The Ronan Thompson Foundation. Look it up, they do great work and neuroblastoma doesn’t get nearly enough attention for how awful it is, especially in children.
Also, “Venomous Lesbians” would make a fantastic band name.
Besides my kids’ Catholic school (because charity begins at home), Misericordia is closest to my heart. I have a relative who hopes to live their one day so I try to give as much as I can every year to help.
Remote Area Medical. They provide free medical, vision, and dental care to underserved areas, in 2-3 day mass events at parks and race tracks. It was the life’s work of the late Stan Brock, once a star of the 60s tv show “Wild Kingdom.” Until we reform our system to provide health care for all, they’ll be delivering mercy by the truckload. ramusa.org
At the Food Bank and the Supper Hour, they are mostly staffed by volunteers, so almost all the money goes directly to providing food to people who need it.
Salvation Army is similar in that they have very low overhead and spend the money on service delivery.
- FormerParatrooper - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 1:50 pm:
St Judes and Shriners. The do so much for kids regardless of where they come from.
There are a great many charities I give to, including LSSI that does incredible things, but the question reads…
“favorite”
The Evans Scholars Foundation, and their Evans Scholars.
My cousin was an Evans and credits the scholarship as life-changing and giving the opportunity to chase a dream.
“The Evans Scholars Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in Glenview, Illinois that provides full tuition and housing college scholarships to golf caddies. Operated by the Western Golf Association, the Evans Scholars Foundation has helped more than 11,550 caddies graduate from college since its creation in 1930.”
Notable alum?
CEO Sam Allen of John Deere
- Pot calling kettle - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 1:53 pm:
Living Lands & Waters
Started as one guy (Chad) in a john boat cleaning up the banks of the Mississippi River in the Quad Cities area. They now have multiple boats and barges and employees (and a classroom barge). They inspire and facilitate cleanups along the Mississippi, Illinois, Missouri, Ohio, and other rivers. They have removed tons of trash from tiny bits of plastic to entire vehicles.
Catholic Relief Services – CRS does amazing work overseas on emergency response & recovery. In many poorer counties, there are no food pantries, or emergency services so CRS uses the network of local catholic churches to distribute aid. CRS was the most impactful organization in Haiti during past disasters. Most importantly, they offer service to all regardless of faith.
I am obliged to agree with OW. I am a caddie/Evans Scholar/Illini alum. The Evans Scholar Foundation provides tuition and housing to caddie/students with financial need who have show a good work ethic in school and life. I contribute annually but still feel indebted to them.
Kumler outeach ministries, for their food pantry (Spfld)
I grew up in a family of modest means, with a stay-at-home mom. The food budget would be stretched, but there was never a thought that we would go hungry.
Those shirts and that cause, as part of this post, kudos to all with that, way to turn a phrase into a rallying cry, and creating a way to show support. Good stuff.
OW
- Joe Bidenopolous - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 3:01 pm:
The “Friends of” group for my kids’ school
Greater Chicago Food Depository
St. Jude’s
- Joe Bidenopolous - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 3:02 pm:
Whoops, forgot reasons
1. duh
2. Folks are hungry
3. Cancer sucks
- thisjustinagain - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 3:14 pm:
Greater Chicago Food Depository; just because I haven’t missed a meal in years, but someone else has.
- Because I said so.... - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 3:16 pm:
Misercordia. They provided a caring home for two severely disabled relatives who have since passed away and one is still living there.
Very much looking forward to their September 11th Family Fest, back after 2 years off due to COVID. It’s a great day for a great cause.
- Bruce( no not him) - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 3:20 pm:
Ronald McDonald House is my favorite charity, because it allowed me to stay close to the hospital in a place we could afford when my newborns were in the NICU. I also donate to Planned Parenthood to spite my local bishop
Equal Hope (www.equalhope.org) - saving women’s lives by eradicating women’s health inequities including breast and cervical cancer mortality disparities. This charity has won a lot of awards for impact and under their leadership, chicago has gone from one of the worst to first in reducing black women’s deaths from breast cancer. Donate at www.equalhope.org/donate
Innocence Project, because it frees and exonerates wrongfully convicted male and female prisoners in the U.S.
Fisher House Foundation, which provides no-cost housing and meals to families of military personnel, while their service member is receiving treatment in nearby veterans’ hospitals.
The Salvation Army Low overhead, no highly paid executives and the money goes where it should go. Not glamorous. Not sexy but who cares. They do good and make sure so does your money.
Cardinal Glennon Hospital. They saved my Grandsons life when he was a baby. The Cardiologist there was the best in the country, and my daughter cried in his office when he retired. The Nursing Staff who work there are exceptional people. If I ever hit the lottery they will have a hallway with my name on it.
