Judy and Kevin

After taking some time, we have selected these four organizations (website and purpose statement below) as we reflect upon the loving memory and true spirit of Austin. Please share among these four organizations equally ($250 each). The theme is helping others, particularly the young and those having trouble helping themselves because we believe that is what Austin would do for others.
 
https://www.stjude.org/give.html
a pediatric treatment and research facility focused on children's catastrophic diseases
 
https://www.unicefusa.org/help/donate
provides humanitarian and developmental assistance to children and mothers in developing countries
 
https://www.bgca.org/
Their mission is to enable all young people, especially those in need, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
 
https://give.salvationarmyusa.org
aid to the poor, destitute and hungry
 
Blessings to you and your family and we are grateful to be along side you, Laurie and Aidan in remembering Austin

Mark and Susan

$1000 to the UNM Presidential Scholarship Program

From the website "Since 1976, the University of New Mexico’s Presidential Scholarship Program has kept New Mexico’s best and brightest in our state. Over the past four decades, more than 4,100 UNM undergraduate scholars have had their worlds changed through this scholarship program thanks to the generosity of corporate and individual sponsors.  Thank you to those who launched this program and to those who have continued this tradition which has helped make this one of UNM’s cornerstone scholarship programs.

Presidential Scholarships are awarded to high school seniors based on merit, which includes a minimum of 3.75 high school grade point average, an average of 27 on the ACT or 1253 on the SAT, personal essays, leadership and community involvement.
There are more than 450 students attending UNM with the Presidential Scholarship, which pays for tuition, books and fees.
Presidential Scholars come from diverse communities across the Land of Enchantment and have a wide range of economic and social backgrounds. They represent every ethnic group in New Mexico. Many scholars are the first in their respective families to attend college and would not be at UNM without this scholarship. These students enrich communities throughout the state and continue to exemplify community leadership and service during college and after graduation."

John

Thank you for continuing this wonderful way of remembrance and celebration of life.

I will follow Aenea with a 250$ donation to ACLU as it seems appropriate for the current times.

Austin's willingness to forgo hiking and try biking with me to Chicago was one of the first times I ever biked anywhere with a friend and enjoyed sharing an adventure on 2 wheels. It is also one of my fondest memories of exploring with Austin, especially when he ate half my sandwich and chided me on terribly mispronouncing something Spanish by enunciating the J. 

To honor Austin's adventurous spirit and willingness to try biking, and my current biking addiction:  

588$ for world bicycle relief (4 bicycles!!), which I heard about via an excellent cycling channel called 'Global Cycling Network'. Last year the presenters shaved heads to raise money, but this year the ante has been upped: "If we raise £25,000, Si and Matt have agreed (will be forced) to ride across a 4km segment of London wearing nothing but speedos. That's a bit of fun (for all but Si and Matt), but the real incentive is to mobilise young students who need it. One Buffalo Bicycle costs less than $150 USD, so every contribution will make a huge impact. Let's give as many children as possible the freedom of two wheels that we all enjoy so much".. and it looks like they are still doing 1:1 matching as of now!!

$162 for Blackstone bicycle works which I previously donated to-- it's a wonderful bike shop near UChicago that tutors kids and lets them earn their bikes by working on bikes in the shop. 

Love and hugs from snowy Champaign,

Katie

Thank you again for including us in the 12 days of Austin's Christmas. Here are our allocations:

Casa de la Luz Foundation, $250 (Katie)- I can't believe I've been working for Casa for a year now! I know I allocated money to the foundation last year but I just have to do it again. I see the foundation working in my patients' lives every day. Any time one of my patients needs something that hospice funding can't provide I turn to the foundation for items both small and large. For example one of my patients had to throw out all of his blankets and clothes from a previous bed bug issue. He had nothing for the upcoming winter, so the social worker and I put in for a small grant to get him warm blankets, sweatshirts, and jackets. Other times patients need help with their cremation costs. Another one of my patients is still able to get up and move around well, so the foundation is helping chip in a little for a super portable oxygen concentrator to help her quality of life. 

