The Problem: Helping the hurting worldwide
Who: Samaritan's Purse
Why are they special? Evangelist Billy Graham's son, Franklin, runs this. They are helping in Alabama and North Carolina where tornadoes ravaged lives this month. Sends 8 million shoebox gifts to poor kids in 100 countries annually. Supplies doctors and equipment to underprivileged countries.
His salary at $473,440 seems a tad steep. (The executive director of Doctors Without Borders makes $118,000 a year, Oxfam $311,094, CARE $386,305). Rev. Graham picks up another $106,407 each year for heading up the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. He is outspoken about Islam (he's not in favor).
I read a story 30 years ago where someone from a competing organization was having trouble getting home at the airline ticket counter. I forget what the problem was. A hand came up from behind with a credit card. The hand was somebody from Samaritan's Purse.
While its boss is somewhat controversial, I have not heard any criticism of the charity.
Where: Boone, North Carolina
Started: 1970
General site: Home page
Charity Navigator report
Link to help: Donations
Deductible? Yes
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
Students meeting heroes
The Problem: Inspiring youth
Who: Academy of Achievement
Why are they special? Brings students face to face with successful, even extraordinary people, including Nobel Prize winners
Where: Washington, DC
Started: 1961
General site: Home page
Charity Navigator report
Link to help: Donations
Deductible? Presumably but not stated
Who: Academy of Achievement
Why are they special? Brings students face to face with successful, even extraordinary people, including Nobel Prize winners
Where: Washington, DC
Started: 1961
General site: Home page
Charity Navigator report
Link to help: Donations
Deductible? Presumably but not stated
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Worst tornado season in 40 years
The Problem: The latest tornado killed 32 people and injured more than 600 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Businesses and apartment buildings were destroyed. One newspaper used the terms "massive damage" and "complete devastation".
Deaths in the region exceed 200 people. Almost 8% of the state's population is without power.
Who: Mid Alabama Region, American Red Cross
Why are they special? Providing food, shelter, emotional support. Helping people get back on their feet.
Where: Hoover, Alabama
Started: 1881 (American Red Cross)
General site: Mid Alabama Region
Charity Navigator report for American Red Cross
Link to help: Donations
Deductible? Presumably but not stated
Update: 21% of Alabama's population may be without power, according to the governor.
Deaths in the region exceed 200 people. Almost 8% of the state's population is without power.
Who: Mid Alabama Region, American Red Cross
Why are they special? Providing food, shelter, emotional support. Helping people get back on their feet.
Where: Hoover, Alabama
Started: 1881 (American Red Cross)
General site: Mid Alabama Region
Charity Navigator report for American Red Cross
Link to help: Donations
Deductible? Presumably but not stated
Update: 21% of Alabama's population may be without power, according to the governor.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Breaking fear of the web down, one button at a time
The Problem: Older folks' fear of the web
Who: We Are What We Do Foundation
Why are they special? They have a free web tool. A older person can set up (or have a friend do it) a page with big bright buttons linking to favorite web sites.
There's a place at the bottom for a photo and phone number with the message "If you get stuck, call me." (Very cool. I use it everyday though I'm not their target audience.)
Where: London
Started: 2008
General site: Home page
Charity Commission report
Link to help: Email
Deductible? Presumably in UK but not stated
Who: We Are What We Do Foundation
Why are they special? They have a free web tool. A older person can set up (or have a friend do it) a page with big bright buttons linking to favorite web sites.
There's a place at the bottom for a photo and phone number with the message "If you get stuck, call me." (Very cool. I use it everyday though I'm not their target audience.)
Where: London
Started: 2008
General site: Home page
Charity Commission report
Link to help: Email
Deductible? Presumably in UK but not stated
Monday, April 25, 2011
"Give not a cup, but a cow."
The Problem: Hunger and poverty
Who: Heifer International
Why are they special? They donate livestock and training to give people a sustainable hand up in 125 countries. Recipients agree to donate one of the offspring of their livestock to another family in need.
Where: Little Rock, Arkansas
Started: 1944
General site: Home page
Charity Navigator report
Link to help: Donate. See left column.
Who: Heifer International
Why are they special? They donate livestock and training to give people a sustainable hand up in 125 countries. Recipients agree to donate one of the offspring of their livestock to another family in need.
