Charities are a wonderful thing, but seeing one too many commercials laced with wealthy celebrities and sorrowful songs that urge us to donate can be off-putting. Add to that the scams that exist or organizations that have enough money to buy whole countries, let alone help the people who live in them, and it’s easy to feel at a loss.
Here are some lesser-known charities to donate to. You won’t see them in mainstream media or on every other channel, especially during the holidays. But you will be donating towards grassroots efforts that truly make a difference in people’s lives. From providing newborns born into poverty with essential items to helping people recover from combat-induced stress through yoga, the charities below are unique and well-worth exploring.
To 10 Unique Charities worth Donating To
Yoga Warriors International
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects those who have faced or witnessed extreme life stressors, and is common among those who are or who have been involved in combat. Sleeplessness, depression and other health issues often take over their life and ultimately, their social and professional relationships.
Yoga Warriors International is dedicated to alleviating the stress experienced during combat by providing those affected (including caregivers and family members) with yoga classes. It’s a unique approach not commonly associated with soldiers, but it’s fast-becoming a popular and very effective method to help those with combat stress symptoms.
Donate here: http://www.yogawarriors.com/about-yoga-warriors/donate
Newborns in Need
Sadly, more than 2,000 babies in the United States are born into poverty. This means they start their life hungry, cold and often without diapers or blankets. But thanks to Newborns in Need, kits are created and distributed to needy communities to provide the essentials a newborn requires. Volunteers’ hand-make quilts which are included in the Newborn Immediate Need Kits, as well items including, but not limited to diapers, baby wash and thermometers.
Donate here: https://sites.google.com/a/newbornsinneed.org/index/donate-1
Against Malaria Foundation
The goal of this foundation is simple and to the point: to protect people from malaria, a mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite. According to the Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC), there were 219 million cases of malaria occurred worldwide in 2010, of which 660,000 people died. A whopping 91% were from regions in Africa. By funding and monitoring use and impact of “anti-malaria nets,” also known as long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs), Against Malaria Foundation provides much-needed protection.
Donate here: http://www.againstmalaria.com/Donation.aspx
Farmer’s Market
Co-founded in 2007 by a Canadian and a Kenyan, this grassroots organization addresses the educational and nutritional needs for impoverished communities in Kenya. Meal programs and school sponsorship programs give school children everything from shoes and healthy meals to books and tutoring opportunities.
Donate here: http://farmersmarketcharity.org/donations.html
Project Linus
Named after the blanket-toting character Linus, Project Linus provides children with warmth and love. Caring “blanketeers” distribute blankets everywhere from hospitals to social service agencies, giving children hope and security when they need it most.
Donate here: http://projectlinus.org/donations/
The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
Understandably, cancer, heart disease, diabetes and depression are common health issues that are routinely addressed everywhere. But what about the person with Kenny-Caffey Syndrome (a rare heredity skeletal disorder) or the individual with Elephantitis (dramatic overgrowth of a particular area of the body)? News about rare diseases is, well, rare in itself.
NORD consists of voluntary health organizations that hone in on “orphan” diseases, focusing on cures, treatments and research for the lesser-known or not as commonly discussed conditions and diseases in existence.
Donate here: https://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/51076/donate_page/donate
Serve A Little
From helping to rebuild Haiti primarily by building schools for children to assisting women whose partners have deployed through the armed forces, Serve A Little does quite a lot. Helping those in need spans multiple communities and various situations. This organization demonstrates their understanding of this, which is evident in the mission to “Connect, Build, and Serve.”
Donate here: http://servealittle.org/
Medical Mission Ecuador
Medical Mission Ecuador is made up entirely of professional volunteers who provide free (no strings attached) medical and surgical care to the underprivileged children of Ecuador. This care has included operations, including reconstructive surgeries. Additionally, the volunteers pay for their own travel and lodging while also raising funds for the necessary medical supplies.
Donate here: http://www.medicalmissionecuador.org/#!donate/c1mhs
The Mobile School Presentations Project
In order to demonstrate the benefits of sustainable transportation, this projects aims to show children how human powered transportation can help the environment. Using bikes as a Rideable Museum, volunteers head out on several fleets of various bicycles (tandems to tricycles) to educate children at schools and throughout the community. Informing young children, fostering a sense of curiosity and community and saving the planet are key for this group.
Donate here: https://ioby.org/project/human-powered-mobile-school
ShelterBox
For those displaced or homeless due to natural or other disasters, having a roof over their heads is essential. ShelterBox provides this, and then some. In addition to extremely durable tents, their kits provide people with other life-saving essentials designed to provide mental and physical comfort. From a children’s activity pack that may include crayons and coloring books to cooking utensils and insulated ground sheets, individuals are in a better position for comfort and survival. In cases where malaria may be present, kits contain mosquito nets and water purification equipment.
Donate here: http://shelterboxusa.org/involved.php?page=113
What organizations here are you interested in? Let us know in the comments section below. Also, please help these organizations get more exposure by using the like and share buttons. Spread the word and help people in need!
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Sources for this article include:
- www.cdc.gov
- armersmarketcharity.org
- www.rarediseases.org
- 80forhaiti.com
- projectlinus.org
- www.medicalmissionecuador.org
- www.againstmalaria.com
- www.rif.org
- www.newbornsinneed.org
- ioby.org
- www.shelterboxusa.org
- www.yogawarriors.com
