Kids for a Cause: Over 900 Students Give Back to Community Through Various Projects

Written by Marketing Intern Rose Provine

More than 900 students from Harrison High School in Kennesaw, Georgia participated in the Sixth Annual Community Service Day last Saturday. The students joined with many locals in the effort to make a difference in their own community. 

The students spread out over 30 different projects including visiting nursing homes, landscaping at Harrison High School, park renovations, volunteering at MUST ministries, and holding a pet adoption on the school campus to help the school's animal rescue club, Paws for a Cause. 

The students were not alone in the effort; parents, teachers and bus drivers participated to ensure that the day was a success.

This annual community service day was the idea of Dutch Bickley, a parent-member of Harrison School Council. Besides giving back to the community, they hope to teach their students how to work together and serve others. 

It looks like the students at Harrison High School were able to accomplish these goals set out for them. What can you do to make a difference in your community?

Bikers for a Cause: Pair to Bike Across the U.S. to Raise Money for Housing

Written by Marketing Intern Rose Provine

Two Bergenfield, New Jersey natives and young philanthropists decided to raise money and awareness for affordable housing in a very unique way. Sara Nessanbuam, 25, and friend, Ashley Tulley, are going to bike across the country in order to do just this.

The pair will start the 11-week journey in South Carolina and end in Santa Cruz, California. Nine teams are participating in the Bike & Build 2011, which has donated more than $2.7 million and built for more than 80,000 hours over the past eight seasons.

The teams will pedal through communities to raise money, construct homes, and talk to citizens about the nation's affordable housing crisis. Each participant must raise $4,000 for the trip and Nessanbaum has already raised $3,300. 

For more information about Bike & Build 2011, visit bikeandbuild.org. To make a donation, visit 

http://www.bikeandbuild.org/cms/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/

Celebrity Gives Back: Ashley Judd Fighting for Human Rights and HIV/AIDS Education

Written by Marketing Intern Rose Provine

Ashley Judd is an award-winning film and stage actor who is well known for her extraordinary acting performances and box-office hits. She recently took a break from her high-profile career, and is now spending most of her time fighting for human rights and HIV/AIDS education.

In 2002, Judd found her true calling: as a humanitarian and advocate for those suffering in neglected parts of the world. She walked away from her successful career that led her to be one of the highest-paid women in Hollywood after her first trip to notorious brothels, slums, and hospices of Southeast Asia. She started writing detailed diaries monitoring her experiences, which eventually led to the recent release of her new book, All That Is Bitter & Sweet: A Memoir.

In this unforgettable memoir, "Ashley Judd describes her odyssey, as a left-behind lost child attains international prominence as a fiercely dedicated advocate. Her story ranges from anger to forgiveness, isolation to interdependence, depression to activism. In telling it, she resoundingly answers the ineffable question about the relationship between healing oneself and service to others."

Judd was a Global Ambassador for YouthAIDS, an HIV/AIDS fundraising and awareness campaign of PSI, targeting young people ages 15-24. She has also held leadership positions in organizations that support women's rights.The well-known philanthropist is just trying to make a difference in our world. 

Judd recently told dosomething.org, "Every time I hold a vulnerable person and feel their grip melt into me, I know I am making a difference. Every time someone who has been exploited tears up because I have listened, validated, and witnessed their story, I know God is at work in my life. Every time I have the guts to be vulnerable in settings like the General Assembly of the UN, and transmit to change makers the sacred narratives with which I have been entrusted, I know I am doing what my humanity demands I do."

To keep up with Judd's activism, you can visit her website, http://ashleyjudd.com/. To support human rights or HIV/AIDS awareness by shopping, visit Uptown Liz.

Kids for a Cause: Eighth Graders Volunteer in the Bergenfield Special Improvement District

Written by Marketing Intern Rose Provine

When looking to volunteer, there's no better place to make a difference than in your own community. Three Bergenfield, New Jersey teens recently stepped up to help clean up the decorative planters in the Bergenfield Special Improvement District. 

The young philanthropists, Vincent DeBellis, DJ Haskins and James Hamilton, coordinated a clean-up plan to clean out all of these planters in preparation for spring flower planting. 

According to Hamilton, "If you are going to put time and effort into something, it's great when it benefits everyone in the community."

When looking to volunteer, look around and see what you can do in your own surroundings. Everyone can do something to make their community better. What can you do?

Celebrities Give Back: Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher's Foundation, DNA

Written by Marketing Intern Rose Provine

The DNA, Demi and Ashton Foundation, was created by one of Hollywood's hottest couples. Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher created this organization to "raise awareness about child sex slavery, change the cultural stereotypes that facilitate this horrific problem, and rehabilitate innocent victims."

Sex slavery is a taboo topic, and most celebrities don't want to talk about this uncomfortable subject. Moore and Kutcher wanted to create an organization that can help decrease the high rising number of slaves. 

