Category Archives: Causes

Women role models, World travel, and Weighty lessons

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An American Girl

Did I really need to wear a shoelace necklace?

As a young girl, my mom told me that I could do anything and be anything–and I believed her. I took the classes I wanted, played the sports I wanted, and wore what I wanted (much to the dismay of my future self as I look back now on old photos).

Today, as a woman in the workplace, I have yet to experience the glass ceiling or to be slighted because of my gender. The fact that I have not thought much about my “role as a woman” outside of suffragette history lessons or worried that my salary may never reach the level of a male counterpart shows I live in a country which boasts an (arguably) equal and open playing field.

Planting a Seed

Growing up, I looked to my Great Aunt Charlotte as our family matriarch: a strong woman with outspoken ideals about human and animal rights and global politics. A woman who never followed the pack.  I especially admired her sacred travel room. Floor to ceiling bookshelves were full of worldly trinkets, endless photo albums, and vials of sand from exotic beaches and terrains like the Galapagos Islands, Fiji, the Italian seaboard and more.  Each piece had a story from a different time and place, both intriguing and inspiring.

Setting Sail

With the  travel bug rooted in my genes and dreams, I gathered the funds and support to study abroad with Semester at Sea for my last semester of college. Along with 700 other students from around the US, I took classes on the MV Explorer and docked in cities around the globe. We traveled from the Bahamas and Brazil, around the southern tip of Africa, to various ports in Asia, and back to California for more than three months of compounding culture shock.

The MV Explorer

Photo Credit: Micah Diamond

A Global Education

Our weeks at sea were spent learning about the countries we would visit – their history, politics, language, art and music, and cultural nuances. Each professor would give us assignments that involved interacting with the people, visiting sites of cultural or historical relevance, and observing daily life through the lens of a particular subject matter. My human sexuality class not only discussed anatomy and relationships, but also delved into gender roles: specifically, how women in society differed from country to country and in various contexts.

  • In Brazil, to the sounds and colors of Carnival, women wear revealing clothing with confidence and empowerment.
  • Women in South Africa wear bright colors and walk tall with heavy loads on their heads and backs, standing proud amidst a painful history of apartheid.
  • In Malaysia, Muslim women wear hijabs, which inspired me and my friends to cautiously cover up in sleeved tops and long bottoms so we didn’t inadvertently offend any passerby.
  • In India, women ride behind their men on the back of motorcycles. Despite the sweltering heat, they drape themselves in traditional sarees and adorn their forehead with a glittering bindi while males almost exclusively sport ‘western’ clothing.  The vast difference in gender freedom echoes a long history of practices like arranged marriages and class pyramids.
  • In Cambodia, women fill massage parlors, will walk on your back or provide “happy endings.” A not-so-subtle reminder of the sex trade and horror stories about trafficking through Thailand, Myanmar and other parts of Asia.Tokyo-Japan
  • In Japan, young, almost cartoon-like harajuku girls contrast the rural/traditional idea of Japanese modesty with their miniscule skirts and tall stockings. My friends and I were turned away from a “pod hotel” reserved only for businessmen and we were gazed upon with disapproval as we reserved a room in a hotel normally intended for extramarital affairs.

In class, we watched a graphic documentary about female genital mutilation that still occurs in many countries in Africa, and learned about the staggering ways and alarming rate at which HIV continues to spread. Visiting a clinic in a township in South Africa, where the HIV rate was 12% of the population, was emotional and eye opening.

Bringing it Home

After visiting each port, I would write back home to my family about the experiences I had and the cultural extremes I witnessed. My Aunt Charlotte would respond with stories about traveling as a woman in the 1950s and 60s and give me her ongoing and entertaining political commentary.

Unfortunately, Aunt Charlotte passed away soon after I returned from my travels, but her life taught me to explore all that you can and to give back as much as you can. At her funeral, loved ones were asked to donate to her favorite charities in lieu of flowers. She continued to inspire even as she departed.

Life Lessons and Paying it Forward

Through the strong women in my life, messages of empowerment, and the gift of travel, I have an unwavering appreciation for my rights as a woman: to my own body, to vote, to dress how I like, to practice any or no religion, to work in nearly any profession, and to travel as I please. Not only am I thankful for being American (despite any shortcomings as a country), but also for the generation I was born into and the opportunities available to me.

