17 years ago, a retired couple in Utah started making handmade wooden toys for poor and sick children. The little cars and trucks were received so enthusiastically in the local hospital, a workshop was set up which has since delivered more than 1.1 million toys to kids around the world -- a place where volunteers come to laugh and give their time in an effort to make kids happy around the globe.
One year ago after a deadly tornado ripped through Joplin, Mo., among 161 humans killed, countless pets also lost their lives or became homeless.Since then, the ASPCA found forever homes for 745 pets and about 500 families were able to reunite with their lost pets. This week, the last unclaimed pet from the Missouri storm was claimed.
Vodafone is helping reunite families with loved ones in a refugee camp in Democratic Republic of Congo by providing free phone calls. Thanks to the humanitarian effort, nine-year-old Nirere was able to speak to her mother for the first time since they were separated 15 months ago.
Everyone in the UK is being asked to clear out their drawers, wardrobes and cupboards - and take their excess clothing and accessories to the clothing retail chain TK Maxx anytime in April, to contribute towards the fight against kids' cancer. Since 2004, the annual campaign, Give up Clothes for Good, has raised a whopping £10 million, with hopes this year to raise an additional £2.5 million for Cancer Research UK.
At the ripe old age of 12, Sam Klein is a dedicated CEO of his own recycling business. He collects empty printer ink cartridges from local businesses, keeping them from the landfills, while earning hundreds of dollars by sending them back to manufacturers. Even more impressive, Sam has given more than $1,000 to charity.
1,500 tons of food that would have gone to waste will now go to UK charities every year thanks to an innovative plan by the British grocery chain, Asda. Teaming up with hunger charity FareShare, Asda will divert surplus refrigerated food that arrives from suppliers, ensuring it won't end up in the trash bin.
My wife and I recently realized that we have a lot of stuff collecting dust. Instead of saving it all in case we need 10 years hence, why not give it to someone who needs it now? In case you feel the same way, here are some useful places to donate all types of things
People have bicycled, walked, even roller-bladed across Canada for charity. But Mark McIntyre is likely the only one who has ever hitch-hiked across Canada wearing nothing but his underwear and a smile. As a testicular cancer survivor, he teamed up with an underwear manufacturer that agreed to donate $20,000 for men's cancer research. He also wants to educate men on how to check themselves regularly, like women do.
It's capitalism with a conscience. Nordstrom recently opened a test store where all profits go to charity. Starbucks has three coffee shops where a big chunk of the money made helps the needy. In the past few years, dozens of America's biggest brands have embraced social generosity.
Rather than the traditional, honorary trip to the White House this year, the 2010 World Champion Los Angeles Lakers teamed up with NBA Cares and President Obama last week to join members of The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washingon for an afternoon of education and service projects.
Four foundations have provided Teach for America with $100 million in endowments to coincide with the group's 20-year anniversary celebration this week. The fund will be used to create a reliable, long-term stream of revenue to fund Teach For America's ongoing efforts to recruit, train, and develop transformational teachers for pre-K-12 education.
What do the Trevi Fountain in Rome, India's Charminar monument, and the New York Stock Exchange building have in common? Each of these iconic landmarks will provide a dramatic backdrop for a Celebratory message about the eradication of Polio this week on the occasion of the Rotary organization's 106th anniversary. End Polio Now. Those three words – representing Rotary's pledge to rid the world of this crippling childhood disease – will be projected onto each structure this week accompanied by speeches announcing the exciting news: 99% of the world has become a polio-free zone, and the disease's final days are near.
ToysRUs yesterday announced the launch of its nine-week in-store fundraising campaign to benefit Autism Speaks, North America's largest autism science and advocacy organization.The company will collect donations in its stores through April 30 and provide a $400,000 grant to kick off its fifth annual campaign.
The Jolie-Pitt Foundation has committed $2 million towards the N/a'an ku sê Mission in Namibia, a special gift to the land of one of their children's birthplace.
Angelina Jolie is to blame, really. Because of something she said to me in India four years ago, I have quit my 13-year career as an entertainment journalist, have given away almost everything I own, and at 43, have joined the Peace Corps.
A charity ride led by cycling great Lance Armstrong has raised more than $125,000 for Queensland flood victims. And, TV chef Jamie Oliver, who was planning to open a food center in March, sped up construction so he he could offer free meals to 250 people a day who have been affected by the floods in Australia.
Rotary International made a promise to help kick polio out of Africa, and this month the group wrapped up a massive immunization mobilization that brought their dream to the brink of reality.
Remember Aaron's Last Wish, the video showing his family giving a waitress five hundred dollars, as a last remembrance of their brother? Well, that cash was raised online from friends and family to fulfill Aaron's request to leave an awesome tip… like $500 on a pizza. Yesterday NPR reported, Three weeks later, the family has collected nearly $50,000 and three lucky servers have been surprised with $500 gratuities. The Collins family members are posting videos as they spread the good cheer. Here is the latest.
Starting today, Microsoft's Technology for Good program are donating Office 365 to nonprofits worldwide regardless of the organization's size. The offer is available in 41 countries today, and will be rolled out to 49 more by July 2014.
Three days after promising to match donations for four humanitarian relief groups, the tech giant helped raise over ten million dollars.
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