A Night at the Park with Ryan Zimmerman

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By JohnPosted In: Charity Activity, HealthTagged: , , , ,

For a special night on the baseball field, nothing beat’s Ryan Zimmerman’s “A Night at the Park” charity. His third annual “A Night at the Park” event is coming soon on June 14th.  The event includes music, entertainment, food, drink and auctions and all proceeds benefit the ziMS Foundation, founded by Zimmerman in 2006.

In 1995, Ryan’s mother was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system and impacts nearly 400,000 Americans.  Understanding the impact of the disease in his own personal situation, Ryan founded the ziMS Foundation. Today, through public appearances and generous giving, he has worked tirelessly to “bring home a cure” for MS and to raise over $500,000 since 2006.

The “A Night at the Park” event includes a stage set-up behind home plate and a performance by Guster. Enjoy a great night for a great cause on June 14th from 6-10 pm at Nationals Park.

Pushups For Charity 2012

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By M. MarksPosted In: HealthTagged: , , , ,

Pushups For Charity seems to have taken on a life of its own – and for good reason. The annual charity event is a way to raise money for a worthy cause, and Pushups For Charity 2012 will donate the proceeds to The Boot Campaign. The Boot Campaign is a Texas based non-profit that donates all money they raise to work with soldiers who are healing from physical and emotional combat wounds.

This years, Pushups For Charity 2012 will take place on Saturday, May 19th 2012 at 115 gyms around the country. The goal is to see how many pushups you can do in 90 seconds, and to get friends and family members to sponsor you a set dollar amount for each pushup that you complete. Last year, the charity event raised over $250k and this year the goal is $500k.

Raising the Barr Gym in Ridgeland, Mississippi already held its Pushups For Charity 2012 event last Saturday and raised $21k for the charity. In other places, politicians have used the event as a way to focus on health initiatives. In Evansville, IN, Mayor Lloyd Winnecke is encouraging residents to join in the event after his city was recently named as “the most obese city in the country.” In Houston, TX, Mayor Annise Parker has declared that “May 19, 2012 is Pushups For Charity Day in Houston.”

Massage Envy Owner Helen McDonagh Running for “Mayor” for Charity

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By M. MarksPosted In: HealthTagged: , , ,

Kim Kardashian is, apparently, inspiring those in Glendale.  After she mentioned on camera that she wants to become the mayor of Glendale (a position that doesn’t exist), Kim inspired Massage Envy Spa of Glendale owner Helen McDonagh.

Her Massage Envy Spa is now going to be the campaign headquarters from May 7 through June 30th for charity.  McDonagh has launched a fake mayoral race as a way to raise awareness and donations for Glendale Healthy Kids. Glendale Healthy Kids is a charitable organization that offers low-income families assistance. They want to ensure that children have the access that they need to health care and health education.

The McDonagh for “Mayor” campaign includes taking donations for her “race” on the Facebook Fan page at facebook.com/mcdonaghformayor or through the Fundly app and on Fundly.com/mcdonagh-for-mayor.  From May 7 through June 30th, she will also be donating 10% of all gift card sales that she gets at the store to the Glendale Healthy Kids.

For more information about this creative charity fundraiser, contact the Massage Envy Spa of Glendale, 333 North Brand Boulevard, Glendale, California, 818.246.ENVY (3689).

Kristin Chenoweth Joins MLB All-Star Game Charity Event

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By M. MarksPosted In: HealthTagged: , , , , ,
Kristin Chenoweth

Kristin Chenoweth

The MLB All-Star Game Charity 5K and Fun Run just got that much more exciting.  Set to take place on Sunday, July 8th in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, the charity event just signed on award-winning actress, singer and Stand Up To Cancer Ambassador Kristin Chenoweth.  She’ll be joining Hall of Famer George Brett and five-time Royals All-Star and MLB Network analyst Mike Sweeney to raise money for cancer research and education. Presented by Nike, the event will donate 100% of the net profits to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, Stand Up To Cancer and the Greater Kansas City Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

As Chenoweth said, “My mom is a breast cancer survivor and I am inspired by her every day. Cancer is a disease that has touched far too many lives and I am so honored to be part of the All-Star Game Charity 5K and Fun Run on behalf of Stand Up To Cancer. Join us on July 8 in Kansas City to raise funds and awareness for a great cause!”

