#GivingTuesday

 

#GivingTuesday is a time to take a break from the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping and take a look at nonprofits that often get neglected this time of year. Giving back to the community is important to OBL partners Karl Osterhout, Erik Berger, and Lindsay Osterhout. Over the last year, we have focused on promoting and contributing to three specific nonprofits that we feel are important change-makers in our communities. If you are looking for an organization to give to today, consider one of these:

 

Girls on the Run of UPMC Magee Womens Hospital – Girls on the Run is a national 501c3 dedicated to creating a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams. This local chapter is hosted by Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC and established to serve Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Lawrence, Mercer, Washington, Westmoreland, and Venango counties. Trained volunteer coaches lead small teams throughout a ten-week program, inspiring girls in the 3^rd-8the grades to recognize their inner strength and celebrate what makes them one of a kind. The program ends with the girls completing a service project and a celebratory 5k event. Not only did OBL sponsor the group throughout the year, but our own Lindsay Osterhout served as a coach during both the spring and fall sessions. Your donation to this organization could have an immediate impact and makes it possible for GOTR to continue to inspire girls and such a transformational part of their lives. Click HERE to give to Girls on the Run of UPMC Magee Womens Hospital or click HERE to learn about volunteer opportunities.

 

The Adoption Authority – The Adoption Authority, Inc. is dedicated to providing compassion, respect, and loving care to each individual on their unique adoption journey. They are committed to honoring and nurturing expectant mothers through pregnancy, birth, and life after placement. The recognized 501c3 organization and licensed child-placing agency in the states of Florida and Georgia but works with birth mothers and adoptive parents nationwide. Last month, they hosted their 1^st Annual Family Fun Day at the Jacksonville Zoo and OBL was a proud sponsor. One of the reasons we chose to promote this organization is because of its emphasis on counseling. They believe that money should never stand in the way of clinical counseling and bill fees on a sliding scale. Your donation can help provide for much-needed counseling that deals with issues such as grief and loss, attachment, family conflict, school issues, trauma, PTSD, coping skills, relationship issues, parenting, behavioral issues, and ADHD. Donate HERE.

 

412 Food Rescue – Did you know that 40% of the food produced gets wasted? 412 Food Rescue prevents perfectly good food from entering the waste stream and was founded as a direct response to the disconnect between food waste, hunger, and environmental sustainability. The organization works with food retailers to prevent surplus food from going to waste by utilizing a network of volunteers to directly transfer food to nonprofit partners that serve the community. The innovative nonprofit has an app (Food Rescue Hero) that matches food donations to the appropriate nonprofits and coordinates a last-mile transportation network of volunteers. Through these and other food education and rescue programs, 412 Food Rescue is truly making a difference in our community and fighting to help end hunger. One of the highlights of our year was the benefit concert Karl Osterhout organized featuring singer-songwriter, Peter Mulvey, to support 412 Food Rescue. Learn about the many ways you can volunteer to become a Food Rescue Hero or donate to the cause and help 412 Food Rescue continue to save food.

Whether you decide to donate funds or your time, we are sure that these organizations will appreciate any amount and you will contribute to their impact. If you champion a nonprofit that helps either the Pittsburgh or Jacksonville communities, please comment below to help raise awareness. Happy Giving!