It is my hope – with care, persistence and generosity – that other women around the globe may someday have the same experiences and freedoms that I enjoy. And through our time, our charity, our advocacy, we can help make it a reality! As a proud young American woman, I can’t think of any greater legacy.

Author: Michelle Koffler

Planting trees with money?

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The old adage says, “money doesn’t grow on trees.” We all learned that the hard way and the new question for today’s generation is: “How do we make trees grow with money?”

Over the past couple years the environment has jumped to the top of the list of global concerns along with world hunger, HIV/AIDS and more. Whether you believe in global warming, have watched the Story of Stuff or Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth”, you know that oil is a finite resource, the global population is growing, there are less and less places to put our ever-surmounting piles of waste, and the ozone is impacted by our daily emissions.

Not to be a downer…

On the bright side, people are actively taking steps in their everyday lives by turning their Starbuck’s cups into compost and recycling (or better yet bringing a thermos), shutting off the water while they brush their pearly whites, using energy-saving light bulbs (or better still, turning off AND unplugging) and taking public transportation or riding bikes to work. But what about the larger environmental campaigns? How do we make the most out of our efforts and raise a savvier generation?

1. Make your home energy efficient. Close up gaps and cracks in your home where heated or cooled air might leak out, insulate, change your lighting, upgrade with the most efficient appliances when they need upgrading, increase your thermostat a few degrees in summer and decrease it in winter. You might spend some money on the efficiency upgrades, but all of these will eventually pay you back, since you’re actually decreasing the amount of energy that needs to be generated.

2. Support green energy alternatives. You can do this by purchasing accredited green energy from your utility company or by investing in on-site renewable generation via solar PV panels, solar hot water, heat pumps, etc. Make sure your home or business is well suited to this. If not, see #3.

3. Offset. Fully assess your lifestyle and where you can’t reduce your usage (like that vacation flight this summer!) or switch to green energy, purchase certified offsets for your remaining carbon footprint. Visit Carbonfund.org to learn more.

4. Educate. Support organizations that educate the public about climate change and which lobby the government to make a positive change.  The problem is GLOBAL and while many individual actions can make a big impact, doing it “silently” can mean you end up working against yourself.  Advocate if you can or want – but if you don’t, support leaders who can and do. Tell your children about the things you do every day to protect their earth. Teach them your good habits and explain why it makes a difference.

Read and listen to the latest news and to continue educating yourself as well. There’s something new to learn everyday about how we can be a part of the solution.

Author: Michelle Koffler

Summer of Fun, Sun, & Giving Back!

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School is almost out, kids can’t wait to enjoy their summer vacation, and it’s time for parents to figure out how to keep them entertained! It is great to encourage our children to be outdoors and active all year ‘round, but during the summer months especially when the sun is shining and the days are long. There are many organizations to choose from that help us find ways to do just that and offer a variety of interactive classes, camps, and full summer programs.

As a kid I went to camps through my local YMCA, an organization that strives to strengthen local communities. The Y works side-by-side with neighbors to give everyone the opportunity regardless of age, income or background, to learn, grow and thrive. I remember singing Y-camp songs on the bus up to the lake for swimming and hiking in our local national park. There were also barbeques with plenty of hot dogs – very exciting for a 10 year old!  Most YMCA locations still offer both summer and year-round programs for campers of all ages including a variety of activities from games, sports and art, to science experiments and cooking. This year I enrolled my 3 year old in swimming lessons. She looks forward to seeing her teacher every day and jumping in the pool with her green floaties.

