Cause Heads

[biscuit]

After eating a big plate of fresh fried oysters for lunch today I walked to Market Square in downtown Pittsburgh were there was a political/non-profit/cause fair going on. There was an intersesting assembly of very different groups manning recruitment and information booths like the ACLU; the Libertarian Party; the Socialist Workers Party; Pittsburgh Socialist (Why there are two socialist groups, I don't know); PETA; Second Harvest; Right to Life; and others who looked like they were just made up right there on the spot.

Anyway, after getting suckered into taking some pamphlets from the HOT girl at the ACLU booth (great marketing tool), I started to think about what, if any, groups did my civic minded fellow Cyburbanites support.

So start listing. What causes do you feel strongly about? Or are all of you completly self-involved and apathetic.

 

[giff57]

I've stated on here before about medical marijuana. It is simply the best treatment for some ailments. POT

 

[SGB]

The American Lung Association. 3 of 4 members of my immediate family have asthma. I've donated our last two "beater" cars to them.

 

[El Feo]

I tried to organize a meeting of anarchists once, but things got out of control. Nobody wanted to nominate a chair, and we couldn't agree on bylaws. It just went downhill from there.

 

[ecofem]

Not necessarily an exhaustive list:

The American Cancer Society - my mom has battled/is battling cancer.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation

The Trust for Public Land

 

[lowlyplanner]

I was a founding member of "Save Fenway Park" when I lived up in Boston. They're pretty much exactly what the name says.

I lost contact when I moved out, but I think they may have actually been succesful...

 

[Jessie-J]

I'm an active participant in Habitat for Humanity, even though I am non-religious.

The Humane Society and the APA are great organizations also.

"Help control the pet population, have your pets spayed our neutered." -Bob Barker

 

[Suburb Repairman]

Diabetes research. It seems like everyone in my family gets it. I've seen first-hand what that can do to your health. I've gotten more fired up about it due to child obesity and increases in children with type 2 diabetes. What I love about the issue is that planners can make a difference. Some recent research has shown a link between sprawl (not going outdoors to exercise) and obesity, and long-standing research links obesity with diabetes.

 

[Greenescapist]

I'm very involved with the Appalachian Mountain Club up in Boston. I lead hikes and help out with conservation work. I also like to do charity road races for health cases, like leukemia, MS and the American Lung Association (my mom has a really rare lung disease).

I'm running a 10K race next weekend for a summer camp for troubled youths- an Outward Bound sort of thing. I did an Outward Bound trip in college and love to support that organization as well.

 

[JNA]

American Diabetes Association for myself
American Cancer Society - for my father who was only 51
in lieu of flowers memorial donation in the name of that person/cause

 

[carlomarx]

The Nature Conservancy (nature.org),
Doctors Without Borders,
Surfrider Foundation,
NPR,
and I'd like to get more into CNU but I am suspicious-- it walks, talks, and acts like a cult! Can you imagine Andres Duany as David Koresh?

 

[Tom R]

me

Being chronically short of funds my donations are limited. I belong to the VVA and the American Legion. I also donate blood platelettes to the Red Cross. It is my way of helping cancer patients.

 

[Dan]

Every planner should be a member of Scenic America.

I'm not a fan of PETA, but I do belong to the ASPCA.

When I was living in Denver, I was very active in FIDOS, a group advocating the establishment of off-leash areas in some city parks.

 

[SGB]

Re: me

I belong to the VVA and the American Legion.

What is the WA? Just curious....

 

[Zoning Goddess]

I support our local Friends of the Library.

I sent a check to Dan.

 

[Tom R]

Re: Re: me

What is the WA? Just curious....

That's V V A. Vietnam Veterans of America.

 

[biscuit]

I sent a check to Dan.

If there's a charity case out there worth supporting it's us.

Giff: I didn't think about the medical marijuana issue very much until a friend of mine had to undergo radiation and chemo treatments for cancer and smoking pot was the only way he was able to hold down food and get his strength back up. So now I say, "Legalize it!"

There are a few groups such as Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers, Boy Scouts of America, Forest Watch, Friends of Lake Keowee and others that I used to be pretty involved with but I've become somewhat of a disengaged citizen since moving to PA. I really should try to get involved again.

 

[El Feo]

I am a big fan of and love to give to Heifer International. They give livestock to families in developing countries, and teach them animal husbandry and sustainable farming techniques.

 

[SGB]

I am a big fan of and love to give to Heifer International. They give livestock to families in developing countries, and teach them animal husbandry and sustainable farming techniques.

Friends of ours gave to Heifer International in our names one year instead of giving a Christmas gift. It is a great organization.

 

[DecaturHawk]

I am a big fan of and love to give to Heifer International. They give livestock to families in developing countries, and teach them animal husbandry and sustainable farming techniques.

Mod or El Feo: the link above doesn't work (it says "heifer/org" instead of "heifer.org"). I fixed it in my browser and have checked it out; it looks like a very worthy organization. Here's a working link:

http://www.heifer.org/

 

[pete-rock]

My son was born 3 1/2 months prematurely, and I used to donate regularly to the American Lung Association and give blood regularly. I'm now thinking of donating regularly to the March of Dimes, who more directly deals with premature babies.

BTW, my son is a perfectly healthy six-year old.

