What causes do you support?

[Laura M. Rodebaugh]

In a world where there are so many good causes to support and limited time and money that's available, which ones do you choose? I've supported numerous organizations over the years, some more than others, but I've often tried to spread my volunteer time and/or charitable donations around. I feel it's very important to give back to your community. If we all took just a little time and/or money and gave to a charitable cause, imagine the good we could all do together. Some of the key organizations that I've supported include ICAN (Indiana Canine Assistant Network) and Camp Healing Tree. ICAN is a non-profit organization that trains service dogs to assist physically and/or developmentally disabled individuals, particularly children. Camp Healing Tree is a children's grief camp held each summer for children who have lost a loved one. I'm always interested to know what groups or organizations my fellow Hoosiers support. It's great to find new ideas and possibly find a new passion. What causes do you support?

[Kyle Lacy]

I support krochet kids international

[Marty posch]

I support a couple of organizations, mainly homeless shelters and the United Way, but this question is exactly why i started "Giving Sum" (www.givingsum.org) . It allows people to learn about all the issues in the city, as well as the smaller non profits in town that are doing incredible , innovative work. We also give away $50,000 a year to an organization (our 2009 partner is coburn place www.coburnplace.org . We not only give them the money, but we also use our resources as 100 members strong to help them in many different facets. We also do a few high impact volunteer events a year. It really makes our members focus more on what they are doing in the community.

[Troy Hanna]

Indianapolis Humane Society!
www.indyhumane.org

[Allison Witmeier]

Riley and The Tamarindo Foundation

[Annie Sever-Dimitri]

I give a monthly small donation to private animal sanctuaries around the country, plus then send an extra small check per month to some other type of organization (such as Union of Concerned Scientists or Keep Indiana Beautiful). My husband always writes a check to Gleanors, and at the holidays, we also donate money to Fresh Start of Indiana. I used to volunteer
time before I attended graduate school a few years back, and I look forward to being at a point in my life where I can once again have direct contact helping people and animals.

[Jennifer Norman Corzine]

Laura~

What a fabulous question! I adore helping out my causes!
1. Caring Bridge Pages... www.caringbridge.org, a wonderful website decicated to keep family and friends updated and information while people undergo cancer treatment, premature birth or chronic illness. I have become invovled due to all the children's pages, but adults can use it as well. There are so many inspiring and tragic stories...each and every comment of support is so helpful, even if you don't know that person, word of encourgement and prayers given uplift the spirit each and every time!
2. Project Brain Child, dedicated to creating a National Pediatric Genomic Brain Tumor Register, via the PLGA, http://www.fightplga.org/. A dear friend of mine lost her beautiful daughter to a pediatric brain tumor...and while any type of cancer in a child is horrible...this one touched my life in a profound way!
3. I always keep breast cancer research in the back of my mind...on of my favorites is http://www.save2ndbase.com/index.htm they give to breast cancer non profits...and will I just think the name is hillarious...how can you resist!

Have a fabulous day Laura!
See you soon!

[Lynn Zettler]

Great Question. I support the Little Sisters of the Poor. They help the poorest of the poor. The other favorite charities I have is Mother Theresa's Missionairies of Charity and Christian Childrens Fund. I used to give this money to my church, but decided it was better to give directly to the charities that I knew used the money best.

[Stephen James]

My wife and I support WorldRelief Micro-Financing for International work. We support the Wheeler Mission downtown for local work.

When I worked downtown I had too many people asking me for money. They stopped asking me when I told them I only give to organizations and that I gave to the Mission.