Causes

United Hospice of Rockland, Inc. provides care, hope, comfort and improved quality of life to individuals and their families facing serious illness. We offer compassionate support to members of our community who have experienced the loss of a loved one. We lead the health and human services community in improving the provision of care to those affected by serious illness 845-634-4974 Phone 845-634-7549 fax. Visit us at www.hospiceofrockland.org.

The Zonta Club of New York is dedicated to advancing the status of women locally and globally. Our goal is to serve our community and the world at large through service and advocacy. We offer women the opportunity to achieve personal and professional growth in a nurturing and supporting environment through programs and scholarships. Zonta International is a worldwide service organization of executives in business and the professions working together to advance the legal, political, economic, education, health and professional status of women Visit us at: http://www.zontanewyorkcity.org/

In 1877, The Fresh Air Fund, an independent not-for-profit organization, was created with one simple mission – to allow children living in low-income communities to get away from hot, noisy city streets and enjoy free summer experiences in the country. When The Fresh Air Fund began, New York City was overflowing with children living in crowded tenements. Many of these youngsters were hit by a tuberculosis epidemic, and “fresh air” was considered a cure for respiratory ailments. More than 130 years ago, the Reverend Willard Parsons, a minister of a small, rural parish in Sherman, Pennsylvania, asked members of his congregation to provide country vacations as volunteer host families for New York City's neediest children. This was the beginning of The Fresh Air Fund. The Fresh Air Fund's tradition of caring provides children with a much-needed respite from the inner-city streets. Thousands of youngsters enjoy summer experiences with volunteer hosts or attend one of five Fresh Air Fund camps in upstate New York. Vist us at www.freshair.org.

Founded in 1985, The Doe Fund develops and operates innovative programs to provide formerly incarcerated and homeless individuals the opportunities they need to rejoin mainstream society. Our centerpiece initiative, Ready, Willing & Able, is based on the belief that helping those in need requires providing a hand up, not a hand out. www.doe.org 646-672-4248

The Compassionate Friends is a national self-help organization with a mission to assist families toward the positive resolution of grief following the death of a child of any age and to provide information to help others be supportive. With more than 625 chapters in the United States, including Washington DC and Puerto Rico, The Compassionate Friends offers friendship, understanding, and hope during the long grief journey ahead after a child dies. For more information call 212-217-9647 or visit www.compassionatefriends.org/home.aspx.

The Lustgarten Foundation is America's largest private foundation dedicated solely to funding pancreatic cancer research. Based in Bethpage, New York, the Foundation supports research to find a cure for pancreatic cancer, facilitates dialogue within the medical and scientific community, and educates the public about the disease. The Foundation has provided millions of research dollars and assembled the best scientific minds with the hope that one day, a cure can be found. And 100% of every dollar donated to the Foundation goes directly to pancreatic cancer research. For more information, please visit www.curePC.org.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness of New York City, Inc. (NAMI-NYC Metro) is a grassroots organization that provides support, education, and advocacy for families and individuals of all ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds who live with mental illness. As the largest affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, we work collaboratively with our state and national affiliates, and with other stakeholders in the community to educate the public, advocate for legislation, reduce stigma, and improve the mental health system. All programs and services are free of charge; for more information please contact 212.684.3264 or visit our website: www.naminycmetro.org.

First Candle is among the preeminent organizations focusing on reducing the rate of SIDS, stillbirth and unsafe sleep practices nationwide. With programs of research, education, advocacy, and support, we are working toward a future where all babies are provided the best possible chance to reach not only their first birthday, but many happy birthdays beyond. 1-800-221-7437 or visit www.firstcandle.org.

Educational Alliance, 126-year-old New York institution, is a vibrant, dynamic organization serving New Yorkers from all walks of life. From their beginnings as a place for Jewish immigants to learn how to acclimate to the U.S., they serve everyone regardless of the language they speak, where they come from, or their socioeconomic status. To date, Educational Alliance has helped 4 million New Yorkers. Driven by Jewish values and the belief that learning is a lifelong process, they strive to create problems and services that embrace innovation and build community. They have re-defined how to serve a community, offering a wide variety of engaing and educational opportunities for everyone in each stage of life. Educational Alliance is a living laboratory, piloting and investigating ways to solve problems, create a better society, and advocate for the vulnerable. They believe that everyone should have a chance to live a better life, and that arts & culture, education, health & wellness, and social services can help to lay that foundation.

Global Survivors Network (GSN) is a collaboration of victims of terror across the globe working to prevent future acts of terror. We aim, through public events, our online community, and documentary film, to show the world, and especially those who may be sympathetic to terrorists’ grievances, that violence is not an acceptable answer and can only cause pain and suffering, most often to people just like them. Please visit www.globalsurvivors.org or reach us at [email protected].

