Eau Claire’s Red Robin restaurant has launched a car wash in support of the Aurora shooting victims and their families.
The event hopes to raise money to help with medical bills and physical therapy, according to Christopher Pirelli, the venue’s general manager.
Other restaurants throughout the country are also adding their efforts to the cause with similar car-washing charities this week.
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August 18th marks this year’s Guns & Hoses charity event, which combines the efforts of the Great Falls Police Department and Great Falls Fire Rescue in a softball tournament.
All proceeds from the event, which include the admission fee of $7 and a can of food, are donated to local youth programs and food banks. Tickets are being sold at the Great Falls Police Department and Centene Stadium.
Katie Cunnigham, a police officer, explained:
“It’s important for 100 percent of the donations and proceeds go straight back into the community for youth-based organizations such as ‘Shop with a Cop’ graduation parties, CASA-CAN, all those types of things. It goes straight back into the community.”
The Fire Rescue feels the same way. Fireman J.D. Kulbeck said:
“Just good to show that the cops and firemen do actually get along though there’s kind of that friendly rivalry. But most importantly it’s to raise money for the charities.”
Last year’s competition ended with a 31-15 win for the Fire Rescue. This year Cunningham believes the police are “planning on bringing their best game,” while the Fire Rescue team vows to keep up their winning streak.
Last year, 9-year-old Rachel Beckwith gave up her birthday gifts with hopes of raising $300 for Charity: Water, to provide 15 people with clean water in developing countries. She came a little short of her goal, and vowed to raise more next time. She was killed in a car accident a few months later.
After her death, people around the world began to donate, and Rachel’s dream has expanded to provide water for 60,000 so far, as well as clean-water wells in communities all over the world. On July 23rd, one year after her death, her mother traveled to Ethiopia to experience the contributions first hand.
Late this September, three hot bands will combine their efforts at one of the most popular concerts of the year- the Global Festival 2012.
Tickets for the event, which will feature The Black Keys, Foo Fighters and Neil Young with Crazy Horse, cannot be bought in advance, however. Instead, fans must take part in an effort to fight extreme poverty though the event’s website or app, thus earning entry to the Central Park performance. Participation involves simple activities such as posting info on social media networks, signing petitions and small donations.
The Black Keys’ drummer Patrick Carney explained:
“The scale of things that they’re trying to do just felt really cool, and we’re trying to get the ball rolling. Especially with everything that’s been going on for the last three years, I supposed, after the stock market crashed. There’s attention on the amount of people living below the poverty line and the disparity between the rich and the poor and everything that’s going on now… It just felt like the right time to do something.”
Efforts against worldwide poverty have increased as the UN meetings in NY proceed. Hugh Evans, organizer of Global Poverty Project, has called the concert a “crescendo” to the outstanding effort.
“I think what’s exciting is all the world leaders are going to be in town that week for the United Nations meeting. And this concert and the associated campaign will give us the opportunity to ask these world leaders to make practical and tangible monetary commitments to the world’s poor and to the achievement of the UN’s Millennium Development Goals.”
Last week’s match between the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh’s Pirates captured the hearts of fans everywhere thanks to Marty Brennaman’s charitable efforts.
The amount broadcaster had pledged to shave his head if the team won ten consecutive games. He added that the haircut would be done publicaly if fans could collect $20, 000 for the Reds Community Fund, which is ‘dedicated to improving the lives of youth.’
Actors Martin and Charlie Sheen were both present on Friday for the head-shaving event. They visited Great American Ball Park to support the Reds and to celebrate Martin Sheen’s birthday. Upon hearing that Brennaman’s drive generated $50,000 for the organization, the younger Sheen vowed to match that amount. Martin is a Dayton native, and Charlie has been a Reds fan since his childhood.
“The City of Cincinnati has opened its arms to me so graciously and I’m compelled to give something back,” Sheen said. “If this contribution points one kid in the right direction, then we’ve done our job.”
Hans Zimmer, the composer famous for his unbelievable movie soundtracks in films such as Gladiator, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Black Hawk Down, recently released an eight minute song to honor the victims of the Aurora shooting last week. Zimmer composed the music for all three of Christopher Nolan’s Batman movies as well.
On Facebook, he posted:
“’Aurora’ is dedicated to those who lost their lives and were affected by the tragedy in Aurora, Colorado. I recorded this song in London in the days following the tragedy as a heartfelt tribute to the victims and their families. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to Aurora Victim Relief organization.”
After mere days, ‘Aurora’ has already become the #1 song by Zimmer downloaded on iTunes. It is available for $1.29.
Reviewers around the country were blown away by the composition.
“Every emotion you can think of was put in this beautifully crafted music that Hans Zimmer provided; anger and sadness intertwined so beautifully. My thoughts are still out to the lives that were taken away. I hope you find peace wherever you are. As well as to the families whose lives are now shattered. My heart and soul go out to you,” one wrote.
Service Dog and Child
Dogtopia branches throughout the United States have held dog-washing events in an effort to raise money for service, therapy, military and police dogs. Charity Dog Wash events took place in local areas including Tysons Corner, Alexandria, Manassas, Woodbridge, Herndon and Dulles.
More than 1,750 dogs were washed and groomed over the past week, and the drive raised almost $21,000 for Dogtopia’s charity K9 Support. This organization helps other institutes purchase specialized equipment for search and rescue dogs. Contributions will go to Virginia Task Force 1, an urban search-and-rescue team that operates all over the world.
