Boston Meetup + Reader Favorite Charities (part 2)

I’m often awed by the support of this community, but was truly blown away by your generosity in our holiday gift drive. I couldn’t believe how quickly some of you rallied together to fulfill the holiday wishes of children at the Home for Little Wanderers. In just a few days, you guys granted over 80 wishes, which I know will help bring smiles to so many faces this holiday. Thanks to your kindness, we were able to add a few more kids to the EP community list today, so if you’re still interested in helping, check out the list here and see this blog post for more info on the drive! Update: All 100 gifts on our EP community list have been pledged, thank you!

Boston Meet & greet (+ winter accessories drive)

Date: this Saturday, December 7th 9 – 11 a.m.
Location: SAMA Confections, 279 Newbury Street, Boston

So excited to see some of you this Saturday! Come say hello to Nick and me and please do not feel obligated to bring anything, but if you’d like to contribute, we’ll also be collecting new, unworn winter accessories for local women and children shelters. In speaking with Horizons for Homeless Children, they mentioned they’re currently in need of hats and mittens for children ages 0-5, but we’ll take any size at the drive as long as it’s unworn. Marshalls / TJ Maxx, Amazon Prime, Old Navy and Target always have a lot of affordable options!

In addition to these two Massachusetts-based organizations, I also wanted to share a few more causes that you guys are passionate about and submitted to me! If you’re considering giving back this Giving Tuesday, please give some of these a read (and see my first post here for education, family, and women-related causes that you guys shared)!

Hunger-Related Causes

• City Harvest shared by Jenny M., employee (for over 8 years!) | NYC
  “I have worked at City Harvest (one of the first food rescue organizations) for over 8 years. We pick up excess food from restaurants, grocery stores, farmers and wholesalers and deliver it for free to over 400 community partners in NYC. We focus on fresh produce and will deliver over 64 million pounds of food this year.”
• MANNA shared by Kaitlan B., employee | Philadelphia
  “I work at MANNA, [an organization that] home-delivers 1.3 million medically-tailored meals per year to individuals with serious illness in the Philadelphia area. If you’re looking to remain specific to the Boston-area, there is a great similar organization called Community Servings.”

Animal-Related Causes

• Pilot Dogs shared by Theresa T., volunteer | National
  “My former roommate, sister, and I raise puppies for a guide dog organization in Columbus, OH called Pilot Dogs! [They are] a nonprofit organization that trains guide dogs for blind individuals, [at no cost to the individual in need.] We raise the puppies from the age of 8 weeks to 1 year old before [they return] for formal training. We socialize them around many new circumstances/people, build their confidence, and teach basic obedience so that they can go on to do their important jobs.”
• The Pittie Stop shared by Nicole D. | Boston
  “I am writing in hopes of my favorite non-profit The Pittie Stop rescue receiving a donation in a time of need. The Pittie Stop is a Boston based 100% volunteer and foster home rescue for pitbull type dogs. Every penny they received goes directly back to the dogs in their care.”

