Generate Hope

Generate Hope, an incredible organization which provides long-term recovery programs for  sexually exploited and trafficked women and youth ages 13 to 30. They provide safe housing, a learning center, job training and education. Generation Hope needs laundry soap, dryer sheets, non-perishable foods, gently used or new clothing and shoes and bus passes. If you can help with any of these needs, PLEASE contact info@generatehope.org

Outdoor Education and Food Tasting Foundation Event

On April 2 from 10am to 1:30pm in Amici Park near the Little Italy Farmer's Market, your family can join chefs, local farmers and musicians who are supporting the Sustainable Feast outdoor fundraiser. There will be kid-friendly cooking demos, farming locals like Suzie’s Farm and Tierra Miguel, and food from restaurants like The Marine Room, Stingaree and Bencotto.  While the festival area is free, food tastings are $35. Call (619) 272-2882 or go to oefoundation.org/events for more information.

BRAVO San Diego Inc

Bravo San Diego provides for a variety of performing arts performances and also raises funds for the San Diego Performing Arts Fund. To help support theater and performing arts, call (619) 557-3779 or email BravoSD@aol.com for more information.

Blessings Unleashed

Blessings Unleashed provides service dogs and companion dogs for children with autism, in order to improve their communication skills and quality of life. If you're going to shop online at stores like Target.com or Amazon.com, why not let Good Search make a donation for you when you purchase your items? It's free to you and a great way to support Blessings Unleashed. Follow the instructions under "Good Search" and start shopping! http://www.blessingsunleashed.org/index.php?page=donate

San Diego House Rabbit Society

The San Diego chapter of the House Rabbit Society teaches the community about responsible rabbit adoption and care. They will have a rabbit adoption event on April 3rd from 1-4 but applicants must be screened in advance, so go to http://sandiegorabbits.org/aboutus/events.html if you are considering adopting a bunny.

Challenged Athletes Foundation

The Challenged Athletes Foundation, which was founded in San Diego and is branching to other states, gives people with physical disabilities the opportunity to live an active lifestyle through involvement in sports. For information on volunteering, events and fundraising, head to http://www.challengedathletes.org/site/c.4nJHJQPqEiKUE/b.6449073/k.8940/Get_Involved.htm

Youth Run 4 Japan

Tomorrow, Saturday March 26th in Santa Monica, actor Josh Duhamel, along with many others will be joining together for a 2-mile run along the beach. The entry fee of $10 will go towards relief efforts in Japan. For all the details, go to http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=197528943611030

Pancakes in the Park!

Hey South Bay residents! Come join us at Pancakes in the Park -Saturday March 26th, 2011 from 8am to 4pm at Eucalyptus Park (4th Avenue and C Street) in Chula Vista. The event will benefit Post 434 Americanism Youth Programs such as annual scholarships and Boy Scouts. In addition to pancakes there will be face painting, balloons, crafts and other activities for kids. For more information, go to the facebook event page at http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=134096533326563

Support Japain with Project Crane

Here's a great opportunity to show your compassion to the victims of the recent disaster in Japan. It doesn't take a lot of money, but it does take HEART! Project Crane, based out of Oceanside, is collecting paper origami cranes NOW to send to Japan. For all the instructions, go to the project's facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Project-Crane/118211174923049?sk=info

Training Education Research Institute

Training Education Research Institute (TERI) is an organization that believes people with autism and other learning disabilities should be able to lead meaningful, fulfilling lives. TERI provides a variety of services including fitness and health activities, a learning academy and family support services. For an overview of ways to give, including how buying gift certificates to your favorite stores and restaurants can help TERI, go to http://teriinc.org/ways-tobrgive/annual-fund.html

Get Pumped

Get Pumped provides priceless breast milk to babies who cannot be breastfed for one reason or another and typically who have medical problems. Since breast milk contains antibodies and enzymes that formula lacks, Get Pumped gives these babies the milk they need to heal. Get Pumped is seeking pumping supplies such as milk storage bags or brand new pumps and will also accept monetary donations at http://getpumpedonline.org/Donate.html

Kellogg's Share Your Breakfast Program

Did you know that 1 in 4 children live in homes where food isn't always available? Here's an easy way to help. Now through July 31, 2011 Kellogg's Share Your Breakfast program will be in full swing - and you can help Kellogg's donate money for school breakfasts to Action for Healthy Kids, a non-profit that helps combat undernourishment among children. Simply upload a photo of your breakfast at www.shareyourbreakfast.com, text your photo with the word "share" to 21534 or tweet about your Share Your Breakfast at @shareURbreakfast. The more you share, the more money Kellogg's will donate!

