; Falling Whistles partners with local community leaders who rehabilitate children affected by the war through education, medical treatment, nutrition, art, vocational skills training, and other services.

To date, Falling Whistles has invested in 8 Congolese leaders and gained the support of 35 congressmen, 16 senators, 77 organizations, 200 retailers, and 50,000 whistleblowers – all within the span of three years.

Malaria No More Fights Malaria With Comedy for Latest Project

Malaria is preventable and treatable; it was eradicated in the US six decades ago. Yet, in Africa, it still kills a child every minute – 40 percent of the continent's health resources go towards treating malaria, which costs $12 billion annually in lost productivity. Malaria No More, a non-profit organization based in New York, wants to end malaria deaths in Africa by 2015. Together with partner organizations UNICEF, the American Red Cross, the Global Business Coalition, and many others, Malaria No More is working towards its goal through initiatives such as distributing mosquito nets, educating African families and communities about malaria, and providing diagnostic tools and medicines.

Since its founding in December of 2006, Malaria No More has delivered 2.7 million mosquito nets to families in 13 African countries, enough to protect more than 5 million people. The organization also assisted in launching NightWatch, a nightly reminder campaign that promotes the use of mosquito nets. After a successful run in Senegal, NighWatch was introduced in Chad and Cameroon. Additionally, Malaria No More has collaborated with Presidents Youssou Ndour of Senegal and Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania to roll out social mobilization campaigns in their countries.

Recently, Malaria No More teamed up with popular comedy website CollegeHumor to create Malarious, a collection of 24 funny one-minute videos featuring more than 30 celebrities and comedians. Malarious can be viewed on CollegeHumor for a minimum contribution of $1; proceeds will benefit Malaria No More. Stars who took part in the project include Ed Helms, Rainn Wilson, Gilbert Gottfried, Elizabeth Banks, and Rachael Harris.

“Our organization has played in the comedy space before, but never with the simple one-to-one ratio of Malarious,” says Malaria No More CEO Dr. David Bowen. “With ease and a little pocket change, viewers can watch their favorite celebrities and save a life in the matter of one minute. It doesn't get much better than that.”

D-PAN: Representing Deaf and Hard of Hearing Professionals in the Arts

Founded by Sean Forbes and Joel Martin in 2006, the Deaf Professional Arts Network or D-PAN is a Detroit, Michigan-based non-profit dedicated to helping deaf and hard of hearing individuals pursue careers in the entertainment, media arts, and visual arts industries. Originally known as the Deaf Performing Artists Network and focusing only on music and music videos, D-PAN eventually expanded its mission to also represent photographers, tattoo artists, filmmakers, writers, craftspersons, and other creative professionals.

Additionally, the organization runs D-PAN Productions, a video production house that offers a variety of services including animation, editing, cinematography, and original music composition. Recognized by ASCAP and CNN, D-PAN Productions employ mostly deaf or hard of hearing professionals.

In the near future, D-PAN will be launching two scholarship programs to advance its commitment to education – the Sean Forbes scholarship will be awarded to deaf or hard of hearing individuals who wish to obtain a degree or certification at an entertainment, visual arts, or media arts institution, while the Joel Martin Scholarship will be given to hearing individuals already pursuing a degree or certification in American Sign Language.

WildAid Provides Aid for Wild Animals

Founded in 2000, WildAid is a charity committed to raising awareness and public support for wildlife conservation. With offices in London, San Francisco, Ecuador, China, Canada, and India, WildAid is currently led by Steve Trent, one of the original four founders of the organization. The only group focused on reducing the demand for endangered species products, WildAid creates customized, culturally sensitive multimedia campaigns to promote a positive shift in consumer behavior. Furthermore, the organization works to protect critical areas around the world to ensure the safety of wild animals.

WildAid ambassador and former NBA star Yao Ming recently visited the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya, which is home to various African wildlife, including the endangered black rhino.

“Poaching has become such a serious problem in East Africa, that last year alone, Ol Pejeta lost five of their 88 rhinos to poachers, which has been their greatest loss in twenty years,” wrote Yao on his blog. He is presently in Africa to help bring awareness to the poaching crisis that the continent's rhinos and elephants are facing.

CeeLo Green to Launch Environmental Charity With Sister

Founded by Grammy Award-winning artist CeeLo Green and his sister Shedonna Alexander, the GreenHouse Foundation is a new non-profit organization dedicated to delivering “green education” to school-aged children in underprivileged areas. The foundation will officially launch on August 17th at Green's elementary school, Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy in Georgia, with a dedication to the siblings' late mother, Sheila J. Callaway Tyler.

