It is almost a shame that it takes a tragedy, such as the death of Caylee Anthony, to draw our attention to the plight of children. According to homicide data published in 2009 by the FBI, over 1,300 children under the age of 18 were victims of homicide in that year, alone. UNICEF, the international humanitarian organization cites that over 22,000 children around the world die from preventable causes such as hunger, the lack of clean water to drink to environmental disasters, including hurricanes, earthquakes and tsunamis.
As hard as it might be to believe, good can sometimes come from tragedy. You can do something positive to protect, defend and serve the needs of children. There are organizations right where you live that need your time and your talents. They are always in need of volunteers and donations because they operate as non-profit organizations. Review the list below and find out what you can do to help, and be sure to forward it to your family and friends. Doing something positive to help children’s causes is a great way to honor little Caylee and to protect children everywhere.
Support the Children’s Defense Fund
“Dear Lord – Be good to me. The sea is so wide and my boat is so small.” That expression aligns with the mission of the Children’s Defense Fund. Since 1973, volunteers have worked to make sure that children have a healthy start, a head start, a fair start, a safe start and a moral start in life. The organization reports that 83 cents of every dollar received goes directly to support programs and services for children.
Children’s Defense Fund National Headquarters
25 E Street, NW
Washington DC 20001
Tele: (800) 233-1200
Website: http://www.childrensdefense.org
Become a Children’s Rights Advocate as a Trained Volunteer for CASA
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is a national network of 955 programs. Volunteers are appointed by court judges to serve as advocates for children who have suffered abuse or neglect in the foster care system. CASA volunteers are screened and thoroughly trained to represent the interests of foster children in legal and social services procedures.
National CASA Association
100 West Harrison Street
North Tower, Suite 500
Seattle, WA 98119
Tele: (800) 628-3233
Website: http://www.casaforchildren.org
Use Social Networking to Support the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children works with law enforcement, parents, children and professionals. The center operates a 24-hour hotline for reporting sightings of missing children, a cyber tip line for reporting sexual exploitation, and works with local agencies and the media to disseminate an Amber Alert for serious child abduction cases. In addition to volunteering and donating money, you can help with national network efforts by publishing links and banners on your website and social networking pages.
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
Charles B. Wang International Children's Building
699 Prince Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3175
Tele: (703) 224-2150
Website: http://www.missingkids.com
Help Fund Grief Survival Services for Parents of Murdered Children
Parents of Murdered Children (POMC) provides on-going emotional support to help parents and other survivors deal with their acute grief after a homicide. POMC also helps parents navigate through the complexities of the criminal justice system. In addition to services for families, the organization is heavily active in legal and congressional affairs on the local, state and national levels.
National POMC
100 East Eighth Street, Suite 202
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Tele: (888) 818-7662
Website: http://www.pomc.com
Become a Big Brother or Big Sister
Donate your time or money to help a child reach his or her potential. For over 100 years, the organization has held the belief that inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life. Big Brothers Big Sisters provides volunteers with opportunities to serve as a community or school mentor to children, and will match you as a “Big” to a “Little.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters National Office
230 North 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Tele: (888) 412-2447 (BIGS)
Website: http://www.bbs.org
Support Impoverished Children by Supporting CARE
Established in 1945, on the heels of the end of World War II, CARE fights poverty and social injustice around the world. According to the organization, in 2010, CARE programs and services reached over 57 million people. Most are mothers of impoverished children. The organization places special emphasis on legislation, education and outreach programs that have a positive impact on the lives of women and young girls.
CARE
151 Ellis Street, NE
Atlanta, GA 30303-2440
Tele: (800) 422-7385
Website: http://www.care.org
Help Provide Medical Services Through the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals
Since 1983, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH) reports having raised over $4.3 billion for children's healthcare -- “most of which is donated a dollar or two at a time.” The organization raises funds for children’s hospitals to provide care to children in the communities where money is raised. Marie Osmond and her family and a group of private organizers founded CMNH.
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals
205 West 700 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Tele: (801) 214-7400
Website: http://www.childrensmiraclenetworkhospitals.org
Make a Wish Come True Through the Make-A-Wish Foundation
According to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, since the organization’s inception in 1993, they have made over 250,000 “wishes” come true for children with life-threatening medical conditions. Make-A-Wish volunteers connect with children on the organization's wish list to create an experience that matches the child’s desire. The organization seeks donations and volunteers for events, language interpreters, office help and professional services. You can even donate airline mileage, supplies and “adopt a wish” from a child on the Make-A-Wish website.
Make-A-Wish Foundation International
4742 N. 24th St., Suite 400
Phoenix, AZ 85016-4862
Tele: (800) 965-9474
Website: http://www.worldwish.org
Provide Urgent Medical Care Through St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital was founded in 1962 by the late entertainment Danny Thomas. Today, Thomas’ daughter, Marlo Thomas serves as the national outreach director. The mission of St. Jude is to treat and find cures for children who suffer from cancer and other catastrophic illnesses. No child or family pays for treatment at St. Jude that is not covered by insurance and no child is denied treatment because the family cannot afford to pay. St. Jude provides medical services for over 5,700 children each year.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
262 Danny Thomas Place
Memphis, TN 38105
Tele: (800) 822-6344
Website: http://www.stjude.org
Help UNICEF Help Children All Over the World
UNICEF provides health care and immunizations, clean water, nutrition and food, education and humanitarian emergency relief to children in over 150 countries worldwide. You can sign up for email updates, volunteer for fundraising initiatives, serve as an advocate and join the UNICEF monthly giving program to help offset costs for humanitarian aid.
UNICEF
125 Maiden Lane
New York, NY 10038
Tele: (800) 367-5437
Website: http://www.unicefusa.org
Sign the “Caylee’s Law” Petition
Michelle Crowder, a private citizen, did what each one of us has the power to do. The Durant, Oklahoma resident started a petition, titled “Caylee’s Law.” The petition asks that a law be enacted that would make it a felony if a parent or guardian fails to notify law enforcement officials about a child going missing in a timely manner. If you believe that such a law should be enacted, join the more than one million people who have signed the Caylee’s Law petition on Change.org.
Write, Call or Send an Email to Your Elected Officials
As a citizen and registered voter, you have the right to voice your opinion to elected officials about laws that you feel should be enacted and passed. Find out the names and contact information for your elected officials. It does not matter whether you voted for the person in office or not. Elected officials have a sworn duty to hear and respond to the concerns of their constituents. Need names and contact information? No problem. Visit WriteYourRep.gov, the official website of the U.S. House of Representatives to get all the contact information you need.
Encourage others to take positive action. Share this article with your family and friends. Include a link on your social networking sites.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, FBI, “Murder Victims by Age, Sex, and Race, 2009”
Cheryl Munson - Writer/Creative Director, with over 20 years experience working on brands and services you know as well as your ABCs, including (but not ...
