Kids for a Cause: Philanthropy Cooked up at George White Elementary

Written by Marketing Intern Rose Provine 

The Community Service Program at George White Elementary School donated almost 150 new pots and pans to local charitable organizations. 

The students, led by PTA mom, Melissa Pearl, were inspired to give back to their community after seeing their local Albertsons supermarket offer, which gave shoppers one blue reward sticker for every $10 spent. The stickers could then be redeemed, allowing these customers to pay only one cent for Thomas Rosenthal anodized cookware that ranges from $30 to $90. 

They started by having a few friends and family members collect stickers for them, but then realized they could do a lot more if they got the school involved. The families of students at George White Elementary were happy to give back. Overall, they raised more than $8,000 worth of goods and donations.

The students involved, ages nine and up, were excited to participate. They were pleased to see the significant amount of pots and pans piled in the back of trucks, driving off to distribute to families in need. 

The cookware was donated to various charitable foundations, including Toby’s House, the National Council for Jewish Women, Operation Homefront, Military Outreach Ministry and Human Options. 

For more ways to shop for a cause, visit Uptown Liz. 

Give Back Your Goods: De-Cluttering, Kids Edition

Written by Marketing Intern Rose Provine

Oprah Winfrey has been known to emphasize de-cluttering in her television show and magazine, and offers a number of tips to get you started in the organizational process. Last year, Winfrey led by example, selling her extra “junk” on eBay. She donated all proceeds earned from these items to her charity, Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy, which educates and turns South African girls from impoverished backgrounds into the country’s future leaders. The auction ended up raising $145,000 for the academy.

You, too, can make a difference with your old clutter. Instead of throwing away these items that have accumulated over time, donate them to a worthwhile organization. This week’s focus: kids items.

Kid Flicks was founded in 2002 by Lexi, Romi, Marni and Berni Barta. These four sisters were getting rid of their collection of DVDS that they had outgrown over the years. A friend of theirs had been treated for leukemia, and the girls were aware that she often watched movies to distract her while she was in the hospital. So they took the stack of movies to the Pediatric Oncology Department of the Los Angeles hospital, where the donation was greatly welcomed. When they realized how much the children appreciated these movies, they wanted to do more. The girls created Kid Flicks, which takes donations of DVDS  and distributes them to different hospital throughout the United States and South Africa. As of February 2011, Kid Flicks has donated 57,000 movies to 570 different hospitals. To donate your DVDS, visit http://www.kidflicks.org/donate/. 

Donate Games was founded by Jim Carol in 2008, after his 11-year-old son, Taylor, was diagnosed with a rare form of pediatric cancer. While living in Seattle Children’s Hospital for nearly a year during Taylor’s chemotherapy, Carol witnessed his son’s interest and excitement in video games. He believed these games played a huge role in helping him and other children get better, and other families agreed. Donate Games is an organization that accepts used game donations and resells them online, donating all proceeds to support orphan disease research. To donate your old video games or to make a purchase that benefits orphan disease research, visit www.donategames.org.

Stuffed Animals for Emergencies (SAFE) is a non-profit organization that is run entirely by volunteers. They collect stuffed animals, toys, books and baby blankets to give to children who are suffering from illness, accidents, neglect, abuse, homelessness, fires, tornadoes, floods and hurricanes. SAFE collects new and used items, and cleans those that are used. Donate your old items and help a child when they need it most! For information about how to donate, visit http://www.stuffedanimalsforemergencies.org/How_to_Donate.html.

The Children’s Book Project was created to help build literacy by providing free, new and used books to children who need them. This foundation has given away over 1.5 million books, has helped thousands of children build home libraries, and has provided books for thousands of classroom and school libraries. To make donations, visit http://sites.google.com/site/childrensbookprojecttest/contribute.

You won’t have to feel guilty about giving away your old stuff because you’ll be giving back to a good cause. Start de-cluttering your home and donate your excess items today!

Celebrity Gives Back: Christina Applegate's Foundation, Right Action for Women

Written by Marketing Intern Rose Provine

You might recognize this talented actress from the highly popular television series, Married With Children, or such films as The Sweetest Thing and Anchorman, but behind the screen, Christina Applegate has faced many struggles.

