Hidden Harvest

Written by: Shannon Fissori 

One thing that always frustrates me is when things go to waste.  Doesn’t matter whether it’s time, money or anything else.  When there are great needs in our communities and problems can seem overwhelming, sometimes solutions can be as simple as utilizing resources already available to us.

 

Hidden Harvest is an organization that has modeled itself on this philosophy.  

Based in the Coachella Valley of California, their mission is to tackle the burdens of poverty and food insecurity that so many people struggle with everyday.  

They do this by employing low-income farm workers at higher wages to harvest produce that would otherwise be left to rot in the fields.

The USDA estimates that 25-30% of all food crops are left in the fields after harvest due to factors ranging from overproduction to cosmetic imperfections.  Despite this apparent abundance, more than 40% of the Valley’s children live at or below the federal poverty line.  By employing the working poor to rescue these fruits and vegetables, Hidden Harvest not only provides free and nutritious food to vulnerable populations but also gives them economic opportunities to become more self-reliant.  Talk about win-win!

 Hidden Harvest also operates other programs including free produce markets at senior centers and housing locations.  Their goal is to make sure fixed-income seniors don’t have to choose between paying for the prescription drugs they need and the healthy diet they want.

Nutrition and cooking classes are offered as well.  Educating the public on these subjects can further combat rising health problems such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension and obesity.

Learn more about this great organization and get inspired to find your own ways to make sure nothing is left to waste.

The Darius Goes West Foundation

Written by: Jane Cozby 

I’d like to introduce you to Logan Smalley & Darius Weems.

Logan is the founder of the Darius Goes West Foundation. The roots of the foundation began with Logan’s volunteer efforts at a summer camp for children with special needs. 

At this camp, Logan met Mario Weems who had Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) - the number one fatal genetic disease of children.  He also met Mario’s  younger brother Darius, who was then 5. After seven years of summer camp, prior to Mario’s death, he asked Logan to look after Darius.  He couldn’t possibly know that this pledge would turn into a recorded 7,000 mile road trip and documentary that would help raise well over a million dollars for DMD research.  

DMD is a form of muscular dystrophy that worsens quickly. It occurs in about 1 out of every 3,600 male infants. Children with this disease are not expected to live beyond their mid-20’s.

It was Logan’s idea to take Darius, who was now 15, on a cross country adventure in attempt to get MTV to customize Darius’ wheelchair on the popular show, Pimp my Ride.  Logan, Darius and a crew of incredible friends departed Athens, Georgia and headed west to California.  They chronicled this road trip and turned it into a documentary entitled “Darius Goes West”.  

The film premiered at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in 2005, where it earned its first of over 25 awards, while raising awareness for the critical need to find a cure for DMD and the importance of handicap accessibility in public facilities.

Darius just celebrated his 23^rd birthday, lives a fulfilling life, and continues to pursue his dreams.  He recently debuted his single Thank You for 23 on iTunes.  He possesses an incredible positive attitude and love for life. 

“Darius Goes West” is available on DVD and has evolved as part of the “Know About It” Program, which is a classroom series targeting middle/high school students.

Check out the foundation website to make a difference. 

The RAK Foundation

The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation is about paying it forward- inspiring people to practice kindness and pass it on to others. Founded in 1995, the organization provides free educational ideas and resources to anyone willing to make the world a bit brighter with creative action. 

Thanks to RAK, educators can find lesson plans and classroom materials accessible online. Anyone can share personal stories of kindness and be motivated by other's experiences. 

RAK Week is February 11th - 17th 2013. Stories of unique service making an impact in communities around the world will be featured online. Participating is easy- do something kind for someone today. Big or small. Simple or involved. Make it part of your routine each day and see what happens. Positivity is addicting in the best possible way. 

Pacific Wildlife Care

Written by: Shannon Fissori
San Luis Obispo County, CA

As someone who grew up by the ocean and continues to marvel in the wildlife around it, I have a great fondness for those who dedicate their lives to preserve it.

Pacific Wildlife Care is facility in San Luis Obispo County whose mission is to rehabilitate and return injured or orphaned wildlife to their natural habitat. Going beyond this commitment, they also work to educate the public to value and respect wildlife and the environment we share with them.

Like many non-profit organizations, PWC relies heavily on donations and volunteers. They offer a wide variety of volunteer opportunities ranging from office help, phone hotline support and center cleaning to animal care and transport. There’s something for everyone!

Please consider making a contribution today.

Go Team Davis!

 

Written by: Allison Olson
Davis, CA

In 2008, my life changed in ways I couldn’t possibly imagine. I got involved with my local Special Olympics team, Team Davis. What I didn’t know then was that Team Davis offered so much more than athletics to their participants and their volunteers.
Team Davis is a non-profit based in Davis, California that provides athletic, social, nutritional, and community outlets for people with disabilities.

