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12 Days of Charitable Giving: Jon Bon Jovi Soul Kitchen

Kelly — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 04:37:18 +0000

Our twelfth and final charitable organization in the series is the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Kitchen, located at 207 Monmouth St. Red Bank, NJ 07701. I know what you’re thinking: the Philly girl is touting a restaurant in New Jersey? All joking and anti-Giants sentiment aside, I have a good reason and it’s not just because Jon Bon Jovi is incredibly hot: it’s a really cool idea.

Soul Kitchen is a restaurant with a goal “to serve healthy, delicious, and when possible, organic meals.” So, fairly normal, right?

Except there’s a catch. There are no prices on the menu. None. Nada. Zip. Instead, customers pay a minimum donation of $10 per meal – if you can – or volunteer in some way to earn a voucher for a meal. No one is turned away. Everyone pays in some way – through cash if you can or labor if you can’t. Smart and effective.

And lest you think this is a run of the meal soup kitchen, dishing out bare bones food, it’s not. It’s a real restaurant. Soul Kitchen serves a three course meal based on American Regional cuisine. All of the dishes are made with fresh, local (and when possible) organic ingredients. You can view a sample menu here (png format). The concept gives sustainable a whole new meaning.

It’s not often that I’ll encourage you to drive over to New Jersey, but consider this your invitation to do so. No reservations are required to eat at the restaurant.

The restaurant is a project of the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation. The goal of the Foundation is to support innovative community efforts to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness. Innovative. As in thinking outside of the box. Not just handouts. Pretty awesome, right?

The organization was founded in 2006 after a demonstrated commitment to charitable causes in Philadelphia by the Philadelphia Soul Arena Football Team (partly owned by Bon Jovi[). Those causes included donating beds and clothing to the local Covenant House and, together with cast members of MTV’s Real World 15: Philadelphia, building a playground for the Northern Home For Children – just up the street from me. In 2009, the Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation underwent a name change and became the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation.

Since that time, Bon Jovi has been recognized on Forbes.com as the most valuable celebrity charity relationship, besting fellow musicians Justin Bieber, Paul McCartney and U2. The ranking was determined by studying which celebs offered the highest percentage of their personal fame on good causes.

And if this good cause is one that you believe in, you can donate directly to the kitchen by clicking here. If you’d prefer to donate to the Foundation’s general fund, click here.

To support the work of the kitchen, you can also mail a check to:

JON BON JOVI SOUL FOUNDATION – KITCHEN
Seven Penn Center
17th Floor
1635 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103

There’s also an online store where you can buy gear that sends a message – and more.

If you want to volunteer your time, there are a few opportunities. One, spread the word. The restaurant would love the publicity because “by doing so you support the financial balance of this model and are also providing fellowship and aiding us in bringing our community together.” And how easy is that? You can click on the Facebook, Google+, Tweet or other social media buttons on this article and voila, done.

At the restaurant, I am happy to report that the organization reports that most of the volunteer needs are filled, though they are still in need of someone with waitstaff experience who lives in the Red Bank area and can volunteer on a regular basis. If that’s you, and you’re over the age of 15, you can email info@jbjsoulkitchen.org.

For others, the Foundation reports that the Heart of Camden in Camden, NJ, has a great need for volunteers for their “Second Saturday” program. They need volunteers primarily to clear out or “gut” housing in preparation for rehabilitation. Second Saturdays might be dedicated to other projects such as community tree plantings or cleanups. Click here for more information.

The Foundation also reports that in Philadelphia, Project H.O.M.E. is looking for volunteers. Project H.O.M.E. is dedicated to ending homelessness; on a cold night like tonight in Philadelphia, that need is acute. Visit their website for more information on how you can get involved.

If you live elsewhere, the Foundation recommends checking out serve.gov to find opportunities to volunteer in your own community.

A search at irs.gov (which I highly recommend any time you are considering making a donation) confirms that the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation is a qualified charity. Again, as with Texas Wildfire Relief, when you search, use the official name of the organization and not the subsidiaries or commonly used names.

