Alan's Charitable Links

This page contains links that have nothing to do with books or writing, publishing or entertainment. It has to do with human decency, with doing for others who are less fortunate. It's fast, it's easy, and it's free. Here's what to do:

When you click on the colored icons below, you will be taken to that organization's corresponding website. Once there, click on the same colored icon and your donation will be recorded! There is NO COST to you. By special arrangement, corporate sponsors donate money to pay for a mammogram, for food, etc. The number of daily clicks on these icons determine how much the sponsors donate. To begin, click on the icons below. It takes only ten seconds of your time.
                                         

	The Breast Cancer Site Clicking on the icon to the left helps The Breast Cancer Site donate at least one free mammogram a day to an underprivileged woman. Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women ages 40-55. Early detection is the key to survival, yet 13 million women in the U.S. over 40 have never had a mammogram. Many of them cannot afford it. Corporate sponsors use the number of daily clicks on this icon to donate a mammogram in exchange for advertising. Click the link once a day! There's no cost to you.
	The Hunger Site Clicking the icon donates free food. Since June 1999, more that 101 million visitors have given more than 198 million cups of staple food. This food is paid for by site sponsors and is distributed to those in need by Mercy Corps and America's Second Harvest. Funds are split between these organizations and go to the aid of hungry people in over 74 countries, including those in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and North America. Click the link once a day! There's no cost to you.
	The Rainforest Site Clicking on the icon to the left saves parcels of rainforest. In just its first year of operation, The Rainforest Site generated funds to purchase and preserve over 5,650 acres of endangered land. Land preservation from funds raised at The Rainforest Site is paid for by site sponsors and carried out by The Nature Conservancy, The Rainforest Conservation Fund, The World Parks Endowment and The Friends of Calakmul. Rainforest land is preserved in Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Paraguay and other locations worldwide. Click this icon once a day! There's no cost to you. Thanks! Together, we can make a difference.

The following charities do require a donation of some sort—but please read about them. They could use your help. Even a small donation goes a long way:

This award-winning program is a favorite of mine for many reasons, not the least of which is that it helps first responders take care of their families before tragedy strikes. Think about that next time a firefighter runs into a burning building, a cop enters a dark alley with his or her gun drawn, or a paramedic rushes across busy avenues to deliver a dying patient to the ER. These people risk their lives for their community; the least we can do is help make sure their financial affairs are in order so that their dependents are properly cared for. (The second reason Wills for Heroes is special to me is because the foundation was started by my brother, Jeffrey Jacobson, and his law school friend, Anthony, after the 9/11 tragedy. Specifically, Wills for Heroes programs provide essential legal documents free of charge to our nation’s first responders, including wills, living wills, and powers of attorney. By helping first responders plan now, they ensure their family's legal affairs are in order before a tragedy hits. Click here to learn more about this wonderful program.

Reach Out and ReadThis charity may not be a "freebie," but it pays significant dividends: it promotes literacy. In short, Reach Out and Read is a program that builds on the special relationship between doctors and the parents of young children to support children's language and literacy development. At well-child pediatrician visits, from 6 months to 5 years of age, doctors and nurses provide information about the importance of reading aloud and give new, developmentally appropriate books to the children to take home. In the waiting room, volunteers read to children, modeling techniques for parents. During the past 14 years, Reach Out and Read has helped millions of children...with a special emphasis on children growing up in poverty. Reach Out and Read reinforces the parent's role as the first and most important teacher, and gives parents the tools and techniques to help their children succeed. Click here to learn more about this wonderful program.

Heavenly Hats Can a 10-year old child make a difference? You bet. Anthony Leanna started the Heavenly Hats program three years ago, when he was 10. Today, it's a huge success. The program provides brand new hats for patients who lose their hair due to a disease or the treatment of a disease. By supplying hats to individuals and hospitals, Heavenly Hats helps the patients feel better about themselves, giving them the extra courage to win their fight. Hair loss during the battle of a disease can be depressing and at times humiliating. The hat is just a small symbol of hope and love—but Anthony's goal is to "brighten the patient's day so that they can look to the future with a smile." To date, Heavenly Hats has donated over 30,000 new hats to 125 hospitals and clinics around the United States and two other countries. We can all learn from this philanthropic young man. Click here to discover how you can help Anthony make a difference.