In April 2008, at the age of 36, Applegate was diagnosed with breast cancer. She didn't know how to handle the disease, and admitted that she went five weeks without telling anyone what she was going through. She knows what it is like to be scared and confused, and wanted to use her knowledge and experience to help others.

After her double masectomy, Applegate founded Right Action for Women, an organization dedicated to educating women about what it means to be at high risk for breast cancer and encouraging them to talk to their doctors about appropriate screening. This foundation provides "aid to individuals who are at increased risk for breast cancer and do not have insurance or the financial flexibility to cover the high costs associated with breast screenings." 

According to breastcancer.org, about one in eight women (12%) in the United States will develop invasive breast cancer in their lifetime. Do your part to get the proper tests in order to protect yourself.

To support breast cancer awareness by shopping, visit Uptown Liz. 

Kids for a Cause: Students Raise over $2,000 for Fellow Students Experiencing Homelessness

Written by Marketing Intern Rose Provine

A group of seventh and eighth grade students at the Miller South School for the Visual and Performing Arts in Ohio came up with a creative and successful way to raise money for fellow students that are currently experiencing homelessness. 

The children decided to design stylish and unique buttons that were to be sold to the school student body and staff members, with proceeds directly donated to Project RISE of the Akron Public Schools.

This group of students helped to raise over $2,000 for Project RISE, which “is committed to helping disadvantage youth improve their self-esteem and academic successes through after school and summer programs.” The money raised through this fundraiser helped to give school supplies for those students experiencing homelessness. 

Students everywhere were very supportive of this good cause and claimed that they were happy to help those less fortunate. Sometimes it can be so simple to make a huge difference in someone's life, and this group of students did just that. For other ways make a difference or to shop for a cause, visit Uptown Liz. 

Celebrities Give Back: Brangelina Give a Donation to Conserve Namibian Wildlife

Written by Marketing Intern Rose Provine

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are continuing to live up to their reputation as the biggest philanthropists in Hollywood. They recently spent a week in Namibia, where they donated a generous two million dollars to the N/a’an ku sê Lodge and Wildlife Sanctuary. 

N/a’an ku sê Lodge and Wildlife Sanctuary is dedicated to conserving Namibian wildlife and rescuing threatened species. This large donation will help to maintain the current clinic, which offers free medical care and large-scale animal conservation projects. 

It appears that Brad and Angelina’s children seem to be taking after their parents. Shiloh (who was born in Namibia) and her siblings helped to feed orphaned baboons and foxes during their stay in Namibia. 

To support the environment by shopping, visit Uptown Liz. 

Baseball for a Cause: The MLB Looks to Strike Out Cancer

Written by Public Relations Intern Britnee Brotherton

Avid baseball fans, the Major League Baseball’s season has come to an end. I have to admit that I have never been a religious follower of the sport, but I could not help join in on the excitement when my home state’s team made it to the World Series! Even though the season is over, fans have the opportunity to make a donation and honor a loved one for many seasons to come!

The Major League Baseball Stand Up to Cancer campaign is one of a kind. Instead of just asking for donations, the teams are allowing fans to own a virtual piece of their favorite team’s stadium. You can honor a loved one by sponsoring a virtual seat, base or suite in their memory. By making a donation (of which 100% goes directly to cancer research), you will in turn receive a link to a personalized page featuring the name, a dedication message and picture of the person you are honoring. Each team’s goal is to “sell out” their stadium.

Let the legacy of your loved one live on forever and contribute by adding years to the loved one’s of others! You can make your donation here, and don’t forget you can find many more ways to donate by visiting Uptown Liz.

Cards for a Cause: Good Cards are the Perfect Gift to Support Your Favorite Charities

Written by Marketing Intern Roslynn Fitch

My mom has numerous boxes filled with homemade cards she has saved over the years. As I thumb through those old cards, I notice the evolution of my handwriting from barely legible, gargantuan block letters to my two page long essay cards. My mother, on the other hand, can’t fight back the tears as her mind wanders to the years before her daughter was all grown up. It is those simple gifts that mean so much more to our friends and family. 

You too, can send a gift with so much more meaning with the “Good Card." This card shows your loved ones that their passions are your passions. You choose the amount, they chose the charity. The cards are redeemable online at over 1.2 million different charities. So when you start thinking about buying your friends the perfect gift, give a gift that never stops giving. 

