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

Skechers Donating 1 Million Masks

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By JohnPosted In: ChildFund International

It’s important to highlight companies that are trying to do great things in the face of the Corona virus. Skechers is one such company. They have recently donated one million triple-layer, non-medical masks to non-profit organizations. These are organizations that typically don’t get PPE from government organizations.

The masks being distributed by Skechers and United Way of Greater Los Angeles to homeless shelters and food banks in L.A., to public education centers in the area and to some organizations in Chicago, New York City, Detroit, Florida and New Jersey.

The program was tagged as the #MillionMaskChallenge campaign and started with announcements from some influential TikTok users such as Addison Rae, Loren Gray, Avani and the Croes Brothers. The idea was to create a video dancing to the track “Skechers” by DripReport. For every “Skechers” dance that was shared, the Skechers company agreed to donate up to a million Skechers face masks.

As DripReport explained,

“Part of my goal with the track was to show you can make whatever you wear cool and share a message about self-confidence over material things. When I originally released ‘Skechers’ in January, the world was in a different place. After the track blew up, I love that Skechers and I succeeded in making it stand for so much more.”

Awe-Inspiring Action

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By JohnPosted In: ChildFund International

It’s an amazing thing to think about how some charities got started – and particularly amazing when you find out they were started by children. This article offers a number of stories about kids who started charities after seeing a need. It’s inspiration to hear about these stories and to see how much one person really can make a difference.

Particularly today, when times are so difficult with COVID-19, it’s nice to think of offering kids a way to look outside themselves and to think about how they can help others. These stories might inspire others to look around and to see places where they can be helpful and offer hope to those who need it most.

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.