Tu Nidito, $250 (Katie)- Tu Nidito is an Tucson organization that helps grieving children. According to one of our friends who is a counselor for them they do still do some pediatric hospice work. But Casa social workers often refer children impacted by the decline and death of their loved ones in our care. 

Arizona Baptist Children's Services, $250 (DJ)- Our good friends Bryce and Emily fostered their daughters with the help of ABCS and eventually moved toward adopting them. We recognize that God has adopted us as His children, so we love to see that love reflected in the lives of our fostering and adopting friends and community. 

Hands of Hope, $250 (DJ)- Hands of Hope is a Tucson based organization that provides a ton of free services to both men and women in the following areas: miscarriage and early infant loss support, post abortion support, pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, nurse consultations, referrals to prenatal services, and support for victims of sexual assault. We see that they do a lot of good work in the Tucson community and would like to help their efforts in educating those on the preciousness of life as well as helping people heal from sexual brokenness and trauma.

Leigh

In memory and affection for Austin’s love of classical music..as well as his understanding that young women’s issues are also that of young men - I request my $1,000 gift be split between the besieged and under-attack Planned Parenthood organization and the very admirable Rachel Barton Pine Foundation.

The Rachel Barton Pine Foundation is a charitable organization providing services and funding for classical music education, research, performances, and artists, to benefit listeners and learners alike.
Current projects include an instrument loan program, grants for education and career, support of classical music programs in developing nations, and creation of a supplemental curriculum of music for strings by composers of African descent.
Grants ~
In addition to costs covered by traditional scholarships, a young musician’s expenses as a student and as an aspiring professional can be sizable. The Rachel Barton Pine Foundation’s Grants for Education and Career provide help with expenses such as supplemental lessons, entrance fees to competitions, audition recording sessions, travel expenses for competitions or auditions, sheet music purchase, piano accompanist fees, and instrument repair and maintenance. Grants are given to young artists between the ages of 10 and 29 on the basis of great musical talent and accomplishment, artistic aspirations, serious financial need, and merit of the grant request.

https://www.rbpfoundation.org/

Donation page link: 
https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/rbpfoundation

Nora

Thank you so much for once again carrying through with this incredibly generous endeavor. Given the current political climate, I think Austin would have supported organizations that defend human rights, and so in his honor I would like to direct $1000 to the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Sending you love and always keeping you in my thoughts.

Mark

I’m truly touched to be able to contribute to this project.  

After some though, I would like to direct $500 towards the American Chemical Society’s Project SEED, which provides access to research experiences for disadvantaged students.

And $500 to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.  

The deep curiosity and passion for humanitarian science efforts brought forth by these charities reach for some of my favorite memories of Austin, and I believe embody him well.

My heart and thoughts are with you all, this season and always.

Cindi

hard to believe it's already the end of the year, and even harder to believe it's your fifth christmas without Austin. i so appreciate the chance to honor his memory this way and keep his extraordinary and generous spirit close to my heart.

last year i sliced my donations a bit fine given the extent of great need and the anticipated horrors of the trump administration.  as we all know, it's been even more horrifying, hideous, and scary than imagined, so again, i am slicing my donations fine to respond to the vectors of my discontent and political hopes, refracted through some of Austin's concerns and commitments. 

given the threats to climate science and the everyday more palpable effects of climate change, both of which i am sure would be of deep concern to austin, i've given $100 to 350.org and $100 to Earthworks. Together they act and invest in research, education, and action at the grassroots, national, and global scales--working against government policies and corporate malfeasance.

continuing in the environmental vein, and recognizing Austin's love and appreciation for  the environment of new mexico and the west, i've again given $100 to Wildearth Guardians which advocates for wild places and wildlife in US west, and in some of your most treasured places.

given austin's love of music and the importance of sharing it, i've increased my donation to the Harmony Program to $150, which provides music education and 'collective music making' to underserved communities of children in new york in partnership with CUNY among others. as brecht wrote, "In the dark times will there be singing? Yes there will be singing about the dark times."  Alas, there's so much to sing against...

with the enduring and worsening assaults on LGBTQ, poor, non-white, and undocumented people and communities, i've donated $150 each to Make the Road New York and to Critical Resistance, the former is working hard for immigrant rights and to protect 'dreamers,' and the latter works against the 'prison industrial complex,' arguing that the provision of basic needs of health, shelter, nutrition, education, and care will make communities safer than prison cells.

finally, i am giving $250 to community voices heard, a member-led community based organization working for social, racial, and economic justice. i've been on the solidarity board of CVH for years, and am constantly inspired and amazed at the dedicated and successful activism of its members--largely poor women of color and low-income families--working on issues of public housing, welfare reform, transportation access, participatory budgeting, etc. 

as always, i love and thank you for creating this opportunity for us to honor austin's memory and life so beautifully.