Where: Little Rock, Arkansas
Started: 1944
General site: Home page
Charity Navigator report
Link to help: Donate. See left column.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Happy Easter and a cathedral
The Problem: Supporting a New York City landmark
Who: St. Patrick's Cathedral
Why are they special? One survey reports the cathedral is Americans' 11th favorite building. (The Empire State Building is number one.)
Said to be the largest gothic-style Catholic church in the US. Can accommodate 2,200 people.
The spires rise 330 feet above street level, across the street from Rockefeller Center. The cathedral is built of brick, faced with marble. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1976.
Where: New York City
Started: 1879 (construction took 21 years)
General site: Home page
Charity Navigator has not reviewed
Link to help: Donate.
Deductible? Almost certainly yes but the web site does not claim so
Who: St. Patrick's Cathedral
Why are they special? One survey reports the cathedral is Americans' 11th favorite building. (The Empire State Building is number one.)
Said to be the largest gothic-style Catholic church in the US. Can accommodate 2,200 people.
The spires rise 330 feet above street level, across the street from Rockefeller Center. The cathedral is built of brick, faced with marble. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1976.
Where: New York City
Started: 1879 (construction took 21 years)
General site: Home page
Charity Navigator has not reviewed
Link to help: Donate.
Deductible? Almost certainly yes but the web site does not claim so
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Texas Wildfires
The Problem: 150,000 acres burned in one area. Statewide in Texas, almost 2 million acres were engulfed by wildfire.
Who: Chisholm Trail Chapter, American Red Cross
Why are they special? Providing shelter, food, clothing, replacement medication and emotional support to victims; water and meals to firefighters
Where: Fort Worth, Texas
Started: 1881 (American Red Cross)
General site: Home page
Charity Navigator report
Link to help: Donate. Charity Navigator warns you have to opt out of receiving continuing information from the Red Cross. So look for the box if that's what you want.
Deductible? Yes
Who: Chisholm Trail Chapter, American Red Cross
Why are they special? Providing shelter, food, clothing, replacement medication and emotional support to victims; water and meals to firefighters
Where: Fort Worth, Texas
Started: 1881 (American Red Cross)
General site: Home page
Charity Navigator report
Link to help: Donate. Charity Navigator warns you have to opt out of receiving continuing information from the Red Cross. So look for the box if that's what you want.
Deductible? Yes
Friday, April 22, 2011
Western Wall
The Problem: In honor of Passover, here is a charity that supports the Western Wall. There are 4 support walls remaining from the temple in Jersusalem which was destroyed in 70 CE. The Western Wall was closest to the Holy of Holies. "It became a place of prayer and yearning for Jews around the world." Millions of people visit annually. The site needs maintenance and renovation.
Who: Western Wall Heritage Foundation
Why are they special? The site includes the Wall, the plaza before it, and tunnels. The American office seeks to rasie funds to supplement the Israeli government's spending on the location.
Where: New York City
Started: 1988
General site: Home page
Live web cam of the Western Wall. Internet Explorer suggested.
Charity Navigator report. Has the organization's highest rating.
Link to help: Donate
Deductible? Yes
Who: Western Wall Heritage Foundation
Why are they special? The site includes the Wall, the plaza before it, and tunnels. The American office seeks to rasie funds to supplement the Israeli government's spending on the location.
Where: New York City
Started: 1988
General site: Home page
Live web cam of the Western Wall. Internet Explorer suggested.
Charity Navigator report. Has the organization's highest rating.
Link to help: Donate
Deductible? Yes
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Who is this woman?
The Problem: In 1976, a body wrapped in a sheet was found near Lorraine Park Cemetery in Baltimore. Underneath the sheet, a woman's face was covered with a lawn seed sack and 2 bandanas. She had been murdered and raped.
34 years later, her identity remains unknown.
Who: The Doe Network
Why are they special? They use a threefold effort to assist law enforcement solve "cold" cases involving unexplained disappearances or unidentified bodies: (1) web site exposure, (2) looking for clues, (3) media exposure.
Where: Livingston, Tennessee
Started: 1999
General site: The Doe Network
Charity Navigator has not evaluated
Link to help: Unusually, they are not soliciting donations.
Deductible? Not applicable
34 years later, her identity remains unknown.
Who: The Doe Network
Why are they special? They use a threefold effort to assist law enforcement solve "cold" cases involving unexplained disappearances or unidentified bodies: (1) web site exposure, (2) looking for clues, (3) media exposure.
