charity of the day

Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc. (C.O.P.S.) works to help the families of the 140+ law enforcement officers that are killed in the line of duty every year, assisting them to put the pieces back together and rebuild their lives. C.O.P.S. also offers training to agencies and the public on the issues and areas that need addressing and aim to keep the safety of law enforcement officers on the front of everyone's mind at all times. Founded in 1984 with 110 members, C.O.P.S. is based out of Missouri and currently boasts a membership count of more than 15,000 families.

Natural disasters affect everything in their path, during the San Diego wildfires the news kept rolling footage of deer and other wild life running for their lives to escape the flames; talk about depressing. The recent earthquake in China has left many animals displaced and abandoned, not by choice but due to their owners having to flee rapidly. Animals Asia is a Hong Kong based charity determined to helping both animals and their owners during this time of need. Survivors in Sichuan's earthquake-hit region are lining up to hand over their dogs to Animals Asia for safe-keeping until they are back on their feet, while in the shelter the animals will receive medical care if injured and vaccinations to help prevent the spreading of disease. If you would like to help Animals Asia they could really use the extra donations right now!

The Animal Rescue Site has harnessed the immense power of the Internet and put it to use for a good cause. The site features a button that visitors can click as many times as they want to provide much needed food to the millions of animals in shelters across the US. The food is payed for by sponsors that advertise on the site, and it's distributed by volunteers. So, next time you're bored at work... click away! Like most charities The Animal Rescue Site has an online gift store, except this one is more like and online gift mall, I was blown away by how much cool stuff they have (jewelry, cute clothing, home and garden supplies and pet accessories and much more), I put the shopping link in my favorites, I will definitely check back next time I'm buying a gift! If you're going to be shopping online it feels good to know you aren't just fueling the mass consumerism lifestyle, when a portion of the money goes to a good cause it makes shopping so much more enjoyable! Plus I can justify spending more knowing the proceeds go to animals!

Want to support your favorite school every time you shop online? Schoolpop.com offers internet shoppers an easy way to donate to the school of their choice, while conveniently buying their everyday shopping items. Since its inception, Schoolpop has contributed more than $200 million to over 30,000 schools nationwide! Choose from hundreds of your favorite retailers, Arden B., Best Buy, Barnes & Noble, L'Occitane, Pottery Barn....and hundreds more. Check out the Schoolpop website to see if the school you'd like to support is listed, chances are ....it is! If you're kids school needs a simple and effective fundraiser, get them listed on the site! Some purchases kick back as much as 20% of retail price to the school. I love this site, what an easy way to contribute to the education of future generations.

The Faith Trust Institute has a primary goal of ending sexual and domestic violence. Founded in 1977, it's an international and multi-faith organization that follows a leadership model to provide training, consultation, and various print and video resources to religious organizations around the world in order to support their individual efforts at decreasing the prevalence of sexual and domestic violence. The Faith Trust Institute works on all kinds of social and individual issues that contribute to the continuation of violence and abuse, but it especially focuses on clergy ethics and healthy families, plus a few other areas.

Wecansolveit.org (WE) is an environmental organization that was founded by former Vice President Al Gore. WE's ultimate goal is to halt global warming. Their work includes changing government policies and urging corporations to use clean energy solutions as well as educating people in the US and around the world that the climate crisis is both urgent and solvable. WE teaches that clean energy solutions will not only save the environment but also help rebuild the economy. I always picture the polar bear as a sort of mascot for global warming, and recent efforts from WE have the polar bear joining the list of endangered species, an action that will help guarantee that protective measures are taken on it's behalf. Learn more about this important organization, the climate crisis deserves all of our immediate attention and joining or supporting WE is one of the most effective ways to add your voice to the cause.

There's no better time than now, in the middle of a war, to help out our nation's veterans and show them how much we love, support, and most importantly respect the tremendous commitment and sacrifice they've made (and are making) for our country. There are countless charities that support the cause but one that helps unite them all together is the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. The NCHV acts as a resource for a national network of organizations and service providers that provide support, housing, job training, and placement assistance for hundreds thousands of homeless veterans every year.

Last week's star studded charity auction and dinner event at Cannes, raked in a whopping $10 million for amfAR, a leading AIDS research organization. Founded in 1985, amfAR is dedicated to ending the global AIDS epidemic through continued innovative research. Tickets to attend the bash went for $5,000 a person and accounted for a good portion of the evenings earnings. Celebrities in attendance included Madonna who donated her purse complete with it's contents to the evenings auction...it went for a staggering $1.5 million! It's nice to see people coming together with such a successful outcome, $10 million is quite an accomplishment for one evening!

Charityfolks.com is auctioning off a chance to meet David Beckham at an LA Galaxy Game! Additional prize loot includes hotel and airfare, a meet-and-greet and photo op with David Beckham, a David Beckham autographed jersey, 2 VIP field seats to the game and a pregame tour of the stadium! The money earned from the auction benefits the Hattie B. Cooper Community Center. Located in one of Boston's poorest neighborhoods, the Cooper Community Center provides high-quality early education programs that encourage self-esteem, confidence, leadership and learning to at risk youth. Bidding is currently at $10,000 and is open until June 4th. What an amazing opportunity to help kids and attend a game in VIP style, I wonder if Posh will be there?

Coffee for a cause! Jumpy Monkey premium coffee is carefully drum roasted in small batches at a place called Opportunities Unlimited in Sioux City, IA. The coffee not only tastes great and is available in 33 delectable flavors (I would know, I've tried at least half of them so far!) but every bean you buy goes to support the rehabilitation of individuals that have sustained a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, or other disability through both the coffee's profits and by providing employment opportunities for individuals undergoing rehab. For me it's a great chance to support a charity through a daily habit I have anyway (plus it's wonderful to have the coffee come right to the door), and if you're intimidated by their long list of flavors let me recommend my two favorites: Snickerdoodle and Creme Brulee. Yum!

All people have the right to develop to their fullest potential, and The Chimes Foundation is an organization that functions on that principle by providing support and training to those facing special obstacles like disability or illness. Centered around promoting individualism, self-worth, and dignity, Chimes was originally founded way back in 1947 in Maryland when a group of parents realized that educational and training opportunities were lacking for their children with mental retardation. Today the organization has expanded to international status and serves almost 10,000 people facing a variety of challenges.

Every year numerous chimpanzees are left homeless and unwanted after they've lived out their usefulness to humans as research animals, circus performers, and exotic pets. Chimp Haven is a non-profit organization that steps in to give these neglected animals a place to live out their lives in a natural and humane environment where all they have to do is be themselves.

Started in April of 2005 and located in Louisiana, Chimp Haven also serves as the The National Chimpanzee Sanctuary and is looking to branch out into additional smaller sanctuaries in the future.

Perhaps the most popular charity today is called simply ONE, over the years it's been endorsed by almost every celebrity imaginable. The ONE campaign is focused on ending extreme poverty and Aids around the world. ONE seeks to raise awareness and educate the public, as well as rally the support of world leaders to join their cause. ONE's reach is global, and their member count is staggering, over 2 million, and that number grows every day. Join their efforts, you can participate by signing petitions or shopping their online boutique.

Peace Keeper Cause-Metics is the first cosmetic line to give all of its after tax profits to women's health advocacy and human rights issues. This outstanding company has earned some serious bragging rights! They don't test on animals and their mineral based products contain no harsh chemicals or additives and are considered some of the most effective, yet gentle products on the market. They closely monitor the company's they work with over seas to make sure workers earn fair wages and are offered health care and retirement. Peace Keeper was started after founder Jody Weiss read an article about female genital mutilation, saddened and angered by what she learned, she immediately left her career as a sports agent in order to devote all her time to raising awareness and funds for women's issues. You must check out what this awesome line has to offer, their lip gloss is simply amazing ($16.50). I only wish I had discovered Peace Keeper sooner!

Isabelle Fields was inspired by the story of a little girl named Alex from Philadelphia who successfully raised a staggering 6 million dollars for cancer research through sales from her lemonade stand! Isabelle vowed to do the same, she began making scented soaps and candles, sales took off instantly... and every penny goes straight to cancer research programs and children's hospitals. Her cause is getting quite a bit of press, I first heard about her products in Us Magazine. Check out this little girls charming products, prices range from $14-$24, and help her realize her dream of helping others! Isabellehelpingthechildren.com