Once in a while, we learn of a great cause that we feel inspired to share with our Mom Central readers. Founded by a Mom in 1988, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation strives to prevent the spread of pediatric HIV infection and ultimately eliminate it through research, advocacy, and treatment programs. This organization has already accomplished a great deal for kids’ health and continues to move forward in their noble mission. They've just launched a new project called A Mother’s Fight, and are asking people to join the fight by signing up on the web site.
Foundation Origin
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The holiday season presents a time of giving, and giving to not only your loved ones, but to those all around you. However, with all the hustle and bustle that comes with the holiday cheer, we often lose sight of the importance to give back. Take this holiday season as an opportunity to get your family and friends on board with you in making a sincere effort to make a difference this season.
Give back to your community
Giving back to your community offers a great starting point for you and your family. Encourage your children to offer an assisting hand to your elderly neighbor with shoveling their snow-covered driveway or brushing off their cars. Other suggestions include volunteering at a local soup kitchen or donating to a local holiday charity. Most towns hold a number of charities during the holiday season and can take donations from a variety of locations such as churches, police stations, or schools. Always a popular holiday charity, the organization Toys for Tots collects new, unwrapped toys and later distributes them to less fortunate children in the community.
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As parents, it becomes our responsibility to instill the importance of community service and help our kids get involved. By bringing them along to volunteer at a local animal shelter, food drive, or school fundraiser, children may experience the fun and fulfillment of helping others at a young age. Introducing kids to the idea of volunteerism early often helps kids to decide to participate on their own later on.
Community involvement also arises as an important subject during the college application process. Don’t let this be the wake-up call that sends your child rushing to volunteer in hopes of being accepted to their dream school.
Not sure where to start? DoSomething.org allows you to join existing volunteer programs or find ideas on how to start your own initiative. The site provides guidance for special interests including the environment, education, health and fitness, bullying, poverty, and much more. Whether looking for a long-term project or a quick opportunity, DoSomething.org has tips to help you start making a difference.
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The story of TOMS inspires, motivates, and adds heart back into the world of retail. Blake Mycoskie, Chief Shoe Giver, proved to the world at a young age that following your passion, giving to the causes that inspire you, and earning a living do not need to exist as separate aspirations.
Proving that corporate social responsibility does not have to exist as a side effect, Blake made giving back the foundation of his business. Not only did this ethical foundation support him, it led to an international success story inspiring entrepreneurs with the message that the business world only throws passion and philanthropy to the wayside if you are willing to let it.
Expanding his model that donates a pair of shoes for every pair sold, TOMS now possesses a line of eyewear that helps to give sight to a people in need. Beyond eyewear, Blake additionally added accessories and his latest book, Start Something that Matters, into the mix.
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More than two months, 650 applications and 32,000 public votes later, a group of five Mom bloggers split $10,000 in grants from Mom Central to promote their blogging platforms and personal brands.
Applicants described their visions, aspirations and challenges in their submissions. The Alexa ranking and tracking algorithm sorted submissions into top, mid and low tiers, and the 15 submissions with the most public votes from each tier made it to the final round. The Mom Central Grant Committee judged the 45 finalist submissions based on 40% blog need and 60% blog vision and aspiration.
Since the official winner announcement on May 2, grant recipients Tricia Fandrey, Rachel Lister, Cristi Comes, Jessica Nunemaker and Christy Ellingsworth have been putting their grants toward a variety of projects. The busy Moms and bloggers recently checked in with Mom Central and updated us on their progress since receiving the grants.
Tricia Fandrey, The Night Owl Mama
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ChildFund International has offered ___ to help children and their families in over 31 countries for over 70 years. While ChildFund provides these children and their family with supplies and support for healthy growth, Moms still play an important role at home in taking the aid that ChildFund offers and creating healthy lives for their families.
In honor of Mother’s Day, ChildFund has created a video compilation of children from 14 different countries in celebration of Mothers from all over the world. Filmed using flip cams at different program sites, the video aims to celebrate Moms around the world. See the video here and visit http://www.childfund.org/ to learn more about how you can help children and families in need. Happy Mother's Day!
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Congratulations to Christy Ellingsworth, The Daily Dish, http://www.thedailydish.us
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Congratulations to Jessica Nunemaker, little Indiana, http://www.littleIndiana.com
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Congratulations to Cristi Comes, My 3rd Baby: EllieAdorn, http://www.EllieAdorn.com
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