Kids For A Cause: RandomKid Unites Children to Save the World

Written by guest blogger Bethany Bowen

Meet Talia Leman: a 14 year old, nationally acclaimed philanthropist and CEO of RandomKid. Talia co-founded RandomKid at the age of 10, when she helped unite kids across to the nation to raise over $10 million for hurricane Katrina relief. Today, she is one of UNICEF’s first National Youth Ambassadors, has been on the Today Show twice, and is the winner of numerous international and national awards. I think I am safe in saying that colleges are applying for Taila Leman - not the other way around.

RandomKid is a nonprofit organization whose vision it is to “take the goodness of the child and turn it into goodness for the world by helping kids help others.” They work to enable children to realize dreams of philanthropic work. For instance, if a child has an idea for a service project, they can register the idea online and become a project CEO. RandomKid will then aid in the project by consulting development, donating interest-free micro loans, giving 501C3 umbrella coverage, and helping with event planning.

Random Kid’s success stories include: Ease Thirst Around The Earth which has given 6000 people access to clean water, Christmas for Konnor which raised $20,000 for a mom whose son suffered from Leukemia, many hurricane relief programs and so much more! When I think of what these kids have accomplished by banding together and dreaming of a brighter future, it is very encouraging, and makes me hopeful for how their generation will continue to impact the world.

This is a great way to encourage kids you know to start critically thinking about ways to help society. I am planning on having my nieces become members of RandomKid as soon as they come to visit me.

And remember, for ways to support causes and shop for your favorite products visit Uptown Liz!

Jenny's Light Awards $26,000 in Grants for Perinatal Mood Disorders Awareness

Written by guest blogger Bethany Bowen


Jenny’s Light, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing awareness of perinatal mood disorders, recently awarded over $26,000 in grants to deserving like-missioned organizations. Jenny’s Light sent out a request for grant applications and received an overwhelming response. The applicants were narrowed down to seven finalists and awards ranged from $1,800 to $9,800.

The recipients included: Postpartum Support International (PSI), Hennepin County Medical Center’s Women’s Mental Health Program Pregnancy & Postpartum Support Minnesota, Postpartum Resource Center (PRC) Kansas, Maternal Outreach Mood Services California, Parenting Oasis Minnesota, and Blossom Birth California. All of the organizations are using the money for research or awareness for perinatal disorders.

Jenny’s Light will be awarding grants again on April 15, 2010. Applications are due March 1, 2010. For more information visit http://www.jennyslight.org/.

Uptown Liz and Jenny’s Light are very similar in the fact that they were both founded in memory of a sister who tragically died too young. Becky Lavelle, founder of Jenny’s Light, co-founded the nonprofit in memory of her sister, Jenny, who took her and her son’s life due to severe post partum depression. This past August, Ramona Russell, founder of Uptown Liz, interviewed Becky; you can read the interview in previous blogs: part 1, part 2, part 3, and part 4.

And don’t forget, for ways to give back to charity shopping, browse products on Uptown Liz.

Recycle For A Cause: Cell Phones For Soldiers

Written by guest blogger Bethany Bowen

At the age of thirteen, I was primarily concerned with what outfit I should wear to school the next day, if my latest crush reciprocated my feelings, and how soon until school let out for the summer. At the age of thirteen, Brittany Bergquist was busy co-founding a nonprofit organization that has raised over $1 million in donations.

In 2004, Brittany and her younger brother Robbie started Cell Phones for Soldiers with just $21 from their piggy bank. The organization sends pre-paid phone cards to soldiers in war zones by seeking out unwanted cell phones and selling them to a recycler for $5. To date, over 500,000 soldiers overseas have received calling cards. Brittany said this about the charity’s mission, “We take for granted our ability to call home and speak to our families. The troops don’t do that. They appreciate what we’re doing. That’s what sparks us to do more.”

Brittany and Robbie have received national press and recognition for their success. Together, they were featured on CNN’s “Young People Who Rock”, and they won Microsoft’s “Above and Beyond Youth Leadership Award”.

What started as a way to show their family’s appreciation to people serving our country, turned into a program bigger than any of the Bergquists could have imagined; they hope to raise more than $9 million in the next five years for future programs. To learn about ways to donate or show support, visit the Cell Phones For Soldiers Web site by clicking here.

And for ways to give back by shopping for your favorite cause, visit Uptown Liz.