Charity Week; Day Five: Think Globally, Act Locally

Everyone wants to make a difference where the big picture is concerned, but how do you do it?  Where do you start?  The best place to start is at home with your local organizations.  Here are some local charities that MBC contributes to.

Tacoma-Pierce County United Way:
They believe education, income and health are the foundation for a good life. Education is essential to getting and keeping a job. Income is important for economic stability. Good health is critical for everyone.  They're working to build lasting opportunities for a good life for all who live in our community.  MBC attorney James McCormick sits on their board of directors.  Visit their website to find out how to get involved.  Click here to find United Way in your area.

Catholic Community Services:
Every year MBC adopts a family in need for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Click here for sponsorship, here to donate. We also donate blankets, coats, socks and other needed items to their Hospitality Kitchen.


Cancer Society Relay for Life:
Many of the employees here at MBC also participate in the Relay for Life each year.  You can sign up a team, join a team, register as a survivor, or sign up as an individual here.  If you'd rather just donate to a team, individual, or to the even itself, click here.  Click here to find Relay for Life events in your area.

Northwest Harvest:
We team up with the Washington State Association for Justice and Northwest Harvest, our statewide hunger relief agency, to feed families in need.  Volunteer here.  Find many ways to donate here.

These are just a few of the charitable organizations MBC supports.  We also support:

Judicial Dispute Resolution
Thurston, King, and Pierce County's Volunteer Legal Services
Tacoma-Pierce County YMCA
The Brain Injury Association Of Washington
Seattle University School of Law's Access to Justice Institute
Northwest Immigrant's Rights Project
International Rescue Committee
Tacoma-Pierce County Sexual Assault Center
Volunteer Advocates for Immigrant Justice
Lance Armstrong Organization LIVESTRONG Challenge
ACT Theater
Seattle University School of Law Immigration Court Project
Muscular Dystrophy Association
Saint Patrick's School
The Red Cross
Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium

And don't forget, as the Tacoma News Tribune reported earlier this week, with the economy as depressed as it is our local Tacoma-Pierce County Food Bank could use your help.

 Make it a point to remember those that are less fortunate this  season, both globally and locally.  Happy holidays from those MBC.

Charity Week; Day Four Children's/Youth Organizations

There are so many worthy organizations doing good for the children of the world, it was hard to pick just a few to focus on.  There are those dedicated to child protection, those trying to help the children of the world through sponsorship programs, and those committed to youth development.

We'll start with the child protection organizations.

Children's Defense Fund:
Their mission is to "Leave No Child Behind"^®  to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. 

CDF provides a voice for all America's children, paying particular attention to the needs of poor and minority children and those with disabilities. They also educate about the needs of children and encourage preventive measures before they get sick, drop out of school, get into trouble or suffer family breakdown.  Here's where you can donate.

U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program:
The Toys for Tots Program collects new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, to distribute as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community.  By doing this, they hope to deliver a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens.  They have many different ways you can donate.  Click here to find out more.




The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children:
The NCMEC's mission is to serve as the nation’s resource on the issues of missing and sexually exploited children. The organization provides information and resources to law enforcement, parents, children, including child victims as well as other professionals. Donate here.  You can also visit their website to find out other ways to get involved.

Children in the U.S. and all over the world live impoverished, marginalized and vulnerable to harm and illness.   Your sponsorship can provide a pair of shoes, a meal, or much needed medical care.  Here are some sponsorship sites to help you get started.

Children Incorporated:

Children, Incorporated provides resources for children in need internationally. They

envision a world in which each child has the education, resources and opportunity to build a better life.  Click here to find out how you can make a difference.

Christian Foundation for Children and Aging: 

The CFCA provides personal attention and direct benefits to children, youth, aging and their families so they may live with dignity, achieve their desired potential and participate fully in society.  They invite people of good will to live in daily solidarity with the world’s poor through one-to-one sponsorship.  They build community by fostering relationships of mutual respect, understanding and support that are culturally diverse, empowering and without religious or other prejudice.  Grounded in the Gospel call to serve the poor, CFCA is a lay Catholic organization working with persons of all faith traditions to create a worldwide community of compassion and service.  There are many ways to get involved with the CFCA.  Click here to find out how.