For more ways to support charities by shopping, visit Uptown Liz.

Celebrity Gives Back: Angelina Jolie Urges Fans to get Involved in the Relief Efforts for the Pakistan Floods

Written by Marketing Intern Nandini Kavuri

Angelina Jolie has become just as popular for her humanitarian efforts as she has for her blockbuster films over the past few years. She has been a champion for a number of causes ranging from Doctors Without Borders to The Alliance for the Lost Boys. She is also a goodwill ambassador for UNHCR. The most recent issue that she is focused on is helping with the 2010 floods in Pakistan.  

Over 20 million people were left homeless after Pakistan’s worst flooding in decades. With the death toll reaching up to 1,600, it is crucial that the global community contribute to the relief efforts. Despite the magnitude of the tragedy, the crisis has not received as much media attention as the Haitian earthquake in 2009. Jolie hopes to use her limelight to raise awareness to this issue. She plans on providing financial support as well as physical aid and encourages others to do the same.  

Find out what you can do to help the victims of the latest flood in Pakistan. Visit the American Red Cross Website, Unicef Website, or text the word "SWAT" to the number 50555 to donate $10 per SMS message to the relief efforts.

To support disaster relief by shopping, visit Uptown Liz. 

Shop for a Cause: Uptown Liz Jewelry Gives Back to our Military

Written by Marketing Intern Rose Provine

Everyone needs to take the opportunity to appreciate and thank those who are risking their lives to protect our country. Whether you agree with the war or not, these men and women deserve our acknowledgment.  

Uptown Liz  features a number of stylish jewelry that donates to different military charitable foundations with each purchase. 

 

These flexible memory wire bracelets are made with polymer clay beads. With each purchase, 20% of proceeds are donated to Operation Gratitude, which works to send care packages to U.S. Military overseas.

This handmade glass bead necklace gives back to Operation Gratitude as well.

  

Splurge on these stylish accessories with comfort that you are contributing to a worthwhile cause. To support more causes by shopping, visit Uptown Liz.

Social Network for a Cause: Causes Connect People Everywhere to Charities

Written by Public Relations Intern Britnee Brotherton

I know I speak for many when I say that there is no telling how much time I have spent mindlessly browsing Facebook and Twitter. After getting lost in clicks for hours, I always snap back to reality, wishing I could go back and use that time more productively. Now, thanks to Facebook co-founder, Sean Parker, along with Joe Green, we all have the opportunity to make our use of social networks worthwhile!

Causes began as one of the first apps on Facebook and is now a community of 119 million people that have donated 27 million dollars to 27,000 nonprofits. The founders’ goal is to provide a link between people and charities in this digital age. Through their page on Facebook, group members are able to create a group supporting any cause and gain support from others using the site. You can even donate your birthday to charity on the website and notify all of your online friends to help gain support! 

 

The company is not only changing social networking, but also gift giving. By the end of this year, California residents will be able to purchase a gift cards donating all of the money to the charity of their choice. 

Purchase a Causes gift card today! To support charitable organizations by shopping, visit Uptown Liz.

Pledge for a Cause: The "No Phone Zone" Pledge Urges Americans to Not Text and Drive

Written by Marketing Intern Nandini Kavuri

It is no question that Oprah Winfrey is one of the most influential women in the world. She has recently been using this influence to call attention to the dangers of texting while driving. In her “No Phone Zone” pledge, Oprah is urging Americans to save lives and keep the roads safer.

Recent studies indicate that cell phone use while driving is as dangerous as driving after a few drinks. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 6,000 people died as a result of distracted driving in 2008 alone. Since the “No Phone Zone” pledge first began, nearly 400,000 people have signed it, including celebrities ranging from Sandra Bullock to the Queen of Jordan. The pledge offers three options: no texting while driving, no texting while driving and only using a hands-free device when necessary, and no texting or phone calls while driving. 

No call or text is as important as your life or the life of someone else. Sign the pledge and take part in making the roads safer!

Celebrity Gives Back: Jack Johnson Gives 100% of Proceeds from Recent Tour

Written by Marketing Intern Nandini Kavuri

There is no question that music has the power to inspire change. There have been several musicians have helped create movements throughout history. Songwriter and artist, Jack Johnson, is currently using his popular music to help green initiatives and to help clean up the gulf. The singer graciously gave 100% of the proceeds from his recent "To the Sea" tour, which was donated to over 150 community groups. 

