May 2011 Newsletter

Greetings from Voices for Philanthropy!

They say, ‘April showers bring May flowers!’ Well, flowers will be in abundance during this month which is marked by holidays and celebrations starting with Cinco de Mayo and ending with Memorial Day. From Mother's Day bouquets to wreaths laid in honor of the American lives lost in war, May is a month to say thank you to those who sacrifice for us every day. 

These monthly e-newsletters are designed to provide a snapshot of American philanthropy; highlighting events, acknowledging important dates, and profiling individuals, organizations and others making a difference.

Remembering the Defenders of our Freedom

In 1971 when the last Monday in May was designated Memorial Day in remembrance of those lost in service to our nation, Congress probably would not have predicted that its true meaning would become obscured by a 3-day weekend kicking off summer celebrations. Notable exceptions include the placement of American flags at every grave at Arlington National Cemetery, for example, and the parades and services in hundreds of cities across the country. Just as the National Moment of Remembrance designated in 2000 is a deliberate effort to remind Americans of the purpose of Memorial Day, we wanted to highlight organizations that are working to positively impact the lives of American servicemen and women and their families. We hope you’ll be able to find a way to commemorate the real sacrifice of those who served our country that has significance to you…and to them. 

USO – until every one comes home: www.uso.org/

Tragedy Assistance Program for Providers – caring for the families of the fallen: www.taps.org  

Homes for Our Troops - helping those who have returned home with serious disabilities and injuries: www.homesforourtroops.org

Operation Homefront - provides emergency financial and other assistance to the families of our service members and wounded warriors: www.operationhomefront.net

Fisher House Foundation - Providing a "home away from home" for military families to be close to a loved one during hospitalization for an illness, disease or injury: www.fisherhouse.org

You can share other examples of nonprofit projects that honor those who have served our country on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/voicesforphilanthropy throughout the month of May.

Honoring Mothers

Voices for Philanthropy would like to kick off a month honoring the power of mothers everywhere by highlighting Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

Founded in 1980, MADD’s mission is, “…to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking.” The organization has worked tirelessly to support victims of drunk driving tragedies and on legislation to prevent those tragedies from ever occurring. Legislation supported by MADD around the country includes policies that seek to thwart drunk driving at every level – from requiring ignition interlocks on cars of convicted DUI offenders, to increased accountability for adults providing alcohol to minors, to mandatory treatment for DWI and DUI offenders to help prevent future drunk driving offenses. MADD emphasizes, however, that is isn’t just mothers who are needed to get involved to prevent senseless tragedy brought about by driving while intoxicated. Learn how you can get involved or find a state office near you at: www.madd.org

As a tribute to mothers and motherhood Voices for Philanthropy encourages you to visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/voicesforphilanthropy to share with us your stories of philanthropic endeavors founded/run by mothers or in honor and support of motherhood. The opportunity to highlight a range of diverse causes with motherhood in common is one we couldn’t pass up and we look forward to reading and sharing your stories throughout May.

Cinco de Mayo

The 5th of May has long been set aside as a celebration of Mexican history and culture – but what about philanthropic endeavors? A fascinating 2009 study supported in part by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation along with the Ford Foundation, Inter-American Foundation and the Global Fund for Community Foundations found that against the backdrop of a complex tax system and cultural norms that look to government and the church to take care of societal needs the numbers of community foundations were growing. Here is one example - the Fundación Comunitaria de la Frontera Norte (FCFNAC) is a nonprofit, grant-making foundation in Juárez, México, that, “regard[s] dignity, identity and independence of each member of the community as guidance principles for social development.” Learn more: http://www.fcfronteranorte.org/index_en.php

Voices for Philanthropy Profile

Michael Holthouse and Lemonade Day 2011

For providing life lessons in initiative and entrepreneurship to children (and adults!), Voices for Philanthropy recognizes Michael Holthouse and Lemonade Day, a stellar example of creativity and philanthropic spirit.

Michael Holthouse is working to revitalize America, one lemonade stand at a time. On Sunday May 1, 2011, 65,000 of Houston’s children opened their own lemonade stands for Lemonade Day, an exciting national program that teaches kids about starting and running their own businesses. The lemonade peddlers represent a diverse group of youngsters from across Houston. Each put a personal imprint on a simple business model. The kids representing Boys & Girls Clubs wore homemade yellow ties and tall lemon hats. Another young lady dressed in a tie-dyed "peace, love, lemon!" shirt to match her tie-dyed stand. She was recognized for not just her style but commitment to the program which inspired her to teach other visually-impaired children how to start their own lemonade stands.

Lemonade Day is the brainchild of Holthouse, a computer network entrepreneur and founder of the Holthouse Foundation for Kids. He envisions one million lemonade stands across America on a single day. The children learn about creating a business plan, raising capital, hiring employees, securing supplies, and marketing their products. They keep their profits but are encouraged to donate a portion to charity. In 2009, those who participated gave a staggering $500,000 to the charities of their choice. One group purchased a generator for a village in Africa.

Holthouse is well on his way to his goal of a million lemonade stands. Last year, 150,000 children in 14 cities nationwide took part and in Houston alone, the budding entrepreneurs generated $5 million in revenues. This year Lemonade Day will take place in 31 cities across the United States and an additional 14 cities are launching pilot programs. In Houston –where this year’s Lemonade Day kicks off– participation beat estimates by some 15,000 children with the final tally of revenue still to come in.

To find out when Lemonade Day will be held in your city visit: http://www.lemonadeday.org/home

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