www.triangletracks.com

Children's charities and non-profits in the Triangle address many needs and require a diverse range of volunteer services and resources in order to accomplish their missions. This Triangle TRACKS special edition newsletter will introduce you to many of the children's charities and non-profits operating in our area. Because there are so many, we've already planned to publish another edition of this newsletter at some point in the future to ensure we have informed you of all of the wonderful children-related charities and non-profits here. Please email us if your organization is not included in this issue so we can include it in a future issue.

Please consider volunteering your time and/or resources to one or more of the below organizations. We've indicated organizations that welcome youth volunteers by putting the following notation under the organization's name:

We hope you will check out those organizations so your children can experience the joy of helping others in need. Also, please forward this newsletter to a friend to help spread the word about these charitable organizations.

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April's Angels
www.aprilsangels.org

Many children seek comfort in their bedrooms. A child who suffers from a chronic illness and therefore has access to a limited number of activities outside the home spends more time in his or her bedroom than most other children. That's why the non-profit April's Angels seeks to create fantasy bedrooms for children with chronic illnesses. April's Angels volunteers have already created more than 30 fantasy bedrooms for children in Wake and surrounding counties. These bedrooms not only provide a beautiful environment, but address medical needs, encourage development, provide functionality for caregivers and create a serene, inspiring atmosphere for children based on their interests, talents and dreams. Find out more about the organization and how you can volunteer your time and/or resources at www.aprilsangels.org. Kids can help by donating bedroom props or saving their money to donate directly to the organization.

Autism Society of North Carolina
www.autismsociety-nc.org
The Autism Society of North Carolina promotes cooperative relationships among schools, agencies, organizations and other professionals who support families who live with autism. The organization promotes better public awareness and understanding of the autism spectrum, and advocates for public policy and funding that expands research as well as medical, therapeutic, educational, vocational, social and residential options. You can help by donating directly to the society, becoming a member, attending a fundraiser or special event, or buying products for sale on the organizations home page. Visit www.autismsociety-nc.org to learn more.

The Boys & Girls Club of Wake County
www.wakebgc.org
The Boys & Girls Club's mission is to enable all young people, especially those in need, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. The Boys & Girls Club of Wake County provides a safe place for children to learn and grow; ongoing relationships for children with caring, adult professionals; life-enhancing programs, and character development experiences. Approximately 90 percent of Boys & Girls Club members report they they have earned a "B" or higher in school since attending the club.
     There are many volunteer opportunities, including the Young Advocates organization, which consists of young professionals dedicated to developing awareness of and interest in the seven Boys & Girls Clubs serving Wake County. These advocates offer from one hour per month to three hours per week, depending on their skills and interests, and how much time they have to give. The advocates run the Young Advocates organization, contributing ideas and supporting various Boys & Girls Club events. Learn more about the Young Advocates organization by emailing Tia McLaurin or calling (919) 834-6282

Brown Bag Ministry
www.brownbagministry.org

The Brown Bag Ministry prepares and distributes 1,000 brown bag lunches to the homeless and those in need every Saturday in downtown Raleigh's Moore Square. Volunteers meet at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church in Apex at 9 a.m. to assemble the bags. After they distribute the bags in Moore Square, they take remaining bags to various locations throughout Apex, Durham and Raleigh.
     The following items are needed on a weekly basis for the brown bag lunches: lunch meat (turkey, ham or bologna), cheese slices, individual packages of cheese and crackers, granola bars, cans of soda or juice, and a piece of fruit or small box of raisins.
     Brown Bag Ministry is also responsible for preparing a hot meal to feed 200-225 homeless people or other people in need on the first and third Saturdays of each month. There are various ways for adults and children to volunteer. Click here to learn more.

Children's Flight of Hope
www.childrensflightofhope.org

Two volunteer pilots founded Children's Flight of Hope (CFOH) in 1991 after personally witnessing the need for dependable, affordable air transportation for children in need of medical treatment at facilities far from their homes. They realized that the funding to get the child to the appropriate facility was not as readily available as the actual treatment for the illness or injury was.
     Transportation is provided by highly qualified volunteer pilots free of charge to the ill or injured child and their families or guardians via private air transportation to and from medical facilities. Qualifying families are typically unable to travel to their destination for medical, financial or logistical reasons. An average mission can cost up to $2,800 depending on where the pick-up location is, the flight distance and the cost of fuel.
     There are a variety of ways to raise funds for CFOH. Children can help by setting up a lemonade stand or hosting a birthday party and requesting donations in lieu of gifts. Adults can host themed house parties to collect donations or have a garage sale with a portion of or all proceeds going to CFOH. Learn more about the organization and ways to help out here.

