Associations in Action

ASSOCIATIONS NOW, August 2012 , Community now

The American Humane Association sent its Red Star rescue team to Colorado to help animal victims of the recent wildfires in the state. Red Star served as the first responder to assist pets in need and to provide emergency rescue operations, shelter, and care to the animals. The team used its "Rescue Rig" to help with on-the-ground rescue efforts. The 82-foot-long vehicle is equipped with a mobile operating theater, emergency rescue equipment, and accommodations for 12 volunteers.

For the fourth consecutive year, the National Dairy Council has partnered with General Mills Foodservice to offer Fuel Up Breakfast Grants, which provide funding to K-12 schools looking to develop or expand their breakfast programs. Schools can apply to receive up to $2,000 in funding through the program. This year's donations total $50,000 and add to the $260,000 donated over the previous three years.

In May, the Dermatological Society of New Jersey offered a series of free skin-cancer screenings, sun-damage assessments, and sun-safety education in recognition of National Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month. On Melanoma Monday, DSNJ reached out to state legislators and others in government to discuss the hazards of tanning and provide free screenings.

Joining forces for the 20th year, the National Association of Letter Carriers and Campbell Soup Company held the Stamp Out Hunger food drive in May. The event has become the largest single-day food drive benefiting Feeding America, the largest domestic-hunger relief organization in the United States. In 2011, Stamp Out Hunger collected 70.2 million pounds of food donations, marking the eighth consecutive year that at least 70 million pounds was donated.

The Student Conservation Association, in collaboration with ARAMARK, launched the Environmental Internship Program, placing 10 interns into a variety of jobs at ARAMARK client locations throughout the United States. The interns worked with ARAMARK employees to help meet environmental goals in local purchasing, food waste composting, energy conservation, and other areas.

At its International Consumer Electronics Show, the Consumer Electronics Association announced a $75,000 donation to Green Chips and Repurpose AMERICA, Las Vegas-area nonprofits committed to clean energy and reducing waste.

The AARP Foundation has awarded grants totaling $3.7 million to several nonprofit organizations through a competitive grant process. The foundation awards grants to organizations that focus on four areas: hunger, housing, income, and isolation. The initiative was launched with a budget of $2 million, but because of strong interest and high-quality applications, the level was raised to $3.7 million. Programs receiving support will affect people in 18 states and Washington, DC.

The Hispanic National Bar Association announced the HNBA Veterans Legal Initiative Program, a new effort to provide free legal services to service men and women and their families. The initiative will organize HNBA members to open their own free legal clinics and to volunteer at local Department of Veterans Affairs and Veterans of Foreign Wars locations and American Legion posts.

The Toy Industry Foundation and Kids in Distressed Situations held a Toy Bank collection to benefit children in need at the close of the American International Toy Fair in February. Exhibitors donated 32,330 toys and games with a total value of $327,903, which exceeds the 2011 total by more than a third.