National Parks

Week 31: National Parks

This week, we are honoring America’s stunning National Parks. The National Parks Foundation protects America’s natural treasures and ensure they are preserved and that they belong to us all. Enjoy the video below, a tribute to Yosemite, which was made by the amazing Colin Delehanty.

“Walk away quietly in any direction and taste the freedom of the mountaineer. Camp out among the grasses and gentians of glacial meadows, in craggy garden nooks full of nature’s darlings. Climb the mountains and get their good tidings, Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.”
— John Muir

The mission of the National Park Service is to preserve and protect our natural and cultural resources "for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations."

The National Park Foundation protects America’s special places, connects people to nature and inspires the next generation of park stewards through innovative and collaborative projects. They work to save what matters most.

“Never in its 200 years has this nation needed the National Park System more. It stands as a collective memory of where we have been, what sacrifices we have made to get here, and who we mean to be. By investing in the preservation, interpretation, and restoration of these symbolic places, we offer hope and optimism to each generation of Americans.”
— David Barna, National Park Service Chief of Public Affair

Keeping these spaces pristine and wild is so important. I am so excited to support this goal.

This week, how about making a plan to visit your nearest park?
The mountains are calling and I must go.

Have a wild week,
Jodi

Doctors Without Borders

Week 30: Doctors Without Borders

This week, we are supporting the life-saving work of Doctors Without Borders (MSF). Doctors Without Borders helps people worldwide where the need is greatest, delivering emergency medical aid to people affected by “conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from healthcare”.

Their mission statement: Medical aid where it is needed most. Independent. Neutral. Impartial.

Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999, Doctors Without Borders carries out their work with respect for the rules of medical ethics. They “respect patients’ autonomy, patient confidentiality, and their right to informed consent. Doctors Without Borders treats their patients with dignity, and with respect for their cultural and religious beliefs. In accordance with these principles, MSF endeavors to provide high-quality medical care to all patients.”

The work in communities in crisis. They work quickly, effectively, and act based on medical needs and not political influence. I highly recommend reading more about the individuals who volunteer with this amazing effort. I am inspired by these heroic efforts to provide the best possible care and to fight for health as a basic human right, one that everyone should have access to.

The video above does a great job at explaining their work, but I would encourage you to dig deeper into the many projects Doctors Without Borders is a part of and their rich and complicated history of working in complex and often dangerous conditions.

It is an honor to support their work this week.

Have a wonderful Monday,
Jodi

The Painted Turtle

Week 29: The Painted Turtle

A few years ago, I was in a class at UCLA called Philanthropy as Civic Engagement. We were tasked with selecting nonprofits in the Los Angeles area to receive grants of up to $100,000. It was an incredible learning experience and I was lucky to be exposed to some wonderful organizations. One in particular, The Painted Turtle, stuck out to me above the rest. I couldn’t help but smile when I heard about their mission and was blown away even more at everything they do.

The Painted Turtle is a camp. Look closer, though, and you’ll see it is actually a place that seeks to inspire children with serious medical conditions to become their greater selves and have an absolute blast! A needs assessment showed that more than 17,500 children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses in California are unable to attend summer camp due to their medical conditions. This is where The Painted Turtle comes in.

“Their mission is to provide a year-round, life-changing environment for children with life-threatening diseases and their families – one that allows children to participate in an authentic camp experience by supporting their medical needs and offers their families care, education, and respite.”

Kids with more than 73 medical conditions visit The Painted Turtle each year. They have served over 49,000 children and their families through Summer and Family Weekend camps since opening in 2004. They offer innovative programs in a camp environment that offer a “great big dose of fun and support.”

As if this isn’t already wonderful enough - there is also no billing department at The Painted Turtle! Campers and their families attend camp completely free of charge. This is something I am beyond excited to support.

Here’s to a big dose of fun.
All the best,
Jodi