Where: Livingston, Tennessee
Started: 1999
General site: The Doe Network
Charity Navigator has not evaluated
Link to help: Unusually, they are not soliciting donations.
Deductible? Not applicable
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
How do you say that in ....
The Problem: Every two weeks, the last fluent speaker of a language dies. Today 7,000 languages are spoken on the planet. By 2100, the number of languages spoken may be halved.
Who: Living Tongues Institute for Endangered Languages
Why are they special? Working to document languages in collaboration with the National Geographic Society. The Institute is also trying to maintain and revitalize disappearing languages.
Where: Salem, Oregon
Started: Unknown
General site: Home page
Charity Navigator has not reviewed
Link to help: Donations
Deductible? Yes
Who: Living Tongues Institute for Endangered Languages
Why are they special? Working to document languages in collaboration with the National Geographic Society. The Institute is also trying to maintain and revitalize disappearing languages.
Where: Salem, Oregon
Started: Unknown
General site: Home page
Charity Navigator has not reviewed
Link to help: Donations
Deductible? Yes
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Where everyone goes
The Problem: " ... a temple for the mind ... to bring a free encyclopedia to every single person on the planet. Every single person."
Who: Wikipedia
Why are they special? At first I couldn't figure out why one would trust an encyclopedia anyone can edit. Now it's where I go first to find out things. I asked a college professor friend how the other faculty feel about Wikipedia. "They love it," he said.
Available in 279 languages though about 1/2 of those are small (1,000 articles or less). 46% of traffic is for the non-English editions.
Where: San Francisco, CA
Started: 2001
General site: Welcome to Wikipedia
Charity Navigator review
Link to help: Donate
Deductible? Yes in US. For other countries, see here.
Who: Wikipedia
Why are they special? At first I couldn't figure out why one would trust an encyclopedia anyone can edit. Now it's where I go first to find out things. I asked a college professor friend how the other faculty feel about Wikipedia. "They love it," he said.
Available in 279 languages though about 1/2 of those are small (1,000 articles or less). 46% of traffic is for the non-English editions.
Where: San Francisco, CA
Started: 2001
General site: Welcome to Wikipedia
Charity Navigator review
Link to help: Donate
Deductible? Yes in US. For other countries, see here.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Happy Passover!
The Problem: One philanthropist worried about Jewish values being in decline.
Who: PJ Library
Why are they special? So he set up an organization to send free bedtime books embracing those values to Jewish kids nationwide. In four years, they've given away 2 million books in 125 communities.
Where: West Springfield, Massachusetts
Started: 2007
General site: The PJ Library
Not reviewed by Charity Navigator
Link to help: Donate
Deductible? Does not state
Who: PJ Library
Why are they special? So he set up an organization to send free bedtime books embracing those values to Jewish kids nationwide. In four years, they've given away 2 million books in 125 communities.
Where: West Springfield, Massachusetts
Started: 2007
General site: The PJ Library
Not reviewed by Charity Navigator
Link to help: Donate
Deductible? Does not state
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Kicking consensus reality
The Problem: Keeping freedom of thought alive
Who: Flat Earth Society
Why are they special? They believe the world is flat. 238 members listed (others may have opted out of being listed.)
Where: London
Started: 1956
General site: Welcome
Not reviewed by the Charity Commission
Link to help: Donate
Deductible? States is not for profit but does not specifically claim contributions are deductible
Who: Flat Earth Society
Why are they special? They believe the world is flat. 238 members listed (others may have opted out of being listed.)
Where: London
Started: 1956
General site: Welcome
Not reviewed by the Charity Commission
Link to help: Donate
Deductible? States is not for profit but does not specifically claim contributions are deductible
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Working on peace
The Problem: Peace, social justice (including humanitarian aid)
Who: American Friends Service Committee
Why are they special? Associated with the Quakers and their traditionally nonviolent stance. Awarded Nobel Peace Price, 1947. Has been involved in aid to Palestine.
Where: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Operations in 23 countries.
Started: 1917
General site: Home page
Charity Navigator does not evaluate
Link to help: Ways to donate
Deductible? Unknown
Who: American Friends Service Committee
Why are they special? Associated with the Quakers and their traditionally nonviolent stance. Awarded Nobel Peace Price, 1947. Has been involved in aid to Palestine.
Where: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Operations in 23 countries.
