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Childrens’ Causes

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Childrens' Causes

The Seeds of Compassion

Its not very often that I share about my own philanthropy or that of my children but as a proud mother I think its time. No, I promise this isn’t one of those painful maternal bragging moments. This is about my first born son, who like most first borns (myself included) likes to think that the sun sets only on him….that was until he went to Watts.

A few years back he was having a rough summer getting ready to go to high school.  Getting tired of the pity party I called a friend down at a non-profit in South Central Los Angeles, called Urban Compass and asked if they could use some extra help. Urban Compass  is a non-profit that works to combat poverty and violence and make a difference in the lives of children in Watts. My son had never left his bubble, let alone ventured to the housing projects in the most dangerous neighborhood in LA.

At 14, my redhead walked into Urban Compass and was embraced by these huge smiles and hugs, That was it, he was hooked. He spent that summer taking children to places like the beach, which they had never seen. He held children’s hands as he walked them back into the housing projects and they begged him not to take him home. He came back at vacations and Christmas time asking our family to adopt one of “his families”.

Now my son is 16, he is a part of a new junior board at Urban Compass and asked me if he could do something else for his required service hours. “Why, would you do that?” I asked. The response, “Because service hours are something you have to do and this is something I love to do.”

The miracle of Christmas has touched our home this season as I hope it touches yours. That seed of compassion was in there and it has sprouted and grown. True charity of the heart that matters!

Copyright © 2011 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

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Childrens' Causes

A Little Christmas Cheer

I love that everyone is in the spirit of giving this time of year. I thought I would share with you Jack Johnson’s latest Christmas Album, This Warm December. 

Twenty-five percent of the proceeds from this album benefit Little Kids Rock.Org which is a national nonprofit that transforms children’s lives by restoring and revitalizing music education in disadvantaged public schools.

In 1996, an elementary school teacher, David Wish, grew frustrated with the lack of funding for music education at his school. Realizing that he would have to take it upon himself to make sure his kids got a chance to explore music, David began offering an after-school guitar class to interested students. The classes became wildly popular, and as more kids sought to enroll, he decided to take the program national.

In 2002, with initial support from musical luminaries BB King and John Lee Hooker, Little Kids Rock was born. What began as an informal project led by a single school teacher and a handful of volunteers has since evolved into a nationally recognized not-for-profit organization that has served tens of thousands of students across the country.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qu_U-YV4yA8]

So buy a little Christmas cheer and in the process make Charity Matter for thousands of children across this country with the gift of music.

Copyright © 2011 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.


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Childrens' Causes

Kids With Courage Foundation: Juvenile Diabetes

When I began this journey of sharing stories of small non-profits a few months back I never realized that the reoccurring theme would be the power of one. Time and again I am inspired, fascinated and motivated to share these stories of everyday heroes.

Daphna Bottcher is a mother who found out that her daughter, McGwire, had juvenile diabetes in 2006. She set out to not only help her child but help other families struggling with this disease as well and created a non-profit called Kids With Courage Foundation.

Daphna created an organization that promotes courage as its cornerstone with a mission to embrace children battling the life-long disease Type 1 diabetes, providing programs which have a direct influence on their lives.

Daphna said, “We all live day to day, acting out the one thing that is unique to us… our story. Our story is ours. Regardless of circumstances, we live out our story every moment of every day. Along the way, we are given opportunities to impact the stories of others for the good or bad.”

She is a hero because she took something that was a challenge and turned into a gift to help others.

In her words, “These circumstances have reminded me that we all can have a powerful impact in the lives of others, if we are also brave, and we live our story to the fullest to create a life full of meaning and purpose. We all have opportunities to do so much more if we choose to.”

That is converting passion into change and Charity that Matters.

Copyright © 2011 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

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Childrens' Causes

Children Mending Hearts

I am always amazed at how all of these causes come to me in such different ways. The beauty of this is that each day becomes a filter for all the goodness in this world, something we all need.

Children Mending Hearts is no exception. I was so intrigued by the concept of homeless and impoverished children in the United States being empowered by helping those children, even less fortunate than they are, in other countries.  The purpose of Children Mending Hearts is to give children worldwide the power to find and use their voices through creative expression.

If a homeless child creates something for a child refugee who doesn’t just have a hole in his/her shoe but is shoeless, then this disadvantaged child goes from victim to victorious.  Children gain a sense of being an advocate and knowing that even the simplest actions can make a difference.

They discover that their lives can feel different and that is what it’s all about.

Copyright © 2011 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

 
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Cancer

Gabby Krause

Time and again I am inspired by those who take adversity and turn it into something beautiful. Kindness never gets old and always seems to multiply once it is delivered. A perfect example of this is Tammy Krause.

Tammy lost her 6-year-old daughter, Gabby, in September 2004 to brain cancer after a 19-month long battle. In her loss, she was determined to honor her daughter’s legacy in a meaningful way. Gabby always brought her “Bag of Fun” to the hospital for her chemo treatments. It was her wish that other children should have them too. As a result, the Gabby Krause Foundation was launched by her family.

Gabby Krause has been gone for 7 years now but her legacy has delivered thousands and thousands of sick children bags of fun.

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Childrens' Causes

My New Red Shoes

Tomorrow is my son’s first day back to school and as I tucked him into bed last night he told me what he had planned to wear. That nervous excitement of seeing your friends for the first time in months brings joy and excitement for most children.

However, for thousands of homeless children the power of that first-day impression brings anxiety and stress. Heather Hopkins, the founder of My New Red Shoes heard her mother’s childhood stories of poverty and decided she could change the first day of school for thousands of children.

Since 2006 over 10,000 homeless children have gone back to school with smiles and new shoes.

Copyright © 2011 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

 
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