and discrimination place in a child’s path.  We believe that we can, together, advance the cause of humanity.

We advocate for measures to give children the best start in life, because proper care at the youngest age forms the strongest foundation for a person’s future.  

We promote girls’ education – ensuring that they complete primary education as a minimum – because it benefits all children, both girls and boys. Girls who are educated grow up to become better thinkers, better citizens, and better parents to their own children.

We act so that all children are immunized against common childhood diseases, and are well nourished, because it is wrong for a child to suffer or die from a preventable illness.

We work to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS among young people because it is right to keep them from harm and enable them to protect others. We help children and families affected by HIV/AIDS to live their lives with dignity.

We involve everyone in creating protective environments for children. We are present to relieve suffering during emergencies, and wherever children are threatened, because no child should be exposed to violence, abuse or exploitation.

UNICEF upholds the Convention on the Rights of the Child.  We work to assure equality for those who are discriminated against, girls and women in particular. We work for the Millennium Development Goals and for the progress promised in the United Nations Charter. We strive for peace and security. We work to hold everyone accountable to the promises made for children.

We are part of the Global Movement for Children – a broad coalition dedicated to improving the life of every child.  Through this movement, and events such as the United Nations Special Session on Children, we encourage young people to speak out and participate in the decisions that affect their lives. 

We are active in more than 190 countries and territories through country programmes and National Committees. We are UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund."


I very much look forward to reading the 12 Days of Austin's Christmas - and I know that Austin would be proud of all of the charity work which is done in his name and memory.

 But the more I reflected, the more I realized that I wanted to do something that would help people too. So I did a little bit of digging and, with the help of Chicago Magazine's list of Gold Standard Charities as well as the ratings on Charity Navigator, I finally came up with the following two that had the goals that I was looking for as well as amazing track records to match:


$500: PAWS Chicago (http://www.pawschicago.org/)

PAWS Chicago is Chicago's largest No Kill humane organization, working to build a No Kill community as well as to end the overpopulation of homeless animals and improve overall animal welfare. In 2013, 91% of its budget was spent on programs. PAWS Chicago admitted 5976 cats and dogs, and adopted out 5872 of them.


$500: Greater Chicago Food Depository (http://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/)

The Greater Chicago Food Depository provides food for hungry people and works to end hunger in the community. It operates across Cook County through 650 pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, mobile programs, children’s programs, older adult programs and other innovative responses that address the root causes of hunger. Last year, the Food Depository distributed 67 million pounds of shelf-stable food, fresh produce, dairy products and meat. This is the equivalent of 154,000 meals a day. In 2013, 93.3% of their resources went towards food bank operations. In addition, since this donation is made as a year-end donation before December 31st, it will be matched dollar-for-dollar, making it donation even more impactful.

Kevin, Judy, Chris & Stephen

It is our sincere hope that these collective donations will continue to fulfill Laurie’s charge to “live a little larger” to fill the space Austin left behind. It is so wonderful to know that his impact on the world around him continues.

Phoenix Symphony - $125
Children's Museum of Phoenix - $125
McDowell Sonoran Conservancy - $125
Arizona Science Center - $125

"We are trying to step up game on the national level by attending this year's youth bike summit, which is an conference that we have never been able to attend.  We were just putting together a budget, and a donation that specifically states that this is meant to be used to attend the 2015 Youth Bike Summit (this year is in Seattle) this February would guarantee that we'd all be able to attend.  If you feel that's worthy of your donation, please send a check (with a note specifying the intended use) to Blackstone Bicycle Works, 6100 S Blackstone Ave. 60637 or online at experimentalstation.org/donate". 

Jeremy S.

I've also made my decision for Austin's 12 days of Christmas. I would like to give $500 dollars to the California Academy of Sciences. This is one of the most amazing museums I've ever been to, and I want to contribute to an organization that educates the public and encourages younger visitors to pursue their interests in science. I think Austin would want to extend his passion onto the next generation of scientists. 

I would also like to give $500 to Achievement First Public Charter Schools of New Haven. Since I have been given the opportunity to study in New Haven, I would like to begin giving back to that community. 

Again, I greatly appreciate the opportunity to participate in Austin's 12 days of Christmas, this means so much to me.

Education

Technology Access Foundation $100

The Technology Access Foundation (TAF) provides access to technology and tech education to children in low-income and predominantly minority school districts. Through their work in school districts, as well as the
establishment of their TAF Academy, the program
is effectively working to reduce the color and income gap in technology and science education. I think that Austin would have approved of this organization, which demonstrates that all students, regardless of income or ethnicity, should have access to high-quality math and 
science education and an equal opportunity to pursue a STEM major in college, as he did.


Tech Trek by the American Association of University Women $100

In Austin’s college application essay, when asked to write about a person who made an impact on his life, he wrote about Laurie and her career as a scientist. Specifically, he said that she showed him the value of “scientific inquiry, expanding collective human knowledge in the process, while ensuring that the work can truly alter the lives of people for the better.” Given the persistent under-representation of women in the domains of science and technology, I think that he would support the efforts of the American Association of University Women. Specifically, the AAUW sponsors Tech Trek, a week-long science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) summer camp for rising eighth-grade girls. The camp is designed to develop girls’ interest, excitement, and self-confidence in STEM fields.
The curriculum was developed by women scientists, and attendees do hands-on experiments and workshops, see professional female role models in their instructors and visitors, and are provided the “college experience” during their time at camp, which increases their likelihood of attending college later on. Additionally, the camps are open to virtually everyone: there is a flat fee of $50 to attend. The donation will support Tech Trek at New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, NM.