The GreenHouse Foundation's first initiative is the Green Garden Education Program, which will provide participating public, private, and charter schools with the tools, resources, and curriculum needed to start and maintain an outdoor “teaching” garden.

According to Alexander, “The Green Garden program will use outdoor gardening as an innovative tool to teach math and science. It will allow students to experience a new approach to 'green education.'”

The program will teach children the basics of gardening and the health and environmental benefits of growing their own food. Additionally, they will learn how to run their own school farmers market and donate the proceeds to other non-profit organizations to help reduce hunger in their community.

“The hands of our children will help feed those in need, like the homeless or elderly who live in 'grocery deserts' with no access to fresh produce,” says Green.

This is only the beginning for the GreenHouse Foundation; many more initiatives are on the way, including the annual Clean Atlanta Green Day, which will rally local schools, businesses, and government officials to clean up the city every Earth Day. The GreenHouse Community Gardens Programs will build organic community gardens managed by volunteers around Atlanta, while the Green Collar Career Development and Training Program will introduce students to jobs that have an impact on the environment.

“We are committed to the mission to empower children with the knowledge, attitude, and desire to positively influence their futures, their communities, and the long-term sustainability of their planet,” says Alexander.

The Thirst Project Aims to Bring Clean Water to 1 Million By 2015

In the summer of 2007, Seth Maxwell learned about the global water crisis through a friend who had just returned from a humanitarian service trip in Uganda. Over the following months, Maxwell researched about the issue further and felt compelled to do something about it. As a 19-year-old college student at that time, he wasn't sure what he could do, but he recruited seven of his closest college friends and the group decided to raise awareness about the problem. Armed with 1,000 bottles of water they had purchased, Maxwell and his friends headed to Hollywood Boulevard, where they gave the bottles away to get people to listen to them. That day, they were able to raise $1,700, which went into funding their first freshwater well rehabilitation project.

Maxwell and his friends thought that that first undertaking would also be their last. To their surprise, they started receiving requests to talk about the water crisis at schools and churches. Hence, The Thirst Project was formed. During their first month of speaking, the group raised over $12,000. Since then, The Thirst Project has raised more than $2.6 million, which have helped give over 100,000 people in developing nations access to clean water.

Today, Maxwell and company travel all around the United States to middle schools, high schools, and college campuses to shed light on the fact that nearly a billion people on the planet don't have access to safe drinking water and proper sanitation. According to The Thirst Project, most communities are simply too poor to drill down to the water source that already exists in aquifers 100 to 300 feet below the ground. A freshwater well that costs between $5,000 and $12,000 can bring clean water to 500 people, cut the disease rate by 80 percent, and reduce the child mortality rate by 99 percent. Through its various programs and events, The Thirst Project plans to make this a reality for one million people by the year 2015.

Helping LA's Homeless and Drug Addicts

Founded by Reverend I.L. Eldridge in 1936, the Los Angeles Mission is a faith-based, non-profit organization dedicated to addressing the needs of the homeless and underprivileged in Los Angeles. Initially a small rescue mission, it is now one of America's largest homeless charities, headquartered in a 156,000-square-foot facility at 303 East 5th Street.

The Los Angeles Mission assists men, women, and children in need through various services and projects. Specifically, the organization provides emergency, transitional, and permanent housing, as well as offers food and clothing to those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. As a Christian charity, the Los Angeles Mission also runs residential and non-residential discipleship programs designed to help drug addicts overcome their dependencies.

In addition, the Los Angeles Mission's Urban Training Institute provides vocational training to help people build their skills, further their professional careers, and ultimately lead a self-sufficient life. The institute has a career development team that exists to constantly create new employment opportunities for graduates.

It Takes A Whole Village to Raise A Child: Children’s Miracle Network

Non-profits, whether they aim to empower people coping with natural disaster or find cures for terminal illnesses, grow and thrive with the donations. Some funding support comes from private donors, some from fundraisers, and some from corporate sponsors who translate portions of profit to the causes that matter. Hanks Fine Furniture stands one of these businesses that aims to give back, effectively translating the success of their 14 stores in 5 states to a population of children who need assistance. In September of 2011, Hank’s Fine Furniture offered a part of their sales to the Children’s Miracle Network, a group that funds a string of hospitals supporting youths across the country and beyond.