 

[Plannerbabs]

The usual--Sierra Club, APA, NPR, PBS, Humane Society, plus a couple of rescue dogs running around in the backyard. Plus our state has a program that allows you to choose different cause-or-ego-related license plates, so all of our cars wear environmental plates.
Oh, yeah, and all of those petition web sites. DENlines, WWF (the pandas, not the wrestlers), etc.

EDIT
forgot one more--Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana, although I think I'm late on my dues....
Wish I could do more, but I'm a civic employee.

 

[NHPlanner]

Mod or El Feo: the link above doesn't work (it says "heifer/org" instead of "heifer.org"). I fixed it in my browser and have checked it out; it looks like a very worthy organization. Here's a working link:

http://www.heifer.org/

Links fixed.

 

[Cardinal]

Most of my causes tend to be environmental. They include The Nature Conservancy, the National Parks and Conservation Association, National Wildlife Federation, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. We've covered the work-related ones before, so I won't repeat.

 

[giff57]

Giff: I didn't think about the medical marijuana issue very much until a friend of mine had to undergo radiation and chemo treatments for cancer and smoking pot was the only way he was able to hold down food and get his strength back up. So now I say, "Legalize it!"

Here my friends site. He got me interested in the issue.

 

[Plannerbabs]

Heifer.org is a really cool organization. I've gotten their catalogue before, think other 1/2 and I will do that for holidays this year. Helps a lot of people, plus it's great to see the look on your label-snobbish Trixie and Chad-ish friends' faces when you tell them you're giving them a cow (in their name, anyway) for Christmas.

 

[nerudite]

I've been involved with various environmental groups and non-profits, but nothing much since I've moved to Edmonton. I keep meaning to look around, but time seems to slip away from me somehow (and money goes even faster). The closest I've come to supporting anything lately were gift subscriptions for others. I got my stepdaughter a gift membership to the Cousteau society for Christmas because she wants to be a marine biologist... maybe this year it will be greenpeace or something of that kind.

 

[Otis]

Heifer.org is a really cool organization. I've gotten their catalogue before, think other 1/2 and I will do that for holidays this year. Helps a lot of people, plus it's great to see the look on your label-snobbish Trixie and Chad-ish friends' faces when you tell them you're giving them a cow (in their name, anyway) for Christmas.

Maybe your urban chicken people actually are involved with Hen.org.

 

[kms]

I've been involved with local watershed groups here, and I have coordinated toy collections for Christian Appalachian Program

 

[BiteMeElmo]

I've done volunteer work for the Red Cross and the Multiple Sclerosis Society (my stepfather is afflicted with MS)

http://www.mssociety.ca/en/default.htm

 

[Chet]

In no order:

American Diabetes Association
United Performing Arts Fund
Hope House (a local domestic abuse shelter)
Camp Heartland (summer camp for children with HIV)
UW Oshkosh Foundation
Keeshond (a dog breed) Rescue

 

[nerudite]

Oh yeah... I recently found out that I was born in this halfway house/hospital in Los Angeles. This will be the next organization I try to help out in some way...

 

[donk]

My list

Cycling pretty much consumes all of my volunteer time. It feels good to know that this year we are going to put 5-8 people on theNational Team for various World Championships.

Most of these are not all that altruistic, I am banking on future good will and research. For money I support(not much but I do)

I donate to the cancer society, everyone on my mothers side of the family has had it, with two people dying from it. Tick Tock

The kidney foundation, after my kidney stone anything they can do to figure out kidneys is appreciated. They say I'll be back to see them. Not looking forward to that trip.

Girl Guides, when they come around with cookies.

Local sports teams, when they come around for bottle drives.

Local Hospital board, sponsor walkers other people involved in fund raising, less over the past year since my run in with most of the edical staff in our City.

 

[Plannerbabs]

Maybe your urban chicken people actually are involved with Hen.org.


Of course!! How obvious, I didn't see the connection between urban poultry farming and heifer.org!

 

[Mud Princess]

We make contributions to a list of organizations every year. Examples: Humane Society of the U.S., The Nature Conservancy, Habitat for Humanity, our local land trust, a "no-kill" animal shelter, an environmental education center...

I've also served on the boards of directors of a conservation organization and (currently) a bird(watch)ing club and our local neighborhood organization.

 

[Cardinal]

a "no-kill" animal shelter

Where's the fun in that? I made a donation to the Ruger Foundation for the Elimination of Feral Cats last Saturday.

 

[Jeff]

Just the NRA, SPCA, and USO for me.

 

[PlannerGirl]

Lets see in no order

Brother help thy self-kind of a mini united way for alternitive groups
Arlington Co Animal Shelter
Human Rights Campaign
American Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (cuz has it bad)
Hospice

Im sure there are more i just cant think of at the moment

 

[Jen]

I support my local community run radio station www.wyce.org you can listen online!

Also suport a few local environmental and land conservancy organizations. And I usually buy whatever kids are selling to support a school cause, they usually stand there mute, with the catalog or candy in stuff outstretched arms so I make sure they give me the low down, like what position do they play or what instrument, and how is this money going to help them? They gotta sell me first!

 

[Downtown]

The groups I wrote checks for this year
Nature Conservancy
Sierra Club
American Cancer Society
NPR and PBS
NARAL
Disabled Veterans
Cyburbia

 

[El Feo]

Links fixed.

Thanks, guys.