According to their website, "the global sex slavery market generates $32 billion in profits annually. Two million children are subjected to prostitution in the global commercial sex trade. In just the United States, between 100,000 and 300,000 children are enslaved and sold for sex." Furthermore, the average age of entry into forced prostitution in the United States is 13. 

There are many ways you can get involved and help. The DNA organization recently created a "Real Men Don't Buy Girls Campaign", a campaign that encourages you to make and share a "real man video" that works to raise awareness of this issue. Many celebrities are already taking part in the campaign, including Ben Stiller, Gerard Butler, Sean Penn, Jamie Foxx, Jessica Biel, Zachary Quinto, Eva Longoria, Justin Timberlake, Ludacris, Bradley Cooper and Simon Baker. To see some of these celebrities' videos, visit http://www.facebook.com/dnafoundation?sk=app_204244879599379. 

You can also take action by reporting any suspicious activity you see on the internet. Seventy-six percent of transactions occur on the internet, so by reporting this you can help put an end to online child exploitation. You can also make a donation to the DNA by visiting http://demiandashton.org/donate.

To support human and children's rights by shopping, visit Uptown Liz.

Celebrity Gives Back: Ke$ha Against Clubbing

Written by Marketing Intern Rose Provine

Music artist, Ke$ha, is passionate about more than just her songs. She has recently joined PETA in order to protest the hunting of Canadian baby harp seals. 

The talented singer is featured in new campaign ads for animal rights. You can check out these ads at http://www.peta.org/b/thepetafiles/archive/2011/04/13/ke-ha-and-iggy-pop-aren-t-into-clubbing.aspx, where the display reads "Canada's Club Scene Sucks," a way to pun on the violent way that these seals are killed for their fur. Also featured in these ads is Iggy Pop, Rock 'n' Roll legend.

PETA, people for the ethical treatment of animals, is the largest animal rights organization in the world. According to their website, "PETA focuses its attention on the four areas in which the largest numbers of animals suffer the most intensely for the longest periods of time: on factory farms, in the clothing trade, in laboratories, and in the entertainment industry."

You, too, can get involved with the battle to stop cruelty to animals. For more information, visit www.peta.org. To make a donation, visit https://secure.peta.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=donatenow&set.custom.Campaign_Code=I11AWAXXXXG&autologin=true.

To support animal rights by shopping, visit Uptown Liz.

Red Cross for a Cause: Give Blood and Save a Life

Written by Marketing Intern Rose Provine

People all across the country have donated blood this year, but the American Red Cross still needs more. With blood products going out the door almost as fast as donations are coming in, the amount of blood available for patients is still below what it should be.

While most people are aware that blood is needed to treat accident victims or patients having surgery, they don't realize that there are many other reasons why a patient may need blood. Burn victims, patients with blood disorders, cancer patients and many others may need blood during their treatment. 

Giving blood is a very simple process with a life-saving reward. You can make an appointment to give blood or platelets by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or by visiting www.redcrossblood.org. To be eligible, you must be 17 years of age or older, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in generally good health. 

Save a life, donate blood. Visit http://www.redcrossblood.org/ for more information.

Celebrity Gives Back: Ashley Greene is Official Spokeswoman for Donatemydress.org

Written by Marketing Intern Rose Provine

Twilight film series star, Ashley Greene, is proving to be a sweetheart both on and off the screen. For the third time, Greene is the official spokeswoman for donatemydress.org, a national campaign that "encourages girls to donate their prom and special occasion dresses to others who need them."

Greene recently told People Magazine, "In high school, I had to work several jobs to save enough to buy a prom dress... It was so worth it: I had a blast at prom! Every girl should have the chance to have that experience."

Greene will even be donating her own dress that she wore at the Chrysalis Butterfly Gala. 

Donatemydress.org strives to give one night of joy and glamour to those girls who would never dream of such. To read stories about how the organization has made a difference in some girls’ lives, visit http://www.donatemydress.org/real-stories.html. 

To donate your old dress in a town near you, visit http://www.donatemydress.org/donate.html. You’ve already had your dream night, so donate your dress so that someone else can have hers.

Kids for a Cause: Brooklyn Kids Give Back in South Africa

Written by Marketing Intern Rose Provine

Malaak Compton-Rock, avid philanthropist and wife of comedian Chris Rock, has been assisting and funding Bushwick, Brooklyn students to travel to South Africa to help the impoverished and the AIDS orphans.

Compton-Rock is doing more than just assisting the less fortunate in South Africa. You can even say that she is killing two birds with one stone. The kids are sent to South Africa to volunteer in order to help the struggling nation, but what most aren't aware of is that these volunteers are facing their own struggles.