Hank's Fine Furniture translated funds towards Children’s Miracle Network affiliated hospitals in Little Rock, Arkansas; Pensacola, Florida; Springfield, Missouri; and Mobile, Alabama.  Since its establishment in 1983, the charity garnered upwards of $4.3 billion in funding that goes towards the treatment of children facing everything from common injuries and afflictions to life-threatening diseases. The 172 institutions associated with the Children’s Miracle Network benefit from corporate partnerships with major businesses including Delta Air Lines, Dairy Queen, Ace Hardware, Kiwanis International, and USA Gymnastics. Children’s Miracle Network also complete various advocacy efforts including a telethon, A Celebration of Real Miracles, and various dance marathons at schools throughout the U.S. Throughout the years, various celebrities stepped up to represent the goals of the organization, among them Marie Osmond, Glenn Beck, Le-Ann Rimes, Drew Lachey, and Justin Bieber. To learn about what you can do to further the mission of the Children’s Miracle Network, visit childrensmiraclenetworkhospitals.org.

Everyone Matters Challenges You to Stop Judging for 24 Hours

Started by HeathCliff Rothman, Everyone Matters is a 2012 global “Don't Judge” campaign that aims to promote tolerance, inclusiveness, and equality. The idea came to Rothman one day when he was sitting at a cafe and people watching. He realized that he was being judgmental and knew he had to stop criticizing others.

Everyone Matters is inviting everyone to join the movement of not judging other people based on their skin color, food choices, sexual orientation, clothes, appearance, religion, and other characteristics. The campaign is looking for 100,000 people to join its 24-hour challenge – for 24 hours, participants cannot say or think things like, “His shirt is so tacky,” or “She shouldn't be doing that.”

The Everyone Matters 24-hour challenge will fall on November 19th, the anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, in which the President urged to put an end to slavery. Celebrity supporters of the campaign include Sir Paul McCartney, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Ellen DeGeneres, Nicole Kidman, Dame Judi Dench, and Natalie Portman.

Save the Children: Helping Kids in Need for Over 90 Years

In 1919, British teacher and sociologist Eglantyne Jebb founded the Save the Children Fund in England to help children affected by the war in central Europe. More than a decade later, a group of Americans inspired by Jebb's vision established Save the Children in America, with the immediate goal of assisting the kids and families living in the Appalachian Mountains during the Great Depression. Today, Save the Children is the leading independent charity dedicated to supporting children in need worldwide. With a presence in over 50 countries, the organization provides families and communities with the essential tools to lift them out of poverty, poor health, hunger, and illiteracy.

Save the Children oversees a number of programs that all aim to create permanent, positive change in the lives of underprivileged kids in the United States and around the world. One of the issues that the organization addresses is HIV/AIDS – Save the Children works with communities in Asia, Eurasia, Africa, and the Caribbean to raise awareness about the disease as well as provide care for those affected by it. Additionally, Save the Children helps vulnerable families in nearly 30 countries to help ensure they have secure livelihoods and can afford basic needs and services.

Save the Children supports education programs for kids in the most marginalized parts of the world as well. Last year, the charity's efforts reached almost 10 million children. Recently, athletes Abou Diaby and Johan Djourou of popular English football club Arsenal headed to Beijing to visit the club's educational project in partnership with Save the Children. During their visit, Diaby and Djourou played football, read stories, and made arts and crafts with the youngsters. The joint project will train 200 teachers and 20 head teachers to improve the quality of education in some of Beijing's most under-resourced schools.

The Walter and Connie Payton Foundation: Changing Tomorrow, Today

As a prominent entrepreneur and community member of the greater Chicago area, Perry Mandera strives to empower the people within it. In addition to founding and managing Custom Cares Charities, the non-profit he established as subsidiary of his transportation venture The Custom Companies, he serves as a Board Member of and donor to The Walter and Connie Payton Foundation.

As a contributor in various regards to the Chicago organization, Perry Mandera shapes positive opportunities for local children dealing with neglect, abuse, and limited financial resources. The Walter and Connie Payton Foundation organizes a number of initiatives to assist these children in various parts of their lives, from education to holidays. The Annual Holiday Giving Program, an event that draws widespread community participation each year, brings schools, workplaces, and spiritual institutions together in the spirit of giving. The foundation sustains a close affiliation with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and effectively brightens the celebrations of more than 16,000 children each season with toys and gifts they might not receive due to limited family incomes. Additionally, the foundation supervises the widely successful Back-to-School Supply Drive. Each summer, the non-profit encourages community members to fill a backpack with items including pencils, notebooks, colored pencils, glue sticks, post it notes, markers, rulers, and folders. These and other goods afford children coping with economic disadvantages to build a platform for dedicated studies and prosperous futures. Other opportunities to support these children include fundraiser marathons and diaper drives. With the help of Mandera and other community members, the charity continues to stand for the youths that need it most.