Thank you, Cindi. We have matched all your donations.
$100 to www.350.org
$100 to www.EarthworksAction.org
$100 to www.WildEarthGuardians.org
$150 to www.HarmonyProgram.org
$150 to www.MakeTheRoad.org
$150 to CriticalResistance.org
$250 to www.CVHAction.org

 Last year, we couldn't access this website so all the donations were posted on my Facebook feed. Here they all are now.

12/31/2016 - Aidan
Aidan just directed a $1000 donation to the New Energy Economy. This New Mexico based organization works in NM to turn our energy economy away from fossil fuels to clean energy. From their website:
"At New Energy Economy we employ an interwoven strategy of confronting and opposing the root cause of climate disruption AND creating alternative projects that build on our established strengths and provide sustainable community engagement opportunities. It will take all of us to improve our climate and support our economy, therefore it is critically important that capacity-building and engagement around a clean energy economy reflect the diversity of our community."

12/31/2016 - Gregg and Laurie
We just gave $1000 to the US Climate Plan in memory of Austin. US Climate Plans' goal is to empower our generation to take action for scientifically-grounded climate policies and elevate the national dialogue on how equitable & just energy solutions in the U.S. and the world make positive changes in people’s lives. Science. Not silence.

12/31/2016 - Gregg & Laurie
We just gave $1000 in memory of Austin to the Indigenous Environmental Network. They educate and empower Indigenous Peoples to address and develop strategies for the protection of our environment, our health, and all life forms.

12/31/2016 - Gregg & Laurie
We just gave $1000 to Citizens’ Climate Lobby in Austin's memory.
"We exist to create the political will for climate solutions by enabling individual breakthroughs in the exercise of personal and political power."
Please help support them to keep Trumputin from putting the profits of the fossil fuel industry over the health of the planet.

12/31/2016 - Leigh
I'd like to thank Leigh for directing a $1000 donation to the La Jolla Music Society.
In Leigh's words: "One of my favorite stories of Austin's generosity and intense love of music came from his University of Chicago friend Aenea Raskin.
It involved Austin devoting quite an effort to convincing a homeless man to come into a concert hall in downtown Chicago to hear a free concert by Yo Yo MA.
Austin worked so hard that he almost missed the concert himself, so convinced was he that classical music could enhance or change a life.
His earlier days of playing a cello as a youth meant a great deal to him, as well as the classical music by which he thrived.
I'd like to combine these two devotions of my nephew by donating my portion, this year, to a well-respected youth music development program in California which provides both free lessons and instruments to elementary school children.
If they keep playing after 2 years, they get to keep their instrument.
I can't think of a better way to honor Austin than to give several children the gift of music via an opportunity to play, themselves.
Thank you again dear Laurie, Aidan and Gregg for your loving way of giving back so much, in his memory.
"Since 1999, La Jolla Music Society’s Community Music Center (CMC) in San Diego’s Logan Heights neighborhood has given hundreds of children their first experience in music making.
Each year, over 100 students from between twenty and forty area schools are given free music instruction in an area where most families are not able to afford lessons.
Instruction in music literacy, technique and instrument care begins at the fourth grade level and is typically a two year program, following which the students are prepared to excel in middle school band or orchestra programs.
The Community Music Center employs a paid, part-time staff which includes a director, seven instructors and two clerical staff. The CMC offers group instruction in piano, violin, woodwinds, brass, voice, guitar, and percussion. Classes meet three times each week for thirty weeks, following the academic schedule of the host campus, Memorial Preparatory Academy.
The program provides each student an instrument which they use for practice at home and in the classroom. This allows students to develop discipline through structured practice and the responsibility necessary to care for their instruments. At the end of two years of successful participation and meeting goals for attendance and musical progression, the students are given the instruments to keep for further study."