JustGive’s Founder and Executive Director, Kendall Webb, participates in the Fresh Air Fund programs each summer with her family:

“For the past 2 summers, we have had the opportunity to host an amazing girl named Kayla, now 10, through the Fresh Air Fund. Fresh Air’s programs give New York City children a chance to live outside their low-income communities and experience many special new activities, sports and opportunities they might not otherwise enjoy. The program lets children get to know themselves through personal challenges of culture, food, and communication—and gain personal confidence, providing life-long growth for both the child and host family. Kayla has brought the gift of open-mindedness, patience and humor to me. I have given the experience of bike riding, swimming, blueberry picking and walking on grass barefoot to her. Kayla came to us a visitor but is now an integral part of our family. We are so excited to have her spend time with us again this summer for the third year. I hope more families will consider hosting through the Fresh Air Fund….there is a lot to learn as a host family. We opened up our home, but Kayla has opened up our hearts.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are several other great organizations with summer programs to check out for yourself. Many offer life-changing opportunities to children throughout the year:

  • Girls Inc is a nonprofit organization that inspires and empowers all girls to be strong, smart, and bold and to reach their full potential while asserting their rights.  Girl Power!
  • Soccer Without Borders runs community-led, year-round youth development programs in under-served areas. Soccer provides these youth with an avenue for positive interaction, personal growth, and a brighter future.
  • Drawbridge is an expressive arts program for homeless and formerly homeless youth that provides a supportive community and a place to foster creativity.
  • Camp Good Days is dedicated to improving the lives of children and their families who have been touched by cancer through summer camping experiences.

Support these innovative youth organizations by starting a recurring monthly donation today!

What are your best tips and summer activities? Take a few minutes to jot a note on Facebook—share what works for you while making life just a little easier for someone else. You can help them enjoy the summer even more!

JustGive
Marketing Team

Our veterans deserve our thanks and support

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According to MilitaryReporter.Net, the United States is home to more than 22 million veterans. This Memorial Day show your support, not only for our military currently fighting overseas and those that gave their lives, but also for our veterans at home as well.

Their changing needs

Nearly one in all 10 veterans has served in our Armed Forces since September 2001, and these veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have different needs than veterans of the wars in Korea and Vietnam. Most are men and women in their 20s and 30s who are just starting families and trying to find employment in a tough economy.

Many veteran assistance organizations are struggling to survive when the services they offer aren’t meeting the needs or being used by vets today. Thankfully, some organizations are finding new ways to reach out and assist today’s veterans. Retired U.S. Air Force Major, Dorian de Wind, writes about how the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) organization is responding to the issue in his Huffington Post article:

“VFW posts are often times viewed as smoke-filled ‘watering holes’ where a bunch of old guys sit around drinking beer, playing bingo and telling war stories.” Members of the VFW Post 4443 in Texas want to be “a safe haven for returning veterans…a place where they can enjoy the quiet peace and tranquility needed for them to find themselves…a place where they can bring their families and enjoy the swimming pool, quiet game rooms, picnic and BBQ areas.”

NPR News addressed the same topic with Robert Siegel on All Things Considered. They talked about a relatively new organization located in Milwaukee, Dryhootch, whose motto is “helping the veteran and their family who survived the war, survive the peace.” It started as a coffee house where veterans can re-connect and find the support they need without feeling forced to commit to a VA program or using alcohol or other substances to fill a void. Dryhootch offers peer-to-peer support to veterans of all eras. They also have an online community and resources—offering services in other ways that may make new veterans feel more comfortable receiving help, advice, or counseling.

Organizations helping veterans

There are many great organizations working to provide veterans with the support they need. A few I’d like to mention:

  • The Wounded Warrior Project offers numerous resources for veterans—advocacy, counseling, family support, peer mentoring, and work programs. Their Combat Stress Recovery Program addresses the mental health needs of recently-returned soldiers, providing them with the tools to recognize what they are going through and helping them understand how to deal with it.
  • Soldier Ride gives returned soldiers a way to “reclaim their confidence and strength through the exhilaration of cycling.” The focus of the ride is to give wounded soldiers a way to empower themselves and improve their physical and mental health.
  • The Warriors to Work program helps veterans figure out how to use their military skills to enter the civilian workforce. They also educate employers on the benefits of hiring veterans as well as fight common misconceptions about veterans.

This Memorial Day, why not make it a point to help a veteran’s organization continue to offer necessary services by starting a monthly recurring donation to one of these organizations? We enjoy the freedom they have fought to give us—and they deserve our thanks and support. I think we owe them that.