For tax tips to keep in mind when making charitable gifts, check out this prior post.

You can also see my prior 12 days post here:

That wraps up the series. I hope you’ve enjoyed it and have been inspired to give a donation, volunteer your time or make a change that somehow makes a difference.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. ― Margaret Mead

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12 Days of Charitable Giving: Office of Letters and Light

Kelly — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 00:08:19 +0000

Our eleventh charitable organization is Office of Letters and Light. I’m guessing the name doesn’t ring a bell. But maybe these names will: NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) and Script Frenzy. NaNoWriMo and Script Frenzy are both projects of the Office of Letters and Light, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Oakland, California.

NaNoWriMo, the best known of the two, was “accidentally founded” (according to the website) by Chris Baty in 1999. In 2006, the nonprofit org known as the Office of Letters and Light was launched. The Office of Letters and Light “organizes events where children and adults find the inspiration, encouragement, and structure they need to achieve their creative potential.”

Those key events are NaNoWriMo and Script Frenzy:

NaNoWriMo challenges you to write a 50,000-word novel, from scratch, in the month of November. In 2010, 200,500 people took part; I was one of those who participated. It wasn’t my first effort though I will woefully admit that I’ve never finished in November (darn those clients and tax deadlines). But that’s part of the game. It’s fun and quirky and inspiring. And that’s all that matters. NaNoWriMo also offers a Young Writers Program for kids who are 12-and-under or students in a K-12 classroom. In 2010, 50,000 students took part in National Novel Writing Month’s Young Writers Program.

Script Frenzy offers a similar challenge to write screenplays, stage plays, graphic novels, and TV scripts. Participants first learn the basics of scriptwriting, including structure and formatting, before rolling up their sleeves and writing their own 100-page blockbuster (or art-house masterpiece) in the month of April. Yeah, April. Tax month. Which is why I’ve never finished a script (that’s the story I’m sticking to anyway). Again, there’s a junior company, the Script Frenzy Young Writers Program.

Cool events, right? And so cleverly and enthusiastically done. Neither is a web only challenge: write ins and workshops take place in person all over the world in libraries, bookstores and coffee shops.

Many of my friends and readers participate each year which explains this year’s nomination to the 12 Days list. Thanks to all who suggested that I include it in the series.

So, how do you get involved? First, play along next year. You won’t regret it, I promise. Even if you don’t finish, it’s fun and inspirational. If you decide to give it a whirl, look me up. My username is, not surprisingly, taxgirl.

Even if you don’t wish to sign up, consider making a donation.

You can make a donation by clicking here or donating through Paypal.

You can also mail a check to:

The Office of Letters and Light
3354 Adeline Street
Berkeley, [entity display="CA" type="organization" subtype="company" active="true" key="ca" ticker="CA" exchange="NASDAQ"]CA[/entity] 94703 USA

Make your check/money order payable to The Office of Letters and Light. For more info about paying by check, visit the FAQs on the website.

There’s also an online shop.

A search at irs.gov (which I highly recommend any time you are considering making a donation) confirms that the Office of Letters and Light is on the IRS list of charitable organizations as a public charity. Again, as with Texas Wildfire Relief, when you search, use the official name of the organization and not the subsidiaries or commonly used names.

For tax tips to keep in mind when making charitable gifts, check out this prior post.

You can also see my prior 12 days post here:

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12 Days of Charitable Giving: Little Kids Rock

Kelly — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 17:07:26 +0000

Our tenth charitable organization is Little Kids Rock. The spark for the organization has been around since 1996 when David Wish, an elementary school teacher, grew frustrated with the lack of funding for music education at his school. He began offering an after-school guitar class to interested students and the program expanded. Six years later, in 2002, with support from the legendary BB King and John Lee Hooker, Little Kids Rock was born.

Little Kids Rock provides music instruction and free instruments for public school students affected by budget cuts. The program focuses on popular music styles that most students already listen to, including rock, blues, rap and hip-hop. Heavy emphasis is put on composition, improvisation and recording, and kids regularly get to record their own music, create CDs – even make their own rock videos.