From the sustainable biodiesel tour busses to the eco friendly tour merchandise, the 34-date tour was very environmentally friendly. In fact, even the new "To the Sea" album, which was recorded in two solar power studios, is also green. The tour encouraged fans to reduce waste, recycle, and utilize sustainable local food. Johnson's foundation recently pledged $70,000 to the restoration of the gulf.

How can you use music to make a difference? Visit http://allatonce.org/

To support organizations that help protect the environment by shopping, visit Uptown Liz. 

Celebrity Gives Back: Twilight Star, Peter Facinelli, Bakes Cookies for a Cure for Children's Cancer

Written by Marketing Intern Roslynn Fitch

Cookies and Vampires? Combining blood sucking, half humans and the smell of mom’s homemade sugar cookies sounds a little bit on the crazy side, but when it’s to beat pediatric cancer these two are the perfect pair. Twilight star, Peter Facinelli, put the overwhelming number of twihards to work by having an old fashioned bake sale.

Facinelli teamed up with Cookies For Kids’ Cancer to raise money for research for those children suffering with cancer. Cookies for Kids’ Cancer is dedicated to raising money for new and improved therapies for children’s cancer. They hope that with the concept of a good old fashioned bake sale, they can unite communities, businesses, and people everywhere to raise funds in the fight against pediatric cancer. 

Glad sandwich bag is supporting the head-to-head, where Facinelli will be competing against Jayma Mays and Joan Cusack to raise the most money. You can join a team by their facebook page. So join now, and help raise some “dough” for cancer research. 

To support cancer research by shopping, visit Uptown Liz. 

Celebrities Give Back: Glee Cast Members Team Up with Members Project to Make a Difference

Written by Public Relations Intern Britnee Brotherton

Who didn’t hear the buzz of excitement surrounding the premiere of the second season of Glee? The hit show’s cast members are using their popularity to make a positive impact.

Members Project and Glee have recently teamed up to produce campaign announcements that are aired online, on TV and in movie theatres. These messages urge people to take small steps that can lead to making a huge difference. 

Members Project, a partnership between American Express and TakePart, offers you three ways to give back: donate, volunteer or vote. According to the news release about the campaign, the goal is “to elevate common themes shared by both Glee and Members Project, including finding inspiration by working together and harnessing the power of the collective and individual actions to do something good.” (You can read the entire news release at http://thefutoncritic.com/news/2010/09/01/members-project-from-american-express-partners-with-foxs-glee-to-mobilize-fans-for-charity-call-to-action/20100901fox01/.)

Through their website and Facebook page, people are linked to others supporting like causes or finding new ones. They make it extremely easy to get involved and find your niche for giving back!

Watch your favorite Glee characters in these ads and join them by contributing to a greater good!

Faces for a Cause: A website dedicated to honoring those who have been affected by breast cancer

Written by Marketing Intern Roslynn Fitch

There are so many different ways that you can dedicate your time, passion and money to breast cancer awareness foundations. For those of us who know people close to us, or those fighting it themselves, we want to dedicate ourselves to the fight and finding a cure once and for all. A website has been joining the fight in an even more endearing way. 

Faces of Cancer... Faces that Care is a website dedicated to “honoring those whose lives have been touched by breast cancer and those committed to the fight.” This website provides a simple, yet cherished way to share the honorable battles with those diagnosed with breast cancer. The site is filled with inspirational stories of those still fighting and those who have lost their lives. Providing a simple way to share your story, this website makes the people who need it the most to feel even more loved, supported and special.

 

If you are looking for other ways to donate, the website provides numerous organizations to support in the fight against breast cancer. 

To support breast cancer foundations by shopping, visit Uptown Liz. 

Celebrity Gives Back: Wentworth Miller Donates Prison Break Scripts for Arts Education

Written by Marketing Intern Nandini Kavuri

Wentworth Miller, an actor best known for his role in the television show Prison Break, is now using his fame to raise awareness for the need of increased funding in arts education. He has recently donated his personal scripts from the first season of Prison Break to P.S. Arts, a foundation that works to increase funding for the arts. Each script has been signed by Miller and includes handwritten notes by the actor.  

