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Charitable Treasures donates monthly to the charities listed below. The month behind the name of each indicates which month we contribute to that particular charity. For more information, please contact us!
Habitat for Humanity International-January
121 Habitat Street
Americus, GA 31709-3498
229-924-6935
800-422-4828
Year, State Incorporated: 1977, Georgia
Affiliates: 1,900 national and international affiliates
Stated Purpose: [to work] "in partnership with God and people everywhere, to develop communities with God's people in need by building and renovating houses so that there are decent houses in decent communities in which people can live and grow into all that God intended."
Habitat provides administrative, financial, organizational, and technical support to help affiliates in all 50 states meet the need for the construction of low-income, affordable housing in their communities. Habitat assists international affiliates, located in 64 countries, predominantly in the developing world, in the construction of affordable housing. During 2001, Habitat built or renovated 18,460 houses worldwide. Habitat's Global Village and International Partner programs place trained volunteers with international affiliates to help launch building projects across the world. Through newsletters and videos, Habitat informs the public about housing and homelessness issues and educates the public about Habitat's work in the community. Habitat's newsletter, Habitat World, updates contributors about current Habitat activities and successes.
Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation-February
Formerly known as : Cancer Research Foundation of America
1600 Duke Street, Suite 110
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-836-4412
800-227-2732
Year, State Incorporated: 1985, Virginia
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: "the prevention and early detection of cancer through scientific research and education."
CRFA funds studies that seek to produce new and improved ways of preventing cancer. Areas of emphasis include chemopreventives, new dietary cancer-protectives, cancer vaccines and early detection tools. Additionally, CRFA produces brochures and other materials that provide information about lowering the risk of developing cancer. Its mobile mammography van conducted approximately 12,000 screenings for breast cancer in the Washington DC metropolitan area since 1996. With a soap opera story line, CRFA's video "Por Su Salud y Por Su Familia" ("For Your Health, For Your Family") addresses the need for Hispanic women to perform breast self-exams and arrange to receive mammographies as a routine part of physical checkups. In 2000, CRFA launched the first National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month campaign. Additionally, "Hope Street Kids" is an initiative that provides grant and support to children with cancer and their families during and after treatment, to work to eliminate childhood cancer through education, research and advocacy. According to CRFA, in its first year of operation "Hope Street Kids" provided grants totaling $500,000. A toll-free information line is available seven days a week to answer requests for materials. Some ($555,996, or 12%) of the amount reported as expenses for education and public awareness represents the value of donated public service announcements, and is also recognized in CRFA's financial statements as a source of revenue. Some ($733,290 or 16%) of CRFA's education and public awareness efforts are conducted in conjunction with fund raising appeals.
American Red Cross-March
2025 E Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 737-8300
www.redcross.org
Year, State Incorporated: 1905, chartered by
Congress
Affiliates: approximately 1,000 local
chapters
Boardman Indemnity Ltd. (wholly owned captive insurance subsidiary)
Stated Purpose: "To provide relief to victims of disasters and
help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies."
AMERICAN RED CROSS PROGRAM ACTIVITIES
Biomedical - More than 4.2 million blood donors helped the Red Cross provide about half the nation's blood supply in 2002. Operating 36 regional blood service centers, the Red Cross supplies 3,000 hospitals and other facilities with blood and products for transfusion. In addition, the Red Cross reports it provides more than one-quarter of the nation's plasma products and nearly one-fifth of the nation's tissue for transplantation. The Red Cross also operates a national research program that conducts research in biomedical science, blood safety, plasma-derived therapeutics, and transfusion technology. The Jerome H. Holland Laboratory, a blood research facility operated by the Red Cross, is located in Rockville, Maryland.
Disaster - The Red Cross responded to more than 70,000 disasters in 2002, including house or apartment fires (the majority of disaster responses), hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hazardous material spills, transportation accidents, explosions, and other natural and man-made disasters. Red Cross disaster relief focuses on meeting people's immediate emergency disaster-caused needs such as shelter, food, and health and mental health services. In addition, the Red Cross indicates it provides assistance to help individuals and families affected by disaster to resume their normal daily activities independently.
