Credit Card Company that Gives back?? It seems so... -
JPMorgan Chase has given more than $600 million to nonprofit organizations over the past five years, focusing on community development, education, and arts and culture. In 2010, JPMorgan Chase and its Foundation gave more than $150 million through grants and sponsorships to thousands of not-for-profit organizations across 28 domestic markets and more than 25 countries abroad. It also supports employee efforts through matching gift and volunteer programs.
If you go to this Facebook website, you can take a look at all the charities who are a part, view their platforms and vote for the one you like best! Those with the most votes, win… simple as that! The votes casted will help Chase donate millions to 300 local charities. So go vote for your favorite charity!
Way to go Chase!
Tis the season for giving gifts, so why not make a charitable contribution at the same time? Here are a few gifts that keep on giving…
1. Embriodered Wool Belts- $70 (As seen in ‘Eat, Pray, Love’) Sales benefit fair-trade women’s cooperative in Peru. Visit http://www.harrietandleo.com/ for more information!
2. Schoolyard Pop: $14.00 Here’s a way to enjoy a delicious blend of organic popcorn and do some good for kids at the same time. Proceeds from the sale of 479º Schoolyard Pop go to Urban Sprouts, a nonprofit organization that plants edible gardens in schoolyards across San Francisco. 32 ounces: $14, 479popcorn.com
3. Sunnan Solar- Powered lamp: $20 With every purchase, one lamp will be given to a family without electricity. This item is from IKEA, however it can only be purchased from your local IKEA store.
Happy Shopping and giving back! Happy Holidays everyone!
One way to find a worthy charity to donate to... -
To all of you out there who would like to donate to a charity but feel lost on how to find one with which you feel a strong connection that also uses the donations effectively… the website, www.charitynavigator.org can help! Charity Navigator is a nonprofit research group that evaluates charities based on how effectively they use donations. Go to the Advanced Search page, select the type of charity you would like to donate to, for example “Human Services” charities, and type in your ZIP code. Contact the three- or four-star charities that interest you and ask if they accept donations.
Charity Navigator provides helpful “Top Ten” lists as well, including 10 Charities Overpaying their For-Profit Fundraisers, 10 of the Best Charities Everyone’s Heard Of, or 10 Highly Rated Charities Relying on Private Contributions. These could be helpful in determining which charity you would like for your hard earned donation to go to. It also provides peace of mind knowing that your donation will be put to use.
Happy Donating!
This is an intersting concept… I eagerly await the results of this program as it could go either way. Those who believe in the good of humanity hope that these individuals will take advantage of this wonderful opportunity and use the cell phone as it is intended. However, we know that sometimes people disappoint. As someone who works in both the healthcare and social justice arena, I can certainly see the benefit of a program like this and hope that it proves a success.
Dining Out for Life International -
I thought it appropriate to begin my blog with an announcement pertaining to The Roper St. Francis Healthcare (RSFH) Ryan White Program, a wonderful HIV care program in Charleston, SC, that also happens to employ me. ;) Dining Out For Life will be held for the first time in this area in April 2011 with proceeds benefiting the RSFH-Ryan White Program!!
Dining Out For Life® is an annual, international fundraising event involving the generous participation of volunteers, corporate sponsors and restaurants. In exchange for their financial support, restaurants are listed in a city wide marketing campaign in an effort to increase customer traffic. Check the website to see the participating city closest to you! Dine Out, Fight AIDS! www.diningoutforlife.com
For more information about the RSFH Ryan White Program please visit: www.ryanwhiteofcharleston.org
I didn’t know the best way to introduce myself, so I found an old email of questions that should give a little insight…
1. What is your first name?
Ella: I was named after my great grandmother; I have always gone by my middle name, Ashley, until recently I began going by Ella at work. My office only has 8 people in it, one of which was already named Ashley, so I was encouraged to go by my first name to prevent confusion :)
2. What is your favorite food?
Pancakes and Ice Cream
3. What high school did you go to?
Broome High School, Spartanburg, SC
4. What is your favorite color(s)?
I would say black and blue
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
John Krasinski
6. Favorite drink?
Alcoholic? Nilla Killa (see below for recipe… YUMMMM)
1 oz. cream of coconut
1 oz. orange juice
4 oz. pineapple juice
2 oz. vanilla rum
Mix all ingredients together, pour over ice and top with freshly grated nutmeg.
Non-Alcoholic? Diet Rite
7. Dream vacation?
To travel around Europe with friends
8. Favorite dessert?
Oh goodness- Anyone who knows me knows I’d rather have dessert than a meal, so there is no way I could pick just one… here are a few of my favorites: Publix birthday cake (white/yellow cake with butter cream frosting); Cookies and cream ice cream; cheesecake
9. What do you want to be when you grow up?
Wow… well I must say that I really love my current job (housing coordinator and fundraiser for a local HIV care program) and feel pretty lucky to have that feeling with my first real job after graduate school. Ultimately, I have always wanted to help those who are less fortunate, so no matter where or in what capacity, I want to help people.
10. What do you love most in life?
Family and friends
11. One Word to describe you.
Genuine
Meet Ashley!