Montreal, Canada – Bell announced on August 21 it will be presenting the largest-ever fundraising event for mental health in Québec. Bal des Lumières, to be held March 20, 2013, at the Bell Centre in Montréal will raise funds for the Fondation de l’Hôpital Louis-H. Lafontaine, the Mental Illness Foundation, and the Douglas Mental Health University Institute Foundation.

“Bal des Lumières will set a new standard for mental health fundraising in Montréal and Québec,” said George Cope, President and CEO of BCE and Bell, and Chair of the event. “I’m very pleased to be joined by some of Québec’s most distinguished business leaders in building on the progress of the Bell Let’s Talk initiative and the fight against the stigma of mental illness.”

Joining Mr. Cope as co-chairs of Bal des Lumières are Serge Godin, Founder and Executive Chairman of the Board, CGI; Geoff Molson, Owner, President and Chief Executive Officer, Club de hockey Canadien, Bell Centre & evenko; and Louis Vachon, President and CEO, National Bank. These leaders of Québec industry and culture have joined to shine a spotlight on mental health and raise funds for three of Montréal’s most important mental health organizations.

“The last two years have seen major progress in highlighting mental health while breaking the stigma of mental illness,” said Mr. Godin. “Collectively we are committing to making the next leap in converting awareness of mental illness – which after all affects 1 in 5 of us – into much needed funding for these three leading organizations in Québec mental health.”

Bal des Lumières is the first external charitable gala to be held at the Bell Centre in over five years. Some 700 guests will enjoy an evening of exquisite dining and inspiring entertainment in this unique venue.

“We are very happy to make the Bell Centre available for Bal des Lumières, working together as a team to inspire hope and support the incredible work of Louis-H. Lafontaine, the Douglas and the Mental Illness Foundation,” said Mr. Molson. “This issue touches us all and there can be no better expression of the commitment of our four companies to dedication and commitment of those on the front lines of mental health care here in Québec.”

“National Bank is proud to join with Bell, CGI and the Canadiens to not only raise awareness of mental health but raise funds for those at the forefront of research and care in Québec,” said Mr. Vachon. “With mental health issues the leading cause of workplace disability, costing our economy $51 billion every year, I look forward to seeing every business leader in Québec on March 20.”

The Bell Let’s Talk mental health initiative is a $50-million charitable program based on 4 action pillars: Anti-stigma, care and access, research, and workplace best practices. To learn more about Bell Let’s Talk, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.

Bell is honoured to be named the recipient of the 2012 Freeman Philanthropic Services Award for Outstanding Corporation for the Bell Let’s Talk mental health initiative. The prestigious international award by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) was presented to Bell in March in Vancouver.

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London, U.K. — He may have finished 10th in the men’s 5000m at the London Summer Games Saturday night but former Sudan Lost Boy Lopez Lomong remains committed to helping children. Lomong, who led near the end of the race, is tentatively planning a trip early next year to Kenya and South Sudan to help children living in poverty.

The trip is part of a long-term partnership between 4South Sudan, Lomong’s non-profit, and Team World Vision, a program sponsored by international Christian humanitarian organization World Vision. Lomong’s group is hoping to raise $500,000 to provide impoverished people with access to clean water, health care, education and nutrition.

According to the latest estimates from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), there are more than 660,000 displaced South Sudanese as fighting rages with Sudan. Malaria and diarrhea run rampant in the overcrowded refugee camps. Nearly three children die of preventable illnesses in the camps every day.

At the age of six, Lopez was kidnapped from his Southern Sudan village and held captive as he was prepped to be a child soldier. Too small to undergo training, his fate would most likely have been starvation. But after three weeks, he managed to escape with the help of three other captives. After running three days and nights, they were captured by Kenyan troops and brought to a refugee camp where Lopez lived for 10 years.

He was sponsored by a U.S. family and brought to America, where he soon discovered he was the fastest kid in school. At track meets he then discovered he was the fastest in the state. Soon he would become one of the fastest in the nation. In 2008, Lomong qualified for the Beijing Olympics in the men’s 1500m. He was voted by his teammates as the flag bearer in the Opening Ceremonies.

