Giving Back

Most philosophies and religions, not to mention our common human instinct, include a strong belief in giving back to the world.

Not only does giving back to our immediate community and the world at large have the obvious benefit of helping others, but it’s one of the most therapeutic things we can do for ourselves.

My husband and I are happy to be supporters of various local, state and national non-profit organizations.

Please give some consideration to supporting the following organizations:

The ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) | aclu.org
For almost 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States.

Amnesty International | amnestyusa.org
The story of Amnesty International began back In 1961 when two Portuguese students were jailed just for raising a toast to freedom.

All people have fundamental human rights. But those rights are abused or denied every single day. When that happens, Amnesty International finds the facts, exposes what’s happening, and rallies people together to force governments and others to respect everyone’s human rights.

Doctors Without Borders | doctorswithoutborders.org
Every year, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) provides emergency medical care to millions of people caught in crises in more than 60 countries around the world. MSF provides assistance when catastrophic events—such as armed conflict, epidemics, malnutrition, or natural disasters—overwhelm local health systems.

MSF also assists people who face discrimination or neglect from their local health systems or when populations are otherwise excluded from health care.

Howard University Medical Alumni Association (HUMAA) | humaa.com
HUMAA’s mission is to support the Howard University College of Medicine (HUCM). This mission is accomplished by giving scholarships to medical students, providing long white coats for the graduating seniors, sponsoring the annual welcome luncheon for the freshmen, organizing a monthly alumni speaker series to mentor and educate current students on the range of career options available, and endowing a Chair in Basic Sciences at HUCM.

The Kennedy Center | kennedy-center.org
The Kennedy Center, located on the banks of the Potomac River near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., opened to the public in September 1971. But its roots date back to 1958, when President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed bipartisan legislation creating a National Cultural Center. To honor Eisenhower’s vision for such a facility, one of the Kennedy Center’s theaters is named for him.

The National Cultural Center Act included four basic components: it authorized the Center’s construction, spelled out an artistic mandate to present a wide variety of both classical and contemporary performances, specified an educational mission for the Center, and stated that the Center was to be an independent facility, self-sustaining, and privately funded. As a result of this last stipulation, a mammoth fundraising campaign began immediately following the Act’s passage into law.

National Public Radio (NPR)/WAMU | wamu.org
The mission of NPR is to work in partnership with Member Stations to create a more informed public — one challenged and invigorated by a deeper understanding and appreciation of events, ideas and cultures.

WAMU is a public radio station that services the greater Washington, D.C. and northern Virginia metropolitan area.

Planned Parenthood | plannedparenthood.org
In October 2016, Planned Parenthood turned 100 years strong. Planned Parenthood was founded on the revolutionary idea that women should have the information and care they need to live strong, healthy lives and fulfill their dreams — no ceilings, no limits.

Today, Planned Parenthood is a trusted health care provider, an informed educator, a passionate advocate, and a global partner helping similar organizations around the world. Planned Parenthood delivers vital reproductive health care, sex education, and information to millions of women, men, and young people worldwide.

The Southern Poverty Law Center | splcenter.org
The Southern Poverty Law Center is dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry and to seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of our society. Using litigation, education, and other forms of advocacy, the SPLC works toward the day when the ideals of equal justice and equal opportunity will be a reality.

The UN Refugee Agency | unhcr.org
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people.