We're on a mission to do good--and we need YOUR help!

PRE ROAD TRIP

It just wouldn't be right, would it? To go all the way across the country--almost 3000 miles, ya'll!--having a blast, without trying to do something good for somebody else along the way. So we're planning to combine our wild and crazy road trip with a drive-a-thon fundraiser with a goal of raising at least $1 per mile to donate to a worthy cause. Here's where we need your help: can you suggest a cause? Our criteria are:

1) User-friendly. They'll have to allow us to put a button on the site and make it easy for donors to give.

2) Legit. That means the charity needs to fully disclose how funds raised will be used and what percentage actually goes to help people versus "administrative" fees. Though we have nothing against newer organizations, it makes everyone feel secure if the organization has a good track record, so it would be nice if they have some demonstrable history.

3) We are especially interested in organizations with a focus on environment/sustainability issues, or those who help children/families in need.

Got a favorite cause you'd love to help us support as we drive across the country? Let us know who it is!

 

Comments

[Adrienne]

Um, doesn't BlogHer have a charity connection? I have seen their buttons on others websites.

[Shannon]

What about Flashes of Hope?
www.flashesofhope.org

"Flashes of Hope is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating uplifting portraits of children fighting cancer and other life threatening illnesses. The portraits, taken by award-winning photographers, help children feel better about their changing appearance by celebrating it. For families of terminally ill children, it's especially important to have a portrait that preserves forever the beauty, grace and dignity of their child."

[Nina]

How about http://www.heifer.org/?

[Jackie W transplanted Okie (Buried in Legos)]

Sew Much Comfort

http://officiallyunofficialpwfans.blogspot.com/2008/06/sew-much-comfort.html

[Veronica]

CARE

http://www.care.org

CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. We place special focus on working alongside poor women because, equipped with the proper resources, women have the power to help whole families and entire communities escape poverty. Women are at the heart of CARE's community-based efforts to improve basic education, prevent the spread of HIV, increase access to clean water and sanitation, expand economic opportunity and protect natural resources. CARE also delivers emergency aid to survivors of war and natural disasters, and helps people rebuild their lives.

[jodifur]

House of Ruth works in Domestic Violence, or the foster care organizations that work in this cities the bloggers come from. I can do some research on that if you like.

[Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah]

I vote for Breast Cancer Research.

I am a huge fan of the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

[Julie Pippert]

Because it's a road trip in a hybrid of women/moms...how about something that is concerned with all of those things?

Our local groups here are great:

Mothers for Clean Air and GHASP

I'm sure there are national level organizations.

I'm so impressed with their efforts.

[Dawn]

Heifer International
http://www.heifer.org/

[Mrs. Davis]

Feed the Children has a special effort right now for families that were in the Midwest floods. Info here: http://tinyurl.com/6mtcdx

Also, the American Cancer Society has pretty broad appeal. I can get you in touch with a contact there.

[Kelly]

I have an unorthodox idea. How about helping out a needy family, with the goal being to help them transition out of poverty? I know a single mother with four kids. Her name is Adela, and she works the graveyard shift as a security guard. Her hours were recently reduced from 40 to 32. She is a smart person and would like to get a better job, but she doesn't have her high school diploma.

My church helps her out from time to time with things like bunk beds and paying for summer day camp for the kids. To really lift this family out of poverty, Adela needs a good job with benefits. But she's overwhelmed with making ends meet, so she hasn't been able to get her GED or find a better working situation.

If she had a few months during which she didn't have to worry about rent and groceries, she could get the GED and avail herself of the services of Women at Work, a nonprofit based here in Pasadena, CA that specializes in career services.

A little background: I have known Adela for 15 years. I met her because her little sister was in the same 3rd grade class as my younger son. Little sister Blanca said to me one day, "Ms. Russell do you have those three? You know, breakfast, lunch and dinner?" I got to know the whole family, watched as they lost their Section 8 housing (landlord pulled out of the program), preached birth control (not too successful there), and tried to be an advocate for them whereever I could.

I've worked in the nonprofit world for 20 years, and there are plenty of really good people doing great work. But this is an opportunity to have a direct impact on the life of a hard-working mother who is trying her best to provide for her kids (she takes care of her ailing mother also).

My church would be happy to administer the funds, taking out nothing for overhead. Of course a line item budget would be available for all to see. It would be awesome to see Adela make progress over the next few months and share that with everyone.

[Robin]

Along with a vote for the Susan B Koman organization I found some family/children in need organizations:
Family Promise (http://www.nihn.org/)
The National Center on Family Homelessness (http://www.idealist.org/if/i/en/av/Org/15580-230)
Prevent Child Abuse (http://www.preventchildabuse.org/index.shtml)

I really do not know anything about these organizations - they were just some I found on Idealist.org (which by the way has Blogher add on their main page)

[Palm Axis]

I like Kelly's idea. Hey SV moms, lets help Adela get her GED and a better job with benefits.

[Lynn from Organicmania.com]

I love Kelly's idea too.

Plus, for the media following you - this is a REAL story.

[Suebob]

Lately I am all about the Kristin Brooks Hope Center for suicide prevention - www.hopeline.org

[Suebob]

Or or or! There is WriteGirl, an LA-based organization that uses professional women writers as mentors to young women writers - I used to volunteer for them and they are fabulous and underfunded.

[Monica Hubbard]

Having direct impact really resonates with me, as does Kelly's suggestion to help give Adela a hand up, not a handout. SV Mom's Group, I love what you're doing, and hope you'll choose to help Adela and her kids!

[Susan C]

I'd love to see Adela have the opportunity to improve her situation. I have met her because she makes and delivers homemade tamales for a little extra money. She is very hard working, personable and motivated.

[Life Observer]

So many good causes. This time I'd vote for the direct assistance to Adela if it would help her get her GED and take the next step in her life.

[Cinnamon]

Any woman that makes tamales to earn extra $ has a soft spot in my heart. Those things are time intensive! I'd be happy to donate a few bucks to help have a huge impact on one family, since you'd be helping not just one woman, but her children, and their children.

And if an organization is your goal instead, I second CARE. If you need a contact with your local chapter, email me and I'll have my friend at the Midwest chapter let me know who you should talk to locally.