World Vision’s child sponsorship programs establish sustainable, long-lasting programs in the world’s most impoverished regions. A $35/month commitment helps provide clean water, improve agricultural conditions and provides educational opportunities for children and their communities. World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicate to working with children, families and their communities worldwide by tacking the causes of poverty and injustice.

Image Courtesy of  Sudan Envoy (Two Children) [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

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Michigan, U.S.A. — Chrysler Group LLC and United Way for Southeastern Michigan (UWSEM) are teaming up to fight against the epidemic of childhood hunger that has plagued the region in recent years. Chrysler Group is calling its more than 57,000 employees to tap their energy and the company’s spirit of volunteerism to help the hungry and to spread understanding and utilization of UWSEM’s programs.

“We are in a unique position – as a company that has been to hell and back – to provide a beacon of hope,” said Sergio Marchionne, Chrysler Group Chairman and CEO. “We can choose to make a positive difference in the world. It’s time for us to help generate a turning point within our community for people in need.”

Marchionne is serving as this year’s UWSEM campaign chair. In this role, his primary responsibility is to promote growth, fundraising and educational efforts for the campaign throughout the community. Ending child hunger is one of the biggest areas of concern for UWSEM. The organization’s Michigan No Kid Hungry program provides free meals to children in need throughout the summer and school year across Southeastern Michigan.

Chrysler is rallying its employees to pledge to do their part to end childhood hunger by increasing awareness about the United Way’s Summer Meals Programs, volunteering in food-related community service activities and by gathering food donations at the company’s Southeastern Michigan facilities. To sign the pledge and get involved, employees and the public can go to the United Way web site (http://www.liveunitedsem.org/ChryslerPledges).

To enable and encourage these types of activities, Chrysler recently announced a new corporate policy that allows employees to use up to 18 hours per year of their normal working hours to take part in company-sponsored charitable or public-service activities.

“Building awareness of the United Way’s school and summer food programs is the key to reducing child hunger,” said Michael Brennan, President and CEO of United Way for Southeastern Michigan. “The most basic need for all people is food and nutrition. As more families are faced with dwindling resources, they often do not have enough money to purchase the food they need and are unaware that assistance is as easy as dialing 2-1-1. That’s why it is important for major corporations such as Chrysler to use their energy and resources to spread the message.”

In 2011, through the generosity of Chrysler Group employee pledges, including UAW and CAW represented employees, more than $4.6 million was donated to United Way campaigns in the U.S. and in Canada. In addition, during the year hundreds of Chrysler Group employees volunteered thousands of hours to support United Way agencies and activities – from Pontiac to Detroit, Warren, Fraser and more communities in the state where their time and resources were needed to help others.

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Toronto, Canada- On Monday, June 18th, the Children’s Aid Foundation hosted the 12th Annual Women’s Golf Classic at the prestigious Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ontario.  Funds raised at this popular boutique event benefit the Children’s Aid Foundation and help offer hope and opportunity to thousands of Canadian children and youth who are at risk of poverty, abuse or neglect. This year’s event raised over $215,000, bringing the total since the inception of the event to over $2.7 million.

Presented by Rogers Communications, the Women’s Golf Classic brings together many of Canada’s most prominent women executives and entrepreneurs to network, entertain clients and socialize with colleagues while enjoying a day of luxury on the links, including a golf clinic by Canadian golf legend, Sandra Post.

“The Children’s Aid Foundation plays a leading role in bridging the gap between what government provides and what vulnerable children and youth need to heal from their turbulent past and grow into healthy adults,” said Len Gamache, President of the Children’s Aid Foundation. “The stellar record of fundraising success enjoyed by our Women’s Golf Classic is a testament to the commitment of our participants and the generosity of our sponsors.”

“As proud presenting sponsor for the ninth year running, Rogers is honoured to support the mandate of the Children’s Aid Foundation,” said Shannon Valliant, Vice-President, Financial Operations, Rogers Media Inc. “On behalf of the entire Rogers organization, we are delighted at the great success of this year’s Women’s Golf Classic and look forward to many more years in partnership with the Children’s Aid Foundation.”

