For those of you who watched the award show you know how heart-warming and inspiring the event was. I was blown away by the hard work, passion, love and creativity of the many people involved in the organizations, campaigns and community initiatives around the country. Some of the initiatives mentioned at the ceremony I have previously blogged about, however there were many that I have yet to share. So here is a recap of some of the truly incredible community contributions and their contributors mentioned that night:
1. Move for Hunger created by Adam Lowy – By teaming up with moving companies across the country, Move for Hunger is creating one of the nation’s largest year-round service programs. Movers offer to pick up the unwanted, non-perishable food items from those who are moving and deliver it to their local food banks. http://moveforhunger.org/
2. TwitChange – TwitChange was launched in August of 2010 in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Haiti to bring fans, celebrities, and a great cause together to change the world. Their 1st campaign received over 35 million hits, won the Mashable Award for Most Creative Social Good Campaign, and made a huge impact for people in need. After 3 more very successful campaigns in 2011, TwitChange also aims to be the leading provider of breaking news and content on how social media is making the world a better place. http://twitchange.com/
3. Unite for Children – UNICEF is a driving force that helps build a world where the rights of every child are realized. They have the global authority to influence decision-makers, and the variety of partners at grassroots level to turn the most innovative ideas into reality. That makes them unique among world organizations, and unique among those working with the young. http://www.unicef.org/index.php
4. Malaria No More – Determined to end malaria deaths in Africa by 2015—and they’re helping the world get it done. Malaria No More leverages high-impact awareness campaigns to engage the world, global advocacy to rally leadership and strategic investments in Africa to accelerate progress, build capacity and save lives. http://www.malarianomore.org/
5. Sport Relief – Fundraisers that do something fun and active to raise cash and help make the world of difference. All the money raised by the public is spent by Comic Relief (a major charity based in the UK which strives to create a just world free from poverty) to help transform the lives of poor and vulnerable people, both at home and across the world’s poorest countries. http://www.sportrelief.com/
6. Elton John Aids Foundation – Supports innovative HIV prevention programs, efforts to eliminate stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS, and direct care and support services for people living with HIV/AIDS. Collectively, its organizations have raised over $220 million since inception in support of projects in 55 countries around the world, including significant funding dedicated to programs in their respective home countries. http://www.ejaf.org/index.html
7. DonorsChoose.org – An online charity that makes it easy for anyone to help students in need. http://www.donorschoose.org/
8. The Sparkle Effect created by Sarah Cronk – A student-run program encourages teens nationwide to include students with disabilities in high-school cheerleading programs. An on-line Quick-Start kit, grants for uniforms, and free on-site training makes starting a squad easy and fun! The result: students with disabilities experience true acceptance and gain confidence as high-school students inspire entire communities to embrace inclusion. http://www.thesparkleeffect.org/index.php
9. Artists for Peace and Justice – Established in early 2009, APJ is a fundraising effort founded by Paul Haggis and friends that encourages peace and social justice and addresses issues of poverty and enfranchisement in communities around the world. The organization’s immediate goal is to build schools to serve the poorest areas of Haiti, providing an education, hot meals, clean drinking water and regular medical treatments to the children living in the slums. http://www.apjnow.org/index.html
10. The Trevor Project – Determined to end suicide among LGBTQ youth by providing life-saving and life-affirming resources including a nationwide 24/7 crisis intervention lifeline and digital community and advocacy/educational programs that create a safe, supportive and positive environment for everyone. http://www.thetrevorproject.org/
11. YALLA created by Mark Kabban – YALLA‘s mission is to empower immigrant families and their children, guiding their community through soccer, eco-therapy and education to develop the knowledge and confidence to pursue their physical and intellectual goals. They work to cultivate a healthy disposition, honesty, and hope in refugee youth as they learn the merit of commitment and grasp the dynamics of leadership. http://yallasd.com/index.php
12. Real Food Challenge created by David Schwartz – Serves as both a campaign and a network. The campaign is to increase the procurement of real food on college and university campuses, with the national goal of 20% real food by 2020. Already these efforts have created a shift of $35,000,000.00 in food decision distribution. By leveraging purchasing power transformation of the larger food system can take place. The network offers a chance for students and their allies (those working on the campaign along with those who’ve yet to sign on) to make connections, learn from one another, and grow the movement. http://realfoodchallenge.org/ & http://www.liverealnow.org/
13. Pencils of Promise – Pencils of Promise builds schools in the developing world and trains young leaders to take action at home and abroad. http://www.pencilsofpromise.org/
And another just because I love this stuff…
14. Spokes of Change – Millennium Promise is a nonprofit organization whose goal is to reduce worldwide extreme poverty within our lifetime. One of Millennium Promise’s campaigns is Spokes of Change. The project helps provide bicycles, training, and equipment for Community Health Workers in rural Africa, who in turn deliver much needed services for young moms and children (just one health worker can care for up to 750 people!). Buying just one 100% cotton T-shirt—designed by Tommy Hilfiger—can cover the costs for an entire month’s worth of medical supplies for a health worker. (Source: http://www.getmilkshake.com)
Feeling inspired? Yeah, me too!
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