Shannon's Charities
Your living is determined by what you get, but your life is determined by whate you give.
Benjamin Meade
Quilts of Valor
This is an organization that gives hand-made quilts to our wounded soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan. To date, they ahve given over 15,000 quilts to wounded veterans to show appreciation for their sacrifices. Thousands of quilts are still needed. It is a national organization, you can find a chapter in your area. There are many ways to help; piece a quilt top; donate fabric, batting, pieced blocks; donate food & beverages for the volunteers on one of our quilting days; donate machine quilting services; donate money to defray the cost of materials and quilting.
Tyler's Team
My sons, Bryan and Danny, became involved with this organization when they were students at San Marino High School. A classmate, Tyler George, died of leukemia and his friends started 'Tyler's Team' in his memory to fight the disease. Bryan and Danny were also moved to help out because their father, Jeffrey Banks, had also died of leukemia. It is a student-run charity which to date has raised over $100,000 which has been used to make some amazing progress in leukemia research. Monetary donations can be made or items (I have donated quilts) may be donated for auction at their annual fund-raising dinner in February.
City of Hope
City of Hpe is very dear to me because my late husband, Jeff, spent the last two months of his life here. This is an excellent facility providing outstanding research in many types of cancer and other diseases. They truely treat their patients and their families, not just the illness. I am forever indebted to their wonderful care of my husband. I give blood platelets there as often as I can. Platelets and blood are always in need by cancer patients so please give if you can.
National Bone Marrow Registry
This is a service which matches potential bone marrow donors to those in need of a bone marrow transplant. When my late husband need a BMT for leukemia in 1995, there were only two potential donors in the registry. Luckily, one generous, unrelated, anonymous donor gave Jeff the precious bone marrow that saved his life and allowed him to spend alost six years with me and our children that he would not have had.
Team in Training
Team in Training is an organization which helps train people to participate in marathons, bike races and triathalons to raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. In 2003 I was able to finish the L.A. Marathon and raised over $10,000 for leukemia researh. Finishing the marathon proved to me that I can do anything if I put my mind to it and work hard.
Habitat for Humanity
Most people are familiar with this outstanding charity. You have thee opportunity to donate your physical labor, which can feel very rewarding. It is a great feeling to see all the progress that can be made in a short time when many hands come together. I have helped a Girl Scout Troop to make quilts which were presented to the new homeowners.
Quilts for Kids
This organization makes quilts, hospital bed saddlebags and wheelchair bags for kids in need. You can help by donating items you have made or making a monetary donation.
Kids of Kilimanjaro
Kids of Kilimanjaro provides lunches for the needy children in the Tanzania so they will stay in school, insuring a better future for them. They have a wonderful Gala fundraiser featuring amazing items in the auction.