Health and safety - The Red Cross provides a variety of courses including, but not limited to: first aid, CPR, how to use AED (automated external defibrillators), babysitter's training, swimming and life guarding, and HIV/AIDS education. In 2002, about 12 million people enrolled in Red Cross health and safety courses. In addition, the Red Cross provides other first aid, health and safety, and accident prevention services. Examples include a nurse assistance program, blood pressure and cholesterol screening, health fairs, AIDS prevention presentations, and first aid stations at local events.
Community Services - Red Cross chapters provide humanitarian services that seek to help people within the community to be safer, healthier and more self-reliant. Chapters determine which programs to offer based on community needs. A variety of different types of programs are offered including home delivered meals, food pantries, rides to medical appointments, homeless shelters, transitional housing, caregiver education and support groups, friendly visitors, personal emergency response service, hospital/nursing home volunteers, fuel assistance, children's educational programs, latchkey programs, and language books. The Red Cross reports almost 22 million services were provided to individuals in 2002.
Armed forces emergency - Using computer and telecommunications technology, the Red Cross enables military members stationed all over the world to send messages to loved ones back home during emergency or other important events. The Red Cross also provides military members and their families with access to emergency financial aid and other services at U.S. military installations worldwide. The Red Cross indicates it also serves 1.4 million active duty personnel as well as 1.5 million members of the National Guard and the Reserves located throughout the country.
International - The Red Cross works with a global network of Red Cross, Red Crescent and equivalent societies to bring emergency relief to disaster victims and improve basic living conditions of those in chronically deprived areas of the world. The organization responds to requests, inquiries, or referrals for information related to persons separated from relatives overseas, U.S. embassy verifications, international disaster welfare, as well as other family, health, or safety concerns. The Red Cross also supports relief activities in some 40 countries and educates the public about international humanitarian law.
Alzheimer's Association-April
Also known as : Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association
225 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1700
Chicago, IL 60601-7633
312-335-8700
800-272-3900
Year, State Incorporated: 1980, Delaware
Affiliates: World Association of Alzheimer's Disease Scientists/Alzheimer's Association, L.L.C. (WAADS) 167 local chapters
Stated Purpose: "to provide leadership to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research while enhancing care and support services for individuals and families."
During its 2002 fiscal year, the Association awarded grants to 90 new projects. In 2002, the Association reports that it enrolled 14,613 new registrants in "Safe Return," a program designed to help find and safely return home individuals with Alzheimer's who have become lost, and safely returned over 1,000 individuals. As a member of the National Chronic Care Consortium, the Association helps to fund and sponsor efforts of HMOs, long term care providers, community health agencies and its own chapter network in devising accessible, affordable, and cooperative service options for Alzheimer families. Additionally, the Association works to improve and build public awareness of Alzheimer's through public education campaigns and the media. Some ($6,455,000 or 51%) of the Association's public awareness and education efforts are carried out in conjunction with fund raising appeals.
American Cancer Society, Inc.-May
1599 Clifton Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
800-227-2345
Year, State Incorporated: 1913, New York
Affiliates: American Cancer Society Foundation
17 regional (divisions) and 3,400 local offices
Stated Purpose: "to [eliminate] cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and service."
The Society coordinates a multi-level educational, advocacy, and media campaign to help adults and children lower their risk for contracting cancer. Examples of current prevention activities in which the Society is involved include offering smoking cessation programs, sponsorship of Healthy Kids Network groups, and its National School Health Coordinator Leadership Institute. In addition to epidemiological, surveillance, and behavioral studies that it oversees directly, the Society gives grants to academic institutions and professionals in the fields of medicine and science for investigations into the causes, prevention, and cure of cancer. The Society also issues guidelines for diagnosing and care options for specific forms of cancer. For cancer patients, families, and survivors, the Society offers support groups, classes, and other services to meet individual needs. In some areas of the country, local units of the Society furnish housing for patients during treatment, organize camps for children who have or have had cancer, and carry out visitation programs for newly diagnosed persons battling the disease. Some ($13,031,000, or 2%) of the amount reported as part of programs represents contributed services provided to the Society by various benefactors, and is also recognized as a source of revenue. Some ($12,062,000, or 2%) of the Society's program activities are conducted in conjunction with fund raising appeals.