New Alternatives, Inc.

There are over 78,000 children are currently in the foster care system in California. New Alternatives, Inc. is looking for loving families to become foster families. Even grandparents, aunts and uncles who cannot be full-time caregivers can help foster kids by spending a weekend each month to have fun together. Contact New Alternatives if you have the heart to donate your time or make a monetary donation. http://www.newalternatives.org/contact.php

KAIROS- cookies and letters for the Rock Prison Ministry

The Prison Ministry at the Rock Church is doing a VERY special event next week which will touch the lives of prisoners in San Diego. They need your help ASAP. It's as easy as baking cookies and writing letters, or whichever you can do!

Check out this quick video with all the instructions you need to help out!

http://www.facebook.com/#!/video/video.php?v=789152864417&oid=313633375650&comments

You can drop off cookies/letters this Sunday at any one of the service times at the Rock Church (2277 Rosecrans St. San Diego, CA 92106). Services are at 8am, 10am, 12pm, 5pm and 7pm.

Ripple Life Cigarette Butt Clean-Up

Tired of seeing cigarette butts outside on the streets? Ripple Life is having a cigarette butt clean-up on March 19th from 12-4pm. There will be a stand set up at the end of Thomas Avenue in Pacific Beach to receive all of your "butts" :) They will be weighed and you can donate $3 per pound BRV (Butt Redemption Value) to your choice of one of 20 causes. For more information, go to http://ripplelife.org/

ICouldBe.Org

ICouldBe.org helps students meet their educational and career needs by connecting them with adult mentors of all sorts of professions. No matter what your experience is, YOU could help an at-risk youth and encourage them to stay in school and focus on their career goals. Did you know that online, or e-mentoring can provide just as much support as face-to-face mentoring? Right now, ICouldBe.org is having a mentor recruitment drive. To learn more about becoming an e-mentor, go to http://www.icouldbe.org/standard/public/gi_become_mentor.asp

Ex 4 Vets Aerob-A-Thon and Fitness Expo Fundraiser!

Mark your calendars for Saturday April 9th! From 7:30 to 10:30 am, Embrace: Unity for Activity and Never Knew a Father's Love, a ministry of the Rock Church, are teaming up for Ex 4 Vets -  "exercising to support our Veterans". The fundraiser event will feature aerobics on the flight deck of the USS Midway (910 North Harbor Drive, San Diego) with renown fitness training Cindy Whitmarsh along with awards and a fitness expo on Tuna Harbor. UFC Heavyweight Travis 'Hapa' Browne will be at the event as will vendors and sponsors like Clif Bar and Sushi on a Roll. A whole morning of fun, health and good! To register, go to http://www.ex4vets.org/register.html

Promises2Kids

Promises2Kids was originally founded as the Child Abuse Prevention Foundation. Since 1981, Promises2Kids has been fighting child abuse and child neglect throughout San Diego County. Thus far, the organization has distributed $21 million for the prevention and care of neglected and abused children and has also provided various services to over 160,000 children including those in the foster care system. For Promises2Kids, the biggest way that you can help out is by donating. Tax-deductible donations can be made online at http://promises2kids.org/donate

ALS Association

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also called Lou Gehrig's disease, is a neurodegenerative disease that affects the motor neurons and thus, the ability to coordinate muscular movements. Many people with ALS have weakness in their limbs as well as difficulty speaking, swallowing and walking. According to the ALS Association, the average life expectancy of an ALS patient ranges about 2 to 5 years from the time of diagnosis. There is currently no cure for ALS and further research needs to be done to help improve the quality of life for patients. Volunteer applications and donations can be submitted online at http://web.alsa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=GSD_you_can_help

Trauma Intervention Services

Trauma Intervention Programs (TIPS), based out of Carlsbad, has been serving San Diego county as a non-profit organization which responds to 911 calls, since 1985. When a trauma occurs such as a fire, an unexpected death or a burglary, police and fire-fighters respond as quickly as possible, but with so many necessary tasks, the emotional needs of the victims and their loved ones can sometimes be neglected. TIPS ensures that people who are emotionally traumatized get the proper care that they need in order to heal and recover. For information about volunteering including requirements and necessary forms, visit http://www.tipsandiego.org/Volunteers_forms.aspx

National Autoimmune Diseases Awareness Month

March is National Autoimmune Diseases Awareness Month. Autoimmune diseases, such as Celiac disease, Lupus and Hashimoto's, involve the immune system attacking the body instead of protecting it. One way to help those with Autoimmune Diseases is by texting A-A-R-D-A to 2022 to donate $5 to the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association.  

