The Nest

re: Got Charity?

My family and I participate in thePan-Mass Challenge (PMC - pmc.org). It's a 2 day, 192 mile bike ride from Sturbridge Mass to Provincetown Mass that raises money for the Jimmy Fund and Dana Farber Cancer Institute. My oldest brother rides while the rest of us volunteer.

It started out as a way to help people in need. Little did we know, we'd be those in need one year later.

In 2005, my brother Tom wanted to do something to help others and decided the PMC was the way to go. To support him, we all chipped in volunteering with registration, serving food and more. Four moths later, Tom was diagnosed with testicular cancer. The ride had become about us.

This past August was our 3rd year participating and it's become something we're all very passionate about. Yes, having cancer strike our family made it more important for us, but it was important from the get go.

Raising money for cancer research is so very important in today's world. Everyone has a family member, friend, co-worker or even themselves that have been hit by cancer. It doesn't care how much money you make, what race or sex you are, where you live or who you love. It hits everyone.

The PMC has a Kids Ride that encourages kids to get out and ride (much smaller courses). I love the idea of this and am looking in to starting a kids ride in our area. I believe that if you get kids involved at a young age, they will learn to love helping others and it will continue on throughout their lives.

Honestly - I don't care what you volunteer for. Just volunteer! Get involved!

Posted by redsoxgirl    Tuesday, October 02, 2007 9:10 AM

re: Got Charity?

I do bi-annual contributions to several different organizations.

HRC - I feel that marriage should be an option for everyone.  

USO - I have a friend that died in Iraq.  I am not a believer in this "war" or this president, but I want to make sure the troops are aided in some way and their tours made a little more comfortable if it is possible.

Worldcraniofacial foundation - I started donating to this charity after watching a show on the twin boys conjoined at the head.  This charity covers medical expenses for most children with similar issues.  It also repais cleft palets and other facial deformities that can make life a nightmare.  

I just moved back to DE and am trying to get settled as we go from one rental house to another.  I am hoping to add in some volunteer time or do a bike/run sometime this fall.

Posted by frezza_no_mo    Tuesday, October 02, 2007 10:06 AM

re: Got Charity?

After developing preeclampsia, I started a tradition that every year my son and I will donate to the Preeclampsia Foundation on Mother's Day, in our names (we started this year). Every year thousands of moms and babies die from complications related to this condition -- it's 2007! This should not be happening.

Charitable Nesties should also check out The Princess Project - you can donate all your old bridesmaid gowns  to them, and the organization will pass them along so less fortunate girls can wear them to prom!

Posted by Bump Lori    Tuesday, October 02, 2007 11:34 AM

re: Got Charity?

In college I had an interdisciplinary major in Non-Profit Administration and Business. My senior project focused on creative funding in 501c3 organizations. My family instilled a sense of being connected to my community and thinking of the needs of others. As I chose the path of Christianity I continued the tradition of giving. Part of my life's work is bettering the lives of Developmentally Disabled adults. Often they are the poorest of the poor. I am helping the small business that I work for to form a 501c3 to better help the people we serve. I feel like we should all listen to the voice inside that tells us who we are and use it as a compass in our living, and that our lives should largely encompass how we can better our world

Posted by HappyDayzee    Tuesday, October 02, 2007 2:12 PM

re: Got Charity?

I'm a big animal lover too. I wasn't able to go this year, but I like to head to Maine in the summers to help with biological research on Atlantic Puffins and several species of terns through the Audubon Society's Project Puffin. It feels nice to get out there and get involved! Unfortunately, time is an issue, so I am only able to give donations lately -- I mostly give to environmental organizations...and sometimes Unicef.

Posted by Erin W    Tuesday, October 02, 2007 4:10 PM

re: Got Charity?

For the past four years, I've participated in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer (also known as the Avon 2-Day) as a Walker and support Crew member. Over those years, I've fundraised over $10,000 for the Avon Foundation. Much of the money is used right in my community - where I work and where I live - to benefit medically under-served women.

Breast Cancer has touched my life in too many ways; most recently, my coworkers and I lost our teammate, friend and coworker Nancy to breast cancer last summer. She was only 34!

Over the past two years, I've involved my family, from my 4-year-old cousin James to my 75-year-old grandfather, in the annual Walk to D'Feet ALS, which benefits the ALS Association. ALS, for those of you who don't know, is short for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and is most commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. My grandfather was diagnosed with ALS in 2003 and, thanks to support through the ALS Association, he's been able to improve his quality of life. ALS is always fatal, but great strides are being made in research, community outreach and education that could help us see a cure in our lifetimes.

I love the fact that I was able to involve my entire family in the Walk and fundraising efforts of our team - Team J.B. Each year, we raise a little more money, have a huge family reunion (my mom is the eldest of 7 and I have 13 cousins on that side of the family) and meet other families who've been touched like we have.

I've encouraged my husband to get involved with me . . . after two ALS Walks, he'll be Walking with me in the NYC Avon Walk in 2008!

Posted by Thebazile78    Thursday, October 11, 2007 7:09 AM