Do you have a special way to honor and support those who have served? Share it with us on Facebook and let’s get others on board too!

Marketing Assistant, Julia Hughes

A Gift from the Heart

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Mother’s Day is a time when we look at the mothers in our life, appreciate all that they do for us, and try to give something back to them.

Turning 30 this year made me realize I have been giving funny little gifts to my mother and grandmother over the years. Not only is it hard to think up new gifts to buy them, but I find they no longer need or want things. They already have too much stuff as it is.  As a mother of a three year old, I also think about what I would really want from her on Mother’s Day.  Although it sounds cliché, a drawing or something that she makes for me—from her heart—would make me the happiest.

I’m older . . . and crayon masterpieces for my grandma or mom don’t quite cut it. Then there’s the flower option: Most women (including me) love receiving flowers. They brighten up your living space and are a nice treat. But for me, they’re not quite enough. So I’ve found another way to honor the special women in my life – with a gift that’s a bit more personal, from my heart.

My Grandma was a wonderful elementary school teacher for many years, so I made a donation in her name to DonorsChoose.org — a great organization that helps teachers raise money for special projects or classroom materials that they need. Since she doesn’t really like to use computers, I didn’t want her to have to go online and search for a project or an organization. So I printed the donation confirmation to enclose in a special card with the flowers I’ll give her, letting her know how I am honoring her on Mother’s Day.

I wanted to do the same thing for my mom. She supports organizations that protect the environment, and gives to local food banks and rescue missions. The arts and public education are also important to her. And I wasn’t sure which organization to donate to: What would she appreciate the most this year? So I decided to give her a charity gift card with a bouquet of flowers. Letting her make the choice. She can go to JustGive.org and find the charity (or charities) she wants to support right now…there are more than a million on the site. And I’ll know that her donation will make a difference for a cause that is both meaningful and personally close to her heart!

This Mother’s Day, consider a charity gift collection that gives back and says thank you from your heart—donating to a cause that’s special to your mother’s (or grandmothers, or wife’s, or…you get the point) heart!

If you’d like to honor all she’s done in a bigger way, all year round – make it a monthly recurring donation.

Enjoy a very special Happy Mother’s Day!

Marketing Assistant, Julia Hughes

For me, for you – One action at a time for our planet

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April 22 is Earth Day—a great time to think about our impact on the planet. I find myself considering what I already do to help, and trying to figure out what else I can do. The Bay Area has great recycling and compost programs. I already recycle paper goods, plastic, metal and glass. Green waste is picked up weekly with garbage and recycling. These options really cut down the amount of waste going into our landfills.

JustGive has waste, recycling and compost bins in our office. So I always try to make sure and put everything in the correct waste bin! I take the casual carpool to work to do my part to cut down on car emissions. When the carpool isn’t available, I take public transportation—the bus or BART. I shop at the farmer’s market to support local business and the environment. I bring lunch to work in re-usable containers so there isn’t trash each time I have a meal. It’s the little things I do every day—and that we can all do—that will sustain the planet. Each action makes a difference.

Even with all the easy changes I’ve already made I feel like there must be more I can do to keep the Earth healthy. Where do I get ideas about what else I can do? I can start with one of f several organizations I found that are working to save the planet:

  • Earth Day Network works to secure a health future for all of us, addressing many different aspects of environment—how the environment affects our health, greening deteriorated schools, green jobs, and activism to stop pollution.
  • National Arbor Day Foundation helps teach children and families about connecting with nature. For a small $10 membership, you plant 10 trees in our nation’s forests or get 10 trees you can plant in your yard or share with someone else. They also have many online resources available I can use with my daughter when we go exploring the great outdoors.
  • Supporting local organic farming is a great eco-consciously way to live “greener.” Find a farm in your area like Shooting Star CSA and sign up for their weekly vegetable boxes. Join me and support organic farming by shopping your local Farmer’s Market or grocery stores that carry local farms’ produce.
  • The United States Environmental Protection Agency has some tools to discover more things we can do to protect the environment. Their international program, Pick Five for the Environment, encourages each of us to choose 5 ideas and begin to take action. My thought was: Why not choose 10 or 15?