Miller strongly believes that arts education is extremely important for our youth. Studies have shown that involvement in the arts helps kids increase test scores and promotes academic achievement. In fact, kids involved in the arts are three times more likely to be elected to class office and four times more likely to participate in a math and/or science fair. 

Learn more about how to increase arts funding in your area!

To support visual and performing arts by shopping, visit Uptown Liz.

Backpacks for a Cause: Feeding the Future of America

Written by Public Relations Intern Britnee Brotherton

Just 80 dollars will feed an American child every weekend for an entire school year! Test results show that children who attend school on an empty stomach are less likely to be successful students. Blessings in a Backpack aims to give all kids an equal chance to achieve great things in the classroom.

The goal of Blessings in a Backpack is to feed children that rely on the federal free or reduced lunch programs on the weekends. Students who qualify for this federal assistance are given a backpack with enough food for the weekend each Friday. The campaign’s ambition is that each of these students will return on Monday with an empty backpack, full stomach and eager mind. 

The program is currently serving 25,300 students in 21 U.S. states and two countries! People all over the nation, including Hilary Duff and Paula Deen, have joined the effort. You have the opportunity to give to this cause in multiple ways: adopt a school, volunteer, donate or fundraise. Click here to find out more!

For more ways to donate to literacy and numerous other causes, visit Uptown Liz.

Kids for a Cause: Nine Year Old Throws Birthday Party for Charitable Cause

Written by Marketing Intern Rose Provine

As Danielle Colburn was nearing her ninth birthday, she decided she wanted to make a difference and do something that most kids her age would never consider. The nine year old wanted to throw a huge birthday party in order to raise money and supplies for the Auburn Area Animal Rescue Foundation.

She approached her parents with the idea, both of whom were shocked and proud of their young daughter’s generosity. Danielle further explained the details she had been imagining. In lieu of presents, guests would be encouraged to donate items to the shelter. And the young girl’s only gifts requested from her parents were dog and cat food, kitty litter, travel cages, chew toys and other similar items.

Danielle’s sacrifice was both admirable and inspiring. For someone so young to be so selfless is extraordinary. One can only hope that this giving act will inspire others to follow Danielle’s lead and give back to a good cause. 

To support animal rescue or other causes by shopping, visit Uptown Liz.

Puppies for a Cause: Brown Dog Foundation Helps Save Animals when their Owners are in Financial Crisis

Written by Marketing Intern Roslynn Fitch 

Some of my friends found a small, helpless puppy as they were leaving a Powder Puff tournament this evening. The puppy was maybe five pounds, dirty and extremely cold. My friends couldn't just leave the puppy there, so they brought it home to my house. After washing the puppy multiple times, giving it a flea bath, and feeding the poor thing for what seemed to be the first time in her whole life, it got me thinking about how many other dogs were roaming the streets as winter hit. 

My roommates and I struggled with what to do with her, as we are poor college students and really can't afford a puppy, but we also don’t want to send it to a shelter. As I was doing some research, I came across a great animal organization: Brown Dog Foundation.

The Brown Dog Foundation is one of kind. It isn’t a shelter for animals or a site raising awareness for homeless puppies, instead, it helps families who are in financial crises as the same time their pets have a life threatening illness. I have heard the story so many times: that a beloved family pet had to get put down because the family didn’t have it in their budget to spend thousands of dollars to save their pet. This site helps those families to save their pets lives. You fill out an application, and the Brown Dog Foundation will try to help. For more information or ways to donate, visit http://www.browndogfoundation.org/. 

To support animal rescue and shelters by shopping, visit Uptown Liz.

Billionaires for a Cause: Bill Gates and Warren Buffett Encourage Fellow Billionaires to Donate Half Their Wealth

Written by Marketing Intern Nandini Kavuri

The United States is currently home to over 403 billionaires; the most in the entire world. Recently, two of those billionaires, Bill Gates and Warren Buffet, have announced their campaign to encourage US billionaires to donate at least half of their wealth to charity. Since then, over 40 wealthy individuals have joined the Giving Pledge.

The average amount of money that is currently donated by the wealthy is 10-12%. This may seem like a lot, but according to Warren Buffet, once you have accumulated that much money, you can easily afford to give upwards of 90% without having to give up your lifestyle. 