San Diego Canyonlands

San Diego Canyonlands helps protect and restore San Diego's natural habitats, especially canyons and creeks. Education is an integral part of San Diego Canyonlands. On Saturday, February 26th, from 2:30 to 4:34pm, San Diego Canyonlands will be planting native plants and picking up trash and your help is needed. Meet at 6800 Easton Ct in San Diego, or contact the park ranger at (619) 235-5262 for more details.

Mind Treasures

Mind Treasures is a non-profit organization that seeks to increase financial literacy in both children and adults in San Diego. The goal is not only to bring prosperity and self-sufficiency to individuals but to develop their character at the same time. Check out some of the upcoming classes that Mind Treasures will be hosting in San Diego for both children and adults: http://mindtreasures.com/jacobssd.php

City Heights Community Development

The City Heights Community Development Corporation works to improve the quality of life for those that live in City Heights by providing affordable housing, safe neighborhoods and leading people to economic self-sufficiency. If you live in City Heights and benefit from some of the services that the Community Development Corporation provides, considering volunteering. Simply email the CDC with the headline "volunteer" for more information. http://cityheightscdc.org/contact-information.php

Cell Phones for Soldiers

Cell Phones for Soldiers provides cell phones to deployed service men and women so that they can call home. Do you have an old cell phone laying around the house? Haven't quite figured out what to do with it since you got your new phone? You can download a free, postage-paid label and donate that cell phone to help the troops: http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com/shippingLabel_generic.html

It's the Pits Tour of Hope - REGISTER TODAY!

I usually post once a day, but I wanted to post the information on this really cool event NOW because TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO REGISTER! (and I just found out about it! :) ) Tomorrow, Sunday,  March 6th, 1pm to 5pm It's the Pits rescue center will host a Tour of Hope event. The event will be held at the Bernardo Winery in Uncle Vito's Park, 13330 Paseo del Verano Norte and includes a wine tour and tasting, delicious food and auctions. Funds raised will go to helping dogs at the It's the Pits rescue center who've been saved from euthanasia and have medical problems. Register online today at http://itsthepits.org/

San Diego Humane Society Telethon

      The San Diego Humane Society not only shelters and gets animals adopted but also provides obedience training classes for the public and helps investigate animal cruelty. On March 6th from 11am to 4pm, CBS will host the 2011 San Diego Humane Society Telethon. Viewers will be able to see pet tips, behind the scenes tours, adoption stories and just how much your donation impacts the lives of homeless animals. You can also watch the telethon online at sdhumane.org

The V Throw National Free Throw Championship

 Do you work out at 24 Hour Fitness? Come see what this 24 Hour Fitness location has to offer. On Saturday March 5th from 10am to 1pm, 24 Hour Fitness at 870 Amena Ct in Chula Vista is hosting a V Throw basketball championship, in order to raise money for cancer research. Entries are limited so go to vthrow.com/24hr84 to sign up.

Operation Greyhound

Are you a dog-lover? Operation Greyhound needs you! Operation Greyhound is a 100% volunteer-run non-profit organization that helps place retired racing greyhounds into permanent, loving homes. Based in El Cajon, they are actively seeking those with a heart to volunteer with greyhounds and are also looking for people to foster greyhounds. For information on adopting, fostering, volunteering or donating, check out http://operationgreyhound.com/

City of Hope - Yoga Event this Saturday!

Here's a fun way to help the City of Hope, one of the nation's (and San Diego's) leading cancer treatment and research centers. It's the 2011 Yoga for Hope event! On Saturday, March 5th at 9am, yoga enthusiasts will be meeting at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront (1 Park Blvd) to join 5 celebrity yoga experts in a day of yoga, meditation, vendor booths and fun! The first 500 participants to register get a "swag bag" full of prizes! The cost is $40 for adults and $30 for students or instructors. Hurry, registration ends March 2! To register, go to http://nationalevents.cityofhope.org/site/TR/YogaforHope/General?pg=informational&fr_id=1410&type=fr_informational&sid=1293

Finish Chelsea's Run 5K Run/Walk

On Saturday, March 5^th starting at 7:30am, runners and walkers from all over San Diego will come together at the West side of Balboa Park (6^th Avenue and Quince) to honor Chelsea King and raise money for the Chelsea’s Light Foundation and the Sunflower Scholarship Fund by participating in a 5k run/walk. Whether you choose to walk or run, this event promises to be inspiring and definitely worth getting out of bed early for! Registration ends on Wednesday March 2^nd, so hurry on over to http://www.active.com/running/san-diego-ca/finish-chelseas-run-5k-runwalk-2011 for more details and to register!