Since 2000, ShelterBox has provided shelter, warmth and dignity following more than 140 disasters in more than 70 countries. ShelterBox instantly responds to earthquake, volcano, flood, hurricane, cyclone, tsunami or conflict by delivering boxes of aid. Each iconic green ShelterBox contains a disaster relief tent for up to 10 people, stove, blankets and water filtration system, among other tools for survival. ShelterBox’s American affiliate, ShelterBox USA is headquartered in Sarasota, Florida. Individual tax-deductible donations to ShelterBox USA can be made at www.shelterboxusa.org, by calling (941) 907-6036 or via text message by sending SHELTER to 20222 for a one-time $10 donation.

HeartShare Human Services, founded in 1914, is a comprehensive human services agency whose nonsectarian programs assist, in a dignified and respectful manner, over 25,000 at-risk New York children, adults and families. Its programs include placing children in loving homes through foster care and/or adoption; helping families in crisis overcome difficulties so they remain united; keeping youngsters engaged through after school and weekend programs; teaching emancipated teenagers how to succeed on their own; providing housing and coordinated services for those affected by HIV/AIDS and providing a continuum of educational, training and vocational, therapeutic and residential services, including the Frances Aiello Day Habilitation Program, for those diagnosed with developmental disabilities, including autism, ranging in age from pre-school to octogenarians. For more information visit www.heartshare.org.

JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. JDRF’s goal is to progressively remove the impact of T1D from people’s lives until we achieve a world without T1D. JDRF collaborates with a wide spectrum of partners and is the only organization with the scientific resources, regulatory influence, and a working plan to better treat, prevent, and eventually cure T1D. As the largest charitable supporter of T1D research, JDRF is currently sponsoring $530 million in scientific research in 17 countries. In 2012 alone, JDRF provided more than $110 million to T1D research. More than 80 percent of JDRF’s expenditures directly support research and research-related education. In 2012 Forbes magazine named JDRF one of its five All-Star charities, citing the organization’s efficiency and effectiveness. Visit them at www.jdrf.org/nyc

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is a leading New York-based advocacy organization that unites 1,600+ member organizations nationwide and provides education, counseling by licensed social workers, grants to community organizations and families, a free caregiver magazine and various other services to improve quality of life for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, and their families. For more information, call (toll free) 866-232-8484 or visit www.alzfdn.org.

City Harvest is the world's first food rescue organization, dedicated to feeding New York City's hungry men, women, and children through food rescue and distribution, education, and other practical, innovative solutions. The contact number is (917) 351-8700. You can visit them at www.cityharvest.org

A Place of Hope - Kageno believes all people have a right to education, clean water, sanitation, access to healthcare and the ability to sustain themselves and their families. Through four interrelated program areas in Education, Healthcare, Conservation and Ventures, Kageno works with the communities to build basic infrastructure and develop essential resources, thus empowering the community members to break free from poverty and elevate their living standards. KAGENO ("Place of Hope" in a Kenyan dialect) transforms communities suffering from inhumane poverty into places of opportunity and hope. www.kageno.org [email protected]

The Schizophrenia Recovery Clinic is located at the New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI) on the Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Campus. The clinic provides outpatient services to individuals participating in research studies conducted by NYSPI and Columbia faculty investigators. The Recovery Clinic is part of the Lieber Center for Schizophrenia Research and Treatment, which includes inpatient and outpatient treatment sites that provide evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation services for patients suffering with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or new onset psychotic disorder. Visit them at http://columbiapsychiatry.org/researchclinics/lieber-schizophrenia-research-clinic.

As the world’s largest private funder of Parkinson’s research, The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) is dedicated to accelerating a cure for Parkinson’s disease and improved therapies for those living with the condition today. The Foundation pursues its goals through an aggressively funded, highly targeted research program, and has invested over $285 million in research to date. Get involved through Team Fox, MJFF’s grassroots community network to raise funds and awareness. You can join Team Fox’s athletic program and participate in a race or create your own fundraising event. Leverage your impact through the $50-million Brin Wojcicki Challenge, providing a dollar-for-dollar match for all new and increased giving to MJFF. Visit them at www.michaeljfox.org.

The Animal Medical Center in New York City is a federally recognized 501(c)3 non-profit veterinary center that has been a national leader in animal care since 1910. As an academic veterinary hospital, The AMC promotes the health and well-being of companion animals through advanced treatment, research and education. Visit them at www.amcny.org.