May Philanthropy Spotlight: St. Francis Food Pantries & Shelters

It's now been over a year since the beginning of the pandemic, but around this time in May marks a year since I returned to the city. After a month and a half of country living, being back in the city felt stark and hopeless. The city felt more dangerous and the risk factor of catching the virus had skyrocketed at that point. When I returned to the office I attempted to walk to work and while it didn't last long, there was a lasting impact. Every morning I would pass the St. Francis Food Pantries & Shelters and my heart would break. There was a line out the door and around multiple street corners of people seeking help. It was honestly a major wake-up call and reminded me that I needed to 

Started by Joseph Sano and Father Francis Gasparik over 17 years ago, the St. Francis Food Pantries & Shelters support multiple shelters and pantries throughout the Tri-State area. They focus on providing a wide range of services to feed, clothe, counsel, and alleviate physical and emotional hunger in a dignified and supportive manner. The St. Francis Food Pantries & Shelters host numerous events, such as the "Celebrity Doodle", where they auction off drawings done by celebrities. As a charity that relies more and more on private donations, events really boost the bottom line, so having to take a 75% hit at a time when more people than ever are seeking assistance was brutal. 

I'm hoping you'll feel inspired to donate to such a worthy charity this month. I know I sound like a broken record, but there is nothing more rewarding than giving back. I chose to higlight the St. Francis Food Pantries & Shelters because I distinctly remembered seeing Father Francis Gasparik and the Friars each morning greeting the line of people in need and offering much needed comfort and reassurance. I saw for myself the compassion and dedication they had for those in need. Please do consider donating to a charity this month, especially St. Francis Food Pantries & Shelters - they support so many and every dollar counts! 

"For it is in the giving that we receive". 

ARS xx

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April Philanthropy Spotlight: St. Jude Children's Hospital

Sharing my monthly Philanthropy Spotlight post on April 1st felt wrong, so I opted to post today instead. I'm allowed to come up with my own posting schedule, right?  This month I'm talking about my love for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Of all the charities I support and donate to, St. Jude is the one that is the most personal to me and my family. Not only to I help organize an annual benefit for the hospital, but my great-grandfather used to preform with Danny Thomas, and my sorority's philanthropy was St. Jude! In 2017 my lifelong dream to visit the hospital became a reality and I loved every moment of it. For me this was one of those "life changing" trips that may not be the most glamorous to most, but it was one of the most meaningful to me. 

Based in Memphis, Tennessee, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital was founded by Danny Thomas in the 1960s. Before he started the hospital, he was a struggling entertainer with a baby on the way and prayed to Saint Jude "Show me my way in life, and I will build you a shrine". Shortly thereafter his career took off and in 1962 he opened St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. It has since grown into the beloved and most prominent children's hospital in the world. No family receives a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food at St. Jude. The hospital believes all a family should worry about and focus on is helping their child live. Since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago childhood cancer survival rate has increased from 20% to more than 80% - largely because of treatments developed at St. Jude. 

As I mentioned earlier, every year I help plan and host an annual benefit called The Gold Gala. Over the course of the 8 years we held the event was have raised over $1 Million for the hospital. It's one of the most known young professional events in New York and attracts about 500 guests each year. In March 2020 we decided to postpone the event, with hopes we could regroup in the late summer or early fall. That obviously didn't happen and the 2021 event is now mostly virtual and a shell of what it used to be. I think we will be back together in 2022, stronger than ever, but in the meantime I'm hoping you will consider donating to such a wonderful and special cause.  It truly would mean the world to me and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

For the kids,

ARS xx

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March Philanthropy Spotlight: Texas Diaper Bank

This month I'm choosing to highlight the Texas Diaper Bank, not just because of what happened in Texas but because this is a charity I regularly donate to. I first learned about the Texas Diaper Bank years ago, when there was extreme flooding in Texas. When tragedy strikes I always look for reputable local, boots on the ground charities to donate to, where there is immediate help needed. What I love about this charity is that they help everyone on a daily basis but can mobilize quickly when there is an emergency, like last month with the power outages and no water crisis.

Established in 1997 by ten local United Methodist Churches in San Antonio, the Texas Diaper Bank is a nonprofit that collects, stores and distributes diapers and other health supplies to vulnerable individuals each year throughout Texas. Texas Diaper Bank helps provide new mothers with securing diapers and offers "Calm Baby" classes, assists seniors suffering from incontinence, and promotes healthy periods for women. They are able to provide immediate assistance as well as offering educational opportunities, support services and supplement where needed. When Covid hit the Texas Diaper Bank was able to shift to a virtual program to continue their education programs and efficiently changed the delivery methods to safely continue the distribution programs.  