Earth Day San Francisco is the biggest Earth Day event in the Bay Area. It is a free public event to help community members learn about local and global eco-solutions. The event features an alternative vehicle exhibit, a youth eco zone, green films, eco fashion, organic food and beverages, holistic wellness choices and much more!

This month, there are many events going on around the word to protect the environment—easily check out the events in your area online!

Every change we make in our lives helps create a smaller footprint on the planet. Make a difference today by supporting organizations that work to protect our environment. When you donate, consider checking the box to make it a monthly recurring gift and walk the green talk year round!

Julia Hughes, Marketing Assistant

Has your life been touched by autism?

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(Updated March 2012)

When I was earning my teaching credential six years ago, I was struck by how unprepared schools were to handle students with special needs. A classmate of mine began teaching middle school science, and in her first year she had three students diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome (an autism disorder). There was no help for her to teach, create or modify lesson plans based on the individual learning needs of those in her class.

My neighbor, Shona, also has a two-year-old son who has been diagnosed, and through conversations with her, I’ve found myself more aware of autism. I’m now asking questions about what it means to have an autistic child and talking about how we support autistic children, their families, and educators in the United States.

According to this story in CBS News, I’m not the only one. Greater awareness and broader definitions of autism have resulted in 1 in every 110 children—and 1 in 70 boys—being diagnosed. Even with increased awareness, it appears that teachers and families alike aren’t quite sure how to adapt and do what’s best for an autistic child on a day-to-day basis. I’ve learned a lot from Shona about autism, and discovered that better understanding it starts with education and resources.

A few valuable resources

Autism Speaks is a great organization that helps parents and teachers recognize signs of autism. The website explains different treatments for autism, provides a place for parents to give and receive support, and offers ways to learn more about the special gift their child has. Their approach focuses on the positive benefits of autism and how to embrace it.

On April 2, buildings all over the world are participating in Autism Speaks “Light It Up Blue” campaign to kick off Autism Awareness Month. Celebrating World Autism Awareness Day on that Monday is helping shine a light on autism as a growing global health concern.

Autism Inspiration helps parents and educators to better understand different learning styles for children with autism. The charity provides tools and activities for both the classroom and in the home. My neighbor Shona said it helped her to understand what’s happening on the more difficult days, and to know how to get through them.

Research underway

  • The Autism Society of America provides the latest information in research and advocacy.
  • The Environmental Health Initiative shows how environmental toxins are contributing to the rise in autism.
  • The Treatment Guided Research Initiative to looks at how people respond to different treatments–from changes in diet, medical treatments, educational, as well as behavioral and therapeutic interventions.
  • Biomedical intervention is one of the treatment methods proven to work for children with autism.
  • And Generation Rescue, founded by Jenny McCarthy, is an international movement researching the causes and treatments for autism and connecting thousands of families in recovering their children.

This short video “Autism Yesterday” Autism is Reversible, from JB Handley features families speaking about this method and how it has helped their autistic children.


Want to make a difference?  In honor of this month of awareness, make a donation today to an Autism Research or Resource organization.

Have you been touched by autism? Share  your story with us on Facebook.

Julia Hughes, Marketing Assistant

Give now to help Japan’s survivors

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Living on the West Coast where earthquakes are a normal part of growing up, I imagine what it would be like if the disaster that struck Japan happened here. What if I was separated from my family and had no way to know what’s going on, no way to communicate, and was alone and lost?  As a mother, I immediately know how desperate I’d feel if I was separated from my little girl. How would I find her? How would I know she is ok?

Although we don’t know how many areas have access to the Internet in the coastal areas hit by the tsunami, Google’s Person Finder: 2011 Japan Earthquake is helping find missing people. So is the Family Links website from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Watching updates from international news programs, I noticed Brazil has the second largest population of Japanese people outside of Japan.  There are thousands of people there without any news or contact from their Japanese friends and family.  So Person Finder and the ICRC site are helping people all over the world – who are relieved to know their loved ones are safe, even if they can’t yet speak or connect in any other way. I’m thankful that technology can at least ease minds across the oceans in its own small way.