Dogtopia’s founder and CEO Amy Nichols explained:
“With the state of the economy and funding cut across the country, it is more important than ever to give back to the working dogs in our communities. I am so excited to see the community involvement and to watch this event grow every year. We are truly making a different in the lives of these canines and the people who love them.”
She added,
“The Dogtopia annual K9 Support dog wash is our biggest event of the year to raise funds for working dogs. I’m overjoyed to see so many of our locations working together to raise much needed awareness for the loyal canines that are dedicated to humans every day. Most family dogs leads pampered lives, and we want to show our appreciation for those working dogs that strive to protect and support their human counterparts.”
Rubber Ducks Race
This past weekend, tens of thousands of rubber ducks were unleashed on Rapid Creek for the 23rd Annual Great Black Hills Duck Race.
According to project Coordinator Betty Quasney of the Rapid City Regional Hospital Foundation, the event raised $95, 000 for the Children’s Miracle Network. All proceeds go towards equipment for the pediatric intensive care unit and the neonatal pediatric ward at Rapid City Regional Hospital, as well as to educational programs for children.
“So it really makes a big difference,” Quasney said. “I’d like to thank the community and all of our sponsors, because without their help this wouldn’t be possible.”
Angie Kliewer, director of the Rapid City Regional Hospital Foundation, expressed her gratitude as well:
“I thank everyone in this area for their outstanding support of the Great Black Hills Duck Race and the Children’s Miracle Network. The Duck Race is a fun family event which truly benefits our young patients in a big way.”
Before the event, locals and other contributors buy rubber ducks with which to compete in the race. The first duck to cross the finish like wins its buyer $5,000.
This year, Deb Bastgen’s duck won the competition. She explained that she bought ten ducks in honor of her nephew, who was forced to deal with liver failure at just seven years of age.
“My daughter gave him part of her liver, and now he’s 22 and in college and the perfect picture of health,” Bastgen shared. “The Children’s Miracle Network did so much for him, and I just had a great feeling doing that. It’s just wonderful to donate and feel helpful.”
This year was the most successful Duck Race yet, according to the event chairman Kevin Phillips. T-shirts of the event ran out in the first few minutes!
“For me and my family there is no organization closer to our hearts. We’ve seen it firsthand,” he said. “My youngest grandson, Owen, was born six years ago during the duck race. And he was born premature and we needed the help of the Children’s Network and the NICU up at the hospital.”
The Project to End Prostate Cancer is thrilled that Julius “Dr. J” Erving is now scheduled to attend the Know Your Score Celebrity Golf Tournament and Gala that will take place at Pawleys Plantation on August 18th. Erving will be joined by baseball Hall of Famer Joe Morgan and former NFL stars Lynn Swann, Ed “Too Tall” Jones and Richard Dent.
The event will be the fifth annual Know Your Score Celebrity Golf Tournament and Gala and all proceeds will benefit ZERO – The Project to End Prostate Cancer.
The event includes teams of four, who pay $2000 a team to join. Almost all of the teams are projected to have a celebrity with them this year. The celebrity host will be NBA player Gus Williams.
As tournament director and Zero Director of Marketing and Communications Heath Carter said,
“The longer it goes the more people hear about it, and it’s easier for us to get people to commit when they know people who were here in the past. Plus having Gus Williams as our celebrity host has helped. We already have people that have committed to return next year.”
For the price of the $2000entry fee, each time will receive a table of eight for the post-tournament gala. The gala will include a cocktail reception, dinner, performances by Branford Marsalis, and the emcee by Mitch Laurance with athletes discussing topics and answering questions.
The 300 seat event is nearly sold out for this year. As Carter said, looking to the future, “Next year we’re hoping to open it up to the community on a limited basis, probably sell a limited amount of tickets.”
The Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation recently donated its largest sum to 11 children’s charities, and revealed that it hopes to add three more organizations to its recipient list next year.
The $1.2 million donation was given to charities in Okaloosa and Walton counties.
The foundation’s president, Mr. John Russell, said:
“This is the first time that we have given over a million dollars. We have increased revenue every year since the inception of the Wine Auction in 2006. As a result, we have been able to generate increased recognition and participation.
The overriding mission of our organization is to enhance the lives of the children in our community. As our giving capacity continues to grow, we are able to provide increased assistance. Our participants are very connected to the organizations we help. All of the funds we donate stay right here on the Emerald Coast.”
One of the benefitting charities is Children in Crisis. President and CEO Ken Hair explained: “Children in Crisis has been a recipient of the Foundation’s generosity for six years. The Destin Wine Auction Foundation’s gifts to us total almost $1 million and have helped us to provide assistance to hundreds of kids in need. The Foundation has been a wonderful community partner to a lot of the local children’s organizations.”
This year’s charities include Children in Crisis, Sacred Heart Hospital of the Emerald Coast, the Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center, the Children’s Volunteer Network, Youth Village, Shelter House, Habitat for Humanity of Walton County, Pathways for Change, Horizons, Emerald Coast Autism Center and Fisher House of the Emerald Coast.
Next year’s three new charities are: the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast, Food for Thought, and Okaloosa Walton Homeless Continuum of Care/Opportunity, Inc.
Russel said:
“We are very optimistic that we can sustain the momentum generated this year into 2013. The reputation of the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation continues to grow. We are attracting top tier vintners and chefs to our events and our auction attendees look forward to the ability to secure rare and unusual wines. But the cornerstone of our organization and the reason we exist is to enhance the lives of our children in our local communities. That is our mission; that is our goal.”