Despite the ongoing pandemic and now winter storm Uri, they continue to serve Texas and need the extra boost of additional donations at this time. It's my hope that you will join me in donating to the Texas Diaper Bank this month. With everything going on in the world, even the smallest donation will help. Making a difference in communities brings such a good feeling, even when they are far away from where you are located. If the Texas Diaper Bank doesn't seem right for you, I encourage you to find a similar charity to support today. Starting the month off on such a generous note is the best way to go - I promise! 

Happy Monday (and March!) ,

ARS xx

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February Philanthropy Spotlight: Irish Arts Center

I'm sorry for the delay in posting, the snowstorm got the best of my, but I am finally back and kicking off this month with highlighting a charity I love, the Irish Arts Center. They are very near and dear to my heart for many reasons, but it's especially personal because I volunteered with them in high school and to this day am still a supporter. Like every charity, they have been hit by COVID (especially as a performing arts venue) but that hasn't stopped them from spreading joy and supporting the Irish Arts as best they can. I'm choosing February to highlight IAC because they hold an event every February called Show Your Love, that I'm really going to miss attending this year. I've made so many friends through the Irish Arts Center and would love to share such a special place in New York. 

Since 1972, the Irish Arts Center has been a cultural center dedicated to sharing Ireland and Irish Culture with New York and the United States. They have built a community with artists and audiences of all backgrounds and have focused on preserving and sharing stories and traditions of Irish culture. I love that you can attend (virtual for now) classes, concerts, and various other performances and events at their building. Every time I go to an IAC event I feel like I'm coming home - not only is everyone so friendly and warm, but you get to know other people there and it's always such a welcoming feeling. No one is a stranger at the Irish Arts Center. The arts are so important and the Irish Arts Center has raised to the COVID challenge by continuing on with classes and very exciting and fun hosting virtual events (the February calendar looks amazing!). 

The Irish Arts Center is so loved by many because they are so authentic and take the time to get to know their patrons. After every event there is mingling with staff members, the performers or artists, and guests themselves. I've made many a friend through the Irish Arts Center and am so grateful to have a place like it in New York. We'll all be able to go back to the Irish Arts Center once again, but in the meantime I hope you'll consider making a donation, taking a class, or even becoming a member! 

Happy Wednesday!

ARS xx

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January Philanthropy Spotlight: The Barstool Fund

Once again the timing for my philanthropy series is spot on. Starting the year with my first post highlighting a charity is obviously how I want to start off and this time I picked one that feels a bit more personal to me. To kick off this year's philanthropy spotlight, I'm going to talk about The Barstool Fund, which is powered by the 30 Day Fund. Never in a million years did I ever think I would be promoting Barstool on my little blog, but I also never saw myself living through a pandemic, so I've learned to just roll with whatever comes my way. With a mission to help and support small businesses survive the pandemic, choosing to highlight The Barstool Fund was a no brainer for me. 

My family runs a small business and I work for one, so The Barstool Fund is a charity that came on my radar really quick and really hit home. What I love about this particular charity is that the funds dispersed don't need to be paid back, but businesses are encouraged to pay it forward and redirect funds back to the charity when the business is back on their feet. Businesses that receive money also get support until they are back on their feet - it's not just a one time deal and then they are forgotten. I love how efficient and quickly they were able to set up and mobilize - it show how great the private sector can be! 

Part of my budget each month has a line for donating and this month I'll be putting the money towards The Barstool Fund, because small businesses are the backbone of this country and everyone needs a little bit of help once in awhile. If you run a small business and are interested in applying you can do so by following the instructions on the website or if you have the ability to do so, please also consider donating to The Barstool Fund. You can also purchase t-shirts if that's more your thing - 100% of the proceeds are going towards the charity. Small businesses everywhere need the help and support right now and we have the power to assist. There is nothing better than spending money for good - I promise you! 

Cheers to starting 2021 on a bight note! 

ARS xx

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December Philanthropy Highlight: Choose Your Charity

It's kind of perfect that my philanthropy highlight post landed on today, the first of the month. I chose to highlight charities on the first of every month because I believe in starting the month on the right foot. Today is Giving Tuesday and while I was a bit caught up in Black Friday deals I did stop myself so I could participate today - a much more important day. Instead of highlighting just one charity like I have done in earlier posts, I wanted to share a few of my favorite charities and encourage you to donate and share your favorites with me! I've shared gift guides in the past, but this year they feel a bit tone deaf and I want to focus more on giving back. Below I'm sharing a roundup from a post earlier in the year and hope that you'll share some of your favorite charities with me!

