Desmos Gamelion 2014 cause

By a large margin, Greek Non-profit Foundation Desmos has been elected as Gamelion 2014 cause for Pandora's Kharis. Desmos was established by a team of young, dynamic individuals sharing a common vision to responsibly and effectively address the imminent social and humanitarian crisis in Greece through collaboration and the involvement of the private sector. Desmos utilizes surplus products and services to meet the basic needs of vulnerable groups and individuals. With one phonecall or an email to Desmos, you can communicate your offer or your need, and enter into a dynamic network. Desmos won with 71 percent of the votes.

• Desmos: 71%
• Chicago Coalition For The Homeless: 12%
• International Rescue Committee: 0%
• Educate Girls Globally: 17%

The Pandora's Kharis PayPal account is once more open to receive donations, and can be accessed in the right hand sidebar. The deadline to donate is February 1, 2014. All PayPal costs will be covered by Elaion so your full donation will be transferred to Desmos. Thank you in advance for your donation, for spreading the word, and/or aiding the cause in any other way.

If you want to join the conversation, join Pandora's Kharis on Facebook.

Nominees Gamelion 2014

It is our great pleasure to announce the Gamelion 2014 nominees for charity of the month. One of the following causes will receive this month's donations made by members of Pandora's Kharis. We would like to thank every community member who stood up to pitch their pick for a cause and as our numbers keep growing, we hope for even more causes to choose from next month.


Desmos
Desmos is a Greek Non-profit Foundation that was established by a team of young, dynamic individuals sharing a common vision to responsibly and effectively address the imminent social and humanitarian crisis through collaboration and the involvement of the private sector. Desmos utilizes surplus products and services to meet the basic needs of vulnerable groups and individuals. With one phonecall or an email to Desmos, you can communicate your offer or your need, and enter into a dynamic network!

"I wondered about the situation in Greece which is so bad and want to help..."

Chicago Coalition For The Homeless
Since 1980, the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (CCH) has followed a clear mission: to organize and advocate to prevent and end homelessness, because they believe housing is a human right in a just society. They are the only non-profit in Illinois dedicated to advocating for public policies that curb and can ultimately end homelessness. The organization leads strategic campaigns, community outreach, and public policy initiatives that target the lack of affordable housing in metropolitan Chicago and across Illinois. In addition, CCH presses for access to jobs, training, and public schools. Community organizers, policy specialists, and public interest attorneys advocate with people hurt by homelessness, including mothers with children, unaccompanied youth, ex-offenders, prostitution survivors, and low-wage workers.

" It being so cold here in the states, I think it's important to support efforts to aid the homeless. I'd like to pitch support to the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. They are a top-rated non-profit and have 4 stars (highest rating) from Charity Navigator."

International Rescue Committee
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. At work in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities to restore safety, dignity and hope, the IRC leads the way from harm to home.

" They're well-established (81 years this year) and use >90% of funds for the people they serve. They focus on some of the biggest humanitarian crises around the world, particularly refugee resettlement."

Educate Girls Globally
Educate Girls Globally exists to provide opportunities for women and girls to achieve their full potential, recognizing that educated women are the world’s most powerful agents of social change. As a result of their education, the world becomes a safer, healthier, and more just place.

" I have come to believe that one of the root causes for MANY of the problems in the world is the oppression of women. Knowledge is power, so I would like to see our donations go to Educate Girls Globally, which focuses on bringing basic education to girls in places where it's not at all common to do so."

Do you have a favourite out of these four? Vote for your favourite in our poll. If you would like to donate to any of these, or have other causes to pitch for next month? Come join us as well! We will announce this month's winner on January 22, 2014.

$186,- raised for the Coats For Kids Foundation

 

Elaion is proud to announce that the third Pandora's Kharis donation run has raised $186,- for our democratically decided upon cause Coats For Kids Foundation. Once more, it is an astounding amount for a small but ever-expanding giving circle, and we are so proud of the generous spirit of the Hellenistic community.

PayPal takes its standard fees from the transactions--in this case about $10,-, which was covered by Elaion, making sure every cent of your donation went to the Foundation to buy coats for kids who are struggling in this winter weather. The average amount paid by the contributors was around $15,-, with donations coming in as high as $30,-.

Giving a child a new coat positively impacts that child’s self-esteem and self-worth. Coats For Kids believes that the impact on kids that receive coats from CFK is dramatic, as evidenced by heads held high, smiles, and fewer missed days of school because of illness. Most kids that receive a coat from CFK either have never had a winter coat or, at best, have had a hand-me-down from a parent, sibling, or clothing box.



On average, a new coat costs the Foundation fifteen dollars, meaning that together, we have been able to provide good, sturdy, warm coats to twelve kids who are in desperate need of them this winter.

As always, we encourage members who have given so generously to dedicate this gift to the Gods, especially the Kourotrophos; (mostly) female deities who watched over growing children--Gaea, Artemis, Hekate, Eirênê, Aglauros and Pandrosos, especially. A pre-made ritual can be found here, on the Elaion Facebook page.

From this moment on, the Pandora's Kharis Facebook page is open to pitches. If you do not have Facebook, feel free to pitch your cause in the comments. We will relay the message to the community.

On to another month of pitching, voting, and giving. Thank you for your generosity!