Tuesday, December 07, 2010

One person can make a difference......


At Try Change we highlight organizations and individuals that are make a difference in their communities. Past posts included national non profit organizations, small businesses and even kids!


Tonight we like to recognize our friend Rachael. She will be participating in a half marathon on January 23rd. This is one of three that she will compete. Completing all three will qualify her for the special "Triple Crown" medal.


For her first half marathon, she has teamed up with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to raise money in hopes that it will help the society's researches find a medical cure for cancer.


Rachael trains with the group on a weekly basis. She even ran 8 miles this past Saturday!


How can you help?

Go to Rachel's Fundraising Page to learn more about her efforts raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society




Way to Go Rachael!

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Cookies N' Cream



We came across a very interesting story in the November issue of Entrepreneur magazine. The magazine featured a story about Cookies N Cream a mobile retail store that utilizes a old DHL truck as it's storefront. Located in NYC these entrenpenuers could have easily been paying $53,000 a month just for rent. Instead they paid just over $10,000 for the used DHL truck including the artistic vinyl wrap that decorates there vehicle.


Cookies N Cream can be found rolling through the streets of SOHO and other hot NYC spots. At Try Change we feel this is just one of many creative ideas that have sprung up during the recession.


Cookies N Cream sells T-shirts and collectible toys sometimes pulling as much as $1,000 a day. Part of their appeal is the customers perception that they may not be able to find the particular shirt or toy since it is a mobile store. You can learn more about Cookies N' Cream at bakedinny.com

At Try Change we feel we can all make a difference. For us, we donate 10% of all our profits to Volunteers of America which serves the homeless in the DC,VA & MD areas. We also adopt a homeless family during the holiday season, donate clothes as well as hold an annual Charity yard sale for VOA.You can find our shirts at:Fashion Mechanics in the Springfield and Manassas Mall
Evado in the Fair Oaks Mall
Shadows in the Forestville Centre
SWANK in the Pentagon City Mall
Millennium in Georgetown
Sport Zone- Selected locations
D-Block-Lakeforest Mall,Gaithersburg MD
First Thangs First- Waldorf MD
Next Level Clothing- Ellicott City MD
Turning Point- Laurel Centre Mall, Laurel MD
New York Fashions- Charlottesville VA
Fashion Kings- Bridgeport WV
Hot Stepper -Martinsburg WV
Urban Flavor- Old Town, Manassas, VA
Heartbeat- Lake Forest Mall, Gaithersburg MD
Fashion World- Hurlock MD
City Wear- Farmville, VA
Help us pass along the Try Change message by joining one of our blog communities and asking your blog community members to visit our blog.
Thank you,
Vince & Chrissie



Sunday, August 29, 2010

San Diego Food Bank


At Try Change we like to showcase individuals and organizations that are making a difference.


Since we have moved to San Diego, I think we should highlight a local charity here in our new hometown! The San Diego Food Bank was established in 1977. They estimate that they distribute over 15 million pounds of food annually and feed 300,00 people per month.




As stated on their website their mission is "To provide food to people in need, advocate for the hungry and educate the public about hunger related issues."






Call the San Diego Food Bank toll free, 1-866-350-FOOD (3663), to learn about food programs and services in your area. Someone will be available to assist you Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.




For more information about the San Diego Food Bank, feel free to contact us directly toll free at 1.866.350.FOOD (3663), locally at 858.527.1419 or at any of of the below departments. 9850 Distribution Avenue San Diego, California 92121




At Try Change we feel we can all make a difference. For us, we donate 10% of all our profits to Volunteers of America which serves the homeless in the DC,VA & MD areas. We also adopt a homeless family during the holiday season, donate clothes as well as hold an annual Charity yard sale for VOA.
You can find our shirts at:
Fashion Mechanics in the Springfield and Manassas Mall

Evado in the Fair Oaks Mall

Shadows in the Forestville Centre

SWANK in the Pentagon City Mall

Millennium in Georgetown

Sport Zone- Selected locations

D-Block-Lakeforest Mall,Gaithersburg MD

First Thangs First- Waldorf MD

Next Level Clothing- Ellicott City MD

Turning Point- Laurel Centre Mall, Laurel MD

New York Fashions- Charlottesville VA

Fashion Kings- Bridgeport WV

Hot Stepper -Martinsburg WV

Urban Flavor- Old Town, Manassas, VA

Heartbeat- Lake Forest Mall, Gaithersburg MD

Fashion World- Hurlock MD

City Wear- Farmville, VA

Help us pass along the Try Change message by joining one of our blog communities and asking your blog community members to visit our blog.
My Space
Razoo
Idealist
Change.org
MyBlogLog
BlogCatalog
Twitter
Thank you,
Vince & Chrissie


Wednesday, July 07, 2010

Mama's Kitchen


Greetings from San Diego!
As you may know at Try Change we like to highlight individuals and organizations that are making a difference in their community.


Tonight we bring you Mama’s Kitchen. As noted on their website

“Mama's Kitchen delivers three nutritional meals a day, seven days a week at no charge to men, women and children living with AIDS or cancer. Additionally, Mama's Kitchen provides pantry services (Mama's Pantry) to people affected by AIDS. Through these services, we are able to provide food, compassion and hope to over 1,500 people annually living throughout San Diego County”

Some people may think that AIDS is no longer a threat to our community. Nothing could be further from the truth. There was over 65,000 people living with HIV (not AIDS) or with AIDS at the end of 2007, and reported AIDS case rates in 2007 in California.
How can you help?
At Mama's Kitchen a family of volunteers provides critical support for their mission and all the difference in the lives of their clients, whether they volunteer for a few hours a day, a week or a month. Many of the volunteers have made new friends that last a lifetime!
It’s easy to get started. Your first step is to attend a volunteer orientation.

