The Good Teenagers

Posted on
By M. MarksPosted In: EducationTagged: , , ,

Supporting Educational Programs for Kids

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

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

Math Club Mission

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

The Sutton Trust Launches Yale Summer School Program for Underprivileged Teens

Posted on
By DouglasPosted In: EducationTagged: , , , ,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Students Feeding Each Other?

Posted on
By M. MarksPosted In: PovertyTagged: , , ,

 

Students at Middle Tennessee colleges recognized hunger amongst their peers and decided to do something about it. They opened up food pantries so that students would no longer go hungry.  Thus today, Austin Peay State and Tennessee State facilities are able to offer free food and toiletries for students encountering temporary difficulties due to economic uncertainty and inflation.  Canned foods and cereals are being given to them to try to supplement their lacking diet.

Save Our Students

The project all began when students at Austin Peay discovered some students were attending classes hungry. They thus took matters into their own hands and started a social work graduate class project.  The next step was to work in conjunction with the university, launching the “Save Our Students” food pantry, providing students with enough food for about three days.

One of the issues that has led to students reaching the poverty line and going hungry, is that parents who would otherwise have supported their children more financially, are losing jobs and homes and simply cannot afford to do so anymore.  So for those not eligible to receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or food stamps, for various reasons, this is the solution.

Pay It Forward?

Simultaneously, moving over to the University of Central Missouri, business students are providing local day cares and preschools with backpacks of food.  This began when the Early Childhood Hunger Operation during the 2011 fall semester was adopted by one of the classes.  In Warrensburg, $930 and over 50 backpacks of food to children in the area was donated by the ECHO project that sprung out of a UCM class. It is still in operation and going well.  This began with business students and social workers joining forces to find out what was needed.  They saw the kids come for a morning snack who were stuffing themselves, clearly because they were starving.  Thus it was deemed necessary to engage in this project.

Students Hunger Strike

And then there are the students globally who are being educated on hunger issues and taking it upon themselves to “go hungry – so others don’t have to.”  They are being educated on what is going on with the world’s hungry – 925 million people who are not getting enough sustenance daily with around 11,000 children under the age of 5 dying due to hunger.

So, in response to this, many students “do the Famine,” not eating for 30 hours so that they can feel what it is like to be hungry. Thereafter they raise funds to help hungry families around the world. Every $30 raised by each group can help feed and care for a child for a month. Powered by World Vision, The Famine is not just feeding kids for today — it is giving them the opportunity to beat hunger for a lifetime.

Let’s hope the Famine doesn’t come to students in America – without them campaigning against it in third world countries – and that caring individuals in western world countries take action today to ensure this doesn’t happen.

Getting Glasses to Kids

Posted on
By M. MarksPosted In: Childrens CharitiesTagged: , , ,

 

The Specsavers Opticas chain recently announced that their Javea and Calpe stores will be supporting various different charitable endeavors in 2012, including Caritas, EMAUS and The Lions Club. 

The Lions Club

It will be able to help those who cannot afford glasses by collecting second-hand glasses for The Lions Club.  As it is, these branches of Specsavers Opticas already offers people the opportunity to drop off second hand glasses. But this new campaign will be encouraging more people to join this so that second-hand glasses in good condition don’t go to waste.

Caritas

Caritas supports needy families and individuals around the world who don’t have access to life’s basics like food, clothing and shelter.  One recent example of its work was when it was asked to help a boy who needed glasses so badly, he couldn’t even perform well at school.  So it made contact with Specsavers Javea which was pleased to provide assistance to the boy without charging the family a dime. 

EMAUS

Specsavers Opticas has also been supporting EMAUS Children’s Home in Altea by giving the kids living there who need them, glasses. Again, like its work at Caritas, it enables poor-sighted children who live there to be able to live a higher quality of life by significantly improving their sight with the use of glasses, something people without poverty issues don’t even think about.

Tesco and the RSPB Launch ‘Together for Trees’

Posted on
By DouglasPosted In: Animals and NatureTagged: , , , , , , ,

The RSPB, the biggest wildlife conservation organization in Europe, recently teamed up with Tesco in a project aimed at protecting rainforests across the globe, Together for Trees. The initiative aims to promote awareness and raise funds to support tropical rainforests as well as local conservation work in their areas.

As part of the new campaign, Tesco hopes to inspire donations from both customers and corporations. The RSPB and Tesco hope to raise more than one million euro for Together for Trees throughout 2012.

According to the project, soccer-field-sized patches of rainforest are cleared every four seconds. This is one of the largest causes of climate change, as more and more carbon dioxide is released into the earth’s atmosphere.

The planet’s rainforests are home to more than a third or earth’s wildlife (excluding marine animals, of course), while three-quarters of endangered bird species make their habitats there too. Over one billion of the world’s impoverished people rely on the rainforests for survival as well. The RSPB’s rainforest projects include Harapan Rainforest in Indonesia, West Africa’s Gola Rainforest and Centre Hills National Park.