12/31/2016 - Cindi
I'd like to thank Cindi for allowing us to match her $150 donation to 350.org and her $150 donation to Friends of the Earth. In Cindi's words "given the threats to climate science and the looming effects of climate change, both of which i am sure would be of deep concern to austin, i've given $150 each to Friends of the Earth and to 350.org--they both invest in research and action at the grassroots and globally."

We'd also like to thank Cindi for our matchings gifts of $100 each to the Harmony Project. In Cindi's words: "given austin's love of music and the importance of sharing it, i've given $100 to the Harmony Program, which provides music education and 'collective music making' to underserved communities of children in new york."

And our thanks to Cindi for our matching gifts of $100 each to Wild Earth Guardians of New Mexico. In Cindi's own words: "given his love of the environment of new mexico and the west, i've again given $100 to Wildearth Guardians which advocates for wild places and wildlife in US west."

Cindi has matched our $100 donations to the American Refugee Committee and the International Relief Committee. In Cindi's words: "as with last year, i've donated again to the American Refugee Committee and the International Relief Committee (giving each $100). both organizations do remarkable--and every day more important--work with displaced people and families."

And finally, we'd like to thank Cindi for inspiring us to match her $150 donations for Planned Parenthood Action and to Make the Road New York. In her words: "finally, given the ongoing and worsening assaults on reproductive rights, and on LGBTQ, poor, non-white, and undocumented people and communities, i've donated $150 each to Make the Road New York and to Planned Parenthood."

12/31/2016 - Claudia
We'd like to thank Claudia for directing $250 in Austin's honor to the Red Cross. The American Red Cross exists to provide compassionate care to those in need. Our network of generous donors, volunteers and employees share a mission of preventing and relieving suffering, here at home and around the world, through five key service areas: disaster relief, supporting military families, livesaving blood, health and safety services and international services.

We'd also like to thank Claudia for directing $250 in Austin's honor to Unicef. UNICEF is the driving force that helps build a world where the rights of every child are realized. We have the global authority to influence decision-makers, and the variety of partners at grassroots level to turn the most innovative ideas into reality. That makes us unique among world organizations, and unique among those working with the young.
We believe that nurturing and caring for children are the cornerstones of human progress. UNICEF was created with this purpose in mind – to work with others to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease 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.

12/29/2016 - Kevin, Judy, Chris and Stephen
We'd like to thank Kevin, Judy, Chris and Stephen for directing $250 in Austin's honor to The National Kidney Foundation. In their words: "The NKF is dedicated to the awareness, prevention and treatment of kidney disease. Austin loved his Grandmother Dayle and enjoyed so many deep and diverse conversations over the course of their lives. She unfortunately died of kidney disease and we trust they are dancing together in heaven. We we believe Austin would have stood right by her side with compassion, love and support throughout her prolonged illness, dedicated himself to this worthy organization, with his deep devotion to scientific research and his love and care for her."

We'd also like to thank Kevin, Judy, Chris and Stephen for directing $500 in Austin's honor to the Arizona Science Center's Science on Wheels Program. In their words: "As long as we have known Austin, his love for science has always sparked excitement through his desire to learn and experience new adventures in learning, inquiry and research in the classroom. The Science on Wheels Program provides a wide variety of innovative programs for elementary age students and generates enthusiasm, passion and interest ranging from large scale school assemblies and family festivals to intimate classroom experiences and innovative learning, starting as early as the 3rd grade. Austin’s love for science and learning starting at a very young age can and will inspire other young scientific minds and learn, grow and be passionately inspired as well."

