At Plum, our team is committed to volunteering with and donating to nonprofit organizations. We are always looking for new charities to get involved with, so throughout December, we asked our clients to suggest their favorite organizations for our consideration. We were delighted to receive nearly thirty recommendations for a wide variety of great charities! After holding a vote in the office, the Plum team selected the following two organizations to work with:
Operation Safety Net – Pittsburgh, PA
This program was created in 1992 by Dr. Jim Withers who sought to provide medical outreach and access to health care for Pittsburgh’s large unsheltered homeless population. The project began with Dr. Withers, initially dressed as a homeless person, making nighttime street rounds in alleys and under bridges, reaching out to the homeless and providing them with medicine and treatment. The program has fostered deep, personal connections with the people it serves and continues to set the standard for this unique form of healthcare. To donate to or receive more information on Operation Safety Net, you can visit: https://www.pittsburghmercy.org/operation-safety-net/
Custom Canines Service Dog Academy – Sun Prairie, WI
This non-profit organization seeks to enhance the quality of life of people with diverse impairments and disabilities by creating and supporting lasting partnerships between service dogs and the people who need them. Custom Canines was created by Nicole Meadowcroft, who was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa when she was in high school and has since lost eyesight. She found that service from a highly-trained dog could greatly enhance lives and offer opportunities to individuals living with disabilities and unique challenges. The academy offers Autism assistance dogs, guide dogs, visual companion dogs, and dual-service dogs that are trained to assist their partners in any situation, and at no cost to the recipient. To donate to or receive more information on Custom Canines Service Dog Academy, you can visit: https://www.customcanines.org/
Every suggestion we received was appreciated and Plum wishes to shine a spotlight on all of the charities that were submitted. Below is a list of every recommendation sent to us, with details and contact information so that you can get involved. If you would like to add to this list shoot your Plum Marketing Advisor an email with more information or simply comment below.
Tupelo Children’s Mansion – Tupelo, MS
Residential group home providing orphaned or disadvantaged children in crisis situations with long-term care. The campus includes residential halls, a Christian school, gymnasium, dining hall, and chapel. Visit the website at: https://mansionkids.org/
Score Fore Kids Golf Classic – Oakland, CA
Golf tournament formed to significant revenue to support children in need. Since 2000, Score Fore Kids has raised more than $2 million for UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in Oakland. Visit the website at: https://give.ucsfbenioffchildrens.org/pages/score-fore-kids-golf-classic
Pacific Garden Mission – Chicago, IL
The nation’s oldest Christian rescue mission, working to change the lives of the homeless in Chicago. The mission runs two homeless shelters, provides the homeless with food and clothing donations, and offers addiction recovery programs. Visit the website at: https://www.pgm.org/what-we-do/programs/
Disabled American Veterans – Cold Spring, KY
DAV is committed to providing disabled veterans and their families with a lifetime of support and care. The charity provides rides for disabled veterans attending medical appointments and assists veterans with benefit claims. Visit the website at: https://www.dav.org/
Toys For Tots – Triangle, VA
Charity run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve that collects new, unwrapped toys during the months of October, November, and December every year, and distributes those toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in communities throughout the country. Visit the website at: https://www.toysfortots.org/Default.aspx
Strengthening Our Son’s – Orlando, Fl
Non-profit organization that provides intervention and prevention services to male youth and their families. The organization focuses on young males living socially and emotionally healthy lives and also offers extensive support to parents. Visit the website at: https://www.strengtheningoursons.org/
EmancipAction – Scarborough, ME
International non-profit that aims to bring freedom, healing, and justice to hundreds of thousands of children who have been abused and exploited by sex trafficking. Visit the website at: https://www.emancipaction.org/index.php
Covenant House
Provides services to help homeless children. These core services are comprised of a wide array of in-house training programs, including healthcare, educational support, GED preparation, job readiness and skills training, drug abuse treatment and prevention, legal services, mental health services, the Mother/Child program, life skills training, and aftercare. https://www.covenanthouse.org/
Rebuilding Together – Burlington, VT
Works in partnership with the community to rehabilitate the homes of Vermonters of limited means so that they can live in warmth, safety, and independence. Visit the website at: https://www.rebuildingtogetherburlington.org/
Wounded Warrior Project – Jacksonville, FL
Supports wounded veterans through outreach & engagement, mental health support, physical health/wellness, financial assistance, employment, and education. https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/
Eve’s Place – Sun City, AZ
Provides transitional housing and empowerment based programs to victims of domestic, sexual, and teen dating abuse. The goal of their mobile advocacy program is to reach the 75% of domestic abuse victims who will never call or go to a shelter for assistance. Visit the website at: https://www.evesplace.org/
Communities in Schools – Lawrence, KS
The nation’s leading dropout prevention organization that connects students and their families to community resources aimed to help students graduate. Visit the website at: https://cismidamerica.org/
Junior League – New York, NY
Organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Visit the website at: https://www.ajli.org/?nd=home
Horse Powered People – Howell, MI
Uses horses to provide an educational platform/community that assists individuals in becoming more self-aware, intentional and authentic so that they can function more effectively and happily in their lives and communities. Visit the website at: https://horsepoweredpeople.org/
Make Your Mark – Shorewood, IL
Raises funds and awareness for research into new treatments and cures for pediatric cancers, with an emphasis on neuroblastoma. Visit the website at: https://www.makeyourmark7.org/home/
Karma Rescue – Santa Monica, CA
Saves animals in need by finding them permanent homes and providing the resources for successful companionship. Visit the website at: https://karmarescue.org/
Folds of Honor
Provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of fallen or disabled veterans. Visit the website at: https://www.foldsofhonor.org/
The Fattal Foundation – Modesto, CA
Provides financial assistance to patients and supports doctors specializing in bone marrow transplant research. Visit the website at: https://fattalfoundation.org/
Junior Achievements – Colorado Springs, CO
Dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their futures, and make smart academic and economic choices. Offers programs in work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy. Visit the website at: https://www.juniorachievement.org/web/ja-usa/home
Pet’s Second Chance – St. Louis, MO
Rescues abandoned corgis from Missouri, Northern Arkansas, and Southern Illinois and provides medical care and rehabilitation in loving foster homes. Visit the website at: https://www.petssecondchance.org/
The Refuge – Austin, TX
Long-term therapeutic ranch just outside the city of Austin, with on-site comprehensive services for girls, ages11-17, who are survivors of sex trafficking. Visit the website at: https://therefugeaustin.org/
Ronald McDonald House Charities – Oak Brook, IL
Keeps families with sick children together by addressing needs such as housing near a hospitlized child, expenses of staying together in another city, and basic medical/dental care in a vulnerable community. Visit the website at: https://www.rmhc.org/
Shelterbox – Truro, UK
Provides disaster relief by supplying victims with emergency shelter and necessary tools to rebuild their homes. Visit the website at: https://www.shelterbox.org/
Make A Wish Foundation – Phoenix, AZ
Grants wishes to children with life threatening illnesses. Visit the website at: https://wish.org
Camp Twin Lakes – Atlanta, GA
Provides life-changing experiences to Georgia’s children with serious illnesses, disabilities, and other life challenges via week-long summer camps and weekend retreats. Visit the website at: https://www.camptwinlakes.org/
Mote Marine – Sarasota, FL
Independent marine research institution comprised of world-class marine scientists committed to the belief that the conservation and sustainable use of our oceans begins with research and education. Visit the website at: https://mote.org/
Beaverhead Little League Baseball – Beaverhead County, MT
Offers baseball for kids ages 4-12 in Beaverhead County. Visit the website at: https://beaverheadll.wordpress.com/