Tesco shoppers will have the option of donating their green Clubcard points or Clubcard vouchers , as well as donating money directly to the RSPB. 75,000 euro will also be given to the organization from the sale of Together for Trees reusable bags, while funds raised through the Welsh carrier bag charge will also be donated to the RSPB efforts.

Tesco is also increasing its efforts to improve its environmental conscience, and highly recommends that other companies do the same. The retailer has pledged to continue “helping our customers make greener choices.”

Tesco’s Ruth Girardet said “Our aim is to create more sustainable ways of doing business and we have been working hard to reduce our own emissions. But as a leading retailer we also have a great opportunity to engage our customers to help protect our environment.”

Martin Harper of RSPB added “Rainforests are amazing places and saving them has never been more urgent- huge areas continue to disappear at an alarming rate. Current efforts to try and prevent the loss of these special places are not enough.”

 

UK Health Charities to Get Cash Injection

Posted on
By M. MarksPosted In: PovertyTagged: , ,

 

The Benenden Healthcare Society

In 2012, the Benenden Healthcare Society will be giving large amounts of money to two valuable charities in the UK: actionforchildren.org.uk”>Action for Children which “supports and speaks out for the UK's most vulnerable and neglected children and young people, for as long as it takes to make a difference in their lives…” and Yorkshire Air Ambulance (an independent charity providing a life saving rapid response emergency service to 5 million people across Yorkshire). 

It is hoping substantial monies will be raised for these two charities since in 2011, a new fundraising method was put in place which resulted in more than £3000 to be split amongst the two chosen charities of that year.  The hope for 2012 is that even more money will be raised.

How Beneden Healthcare Works

Benenden Healthcare raises funds to provide “affordable mutual healthcare to employees of the public sector as well as their friends and family.”  It is a complimentary service to the UK’s National Health Service that is totally overwhelmed by offering free healthcare to all UK citizens.  When one therefore ends up needing additional care, Benenden Healthcare is the solution.  The way it works is that employees are able to select the charities democratically – and these will be the ones which will benefit from the Society’s fundraising for this year.  So why these two?  What do they do?  How are they helping UK citizens in the field of health? Let’s take a look.

Action for Children

Clearly, this worthy charitable endeavor has exerted extreme efforts to bring smiles to the faces of many kids.  Just one recent example is the case of a 10-year-old sports fanatic who has been given the opportunity to walk out onto the Wembley football pitch next week.  He will be escorting one of the football players – no doubt his hero – during the England Vs Holland game.

How did Action for Children arrange this?  The young lads – 10-year-old Trey Jennings (who has undergone various obstacles with his family) and Luke Stevenson (who has Aspergers Syndrome) – had their names pulled out of a hat in a cool idea set up by  the charity with the help of the FA and the Kirklees Family Intervention Project. It seems a lot of people want to help those who are less well-off than ourselves, and giving to kids in this way will sure render a lot of smiles when they get to do something they only dreamed about.  Clearly, Action for Children makes a real difference in the life of vulnerable kids.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance

Moving over to the other chosen charity, this organization provides a crucial  service to Yorkshire – ambulances – but cannot manage without huge cash injections since it relies on outside funds from the kindness of others to keep it in operation.  

It’s bad enough that it doesn’t get adequate financing from the government for its venture, but recently, the organization has had to start a new battle with the authorities: to get a VAT rebate on all the fuel they use.  Thankfully one resident, Ken Sharpe, is on the case and has to date, collected close to 4,000 signatures for his e-petition against this.  In all fairness though to the British government, it doesn’t have all that much control over this since it is being bamboozled by EU legislation which doesn’t give individual countries under its auspices the power to extend VAT zero rates to any kind of charitable organizations.  But now enough noise has been made and in the Houses of Parliament, one active MP, Mr. Bayley tabled an Early Day Motion to get grants to over the fuel VAT.  Not surprisingly, from all parties the motion won huge amounts of support, crossing party lines.  As he said, “I hope the Chancellor will agree to return the VAT which Yorkshire Air Ambulance pays, so that the service receives the same benefit as the lifeboat service.”

At least if this goes through then Yorkshire Air Ambulance will be able to use the funds it will be receiving from Benenden Healthcare for other expenses, rather than wasting it on bills it shouldn’t need to be paying.

 

Kinerase’s ‘Change Your Skin, Change Your Life’ Donates to HealthyWomen

Posted on
By DouglasPosted In: HealthTagged: , , , ,

Last year, skincare product company Kinerase launched a new “Change Your Skin, Change Your Life” campaign, which entails quarterly donations to four charities every year. Each quarter, 20% of sales proceeds from a specific Kinerase product are donated.

This year marks the company’s second campaign, and the first quarter’s contribution will go to HealthyWomen in recognition of American Heart Month. HealthyWomen’s organization works to promote awareness as well as empower women to make educated and practical health decisions. 20% of the proceeds from Kinerase C8 Peptide Intensive Treatment will be given to the program this month.