One in every 25 children in Canada are at risk and need our help. Many suffer in poverty, while others have been victims of abuse and neglect. A staggering 76,000 of them live in foster homes or a residential facility. The mission of the Children’s Aid Foundation is to fund programs that give them skills and hope for a promising future.

Image Courtesy of  Mai Techaphan / Shutterstock.com

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Salvation Army raised $147.6 million through the 2011 Red Kettle Campaign, marking a new fundraising record. The new record, a 3.4 percent increase from 2010, highlights the support of American donors who gave generously despite a continued slow economy.

In its 120th year, after beginning on the wharf in San Francisco in 1891, the Red Kettle Campaign has become a Christmas tradition that utilizes volunteers to ring bells at 25,000 red kettles nationwide. In 2011, The Salvation Army expanded on the Campaign by incorporating new technologies at kettles and hosting national events to inspire giving.

“In troubling times, we are truly grateful for the generosity of the American donor to support the traditions of the campaign and help The Salvation Army carry on its Mission,” said Commissioner William Roberts , National Commander of The Salvation Army. “We have been working to expand the Red Kettle Campaign to reach new and young donors, and with continued support, we are able to meet human need in His name during the winter months and year round.”

In keeping with tradition, the Dallas Cowboys helped The Salvation Army launch the campaign by hosting the 15th annual National Red Kettle Campaign Kickoff at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Grammy Award winning, international superstar Enrique Iglesias performed LIVE, with special guest Pitbull, on a nationally televised stage on Thanksgiving Day, singing to more than 31 million Americans.

The Salvation Army, in partnership with Sky Blue Group, Swift Entertainment and Universal Studios CityWalk, also hosted the second annual “Rock the Red Kettle Concert” on December 17 to encourage young Americans to support charitable causes.

With host Mario Lopez of “Extra,” popular, Grammy-winning and platinum-selling recording artists such as Honor Society, Greyson Chance, Hanson, Colbie Caillat, Cody Simpson, and Drake Bell performed at Universal Studios CityWalk’s state-of-the-art “5 Towers” concert venue in Hollywood.

World-renowned actor and recording artist Robert Davi made a guest appearance at the concert, following the release of his re-imagined version of the Christmas classic, “Mistletoe and Holly.” Proceeds from the song’s sales supported the Red Kettle Campaign.

Salvation Army bell-ringers manned red kettles at store fronts and in shopping malls nationwide. Corporate partners who helped the Army set a new fundraising record include:

• Walmart - $41.5 million raised
• Kroger - $13.1 million raised
• Sam’s Club - $5 million raised
• jcpenney - $3 million raised
• Big Lots - $1.4 million raised

The Walmart Foundation made a donation of $1 million to the Army as part of its effort to support hunger relief in America. Sam’s Club and The Salvation Army also partnered with Off the Field, a professional football players’ wives association, to host the fifth annual Dream Drive on December 8. Twenty pre-selected families from The Salvation Army Adopt-A-Family program in 10 cities received $1,000 in gifts from Sam’s Club for a total donation of $200,000.

The Salvation Army partnered with jcpenney for the third year to bring Christmas gifts to 63,000 children and seniors as part of the Angel Giving Tree Online at jcp.com/angel. Customers could adopt, shop and ship gifts for people in need through jcp.com.

Square, which donated credit card readers for The Salvation Army to use in test markets - San Francisco, Chicago, Dallas and New York, helped make giving easier for donors. Sprint also donated smartphone devices to The Salvation Army to mobilize the credit card application.

