Help us grow this section by letting us know of organizations, especially those with local chapters/offices, that you think should be included. Send suggestions to familyresources@northstateparent.com.
Alliance for Smiles. Sends teams of surgeons, dentists, nurses & others dedicated to helping those afflicted with cleft lip & palate. All-volunteer. Serves countries where poverty is widespread. www.allianceforsmiles.org. (415) 647-4481.
Binky Patrol. All volunteer national organization makes & distributes homemade blankets (binkies) to children born with severe medical issues, & abused or traumatized children. Volunteers range from students & Girl Scout troups to seniors, & everyone in between. A binky is for ages 0-18, & can be sewn, knitted, crocheted or quilted. www.binkypatrol.org.
Genocide No More-Save Darfur; Redding. Advocacy group that sponsors educational programs to raise awareness about genocide in Darfur. Raises funds for humanitarian organizations providing relief for displaced families & individuals. Youth participate & are welcome. See featured article:www.northstateparent.com/darfur. www.darfurredding.org.(530) 229-3661.
KIRF India; Mt. Shasta. Provides education, health & medical care & hope for a better life for some of the poorest people in India. Their education centers are the sole source of free children’s education in rural villages served. Also offers a health clinic, well projects, micro-loan programs & more. www.kirfindia.org. (805) 509-6859.
Kiwanis International Foundation. A global organization of members, school-age to adults, dedicated to changing the world one child & one community at a time. Find a local chapter here: www.kiwanis.org.
Locks of Love. Helps return a sense of selfconfidence & normalcy to children suffering from long-term medical hair loss by utilizing donated ponytails to provide the highest quality hair prosthetics to financially disadvantaged children. See featured article atwww.northstateparent.com/locksoflove. www.locksoflove.org.
Make-A-Wish Foundation. Enriches the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions through wish-granting work. www.wish.org. (800) 722-WISH.
Pay It Forward Foundation. Established to educate & inspire students to realize that they can change the world. Students work with teachers at their local schools to develop Pay It Forward assignments. The foundation can provide supportive education materials & seed money to those who qualify.
www.payitforwardfoundation.org.
Project Linus. Through gifts of new, handmade blankets & afghans created by volunteer “blanketeers,” provides love, security, warmth & comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized or otherwise in need. Rewarding & fun service opportunity for individuals & community groups. www.projectlinus.org. (309) 585-0686.
Save the Children. Independent organization creating lasting change in the lives of children in need in the United States & around the world. Programs focus on health & nutrition, education, protection & livelihoods to make a difference for each child reached. www.savethechildren.org.
Save the Rain. Educates people in water-starved areas to harvest, store, clean & use rain as a sustainable water supply. Every 15 seconds a child dies from lack of clean water; save the Rain’s goal is to stop these needless deaths. www.savetherain.org. Mt. Shasta office: (530) 926-9999.
Scholarship America. Believes that every student deserves an opportunity to go to college, regardless of their financial status. Their mission is to mobilize America, through scholarships & educational support, to make postsecondary education possible for all students. www.scholarshipamerica.org.
UNICEF. Advocates for the world’s children, believing that nurturing & caring for children are the cornerstones of human progress. The organization works with others to overcome obstacles that poverty, violence, disease & discrimination place in a child’s path. www.unicef.org.
