Athlete For a Cause: Roger Federer Donates to Malawi Education System

Written by Marketing Intern Caroline Howell

Roger Federer is internationally known as one of the best tennis players of all time. He is an Olympic gold medalist and has been ranked in the top two in the world for eight years in a row.  When he isn’t dominating on the court, Federer contributes his time to helping those in need.

The Roger Federer Foundation was founded in 2003 to help the disadvantaged. He is partnering with Action Aid International Malawai to launch a program to support early childhood education. The program will help improve education quality in 80 Community Based Childcare Centers. The Childcare Centers will be able to help thousands of young children get a better education in a clean and safe environment.

The program is intended to last ten years and will cost $3.3 million. It will help train educators how to properly encourage and teach children. Federer hopes that the initiative will help improve parental skills so that they can encourage their children to strive for high goals.

To learn more about The Roger Federer Foundation, visit www.rogerfedererfoundation.org.

Celebrity for a Cause: Real Housewife Jill Zarin Supports the Birthmark Project

Written by Marketing Intern Katy Rowan

We all know Jill Zarin is famous for her vivid personality and bold opinions on the Real Housewives of New York City.  Behind the scenes though, she is more than a fierce redhead – she’s a huge supporter of stepdaughter, Jennifer Zarin, and the Birthmark Project she created.

Jennifer was born with a large facial birthmark that reaches from one side of her neck to the other and also across her right shoulder.  Making her even more unique, she has a hemangioma in her bottom lip that causes it to appear larger than her upper lip.  These facial differences have forced her to live life as a target for bullies who would stoop so low as to pick on someone simply for having a rare birthmark.

Thus, the Birthmark Project was born in an effort to encourage everyone to embrace diversity.  To bring awareness to this cause, Jill hosted a charity dinner for the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) at Georgica last week.  ADL is the country’s main civil rights and human relations agency and fights anti-Semitism, bigotry, and defends civil rights for everyone.

Whether it’s your face, your leg, your back, or your feet that separates you from the masses, it’s Jennifer Zarin and Jill Zarin’s belief that nobody deserves to be bullied for being unique.  And I couldn’t agree with them more.

To do your part for this wonderful cause, please “like” the Birthmark Project on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/thebirthmarkproject.

Chiropractors For a Cause: Business Helps Support Military

Written by Marketing Intern Caroline Howell

In Washington, one local business is going above and behind to help support our military. The Westwood Family Chiropractic is trading free sessions in return for items to send to soldiers overseas.

The business teamed up with Adopt A Platoon, a nonprofit organization, in 2009. AAP helps every day civilizations send care packages to soldiers. They collect nonperishable items for soldiers due to extreme climate conditions in the Middle East. They also collect inspiration letters to lift the soldiers’ spirits.

Westwood Chiropractic has collected enough donations to send over thirty boxes to soldiers just last year. This year, the campaign will last from Independence Day until early August. Owners Jett and Cathy Gurman have had tremendous success with the charity and will continue to give back to the community in years to come.

To learn more about AAP, visit www.adoptaplatoon.org. To shop for other causes visit www.uptownliz.com.

Company Gives Back: Sleep Experts Finds Way to Support Local Non-Profits

Written by Marketing Intern Katy Rowan

You probably don’t think much of it when you finally rest your head on the pillow at night.  More often than not, you probably fall into bed and drift into a peaceful night’s sleep without as much as a second thought.  But what about those people who don’t have a bed, much less a pillow, to call their own?

Dallas-based mattress company, Sleep Experts, is doing everything they can to make sure no one goes without a good night’s sleep.  They’ve implemented a “Cash for Clunkers” event where customers can receive up to a $750 credit towards a new mattress set simply by bringing in their old mattresses.  Sleep Experts then refurbish the donated mattresses and gives them to local non-profit organizations via their Share the Gift of Sleep Program.

The Share the Gift of Sleep Program was created to carry out the company’s commitment to give back to the local community.  Through the program, every customer’s old mattress is recycled and received by one of the many non-profit organizations that aid North Texas families fighting against domestic violence, child abuse, homelessness, and poverty.

Having already donated more than 9,000 mattresses total, Sleep Experts created “Cash for Clunkers” as a way to reward not only the people who graciously receive, but also the dedicated customers who graciously give.

So tonight when you lay down in that comfortable bed of yours, try to remember how lucky you are and hope that someone in need will soon receive the gift of sleep, too.

To learn more about Sleep Experts and their charitable pursuit, please click here.

Celebrity For a Cause: Matt Damon Speaks Out For Educators

Written by Marketing Intern Caroline Howell

Matt Damon is an Academy Award winning actor and one of Hollywood’s favorite stars. He is best known for his roles in Good Will Hunting, The Bourne Ultimatum and True Grit. Matt has emerged in the past few years as one of the country’s most charitable celebrities. He used his fame on July 30th to speak up for educators.

Matt joined thousands of people who are concerned about the United State’s education in a Save Our Schools March in Washington D.C. According to their website, the goal of the Save Our Schools March is “to put public school stakeholders back at the center of all education policy conversations, and to refocus national, state, and local efforts on providing the resources and support schools need in order to provide a high-quality education for each and every student.”

Damon gave a wildly passionate closing speech at the event, inspired by his mother who is an educator. He said that his teachers “were empowered” to teach and it is something they really love.

To learn more about the cause, visit www.SaveOurSchoolsMarch.org.

Socialite For a Cause: Nicky Hilton Shows Support for the Troops

Written by Marketing Intern Caroline Howell

Although the Hilton sisters have a reputation for being wealthy socialites, that doesn’t mean they aren’t philanthropic. Nicky Hilton is helping to support the United States troops overseas by wearing a BFF bracelet.

These bracelets connect with a BAFF (Best Armed Forces Friends) in the military and donate a portion of proceeds to charities that support the Armed Forces. Each bracelet has a matching serial number that is sent to a soldier in Afghanistan or Iraq. Through the serial number, anyone can connect with his or her soldier overseas.

The American Freedom Foundation makes all of this possible. The AFF honors men and women in the Armed Forces and raises awareness of all their sacrifices. You don’t have to be a celebrity to purchase these bracelets; they are only $10 and usually take less than a month to connect to your new BFF.

To buy a bracelet, visit www.bff.tv/store.

Celebrities for a Cause: Musical Talents Unite for City of Hope

Written by Marketing Intern Katy Rowan

From Sugarland to Barbara Streisand, several A-list artists are lining up to support City of Hope, a globally recognized institution in the research, treatment, and education of cancer, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS.  How you ask?  T-shirts.  They’re pretty powerful things.

Proceeds collected from special edition “Hope, Love, and Rock & Roll” t-shirts will benefit research and treatment programs at City of Hope.  The t-shirts will feature various artists from a long list of over 25 names so fans can easily sport their favorite artist while knowing their dollar went further than a material possession.

In addition to the contributing musical celebrities, Live Nation Merchandise and Bravado International are helping City of Hope to make this campaign happen and to raise awareness and care for patients and families dealing with life-threatening diseases.

The collectible t-shirts are only $21.95, and 50 percent of the retail price will go to support the cause.  T-shirts are powerful, yes, but they’re only powerful if people buy them.  So buy yours today.  After all, nothing’s better than boasting musical talent and a city of hope all in one stylish combination.

To order your t-shirt, please visit http://www.cityofhopeshop.com.

Click here for the full list of participating musicians, and click here for more information about City of Hope.