John has much experience working in the philanthropic world, and takes great interest in charitable goings on today.

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!

Tug-of-War Tournament

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By JohnPosted In: Animals and Nature, Charity ActivityTagged:

The 2019 Pull for Puppies event combines creativity, charity and fun.

The event involves a tug-of-war tournament between three teams—men’s, women’s, and coed. Tug-of-war tournaments are fun and competitive– all for a good cause.

Participants must be at least 18 years old; spectators of all ages are encouraged to attend.

The event is a fundraiser for the Pets for LIFE pet shelter. Tickets to this event are transferrable but non-refundable.

If you’ve always wanted to adopt a dog, this is your chance! During this event, dogs from Pets for LIFE will be available for adoption.

Best Charity Apps

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By JohnPosted In: Charity ActivityTagged: ,

Digital charity makes giving charity easy and convenient.

Several apps make the donation process even easier. One app—InLieu—was developed by Texas resident Kathy Terry to fill a specific need.

On her way to a holiday party, Terry realized that a token gift—wine, scented candles, chocolate—weren’t needed by her hostess. She wanted to give a gift to charity instead of a gift, but the logistics—finding an online charity, setting up an account, notifying her hostess of the gift—were daunting.

“As time passed, it became clear that there were many opportunities to make donations in lieu gifts, but I couldn’t find an easy way to do it,” Terry explains. “I finally got sick of waiting for someone to build my little app so I decided to do it myself.”

The InLieu app allows users to donate money to a charity of their choice and notify others of the donation that was made in their honor.

Donations are tax-deductible.

Comedy Kids

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By JohnPosted In: ChildFund InternationalTagged:

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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By JohnPosted In: ChildFund International

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.”

The New Bake Sale

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By JohnPosted In: Charity Activity, Education, School FundraisersTagged:

Bake sales have always been a good way to raise money, but the concept has evolved in some communities.

In California, New York, and New Jersey, bake sales continue to raise money for schools.  However, instead of selling baked goods such as cookies, cupcakes and brownies, healthy foods—organic fruits and vegetables from local farms– are sold.

Rebecca Matthews, of Berkeley, California, started a “fruits and vegetable sale” to benefit her children’s elementary school. She was able to raise several thousands of dollars through a company called Farmigo, which sells and delivers fresh produce.

Many parents are enthusiastic about the program. They appreciate the convenience of being able to buy healthy food during carpool time, all the while supporting their school.

Yoga and Charity

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

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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By JohnPosted In: ChildFund InternationalTagged: ,

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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By JohnPosted In: ChildFund InternationalTagged:

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.

PatriotPaws: Helping Veterans with Service Dogs

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By JohnPosted In: Animals and Nature, PatriotPaws, Service dogsTagged: , ,

PatriotPaws is a unique charity that supports veterans through the use of service dogs.

PatriotPaws trains dogs and provides them at no cost to veterans who require physical or emotional support. Veterans with mobility issues or post-traumatic-stress-disorder often find that a service dog increases their independence while simultaneously decreasing loneliness.

PatriotPaws was founded by Lori Stevens in 2006. She founded the charity with a belief in the healing power of animal therapy.

Incredibly, it’s not only the recipients of service dogs that are helped. PatriotPaws has partnered with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to allow inmates to be part of the dog training process. Three prison facilities have successfully partnered with this innovative program.

Volunteers, especially other veterans, are welcome to pitch in for this wonderful cause.