Why does this matter? Kids who are exposed to music perform better in school: students in high-quality school music education programs score higher on standardized tests compared to students in schools with deficient music education programs, regardless of the socioeconomic level of community. Kids who play an instrument are 52% more likely to go to college. They’re also less likely to get into trouble: a report released by the Texas Commission on Drug and Alcohol Abuse found that students involved in courses beyond the required ‘basics’ were less likely to be involved with drugs. The study went on to show that: “secondary students who participated in Band or Orchestra reported the lowest lifetime and current use of all substances” including alcohol, tobacco, marijuana or any illicit drug.

You already know that this topic resonates with me. The music program in my children’s public school in [entity display="Philadelphia" type="place" active="true" key="pa/philadelphia"]Philadelphia[/entity] was cut this year. My school no longer has a full time music teacher. My youngest children have music classes once a week. My oldest child (in the 4th grade) doesn’t have music at all; there was no holiday recital for her this year. That’s not okay. It’s not okay for my children’s school – and it’s not okay for schools around the country. That’s why Little Kids Rock, nominated by a fellow mom, earned a spot on our list this year.

You can make a donation by clicking here.

You can also mail a check to:

Little Kids Rock
632 Pompton Ave. Suite 2
Cedar Grove, NJ 07009

There’s also an online shop. Proceeds from the shop go to supporting efforts to bring music education to children in public schools.

A search at irs.gov (which I highly recommend any time you are considering making a donation) confirms that Little Kids Rock is on the IRS list of charitable organizations as a public charity.

For tax tips to keep in mind when making charitable gifts, check out this prior post.

You can also see my prior 12 days post here:

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12 Days of Charitable Giving: Hope for the Warriors

Kelly — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 22:42:07 +0000

Our ninth charitable organization is Hope for the Warriors. The organization was founded in 2006 by a group of military wives to support wounded U.S. service members, their families, and families of the fallen. The mission of the organization is “to enhance quality of life for U.S. service members and their families nationwide who have been adversely affected by injuries or death in the line of duty. Hope For The Warriors actively seeks to ensure that the sacrifices of wounded and fallen warriors and their families are never forgotten nor their needs unmet.”

What kind of work does Hope for the Warriors do? For one, they grant wishes for wounded and returning vets. There are a number of inspirational stories on the org’s site but my favorite – and the video clip that was passed along to me with the nomination is this one:

This Guardsman has no doubt who saved his and many of his fellow Guardsmen lives one night in February 2010. As the men tried to relax in their compound in Afghanistan, the three dogs they had adopted started to furiously bark. A suicide bomber was attempting to enter the barracks but was stopped by the relentless biting and barking of their dogs. The bomber finally gave up and detonated his explosives in the entryway. Five soldiers sustained injuries but none of the guardsmen died that night, thanks to the lifesaving actions of the dogs. Of their three companions, one dog died and the other two were injured and nursed back to health by the unit’s medics. When our injured hero returned to his unit, one dog, Rufus, became his constant companion. His Wish was for the dog to be brought to the United States to live with him, his wife, and their new growing family. Hope For The Warriors® was happy to reunite our wounded warrior with his lifesaving friend.

The organization also provides support for members of the military who are returning to civilian life. They offer guidance in identifying strengths and skills; translating skills into civilian speak; practicing networking techniques; preparing for interviews; writing resumes; participating in shadow a professional days; understanding corporate etiquette and e-mail protocol; purchasing new dress for success attire; and creating a personalized basic budget plan.

Another focus of Hope For The Warriors is working to meet the immediate financial needs of the warriors and their families. This includes assistance to meet costs associated with travel, lengthy hospital stays, loss of income and unexpected expenses. Applicants may apply once a year. Payment is always made to a third party, typical grants cover household utilities, gas cards for vehicles to get to appointments, groceries, rent, mortgage, and rental deposits.

