Happy Tuesday! It’s time for another edition of Tuesday Topics. This week’s Tuesday Topic: Favorite Running/Non-Running Charities. Remember to link-up with Kim and Zenaida and the bottom of this post.
It’s National Philanthropy Day! Giving back is super important to me so today I’m excited to share some of my favorite running and non-running charities.
I learned about this organization two years ago and I was so impressed by their mission. Fitness can be so powerful and using running to help combat homelessness while helping people get back on their feet by providing housing and employment resources is amazing.
Both GirlTrek and Black Girls Run encourage African-American women to get up and move – either walking or running. African American women have the highest rates of being overweight or obese compared to other groups in the U.S. so I appreciate any group the encourages movement and fitness.
This organization enables athletes with disabilities to experience the elation that comes with participating in major running events, like the New York City Marathon. I have never volunteered with the organization, but I always see volunteers and Achilles athletes during races, especially NYRR races, and I am always so inspired.
Now for some of my favorite non-running charities:
Cancer is so horrible, but childhood cancer is just next level heartbreaking. The organization and hospital do such good work. Eventually I also want to fundraise for the organization and run their half marathon in Tennessee.
I have a deep love for animals, especially dogs. Also, those darn Sarah McLachlin commercials are so sad! How can you not want to donate when I see a puppy shivering on TV while that song plays in the background?
Your Local Food Bank
Food insecurity is at an all time high right now. I always prefer to donate to my local soup kitchen and food banks vs national food insecurity charities (like Feeding America) because I feel that the funds can make an immediate difference in my community. Also, it’s so simple to donate items to these places as well. If I see a good sale when I’m grocery shopping, I’ll pick up an extra item for the food bank and then drop off any items I have at the end of the month.
What are some of your favorite running or non-running charities?
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Topic for next week – Tell us why you’re thankful for running this year!
Catrina says
These are great causes, Kim! I think I will need to join Achilles International now. So inspirational!
I prefer to support local food banks as well. The big national ones often have food items with long shelf life, low fibre and high sugar (cereal!). Near our home here in Cape Town, there’s a group called “Ladles of Love” and they provide fresh soup with healthy ingredients. I love supporting them.
kookyrunner says
The Ladles of Love organization sounds amazing!
Darlene says
Oops. I’m a week early on my post.
All great charities. For me it’s anything to do with cancer.
And recently Ukraine.
Racing is a great way to give back and keep you active at the same time.
kookyrunner says
Yes, definitely Ukraine was a huge one this year. My company actually did a special campaign to help send aid there.
Jenny says
Omg… those shivering dog commercials. Whenever one comes on, my family is yelling at me to turn it off- they know I’m about to run out and adopt every single one (my son has to talk me off the ledge- he’ll say “the dogs in this commercial have already been saved! They’re FINE!” )
Anyway, all these organizations you mentioned are great. I haven’t given to any of the non-running ones you mentioned, but I’ll look into it. Thanks for this post!
kookyrunner says
LOL right?! Those commercials are just SO sad!
Shathiso says
What awesome charities – we are big on supporting the SPCA (BSPCA as it’s called here) and my husband recently formed a group with other vets to spay over 100 dogs in one weekend in support of them. We don’t have any official food banks, but I wish we did – around Christmas time charities like Rotary carry out “Donate a Can” campaigns where you can donate canned items for charity. I wish there was something like that throughout the year. Other charities close to my heart are those that are cancer related.
kookyrunner says
That’s such important work that your husband and friends have done to spay over 100 dogs. Our shelters here are always full – it’s so sad 🙁
Cari says
Definitely agree re: Back on my Feet and Achilles. Front Runners too. That’s one of the races I make sure to always do if I’m in town.
non running, Joyful Heart, Tom Coughlin Jay Fund and Ronald McDonald. But so many doing crucial work.
kookyrunner says
Front runners is another great one too. Joyful Heart does such great work – and I love that it essentially was born out of her work on Law and Order SVU.
Deborah Brooks says
These are all fabulous picks! In the past year, I have donated monthly to local banks. I also support girls on the run and a foundation that provides pj’s and toys to foster children. There are definitely a lot of agencies that need help right now.
kookyrunner says
I love Girls on the Run – such a fantastic organization!
Michelle says
All great causes! Food insecurity is high on my list so I always try to support our local food banks. And, I feel the same way about St. Jude’s – I’d love to run their race and fundraise for them one day.
kookyrunner says
Food insecurity is really top of mind for me, considering the current state of inflation. Prices are just so high in the supermarkets!