Started: 1917
General site: Home page
Charity Navigator does not evaluate
Link to help: Ways to donate
Deductible? Unknown
Friday, April 15, 2011
Want to resurrect a college?
The Problem: a closed college seeks to reopen
Who: Antioch College
Why are they special? Liberal arts college open for 155 years. Closed 3 years ago. Author Lawrence Block went here, though he didn't not graduate. Motto: Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity.
Where: Yellow Springs. Ohio
Started: 1853
General site: Home page
Not reviewed by Charity Navigator
Link to help: Sustain Antioch College
Deductible? Presumably yes though donation page does not say so
Who: Antioch College
Why are they special? Liberal arts college open for 155 years. Closed 3 years ago. Author Lawrence Block went here, though he didn't not graduate. Motto: Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity.
Where: Yellow Springs. Ohio
Started: 1853
General site: Home page
Not reviewed by Charity Navigator
Link to help: Sustain Antioch College
Deductible? Presumably yes though donation page does not say so
Thursday, April 14, 2011
A garden with trams and boats?
The Problem: "a nonprofit museum for plants"
Who: Norfolk Botanical Garden
Why are they special? More than 30 themed gardens host 95 species of birds and 30 kinds of butterflies. Seasonal tram and boat tours.
Where: Norfolk, Virginia
Started: 1938
General site: Home page
Charity Navigator report
Link to help: Contribution
Deductible? Yes
Who: Norfolk Botanical Garden
Why are they special? More than 30 themed gardens host 95 species of birds and 30 kinds of butterflies. Seasonal tram and boat tours.
Where: Norfolk, Virginia
Started: 1938
General site: Home page
Charity Navigator report
Link to help: Contribution
Deductible? Yes
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Who's working for the victims of violent crime?
The Problem: Victims of violent crime
Who: Mothers Against Murder and Aggression (MAMAA)
Why are they special? Provides support and advocacy for victims of violent crime, including shopping, cleaning and childcare. Offers a prevention program aimed at young people.
Where: Borehamwood, England
Started: 1993
General site: MAMAA
Charity Commission report
Link to help: How to donate
Deductible? Registered charity in UK. Status of donation on US tax return unknown
Who: Mothers Against Murder and Aggression (MAMAA)
Why are they special? Provides support and advocacy for victims of violent crime, including shopping, cleaning and childcare. Offers a prevention program aimed at young people.
Where: Borehamwood, England
Started: 1993
General site: MAMAA
Charity Commission report
Link to help: How to donate
Deductible? Registered charity in UK. Status of donation on US tax return unknown
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Boosting education
The Problem: Extra projects at the university are funded through private donations. Contributions fund scholarships and faculty, assist in building and renovation, and sustain research.
Who: University of South Dakota
Why are they special? Oldest university in the state. Has the only law and medical schools in South Dakota. The university serves a little over 10,000 students.
Where: Vermillon, South Dakota
Started: 1882
General site: University of South Dakota, University of South Dakota Foundation
Link to help: Giving by check or online
Deductible? Yes
Who: University of South Dakota
Why are they special? Oldest university in the state. Has the only law and medical schools in South Dakota. The university serves a little over 10,000 students.
Where: Vermillon, South Dakota
Started: 1882
General site: University of South Dakota, University of South Dakota Foundation
Link to help: Giving by check or online
Deductible? Yes
Monday, April 11, 2011
Presidential tomb
The Problem: The tomb of John Adams, key figure in the American Revolution and second president of the United States, is below a church. While open to the public, its access and maintenance receives no government funds.
Who: United First Parish Church (Unitarian)
Why are they special? Founded as a congregation in 1636, the building dates from 1828. This is one of only 2 churches in the United States containing a presidential tomb. John Adams, his son John Quincy Adams (the 6th US president) and their wives are buried here.
Where: Quincy, Massachusetts
Started: 1636. The building dates from 1828.
General site: Church of the Presidents' Public Visitor Program
Link to help: Check payable to "United First Parish Church". Specify the Adams' tombs. United First Parish Church, 1306 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA 02169
Deductible? Yes
Who: United First Parish Church (Unitarian)
Why are they special? Founded as a congregation in 1636, the building dates from 1828. This is one of only 2 churches in the United States containing a presidential tomb. John Adams, his son John Quincy Adams (the 6th US president) and their wives are buried here.
