Coin Shortage – and the Chance to Give

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By JohnPosted In: Charity Activity

You may have noticed that there is a coin shortage in American because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since people aren’t spending as regularly at businesses and some businesses are closed, there are less coins circulating at the moment.

Southeastern Grocers, Inc. (SEG) has decided to use that shortage to help people in need. Starting Friday, customers at any of their Winn-Dixie, Harveys Supermarket, BI-Lo and Fresco y Mas stores can round up their grocery bill to the nearest dollar to help others. All of the extra change will be electronically collected and then given to charity.

With this money, they plan a few projects.

*From July 24 to Aug 4 they will give to Feeding America and its food banks.

*From Aug 5 to Aug 25, they will give the spare change to the American Heart Association’s Life Is Why We Give fundraising campaign to encourage people to live healthier lives.

*From Aug 16 to Sept 29 they will support Feeding America for Hunger Action Month

* From Sept 30 to Nov 3 the Southeaster Grocers customers in certain states will be helping the American Red Cross’ Disaster Relief.

This is a creative and easy way to help those in need. And rounding your grocery bill up by $.52 won’t be felt by most people. But every little bit really does make a big difference for those in need.

Two College Kids Skating Their Way to Raising Funds

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By JohnPosted In: Charity Activity

It’s always a breath of fresh air to see young people using their energy and their time to help others. This is even more so during these difficult times. Two University of Massachusetts Boston friends are scheduling an adventure to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

What are they doing? They are planning to head out from their college campus today to skate to Mason, Michigan. They plan to skate about 100 to 150 miles each day and to finish the goal in 7-10 days. As Jacob Adkins, whose mother has been battling cancer explained,  

“There’s all this craziness in the world, yet there’s still people battling cancer. We want to bring a positive light in the darkness.”

They plan to raise money along the way for the American Cancer Society. Let’s wish them luck!

What Have the Rich Given to COVID-19 Relief Efforts?

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By JohnPosted In: Charity in Business

It’s certainly interesting to take a look at what the richest people in America do with their money. And when there is a crisis of the scale of COVID-19, how do they react? The Washington Post recently did a story about what the 50 richest Americans have been doing with their money during this crisis – and it’s worth a look.

As the article states, “But almost a third — 15 of them — have not announced any donations and declined to comment or did not reply to requests for comment.” Certainly, some of them like Bill Gates have given vast sums. Take a look for yourself and draw your own conclusions.

Give a Donation on Father’s Day

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By JohnPosted In: Charity Activity

What a lovely idea to make a donation today for Father’s Day. You may be making it in honor of your father who just doesn’t need anything right now. Or maybe you’re making it in honor of a father or grandfather who you are remembering and is no longer with you. Whatever the reason, it’s a great way to say I Love You while doing something meaningful. Here is a fantastic list of charitable organizations worth looking into and contributing to today.

The site is set up with many locations where you can donate and learn more about the various organizations. And then you can show your loved one that you donated in his name and that you brought meaning to the day beyond buying something for your dad or grandfather.

It’s a win-win situation and could be a great idea for all!

A Marathon, Even During Covid-19

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By JohnPosted In: Childrens Charities

Here is a heartwarming story at a time when we could probably all use some. A 9 year old boy with cerebral palsy and autism just completed a marathon. Tobia Weller who lives in Sheffield, England decided to walk back and forth on his street to get to his goal of completing a marathon. When the COVID-19 lock down started, he could only walk 50 meters a day, but managed to get to the enormous task of walking as much as 750 meters by the time the challenge ended.

The challenge took him 70 days, but he did it and he has raised $100,700 so far for Sheffield Children’s Hospital and Paces School. Way to go Tobias!

Ballet for Relief

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By JohnPosted In: Education

Recently, 32 dancers from 14 countries performed a dance together from their own homes. It was called “Swans for Relief” and was a fundraiser for dancers all over the world who have lost their jobs due to COVID-19. Two dancers, Misty Copeland and Joseph Phillips came up with the initiative. They partnered with the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), with seed funding provided by K Period Media, to launch the program.

Their goal was to raise $500,000.

As Copeland said,

“We’ve needed this reset, to kind of step back and reassess how we do things, especially for an art form that doesn’t really rely on media as much. It’s about time that we learn how to exist in this virtual world for the ballet community. So I do think there’s some positives in there and maybe just figuring out, you know, new ways of bringing theater to people so that it reaches more people.”

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Quarantine Wine for a Good Cause

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By JohnPosted In: Charity in Business

We love seeing celebrities who are using their fame for great uses. Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis are two such celebrities who have recently paired with American wine retailer Nocking Point Wines. They have a great slogan – Wine With an Impact – and are promoting this wine with 100% of the profits helping COVID-19 relief. The wine they are selling is called Quarantine Pinot Noir and it’s $50 for two bottles (now that’s a good price!).

The proceeds will help four specific American charities: Give Directly, Direct Relief, Frontline Responders Fund and America’s Food Fund.

To that, we can raise our glass!

Where to Help During COVID-19

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By JohnPosted In: Childrens Charities

Certainly, during these difficult times there are many people under economic duress. It’s not an easy time for anyone, but some people have been able to keep their jobs and keep their financial heads above water. The New York Times recently published an article offering suggestions for ways that you could use your stimulus check from the United States (assuming you received one) to help others. It’s a brilliant list and certainly worth looking at if you have the ability to donate.

The Washington Post also has an article about how you can help others during these difficult times. And here is another article that covers many organizations that are worthwhile and that could definitely use your assistance if you have the money to give.

Certainly, this is a tiny look at the many ways that you can give. Many people can start just by looking in their own neighborhoods. Is there a collection started for those who can’t afford groceries in your area? Does your religious institution have a fund that they’ve started? Ask around and see what other people are doing to help and you can get involved. Every little bit matters – particularly at a time like this.

How the Rich are Giving Back

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By JohnPosted In: Charity in Business

These are very difficult financial times. And while many of us are struggling, it’s heartwarming to see how those who don’t have to struggle are giving back. There are many people doing their part to help others, and we certainly can’t cover them all (that’s a good thing!). But we can offer a few heartwarming stories to get us through out day.

Zion Williamson: Zion, the most famous of the rookies this year, is offering to help. Knowing that the stadium in New Orleans isn’t opening for awhile, he has committed to helping to cover the salaries of the workers from the Smoothie King Center.

Donatella Versace and her daughter, Allegra Versace Beck are donating 200,000 euro to Milan’s San Raffaele hospital to help with the supply shortage there.

Laura Benanti has a cute one. Rather than focusing on money, she is focusing on disappointment. As a Broadway singer and actor, she understands that many kids out there missed out on being in their upcoming performances. She wrote on Twitter that she wants kids to post videos of their songs with the hashtag #SunshineSongs and then tag her and she will watch their performances.

Delta CEO Ed Bastian has decided to give up his salary for the next six months to avoid potential layoffs. Similarly, Columbia Outfitters CEO Tim Boyle has decided to cut his $3 million salary to $10,000 this year and to move all that money to his employees to keep them employed.

Let’s hope these stories, and many others like them, can lift us up in these trying times.

Hauling BBQ for a Good Cause

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By JohnPosted In: Charity Activity, ChildFund International

We all have our own skills and expertise. It’s lovely to see when people use theirs for a good cause. Terry Folsom is offering up his 18-wheeler barbeque pit to help Houston-area charities. How is his 18-wheeler helping charities? Well, his vehicle and the barbeque pit it hauls can smoke between 8000-12000 pounds of meat and he’s ready to set it up at charity sites and offer food to those in need. Learn more in this video: