Charity Spotlight: Operation Backpack

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." ~Nelson Mandela

While many of us are making plans to enjoy a few more weeks of summer sunshine, families with children are getting ready to soon go back to school!  I remember my own childhood "back-to-school rituals"... getting my hair cut, shopping for new sneakers ... and of course school supplies!  I distinctly remember one of my favorite middle school backpacks -- it was a dark purple canvas style with paint-like splashes of black, white, blue and pink.  Sounds ugly, but I loved it!

Unfortunately, thousands of homeless children go back to school each year without the basic supplies they need.  Without basic supplies like pens, pencils, paper, highlighters and rulers, it's hard to be a successful student.  Luckily for these children, Volunteers of America's Operation Backpack program provides school supplies and backpacks to children in need across the country.

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"Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom." ~ George Washington Carver

For people who come from poor, abusive or neglectful families... an education can literally be their ticket out of a life of destitution and despair.  We all want to believe that if we work hard, good things will happen for us.  A simple notebook can give a poor child a chance to test that theory.

One of the most devastating consequences of homelessness is the impact it has on a child’s education.  Frequent transfers to new schools and the stigma associated with living in a shelter can often result in a child failing or dropping out of school.  Operation Backpack provides grade-specific school supplies to homeless children throughout New York City.  A filled backpack relieves parents of a financial burden and provides a sense of normalcy into the otherwise chaotic lives of these children, helping them look and feel more like their classmates.  Most importantly, a filled backpack allows these children to start the school year feeling prepared and confident, with the knowledge that their education is important.

That's why Shep and I support Operation Backpack, and hope you will, too!

Watch this video to hear Paige's moving story:

Note: We have no affiliation with Volunteers of America or Operation Backpack.  We just wanted to spread the word about a project with a worthwhile cause!  Visit http://www.voa-gny.org/Get-Involved/Operation-Backpack/Operation-Backpack-USA.html to learn more or donate to the NYC Area's Operation Backpack, or to locate your local chapter!

Charity Spotlight: One Simple Wish

Shep and I both feel very lucky to have been given the opportunities we have in life, and we strongly believe in supporting our communities to help those who are less fortunate.  One organization that's quickly becoming one of my favorites to follow and support is One Simple Wish.  One Simple Wish was founded by a NJ mom in 2008 with the mission of brightening the lives of foster children.

As of today, One Simple Wish is less than $50,000 away from raising ONE MILLION DOLLARS of support for children in foster care this year.  That is a huge milestone, and a goal I certainly want to help reach!  One of my favorite things about One Simple Wish is seeing the very large impact that many small donations can have.

If you're inspired and would like to make a small donation to help reach the million dollar mark, please visit:  http://www.crowdrise.com/onemillionstrong.  Every dollar helps!

For more information about how One Simple Wish makes the lives of kids in foster brighter each day, please check out:  http://www.onesimplewish.org/howitworks.  Granting wishes is simple, fun and most of all, very impactful!  Something as modest to you and me as personal toiletries, a class photo, or a new pair of "cool" sneakers can make a big difference in the life of a foster child.  Many foster children face incredibly difficult circumstances in their lives -- if something as simple as a new book, toy, game or item of clothing can bring a smile to their faces, I'm honored to be able to provide that for them!

Charity Spotlight: Be The Match

Did you know that there are several forms of life-threatening blood cancers in existence today (including leukemia, lymphoma & sickle cell anemia) that can be successfully treated, allowing patients to live long and healthy lives?  Unfortunately, thousands of people of all ages are diagnosed with these blood cancers each year and 70% of these cancer patients do not have a marrow match in their families.  For a successful transplant, each patient needs a matching donor.  Without bone marrow or cord blood transplants from a matching donor, these patients could die.

The good news is that there are individuals and agencies out there that are working hard to save lives.  The National Marrow Donor Program is a nonprofit organization that operates the Be The Match Registry, the world’s largest listing of potential marrow donors and donated cord blood units.  Their registry contains 20.5 million donors and more than 590,000 cord blood units.  The program raises funds to help provide transplants to all patients through the Be The Match Foundation, matches patients with donors, educates health care professionals, and conducts research so more lives can be saved.

I am a member of the Be The Match Registry, and hope you'll consider joining, too.  Read more information about joining the registry here, and click here to join.  Need some more inspiration before signing up?  Click here to read about 3 year old cancer patient Ben's success story.  Registering is as easy as some paperwork and a cheek swab, and takes less than 10 minutes. Patients are most likely to match someone who shares their ancestry, so it's important that all races and ethnic backgrounds are represented in the registry.  Donors never pay to donate marrow and they are pre-screened to ensure their health and safety prior to any transplants.

By joining the Be The Match Registry, you'd be committing to:

• Be listed on the registry until your 61st birthday, unless you ask to be removed
• Consider donating to any searching patient who matches you
• Keep the organization updated if your address changes, you have significant health changes or you change your mind about being a donor
• Respond quickly if you are contacted as a potential match for a patient

It's important to note that even after you register, you have the right to change your mind about being a donor at any time.  Donating is always voluntary.

I hope you'll consider joining me as a member of the Be The Match Registry.  If you'd like to help in a different way, I urge you to make a financial donation that will allow Be The Match to save lives or register here for a local fundraising walk+run.  No gift is too small, and since the National Marrow Donor Program is a charitable organization, your donations are tax deductible.  Please take a few minutes today to help save a life -- you won't regret it!

So, are there any readers out there familiar with this agency's work?  I want to hear from you if you've signed up to join the registry or have made a monetary donation to help fight blood cancers!

Note: I am a registered marrow donor and a financial supporter, but am otherwise not involved with this organization and have not been paid or asked by Be The Match to write this post.  This is one of many charities whose mission I believe in, and I merely wanted to do my part to rally support for their cause.  Thanks for reading!

Source for video and images:  www.marrow.org

Dine at Chili's and support St Jude!

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Dine at Chili's on Monday, September 26th and support St. Jude!  Chili's is apparently donating all its net profits from 9/26 to St. Jude, one of my favorite charities.  For more details, click here.  Happy eating!