Bushwick, located five miles from Manhattan, is a community of approximately 109,000. According to CNN's Soledad O'Brien, "For years it was a community with a thriving drug trade, severely under-achieving schools, extreme poverty and a staggering rate of teenage pregnancy. It was ravaged by fires and looting during the summer of 1977 and hit hard by the crack epidemic in the 1980s."

The children participating in this program are at-risk youth, meaning they are in greater danger of having babies as teenagers, of never finishing high school or achieving their dreams, or never knowing the world beyond their neighborhood. 

Thirty of these children, ages 12 to 16, were paired with college-aged mentors and brought to South Africa to help with the highest, HIV-infected population in the world. Not only are they making a difference there, but these youth are broadening their horizons and getting a better perspective on their own lives. 

Compton-Rock believes that traveling opens up your life and gives you a sense of confidence. It is her hope that by participating in this program, these kids will rise above the Bushwick stereotypes and statistics, and start to lead positive and fulfilling lives.

To find out how you can help the children of Brooklyn and South Africa, please visit The Angel Rock Project's Web site.

Project for a Cause: LIVESTRONG and URDB World Records Team Up to Break Cancer

Written by Marketing Intern Rose Provine

Each year, nearly 70,000 people ages 15-40 are diagnosed with cancer. Despite this significant number, most young adults don't even think about cancer and often ignore early warnings signs.  

This week is devoted to promoting cancer awareness for young adults. We are now nearing the end of National Young Adult Cancer Week, but it is never too late to educate yourself and others.

Lance Armstrong's LIVESTRONG foundation has recently come together to support young teens and adults with cancer. The organization has teamed up with URDB World Records to create a project called Break Cancer. According to the LIVESTRONG foundation, "survivors and supporters all across the country are posting videos, pictures, and write-ups of their attempts to set or break a world record to raise young adult cancer awareness.

The goal of Break Cancer is to break down the barriers that keep young people from getting support and services they need, and with every record and post, Break Cancer is getting one step closer to their goal.

Most goals are fun and easily attainable. For example, one participant is the world record holder of "Most Hugs Against Cancer," with 575. 

Anyone can partake in this project. Maybe even you can be a world record holder, all while supporting cancer awareness!

For more information, or to check out some current Break Cancer records, visit http://urdb.org/breakcancer

Recycling for a Cause: Going Green for Pink

Written by Marketing Intern Rose Provine

Millions of computers, monitors, printers, televisions, cell phones, laptops, PDAs and other electronic devices are thrown into our nation's landfills each year. 

These items are not only polluting our earth, but these toxic chemicals are being put into our environment, which have shown a connection to cancer.

Going Green for Pink is a recycling program that strives to prevent these items from entering our landfills.

It is very simple to get involved. All you have to do is collect your electronic devices and send them in for recycling. If you contact Going Green for Pink, they will send you a prepaid shipping label for your small items or a collection vehicle to pick up items over 500 pounds.

It is easy and free, so take advantage of this program and help make an impact in our environment and our health. 

For more information, visit http://goinggreenforpink.com/ 

Celebrities Give Back: Jennifer Aniston, Alicia Keys, Demi Moore and Patty Jenkins Directing Short Film about Breast Cancer

Written by Marketing Intern Rose Provine

What do Jennifer Aniston, Alicia Keys, Demi Moore and Patty Jenkins have in common? Aside from their profound talent in the entertainment industry, these women are all taking part in Project Five, a five part anthology series on Lifetime.

The talented group of celebrities are joining together to direct a short film about breast cancer, which will recount the impact of the disease on peoples' lives. 

Aniston recently told US Weekly, "our hope with Project Five is to entertain, inform and inspire dialogue, research and prevention. Otherwise, our goals are small. We want these films to move people and empower those affected by breast cancer to stand tall through this challenge, which impacts all of our lives, no matter who we are."

Support their effort in breast cancer awareness by watching this film when it airs. Until then, you can support breast cancer research and awareness by shopping. Visit Uptown Liz for more information.

April for a Cause: Autism Awareness Month

Written by Marketing Intern Rose Provine

  

Today is the first day of April, which also marks the beginning of Autism Awareness Month. I have friends that work with autistic children and through them I have realized the importance of promoting autism awareness. 

The month of April is dedicated to bringing attention to the growing need for concern and awareness about autism. 

According to autism-society.org, "autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. Autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a 'spectrum disorder' that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees. There is no known single cause for autism, but increased awareness and funding can help families today."

Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability. The annual cost of working with those diagnosed with autism is over 60 billion dollars, and the cost of autism over the lifespan is 3.2 million dollars per person.

There are many ways to get involved with autism awareness, including reaching out to your local chapter, signing up for autism society's free e-newsletter, attending an event and much more. 

To learn more about autism or to make a donation, visit http://www.autism-society.org/