Earthjustice-June
Formerly known as : Earthjustice Legal Defense Fund
Formerly known as : Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund
426 17th Street, 6th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
510-550-6700
Year, State Incorporated: 1970, California
Affiliates: Campaign for America's Wilderness; Environmental Law Clinic at Stanford University; International Program; Policy and Legislation Program; regional offices in Juneau, AK; Oakland, CA; Denver, CO; Washington, DC; Tallahassee, FL; Honolulu, HI; Bozeman, MT; and Seattle, WA.
Stated Purpose: "to reduce air and water pollution, to safeguard national forests, parks and wilderness areas and seashores, to contain toxic materials, to achieve environmental justice and to preserve wildlife habitat."
Earthjustice provides free legal representation for public interest groups, conservationists, trade associations, and government agencies in lawsuits and administrative appeals to protect natural resources. Earthjustice employs over 50 attorneys in nine offices and uses private attorneys through pro bono and reduced-fee agreements. Cases cover a wide range of environmental issues, including litigation to prevent activities that adversely affect wildlife and their habitats in national parks and wildlife refuges, clean-up and restoration of waterways and ecosystems, protection of forests and endangered species, and enforcement of environmental laws. In addition, Earthjustice disseminates information to the public and media and utilizes grassroots lobbying to influence environmental policy decisions. Earthjustice's quarterly newsletter, "In Brief" and online monthly "eBrief," provides updates on environmental issues and activities as well as the status of completed and current court cases. Some ($103,098 or 46%) of Earthjustice's lobbying activities are conducted in conjunction with fund raising appeals.
Humane Society of the United States-July
2100 L Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037
202-452-1100
Year, State Incorporated: 1954, Delaware
Affiliates: Humane Society International; Humane Society International Australian Office; Humane Society of Latin America; National Association for Humane and Environmental Education; Center for the Respect of Life and Environment; EarthVoice, World Wide Network, Inc.; Association Humanitaria De Costa Rica; National Humane Education Center; Meadow Creek, Inc.; Humane Society of the United States Wildlife Land Trust.
Stated Purpose: "to promote the humane treatment of animals and to foster respect, understanding, and respect for all creatures."
HSUS activities recently included initiation of an Internet site focusing on animal protection issues; urging the maintenance of free trade without harming animals, at the World Trade Organization meeting in Seattle; establishment of ten new wildlife sanctuaries; conducting horse cruelty investigation workshops in North Carolina and Texas; and coordinating efforts to deal with companion-animal relief efforts after natural disasters in Oklahoma and North Carolina. HSUS assists local humane societies and animal-control agencies through financial grants, sponsorship of meetings, and publications. It conducts campaigns to promote anti-fur sentiment and alternatives to genuine fur for clothing; to educate caregivers about resources and reasonable expectations for pet-owning; and to raise awareness of the connection between animal abuse and human violence. It also undertakes grassroots campaigns and lobbying to promote pro-animal legislation. Its magazines and newsletters are directed to various audiences, including HSUS members, local animal care agencies, those involved in legislative action at state and local levels, and elementary school students. Some ($7,288,844 or 45%) of HSUS' public education, membership information and publications program is conducted in conjunction with its fund raising efforts.
Locks of Love-August
2925 10th Avenue North, Suite 102
Lake Worth, FL 33461
561-963-1677
888-896-1588
Year, State Incorporated: 1997, Florida
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: "to provide the highest quality hair prosthetics to financially disadvantaged children with long-term or permanent medical hair loss."
Locks of Love collects hair donations and financial contributions to produce hairpieces for children in the United States who have applied to LoL. All applications are evaluated by the Board of Directors. Children must be under 18, living in the United States and have long-term or permanent hair loss, usually from Alopecia Areata (an autoimmune disorder which causes hair follicles to shut down), severe burns or radiation therapy. In the fiscal year ended November 30, 2002, LoL provided 113 vacuum-fitted cranial prosthesis, repaired 22 pieces, and provided 39 synthetic hairpieces.
Make-A-Wish Foundation of America-September
3550 North Central Avenue, Suite 300
Phoenix, AZ 85012-2107
800-722-9474
602-279-9474
Year, State Incorporated: 1983, Arizona
Affiliates: 79 National chapters; Make-A-Wish International; and 23 international affiliates.
Stated Purpose: "is to grant the wish of each child under the age of 18 who has a life-threatening medical condition, i.e., a progressive, degenerative or malignant medical condition that has placed the child's life in jeopardy."
Make-A-Wish grants wishes to children with terminal illnesses or life threatening medical conditions. In 2002, Make-A-Wish reports that its chapters and affiliates granted more than 11,107 wishes. According to Make-A-Wish, some of the granted wishes included trips, computers, shopping sprees, special parties, pets, and meeting a celebrity. Through brochures, posters, and public service announcements, Make-A-Wish informs the public about its programs, services, and accomplishments. Make-A-Wish also manages a National Volunteer Speakers Bureau to help spread its name and message. Make-A-Wish assists its chapters by providing support for day-to-day chapter management decisions, chapter development, and compliance with national headquarters' policies and guidelines. In addition, Make-A-Wish provides guidance to its chapters in raising funds and securing in-kind donations to help grant the wishes of the children in their communities. Make-A-Wish also holds training seminars including national convention workshops and sessions for board members, staff and volunteers of affiliates. Some ($1,973,838 or 2%) of Make-A-Wish's program activities were conducted in conjunction with its fund raising appeals.
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation-October
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
914-428-7100
888-663-4637
Year, State Incorporated: 1938, New York
Affiliates: 54 chapters
Stated Purpose: "to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality."
The March of Dimes manages program activities including biomedical research grant-making, community service, public and professional education, and advocacy. In 2002, the biomedical research grant portfolio included 269 competitive grant-awards for research conducted by scientists at universities and academic medical centers to discover the causes and means of prevention and amelioration of birth defects and other forms of sub-optimal pregnancy outcomes. The education program developed and delivered healthy pregnancy information to clients and practitioners via its Pregnancy & Newborn Health Education announcements, Web-based services, CD-ROM, and other multimedia materials. A new component of the professional education program is the development and dissemination of the "Genetics & Your Practice" curriculum for healthcare professionals. The major programmatic focus of current public education activities is the March of Dimes' Prematurity Campaign, which seeks to raise public awareness of the growing incidence and risks of premature birth, and a reduction in the incidence of preterm birth in the U.S. by 2007. The community service program, operated through Chapters in all 50 States and Puerto Rico, funds and operates community-based education initiatives to promote healthy pregnancies. Some ($16,568,000 or 21%) of March of Dimes' public and professional education program is conducted in conjunction with fund raising appeals.
Ronald McDonald House Charities-November
One Kroc Drive
Oak Brook, IL 60523
630-623-7048
Year, State Incorporated: 1977, Illinois
Affiliates: 133 chapters and 145 Ronald McDonald Houses in the United States, international chapters in 43 countries.
Stated Purpose: "to lift kids to a better tomorrow by supporting worthwhile not-for-profit organizations that directly benefit children."
RMHC partners with nonprofit organizations to fund programs in the areas of healthcare and medical research, civic and social development, and education. Support is also provided to local chapters and the Ronald McDonald House program worldwide. The Ronald McDonald House program offers a temporary home-away-from-home for families of seriously ill children who are being treated at nearby hospitals. In 2000, RMHC began the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile which provides primary care, diagnosis, treatment, referral and follow-up for medical and dental conditions to children without access to quality care.
The
Salvation Army - National Headquarters-December
(with information about The Salvation Army, USA)
P.O. Box 269
615 Slaters Lane
Alexandria, VA 22313
703-684-5500
Stated Purpose: The Salvation Army is dedicated to caring for the
poor, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, loving the unlovable, and
befriending the friendless. This dedication has produced an international
network of helpful ministries.
Adult rehabilitation centers are among the most widely known of all Salvation
Army services and comprise the largest resident substance abuse rehabilitation
program in the United States. Individuals with identifiable and treatable needs
go to these centers for help when they no longer are able to cope with their
problems. There they receive adequate housing, nourishing meals, and necessary
medical care, and they engage in work therapy, spiritual guidance, and skilled
counseling in clean and wholesome surroundings. Residents may be referred or be
remanded by the courts..
Donated material, such as furniture, appliances, or clothing, provides both
needed work therapy and a source of revenue through the Army's thrift stores.
More than 120 adult rehabilitation centers offer these programs in the United
States.
Free temporary shelter is available to homeless men and women in severe
financial need. Low-cost housing also is available to men and women living on
pensions or social security.