My Favorite Charities

Hello,

Here are some links to my favorite charities that I currently support whenever I can!

With the holidays just around the corner, I would advise that you take a look at these wbesites and make even a small donation to one of them. Spread the joy, cheer and generousity, and please, tell your friends about these charities as well! Thank you & Happy Holidays!

Many Blessings,
-SL

St. Jude Children's Hospital: 1-800-822-6344
http://www.stjude.org/
As a former chronically-ill child, I cannot help but support this wonderful organization. I remember what it was like to be extremely sick without knowing exactly what the cause was. I remember my mother worrying about the stack of medical bills and everyday household bills. I can only imagine the sleepless nights and endless worry my mother endured when I was an ill child clinging for my very life. That being said, St. Jude is the one charity I regularly support. Each year, St. Jude's help thousands of children whose lives are interupted by sickness and or cancer. They work tirelessly to save these children and find new and innovative cures for cancer-and "no child is ever turned away because of a family's inability to pay (St. Jude's Nationwide Television Commercial 2004) ." Check them out today!

Heifer International: 1-800-422-0474
http://www.heifer.org/
This truly grass-rooots organization is helping to fight hunger worldwide. They give a handup to hungry and impoverished people almost everywhere. While they focus mostly on international hunger, they do have projects here at home in the United States, such as the St. Helena Beef Cattle Project and the Kentucky Small Farms Project, Phase III . Heifer Interational uses animals to provide food, milk, various animal products and agricultural education for poor families world-wide. They send their own trained staff to assist poor people and educate them on the benefits of the animal gifts they recieve. This organization is close to my heart and I think what they do is great! Give 'em look and see for yourself-I promise, you'll be moved and impressed!

America's Second Harvest: 1-800- 771-2303
http://secondharvest.org/
Because hunger doesn't just happen overseas, it happens right here in our own backyard, America's Second Harvest lends a hand at home. Each and every year America's Second Harvest distrubutes hundreds of thousands of pounds of food to America's hungriest. "[They] distribute food and grocery products through a nationwide network of certified affiliates, increase public awareness of domestic hunger, and advocate for policies that benefit America's hungry ("How We Work" America's Second Harvest 2004) ." With over 200 local food banks nationwide, ASH is doing a fine job at their effort to "end hunger in America." Check out their website today!

Opearation Smile: (757) 321-7645
http://www.operationsmile.org/
Can you imagine a world without smiles? How about your own life without your own smile? What would it be like if you couldn't smile? That definately wouldn't be something to smile about. "Throughout the world, Operation Smile volunteers repair childhood facial deformities..... Together, we create smiles, change lives, heal humanity (Operation Smile Inc. 2004)." Give this truly medically advanced-joy-focused charity a click today. The drastic and wonderful changes from cleft lips to real smiles will definately make you smile wide!

Save the Music: 1-888-841-4687
http://www.vh1.com/partners/save_the_music/who_we_are/index.html
Although not quite as important as saving dying children or ending hunger, VH1's "Save the Music," foundation is quite remarkable in its own right. Established in 1997, this great charity has worked each day to save the music in public schools. You may have seen their annual fundraiser on your local VH1 channel, a yearly "Divas" concert in which all the proceeds go to STM. I grew up with music in my school, and I am a former piano and violin player-I can honestly say that music does help! It is the poetry of our soul and the beat of our lives. Without music, where would we be? However, due to depleting education funds, music classes around the country are being taken away. Studies have proven that children who study music do better in other subjects such as math, science, and reading and also have greater self-confidence. Now, who wouldn't want that? Click on the link today and find out more!