Giving Back

Realizing that every dollar, in-kind donation, or volunteer hour spent can help, here are some of the charities that we proudly support:

Philly Bookshelf

In 2018, I started a nonprofit to increase access to books throughout the Philadelphia region by providing new and gently used books to the community. Philly Bookshelf also provides Community Bookshelves and gives books to schools, organizations, and businesses that in turn provide the books to local Philadelphians. Studies show that children who are read to at least three (3) times per week are almost twice as likely to score in the top 25% in reading compared to children who are read to less. Additionally, literacy increases access to education and job opportunities, improves nutrition and health outcomes, and strengthens civic engagement. However, 61% of low income families have no age appropriate books for children in their home. With approximately 25% of adults and 38% of children living in poverty in Philadelphia, we aim to invest in the future by providing a variety of reading materials to the entire Philadelphia community.

Purrfect Pals

This is the shelter where we adopted our Bennie. He was transferred there from a municipal shelter because he reportedly had problems using a litterbox. The sad reality is that if he had stayed in the other shelter, he probably would have been put down. However, after reviewing the file, Bennie’s problems were likely behavioral and he needed to get to a home without children that provided him scratchers and other cats to play with AND was willing to work with him to teach him not to bite feet and hands. Purrfect Pals provided Bennie with basic medical care and gave him a chance to find a forever home that was right for him.

Whisker City

Another local shelter that provides cats with every chance in life. They’ve never been “adopted” by any wealthy donors and work hard to stretch the money that they receive as far as possible. We donated a bunch of Ivan’s things to them and they were incredibly grateful.

Teton Raptor Center Poo Poo Project

Provides specialized screens to prevent cavity-nesting animals from flying into vault toilet ventilation pipes, looking for a place to nest, roost, or cache food, then become stuck in the muck. You can sponsor a life saving screen for $45 and they will tell you where it is installed.

Center for Hope

Provides a clean water station to those in need because of the Flint, Michigan water crisis.

Distributing Dignity

Distributes new bras, pads and tampons to women who are aging out of foster care, seeking refuge from domestic violence or abuse, experiencing homelessness, struggling with life altering illness or displaced by disaster. 

 Food Lifeline

Provides approximately 116,000 meals PER DAY by giving donations of food to food banks in Western Washington.

DonorsChoose.org

A platform for public school teachers from across the country to request much needed materials and experiences for their students. You can search by location or subject. 

 Philadelphia Futures

Provides Philadelphia's low-income, first-generation-to-college students with the tools, resources and opportunities necessary for admission to and success in college.

I hope you will join us in supporting some of these charities. A little help can go a long way.