Locally my Volunteer Fire Department. Most of them in this part of the State are very reliant on donations to get by, and need them now more than ever.
- Fivegreenleaves - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 7:36 pm:
I have two favorite charities. Compassion International because of their mission to fight poverty and spread the gospel of Jesus, and one probably most haven’t heard of. GCDI (Global Community Development Initiative) which drills water wells in Tanzania, and operates a sub-charity called OneFish which operates Christian pre-schools throughout Tanzania. My church is directly involved with GCDI and OneFish, and my pastor is going to Tanzania next month along with the charity founder to drill a 7th water well. So far, GCDI has helped more than 100,000 people across Tanzania to get fresh water.
- Fivegreenleaves - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 7:40 pm:
I also want to add the Lifeboat Alliance, which operates two homeless shelters, one in Marion, one in Mt. Vernon.
- NotRich - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 1:23 pm:
PAWS CHICAGO.. because D-O-G-S !!!!!
- Lester Holt’s Mustache - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 1:31 pm:
The Ronan Thompson Foundation. Look it up, they do great work and neuroblastoma doesn’t get nearly enough attention for how awful it is, especially in children.
Also, “Venomous Lesbians” would make a fantastic band name.
- very old soil - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 1:36 pm:
Doctors Without Borders. They do good work worldwide and they don’t send me a bunch of “stuff” with their solicitations.
- lake county democrat - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 1:37 pm:
Gotta leavve two:
World: International Rescue Committee
Local: United Way of Chicago
- Dance Band on the Titanic - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 1:39 pm:
Northern Illinois Food Bank. Because I don’t know which of my neighbors needs the aid.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 1:42 pm:
Besides my kids’ Catholic school (because charity begins at home), Misericordia is closest to my heart. I have a relative who hopes to live their one day so I try to give as much as I can every year to help.
- Barnaby Wilde - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 1:42 pm:
Remote Area Medical. They provide free medical, vision, and dental care to underserved areas, in 2-3 day mass events at parks and race tracks. It was the life’s work of the late Stan Brock, once a star of the 60s tv show “Wild Kingdom.” Until we reform our system to provide health care for all, they’ll be delivering mercy by the truckload. ramusa.org
- JS Mill - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 1:44 pm:
My local animal shelter.
- RNUG - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 1:47 pm:
Central Illinois Food Bank
Salvation Army
Asbury Children’s Supper Hour
At the Food Bank and the Supper Hour, they are mostly staffed by volunteers, so almost all the money goes directly to providing food to people who need it.
Salvation Army is similar in that they have very low overhead and spend the money on service delivery.
- FormerParatrooper - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 1:50 pm:
St Judes and Shriners. The do so much for kids regardless of where they come from.
- Central Ill - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 1:51 pm:
At Jude’s- cause cancer sucks, more so when it hits children
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 1:52 pm:
There are a great many charities I give to, including LSSI that does incredible things, but the question reads…
“favorite”
The Evans Scholars Foundation, and their Evans Scholars.
My cousin was an Evans and credits the scholarship as life-changing and giving the opportunity to chase a dream.
“The Evans Scholars Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in Glenview, Illinois that provides full tuition and housing college scholarships to golf caddies. Operated by the Western Golf Association, the Evans Scholars Foundation has helped more than 11,550 caddies graduate from college since its creation in 1930.”
Notable alum?
CEO Sam Allen of John Deere
- Pot calling kettle - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 1:53 pm:
Living Lands & Waters
Started as one guy (Chad) in a john boat cleaning up the banks of the Mississippi River in the Quad Cities area. They now have multiple boats and barges and employees (and a classroom barge). They inspire and facilitate cleanups along the Mississippi, Illinois, Missouri, Ohio, and other rivers. They have removed tons of trash from tiny bits of plastic to entire vehicles.
Chad and his crew rock(banned punctuation)
https://www.livinglandsandwaters.org/
- Manchester - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 1:54 pm:
Central IL Foodbank and the Animal Protective League. I hate to think of anyone going hungry and I love dogs.
- thunderspirit - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 1:56 pm:
In a similar vein to Dance Band and RNUG, my charity of choice is the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
I do give to others as well, but the food bank is always my top choice.
- btowntruthfromforgottonia - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 2:00 pm:
Central Illinois Food Bank.
They do good work getting food to people who need it in 21 counties.
- Donnie Elgin - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 2:03 pm:
Catholic Relief Services – CRS does amazing work overseas on emergency response & recovery. In many poorer counties, there are no food pantries, or emergency services so CRS uses the network of local catholic churches to distribute aid. CRS was the most impactful organization in Haiti during past disasters. Most importantly, they offer service to all regardless of faith.