Coupons for Change
http://couponsforchange.blogspot.com

Coupon clipper extraordinaire Cheryl Spencer founded Coupons for Change to help provide those who are less fortunate with basic needs. Cheryl calls herself an "extreme couponer" who is able to purchase items for little to no cost. She's putting those skills to work by creating small "Bags of Hope" for the local battered women's shelter. Many of these women also care for small children. Each "Bag of Hope" will contain a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, sanitary pads and tampons, hand sanitizer, a hairbrush/comb, shampoos, deodorant and other small personal items. While there are many resources for emergency food, clothing and shelter, most charities don't receive money or donations to cover simple toiletry items many of us take for granted in our everyday lives.
     Cheryl sends unused or expired coupons to U.S. military families stationed at U.S. military bases throughout the world (since they are allowed to use coupons for up to six months past their expiration date). Children can help out by clipping coupons themselves. Learn more here.

www.dkwio.org
Danialle Karmanos, wife of Carolina Hurricanes Owner Peter Karmanos, created Danialle Karmanos' Work It Out (DKWIO) to offer children information and resources to prevent childhood obesity, reduce anxiety and foster self-esteem in an effort to promote optimum health in mind, body and spirit. DKWIO operates on the belief that the foundation for a healthy body begins with understanding what foods make the body strong, energized and fit, and that for children to lead a healthy lifestyle they must exercise everyday.
     DKWIO is a 10-week program that provides nutritional lessons and yoga practice to equip children with the tools to make healthy choices. You can help DKWIO by sending in a donation of money or a new yoga mat, by hosting a fundraiser in support of DKWIO, or by volunteering your time as a certified yoga instructor. Learn more here.

www.foodbankcenc.org

The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina covers 34 counties through five branch warehouses and offers several programs designed to provide meals to hungry children. The Kids Cafe program provides meals and snacks to kids after school and during the summer. The Backpack Program fills nondescript backpacks with food on Fridays for kids to take home for the weekend. The Summer Nutrition programs provide meals to kids during the summer when they don't have access to free and reduced meals at public schools. Kids Summer Stock, a campaign to raise awareness about childhood hunger during the summertime, consists of events in Raleigh, Durham, Wilmington and other N.C. cities.
      Kids can help out by becoming "Hunger Heroes," which involves hosting their own fundraisers or food drives, or by spreading the word about the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina by passing out activity pages and bookmarks to friends during birthday parties and other events. All "Hunger Heroes" can submit their stories to the organization for a chance to win a Hunger Hero Prize Pack and a feature on the Hunger Heroes web page. Learn more here.

Hope's Hope
www.hopes-hope.org
A dedicated group of volunteers founded Hope's Hope in February 2005 to provide assistance to families who have children battling a class of rare, terminal neurodegenerative disorders. The inspiration for Hope's Hope was Hope Johnston of Apex, N.C., who was born with Infantile Neoroaxonal Dystrophy (INAD). Hope's Hope volunteers set out to raise awareness of neurodegenerative diseases such as INAD, Pantothenate Kinase Associated Neurodegeneration (PKAN), Neurodegeneration with Brain Iron Accumulation (NBIA) and other rare disorders. Hope's Hope raises funds to provide financial assistance and supportive services to affected families through national and community partnerships. Upcoming fundraisers include The 5th Annual Hope's Hope Golf Classic on Aug. 9 and The 1st Annual 5K and 1 Mile Run Sept. 25. Learn more about how you can get involved here.

www.hopeline-nc.org

HopeLine is a non-profit 24-hour suicide prevention and crisis intervention helpline offering confidential caring, non-judgmental listening and resource information in an effort to improve the overall well being of people throughout the Triangle community. Volunteers service the 24-hour crisis line and Teen TalkLine. While the crisis line and Teen TalkLine volunteers must be 18 or older, volunteers under the age of 18 can help out in HopeLine's business office. The Teen TalkLine number is (919) 832-3326 and you can reach the HopeLine business office at (919) 832-3326. Learn more here.

www.horseandbuddy.org
Horse and Buddy is a non-profit that provides children and adults with special needs in Wake County and surrounding areas with therapeutic horseback riding opportunities. The program, offered on Saturdays and Mondays, helps participants improve balance, muscle tone, motor skills and self-esteem. Volunteers can provide financial support that will help build their new facility, buy equipment and food for the ponies, help offset the cost of riding, help fund the organization's participation in horse shows and more. Learn more here.

Kids Connect
www.kidsconnectnc.org

Kids Connect links kids, parents, educators and youth leaders who create and identify opportunities for young people to do and care for others in their local community and beyond. Kids Connect informs children of service projects or events that offer volunteer leadership opportunities, and parents and teachers can use the resources available through Kids Connect to instill the importance of community service in children. Click here to learn more.

Kids 'N Community

http://hurricanes.nhl.com/club/page.htm

The Carolina Hurricanes Kids 'N Community Foundation has awarded $8.5 million-plus in cash and in-kind services to local non-profit organizations throughout its 13-year existence. The foundation awards cash grants twice a year (once in the fall and once in the spring) to non-profit organizations that focus on the health, education and/or underserved population needs of children in our local community. Between fall 2009 and spring 2010, 52 different children's charities and foundations received more than $458,000 in cash grant funds. The foundation's board of directors, comprised of local businessmen and women, deliberates each grant application and decides on grant fund allocation. Through annual fundraisers, in-kind donations and individual corporate support, the Kids 'N Community Foundation is able to continue improving the lives of children and their families in North Carolina. Learn more about how you can help here.