Food Banks + Helping the Homeless:

The Bowery Mission

Texas Diaper Bank

St. Francis of Assisi Food Pantry

Helping Hands Rescue Mission 

Special Needs:

Sandal Gap Studios

Augusta Training Shop

Animal Shelters:

Big Dog Ranch Rescue

ARF Hamptons

Other Favorites:

Irish Arts Center

St. Jude Children's Hospital

HappyDecember All!

ARSxx

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November Philanthropy Spotlight: Big Dog Ranch Rescue

When I first started highlighting my favorite charities back in September I was very eager to raise awareness for some of my favorite places to give back and didn't stop to think about timing. In hindsight, I wish I had thought a bit more purposefully about the timing of each charity highlight, but I didn't, so I will continue on the path I chose. This month I'm excited to share my love for Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Florida. I first learned about BDRR when I was in a mall (of all places!) and saw a puppy through a store window. Obviously my Mom and I went in, fell in love with the puppy and learned all about BDRR. 

Big Dog Ranch Rescue is the largest no kill, cage free dog rescue in the United States and has saved countless dog's lives. To date they have helped save over 37,000 dogs and united dogs with families, creating forever friends. You may already be familiar with BDRR because of the nationwide attention they received when they rescued a dog, aptly named Miracle, weeks after Hurricane Dorian. Most recently, Big Dog Ranch Rescue helped fund an initiative to save hundreds of dogs in Puerto Rico and are continuing to help them. These are just two of many remarkable stories you hear about them! 

At the beginning of the pandemic, like almost every charity, they faced a huge gap in funding. Despite the massive challenges, they prevailed and are continuing to save lives as well as starting programs to keep dogs with their current owners. The founder of Big Dog Ranch Rescue, Lauree Simmons, even helped bring into effect a law making animal abuse a federal crime.  I love that they even help set adoptions up for success with dog training and other veterinary programs. I encourage and ask you to donate to such a wonderful cause. Whether they are working tirelessly to save dogs or focusing on keeping dogs with their current owners, Big Dog Ranch Rescue is there to support! 

October Philanthropy Spotlight: Helping Hands Rescue Mission

 

Helping Hands Rescue Mission is a charity that is truly dedicated to serving the local community. Ever since I can remember, my family has donating to food drives to benefit the pantry and other programs they run. When I read about lines that were miles long to go to the food panties, I knew our local spot would probably need the help. So since the beginning of the pandemic I've been donating whatever I can to help out to support them.

Last month I was reading their monthly update and read that mid-March, when this all happened, the pantry was current on all bills and had about $4,800 for the pantry. In a normal time, this amount is fairly standard, but with the coronavirus hitting they had to work quickly to meet the significantly increased requests for help. At the peak of the pandemic they were giving out about $10,000 a week worth of food. Instead of giving up or turning people away, The Helping Hands Rescue Mission strove to meet all needs and kept going... a little bit like the little engine that could. In August they ran a "Best First Day" drive to get backpacks willed with school supplies and new outfits for kids in need. These are just a few of so many ways the Helping Hands Mission helps.

As we approach the holiday season I'm ramping up my donations and am hoping you may feel inspired to also help out by donating any little bit you can to The Helping Hand Rescue Mission! $10 can provide a bag of groceries for a family, or diapers and wipes for the Baby Blessings bags, or a bag with hygiene products. I'm sure as we get even closer to the holidays there will be a need for toys for children and holiday specific food. It's my hope that you will feel inspired to help out this amazing cause or maybe you have a local spot that is as near and dear to your heart as The Helping Hands Rescue Mission is to me.

Thank you for any donations you make to this wonderful charity. 

ARS xx

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September Philanthropy Spotlight: The Augusta Training Shop

As September begins, it feels timely that I'm launching a new monthly series highlighting my favorite charities. A few weeks ago I shared a post about charities I've been donating to during the pandemic, but I wanted to go a bit deeper into why I feel so strongly about each charity and what they mean to me, as well as their missions. There are so many places that are feeling the crunch financially, so it feels more important than ever to spread awareness on these charities. I'm kicking my first post in this new series off with the Augusta Training Shop in Atlanta!

Augusta Training Shop is a non-profit work center that was started in 1947. It employs mentally and physically challenged adults and trains them to repair and refinish furniture, re-cane chairs, polish metals, and more. Through the program at the Augusta Training Shop, these artisans are able to learn to do their work independently and gives them a chance to learn a potential wage-earning skill. Additionally they have different programs and events that benefit their employees. You may have heard of them already, as Disney decorated their trees last year with the beautiful snowflakes the artisans create each year.

It's a dream of mine to acquire a tree full of these ornaments, but more importantly a goal of mine to raise $1,500 for this special place. Please be sure to donate here if you feel compelled or share the charity with your friends and family. As someone who works in the arts and antiques world and is a big believer in making old things new again, I had to share this wonderful charity with you all.

Happy September,

ARS xx
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