‘Tis the season for giving, and we would like to take the opportunity to share with you the charities near and dear to our hearts. If a charitable donation is on your list for the holidays, perhaps you would consider one of these worthy causes.
Autism Society Baltimore-Chesapeake - Selected by Carrie Accardi. "One of my best friends from college lost her first son, Spencer, to a rare brain tumor at age 1. She created Spencer’s Friends Foundation, which their family lovingly operated for 10 years. When their youngest son Kirby (commas removed) was diagnosed with Autism, they refocused their fundraising efforts towards this condition. I supported Spencer’s Friends Foundation then, and the Autism Society now, in an effort to bring some peace and positivity to their family and all others like them".
A volunteer organization founded in 1976. It was created to help serve Maryland families of children and adults with autism spectrum disorders. The organization provides information, advocacy and support for families and individuals with autism.
CancerHawk - This charity was another selection by Carrie. "A very close friend of mine, Robyn Stoller, lost her husband Allan while they were raising three children. At the time they were all under 10 years old, the eldest being a best friend to my daughter. It was a devastating loss to be witness to, but I’m eternally touched by her drive to make a difference in the lives of cancer patients and their families. Robyn turned her tragedy into hope and she continues to inspire every day with her blog and website (add link to website?). I want to do whatever I can to support her life-changing work"!
Founded by Robyn Stoller, after her husband passed away from Renal Cell Cancer. Robyn made it her mission to assist cancer patients in navigating their cancer treatment plans to make the process easier for those already going through an overwhelming time. CancerHawk connects patients and caregivers with the services, products and no-nonsense expertise they need to make their cancer journey easier.
Children's Diabetes Foundation – This charity was selected by Don and Lori, and has strong personal meaning for them. On May 9th, 1999, their 10 year old daughter Tiara was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. For the past 16 years, this condition has had a life-changing impact on their family. By supporting the Children’s Diabetes Foundation, Don and Lori are able to help all those suffering with this disease get the best care possible, as well as fund research to find a cure.
Dedicated solely to the support of research in childhood diabetes and to provide the best possible clinical and educational programs for children with this disease. The Foundation’s mission is to raise funds to support the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes where over 6,000 children and young adults from all over the world receive the finest diabetes care available.
Delaware SPCA – Another selection made by Don and Lori, who have a sincere love for animals. Taking this care above and beyond, they support the Delaware SPCA and help give a voice to animals, who can’t advocate for themselves.
A private nonprofit organization dedicated to the elimination of animal cruelty, neglect and overpopulation by providing services for people and their companion animals since 1873. They do not receive federal funding, and there is no national SPCA. They rely primarily on local donations to carry on their work for the animals.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - St. Jude was also a selection by Carrie. "My grandmother, Georgia Hazlett, asked me to donate whatever was left of her estate to St. Jude’s Hospital when she passed. The expenses of her care until age 95 exceeded remaining proceeds from her estate. She did not know at her passing that there was nothing left to give, but I assured her I would see that a difference was made in her name. I chose this charity to honor her wishes and memory.
The mission of St. Jude Children’s Hospital is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of their founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family's ability to pay.
Susan G. Komen Maryland - Our last featured charity was selected by Carrie as well. "Several friends, as well as my stepmother have battled this disease, and have all walked and/or participated in the events of this dedicated organization. In their honor and name I wanted to do something to continue to fight the fight and make a difference.
Working to better the lives of those facing breast cancer in the local community. Through events like the Komen Maryland Race for the Cure in Hunt Valley and Ocean City, Maryland, the Maryland Affiliate has invested $35 million in community breast cancer programs since 1993 and has helped contribute to the more than $800 million invested globally in research.