Nature

Big City Mountaineers $100

One of my favorite things to do with Austin on my visits to Albuquerque was to go hiking in the Sandias. Austin and I shared a love of nature and the natural world, and were lucky to have families, friends,and organizations that allowed us to experience the outdoors. With that
in mind, I chose to support Big City Mountaineers, a program that serves underrepresented urban youth through wilderness mentoring expeditions that seek to instill critical life skills. BCM partners with community-based youth organizations and work with over 1,000 adolescents annually. Additionally, BCM researches the effectiveness of their programs and has demonstrated an increase in participants’ likelihood of retention in school and a reduction in violence and drug use among participants.


Sierra Club: Inner City Outings $100

For the second year in a row, I chose to donate to the Inner City Outings program from the Sierra Club. I remember Austin saying that while he loved Chicago, he missed getting outside the city into nature. However, after he joined the Outdoor Adventure Club, which 
gave him the opportunity to explore the natural world outside of Chicago and make great friends in the process. This donation seeks to provide the same opportunity to children in urban areas who don’t normally get to explore the natural world.


Music

Austin and I shared a love of music and were both involved in music education at our schools, he in 
the orchestra with violin and me in band and choir. I know that these were valuable experiences for us in both development and appreciation for the arts. However, I am also aware that not all children have the opportunity to learn an instrument, or even have access to music 
education programs, like we did. Thus, I want to support organizations that sponsor music instruction programs and provide instruments in low-income schools and districts where it is most needed.


Education Through Music $100

Education
Through Music (ETM) is an organization that develops and supports music instruction programs in disadvantaged schools, which enhances students’ academic performance and development in long term partnerships with elementary and middle schools that lack the resources for school-wide 
music programs. ETA hires qualified music teachers, provides training, and encourages music and teaching faculty to work together to demonstrate the value of music education to student development and performance. The organization performs regular program assessments to ensure that they are meeting their goals and supporting their students.


The Harmony Project $100

The Harmony Project is a research-based nonprofit organization that sponsors music lessons and ensemble participation for underrepresented and low-income youth in Los Angeles. Their goals are to contribute to the healthy growth of children and communities through the study, practice, and performance of music, as well as to use music to bridge diverse communities. The program has targets at several levels: the children, who learn and 
perform music, their families, who support their children’s growth and development, and communities.


Animals

Austin and I both shared a great love for cats, especially our cats. On a couple of occasions I remember talking to him about the objective reasons why Misty was the best cat, while my primary allegiance was to Mojo. 
Additionally, we are both label-readers and put a great deal of thought into where our food comes from; I remember him patiently listening to me and being receptive to my decision to become “mostly vegetarian” for sustainability reasons. For this reason, I choose to devote $100 dollars to animal welfare at two levels: the first, local, to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, an excellent provider of support for animals and the community in Tucson, AZ. The second, national, goes the the Humane Society of the United States, which researches and advocates for responsible animal farming practices and other animal welfare issues.


Humane Society of Southern Arizona $100

This year, the HSSAZ officially became a no-kill shelter, and expanded their services to care for more animals. Additionally, they created new programs including low-cost animal first aid classes (I took one this year). They also do extensive work with local communities with children’s programs and animal cruelty prevention.


The Humane Society of the United States $100

The HSUS is the largest and most effective animal welfare organization in the United States. Their efforts support not only the work of local humane societies, but also contribute to broader issues in animal welfare and advocacy. Specifically, they are a powerful provider of advocacy to combat animal cruelty including factory farming, the wildlife trade, puppy mills, and animal fighting.


Public Radio

On our visits to Albuquerque, one of our most common activities was sitting in the kitchen, with NPR always 
on in the background. I listen to public radio almost constantly (even during pledge drives), and I think that Austin and I both appreciate it as a source of unbiased, civil, and intellectual journalism that is available to anyone with a radio. Additionally, NPR is a provider of interesting programs including Radiolab, which provides a discourse on science that is engaging and, I’m sure, responsible for inspiring many young scientists. Thus, I devote a portion of my donations to KUNM, the local NPR affiliate in Albuquerque, and WNYC’s Radiolab.


KUNM $100

KUNM is a public radio station that broadcasts from the University of New Mexico, but also reaches smaller towns and rural areas in New Mexico. Listener support accounts for 50% of the station’s annual operating budget. KUNM airs programming from NPR and local programs, including the country’s only call-in show focusing on Native American issues, Native America Calling. (However, it does not yet host Radiolab, so hopefully we can ask for that on the donation form).


Radiolab $100

Radiolab describes itself as “a show about curiosity, where sound illuminates ideas, and the boundaries blur between science, philosophy, and human experience.” This sounds like something that Austin would have appreciated and supported, not to mention the fact that they occasionally devote episodes to the intersection of science and classical music.
Each episode focuses on a specific topic and investigates it from several different angles with thought experiments, stories, and interviews with researchers and reporters. The program’s award winning sound design adds to the awesomeness, and it sounds different than any 
other program on public radio. Not only does Radiolab provide programs that explore science and philosophy, they do it in a way that is engaging and accessible.

Mark M.

With your permission, I would like to direct the full sum towards the American Chemical Society’s Project SEED.  Austin always sought to make his passion for science accessible to others, and in this way, I like to think that he continues. - $1000