Do you turn the light off in the utility room, but wonder what more you can do?
Do you put up with the discomfort of wearing that pie-box-bra just because you’re environmentally fashion conscious?
Do you want to use the hedge clippers but fear that all that friction will add to global warming?
Sally Blubbers endorses many great charitable services such as promoting awareness of "Hand Me Down Syndrome," as well as "Hungry Children's Correspondence School." And we all know Dad's concern for sticky buns all over the world.
Beyond Dad and Sally, embedded beneath the witty rhetoric and patented cardboard recycling techniques the show utilized every week, there was a clear moral message. We would be doing Roundhouse a disservice if we focused only on the glitzy cardboard glamour of the show - ignoring the didacticism that all of it is about. "Kid-dressed-as-a-tree" is intended only to raise awareness of the charitable associations, which are Roundhouse related or endorsed. But before we get to that list, I want you internet savvy folks to be aware of the things we can do on the internet -FOR FREE- that help many great causes. The sites I'm listing below benefit a number of causes such as saving rainforests, relieving hunger, breast cancer prevention, AIDS education, and many others. All you have to do is click. Sponsors donate to those causes based on the number of clicks each site gets per day. I visit all of these sites everyday.
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Below are the charities that the cast are personally involved with. I'm providing links in case anyone wants to learn more.
Starlight Children's Foundation
http://www.starlight.org/
Starlight Children's Foundation exists to create a happy, low stress environment for children who are seriously ill. They have six core programs designed to restore laughter to the children afflicted with illness, including the provision of fun centers in hospitals where children and their families can go to play and relax. Starlight also has a program that provides a once-in-a-lifetime wish experience for those children. Starlight is an organization that makes dreams come true and proves that sometimes, laughter is the best medicine.
Pictured here are Shawn, Natalie, Natasha, and David Nicoll at a Starlight event.
Starlight Children's Foundation is also Dominic Lucero's favorite charity. As I have learned, giving to this charity is a great way to do something to show love for him.
T.J. Martell Foundation
http://www.tjmartellfoundation.org/
The T.J. Martell Foundation raises funds for innovative research for the treatments and cures of leukemia, cancer, and AIDS.
You probably all remember the famous T.J. Martell Rocker Soccer game that Ivan, Mark, and David Sidoni all participated in for these causes, in 1994.
The Actor's Fund of America
http://www.actorsfund.org/
This is a Natalie choice:
"I give to the Actor's Fund, an organization created by the stage union Actor's Equity Association, which provides care and housing for retired actors who sometimes have no family to help them along and no place to go. Along with many other services, Actor's Fund maintains an integrity and a dignity to the idea of assisted living."
Paralyzed Veterans of America
http://www.pva.org/
A Natalie choice:
"We also give to Paralyzed Vets of America. I was not born in this country; I became a citizen in 1989. It's important to acknowledge those who have fought for this incredible freedom we have here."
Children International
https://www.children.org/
Another Natalie choice:
"I also sponsor a child with Children International, an organization that provides food, shelter and medical aid to underprivileged kids in more destitute countries. I have had one child assigned to me for quite a long time now. His name is Fredy Ajcalon Cumatz, very cool. Once in a while he sends a note with a picture, telling me about his family or his day."
Feed the Children
http://www.feedthechildren.org
Here is their mission statement: "Feed The Children is a nonprofit, Christian, charitable organization providing physical, spiritual, educational, vocational/technical, psychological, economic and medical assistance and other necessary aid to children, families, and persons in need in the United States and internationally."
This is Crystal's pet charity. She's done a lot of promotion for Feed the Children and she sponsors two children through this organization.
Youth Service America
http://www.ysa.org/
Youth Service America is an organization that encourages kids to get involved with community service and offers lots of opportunities for involvement. The idea is to help build healthy communities and responsible young adults who care about their world.
David Sidoni and Nickelodeon's "Big Help" joined in on a Youth Service America effort to clean up a park, pictured here.
Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan
http://www.rawa.org
In the months following September 11, 2001 David Nicoll lent his talents, along with the talents of 49 other artists to produce the pop single, "Heroes Unsung." Collectively they were known as "Unsigned Artists for Unsung Heroes." Proceeds from the sale of "Heroes Unsung" went to Clear Channel's Disaster Relief Fund as well as the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan.
"RAWA is an organization of Afghan women struggling for peace, freedom, democracy and women's rights in fundamentalism-blighted Afghanistan."
Pictured here is David and the USA4USH group singing, "Heroes Unsung" at a benefit showcase at the El Rey Theater in Los Angeles in October of 2001.
Georgina Funktionals
http://www.georginafunk.com/ - site currently unavailable
Georgina Funktionals is a business designed and conceived by Julene Renee. Julene's creativity and fashion accessorizing savvy have created a means to raise awareness of the foster care system that she feels is far short of what it should be. A portion of the proceeds from Georgina Funktionals' sales goes to children in foster care, in the hopes that big steps will be made towards the total improvement of the system and that no child might be lost in the shuffle.
Habitat for Humanity
http://www.habitat.org/
Habitat for Humanity makes home ownership an economic reality to families that would not normally be able to afford it. Families that qualify put in 500 hours of "sweat-equity" to build and restore houses. Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit, financed with affordable, no-interest loans. The homeowners' monthly mortgage payments are used to build still more Habitat houses. Communities work together to build houses that are far more affordable than most one-bedroom apartments!
Habitat for Humanity is not specifically cast endorsed but it is Adge-endorsed. My cousin and her daughters live in a Habitat house and I think it's a wonderful organization. I want everything for those kids.
CollectiveGood Mobile Phone Donation
http://www.collectivegood.com/
This is a program I think everyone should know about. If you have an old cell phone in your closet - don't throw it out! Cell phones contain environmentally hazardous materials. CollectiveGood is a cell phone donation program which represents a varied list of charities that your old cell phone and its accessories could benefit. Visit the website for more information.
Easychair Expressway identifies with the kid in the cardboard tree costume. We believe thatRoundhouse's primary purpose was to inspire kids to do great things. Having met many of the other fans out there - I know that those kids turned into amazing adults. That's why this section exists. Thanks everyone.
