On today's show, we take a look at some amazing charities we've highlighted in earlier shows...Choices, Variety UK and Teach 1 to Lead 1.
People aren't generally used to kindness from strangers. Many of us are too wrapped up in our own daily lives to pay much attention to those around us.
Generosity makes our world a better place. It improves the life of the both the receiver and the giver. Yet, despite the benefits, generosity is still too rare in our world today.
That's why it's so striking when strangers do something unexpected. It could be as simple as holding the door open for someone else, or letting someone go ahead of you in line. Even the smallest actions can have an impact.
With some people, though, the well of generosity runs deep. They do incredible things to improve other lives, going the extra mile in unexpected ways.
Research at a university in California verified that generosity begets generosity — in other words, generosity spreads and transfers and has a ‘pay it forward effect’ many times over. Your one act of generosity toward an individual could reach and touch others who you could never have imagined.
CHOICES, The Center Helping Obesity in Children End Successfully, is a grassroots organization in Atlanta that was formed in April 2002 to join the fight against the deadly epidemic of childhood obesity. The Center aims to spread awareness of this critical issue and significantly reduce the presence of childhood obesity in our communities. @choices4kids
In this day of medical marvels, we as yet have no cure for obesity, but we do have the ability to make choices. America will have to choose nutrition over revenues and meal planning over instant gratification. Every community and every family will have to choose to ensure that children receive the reassurance and support they need to make lifelong choices for a happy, healthier life.
Their mission is to provide a parent and child resource center for the clinically diagnosed and at-risk children of obesity. The Center promotes weight management and lifestyle changes through nutrition education, peer socialization, physical activity and community involvement.
Bev had the opportunity to talk with Ashley Keyes, the Executive Chef of CHOICES.
Variety was brought to here by movie moguls from the USA and inaugurated in the UK in 1949 (as The Variety Club of Great Britain). Variety was one of the UK’s first charities to be founded especially for children and young people.
They have been helping children with disabilities in the UK since 1949. They provide practical, tangible help that makes an immediate difference to those children and their families. This means everything from giving life-changing equipment, improving mobility and organizing Great Days Out to create the memories that every child deserves.
They know how tough children’s lives can be sometimes, the daily struggle that comes with a long-term illness or disability. However, they also know that sometimes the real pain can come from the hidden challenges and barriers, the small, everyday activities children with disabilities miss out on. Sports is one of them. Their goal is to overcome the barriers children with disabilities face in enjoying sport.
Variety’s report identified two major barriers to children with disabilities taking part in sport. First and foremost was social stigma. Over a third (36%) of parents reported that their child had experienced negative social attitudes to their health problem or disability in relation to sport.
One in two (50%) parents in Britain with a child with disabilities aged 4 to 18 say their child doesn’t feel comfortable taking part in sports with other children. Just 1 in 5 children with disabilities plays sports with their friends. This is just one of their areas of focus.
While in London last year, Adrian got the opportunity to talk with Sarah Nancollas, Executive Director of Variety - The Children's Charity UK, about the wide range of programs they offer these children.
Earlier this year, Bev had the opportunity to sit down and talk with Dr. Lori Salierno – Maldonado, the Founder and CEO of Teach 1 to Lead 1, an organization in Atlanta dedicated to transforming at-risk kids into responsible citizens by building character based on practical leadership skills and universal principles. @teach1lead1
Lori’s story goes back to her mentoring relationship with Mother Teresa and the time she spent over ten years working in Calcutta alongside other volunteers at the homes for children and lepers that Mother Teresa had established. The inspiration for Teach 1 to Lead 1 was planted 22 years ago when Mother Teresa told her, “Go back to your own Calcutta and be the light to your own people".
Teach One to Lead One has been successfully planting locations and helping at-risk youth all over the United States through their nationally acclaimed curriculum.
In 2012, Lori launched her “Challenge the Cycle Tour” to raise money to help an additional 10,000 at-risk youth. Setting out on her bicycle from Portland, Oregon she cycled 3,284 miles across the United States to Emerson, Georgia in 46 days and raised over $186,000.