To raise awareness during the campaign, The Salvation Army also hosted the inaugural World Record Bell Ringing Contest. Twenty-four bell ringers set out to surpass a benchmark of 36 hours of continuous ringing of a hand bell. Three bell ringers, Caleb Stokes and Leilan McNally in Indianapolis, IN and Darrell Tureskisin Springfield, IL surpassed the record and rang a bell in support for 60 hours straight.

dashingstock / Shutterstock.com

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Blue Ivy Carter was born among the lavish extravagance that could only be the product of the second richest celebrity couple in the world, parents Beyonce Knowles and Jay-Z (Shawn) Carter. Her arrival in Lennox Hill Hospital was enshrouded by partitions and restrictions in the neonatal unit.

There were covered maternity windows, and the security cameras were reportedly taped over. Some parents who were present on that same night are angry, because they were restricted access from their newborn babies as a result of the extra security measures. A man was separated from his wife and daughter for three hours, for reasons unknown to them.

Even the State Health Department was interested in the accounts of disruption to all of the other hospital patients. The spokeswoman for Lennox Hill, Ann Silverman, said the hospital received “no formal complaint” about security measures. She stated that, “The security plan was designed not to limit access to patient care areas.”

According to accounts, one guard went to far as to tell concerned parents that the extra security in the maternity ward was due to hazardous materials. The special treatment given to Blue Ivy was not singular to her parents, nor to Lennox Hill Hospital. Rather, executive suites are popping up all over the country, in cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Baltimore, among others.

The services that accompany these accommodations can include gourmet food, butlers, and in the case of Blue and parents, four flat screens in the delivery room. According to the New York Times, health care specialists say this is part of an international competition for wealthy patients, who have no problem with shelling out the money for these services. The idea in part of the hospitals is that this money will trickle down through the system an benefit the ‘regular’ patients.

As we witness the amount of growing amenities for those who are able to pay for them, the government is scaling back hospital reimbursement, in an attempt to streamline the health care system, and make it more equal, as well as affordable.

The same hospitals with special accommodations have crowded emergency rooms filled with long wait times and uncertainty. According to the Times, many New York hospital rooms are still at double occupancy, even as single occupancy is becoming the national standard. The extra space is optimal for infection control, as well as for quicker recovery time. The higher standard, though, appears to be reserved for those who can afford to pay for it.

Wealth can also serve as a target for fund-raising within a hospital. In a presentation posted online, titled “Grateful Patient Basics,” by a company called Blackbaud, fundraisers are urged to send hospital admissions lists to the development center in order to determine a patient’s wealth.

They are urged to do so shortly within admission to the hospital, preferably within hours. Hospitals are encouraged to make haste with a potential donor in their midst, with more visits from hospital staff, as well as special efforts to make the patient as comfortable as possible.

This would indicate that for those who are uninterested in becoming donors, wealth can also be a crutch in the healthcare industry. Although they may be made to feel more welcome during the hospital stay, it is not out of a gesture of selfless kindness. They too are placed in a position of disadvantage, albeit a different one, as someone who has to wait for hours before they are even called to triage, uncertain when they too will feel some measure of relief.

There is an unquestionable gap in the way patients are treated in hospitals. Those who can, pay for hotel accommodations in an institution where space is limited and precious. Their money is welcome, as is the possibility of future donations.

All others must languish in the emergency room, until a space is made in a double-occupancy hospital room.

Dylan Armajani / Shutterstock.com

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The Detroit Pistons have announced a unique community program called “Come Together” aimed at celebrating community champions from cities across the State of Michigan.

Working with local political, business and community leaders from cities throughout the state, each municipality is eligible to receive up to 100 tickets to a Detroit Pistons home game for the purpose of recognizing individuals and groups for outstanding achievement, service to the community and leadership through volunteerism.

“The ‘Come Together’ program is a new platform that we are eager to share with our fans and community difference makers both locally and throughout the state,” said Dennis Mannion, President of Palace Sports & Entertainment and the Detroit Pistons.

“Tom Gores has made no secret about his desire to make an impact on the lives of people in Michigan by using the Detroit Pistons and Palace Sports & Entertainment as a community asset.  This program allows us to recognize, entertain and say thank you to individuals making a difference in their communities.”

