The Culture Mom» Non-profit http://www.theculturemom.com For moms who aren't ready to trade sushi for hot dogs. Mon, 01 Jul 2013 00:29:50 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.2 Help Make a Childs Wish Come True on World Wish Day, April 29th /join-the-world-help-make-a-childs-wish-come-true-on-world-wish-day-april-29th/ /join-the-world-help-make-a-childs-wish-come-true-on-world-wish-day-april-29th/#comments Mon, 22 Apr 2013 19:36:40 +0000 CultureMom /?p=4943 Make a Wish

If you ever wonder how you can change a child’s life from the seat in your living room, I have a few ideas for you.

I first became aware of the Make-a-Wish Foundation about 15 years ago when I was working at at MTV/Nickelodeon.  A colleague of mine was very active with the cause and I knew that her work with the organization was making a real difference in children’s lives.  Their work enriches the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions through its wish-granting work.

Make-A-Wish was founded in 1980 after a little boy named Chris Greicius realized his heartfelt wish to become a police officer. Since its humble beginnings, the organization has blossomed into a worldwide phenomenon, reaching more than 250,000 children around the world.

Nearly 75% of wishes require air travel, making it a critical – and costly – resource. In fact, approximately 50,000 airline tickets, the equivalent of 2.5 billion airlines miles or $37.5 million, would be needed each year to cover the cost associated with sending wish kids and their families to and from these incredible experiences.

Although it has become one of the world’s most well-known charities, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has maintained the grassroots fulfillment of its mission.  A network of nearly 25,000 volunteers enable the Make-A-Wish Foundation to serve children with life-threatening medical conditions. Volunteers serve as wish granters, fundraisers, special events assistants and in numerous other capacities.

When I took my children to Disney World a few years ago, we saw several Make-A-Wish volunteers taking children around the theme park, fulfilling their dream of visiting the theme park.  They even have hotels dedicated to these children. It’s an incredible foundation.

And now they’ve taken it one step further!

Make-A-Wish International has launched the global World Wish Day campaign to celebrate the organization’s anniversary and raise funds to make even more wishes come true in the nearly 50 countries around the world in which we operate.

World Wish Day, 29 April, is a global celebration of wish-granting.

It celebrates the day Chris Greicius received his wish to be a police officer for the day, inspiring the creation of Make-A-Wish® and the organization’s global wish-granting movement.

Since Chris’ wish in 1980, more than 300,000 children around the world have had their fondest wishes fulfilled by Make-A-Wish.

Every 23 minutes, Make-A-Wish grants the wish of a child with a life-threatening medical condition somewhere in the world.

Make-A-Wish International is calling on its affiliates, volunteers and supporters to Join the World in making more wishes come true by getting involved.

Supporters can share the power of a wish® by donating – through the purchase of a virtual star or a cash donation.

The purchase of a virtual star joins supporters from around the world as part of the global wish-granting team.

Spread the word.

You can help more wishes come true by sharing your wish at worldwish.org/shareyourwish.

]]> /join-the-world-help-make-a-childs-wish-come-true-on-world-wish-day-april-29th/feed/ 0 Mothers and More: Where I Belong /mothers-more-belong/ /mothers-more-belong/#comments Thu, 06 Dec 2012 04:00:19 +0000 CultureMom /?p=4578

Being a mother is wonderful, as we all know, but it’s a role that brings massive changes into every woman’s life.  I’ve written about my own struggle with work/home-life balance often on this blog. This past year I even hosted a series called “I Don’t Know How She Does It” in which fellow writers gave their two cents about the whole work/home scenario and how hard it is to juggle and truly have the best of everything.  For me, being a mom has inspired and pushed me to become the best person I can be, but I will never deny the challenges that come with it.

That’s why I’m thrilled to announce that I’m a member of the first ever Advisory Council to the Board of Directors of Mothers & More, a grassroots, volunteer-driven organization, connecting mothers dealing with exactly the issues I’m describing via a network of both virtual and local communities throughout the United States.

Mothers & More is committed to creating a place for mothers to feel a part of a larger community of women who are experiencing the challenges that all mothers face, not only in raising children but also in fulfilling their sense of self and self-worth.  M&M believes this begins with a sense of belonging, a space where women feel safe among friends, where they are able to utilize their gifts and celebrate their uniqueness; where they can truly be themselves.

Joining me on this prestigious board are a few women who I respect greatly and feel a great sense of honor for being chosen to join. They are Jory Des Jardins who co-founded BlogHer in 2005 and serves as the company’s President of Strategic Alliances; Jeni Ellis Halliday, a wellness professional with 30 years of experience designing, implementing, marketing and managing corporate wellness programs, special events and fundraising campaigns; and Aliza Sherman, a web pioneer (she actually taught me HTML many years ago when I was living in Atlanta), digital strategist and author.

Together, we are going to talk about growing the organization and along the way, I get to work along side these amazing women.  What can be better than that? It’s truly an honor.

Follow them on Facebook.  Follow them on Twitter. They have provide forums, online topical discussions and webinars, leadership opportunities and support that is invaluable.

]]> /mothers-more-belong/feed/ 3