Where: Quincy, Massachusetts
Started: 1636. The building dates from 1828.
General site: Church of the Presidents' Public Visitor Program
Link to help: Check payable to "United First Parish Church". Specify the Adams' tombs. United First Parish Church, 1306 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA 02169
Deductible? Yes
Thursday, April 7, 2011
7.4 earthquake assails already devastated Japan
The Problem: 7.4 earthquake in Japan today follows March 11's larger 9.0 earthquake and tsunami. 28,000 people are dead or missing from the first incident. Half a million remain homeless. Large parts of northern Japan are without electricity.
(In comparison to Japan's 9.0, the famous San Francisco 1906 quake is estimated to have been 7.9 to 8.25.)
Who: Salvation Army
Why are they special? They were already in the country (for 116 years) when the disaster struck. They operate 80 centers, 2 hospitals and 4 children's homes. They are providing survivors with food and water. They are also working on medium to long-range support, including possibly temporary accomodations and household goods and equipment.
Where: Japan
Started: 1895
General site: March 24 blog
Link to help: Text "Japan" or "Quake" to 80888 to donate $10 or via credit card here.
Deductible? Yes
(In comparison to Japan's 9.0, the famous San Francisco 1906 quake is estimated to have been 7.9 to 8.25.)
Who: Salvation Army
Why are they special? They were already in the country (for 116 years) when the disaster struck. They operate 80 centers, 2 hospitals and 4 children's homes. They are providing survivors with food and water. They are also working on medium to long-range support, including possibly temporary accomodations and household goods and equipment.
Where: Japan
Started: 1895
General site: March 24 blog
Link to help: Text "Japan" or "Quake" to 80888 to donate $10 or via credit card here.
Deductible? Yes
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
High school graduate missing for one month
The Problem: Marizela Perez left her home one month ago. Her family hasn't seen her since.
A surveillance video is said to show her leaving a Safeway in Seattle, Washington Saturday, March 5. Her debit card was used in the supermarket that afternoon.
She has a tattoo which says "lahat ay magiging maayos". In English, that means "all will be well".
Who: the Perez family
Why are they special? They are seeking funds to continue searching for Marizela.
Where: Seattle, Washington
Started: 2011
General site: Find Marizela.
More information at the North American Missing Persons Network.
Fox News story (3-17-11)
Link to help: http://findmarizela.com/donations/
Deductible? No
A surveillance video is said to show her leaving a Safeway in Seattle, Washington Saturday, March 5. Her debit card was used in the supermarket that afternoon.
She has a tattoo which says "lahat ay magiging maayos". In English, that means "all will be well".
Who: the Perez family
Why are they special? They are seeking funds to continue searching for Marizela.
Where: Seattle, Washington
Started: 2011
General site: Find Marizela.
More information at the North American Missing Persons Network.
Fox News story (3-17-11)
Link to help: http://findmarizela.com/donations/
Deductible? No
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Sharing the neighborhood and helping
The Problem: People who are hungry, unclothed, unhoused
Who: Catholic Worker
Why are they special? Volunteer workers live simply among the poor, providing food, clothing, housing and other needs. Our local CW, Isaiah House, weekly gives 3,500 hot meals, a place to stay for up to 120 people (including 50 children), and 1 ton of clothes.
Although the movement was founded in 1933, the atmosphere is a little bit 1960s.
Where: 213 independent communities in 10 countries. 90% in United States (38 states)
Started: 1933 by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin
General site: Catholic Worker
Link to help: Each CW House is independent so there is no central place to donate. You can go here to find a house in your area. Often gifts other than money (food, clothing, everything it takes to get through the day) are also welcome.
Deductible? Most houses are not tax exempt.
Who: Catholic Worker
Why are they special? Volunteer workers live simply among the poor, providing food, clothing, housing and other needs. Our local CW, Isaiah House, weekly gives 3,500 hot meals, a place to stay for up to 120 people (including 50 children), and 1 ton of clothes.
Although the movement was founded in 1933, the atmosphere is a little bit 1960s.
Where: 213 independent communities in 10 countries. 90% in United States (38 states)
Started: 1933 by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin
General site: Catholic Worker
Link to help: Each CW House is independent so there is no central place to donate. You can go here to find a house in your area. Often gifts other than money (food, clothing, everything it takes to get through the day) are also welcome.
Deductible? Most houses are not tax exempt.
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