| March's Charity Highlight |
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 March's Charity Highlight
Spring is here! Do you have a spring in your step? We do! We also have new charities for March, including our spotlight Charity of the Month from the Environment category, Lomakatsi Forest Restoration. Justin Cullumbine, Lomakatsi's Program Director (and also a co-founder and co-director), was kind enough to sit down with us for a quick interview. We've also added new charities to our Animals, Children, and Human Rights categories. As always, more information on our donation process can be found in our Donation FAQ!
ENVIRONMENT
Lomakatsi Forest Restoration - Ashland, OR
http://www.lomakatsi.org/
We had the chance to interview Lomakatsi's Program Director, Justin Cullumbine, to find out more about the organization. Here's what he had to say.
1. What are the Vision and Mission of Lomakatsi?
Our Vision is to repair damaged ecosystems through conscious caretaking while providing positive livelihoods for all generations. Our Mission is to develop and implement proactive community-based ecological restoration projects. We achieve these goals through education, vocational training, specialized workforce development, and the utilization of restoration by-products, encouraging the recovery of ecosystems and the sustainability of communities, cultures, and economies.
2. What geographical reach does Lomakatsi have?
Lomakatsi is based in Southwestern Oregon in the town of Ashland. Our work spans to all of Southwestern Oregon and Northern California. Our restoration practices and principles are striving to create replicable models for sustainable, ecologically-based land management worldwide.
3. What inspired the founding of the organization?
Lomakatsi Restoration Project was founded by forest workers striving to create living wage jobs healing the wounds and restoring the earth, with the goal of empowering local communities, volunteers and workers to participate in restoration activities. Starting in 1995 with a crew of five, primarily people with experience in the industrial timber industry, we knew we could find a better way. LRP set out to create a regional and multicultural restoration workforce movement, laying the framework for a socially and environmentally-conscious crew, whose primary focus is the regeneration of ecosystem health and biodiversity. Our roots also include environmentalists who decided to put ecological, restorative and conservation principles into action. LRP lead staff have nearly two decades of combined experience in community organizing, canvassing, environmental activism, ecological restoration, prescription design, and forestry work.
4. Is there a particular success story that stands out in your mind?
We have treated 2,000 acres in and around the city of Ashland, and more in Williams, Colestin Valley, the Illinois Valley, and beyond. We've worked in just about every tributary to Bear Creek, many within the Ashland city limits, and we've just begun to scratch the surface. Trees planted in 1997 at the Willow Wind Community Learning Center are now more than 30 feet tall, providing shade for fish-bearing Bear Creek, cooling the waters that flow into Bear Creek, and creating bird habitat, as well.
5. Where will the donated money go?
Funds raised will go directly to local ecological restoration projects, education and training.
ANIMALS
Midwest Animal and Potbellied Pig Association & Rescue - Pardeeville, WI
http://www.mappar.org/
From their website:
MAPPAR is a domestic and farm animal sanctuary dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitative care, protection and placement of abused, abandoned, neglected or displaced animals, and equally dedicated to advocating a compassionate lifestyle through humane education efforts. Founded in 1996, MAPPAR is a 10 acre sanctuary located in Pardeeville, WI. MAPPAR is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
CHILDREN
Home of Miracles and Embraces - Fredericksburg, VA
http://www.iwannagohome.org/
From their website:
Children are our country's most precious resource. However, there are some who are threatened with illnesses that are not only challenging, but life-altering. That's why the Home of Miracles and Embraces, Inc. (H.O.M.E.) is assisting children who are infected with HIV/AIDS. Our mission is to provide direct support and assistance to children infected with HIV/AIDS. We are dedicated to providing a safe-haven retreat, granting wishes, creating memorable experiences, and providing financial assistance to our deserving children and their families.
HUMAN RIGHTS
Avalon Housing - Ann Arbor, MI
http://avalonhousing.org/
From their website:
Avalon Housing is a community-based, non-profit organization dedicated to developing and managing permanent supportive rental housing for people with extremely low incomes in Washtenaw County. We own and operate 180 units, scattered at fifteen sites throughout Ann Arbor. Our rents are structured to be affordable to people with incomes at or below 30% of the area median income. The majority of our households include people who were homeless or who have a mental or physical disability. Voluntary support services are available to all tenants to help them maintain their housing and enhance their quality of life.
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