And finally, we'd like to thank Kevin, Judy, Chris and Stephen for directing a $250 donation in Austin's honor to the Himalaya Stove Project. In their words: "The Himalayan Stove Project – a humanitarian and philanthropic program, dedicated to preserving the Himalayan environment and improving the health of people living in the trans-Himalayan region . Austin loved to explore the wilderness and enjoyed hiking, backpacking and camping with friends and family throughout his life. Always conscientious of the beauty of the world around him, he would have appreciated the combination of this environmentally friendly and altruistic organization. The Himalayan Stove Project donates and distributes free clean-burning fuel-efficient cook stoves which transform the lives of individuals and communities who now cook with traditional, rudimentary stoves, or over open fire pits inside their homes, consuming excessive amounts of precious fuel, polluting the indoor air to dangerously unhealthy levels. Austin’s scientific mind, kind and generous heart, and desire to reduce any unhealthy imprint on our society, bring together a meaningful gift of love and care for others and our world. "

12/28/2016 - Monty
We'd like to thank our dear Montrose (aka Monty) for directing a $1000 in Austin's honor to Kiva. In Monty's own words: "I would like to donate $1000 to Kiva.com operations and maintenance. Kiva provides micro loans for small start up companies in the developing world. I like the fact that it provides stable tools for people's livelihoods, rather than temporary aid, even if it just a tomato cart or motorbike.

Kiva gives 100% of loans directly to these entrepreneurs, and covers costs through donations. They have a 97.2% repayment rate and have a 96.69/100 rating from CharityNavigator.
I thought that Austin would be an educator, which is one way that you can help people to have a sustained quality of life. I think this is a similar way that we can plant the seeds for people around the world to create and maintain businesses.
Thank you for the opportunity to donate in Austin's memory."

12/28/2016 - Mark
We'd like to thank Mark Maskeri for directing a $500 donation to Project SEED. From the website Project SEED is a "Summer Research Internship Program for Economically Disadvantaged High School Students
The ACS Project SEED summer research program opens new doors for economically disadvantaged students to experience what it’s like to be a chemist. Students entering their junior or senior year in high school are given a rare chance to work alongside scientist-mentors on research projects in industrial, academic, and federal laboratories, discovering new career paths as they approach critical turning points in their lives."

We'd also like to thank Mark Maskeri for directing $500 in Austin's memory to the Alzheimer's Foundation. In Mark's words regarding Project SEED and the ALZ Foundation: "The deep curiosity and passion for humanitarian science efforts brought forth by these charities reach for some of my favorite memories of Austin, and I believe embody him well."

12/28/2016 - David
We'd like to thank David who directed a $500 donation in Austin's honor to the Rocky Mountain Institute. In David's words " I would like to direct $500 to the Rocky Mountain Institute (http://www.rmi.org/), an organization devoted to driving the efficient and restorative use of resources. They focus on market-based solutions that can be implemented as soon as possible with a focus on sustainable transportation, energy, and construction. Their Carbon War Room is devoted to decreasing carbon emissions by the gigaton scale, and in a time where the political climate is increasingly hostile towards renewable energy, Austin would want us to fight to move away from fossil fuels"

We would also like to thank David for directing a $500 donation in Austin's honor to the American Refugee Committee. In David's own words: "The rest of the donation will be to the American Refugee Committee (http://arcrelief.org). The charity, run out of Minneapolis (my current home base), focuses on support for refugees and displaced people throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa. They have recently been working to assist with the refugee crisis in Syria. As the son of a refugee, this cause is close to my heart knowing there are so many people unexpectedly displaced from their home, separated from family, and disowned by their own country."

12/28/2016 - Anonymous
We'd like to thank anonymous friends who directed $500 to a charity for street children in India. The charity was created by the same people who created the movie "Lion" which was inspired by a true story of a child who stepped on the wrong train, spent time as a street child in Kolkata, was adopted by an Australian couple who, and as a young man returns to India to find his family.

12/27/2016 - Mark & Susan
We'd like to thank Mark and Susan for directing $200 to West Coast Dog and Cat Rescue which says "Our mission is to provide care and find loving homes for companion animals of our community, with a focus on those with special needs."

We'd like to thank Mark and Susan for directing a $200 donation in Austin's honor to Planned Parenthood Action. All donations are doubled through Dec 31st. Donate now to protect women's health and reproductive rights from Trumputin and his gang of old white men.