Staggering disaster damage

Although Japan was well prepared for an earthquake, there was “next to nothing” the country could do to prepare for the magnitude of destruction this earthquake and tsunami caused.

The number of people affected is hard to fathom. The most recent disaster figures from Reuters say that more than 440,000 people have been evacuated. Over 850,000 households are still without electricity in near-freezing weather—and at least 1.5 million households don’t have running water. According to CNN over 8,200 people are confirmed dead and sadly, at least 13,000 more missing.

The earthquake and tsunami have taken an unknown toll on family pets and animals too – leaving many four-legged friends injured or abandoned who need rescuing.

Rescue and relief help

This is a time when the people of Japan need help from every resource and every donation that we can give. Despite an ever-growing death toll, there is some hope. Teams like the Los Angeles County Fire urban search and rescue teams are in Japan right now offering their skills to find survivors. And the story and photo of this four-month-old girl who had been separated from her parents for three days and was saved by the Japanese Defense Force touches our hearts.

Save the Children estimates at least 100,000 children have been affected by the disasters; many who have suffered profound losses. They are working to bring a sense of normality back into these children’s lives.  Direct Relief International has worked with the Japanese American Citizens League to provided $400,000 that was sent to Association for Aid and Relief Japan (AAR Japan), a 31-year-old leading Japanese nonprofit organization.  This donation allows AAR Japan to continue its relief efforts, which are focused on persons with disabilities and elderly persons affected by the disaster.  They have teams providing essential nonfood and food supplies.

Welfare groups are scrambling to rescue helpless animals. Access to affected areas makes the job more challenging, and it’s another urgent need to help cold, hungry and injured animals or give shelter to those being left behind. Many rescue and animal care organizations are working to make a difference, including: International Fund for Animal Welfare, Inc. and the Humane Society of the United States.   This video from GlobalAnimal.org shows a dog bringing help to an injured friend, a glimpse of compassion in the midst of tragedy.

It is hard to know what you can do to help at a time like this. But thankfully—just like it does for people searches—today’s technology makes it easy to donate and help when the Japan victims need it the most.  And more than ever, I trust organizations that have experience and success in disaster recovery. JustGive has set up a special page that lists relief and aid groups working to help the Japanese people begin the long road to recovery.

Donate now and provide hope to people who have lost everything, including loved ones. Your generosity could mean one more hot meal, one more tent, one more survivor found.

And pass the word along to friends and family so they can give too.

Julia Hughes, Marketing Assistant

Good food, good health, good life

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March is National Nutrition Month, a perfect time to talk about eating right and staying active for a lifetime of good health.

Growing up doing ballet, I often worried about my weight affecting my dancing career. Ballet involves plenty of physical exercise, but, like most teens, I struggled with choosing healthy foods.   With the pressure to stay thin I needed balance – staying in shape without developing an eating disorder or unhealthy body image. Thankfully, I was surrounded by people that held health above any number on the scale or costume size. If you or someone you know is struggling with weight or body image, the National Eating Disorder Association is a great resource.

Everyday challenges

After college I grew interested in other forms of dance. When the rigorous ballet training ended, I had to re-evaluate how to stay in shape, healthy and happy with myself.  Now, as a mother of a three year-old, it’s a struggle to find that balance in my life.  How can I find time to exercise? How do I create healthy balanced meals for myself and my family? How can I resist the brownies and cheesecake we all bring into work?  Most importantly, how do I instill the values of good nutrition in a toddler? It is wonderful to see that already so young, she enjoys exercise – dancing, riding a bike, running around outside, capoeira (a Brazilian art form that combines elements of martial arts, sports, and music) and much more.

How do I get her to eat the vegetables instead of the french fries? Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic – According to KidsHealth.org, 1 out of 3 kids in the United States are considered overweight.  It’s clear today’s youth need help finding a balance of activity and nutrition to become healthy adults. Especially with the popularity of electronic toys and videos.

Charities and the First Lady’s initiative help with nutrition, physical fitness and aging

Thankfully, there are many charities that promote youth sports and recreation. The American Heart Association is urging Congress to pass the FIT kids Act, prioritizing physical education in schools. The Healthier US School Challenge is a key component of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative to end childhood obesity within a generation. Schools participating in the challenge voluntarily adopt USDA standards for food they serve at their schools, and agree to provide nutrition education and provide opportunities for physical activity.

