‘Top Brass’ Charity Sled Dog Race for the Wounded Warrior Program

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By DouglasPosted In: MilitaryTagged: , , , , , , ,

Last week, ExxonMobil donated $20, 000 to the Wounded Warrior Program, an organization that works to provide empowerment and honor to wounded soldiers through increased awareness, aid and various other services.

The donation was made through ExxonMobil Open’s ‘Top Brass’ Charity Sled Dog Race, which invited six of the United States’ most elite Armed Forces representatives to compete for the Top Brass title in a three mile race.

Each of the military men was given a three-dog team and a musher mentor from last year’s ‘Top Dog’ charity race, which has been part of Alaskan tradition since 1973. Aaron Stryk, ExxonMobil public and government affairs advisor, explained that the race is a way of recognizing the official sport of Alaska while emphasizing the institutions that contribute greatly to the community. The sponsors especially wanted to pay tribute to the nation’s wounded warriors, he said.

“Thank you for all you do in service to Alaska and our country,” Stryk said. “I hope this can be our way of saying thank you.”

Maj. Gen. Thomas Katkus was one of the five senior leaders participating in the event.

“This was excellent and really fun,” he said, after winning the competition by nearly a minute with the help of Cooper, Eeyore and Lizzy. “About 100 yards into the trail, you don’t hear anything except the dogs breathing and the sounds of the sled runners going down the trail.

“This was my first time mushing, but I had a team of veteran dogs in front of me, keeping me on the sled. I also followed the advice I was given to just hang on to the sleds and the dogs will do the work for you.”

Katkus added, “I would like to thank ExxonMobil on behalf of all the military. I want to convey the importance of their donation and how it’s going to change people’s lives for the better.”

 

Run James, Run

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By M. MarksPosted In: FamilyTagged: , , , , ,

Forrest Gump did it, although not for charity, so perhaps 31-year-old James Crossland can run and run and run.  Well, that’s what the man who lives in Manchester plans to do. From June 8 to 18, 2012, Crossland will be running in an effort to raise money for the Manchester United Foundation that helps finance both the Christie Charity and Francis House Children’s Hospice in the city as well as Irish Autism Action – a support network for families whose kids have autism.

To add a bit of stardom to this endeavor, ex-United player Clayton Blackmore will join the team at different points during the challenge as well. But apart from being a strong runner, Crossland has to be quite the fundraiser since he needs to pay a £150 entrance fee and thereafter raise at least £1,500, which will be put toward the charity.  While he realizes it will be tough, he is excited to be doing his bit for charity and has thus already become involved in a grueling training regime.

Come On You R-E-D-S

But it doesn’t stop there for the Red Devils.  The MU charitable foundation has teamed up with Football Aid, letting football grace its turf and play in mid-May, in an effort to raise money for charity.  On May 17, 2012, fans will be able to enjoy a “match of the day” experience at Old Trafford. They will be able to get on to the pitch and tunnel areas, clad out in their very own United shirts (with their names on) in the team’s official changing rooms, walk down the tunnel to the sound of a cheering crowd as they’ve no doubt watched so many times from a TV screen and then walk out onto the turf to represent their club in and “never to be forgotten 90 minutes of football.”

Football Aid

It’s simple to be a part of this fun charitable endeavor by logging on to Football Aid’s website and selecting your favorite team.  Positions are available for immediate purchase and thereafter, for bidding.  Two years ago, Football Aid celebrated a decade of hard work and dedication to its cause.  To date, the organization has enabled more than 12,225 football fans to participate in over 460 games. They provide funds by hosting a yearly football match at famous stadiums throughout the UK.  This all started with Craig Paterson’s idea (chair of Football Aid) and funds are used to benefit a charity nominated by the club as well as projects nominated by Field of Dreams, the parent charity of Football Aid.

Second Grader Raises Money for Police Dog Protective Vest

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

Last year, 8 year-old Ana Gent raised more than one thousand dollars to provide a bullet and stab-proof vest for a West Melbourne police dog.

The second grader was honored this past Thursday for her efforts, which put a protective vest on Baton, Officer Robert Nolan’s dog. Gent has a personal interest in the matter, as her father works for Palm Bay Fire-Rescue.