12/27/2016 - Kristopher
We'd like to thank Kristopher for directing a $500 donation to Land Is Life in Austin's honor. Land is Life works with and for
indigenous people to protect their ancestral lands and cultures.

12/26/2016 - Sarah
We'd like to thank Sarah for directing a $500 donation to the Southern Poverty Law Center. Sarah writes "The SPLC is a nonprofit focused on advocacy for civil rights. It has brought suits in defense of minorities, prisoners, and the LGBT community. However, it is perhaps best known for combating white supremacy and tracking hate groups. I think that this is especially important in the current political climate, and one that would be consistent with Austin's values."

We'd also like to thank Sarah for directing a $500 donation to the Sierra Club. Sarah writes " I would like to donate the second half of the $500 to the Sierra Club Foundation (Charity Navigator Rating: 94.08/100), the fiscal sponsor of charitable programs of the Sierra Club. They focus on donating to causes that advance "climate solutions, conservation, and movement building," with an emphasis on justice for all people. This organization hits a sweet spot in terms of protection of the natural world and advocacy regarding climate change, which is more necessary now than ever."

12/26/2016 - DJ and Katie
We'd like to thank DJ Rausch for guiding our $500 donation to Childsplay Charity. It's a game industry charity dedicated to improving the lives of children with toys and games in a network of over 100 hospitals worldwide. Over the years, the gaming community have answered the call and come together to raise millions of dollars.
DJ loves this organization because it provides video games to children who are stuck in the hospital. Child's Play delivers toys and video games to hospital-bound children. The charity also combats hospital gloom, and works to dispel the myth that gamers are unilaterally antisocial.

We'd like to thank Katie for her guidance on our $500 donation to Casa de la Luz Foundation. Katie says "I recently started working at Casa de la Luz Hospice. The organization also has a charitable foundation that helps hospice patients in need. Sometimes staff will make requests for patients to provide a one time house keeper, sometimes it can make donations to patients who need help with cremation or burial costs. The Foundation also provides volunteers for a variety of needs from companionship visits to taking vigil near death if a patient doesn't have family around. The Foundation's mission is, "to provide quality of life services to hospice patients and families of limited resources. Essentials unique to their needs and not covered by the Medicare Hospice Benefit or other insurance may include food, personal items and services, clothing, utility, rent, mortgage payments, transportation, special outings and recognitions, funeral expenses, music, and books.""

12/25/2016 - Isaac
We'd like to thank Isaac for his guidance on a $500 donation to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in Austin's honor. Austin loved the CSO and attended as often as he could. If you are in the Chicago area, make sure to attend a performance.

We'd also like to thank Isaac for his guidance on a $500 donation to Seeding Labs. From Isaac's email... "It's an organization devoted to helping young researchers and new labs in resource-poor areas get the resources/instruments they need to get off the ground. Democratizing science/biotech by reducing the barriers to entry is essential for spreading a love of science/discovery through the world."

12/25/2016 - Aenea
Our thanks to Aenea who helped us direct $500 to Voice of Music in Austin's honor. From their website: "Our goal as artists and teachers is to offer concerts and recordings of music composed before 1800, affordable educational programs for children and adults, advanced training for the next generation of young professionals and community outreach. We provide music of the highest quality in live performances. Through innovative programming as well as original and passionate artistry, we introduce new audiences of all ages to the world of early classical music."

We'd also like to thank Aenea for directing a $500 donation in Austin's honor to the ACLU. The ACLU help us all keep a lid on Transputin as he and his clown car move into positions of authority. This is going to be a long four years. The ACLU will be a big help in holding it back.

12/25/2016 - Nora
We'd like to thank Nora for selecting Fresh Lifelines for Youth for a $1000 donation in Austin's honor. FLY’s vision is that our most at-risk and disadvantaged youth will transform from juvenile delinquents into positive community leaders, a community of people will support them in that process and our local juvenile justice systems will provide more effective and humane services. Nora is currently applying to be a mentor for FLY. Thank you, Nora!

12/25/2016 - Catherine
Catherine helped us select Growing Home of Chicago for a $500 donation in Austin's honor. Growing Home helps unemployed people in Chicago with paid farm-based job training with the goal of mainstreaming them into full time employment.