I’ve said before that I know that those in the military – like my brother – do a job that I am not tough enough to do. I have such respect for those in our military and for their families. Being assigned overseas is difficult enough – I’m already worried for my friend who is headed to the Red Zone in Afghanistan. But coming home is also a challenge. Organizations like Hope for the Warriors make it so much easier.

You can make a donation by clicking here.

You can also mail a check to:

Hope For The Warriors
5101C Backlick Road
Suite 200
Annandale, VA 22003

Hope For the Warriors also participates in a number of races including the New York City Half Marathon, the 2012 Disney Marathon and Half Marathon, the ING New York City Marathon and the Marine Corps Marathon. Hope For The Warriors® is an official Charity Partner of each of these races. If you want to run for the charity, you can join Team Hope For The Warriors; visit the Team Page here.

The signature event for the charity is the Run For The Warriors. There are a number of races involved in this event. Distances vary but often include 10K, 5K and 1-mile runs; each race is chip timed. The organization believes that “by uniting the entire community, military and civilian alike, this event embraces wounded warriors and their families in the shared belief that there is hope beyond recovery.”

Some dates are still being added but so far, you can participate in the 2012 Run For The Warriors as follows:

May 19 – 7th Annual Run For The Warriors® Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, 1-Mile run/walk, Jacksonville, NC
TBD – Harmon Meadows 5K and 1-mile run/walk, Secaucus, NJ
June 3 – 3rd Annual Big Apple Run For The Warriors® 3-Mile, New York, NY
TBD – 5th Annual Rutgers ROTC Run For The Warriors® 5K, Piscataway, NJ
TBD – 3rd Annual Sunset Run For The Warriors® 10K, 1-Mile run/walk, Shelton, CT
October 14 – 3rd Annual ASA Run For The Warriors® 5K, Washington, DC
November 11 – 5th Annual Long Island Run For The Warriors® 10K, 5K, 1-Mile run/walk, Lindenhurst, NY

A search at irs.gov (which I highly recommend any time you are considering making a donation) confirms that Hope for the Warriors is on the IRS list of charitable organizations as a public charity.

For tax tips to keep in mind when making charitable gifts, check out this prior post.

You can also see my prior 12 days post here:

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Filing Deadline Extended for Some Charities

Kelly — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 15:04:41 +0000

The IRS has announced that tax-exempt organizations with January and February filing due dates will have until March 30, 2012. If you are affected, you don’t need to file anything to get the March 30 extension as it’s automatic.

The extension only affects a handful of orgs since most charities operate on a calendar year basis and have a May 15 filing deadline. However, orgs with a fiscal year that ended on August 31 or September 30 in 2011 would generally have a filing deadline of January 17, 2012, or February 15, 2012, respectively. Those deadlines are pushed to March 30, 2012. The extension also applies to organizations that already obtained an initial three-month filing extension and now have an extended filing deadline that falls on January 17, 2012, or February 15, 2012.

The extension applies to affected organizations filing Forms 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, or 1120-POL. Form 990-N filers will not be affected.

So what’s the reason for the IRS’ generosity? Technical stuff, apparently. The IRS notes that part of the e-file system that processes electronically filed returns of tax-exempt organizations will be off-line during January and February 2012 “in order to facilitate systems and programming changes.” The rest of the e-file system – for individual and business taxpayers – is supposed to be fine.

And – I know this is crazy talk – the IRS will also let you file on paper. If your is are normally required to file electronically, you have the option of filing on paper while the electronic filing system is off-line.

Further details are in Notice 2012-4 (downloads as a pdf).

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12 Days of Charitable Giving: Texas Wildfire Relief

Kelly — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 14:19:07 +0000

Our eighth charitable organization is Texas Wildfire Relief. The mission of the organization is listed on its website as “committed to generating awareness and garnering support for Texas volunteer firefighters.”

According to the National Fire Protection Association, just over 70% of the firefighters in America are volunteers. In Texas, the percentage is over 80. As you know, Texas had a tough year this year with respect to wildfires. That likely explains why I received more nominations for this charity than any other this year: a grand total of 37. Yep, 37.

