It seems like there is a National Holiday for everything these days, although this one holds true to our hearts. September 5th is “International Day of Charity” and it commemorates the anniversary of the passing of Mother Teresa who received a Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. According to Wikipedia, “the prime purpose of the International Day of Charity is to raise awareness and provide a common platform for charity related activities all over the world for individuals, charitable, philanthropic and volunteer organizations for their own purposes on the local, national, regional and international level.”
We have a great team of folks that regularly volunteer whether it is for professional organizations or personal, it is something that many of us have in common at Backyard Realty Group. We put together a list of some of our favorite local and national charities that have a special place in our hearts!
American Cancer Society: Although cancer runs in my family, it has touched and devastated many friends and their families.
Shriner Hospitals: I have seen first-hand the free work they do for children who have orthopedic, burn care, spinal cord injury and cleft lip/palate injuries.
Wounded Warrior: Several family members and friends are veterans who deserve more assistance.
One of my favorite charities is called Never Alone, it means a lot to me because it is right here in Woodstock. My family sponsors families at Christmas time and they have been so appreciative. It is nice to give back!
I have worked with many foundations through Omega Phi Alpha and always loved supporting them.
Athletes Helping Athletes 5K: Southeastern Greyhound Club
Cupid Chase: this one is a lot closer to me now with my sister passing away last year
I am a member of The US Military Vets MC in Cartersville and every year we work with the American Legion Post 304 in Acworth to raise money for PawsBeGood, Inc which goes to initial veterinary care and training for PTSD/TBI Service Dogs.
I also became involved with Homes for Our Troops last year. So far, they have built 250 homes across the nation for veterans with disabilities and have another 90 in the process. 2 were built in Cartersville last year and 90 cents of every dollar collected goes towards the homes to be built and in Georgia, so far 12 have been built and another in the process. Amazing how they involve the community in every process of the home from a Community Kickoff, Volunteer Day and the final Key Ceremony where they present the veteran with their new home. U.S. Representative Barry Loudermilk was one of many keynote speakers for the presentation of keys in Cartersville and there was not a dry eye in the house after the speeches and listening to the vets along with their families on how much this meant to them on their road to recovery.
I love this organization because it is a grassroots charity that focuses on the homeless of greater Atlanta, so the results are immediate and impact the communities we live in. Hope brings dignity to homeless people by offering free hot showers, haircuts, clothing, food, and hygiene products on a weekly basis.
I also especially like them because they allow children of all ages to participate in weekly events so that they can see how other people live. It’s humbling to observe a family that is living in their car or literally on the streets or in a shelter.
One of my favorite charities is Pet Buddies Food Pantry. This non-profit organization helps families that are in need to keep the pets in their homes, so they don’t have to give them up to a shelter. They will donate pet food, pet blankets, meds, vet needs, etc. They are great to go out and do community outreach. They will go to different communities to hand out pet food, trap stray cats to get them fixed, baths and just to teach the pet owners how to care for a pet. Pet Buddies is very hands on and they truly love animals. Just a great charity to volunteer with!
UMDF United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation Until 8 years ago I had never heard about this disease until it affected my grandson. Here is a little about the condition.
Mitochondria are referred to as the powerhouse of the cell. Almost all cells in the body have mitochondria, which are tiny “power plants” that produce a body’s essential energy. This means it takes in nutrients from the cell, breaks it down, and turns it into energy that feed the muscles in the body.
Mitochondrial disease means cells don’t function properly. When this happens, mostly to children however can occur in teens and adults as well, the cells do not feed the muscles properly so growth is stunted, the body lacking in muscle is floppy, weak, preventing normal maturity like holding, grasping, walking, talking, sitting or standing up and even swallowing. Without proper therapy and high calorie intake the body continues to weaken and struggle seriously.
My family and I have benefited from this organization through their medical findings and outreach as well as seeking medical referrals like neuroglial, physical, speech, nutrition and feeding therapy professionals. They helped us find the right doctors to monitor his brain, heart and diagnosis for his needs and are happy to say that where we once thought we’d lose him by age three he is approaching age 9, a miracle in itself.
Volunteering has always been a passion of mine. I have several charities that are near and dear to me for different reasons.
Alzheimer’s Association: I have had multiple family members affected from Alzheimer’s. I really hope that one day they can find a cure for this.
Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation: I had a family member that lost his battle with multiple myeloma and although it is rarely curable they have seen a lot of medical advancement over the last decade which helped prolonged my Uncles life by a couple of years so he could see his first grandchild!
SafePath Children’s Advocacy Center: As a previous intern and then employee here, I feel very strongly about the hard work that they do here! SafePath works with children that have suffered child abuse of any form and works to help the children and their families by offering child-friendly approaches to help reduce trauma.
Turn Around Ministries: A local charity helping kids in needs
I have several others that I have done projects with or worked with over the last few decades: March of Dimes, AIDs Foundation, Toys for Tots, among others.
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others” – Mahatma Gandhi
Backyard Realty Group provides rental property management services and real estate services to buyers, sellers, investors and landlords in the Metro Atlanta Area.