“’Change Your Skin, Change Your Life’ is not just about bringing the consumer closer to our brand but also drawing attention to the HealthyWomen campaign,” explained Jill Wittenberg of Valeant Pharmaceuticals, the parent company of Kinerase. “We chose HealthyWomen because it shares our goal of keeping women healthy from the inside out. While Kinerase helps protect the outside, HealthyWomen encourages women to protect the inside by giving them the necessary tools to lead healthy lifestyles. Starting with protecting their skin, a simple purchase enables consumers to help protect the lives of women.”

The three remaining charities for the campaign will be announced throughout the year.

Singing For Our Boys

Posted on
By M. MarksPosted In: MilitaryTagged: ,

 

 

There hasn’t been a charity hit like it in over 15 years and it ranked as the fastest-selling single since 2008.  So who did it and what did they sing? The Military Wives sang “Wherever You Are” and it must have really hit home because over £500, 000 was raised for military charities throughout the UK. 

The amount raised even shocked the 100-piece group that came together to form this winning combination following a British TV show called ‘The Choir.’ Along with help from professional choirmaster Gareth Malone, they worked hard and won the fight against Little Mix’s rendition of Damien Rice’s Cannonball to the Christmas.

Up In Lights

Last night, the song – comprised of wives of soldiers living in Plymouth, UK – was shortlisted in the ‘British Single’ category at London’s 02 Arena Brit Awards. Mingling with stars such as One Direction, Adele and Jessie J., The Military Wives enjoyed a night filled with anticipation and hope for possible future fame for the choir, even though they ultimately didn’t win the award which went to One Direction for their hit single last year, “What Makes You Beautiful.”

Ronald McDonald House Charities Launches Chef’s Challenge Sunday

Posted on
By DouglasPosted In: FamilyTagged: , , , , ,

The Ronald McDonald House Charities organization launched its newest project this week, called Chef’s Challenge Sunday. The event faces two Morgantown-area master chefs in a one hour competition aimed at whipping up the best signature dish.

Proceeds from the challenge benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Morgantown, an organization working to support families with children in Morgantown hospitals. The charity house was established over a decade ago, and includes a number of bedrooms and a main living space where families and children dealing with similar issues can interact.

Brian Bruner, executive banquet chef at the Waterfront Place Hotel, faced Chris McDonald, the executive chef at Stefano’s Restaurant, this Sunday at the Ronald McDonald charity house.

After much deliberation, and an audience vote, Chef McDonald was named Sunday’s winner. He was awarded a Ronald McDonald House chef’s jacket,

“I didn’t expect to win, but I was hoping to win,” he said. “I’ve worked with Chef Bruner at both the Glasshouse Grill and the Waterfront Place hotel, so I’ve known him for a long time, and it was awesome to be able to go one-on-one against him.”

Ronald McDonald house development coordinator MaChal Forbes explained: “The whole idea behind not just the Chef’s Challenge, but hosting other events in the house, was to bring the public into the house.

“We wanted them to become more involved with what we do here and with our mission. When people walk through the house- see the rooms, meet the families and see what we do- it’s just a better means of public education for the communities.”

The Charity House also announced new plans to add a family area in Ruby Memorial Hospital, to give children a place to go within the vicinity of the intensive care unit.

“It would basically be a miniature Ronald McDonald house- a family room, a kitchen area- a place where families can come from the NICU, the PICU, and stay right in the hospital,” explained board member Nicole Saffron. “They don’t have to leave- they can relax, they can watch TV without even crossing the parking low, which can be pretty far when you’re in that situation.”

i.am Angel Foundation

Posted on
By M. MarksPosted In: EducationTagged: , ,

 

Trans4mation Experience

Will.i.am, front man of the Black Eyed Peas of i.am Angel Foundation, was at the Hollywood Palladium hosting a benefit concert – the Trans4mation Experience – to raise money for I. M. Education, one of the branches of the Foundation.  A staggering $5m was raised from this one event.

Superman

The event was inspired by ‘Waiting for Superman’ the 2010 documentary on public education in America.  As Will.i.am said, “Superman is not coming to save no neighborhood or no education system…That’s the reason why I’m doing what I am doing because that movie hits straight to heart because my mom went to one of those schools.”

It wasn’t a solo act though.  Other than Fergie, Will.i.am brought in the rest of the Black Eyed Peas and those at the concert were privy to the sounds and musical talents of Stevie Wonder, Ne-Yo, K’Naan, and Flo Rida.   As well, videos were shown, which among other things, drew focus on students in Boyle Heights, where Will.i.am grew up and the struggle he endured in such a poor educational climate. 

Foundation Background

The foundation has been working in the field of education since its inception in 2009 through three branches: i.am First (after school programs set up to encourage school kids in the field of engineering and technology); i.am Home (battling the foreclosure housing crisis); and i.am Scholarship (giving potential leaders the financial resources needed for post-secondary education).

But it was Will.i.am himself who established the i.am Scholarship branch focusing on media; computer science and more.  In addition, he seeks to provide these potential leaders with professional opportunities at Dipdive.com once they have completed their education. In his words, “more than just financial aid, the i.am scholarship is an investment in our future.”