Reader Jocelynn writes:

These volunteer fire departments are manned by local men and women with strong desires to serve their community. My husband has been a volunteer fireman for over 30 years now. He is on call 24/7. He places this responsibility above anything else in life, whether it be his son’s first birthday party, Christmas Eve, a house full of company, and even his job resulting in a smaller paycheck.

Reader Kendal writes:

I have been a firefighter in Mason, Texas for 15 years, and in that time I and my friends have seen enough tragedy to last a lifetime. We’ve pulled broken and burned bodies from building fires and automobile accidents. We’ve rescued tornado victims, fall victims, farming mishap victims, flood victims, and many others. One thing keeps us doing what we do – we are needed. Without us there, the bad things would still happen, but someone else would have to do the job we do. It’s not pleasant, it’s not pretty, it’s not convenient, it’s not comfortable, and it’s not easy. All it is is necessary.

Reader Jennifer wrote of her firsthand experiences in Bastrop:

Going into Bastrop, I really didn’t know what more I would face. Just how bad would the situation be on the ground?
…

Then, the lists were posted. I didn’t realize that I would be walking into a time that would forever change some people’s lives. Amidst the 20 or so TV sat trucks, the emergency first responders vehicles and a parking lot full of Bastrop residents, county officials, accompanied by Austin and Bastrop law enforcement, taped up 12 pages of paper. On each of these 12 pages of paper were row after row after row of addresses. The headline across the top: “Total Loss.”

These were lists and, as the County Judge would note in a press conference later, they were only the beginning of more lists. These were lists that delivered the news that some people did not have a home. It was gone—probably faster than anyone could really imagine. Fast moving wildfires will destroy indiscriminately. And, those 12 pages of paper pasted to the window were cold proof.
I can honestly say it was heart wrenching to watch an older couple all but collapse onto the concrete in tears after learning their home was gone. People were sobbing. Others breathed a sigh of relief that their home was saved, at least for now. Some were more upbeat and talked of rebuilding, starting anew.

What I learned from the day is that the need is great and immediate—both for the firefighters I work to support and the men and women of Bastrop. They’ve all been stretched thin, challenged in ways most of us cannot imagine and, for many, struck with total loss. Thankfully, they have their lives, but they have no home.

Many other readers chimed in with similar stories.

Think these folks do important work? Consider this statistic: a fire department responds to a fire every 24 seconds. And remember, most of those folks are volunteers.

And reader Sonia reminds us that they do more than fight fires:

When almost everyone in our county was evacuated a few years ago due to Hurricane Rita (a hurricane had not made itself felt this far inland in over 100 yrs) these people stayed to distribute water and food, evacuate the injured and elderly and handle the fires from broken power and gas lines.

Like many of those who submitted nominations, I grew up in a rural area. Many of my friends served as volunteer firefighters and to this day, the best man at my wedding remains a card carrying member of the Valley Forge Volunteer Fire Company. I can remember, as a teenager, hearing the sirens in our small town and watching folks scramble to get into their vehicles to go help – without a moment’s pause. And when wildfires devastated my hometown in 1985 and 1986, destroying more than 93,000 acres in one year alone, I watched from the line of our football field as the whole sky turned orange – and I understood that my friends had put on their gear and gone out to save lives. These are real life heroes.

You can make a donation by clicking here. For more information or if you would like to help, please contact Kelsey Coleman at 512.236.1001.

You can also mail a check to:

SFFMA
c/o Kelsey Coleman
P.O. Box 12275
Austin, Texas 78711

A search at irs.gov (which I highly recommend any time you are considering making a donation) confirms that the organization is on the IRS list of charitable organizations as a public charity. This was actually a good reminder for me because the organization as nominated (and as appears on the web site) uses the shorthand “Texas Wildfire Relief.” The legal name of the charity (and the acronym for which you write out checks) is the State Firemen’s & Fire Marshal’s Association of Texas. Keep in mind that some charities use variations on their names for the sake of convenience so when using the search engine, use descriptive terms and not ultra-specific ones when possible.