Interact of Wake County
www.interactofwake.org
Interact of Wake County is a private, non-profit United Way agency that provides safety, support and awareness to victims and survivors of domestic violence and rape/sexual assault. Interact fulfills this mission through the support of its volunteers and community. In addition to program volunteer and special project volunteer opportunities, Interact of Wake County also offers internships. Learn more about the organization here.

Nicholas Wheeler Vivian Foundation
www.nwvf.org
On April 16, 2005, the lives of Wheeler and Katharine Vivian changed forever. Their triplet babies, Noah (1 lb. 8 oz.), Nicholas (1 lb. 14 oz.) and Savannah (1 lb. 10 oz.), arrived too early at the Duke Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at 25 weeks, instead of 40. Just when they thought things couldn't get worse, they lost their strongest infant, Nicholas, who passed away after nine short weeks of life on Father's Day weekend. While the Vivians were grieving the loss of their son, they were also devastated by escalating medical bills, which exceeded $1 million. They met other families in similar situations who were struggling emotionally and financially. Most of the families were working multiple jobs or just struggling to keep their jobs so they could make ends meet.
     In memory of Nicholas' fighting spirit, the Vivians started the non-profit Nicholas Wheeler Vivian Foundation to identify local families enduring financial difficulties related to children's medical expenses. Funds raised help offset the costs of medical equipment, prescription medications and bills, and everyday necessities such as utilities and food. The foundation also works with the Chapel Hill-Durham Mothers of Multiples Club to provide financial assistance for health care, education and living expenses of families with twins and triplets. Visit the NWVF website to learn more about fundraisers and other volunteer opportunities for the organization.

Pajama Pals
www.pajamapals.org

Pajama pals is a non-profit children's charity that collects and distributes new pajamas and new or gently used books to North Carolina children in need. For the past two Christmas seasons, Pajama Pals has given nearly 1,000 local school children and their siblings a gift of a new pair of pajamas, two new books, a toothbrush and toothpaste. This was the only present some of these children received. In addition to working with local schools, Pajama Pals has donated 10,000-plus books to Wake County Social Services. Pajama Pals works on a referral basis through teachers, school counselors, social workers, hospitals and other organizations. Children can participate by hosting birthday parties and collecting pajamas and books to donate in lieu of gifts, or by working with groups, clubs, scouting organizations, schools or churches to collect donations. Learn more about Pajama Pals here.

www.projectenlightenment.wcpss.net
Project Enlightenment is a non-profit early childhood education and intervention program of the Wake County Public School System serving teachers and parents of young children ages birth through kindergarten. Services include parent education and counseling, developmental screening, teacher training, a parent/teacher resource center, teacher/parent consultation and a TALKline. Project Enlightenment accepts monetary support for its various programs and services. Click here to learn more.

www.striving4more.org
Striving for More offers children with cancer and their families emotional and spiritual support from the moment of diagnoses, regardless of where they receive treatment, their socioeconomic status or insurance coverage. Founded by Diane Moore, who lost her 8-year-old daughter Colleen to Osteosarcoma in 2008, Striving for More is dedicated to ensuring that children with cancer and their families receive quality emotional and spiritual support. You can help by sending in a donation or attending a fundraiser. Corporate involvement is also encouraged. Learn more here.

www.mops.org
Mops International is dedicated to meeting the needs of every mother of preschoolers, including teenage girls who find themselves trying to fill the role of "mom" while they are still growing up themselves. There are just under 100 Teen MOPS groups in the United States and Canada that provide a faith-based, supportive, nonjudgmental environment where teen moms can come together for support and encouragement. Teen MOPS is committed to helping teen moms become more self-sufficient, confident, mature, giving and self-aware young women. There are a variety of ways to volunteer for this organization. Learn more here.

www.wakegov.com/humanservices/family/disabilities/eis.htm
Wake County's Early Intervention Services operates with a mission to increase the quality, accessibility and efficiency of early intervention services throughout North Carolina for infants and toddlers (birth to age 3) with or at risk for having developmental delays. Learn more here.

www.site.woodysmom.org
Woody's Mom, Inc. is a non-profit agency staffed by pediatric nurse case managers. They help families organize long-term home-based care and services for children with complex medical needs. Children who benefit from this federally-funded program may have a diagnosis such as cerebral palsy or spina bifida. They might have a g-tube, a tracheostomy, or use a ventilator to breathe. Children who use a wheelchair or walker might be available for this program, too. The services are free, and the program funds medical services, equipment and supplies to children of families at any income level, whether or not they have private insurance. Learn more here.