Joining the list of donors include individuals such as Michael Bloomberg, Barry Diller, Diane Von Furstenberg, George Lucas, Barron Hilton and Ted Turner. Bill Gates and Warren Buffett estimate their efforts could generate 600 billion dollars in charitable giving. 

Even though the campaign is focused on reaching out to billionaires, people of all means and backgrounds can donate their time and money for charity. For more information visit givingpledge.org

To give back to charities by shopping, visit Uptown Liz.

Shop for a Cause: TOMS Shoes Putting an End to Bare Feet

Written by Public Relations Intern Britnee Brotherton

Sometimes I believe going bare foot is good for the soul, but I cannot imagine life without shoes. Unfortunately, going without shoes is a way of life and not an option for many kids in our world today. One young man noticed the problems surrounding kids without shoes in Argentina and took initiative to make a difference.

TOMS Shoes was founded in 2006 with a very creative method of giving back serving as its driving force. For every pair of these lightweight, stylish shoes that is purchased, one pair is donated to a child without shoes. Last month, TOMS Shoes One for One program made their one millionth donation! 

TOMS also sponsors a worldwide event called “One Day Without Shoes” to help raise awareness for their charitable efforts. Last year over 1,600 events took place in honor of this cause. People simply spend a day walking in the (lack of) shoes of those that are less fortunate. This event will take place again on April 5, 2011. Check out this encouraging video about the day.

I remind you to always shop thoughtfully. There is no better place to do this than Uptown Liz!

Celebrity Gives Back: Tennis Star Andy Roddick Donates to Australian Flood Relief

Written by Marketing Intern Rose Provine

Tropical rains that started just before Christmas resulted in Australia’s worst flooding in 50 years. This has left about 1,200 homes flooded and nearly 4,000 people evacuated from their homes. 

American tennis star, Andy Roddick, was not only in Melbourne a few weeks ago for the Australian Open, but to give a donation in order to aid Australian flood relief. 

Roddick decided that for every ace he served at the Brisbane International, he would donate 100 dollars. His stellar performance resulted in a $10,000 donation.

These floods look to be the costliest natural disaster that Australia has ever known, so a donation of any kind helps tremendously.  

To support more disaster relief, visit Uptown Liz.

Bike for a Cause: The Young Survival Coalition's Tour de Pink Raises Funds and Awareness for Young Women in the Fight Against Breast Cancer

Written by Marketing Intern Roslynn Fitch

As a young woman, I understand and appreciate the importance of strong bonds with your girlfriends. It is these girls that you can talk to about anything. The girls that you can laugh with for hours on end. They are those people in your life that cry with you during hard times and laugh with you during the good. The Young Survival Coalition (YSC) is an organization that is dedicated to being that hopeful support system for young women diagnosed with breast cancer. 

The Tour de Pink is one way that the YSC ensures women diagnosed with breast cancer won't face their journey alone. The Tour de Pink not only gives you a chance to raise funds for young breast cancer patients, but it also provides a fun way to burn those extra calories! This year’s Tour de Pink has four locations all across the nation. If you aren’t a biker or can’t find a race near you, Tour de Pink also gives you the chance to do the virtual ride. This gives you the opportunity raise funds for the YSC by riding whenever or wherever, even in your local gym’s cycle class.

To learn more about the YSC or to make a donation, visit their webpage. 

To support breast cancer awareness by shopping, visit Uptown Liz.

Film Set for a Cause: Leonardo DiCAprio Encourages Warner Brothers to Switch to Solar Generators

Written by Marketing Intern Nandini Kavuri

A typical day on a movie set means that an immeasurable amount of energy is used. A-List actor, Leonardo DiCaprio, has decided to make a change and look to alternative sources of energy. During the filming of one of this summer’s biggest blockbusters, Inception, the actor encouraged the head of Warner Brothers to switch to solar generators. 

The switch to solar generators from the standard ones only cost about one percent more, but the switch kept 40 carcinogens from being released into the environment and over a ton of carbon dioxide out of the air. Warner Brothers will now be using these solar generators on other upcoming movies.

 

To find out how you can make a difference in your own homes by switching to environmentally friendly practices, visit http://www.seql.org/100ways.cfm