Throughout the season-long program, city groups and participants will be acknowledged in-arena at each game and video features highlighting the participating towns will be shown on Palacevision.  Individuals in attendance will receive a parking, merchandise and food and beverage package for the game along with a certificate from Tom Gores thanking them for their participation.

Cities and groups can also use their game as a fundraising opportunity by purchasing additional tickets at a discounted rate with $5.00 from each ticket purchased going back to a community initiative of their choice.

Community groups and civic leaders from more than 15 municipalities including Allen Park, Attica,Commerce, Fenton, Fort Gratiot, Laingsburg, New Lothrop, Rives Junction, Saint Clair, Sylvan Lake,Romeo, Montrose and Hamtramck will be in attendance beginning Wednesday, January 25 when the Pistons host the Miami HEAT at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

Image Courtesy of   https://www.facebook.com/detroitpistons

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Hospice of the Western Reserve is kicking off a program to recognize “Hospice Heroes,” a community of individuals, families, and school, church or service groups across Northern Ohio who host fundraising activities that help the non-profit agency provide care to all who need it, regardless of their ability to pay.

Last year, the hospice covered unreimbursed expenses and charity care valued at nearly $5 million in the Northern Ohio region. According to Bill Sluzewski, development officer, fundraising events range from simple activities like selling candy bars, to larger events, like craft shows, benefit concerts and golf outings. “The organizers are often family members or friends of a patient who had been in our care,” he explained.

“Whether it’s a one-time activity or an annual event, it’s a legacy of love that honors their loved one and keeps their memory alive by giving back to other patients and families.” Such is the case for “Misty’s Wish,” created in 2010 by Sherri Viccarone, a resident of Cleveland’s West Park neighborhood, in loving memory of Misty, her teenaged daughter.

Misty, who was diagnosed with a fatal brain tumor, was cared for by Hospice of the Western Reserve during the final stage of her life.  The non-profit agency serving Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain and Summit Counties, offers one of the few pediatric hospice and palliative programs in the country.

Hospice helped with Misty’s medical supplies, medicine, physical and psychological therapies, and also supported Sherri and the extended family by guiding them the complex healthcare maze and providing emotional and spiritual support throughout the illness.  They also gave Misty an unexpected gift.

One day, a hospice team member asked Misty if there was one wish she would like to have granted before she died. Her response was a surprise to everyone: “I want my Dad to adopt me.” (Her stepfather was the only father she had known as she was growing up.) Within just ten days, Hospice of the Western Reserve’s legal team worked with a Cleveland judge to grant Misty’s wish to be legally adopted.

When Misty died, her mother, Sherri, was determined to tell her story to help other families coping with their children’s terminal illnesses, and to keep her daughter’s memory alive.  She started out by organizing an event called the “Misty Viccarone Christmas Memorium,” which involved collecting teddy bears and donating them to the Cleveland Clinic’s Oncology Department for children undergoing cancer treatment.

In 2010, Mrs. Viccarone and a dedicated group of volunteers expanded upon initial efforts by hosting a commemorative fundraiser with bowling, raffles and prizes. They called the event “Misty’s Wish,” a reference to the final wish Hospice of the Western Reserve helped to fulfill.

The event raised more than$5,000 for the non-profit agency’s pediatric palliative care patients. It was so successful that the group decided to make it an annual event.  Last year’s event, held at Yorktown Lanes in Parma Hts., generated an incredible $8,600. Mrs. Viccarone acknowledges that having a child diagnosed with a terminal illness is something no parent can ever anticipate or be equipped to deal with emotionally or psychologically.

However, she is determined to create something positive from the tragic circumstances.  An important part of her mission is helping other parents and caregivers by expanding awareness of pediatric palliative care.

“When I first tell people about the mission of Misty’s Wish, they’re sometimes shocked and surprised,” she said. “There’s a misconception that hospice care is only for the elderly.  In fact, a co-worker who even knew Misty had died of a brain tumor asked me why there was a need for a pediatric hospice team.

My answer was simple: `Because children die.’” Misty died on July 27, 1996, but thanks to the love and dedication of her family and friends, her memory lives on to help others through Misty’s Wish.

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