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.