On July 8th, the event will begin at 7:30 am with the 5K and will be immediately followed by the family-friendly 1 mile Fun Run.  Everyone who registers and finishes the race will get an All-Star medal and t-shirt.

Event sponsors include Aquafina, Bayer Advanced Aspirin, Gatorade, One A Day and Scotts. Learn more about this event and get ready to run at http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/all_star/y2012/index.jsp?content=fivek.

Red Bull Racing to Support Wings for Life Charity

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By DouglasPosted In: HealthTagged: , , , , ,

Red Bull has committed to a new project in support of Wings for Life, a charity working to help people suffering from spinal cord injuries.

The project will cover two RB8s with the faces of more than 25,000 fans at the British Grand Prix this coming July. In order to participate, fans simply send a photo and 15 euros in support of the charity. Official confirmation will be delivered, verifying that the photo was indeed added to the collage. Red Bull will match every donation made by its fans, as well.

Mark Webber, a driver, said: “I hope as many people as possible take part in this awesome event. Whoever you want to upload onto our cars- your mum, your dog- it doesn’t matter just upload a photo now and join us.”

Sebastian Vettel, a fellow teammate, said: “This is a great way for fans to be able to join Mark, me and the team at the British Grand Prix and become part of history, while supporting a fantastic charity. So, go to facesforcharity.com now and join us at this year’s race!”

Wings for Life is an organization that believes that “spinal cord injury must become curable.” As a means to achieve this goal, Wings for Life “supports and finances the most promising research projects worldwide aimed at healing the injured spinal cord.”

 

Pop Tabs for Charity Raising Awareness & Funds in Montana

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By M. MarksPosted In: HealthTagged: , , ,

Morningside Elementary in Great Falls, Montana understands how to motivate students and how to teach them about charity work.  When Melody Stevens, a popular kindergarten teacher, was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, the school decided to show its support by joining Pop Tabs for Charity through the National Institutes of Health Charities.

The idea is for the children to bring pop tabs to school (those little tabs you find on the top of your soda can). Fourth grade teacher Jennifer Westermeyer is in charge of the collection. She explained that the school is about a third of the way towards its goal of having one million tabs.  Once they’ve reached their goal they’ll take the tabs to a recycling center where they’ll receive money.  With the money, they plan to donate to NIH Charities, putting money towards health charities and cancer research.

Westermeyer explained, “We have a contest going on right now. The classroom that collects the most will get a pop party with us at the end of the year.” Beyond the excitement of the pop party, the children are learning about compassion. As Melody Stevens said, “classrooms are getting together, children, staff, people outside of the school are donating. Cancer affects everyone.”

The school is certainly teaching its student amazing lessons.  As Mrs. Stevens gets stronger each day, she recounts an example of the support that she has been receiving.  “We decide to all wear hats the day I was coming in with a hat and no hair, so {the principal}heard of it and he had the entire school wear hats, so when I walked out and saw that, it was amazing”.

Anyone who has a desire to help can bring in or mail tabs to the Morningside Elementary School.

Golfing for Cancer Research with Jack Wagner

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Just a few days ago, Jack Wagner hosted the 6th Annual Jack Wagner Celebrity Classic golf tournament which benefited The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  On April 16th, 2012, the Emmy Award nominated actor, recording artist and committed philanthropist showed how committed he is to charitable causes and to cancer research.

As Jack Wagner explained his inspiration for the celebrity classic:

"I lost my father in 1990 to multiple myeloma and in 1999 my brother Dennis was diagnosed with leukemia. He has relapsed four separate times, enduring many rounds of chemotherapy and the challenges that come along with recovery. In 2007, Dennis received a complete bone marrow transplant and is still fighting a daily battle against complications associated with this procedure. Despite several hospitalizations over the past year, Dennis remains positive and thankful for the support of this tournament and his family. Let Dennis be an example to us all that our efforts are truly making a difference. Dennis is still with us today because of new life saving treatments but we must push forward for a cure. Remember your contribution goes far beyond my family and this golf event. Thank you for your support."