There are many Special Olympics teams participating in many different sports throughout California. But Team Davis goes above and beyond the call of service for this often over-looked community.
 

I began my involvement by coaching track and field, preparing our athletes for the Special Olympics Summer Games. My involvement grew from there, as I began coaching everything I could, from soccer to golf to cross country to basketball. The more I was around our Team Davis members, the happier I was. I realized that I was getting more out of my camaraderie and friendship with the Team Davis athletes than they could possibly be getting from my coaching abilities. But my lack of coaching skills did not matter. Team Davis and their participants are the happiest, most capable, most caring, and most upbeat people in spite of their special needs. As the Team Davis motto states, “Seeing the ABILITY in disability.”

As I mentioned, Team Davis also offers more than just athletics. They have a quarterly dance and numerous other social opportunities. They have a team garden where they learn about nutrition and healthy eating. They participate in many community events and even partner with UC Davis on occasion.

Team Davis is such a huge part of me now, I can’t imagine life without it. I would encourage everyone to find their own “Team Davis.”

Start by looking up the local Special Olympics team or your city’s Alternative Recreation department. It will change your life and will mean the world to those participating.

Zealous Good - helping your goods do great

Meet Brittany Martin Graunke, Founder & CEO of Zealous Good.

While working at United Way of Metropolitan Chicago she discovered a vexing issue - many people want to be charitable but money is tight.

Her solution? Donate items people no longer need to groups that do. Items include furniture, electronic equiptment, clothes and more.

How? By creating a website connecting donors to local non-profits with matching needs. In under 2 years Zealous Good has connected donors with over 150 non-profits, enabling $468,540 in contributions.

Get a jump start on your spring cleaning! Consider quality items you no longer use then hop online to be linked with deserving organizations serving others. Check out the easy to follow guide. Are you affiliated with a non-profit that could use donations? Start linking with donors now.

While Zealous Good is based in Chicago, anyone anywhere can donate gift cards or ship items their way. Inspired? Organize a donation drive where YOU live or become an online advocate. Simply support Zealous Good on Facebook and share this post with friends, family and co-workers. It's easy and cost only your time...maybe 5 minutes.

Brittany's courage and creativity turned an idea into action. The greater Chicago area is a better place to live and serve others thanks to her dedicated team.

Children's Resource Network of the Central Coast

Written by: Shannon Fissori 

It’s the little things that often seem so big.  Clothing, diapers, school supplies.  They may seem insignificant to many of us but it’s hard imagining life without them.  Unfortunately, due to tough economic times or difficult circumstances, many children in our communities go without these essential items.  Fortunately, there are amazing organizations like the Children’s Resource Network of the Central Coast that help bridge that gap.

This network is a dedicated partnership of volunteers, businesses and family advocates who work collaboratively along with local schools, government agencies and other non-profit organizations to help struggling families.  By collecting and distributing clothes, shoes, school supplies, blankets, diapers and basic household items they provide an invaluable resource to children in our community who are homeless, in foster care or have parents who are financially disadvantaged.

The great thing about their model is that anyone can get involved.  Parents can pass on gently worn maternity clothes to young pregnant mothers.  Students can participate in school drives to collect backpacks for other students.  It fosters a sense of community while helping those in need.

Click here to learn more about the work they do and how you can get involved.

Second Harvest Food Bank

Perspective is everything. The past few weeks of holiday parties and family visits have reminded me to be thankful that I do not worry where my next meal will come from. For far too many families this is not the case. Fortunately there are organizations like Second Harvest Food Bank serving our community.  Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties is one of the largest food banks in the nation. They distribute 45 million pounds of nutritious food to people in need every year, almost half of which is fresh produce.  Second Harvest collaborates with a network of partner agencies including shelters, pantries, soup kitchens, children's programs, senior meal sites, and residential programs.  Make this holiday season special by volunteering at a food bank near you or dropping off donations. Bring the ones you love and make it an annual tradition! You will make a difference and be happy you did.  Please click here to learn more about how you can make an impact!

Holiday Heart

Sunday December 16th my friend Gretchen and I were lucky to participate in  "Santa Run Silicon Valley" to benefit local community programs. The event was a blast with hundreds of runners sporting Santa suits and fun holiday gear. We may have twirled and skipped more than actual running...it counts. 

 

One of the event beneficiaries is "1,000 Hearts for 1,000 Minds" tutoring initiative. Their mission is to find 1,000 caring adult volunteers to serve as tutors and mentors to 1,000 K-8 public school students. 

We learned California has the worst record for literacy among children from low-income households of all 50 states with more than 1.5 million children struggling with literacy statewide. Let's change that! 

Volunteers are asked to commit only one hour a week for 10-12 weeks. With 17 nonprofit partners across the Bay Area there are many locations to serve. You can also show you care by donating books or sharing this volunteer opportunity with friends. Please click here to learn more. 

 

Thank you to the Silicon Valley Leadership Group Foundation for making this annual fundraiser a success.