health-related causes

• Partners in Health shared by Yna A., employee | Global
  “[I work at] Partners In Health, a global health non-profit based in Boston that strives to bring modern healthcare to poor communities around the world. I’m originally from the Philippines and have seen first-hand how diseases that Americans can’t even imagine are still plaguing the poor around the world. They have a presence in Haiti, Kazakhstan, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mexico, Peru, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Navajo Nation.”
• Phoenix Stone Foundation shared and founded by Heather K. | Texas
  “Our sweet boy, Phoenix, was diagnosed with Stage 4 High Risk Neuroblastoma (a childhood cancer of the nerve cells) when he was just 17 months old.  He fought courageously and joyfully for 19 months before passing away just days shy of his 3rd birthday. My husband and I started Phoenix Stone Foundation to continue supporting children fighting cancer and their families.”
• Sensory City shared by Jenny L., employee | Boston area
  “I am a pediatric occupational therapist, and I work for a Boston-based organization dedicated to making public spaces sensory inclusive for those who have unique sensory needs. This benefits individuals with Autism, ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder, PTSD, and Dementia.[We’ve] made it a mission to promote inclusion and awareness by making sensory friendly modifications to hotels, museums, stadiums, airports, restaurants and libraries.” 
• Jack and Jill Foundation shared by Joanna W., employee | National
  “This organization provides WOW! Experiences for families with children under 18 where one of the parents has late stage cancer. Treating families to [an experience], giving children who will lose their Mom or Dad to cancer a timeout to create indispensable memories as a family, while they can.”
• The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation shared by Morissa C., volunteer | National w/ college chapters
  “I’m extremely passionate about The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, which is an incredible charity fighting childhood cancer through funding research and financially assisting families of kids with cancer. They primarily fundraise through dance marathons and other events at schools/universities…My favorite part about the program is that they match college groups up with a B+ Hero, who are kids fighting cancer. You truly see how you’re making a difference for these families first hand and create lifelong bonds with the Heroes.”
• National Brain Tumor Society shared by Jennifer L., volunteer | National
  “This cause is very near and dear to my heart. Years ago, one of my best friends passed away from a rare form of brain cancer. Prior to her diagnosis, she had opened her own chiropractic practice—her patients always being her top priority. When patients were financially unable to pay, she would provide treatment regardless as she just wanted them to make a complete recovery without any barriers…Inspired by her, I am uniting with others to make a difference in the fight against brain tumors.”
• Pediatric Congenital Heart Association shared by Frances S., volunteer | National
  “My daughter has two congenital heart defects (CHDs) and underwent open heart surgery at 8 months old. Before her birth I had no idea that CHDs are the #1 birth defect in the world affecting 1 in 100 babies. Relative to the impact of the disease, research is grossly underfunded. I found PCHA online … they’re an incredible group of parents affected by CHD who collaborate with patients, families, providers and partner organizations to improve quality and outcomes through CHD education, support, research and awareness. In just the past few years they’ve grown exponentially starting local state chapters.” 
• Mass General Hospital – Caring for a Cure shared by Julie W., volunteer |  Boston, MA
  “I wanted to share a wonderful, local organization [that] “gives” both big and small to patients and families of patients going through cancer treatment at Mass General. The goal is to infuse some normalcy and fun during the stress and physical toll of chemotherapy and radiation. This organization is deeply personal to me because my best friend was a nurse at MGH for years, before becoming a patient on the oncology floor. During her treatment, CFAC helped bring a smile to her face during the hardest times.”

Other Notable Causes

• New England Center and Home for Veterans shared by Jacqi L., volunteer | New England
  “The NECHV provides housing and services to better equip former military men and women facing homelessness with the tools for economic self-sufficiency and a path to success. I have been a volunteer [there] for 5 years, serving breakfast and dinner to the Veterans that live there. All the men and women are wonderful and volunteering is a truly rewarding experience. I never fail to leave without a huge smile plastered on my face.”
• Center for Democracy & Technology shared by Elizabeth R., employee | National
  “We work to put democracy and individual rights at the center of the digital revolution, which is a fancy way of saying that we focus on civil rights through a frame of technology. We focus on free expression, privacy, security and surveillance, election security, [and more]. While what we do may not fit in with a traditional view of a nonprofit, we are doing important work to protect each and every one of us. Technology touches every part of our lives, and there should have thoughtful policy to protect those lives.”
• Center for Pan Asian Community Services shared by Diana B., employee | Atlanta
  
  “CPACS is the largest and oldest organization in the South that provides social and health services to the immigrant and refugee community. Our staff speak and provide services in 17 different languages. I was also a part of CPACS’ youth program as a teen and CPACS has helped my own family. [Working here], it has made me dig deeper into my family’s journey and struggles as Limited English Proficient refugees and immigrants. There is still so much work that needs to be done to ensure that our communities have a voice and representation here in the South.”