Share Our Strength

www.strength.org

I jump because... "No Child Should Grow Up Hungry. Share Our Strength is a national organization working to make sure no kid in America grows up hungry. They weave together
a net of community groups, activists and food programs to catch children at risk of hunger, and ensure they have nutritious food where they live, learn and play. They work with the culinary industry to create programs and events to raise awareness, educate, and raise funds for the hungry children in America." -(submitted by a student)

Henrico Humane Society

http://www.henricohumane.org/

Jump for Animals. "Since its founding in 1992, this non-profit rescue organization has helped over 4,000 homeless pets. Why so many? Death, divorce, relocation, abandonment, and landlord problems are some of the most common reasons. Many who are rescued suffer from the effects of abuse and neglect; too many are in poor or life threatening condition. Most are rehabilitated. Medical care and careful screening before placement of a rescued animal are very important to the animal's welfare. Each animal taken in by HHS is examined by a veterinarian, treated, if necessary, vaccinated, and tested. educate the public about the characteristics of the homeless pets, animal care, and obedience." -(submitted by a student)

Massey Cancer Center

Jump because... "Massey offers more clinical trials than any other cancer center in Virginia, which in turn enables us to offer more hope and new treatment options to people with all kinds of cancer. Our specialized teams focus their intellectual power on each patient. These multidisciplinary teams are organized by unique types of cancer — such as breast cancer, lung cancer or colon cancer — and they include a variety of specialists. Surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists and a host of others meet each week to discuss treatment plans for each patient. This level of teamwork and communication is unparalleled, and it saves patients and their families from visiting a variety of specialists in different locations around town. Massey is also one of the best models of a public-private partnership in Virginia, with more than 50 percent of our funding coming from private philanthropy. We appreciate the support our community gives us and, in turn, we commit ourselves to helping to prevent, control and, ultimately, to cure cancer." -(submitted by a student)

YWCA of Richmond

www.ywcarichmond.org/

Jump for women... "The YWCA has provided a support system for women in the Richmond area since 1887. Originally founded to house women coming from rural areas to the city for factory work, the YWCA continues its mission of caring for those most in need and providing equal opportunities for women, children, and families of all ages, races, and income levels." -(submitted by a student)

Virginia DEC

Jump for education... "The Virginia Division for Early Childhood is the local division of the DEC which stems from the Council for Exceptional Children. The DEC is a 'nonprofit organization advocating for individuals who work with or on behalf of children with special needs, birth through age eight, and their families.' This cause is close to my heart because I desire to get my Master of Education in Early Childhood Special Education." -(submitted by a student)

Richmond SPCA

http://www.richmondspca.org/

I jump for the... "Richmond SPCA, founded in 1891, is a non-profit, no-kill humane organization dedicated to the principle that every life is precious. As a national leader in humane care and education, the Richmond SPCA is aggressively tackling the problem of pet overpopulation through education, adoption, rehabilitation and spay/neuter. The organization saves the lives of 3,000 homeless animals each year and cares for approximately 350 cats and dogs daily.  The Richmond SPCA operates a free and low-cost spay/neuter clinic and behavior helpline and offers pet behavior classes, children's educational programs, and numerous volunteer programs." -(submitted by a student)

SSSCR

Jump for Research... "'SSSCR stands for Student Society for Stem Cell Research, which is the dedication to the advancement of scientific research for cures, specifically through the use of stem cell technologies. VCU takes part in this organization and is lead by VCU students.  Their mission statement states that they take part of an "international network dedicated to the advancement of scientific research for cures.' Through this organization we can learn more about stem cell research and what they promote as a chapter here at school." -(submitted by a student)

Meals on Wheels

 http://www.mowaa.org/

 Jump because... "The Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) is the oldest and largest organization in the United States representing those who provide meal services to people in need. Our mission is to provide visionary leadership and professional training and to develop partnerships that will ensure the provision of quality nutrition services to seniors in need." -(submitted by a student)

AmeriCorps: America Reads

www.americorps.org

Jump to read... "America Reads is a program funded by AmeriCorps.  40% of all children are now reading below the accepted level on national reading assessments. Children who do not read early and read well are held back at the start of their education and for the rest of their lives. 'During 1st and 2nd grade students learn to read, after that students learn by reading'." -(submitted by a student)

AARF

Jump for animals... "AARF stands for Animal Adoption and Rescue Foundation. It was founded in May of 1993. I prefer AARF over the SPCA because AARF does not euthanize the animals that they find, even if they host the animal for a long time. They host the animals until they can be adopted by a loving family. The dogs that they host are found in neighborhoods, streets, and some are even dropped off by owners that no longer wish to care for them. A lot of dogs especially are stolen and sold to companies for animal testing. They are shaved and tested on and shoved in crates and observed like lab rats. Many die in experimentation. But AARF helps to keep these animals off the streets." -(submitted by a student)

Richmond Fire Department

http://www.richmondgov.com/departments/fire/

Jump for the RVA Fire Department... "Not only does the Fire Department help put out fires, but they offer blood pressure screenings, install smoke detectors for free, install child safety seats in cars, offer a mentorship program to Richmond Public Schools, teach safety behaviors to public school students, provide fire equipment and firefighters at community events, and all Richmond Firehouses are Safe Place Sites (places young adults can go when experiencing an emergency or crisis)." -(submitted by a student)