Save the Children:
Save the Children is the world’s leading independent organization for children.
Their vision is a world in which every child attains the right to survival, protection, development and participation.  Their mission is to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives.  Click here to donate, here to sponsor.

And here are some programs designed to keep our children education and help them gain the confidence they need to reach their full potential in life.  

Big Brothers and Sisters:
The mission of Big Brothers and Sisters is to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with mentors that have a  measurable impact on youth.  Learn how to donate here.  Volunteer to be a big brother or sister here.

Scholarship America:
Scholarship America is a national education service organization that mobilizes support for students getting into and graduating from college. Since 1958, Scholarship America has distributed more than $2.4 billion in scholarship assistance to more than 1.7 million students.  They let you decide where your money goes, whether it goes where it's most needed, to support initiatives to support students, to your regional office, local chapter, for those who lost family in the 9/11 attacks, or for those with unexpected financial burdens that would otherwise not allow them to stay in school.  Click here to donate.

Girl Scouts of the USA:
The Girl Scouts is the world’s preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls—all girls—where, in an accepting and nurturing environment, girls build character and skills for success in the real world. In partnership with committed adult volunteers, girls develop qualities that will serve them all their lives, like leadership, strong values, social conscience, and conviction about their own potential and self-worth.  Always want to be a girl scout leader?  Click here.  To donate, click here.

Boy Scouts of America:
The Boy Scouts is one of the nation's largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations. The BSA provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness.  Click here to volunteer your time, here to donate.



Please come back tomorrow when we talk about the charities we personally donate to and other local organizations that could use your help.

Charity Week; Day Three, Animal Protection

For you animal lovers out there, here is a list of charitable organizations protecting the rights of our furry little friends.  

It was hard to find ones that are both top rated by the American Institute of Philanthropy, and meet the 20 standards from the Better Business Bureau, but here are a couple that do just that. 

 

Associated Humane Societies:

The mission of  Associated Human Societies Inc., is to provide the highest quality care to all animals including their rescue, housing, veterinary care, placement whenever possible, and when required, a peaceful end.  They also try to prevent cruelty to all animals throughout the United States through intervention as well as the promotion of humane education regarding the proper care and treatment of animals at both public and private levels.  Click here to donate.

The Jane Goodall Institute: 

Founded by renowned primatologist Jane Goodall, the Jane Goodall Institute is a global nonprofit that empowers people to make a difference for all living things. Their work builds on Dr. Goodall’s scientific work and her humanitarian vision. Specifically, they seek to improve global understanding and treatment of great apes through research, public education and advocacy. They contribute to the preservation of great apes and their habitats by combining conservation with education and promotion of sustainable livelihoods in local communities.  Lastly, they create a worldwide network of young people who have learned to care deeply for their human community, for all animals and for the environment, and who will take responsible action to care for them.  Learn how to volunteer here.  Donate here.

One popular charitable organization dedicated to protecting wildlife is the World Wildlife Fund.  The WWF is not a top rated charity, but it does satisfy the BBB's 20 standards.

WWF's mission is the conservation of nature. Using the best available scientific knowledge they work to preserve the diversity and abundance of life on Earth and the health of ecological systems by protecting natural areas and wild populations of plants and animals, including endangered species; promoting sustainable approaches to the use of renewable natural resources; and promoting more efficient use of resources and energy and the maximum reduction of pollution.  With the WWF, you can do more than just donate.  You can also adopt and travel.

Here are a couple more that are top rated, but don't meet all of the BBB's 20 standards:

Marine Mammal Center 

Their goal is to expand knowledge about marine mammals and to inspire their global conservation. Their core work is the rescue and rehabilitation of sick and injured marine mammals, supported by state-of-the-art animal care and research facilities, a corps of dedicated volunteers, and an engaged community. Here's how to donate.

The Farm Sanctuary:

The Farm Sanctuary has worked to end cruelty to farm animals and promote compassionate living. They rescue animals from abject cruelty, expose the callousness and disregard for life that drive the “food animal” industry, and advocates for legal protections for farm animals. To donate and find out how you can get involved, click here.

