Nothing is True. Everything is Connected.
Category: <span>Sylum Charities</span>

Local Libraries

 

Libraries.

We need them, and we’re loosing them.

For this month’s charity, reach out to your local library and see how you can help.

Either by volunteering or becoming a friend of the library.

Sylum Charity: World Central Kitchen (WCK)

 

Considering the latest natural distasters plus on going conflicts and the work the WCK has been putting out – I figured best to showcase them.

 

For More Information: World Central Kitchen

Sylum Charity: Beanie for Cancer

 

This Foundation – The Mark Hughes Foundation (MHF) – is a Non-Profit, Health Promotion Charity that my wife Kirralee and I began in 2014, after I was diagnosed with brain cancer. We began the Foundation when we realised how underfunded brain cancer was in Australia in comparison to other cancers. The lack of funding meant very little research into treatments or cures for brain cancer and, as a result, not much has changed in the shocking brain cancer mortality rates over the past 30 years.

We had no idea when we started our Foundation and set about raising funds for some much needed research, the incredible amount of support we would receive from people everywhere.

In 2014 we kicked off our first simple fundraiser, Beanie for Brain Cancer Campaign. Since then we have grown from selling a few hundred beanies locally to joining forces with the National Rugby League to create an annual Beanie for Brain Cancer Round.

Our Beanie campaign is now a nationally recognised fundraiser which has seen almost 1 million beanies sold!

To date the Foundation has raised close to $30 million and in 2022 MHF announced a $25 million Brain Cancer Research Centre at the University of Newcastle. The Mark Hughes Foundation Centre for Brain Cancer Research is an exciting step forward for brain cancer research in Australia.

Other projects MHF have funded include a Brain Cancer Biobank, travel grants, multiple research projects around Australia including Fellowships and PhD’s. One of our proudest achievements as a foundation is implementing Brain Cancer Care Coordinators in rural and regional NSW health districts. 

Ultimately research means better outcomes for brain cancer patients but research is expensive – so we will continue to make it our priority to raise funds and ensure those funds get to where they are needed most.

Our Foundation is a very small organisation that runs mostly on the generosity of our supporters and some community grants which allows us to keep the running costs to a bare minimum so that one day, maybe in my lifetime, together, we will find a cure for brain cancer.

Join our tribe… we believe anything is possible! 

Mark Hughes

LGBT Center Awareness Day

As today is LGBT Center Awareness I figured to bring up LA’s Center which was one of the first in the Nation.

To support the LGBT community look to centers in your area.  They can always use the help.

For more information the LA’s LGBT Center: Go Here

Sylum Charity: Monuments Men and Woman

 

Considering the destruction of art, historical buildings and monuments in the Ukraine and other war torn locations.  I felt it was good to bring up these guys once again.

The Monuments Men and Women Foundation honors the legacy of the men and women who served in the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives section, known as the “Monuments Men,” and their unprecedented and heroic work protecting and safeguarding civilization’s most important artistic and cultural treasures from armed conflict. During its first decade of operations, the Foundation successfully raised worldwide awareness about the Monuments Men and Women through film, television, and books, honored their military service through the awarding of the Congressional Gold Medal – the highest civilian honor bestowed by the United States, and preserved their legacy through a partnership with the National World War II Museum making the Foundation’s incomparable archives and artifacts accessible to students and scholars around the world. In October 2019, the Museum broke ground on its Liberation Pavilion, which will feature a permanent exhibition about the Monuments Men and Women, the first of its kind. 

As the Foundation begins its second decade of operations, its focus will now shift to longer term objectives. In addition to locating and returning works of art and other cultural objects to their rightful owners, the Foundation will put the remarkable legacy of the Monuments Men and Women to work through custom-designed programs that not only educate and inform our youth, but challenge them to become the Monuments Men and Women of tomorrow. With world governments facing ever increasing demands for funding, no nation has the financial resources to fund the preservation of all of its national treasures. Consequently, preserving our shared cultural heritage for future generations depends on informing and inspiring our youth to meet the challenges ahead. It is an ambitious agenda, but one that pales in comparison to the challenge confronting the handful of Monuments Officers who conceived of the concept of cultural preservation officers in the midst of the most destructive war in history, without the use of any tools of technology. What they achieved not only informs the mission of the Foundation, it will serve as an inspiring guide to students, educators, military and world leaders, and the general public.

For More Information: The Monuments Men & Women

Sylum Charity: Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary

 

Providing Lifetime Homes & Care to Senior Dogs

Senior dogs, especially those with medical problems or disabilities, face a much greater chance of euthanasia at shelters than younger dogs because it is difficult to find adopters for them due to their shorter additional life expectancy and unknown veterinary costs. Most of these wonderful senior dogs are able to live happily with a good quality of life if given a chance. They make wonderful companions because they are mature, calm, and loving. It can be more difficult for them to settle in and, once they do, it is difficult for them to move again. For this reason we strive to find them forever foster homes where they can live out their retirement years as a beloved family member. Even once they’ve found their forever homes, we commit to providing them high-quality vet care for life.

 

For More Information: Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary

Sylum Charity: Khumbu Climbing School


As mentioned in the Qumolangama – this is the Khumbu Climbing School. 

***

High in the Himalayas of Nepal near the beaten track to Everest, there is a humble pastoral village called Phortse that is perched among the clouds. You may not see it if you trek up the precipitous path more traveled, past Tangboche Monastery and beneath the breathtaking pyramid of Ama Dablam. But look to your left, across the gaping gorge of the Dud Kosi river and you will see a terraced knoll dotted with stone structures. It is there in the shadow of the holy peak, Khumbila, above a quiet birch forest that the Khumbu Climbing Center found a home.

The Khumbu Climbing Center (KCC) was launched in 2003 and over the past fifteen years has become a successful vocational program for indigenous people. Each winter for two weeks, technical climbing skills are taught along with English language, mountain safety, rescue, and wilderness first aid. Dr. Luanne Freer, who oversees the Everest base camp ER, attests that KCC skills and knowledge are saving lives at the roof of the world. Nearly one thousand Nepali men and women have now attended KCC since its inception.

In the beginning, our instructors were qualified western climbers and guides who had experience in the Himalaya. Most of the teachers are now Nepali but we continue to have a small Western team travel to KCC each season. They often include National Park rescue rangers and professional guides who generously offer their time and expertise. They pay their own way or get sponsorship to give of themselves to the Sherpa community. We at KCC are deeply indebted.

For More Information: Khumbu Climbing Center

Sylum Charity: LGBT Center (Los Angeles)

Since June is Pride Month – I thought it would be good to showcase LGBT Charity.

The Los Angeles LGBT Center is one of the oldest in the United States, and has been helping kids off the streets for decades.

IF you know of any good LGBT Charities please let me know – I’ll add it to my list.   Also make sure to leave a comment on this thread and leave it for others to find!

For More Info: Los Angeles LGBT Center

Sylum Charity: Gary Sinise Foundation

 

At the Gary Sinise Foundation, we serve our nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need.

We do this by creating and supporting unique programs designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen, and build communities.

Freedom and security are precious gifts that we, as Americans, should never take for granted. We must do all we can to extend our hand in times of need to those who willingly sacrifice each day to provide that freedom and security. While we can never do enough to show gratitude to our nation’s defenders, we can always do a little more.

– Gary Sinise

For More Information: Gary Sinise Foundation

Sylum Charity: World Central Kitchen