America's Giving Challenge
I got an e-mail from the
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) about America's Giving Challenge.
PARADE Magazine (which comes in some Sunday newspapers) is holding this contest where the 8 charities that attract the most individual donations will receive $50,000
and be featured in PARADE magazine article. This is a great opportunity to raise visibility for diabetes research.
To help you
donate to JDRF through the Network for Good organization. Your donation can be of any size. You'll have to register with Network for Good to do this (I just did) and then you can donate via Paypal or with a credit card.
To me, this seems like a relatively inexpensive way to raise awareness of the importance of diabetes research and the search for a cure. I hope you'll agree because right now JDRF is not even on the
top 10 list for this contest.
Labels: awareness, challenge, charity, JDRF
Teen Pregnanies on the rise...
Normally I try to concentrate on diabetes-related issues. But I wanted to let you know about a group that's doing a
great job and
really needs some help.
Today the Wall Street Journal's Health blog reports that the
rate of teen pregnancies is rising. The rise of 3% in 2006 is "across all ethnic groups and most teen age groups". I'd say that's a big problem, and the best way you can tackle something like this is by working locally.
My Father's House is a small organization that's local to us and that is working hard to help pregnant teens. They provide counseling, support and accommodation to a small number of teens and they work to help these young women to become self sufficient. I think the work they accomplish is astounding. They truly change the course of these teenage lives and that of their children.
My Father's House does this without
any state or federal funds. This is because they want the freedom to introduce the young women to Jesus Christ and let them know about the Gospel.
Despite this 'restriction' they have managed to fund this important work entirely through contributions by individuals and a variety of churches. My family is one of their large group of supporters and we love the work that Kevin and Cathy Coffey are doing here with a small group of dedicated volunteers.
The people behind My Father's House are trying to create some transitional housing so they can help these young mothers become successfully independent. They've finally received permission from the town of Chelmsford and they're applying for a grant. To be successful they need to raise
a lot of money. A total of about $60,000.
If you're moved to help them because of the holiday season, or because you believe in this type of work, or some other reason, then go to their site and
donate online via their Paypal link.
And thanks.
Labels: charity, teens