For tax tips to keep in mind when making charitable gifts, check out this prior post.

You can also see my prior 12 days post here:

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12 Days of Charitable Giving: Shoes That Fit

Kelly — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 13:58:00 +0000

Our seventh charitable organization is Shoes That Fit. Shoes that Fit began in Claremont, California in 1992. Today, Shoes That Fit is helping children in need in thousands of schools across America.

Shoes That Fit gives kids much-needed new shoes so that they can go to school in comfort and with dignity and focus on their studies rather than their circumstances. Every penny donated goes directly to benefit a child.

I love this approach to helping children stay warm while also boosting their self esteem. It sucks to be that kid who looks different because your family can’t afford to send you to school in new shoes like everyone else. You may remember my own story about helping out a child who needed new shoes. It made a world of difference to him. And to me. Helping others does that. It makes you feel good.

Shoes that Fit receives no government funding at all. You can make a donation by clicking here. You can also donate by phone (888.715.4333) or by mail. You can send your check to:

Shoes That Fit
1420 N. Claremont Blvd.
Suite 107B
Claremont, CA 91711

You can also donate in kind. If you have a new pair of athletic shoes to donate, send an email to info@shoesthatfit.org to find a chapter near you. The organization’s wish list also includes:

New boys’ and girls’ athletic shoes – sizes youth 10 through adult 12.
New underwear and socks.
Assorted clothing appropriate for school, including: pants or jeans, knit shirts, sweaters, hoodies and warm jackets.
Gift cards are always welcome from Target, Payless, Rack Room, Wal-Mart and other major retailers.

A search at irs.gov (which I highly recommend any time you are considering making a donation) confirms that Shoes That Fit is on the IRS list of charitable organizations as a public charity.

For tax tips to keep in mind when making charitable gifts, check out this prior post.

You can also see my prior 12 days post here:

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12 Days of Charitable Giving: Rails to Trails Conservancy

Kelly — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 22:28:09 +0000

It’s the sixth day of my annual 12 Days of Charitable Giving. Each of the 12 charities that I’ll be featuring in the series was suggested by a reader as a charity that could use a boost this holiday season. I’ll be posting one a day for – well, 12 days (I’m clever that way).

Our sixth charitable organization is Rails to Trails Conservancy. Rails to Trails opened its doors more than 25 years ago in February 1986. A few months later, then Governor John Ashcroft (R-MO) filed the first railbanking application for the 185-mile Katy Trail, and in June 1987 Missouri legislature votes to convert the corridor.

Today, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has as its mission “to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors to build healthier places for healthier people.” Twenty five years after its start, there are nearly 20,000 miles of rail-trail that are used by tens of millions of Americans every year.

It’s easy to find a trail near you. There’s a handy search feature, Trail Link, on the organization’s site where you can even search by activity. You can locate a trail where you can run, go birdwatching, hike, bike, ride your ATV, go horseback riding, skate and even go geocaching (one of my newest interests with the family). Wheelchair accessible trails are also easy to find. The best part? All of these trails were already in use, just as railroad lines.

The most recent Rails to Trails project is the Urban Pathways Initiative. The idea behind the project is that active transportation and recreation options are not always easy available to low-income communities. Urban pathways provide opportunities for healthier living in those communities.

Sound good? You can make a donation by clicking here. You can also donate by phone (1-866-202-9788) or by mail. You can send your check to:

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
The Duke Ellington Building
2121 Ward Ct, NW, 5th Floor
Washington, DC 20037

A search at irs.gov (which I highly recommend any time you are considering making a donation) confirms that Rails to Trails Conservancy is on the IRS list of charitable organizations as a public charity.

For tax tips to keep in mind when making charitable gifts, check out this prior post.

