Top 3 Charities & Causes to Support: Global AIDS, Toys for Tots, and the ONE Campaign

Did You Know?
In 2001, 5 million people became newly infected with HIV, and 3 million people died from AIDS.

If the US government provided a fair share contribution to the worldwide effort to stop AIDS using education, prevention, care, and treatment, it would cost the average US taxpayer 4 cents a day.

In Africa, there are an estimated 11,000 new infections per day.

If it was not for HIV/AIDS, average life expectancy in sub-Saharan Africa would be about 62 years; it is now 47 years.
95% of the world's 36 million people with HIV/AIDS lack access to affordable, life-extending medication.

This organization says that their goal is to continue telling political leaders these three things:
"Donate the Dollars! - that means providing more money to fight the disease with prevention, care, treatment, and research and making sure funds are used effectively.

Treat the People! - that means making sure there's reliable access to affordable medication for all those living with AIDS.

Drop the Debt! - that means providing deeper, fairer debt cancellation for impoverished countries so they can tackle problems including AIDS, hunger, education and more."

If you would like to talk to Congressmen or donate your money to this cause, check out link #1 in the resources list.

MARIINE TOYS FOR TOTS FOUNDATION
website: http://www.toysfortots.org/

The US Marine Corps say their goal for the Toys for Tots program is:
"The primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver, through a shiny new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to needy youngsters that will motivate them to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders."

Local campaigns are conducted annually in over 500 communities covering all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. They are generally identified by the big red cans with Toys for Tots posters on them, usually placed outside of stores like Kmarts or Targets, or in malls. Local toy collection campaigns begin in October and last until December 22.

Did You Know?
Marine Forces Reserve consists of 34,000 Marine Reservists, 2,000 Active Marine Reservists, and 4,000 Regular Marines for a total of 40,000. Typically, 15 to 20% of this force is involved in annual Toys for Tots campaigns.

If you work for a large business, your company might be a Toys for Tots sponsor. If they are not, you can check out link #2 in the resources list to find out how to become one. Here are some of the 2006 sponsors:
Applebee's, Atlanta Capital
Best Buy, Big Lots, Bioviva
Bridgestone/Firestone Tire
Carpet One
PEPSICO
Scholastic, Spin Master
Star Foundation
The Gymboree Corporation
JP Morgan Chase
KB Toys
Learning Resources, Lord & Taylor
Mail Boxes, Etc, Matell
The UPS Store
The Walt Disney Company
Tony Hawk Foundation, Toys R Us

THE ONE CAMPAIGN
website: http://www.one.org/

What is this organization?
ONE is a new effort by Americans to rally Americans to fight the emergency of global AIDS and extreme poverty.
More than 2 million people have lent their voices to ONE by visiting ONE.ORG and signing the ONE Declaration. More than three million Americans are also wearing white bands as a show of support for ending extreme poverty and global AIDS.

Current funding to fight global poverty and disease is about $19 billion total, with about $4 billion of that going to Africa. $19 billion represents less that 1% of the federal budget. Sounds like a lot of money though right? No. Think abou this: Americans spend $42 billion on diet and health books each year.

Did You Know?
Celebs like Jamie Foxx, Penelope Cruz, Dave Matthews, Salma Hayek, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Tom Hanks, and Kate Hudson support ONE.

ONE does not accept donations. Instead, we hope that you'll take action with ONE by contacting Congress, the President and other elected officials and ask them to do even more to fight global AIDS and extreme poverty.

If you would like to sign the declaration check out link #3 in the resources. For ONE t-shirts and wristbands check out link #4.

All information found on the websites of these organizations. Please check them out and help others this holiday season.