2010 Selections

The following charities received the most votes from parish members during the 2010 Lenten season. Each charity received an equal portion of our parish's Lenten Charity Financial Tithe. The tithe amount was determined by the average amount collected through the offertory during the 2010 Lenten season and by the monies returned by members in their Lenten coin folders. Thank you for your participation.

International Category: Heifer International - $200.00

National Category: American Diabetes Association - $200.00

State Wide Category: Wellspring Living - $200.00

Religious Run Category: The Vineyard Home - $200.00

                Atlanta / Local Charity Category: St. Francis Table - $200.00

All charities for membership consideration were pick at random from a list of well known are respected international and national charities. All local charities are organizations which have an official policy of supporting the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. Voting for the charities in each of the five different groups was conducted over several weeks during the 2010 Lenten season; winners were determined by the number of "votes" a charity received from parish members by the placing of 25 cents in a box representing the charity. Charities to be considered for support during our Lenten Charity Tithe Program are always welcome.

Doctors Without Borders: Founded in 1971 by a group of French doctors who believed that all people have the right to medical care regardless of race, religion, creed, or politics. This private, non-profit group provides both emergency medical assistance and public witness to the plight of the populations they serve in more than 80 countries through their network of 2500 volunteer medical and civil experts.

Heifer International: Begun by an American farmer during the Spanish Civil War to end worldwide hunger by shipping livestock (cattle, water buffalo, sheep, pigs, geese, etc.) to families who are also trained to care for their animals and who promise to pass on the first-born female offspring to needy neighbors. Families in 115 countries have better health, more income and the joy of helping others. Heifer was named one of 10 "Gold Star" charities by Forbes.

Human Rights Watch: Begun in 1978 to monitor the compliance of Soviet Bloc countries with the human rights provisions of the Helsinki accords, today HRW consists of more than 150 lawyers, journalist, academics and country experts who investigate human rights abuses all over the world - currently in more than 70 countries, tracking such issues as women’s and children’s rights, the flow of arms to abusive forces, modern-day slavery, refugees, drugs, and prisons.

Oxfam International: is a confederation of 13 organizations working together with over 3,000 partners in more than 100 countries to find lasting solutions to poverty and injustice. With many of the causes of poverty global in nature, the 13 affiliate members of Oxfam International believe they can achieve greater impact through their collective efforts. Oxfam International seeks increased worldwide public understanding that economic and social justice are crucial to sustainable development. We strive to be a global campaigning force promoting the awareness and motivation that comes with global citizenship while seeking to shift public opinion in order to make equity the same priority as economic growth.

Angel Flight: Exists to arrange free long-distance flights for those ambulatory children and adults in need of specialized medical evaluations, diagnosis, or treatment. On-call pilots are also ready to fly potential organ donor recipients at any time a last minute organ becomes available. Angel Flight also transports precious cargo such as organs, blood, tissue and medical supplies, and provides free air support for disaster relief in times of crisis.

American Diabetes Association: Founded in 1940, the ADA conducts programs of diabetes research, information, and advocacy in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Its mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all affected individuals. It funds research, publishes scientific findings, provides information and other services to people with diabetes, their families health care professionals, and the public, and carries on an active advocacy program.

Make-A-Wish Foundation: Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® has enriched the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions through its wish-granting work. The Foundation's mission reflects the life-changing impact that a Make-A-Wish^® experience has on children, families, referral sources, donors, sponsors and entire communities. Since its humble beginnings, the organization has blossomed into a worldwide phenomenon, reaching more than 174,000 children around the world. Although it has become one of the world's most well-known charities, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has maintained the grassroots fulfillment of its mission. Volunteers serve as wish granters, fundraisers, special events assistants and in numerous other capacities. Wish children of the past, present and future will have an opportunity to share the power of a wish^®.

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United Negro College Fund: The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) is the nation’s largest, oldest, most successful and most comprehensive minority higher education assistance organization. UNCF provides operating funds and technology enhancement services for 38 member historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), scholarships and internships for students at almost 1,000 institutions and faculty and administrative professional training. Over 60 years, the United Negro College Fund has raised more than $2 billion to help a total of more than 300,000 students attend college and has distributed more funds to help minorities attend school than any entity outside of the government.

Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia: The mission of the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia, Inc. is dedicated to providing education, screening and counseling programs for Sickle Cell and other abnormal hemoglobin. Established in 1971 by Dr. Delutha H. King, Jr., and the late Dr. Nelson McGhee, Jr., the Foundation has a deep-rooted commitment to making strides in monitoring the occurrence of Sickle Cell, improving the quality of life for those with the disease and cooperating with individuals and institutions conducting research. The center provides a number of activities and services for school age patients with sickle cell disease. The activities and services include an after school homework assistance and tutorial program with transportation component; an eight-part Life Skills Series; summer specialty camps (computers, language arts, math, etc.); educational and cultural field trips; SAT/ACT preparation classes; a state of the art computer center with full internet access.

The Living Room: Living Room is a housing information, placement and financial assistance agency for low-income people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless due to HIV/AIDS. Living Room assists this vulnerable population in identifying, obtaining and maintaining affordable housing in a number of ways including: 1) Development of an housing plan for clients; 2) emergency assistance for late rent, mortgages and utilities; 3) emergency housing; 4) assistance clients with move-in costs and supplies; 5) advocacy for affordable housing through coalitions, lobbying and networking.

Georgia Cancer Foundation: Established in 1975 the GCF sponsors various activities that touch the lives of cancer patients, their families, medical professionals, and the community, including Cancer Screening Day for colon, breast, prostate and skin cancers, Camp Magik (a healing camp for grieving children who have lost a loved one), Remembrance days and Magic of Life Celebrations, and Oncology Clinical Guidelines Updates for health-care professionals.

The Vineyard Home: The Vineyard Home is a home for mentally handicapped adults in rural West Virginia. It is unique in that it provides for mentally retarded adults the basic needs of all humans--a permanent home for a sense of security; a workplace to feel and to be productive, and recreation and companionship, an essential part of life denied many of these individuals. But many good people have already spoken for them by building and supporting The Vineyard Home with contributions of work, skills and money. No Federal or State funds are used.

The Sullivan Center: The Sullivan Center, founded by Sr. Marie Sullivan, O.P. is a non-profit organization located in Southwest Atlanta whose mission is to help people remain self-sufficient, by providing help in a dignified manner to families and individuals facing a stability crisis. We empower people to help themselves through financial planning, nutrition classes and employment counseling. Our primary goal is the prevention of homelessness, poverty and economic inequality.

Habitat For Humanity: Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian organization dedicated to eliminating substandard housing and homelessness worldwide and to making adequate, affordable shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat is founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, decent, affordable place to live in dignity and safety.

Cross International: Cross International was born out of the vision of two ministries with a heart for the poor -- Christian Children's Charity and the Kielar Family Foundation. Founded in the 1990's, these organizations discovered that they shared a call to expand their vision to help the suffering poor worldwide. Now, Cross International will carry out this mission, with the added goal of rallying like-minded Christians to the cause. To the glory of God, we seek to bring Christ's Gospel of hope to the poorest of the poor.