Bringing this focus to my own family, Meal Makeover Moms is a great resource I’ve found for healthy meals that even my daughter will love.

As I get a handle on health and nutrition for my family, I’m looking to the future. I want to live a long time to watch my daughter grow up, so I’m also learning how to prevent health problems affecting women as we age: Osteoporosis, Heart Disease, Breast and Ovarian Cancer, just to name a few. Thankfully, organizations like the YWCA, International Women’s Health Coalition, and many other local and national charities with a mission to improve the health of women are available to help me with this.

I hope that by eating healthy and exercising regularly, I set a good example for my family to stay in shape–healthy and happy for a long time to come.

What’s your best tip for healthy family meals? Any special “tricks” for getting your kids to eat more vegetables? Or a great resource (online or cookbook) or charity that’s really helped you? We’d love to hear and share it! Tell us about it on Facebook and Twitter.

Julia Hughes
Customer Service Manager

Celebrity and Everyday Giving

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Last December, Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds played for a sold out crowd at McCaw Hall in Seattle, WA. What made this concert different? For each ticket purchased, fans received a $150 “credit” to give to the charity of their choice—and could select one and conveniently donate to any of nearly 1.8 million charities on JustGive.

Over two nights, the concerts raised one million dollars for charity. In this Seattle Times article, Matthews said “The point is the act of giving and making the process available. I think it may make people feel a certain amount of power to see the ease of how you can give.”

Where did the money go? St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital was the top charity, receiving nearly $15,000 from 55 fans. University Cooperative School ($13,777) and Humane Society of King County ($13,024) were also popular choices.

Charities focused on health, education and animals made up the largest percentage. Local organizations were a big focus with donations to Buddhist Peace Fellowship, Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital, Pacific Northwest Ballet Association and many, many more—with more than 1,500 charities receiving gifts from Dave and Tim fans.

This new twist on giving was designed to inspire musical fans to give—and it came from a commitment to help others. While Dave Matthews has raised money for particular tragedies and causes in the past (Haiti, Hurricane Katrina), this was a creative way to engage donors for broader social benefit. Matthews commented about the impact even a few donations can make, saying, “If $1,000 goes to a small SPCA that makes a big difference.”

Other celebrities in the spotlight for giving back:

-         Paul Newman became a household name as an award-winning actor, and is well known for created a legacy with his commitment to philanthropy. In the early 80’s he founded Newman’s Own, one of the first food companies to use only natural products. Net profits and royalties from the company—over $300 million to date—have been donated to charities in all 50 states and 31 countries.

-         Barbara Streisand recently endowed $5 million for The Barbra Streisand Women’s Cardiovascular Research and Education Program at Cedars-Sinai. At the dedication ceremony she remarked, “Many people still think heart disease is just a man’s disease, but in fact, it’s the number one killer of women in America.  That’s why it’s so important that women empower themselves and get educated about female cardiovascular disease.”

While many celebrities give back, Matthews approach was the first of its kind allowing fans to determine the charities to receive money. This is our hallmark at JustGive—to make it as easy as possible for you to find, select and support your charities of choice (whether you’re making a donation or purchasing a GiveNow charity gift card).

 

Everyday Philanthropy

Even without the celebrity-sized bank account, we can all become everyday philanthropists. JustGive staff member, Marina, shared her niece’s recent inspiring story. For her Bat Mitzvah, 12-year-old Augusta created the Pillow Project. She recruited crafty people to create ring pillows, then auctioned them off online for charity. She raised nearly $3,000 for American Foundation for Equal Rights, to fight same-sex couple’s right to marry.

That’s just one creative, everyday way to give … What’s yours? We’d love to hear! A charitable registry for your wedding? A donation for your Mom’s birthday to a charity that holds special meaning? Requesting donations for your birthday as gifts? A monthly donation made to help a needy charity in your community? Share your story with us on Facebook and Twitter. Together, we’ll inspire others.

Then help us spread the word about everyday philanthropy. And let’s get the giving going!