Gent worked alongside Meadowlane and West Shore Jr./Sr. High students, as well as Ducks Unlimited Conservation Society, Florida Flatsfishing Association and Palm Bay Fire-Rescue to raise the money.

She also held a number of car washes, and offered her community personally designed stickers in exchange for donations for her project.

“I love animals,” Gent explained. “I know when police dogs try to help us, I want them to be safe. I wanted to help them so they wouldn’t get hurt.”

Of West Melbourne’s three police dogs, only one had a protective vest. The equipment costs over $1,000. Commander Steve Wilkinson explained that “It takes a few minutes to put those things on.” He added, “If we know we are going into a dangerous situation, they will take the time to put it on the dog.”

Gent purchased the $1,006 vest with help from the non-profit group Vested Interest in K9s. The organization was originally created for dogs in Massachusetts, by Sandy Marcal, but the program went nationwide less than a year ago. As of 2011, the group has provided 64 dogs with the protective vests.

Could Komen Cave?

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

Controversy over Komen Care’s Financial Withdrawal

When the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation decided to pull the plug on financial support for Planned Parenthood (PP), there was a huge outcry.  Being America’s leading abortion service – providing an estimated 330,000 women with abortions annually – Komen withdrew its funding arguing from PP that it didn’t want to be involved with an organization that was under federal investigation by a congressman.  This outraged PP which the media made the most of; 26 US senators signed a condemnation document and up to $1m was pledged to Planned Parenthood to make up for the financial loss it endured from Komen.  Thus a couple of weeks ago, Komen reinstated its grant.

But what should have happened?  Why was there such a noise?  Is there anything suspect about Komen the public should have been made aware of before this came to light? And what other issues as a result have been brought to a head now?

Komen’s Chaos

It seems that Komen – the organization fighting breast cancer – may have some questions to answer.  According to a report in Reuters, “in 2011, the foundation spent 15 percent, or $63 million, of its donations on research awards that fund studies on everything from hard-core molecular biology to the quality of breast-cancer care for Medicaid patients.”  That means that a huge amount of financial resources was going toward administrative, fundraising and other costs.  So while one may be giving their monies to “kill cancer” what they really need to focus on is “killing greed,” since too much money was not going towards the organization’s goal – to find a cure for breast cancer, as Rev Vincent Kunicki said on Facebook.

Then we get back to Planned Parenthood; the organization that doesn’t even offer mammograms, and merely sends its clients elsewhere – perhaps to Komen – to get these necessary anti-breast cancer check-ups.  Perhaps one can thus be a bit more sympathetic to the withdrawal of Komen’s finances to PP.  But there again, is Komen really committed to helping detect breast cancer, or make money, given its 2011 expenses?  Perhaps this is why Komen retracted its decision and pledged to continue funding.  Maybe this was more due to all the media noise that was created.

Komen’s Commentators

So what does the man – or woman – on the street think about this? Debra Kerr Hofland on Facebook wrote: “There is a KNOWN, established and proven link between having an abortion before a full-term pregnancy AND getting breast cancer for young women with a family history of breast cancer in a near relative. That possibility is something like 100%! People can ignore this if they want, but that doesn’t change the facts!”

 

Delancey Street Foundation

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By M. MarksPosted In: EducationTagged:

The Delancey Street Foundation has been in operation since 1971, at which time it started with a mere ten dollars (on loan), four residents, and a larger-than-life dream to help those in poverty, on drugs, former felons and others who hit bottom, turn their lives around.

Today, in 2012, the foundation has achieved a lot but is still trying to help those who have been left behind by society and have not been able to get on their feet sufficiently. Those who are in poverty, or dealing with a teen pregnancy, or cannot read or write, etc., are all looking for a better life and it is the foundation’s mission to help them achieve that.

The average time one spends at the facility is four years (they need to remain there at least two years, but most stay longer).  Following that, those who have been at the Delancey Street Foundation will have gained an: “academic education, three marketable skills, accountability and responsibility, dignity, decency, and integrity.”

Thus it is clear that while there is still much work to be done, the Delancey Street Foundation is achieving its aims – helping the down and out get back on their feet and live a better quality life.

