Positive Impact for Kids

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By JohnPosted In: ChildFund InternationalTagged:

As a pre-teen, Leanne Joyce was a nationally ranked jump roper, competitive swimmer and gymnast.

This all changed when Leanne was diagnosed with Aortic Valve Stenosis, a heart disorder that prevents proper blood flow. Leanne had to immediately stop her exercise regimen and was forced to abandon her hopes for competitive sports.

Devastated, Leanne found something to cheer her up: when teenage volunteers in the hospital gave her a gift, Leanne was inspired. She decided to shift her focus, and her organization, Positive Impact for Kids, was born.

Positive Impact for Kids is the organization Leanne founded in response to her health crisis. Positive Impact for Kids helps hospital staff better support patients by providing them with tools such as laptops, gaming systems, iPad minis and gift cards.

Incredibly, the organization has raised over $140,000. Positive Impact for Kids has made donations to 117 hospitals, at least two per state.

Cupcake Camp

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By JohnPosted In: Charity Activity, ChildFund International

“Cupcake Camp” is an event where a large variety of cupcakes are baked and enjoyed. Different flavors, frosting, sprinkles, chocolate chips—this is a tasty and fun way to build community.

Often, “cupcakes camps” are organized as programs for schools, camps or friends.

The city of LA has taken the concept of “Cupcake Camp” farther, turning it into a fundraising venue. “Cupcake Camp LA” is a unique charity event where hundreds of bakers of all skill levels gather to bake delicious cupcakes!

The event includes a cupcake decorating station, among other activities. Family-friendly and fun, this activity is a good way to enjoy yourself while raising money for charity!

Comedy Kids

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Comedy Kids

A pair of eight-year olds raised $30,000 for cancer research.

It all started when Max Chwatko and Alex Travin decided to raise money for Max’s sister, Scarlett, who was battling a brain tumor.

The two friends started charging their classmates a nickel for every joke they shared. Their collection of nickels grew as they shared more and more jokes. With the help of their parents, the boys continued their efforts by setting up a joke-telling stand at a local farmer’s market.

Incredibly, they raised around $20,000 telling jokes.

The boys fundraising efforts were noticed by the NY Yankees, who then donated $10,000 to the cause.

Max and Alex were thrilled with the success of their efforts. “I’m glad we can make the world a funnier place,” Alex added.

Runway Heroes

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The Ronan Thompson Foundation was created in memory of Ronan, who lost his battle with cancer shortly before his 4th birthday.

The Ronan Thompson Foundation focuses on funding clinical trials for children with cancer. Sadly, less than four percent of federal funding is invested in funding childhood cancer research. This foundation funds clinical trials because “We support the best childhood cancer research. We believe children deserve a chance to grow up.”

A unique event affiliated with the Ronan Thompson Foundation is the Runway Heroes event. Based in New York, this fashion show features children with cancer. These shows give children with cancer the opportunity to dress up and enjoy feeling confident while raising money to help cure childhood cancer.

Runway Heroes has an incredible goal: It’s “a unique opportunity for children with cancer to feel like stars.”

Yoga and Charity

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Maintaining emotional equilibrium is important for all people, regardless of their individual circumstances. This equilibrium can usually be achieved by a combination of positive habits and by engaging in stress-reducing activities.

The Give Back Yoga foundation is a charity that funds yoga programs to promote healing. They train instructors and provide different forms of yoga to those in need.

They offer the following innovative programs:

  • Eat Breathe Thrive uses yoga as a tool to support people struggling with eating disorders
  •  Mindful Yoga Therapy is a program that helps military veterans deal with challenges such as PTSD
  • Yoga for Cancer works with cancer patients and survivors to boost health and ease anxiety
  • Prison Yoga Project teaches yoga to prisoners
  • Yoga of 12 Step Recovery helps people struggling with addictions regain control of their lives

Practicing yoga during challenging times can help bring healing and peace.

Habitat for Humanity

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Habitat for Humanity is an organization that builds homes for people…for free!

Habitat for Humanity builds homes by relying on manpower from volunteers, future homeowners, and professionals.  Together, this team builds a free home for homeowners, who are then responsible for an affordable mortgage.

Remarkably, Habitat for Humanity operates in 1400 communities in the US and in 70 countries around the world. Regardless of location, their mission remains the same: to provide shelter and opportunities for people.

For many people, owning a home and putting down roots is an impossible dream. Habitat for Humanity, which was founded in 1973, turns this dream into a reality. In doing so, it provides families with shelter, hope, and opportunity.

Bridle up Hope

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Rachel Covey was a talented equestrian who passed away at the age of 21 after battling with severe depression for many years.

Rachel, who was Stephen Covey’s granddaughter (author of several books, including “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People”), left behind a strong legacy. Since she loved horses and often took her friends riding, Rachel’s family started a charity organization, “Bridle up Hope” to honor her memory.

“Bridle up Hope” is a 14-week program that teaches girls how to ride horses while gaining life skills such as confidence and resilience. Volunteering is built into the program; participants earn free lessons for the time they volunteer in the barn.

A similar program is offered to women, who are later given the opportunity to mentor girls. Built into both these programs are lessons on the “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,” habits that can help bolster coping skills.

“Bridle up Hope” was started in 2013 by Rachel’s parents. It is located at the foot of the alpine mountains in Alpine, Utah. The program is geared towards girls and women who are struggling with anxiety, depression or have experienced trauma.

100 Women Who Care

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100 Women Who Care recently donated $5000 to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention charity. As Doreen Bourassa, one of the founders of the 100 Women Who Care for Greater Nashua said,

“There’s just a lot of women who really care about the community, would like to give back, but they have a lot of commitments with their family, with jobs, with life and they just don’t have the time to do it. I thought this would be such a great way for women who are busy to congregate together and make a collective donation and find out about their community and make an impact on the community.”

The way that it works is that each member contributes $100 to four charities a year. 100% of the donations go to the charities.

Learn more about the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and see how you can get involved.

 

Turning $1 Into Thousands for Charity

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Here is a feel-good story for the day. Angie Slinger of Harrison, Wisconsin was given a challenge. She had a $1 bill in her hand and her son’s friend said to her, “This dollar is for you and if you use it the right way, you could feed the entire world.’

As a result, she created a fundraising page on Facebook for Feeding American Eastern Wisconsin. She hoped to have people match the dollar and to raise $200. Only a week later, 450 people had donated – and the fund was up to $8000. And the donations are still coming.

Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin is a not-for-profit food bank that helps those in need around the state. The fundraiser is continuing until September 30th.

New Foundation: The Kyle Palmieri Foundation

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It’s always heartwarming to see people who have the financial ability to help others doing so. New Jersey Devils right wing Kyle Palmieri and his fiancee Ashlee Casper have started a new foundation called The Kyle Palmieri Foundation. The goal is to help active and veteran service people and their families and to show appreciation for what they do every day to protect America.

As Palmieri said,

“There are endless challenges facing our nation’s military service members and veterans. We hope to help ease some of these challenges by providing support through The Kyle Palmieri Foundation and through our partnerships with NMFA, SWAN, and Pets for Vets. Each of these organizations provides invaluable support and services, and the Foundation looks to help expand their incredible work. We’re proud to offer our help as a way to say thank you to the brave men and women who are serving and have served our country.”

At this time, they are supporting three specific nonprofits. They include Squad21, the Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN) and the National Military Family Assocation (NMFA).