  Please come back tomorrow when we highlight Children/youth organizations.  Thanks for reading.

Charity Week; Day Two, Environmental Causes

  If you like to support conservation efforts, here are a few charities you might consider.  Again, all are top rated on the American Institute of Philanthropy and meet the 20 standards as set by the Better Business Bureau.

Rainforest Alliance: 
The Rainforest Alliance works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behavior.  The Alliance appreciates corporate gifts, but has a few different ways to give.  Click here to find out more.

Union of Concerned Scientists:
The Union of Concerned Scientists is the leading science-based nonprofit working for a healthy environment and a safer world. UCS combines independent scientific research and citizen action to develop innovative, practical solutions and to secure responsible changes in government policy, corporate practices, and consumer choices. Click here to donate.

Earthworks:
EARTHWORKS is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting communities and the environment from the destructive impacts of mineral development, in the U.S. and worldwide.  You can join in their fight to save the environment, or donate here.


The Trust for Public Land:
TPL conserves land for people to enjoy as parks, community gardens, historic sites, rural lands, and other natural places, ensuring livable communities for generations to come. They have a gift matching program, click here to find out more.

The World Resource Institute:
Their mission is to motivate society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations.  They work with four goals in mind; climate protection, governance, markets & enterprise, and people & ecosystems.  To donate, click here.


You can also donate your time to many of these organizations in order to conserve our natural resources and keep our earth a beautiful and healthy place to live.  Check out these websites and find out all the many ways you can help.

Charity Week; Day One, Fighting Disease

During the season of giving, we know many of you would like to donate your money, much needed items, or volunteer your time to charity.  But where do you start?  

This week, with Christmas right around the corner, we thought we would highlight some  charitable organizations worthy of your contributions.  Today we're starting with the war against diseases.  These are all top rated charities according to the American Institute of Philanthropy.  All those listed also meets all 20 Standards for Charity Accountability set forth by the Better Business Bureau.

Mostly we're focusing on cancer, but there are so many fighting the good fight, they are also worth mentioning.

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society: 

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. Their mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Click here to find out how you can help their cause.

Cure Search for Children's Cancer:

Their oncology group is a network of physicians, nurses, and scientists whose collaborative efforts have turned childhood cancer from virtually incurable, to one with a 78% cure rate.  They are dedicated to raising  funds for childhood cancer research, and are committed to conquering childhood cancer through scientific discovery and compassionate care.  Click here to find out how to donate, advocate, and support their cause.

Cancer Research Institute:

CRI is dedicated exclusively to the support and coordination of laboratory and clinical efforts that will lead to the immunological treatment, control, and prevention cancer.  Click here to find out the many ways to donate to this organization.

 Breast Cancer Research Foundation:

Their mission is to  is to achieve prevention and a cure for breast cancer by providing  funding for innovative  research, and increasing public awareness about good breast health. Currently, over 90 cents of every dollar donated goes to breast cancer research and awareness programs. Click here to donate.

Here are some organizations helping fight or cure other diseases or illnesses:

The Foundation for AIDS Research:

The foundation is dedicated to ending the global AIDS epidemic through innovative research. amfAR plays a catalytic role in accelerating the pace of HIV/AIDS research and achieving real breakthroughs. amfAR-funded research has increased our understanding of HIV and has helped lay the groundwork for major advances in its study and treatment. Here's how to donate. 

American Lung Association:

They work to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through Education, Advocacy and Research.  You can find how to get involved and donate on their website.

Diabetes Action Research and Education Foundation:

Diabetes Action is committed to the prevention and treatment of diabetes and to the funding of innovative, promising research aimed at finding a cure for diabetes and diabetes related complications. Donate here.

Parkinson's Disease Foundation:

PDF is a leading national presence in Parkinson’s disease research, education and public advocacy. They fund promising scientific research to find the causes of and a cure for Parkinson's while supporting people with Parkinson’s, their families and caregivers through educational programs and support services. Find out how you can give to PDF here.

Muscular Dystrophy Association:

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education. Here's how you can help.

Just a few ideas of ways you can donate this Christmas season.  More worthy charities tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by,

Your friends at MBC