Wagner was originally inspired to create the celebrity classic after winning $142,550 in 2006 on the Wheel of Fortune.  As the most ever won by a celebrity on the show, Wagner approached LLS to see if they wanted to use the money to create a golf event to raise money for cancer research and cancer patients.  In combination, his Wheel of Fortune winnings, the LLS Light the Night Walk and the Wagner celebrity golf classics have, so far, raised close to $1 million for cancer research and patient services.

Past participants at the golf tournament have included: Marcus Allen, Tim Allen, Vince Coleman, John Elway, Kevin Frazier, Wayne Gretzky, Brett Hull, Bruce Jenner, Janet Jones, Heather Locklear, Jack McGee, Sean McNabb, Joe Pesci, Jerry Rice, Mike Shanahan, Grant Show, and Kevin Sorbo.

Wagner today serves as an official LLS Celebrity Ambassador, and he continues to work tirelessly to raise money for this much needed health charity.

Chris Rogers Organizes Paintball Charity Event

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Sometimes you just have to get down and dirty for a good cause.  At least Terrence Cody, Chris Rogers and others believe so.  Former University of Alabama defensive back Chris Rogers recently organized a charity paintball tournament to raise money for breast cancer research.

In August of 2007, Rogers’ mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. He was inspired by her courage and said that her struggle actually fueled his performance when he played.  In 2009, Rogers said, “There is a need for us athletes to give back, and how do we do that?”

With the help of a professor in graduate school, Sue Parker, Rogers devised a plan.  His charity, Together Assisting People, worked with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama to create the recent fundraiser.

Many of Chris Rogers’ football friends came out for the event. As Brad Smelley said, “We try to rally behind our players when they try to do something like this.” In attendance were: Terrence Cody, Marcell Dareus, Marquis Maze, Glen Coffee, Roy Upchurch, Eryk Anders, Brad Smelley, Brandon Gibson and Will Lowery. Professional boxer and Tuscaloosa native Deontay Wilder was there as well.

As 2009 Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram said, “It just shows how much of a family-oriented program we are. Some of us played with each other, some of us didn’t. But at the same time, we all come back here and support each other.”

Some who had made it to the big leagues were there as well. As Terrence Cody, a former offensive lineman for Alabama and a current NFL player said, “My position coach with the Baltimore Ravens, his wife survived breast cancer, so he likes the fact that I support it, and I’ve got breast cancer license plates on both of my vehicles.”

In total, 13 teams of three competed at the Splatzone Paintball field to benefit the two charities.

Katharine McPhee Visits Africa with Malaria No More

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Katherine McPhee, former American Idol contestant and current star of NBC’s Smash, recently traveled to Africa as an ambassador of ‘Malaria No More.’ This charitable organization is “determined to end malaria deaths in Africa by 2015.”

McPhee’s trip began in Accra, Ghana, and will continue to Ouagadougou, Burkina Fasco. Malaria is a preventable and treatable disease, and McPhee distributed mosquito nets and medications at each stop.

The health director at Accra said “they will be put to good use.” He added, “please know you will always have a home back here in Ghana.”

In Accra, she participated in a gathering of chiefs called a ‘durba,’ joining the native families in dance and later performing in a play.

Ouagadougou is home to a school the celebrity built through her McPhee Outreach program. Though classes were a major success, the school was recently closed as a result of a malaria outbreak in the region.

Missions International of America in Savanette, Haiti

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Four or five times a year, Missions International of America brings a team of doctors and nurses from Ohio to treat the residents of Savanette, Haiti.

Over the course of the four-day visit, more than 350 people were seen and treated by Dr. Sue Leatherman and Dr. Barry Cash, while over one hundred patients were examined by the volunteer dentist Dr. Ted Barnett as well. The program has several volunteers, including Cathy Breen.

According to the volunteers, this year’s patients were much healthier then those seen on previous visits, and many believe this is directly related to the fresh, clean drinking water that is now provided in the area.

Founded by Dr. Jay and Mrs. Jan Nielsen in 2002, Missions International of America works to improve the quality of life of both children and adults in Savanette, Haiti. In addition to providing medical and dental care, the organization established and manages the Brad Reddick School. The program provides 300 children in K-6 with a free education.

Here is a video from the volunteer crew’s latest visit: