Category Archives: Non-Profits

3 Pittsburgh Nonprofits: Haitian Families First, Assemble, The Education Law Center

One of the things I’ve been trying to do here on the blog is to share more about the nonprofits that are working on important issues here in Pittsburgh.  This is the first post of what I hope will become a weekly series where Pittsburghers share three nonprofit organizations.  Have three favorite nonprofit organizations that you would like to share?  Click here to submit your list.

Meet Elizabeth Collura you can follow her on Twitter @beezuskiddo

Elizabeth’s favorite thing about Pittsburgh is… Food. All the food. Also wandering around Frick Park.

3nonprofits

Three Pittsburgh Nonprofits…

Haitian Families First @HaitianFam1st
Ali and Jamie get right down to the hard work. They are all action and more action when it comes to making a difference in the lives of Haitian families.

Assemble @AssemblePGH
Assemble is a nonprofit that succeeds by doing. Assemble’s learning parties connect kids and adults over a shared energy for exploring science, tech, education, art and math. Kids often aren’t getting access to quality education in these fields at school, and Assemble brings it right into the City’s neighborhoods with an open door and a smile.

The Education Law Center @edlawcenterpa
The Education Law Center confronts inequality and injustice in education, both on the policy level, and on the individual litigation level. They fight for all kids in Pennsylvania to have access to a quality education. Nancy Potter, one of the Education Law Center’s attorneys, is a friend of mine and she is intelligent, devoted, and a true believer in the value of fighting for kids’ education.

What is the best way to get involved?
The best way to get involved in Haitian Families First is by shooting an email to Viv Croft, their Pittsburgh Operations head, and telling her you want to help! Their most immediate and pressing need is always funding, and they are extremely flexible to work with. HFF has extremely low overhead, so when you volunteer to raise funds for them, you have the satisfaction of knowing that the money is going right to the on-the-ground needs of Haitian families.

Tis the season to help others…

christmas 2007

christmas 2007 (Photo credit: paparutzi)

I wanted to put up a post highlighting some of the incredible things that Pittsburghers are doing to help other Pittsburghers in need this season.

I was writing the email about the 12 giveaways of Christmas last night and watching the local news – which was an impressive collection of stories of Pittsburhgers – and many anonymously – coming together and helping others in need.

I’ve exchanged several emails with others this week – and the need this year in Pittsburgh is very real.  Thank you to everyone who has made an effort to make someones holiday season a little bit brighter this year.

There are still many organizations that can use your help this holiday season and I know many people want to give.  If you know of an organization that needs help or donations – please let us know leave a comment below and we’ll update the list.

http://storify.com/iheartpgh/pittsburghers-helping-pittsburghers

 

Help Save Christmas & Pens Tickets Raffle

Here is the deal – for the past four years – we have joined with a group of bloggers to help the Pittsburgh non-profit Community Human Services – raise money for to provide holiday gifts for the people they serve.  Community Human Services, CHS – works with lots of Pittsburghers who often fall outside of the toy drives that provide gifts for kids and the elderly.

CHS-PENS-border

2 Days to Raise $2200

In 2012 – we had a great response and raised $5000 – enough money so CHS could provide a small gift for an additional 200 people.  Earlier this week – it was brought to my attention that we have only raised HALF of what was raised last year.

I am determined to help CHS raise the remaining funds – we still need to raise $2200 so that they can provide some holiday cheer for everyone who was supported last year.

It would be great if we could get all of the funds collected by Sunday – that way there is still time to get the last gifts together for the Christmas holiday.

If you could give $10, $20 or even more to support CHS – we can reach this goal!  Click here to donate to Community Human Services online.

What about those Pens Tickets?

Thanks to a generous donor once we reach the $2500 mark – they will donate a pair of Pens tickets to be raffled off!  Every dollar donated to CHS gets you an entry to win.  The more you give the more chances you have to win!  But we have to raise at least $2500 – so make sure to spread the word.

2 Tickets & Parking Pass

Penguins vs. Washington Capitals 

Loge Box 21, Captain Morgan Club

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Donate to CHS and Enter to Win!

Every dollar donate to CHS on the Crowdrise page gets you an entry to win.  Use the widget below or click here to donate.

Fundraising Websites – Crowdrise

If you have already contributed to CHS – Thank You! You will be entered to win. Please tell your friends and help us spread the word.

Learn More about CHS

CHS was started in 1970 and is located in Oakland.  The organization serves all areas of the city and offers programs to prevent and reduce homelessness, runs mental health residential programs and runs a community food pantry. CHS has been named one of the best places to work in 2013 by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Visit the CHS website – http://www.chscorp.org/

The (Christmas) Cookie Table For a Good Cause This Wed at Hough’s

One of the BEST parts of writing this blog is the amazing community of Pittsburghers that have stepped up to support so many great causes.  The CHS Holiday Gift Project is one of many incredible holiday fundraisers happening around town.

IheartPGH Readers Make a Difference

Last year, the readers of IheartPGH raised over $2500 to help Pittsburgh non-profits.

  • $1395 for Light of Light Minisitries to provide underwear for the homeless shelter
  • $1360 online and more at the event for CHS (Community Human Services) Holiday Fundraiser

This year, the readers of IheartPGH contributed time, money (over $5000), tweets, Facebook posts and great ideas to make it possible for me to participate in the Millennial Trains Project.  I am personally incredibly grateful for the amazing generosity of Pittsburghers.

The CHS Holiday Gift Project and The (ChristMas Cookie Table)

chs-squareNow that Thanksgiving is behind us, it is full-steam ahead into the holiday season.  I hope you will join me in supporting CHS again this holiday season.  The monies raised from this annual event allow CHS to provide small holiday gifts and activities for the Pittsburghers that they serve.  Last year – we exceed the fundraising goal and CHS was able to provide gift for over 400 people.  Continue reading →

Save the Date to Help Save Christmas

CHS shaped cookies, yes there will be cookies

CHS shaped cookies, yes there will be cookies

This is an important Save the Date post.  I say important because it is about an important cause and it is a fun event!

2013 Cookies and Cards Fundraiser
Wednesday December 4, 2013
6-8pm
Houghs in Greenfield
RSVP on Facebook  

For the past 2 years, I’ve joined a great crew of Pittsburgh bloggers to help the Pittsburgh Nonprofit Community Human Services raise funds to provide holiday gifts and cheer for some of our fellow Pittsburgh residents who really wouldn’t have much during the holiday season.

2012 – A Huge Success

Last year, we set a lofty goal of raising $5000 in donations and gift cards to help CHS provide a little something for the folks they work with.  Thanks to the generous donations and kind hearts of Pittsburghers – we raised $8500 – which allowed CHS to provide something for over 400 people.

2013 – We need your help!

I’m setting the goal for 2013 at $10,000 and I’m going to need your help to get there.

I’m on my way to the planning meeting for the December event this evening and I am going to have an online fundraising page to share with you shortly.  You can read more about why I’ve been supportive of CHS here.

I hope that you will plan to attend this fun event – who doesn’t like to get together and eat holiday cookies – and that you will bring your friends along too.

If you would like to help in planning and promoting the December 4 event – we are always looking for help and donation of raffle prizes.  Please drop me an email (lindsay – @Iheartpgh.com) and I’ll keep you in the loop.