- wildcat12 - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 2:05 pm:
Mini O’Beirne Crisis Nursery in Springfield. They provide baby and child essentials and free childcare and housing for emergency situations.
- JT11505 - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 2:16 pm:
Operation St. Nick. They do amazing things for families in need in Grundy County.
- DEE - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 2:17 pm:
I am obliged to agree with OW. I am a caddie/Evans Scholar/Illini alum. The Evans Scholar Foundation provides tuition and housing to caddie/students with financial need who have show a good work ethic in school and life. I contribute annually but still feel indebted to them.
- Curious citizen - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 2:22 pm:
I have two favorite charities:
ImpactLife (formerly Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center)
Animal Protective League
- Langhorne - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 2:23 pm:
Kumler outeach ministries, for their food pantry (Spfld)
I grew up in a family of modest means, with a stay-at-home mom. The food budget would be stretched, but there was never a thought that we would go hungry.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 2:27 pm:
- DEE -
Congratulations on earning an Evans Scholarship.
To the post,
Those shirts and that cause, as part of this post, kudos to all with that, way to turn a phrase into a rallying cry, and creating a way to show support. Good stuff.
OW
- Joe Bidenopolous - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 3:01 pm:
The “Friends of” group for my kids’ school
Greater Chicago Food Depository
St. Jude’s
- Joe Bidenopolous - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 3:02 pm:
Whoops, forgot reasons
1. duh
2. Folks are hungry
3. Cancer sucks
- thisjustinagain - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 3:14 pm:
Greater Chicago Food Depository; just because I haven’t missed a meal in years, but someone else has.
- Because I said so.... - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 3:16 pm:
Misercordia. They provided a caring home for two severely disabled relatives who have since passed away and one is still living there.
Very much looking forward to their September 11th Family Fest, back after 2 years off due to COVID. It’s a great day for a great cause.
- Bruce( no not him) - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 3:20 pm:
Habitat for Humanity
Because sweat equity
- Amalia - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 3:28 pm:
Feral Fixers, far west suburban trap, neuter, return, adopt, working cats group.
- Dupage Mom - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 3:30 pm:
“We are Called to Care - supports foster kids and foster parents.
- bkhartbnjo - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 3:41 pm:
Mrs bkhartbnjo and I are fans of Illinois Planned Parenthood
- bkhartbnjo - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 3:41 pm:
Oh, and the reason. Because.
- Mamacita - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 3:45 pm:
Ronald McDonald House is my favorite charity, because it allowed me to stay close to the hospital in a place we could afford when my newborns were in the NICU. I also donate to Planned Parenthood to spite my local bishop
- Keeping Track - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 4:11 pm:
Orphans of the Storm and Border Tails … two excellent animal shelters.
- West Chicago - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 4:17 pm:
Equal Hope (www.equalhope.org) - saving women’s lives by eradicating women’s health inequities including breast and cervical cancer mortality disparities. This charity has won a lot of awards for impact and under their leadership, chicago has gone from one of the worst to first in reducing black women’s deaths from breast cancer. Donate at www.equalhope.org/donate
- Correcting - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 5:00 pm:
What Paratrooper said because I believe the children are the future.
- Streator Curmudgeon - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 5:09 pm:
Innocence Project, because it frees and exonerates wrongfully convicted male and female prisoners in the U.S.
Fisher House Foundation, which provides no-cost housing and meals to families of military personnel, while their service member is receiving treatment in nearby veterans’ hospitals.
- Dah Professah - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 5:18 pm:
The Salvation Army Low overhead, no highly paid executives and the money goes where it should go. Not glamorous. Not sexy but who cares. They do good and make sure so does your money.
- SOIL M - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 5:29 pm:
Cardinal Glennon Hospital. They saved my Grandsons life when he was a baby. The Cardiologist there was the best in the country, and my daughter cried in his office when he retired. The Nursing Staff who work there are exceptional people. If I ever hit the lottery they will have a hallway with my name on it.
Locally my Volunteer Fire Department. Most of them in this part of the State are very reliant on donations to get by, and need them now more than ever.
- Fivegreenleaves - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 7:36 pm:
I have two favorite charities. Compassion International because of their mission to fight poverty and spread the gospel of Jesus, and one probably most haven’t heard of. GCDI (Global Community Development Initiative) which drills water wells in Tanzania, and operates a sub-charity called OneFish which operates Christian pre-schools throughout Tanzania. My church is directly involved with GCDI and OneFish, and my pastor is going to Tanzania next month along with the charity founder to drill a 7th water well. So far, GCDI has helped more than 100,000 people across Tanzania to get fresh water.
- Fivegreenleaves - Thursday, Aug 25, 22 @ 7:40 pm:
I also want to add the Lifeboat Alliance, which operates two homeless shelters, one in Marion, one in Mt. Vernon.