We'd also like to thank Catherine for pointing us to FoodCylce for a $500 donation in Austin's honor. FoodCyle is a national charity that combines volunteers, surplus food and spare kitchen spaces to create tasty, nutritious meals for people at risk of food poverty and social isolation. Thanks, Catherine!

12/24/2016 - Marie
I'd also like to thank Marie for directing a $500 donation to the National Resources Defense Council in honor of Austin. The NRDC will be instrumental in keeping industry from ignoring environmental health in the pursuit of profits.

And we'd also like to thank Marie for her suggested donation of $500 to Planned Parenthood Action to help support them in the protection of women's health and reproductive freedom in the face of reactionary political vendetta from the right-wing. Thank you, Marie.

12/24/2016 - Jeremy
Jeremy just helped us select the National Resources Defense Council to donate $500 in Austin's honor. NRDC will help keep Trumputin's pick to head the EPA (and who couldn't even remember it's name during a debate) from doing too much damage while he's there.

Jeremy also helped us select the NATIONAL WOMEN'S LAW CENTER for a $500 donation in honor of Austin. The NWLC fights for women's rights in the workplace, as well as in the political, education and medical spheres. Thanks, Jeremy!

12/24/2016 - John
John Vaughen, Laurie and I just donated $500 to Unicef in Austin's honor. 90% of the money raised goes to help kids around the world. Donate today!

John also helped us donate $500 to the Environmental Defense Fund in Austin's honor. Now more that ever with Trumputin coming.

 12/24/2016 - Ryan
Ryan just helped us make a $1000 donation to Lumos. This charity from JK Rowling helps children who live in orphanages and institutions. And 100% of your donations go to the children they serve.

Olga

Happy belated christmas.  Sorry I'm a bit late about the 12 days of Christmas charity- thank you so much for including me, it's an honour as always! I wanted to give 300$ to a charity for street dogs I work for- they rescue dogs from the streets and out of pounds in Spain and make sure they're adopted. At the moment I have a foster dog here who'd probably be dead if not for them. Their website, www.denia-dogs.de
I'd like to give the rest of the money to charities that help refugees, since there are so many of them here in Germany and I'd like to give the 700$ to the local support system in my town, since it seems to be doing a pretty good job as far as I can tell. You can either donate on the website ( https://fluechtlinge-willkommen-in-duesseldorf.de/de/geldspenden#Clownschools-for-Life-e-V-) or send them the money via bank. Thank you for doing this, and much love from overseas!

Aenea 

500 to Planned Parenthood which needs a great deal of support right now.
250 to From The Top, which supports young musicians.
250 to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, which Austin and I frequented often.

Laura and Isobel
We know this is the last twelve minutes of Christmas, but we want you to know that we have been thinking about charities in Austin's honor. 
Isobel and I have been talking a lot about all the problems that face the world and about how best to counteract them.  In that spirit, she has chosen the following four charities:
Partners in Health:   $250
Innocence Project $250
American Refugee Committee $250
National Resources Defense Council $250

Sheila 
​
    You are wonderful people and the way you have chosen to honor Austin gives help to those that will benefit in the coming year.  I am  in favor of $500 to The Guide Dogs for the Blind; these dogs give mobility and hope to those who can not see.  I think Austin would feel that was a good thing;  perhaps a student will be able to attend college with the help of a companion who guides and protects them on their way.  Austin was so kind, that would be the way he would have helped, if he were here.  Always remembered, never forgotten.  Love,  Grandma Sheila


Claudia 
​
I love that you do this in honor of Austin. Please pick the charity that you want to give to in his name.
Merry Christmas and a Happy, peaceful New Year!!!!

On Claudia's behalf, we choose to services that feed and house the poor in Albuquerque because Austin often stopped to talk with and give money to the homeless in Chicago.
​
Roadrunner Food Bank  $ 500
Joy Junction $500


Kris

This is great. Thanks for the opportunity to help direct some money to good causes. I know a few folks who have worked at schools near Burma funded by Save the Children for $500. Here is the webpage that describes what they do. The folks I've talked to had very positive things to say about this.
​