You can also see my prior 12 days post here:

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12 Days of Charitable Giving: Back on My Feet

Kelly — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 22:21:37 +0000

It’s the fifth day of my annual 12 Days of Charitable Giving. Each of the 12 charities that I’ll be featuring in the series was suggested by a reader as a charity that could use a boost this holiday season. I’ll be posting one a day for – well, 12 days (I’m clever that way).

Our fifth charitable organization is Back on My Feet. The organization was founded in 2007 by Anne Mahlum in 2007. Anne used to run in the mornings and saw a group of homeless men in Philly on her runs. One day, she decided to invite the guys to run with her. She started out with nine runners. Today, there are about 600 participants.

The idea behind the organization is to promote self-sufficiency among the homeless by engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem. It starts out by focusing on the run but then progresses to educational and job training opportunities. Additionally, each member has the opportunity to earn $1,250 in financial aid to assist in their efforts toward self-sufficiency.

Originally located in my town, Back on My Feet now has chapters in Philly, Baltimore, Indianapolis, Boston, DC, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas and New York.

If you follow the blog, you know that I am a runner. I started out trying to run a mile – and couldn’t do it. I tried again. And again. And I got better. Last month, I ran a half marathon and I’m signed up (gulp) for a full marathon next year. I love the sense of accomplishment that I get when I run – whether it’s 5 miles, 8 miles or 12 miles. Sometimes it’s hard to get motivated but once I’m done, I am very proud of myself – every single time. So I *get* what Back on My Feet is about. It’s about setting goals and making an effort and reaching the finish line. And that’s a tremendous accomplishment. And I love that about this organization. It’s not a handout, it’s a challenge. And it deserves your support.

You can make a donation by clicking here. You can also mail a check to:

Back on My Feet
1520 Locust St. Suite 804
Philadelphia, PA 19102

A search at irs.gov (which I highly recommend any time you are considering making a donation) confirms that Back on My Feet is on the IRS list of charitable organizations as a public charity.

For tax tips to keep in mind when making charitable gifts, check out this prior post.

You can also see my prior 12 days post here:

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12 Days of Charitable Giving: Critical Exposure

Kelly — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:18:46 +0000

It’s the fourth day of my annual 12 Days of Charitable Giving. Each of the 12 charities that I’ll be featuring in the series was suggested by a reader as a charity that could use a boost this holiday season. I’ll be posting one a day for – well, 12 days (I’m clever that way).

Our fourth charitable organization is a repeat nod from last year, Critical Exposure. Critical Exposure was founded in 2004 by two photographers with education backgrounds, Adam Levner and Heather Rieman. The organization “teaches youth to use the power of photography and their own voices to become effective advocates for school reform and social change.”

As part of the organization’s programming, students learn to use cameras to tell their stories – giving them a voice. Students at the organization have used photography to document and share issues such as inadequate school facilities, poor school nutrition, teen pregnancy, youth homelessness and unemployment.

Critical Exposure was suggested by a couple of readers who were impressed by the organization’s story after it ran last year. One wrote:

I am also an artist. I work in a different medium (printwork) but believe the fundamental concept of using art to share your story with the world is a universal one. Too often, we assume that kids don’t have anything important to say. Critical Exposure shows us that’s not true. I am encouraged that organizations like this one exist so that everyone has the opportunity to learn, to share and to make a difference.

You can check out Critical Exposure’s projects here and find out where they will be showing their pictures.

You can make a donation by clicking here. You can also mail a check to:

Critical Exposure
1816 12th St., NW
3rd Floor
[entity display="Washington" type="place" active="true" key="dc/washington"]Washington[/entity], DC 20009.

You can also volunteer to help or sign up to be a partner. Critical Exposure partners with community organizing and advocacy groups, youth organizations, and public schools around the country to teach our workshops on documentary photography and social advocacy.

A search at irs.gov (which I highly recommend any time you are considering making a donation) confirms that Critical Exposure is on the IRS list of charitable organizations as a public charity.

For tax tips to keep in mind when making charitable gifts, check out this prior post.

You can also see my prior 12 days post here:

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