Indigo jones

What better way to give thanks this year, than to help someone in need?
Here are a few suggestions for some of our favorite charities that truly make a difference!

Cycle for Survival:
Founded 3 years ago by marketing executive and 4 time cancer survivor Jennifer Goodman Linn, this organization uses 100% of its donated funds to support research to treat uncommon, or “orphan” cancers. Join a team and take a spin with us at the upcoming studio cycling event January 31, or make a donation in someone’s honor.

Go to www.cycleforsurvival.org and click on our team, “Shari’s Spinners” to join us in battling this deadly disease.

World Wide Orphans Foundation:

“Orphan Doctor” Jane Aronson, a NYC pediatrician, infectious disease and adoption medicine specialist, has taken her expertise and passion for children, and created a foundation to help transform the lives of orphans around the world.

Aronson, one of this year’s “Glamour Women of the Year”, has established programs worldwide to identify the unique needs of orphaned children through medical, developmental, psychosocial and educational programs that are respectful of the cultural norms in each global setting. From AIDS/HIV treatment, to early intervention work, and an introduction to art, music and computers, this foundation provides every aspect of care to help these children become healthy, independent and productive members of their communities. To learn more about the incredible work this group is doing for children worldwide, or to make a donation go to: http://www.wwo.org

Invisible Children/MEND:

“Give a man a fish and he eats for a day, teach a man to fish and he eats for life.” Such is the philosophy of this organization, which trains women in remote villages in Africa and provides them with work.  New York designer, and photographer Marie Havens designs simple, yet fashionable bags and travels to Northern Uganda to help rehabilitate former child soldiers by providing them with training, giving them jobs sewing the bags and helping them start their own businesses. Each bag has the name of the seamstress who made it, and there is a profile of her online. Proceeds from the bags fund future projects, and mentoring services. What better way to “pay it forward” than to give a MEND bag for a gift? store.invisiblechildren.com/mend/

We are inspired by these incredible women, whose efforts are helping to make the world a better place. Why not join them this holiday season and give the gift of a better life to thousands of people who need our help to survive?

Please share this post with others you know, in hopes that we can all do our part to change the world, one life at a time.

Happy Thanksgiving!

photo: Glasshouse Images

Tags: charity, cycle for survival, give thanks, invisable children, mend, worlwide orphan foundation

This entry was posted on November 26, 2009 at 2:48 pm and is filed under family. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.