Earlier in the year I wrote a blog post about five things in Atlanta I thought you should care about. This is not that post.
For the most part everyone has a couple charities that they hold near and dear to their heart.. A lot of times you can’t even explan why that organization means so much to you, there is just something about their mission that touches your heart.
These are my organizations. They’ve been adopted over the years for different reasons. Some came from work, others college and a couple are just life long loves. If you don’t have a charity that you support, feel free to adopt one of mine. I love them all and would be more than happy to share.
Bert’s Big Adventure - Being one of those long-time forever fans of The Bert Show (since I was 15), I remember the first day the show went live on the air. I also remember the time Bert Weiss announced that he would be taking a group of terminally and chronically ill children to Disney World for the experience of their young lifetimes. I was hooked and I have never looked back. I love that trip. I love the families. I love hearing their stories of support, of love, of strength. If you haven’t checked out the BBA website, do so today.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – This was my second charity. I picked it up in college as my sorority’s philathropy of choice. I was able to visit the summer after my junior year for recruitment and it was one of the most moving experiences I’ve ever had. You walk through the halls to see children riding tricycles or being pulled in red wagons. There are murals and colors and a teen room and everyone is warm and friendly. All of the counters, rooms, doorways, toilets, etc are small and child-sized because the children are the patients and they need to understand their illnesses. If you’re unfamiliar with St. Jude it’s a children’s hospital specializing in children’s cancer. St Jude patients only pay as much as insurance covers. St. Jude takes care of the rest.
Alex’s Lemonade Stand – Another favorite. Mostly because I love the story behind the organization. “Shortly before her first birthday, Alex was diagnosed with cancer. On her first birthday, the doctors informed Alex’s parents that if she beat her cancer it was doubtful that she would ever walk again. Just two weeks later, Alex slightly moved her leg at her parents’ request to kick. This was the first indication of who she would turn out to be – a determined, courageous, confident and inspiring child with big dreams and big accomplishments. By her second birthday, Alex was crawling and able to stand up with leg braces. She worked hard to gain strength and to learn how to walk. She appeared to be beating the odds, until the shattering discovery within the next year that her tumors had started growing again.In the year 2000, the day after her fourth birthday, Alex received a stem cell transplant and informed her mother, “when I get out of the hospital I want to have a lemonade stand.” She said she wanted to give the money to doctors to allow them to ”help other kids, like they helped me.” True to her word, she held her first lemonade stand later that year and raised an amazing $2,000 for ‘her hospital’.” Her hospital was St. Jude. Love it.
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta – Because why wouldn’t I continue my tradition? I love this hospital. When KP started her internship there in January (she now works in the emergency department) I started paying more attention to the hospital and I must say, they do it right. They have a strong grasp on social media marketing, their advertising is on point and I think their PR department must be at the top of their game. I know what you’re thinking, ‘she loves the hospital because of their communications policy?’ Yes and no. I also love the mission, the fact that they treat KP so well (an indication of how they treat their entire staff) and that in the ED the goal is to have children in, out and treated in 128 minutes or less.
Frank Ski Kids Foundation - This is one of my more recent charities (discovered via work) and I love the concept behind it. The whole mission of Frank Ski Kids is that if a kid sees it, he or she will want to be it. For example if a child is a natural athlete, show him or her what life would be like playing their favorite sport. This memory and experience will live with them forever and inspire them throughout their lifetime to achieve their goals and dreams. I love it. I really think it’s an inspired mission and one that will take these children a long long way.
Kate’s Club – Founded by Kate Atwood right here in Atlanta, the mission of Kate’s Club is to empower children and teens after the loss of a sibling or parent. Everyone, absolutely everyone who works there is a dream. They are an amazing group of people and I am so glad I get to work with them to put on the annual Kate’s Club Cabaret. This amazing fundraising event combines all the best things in life: drinks, dancing, casinos and more to create a magical evening of fun. All proceeds benefit Kate’s Club and help fund a number of their programs and events for the children.
So there you have it kids. The lifetime of charities that I know and love. What organizations do you support? What made you choose them?
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