Armed Services YMCA

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By M. MarksPosted In: Military, UncategorizedTagged: , ,

The Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA), was set up by the National Council of Young Men's Christian Associations of the United States of America.  Its goal back then – a century-and-a-half ago – is the same as it is now; to help all military personnel and their families, in an attempt at providing them with a higher quality of life.  The organization seeks to do this via Christian principles that are manifested in the “educational, recreational, social and religious programs” it creates for them.

Working with the military in this endeavor, the ASYMCA, has, over the years, been highly successful.  Our soldiers and their families have benefitted greatly from its work.  The idea has very much been to provide all our soldiers with “a quality of life commensurate with their service to the Nation.”  However, while the ASYMCA indeed seeks to improve conditions for all soldiers, there has, in recent years, been a special focus on the services on the young, Junior Enlisted Troops and Families, since it is those soldiers who are at highest risk and thus have the greatest needs.

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research

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

Established in 2000, the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research was a way for famous actor Michael J. Fox to put his fortune to good use.  Having been diagnosed with Parkinson’s himself, the actor wanted to help others who were suffering from this disease.  Ultimately, its main aim is to find a cure for Parkinson’s through “an aggressively funded research agenda and to ensuring the development of improved therapies for those living with Parkinson's today.”  In addition, the foundation aims to provide patients with improved treatments as well as long-term, a cure for the disease.

Since its founding, the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research has put nearly $150 m into research for Parkinson’s as well as finding a cure and in the meantime, developing improved therapies for those with the disease.  The foundation believes its goal really is in reach if it gains enough support.

 

PAWS Chicago

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By JohnPosted In: Charity ActivityTagged: ,

PAWS Chicago’s mission is to “end the killing of homeless pets.”  Founded nearly 15 years ago, it has led to the reduction of homeless pets being killed by half.  Indeed, in 1997 the figure for killing homeless pets was 42,000 and in 2006, it was already down to less than 20,000.  Clearly these statistics show that what PAWS Chicago is doing is working.  That is why its aim to create a city in which no homeless pets are killed seems realistic.   The organization finds homes for thousands of pets, through the Lincoln Park Adoption and Humane Center. In addition, it offers a clinic for free spaying and neutering for those families on low-incomes who have pets.

Missoula Food Bank

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By JohnPosted In: Feeding AmericaTagged: ,

The Missoula Food Bank seeks, quite simply, to feed the hungry in Missoula.  That is its short-term goal.  Long-term, it is attempting to overall reduce the incidence of hunger in the neighborhood and how it impacts the entire community.  Every year, the food bank distributes over 250 tons of food (including fresh, canned, baked and baby items) to the residents in the area. Ultimately through this work, it serves around a thousand households per month.

Along with a full-time staff, the food bank is also blessed with many volunteers who work tirelessly for the organization’s efforts.  Aside from food distribution, the Missoula Food Bank has a free store; a ROOTS program for those who are home-bound or low income; a Café for kids that gives out lunches for those children that may not get a good meal during school vacations, and more.

The San Francisco Food Bank

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By JohnPosted In: Feeding AmericaTagged: , , ,

The San Francisco Food Bank is all about feeding the hungry of San Francisco and Marin.  The charitable organization’s mission is to help people not starve, and not have to choose between rent and food or other basic necessities.  Unfortunately, this very much is the case for the people living in these areas so the San Francisco Food Bank was set up nearly 25 years ago to collect and repackage many thousands of pounds of food which it thereafter distributes to soup kitchens, grocery centers, educational programs and the elderly.

Every week, more than 200,000 people are the recipients of food from the Food Bank.  Each day, a staggering 93,000 meals are made. Thus, through its vital work, this organization links up people and food, also by working with more than 450 nonprofit partners.

The Food Bank receives food from various different sources including: grocery stores, processors and the USDA.  Sometimes food is given as it is approaching its code date; other times because it is misshapen and still other times as the company simply made too much. We have a bunch of volunteers working for us who deal with the food at our warehouse, so we save money on otherwise having to employ around 50 full-time staff members.  It is our intention to feed as many of the hungry as possible, ensuring the people of San Francisco and Marin do not go to bed starving or need to worry about where their next meal is coming from.