All Orientation sessions are held at our main facility, 1875 Second Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101. We are located on the ground floor of the church building at the corner of Second and Fir. Please use the adjacent parking lot and enter at that same level.
As a volunteer-driven, not-for-profit organization, Mama's Kitchen respects the right to privacy of all citizens, but also has a responsibility to make every attempt to provide the safest environment for our clients and volunteers. As a result of this responsibility, staff and volunteers are required to participate in reference checks. Please be prepared to provide us with the email addresses of two people whom we may contact. These should not be relatives, but should be teachers, employers or other community members.


To confirm orientation dates and times or for more information, contact us at 619.233.6262 or by email at bill@mamaskitchen.org

At Try Change we salute Mamas Kitchen!



At Try Change we feel we can all make a difference. For us, we donate 10% of all our profits to Volunteers of America which serves the homeless in the DC,VA & MD areas. We also adopt a homeless family during the holiday season, donate clothes as well as hold an annual Charity yard sale for VOA.


You can find our shirts at:
Fashion Mechanics in the Springfield and Manassas Mall

Evado in the Fair Oaks Mall

Shadows in the Forestville Centre

SWANK in the Pentagon City Mall

Millennium in Georgetown

Sport Zone- Selected locations

D-Block-Lakeforest Mall,Gaithersburg MD

First Thangs First- Waldorf MD

Next Level Clothing- Ellicott City MD

Turning Point- Laurel Centre Mall, Laurel MD

New York Fashions- Charlottesville VA

Fashion Kings- Bridgeport WV

Hot Stepper -Martinsburg WV

Urban Flavor- Old Town, Manassas, VA

Heartbeat- Lake Forest Mall, Gaithersburg MD

Fashion World- Hurlock MD

City Wear- Farmville, VA

Help us pass along the Try Change message by joining one of our blog communities and asking your blog community members to visit our blog.
My Space
Razoo
Idealist
Change.org
MyBlogLog
BlogCatalog
Twitter

Thank you,
Vince & Chrissie

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Ronald McDonald House


With our recent move to California we have not had the chance to blog as much we would have liked to. However were back in saddle and would like to highlight Ronald McDonald House. I was recently given a tour at the local Ronald McDonald house so lets take a look at the Southern California program. I am sure most people have heard about this organization but we still thought it would be great to blog about it.

As stated on their website:

For more than 30 years, the programs of Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Southern California (RMHCSC) have been committed to providing comfort, care and support to children and families in Southern California through a variety of wellness and educational programs. Across the Southland, RMHCSC is working to create a community where children and families embrace life and healing with a sense of hope, enthusiasm, courage and joy.


Camp Ronald McDonald House for Good Times is just one program:

Located near the mountain community of Idyllwild in Riverside County, Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times offers children with cancer and their siblings free, medically-supervised weekend and week long sessions filled with a variety of activities including arts and crafts, campfires, sports, swimming, hiking and horseback riding

Want to find out more about Ronald McDonald House?

For more information on the programs of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California, please contact them:
Phone: (626) 744-9449
Fax: (626) 744-9969
765 South Pasadena Avenue Pasadena, CA 91105


At Try Change we feel we can all make a difference. For us, we donate 10% of all our profits to Volunteers of America which serves the homeless in the DC,VA & MD areas. We also adopt a homeless family during the holiday season, donate clothes as well as hold an annual Charity yard sale for VOA.

You can find our shirts at:
Fashion Mechanics in the Springfield and Manassas Mall
Evado in the Fair Oaks Mall
Shadows in the Forestville Centre
SWANK in the Pentagon City Mall
Millennium in Georgetown
Sport Zone- Selected locations
D-Block-Lakeforest Mall,
Gaithersburg MD
First Thangs First- Waldorf MD
Next Level Clothing- Ellicott City MD
Turning Point- Laurel Centre Mall, Laurel MD
New York Fashions- Charlottesville VA
Fashion Kings- Bridgeport WV
Hot Stepper -Martinsburg WV
Urban Flavor- Old Town, Manassas, VA
Heartbeat- Lake Forest Mall, Gaithersburg MD
Fashion World- Hurlock MD
City Wear- Farmville, VA
Help us pass along the Try Change message by joining one of our blog communities and asking your blog community members to visit our blog.


Thank you,


Vince & Chrissie




Sunday, February 28, 2010

Volunteers of America - San Diego


As you know we at Try Change like to highlight individuals that are making a difference in their community. You may also know that we are official partners of Volunteers of America of Chesapeake. We support Volunteers of America through charity yard sales, adopting a homeless family during the holiday season and by donating 10% of our profits from our T-Shirt sales to VOA Chesapeake. What you may not know is that we recently decided to pursue our dream of living on the west coast by moving to San Diego.


So here we are in sunny San Diego and we would like to highlight the great works that is being done by Volunteers of America of Southwest California.


Here's some information from their website:


Founded in 1896, Volunteers of America is a nonprofit health and human services organization that assists less fortunate individuals and families. We provide them with the tools to improve their quality of life. The purpose of our programs is to strengthen the social, spiritual, psychological and physical well-being of those we serve.


The service territory for Volunteers of America of Southwest California encompasses San Diego, Imperial, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.


Our experience with VOA has shown that it is a great organization. VOA touches the lives of so many people in so many outstanding ways. From substance abuse programs to programs that help families with domestic violence issues.



You can donate your time

You can donate online

Donate an item on their wish list


Their are also many other ways you can help to learn more we encourage you to visit contact Volunteers of America -Southwest California



At Try Change we feel we can all make a difference. For us, we donate 10% of all our profits to Volunteers of America which serves the homeless in the DC,VA & MD areas. We also adopt a homeless family during the holiday season, donate clothes as well as hold an annual Charity yard sale for VOA.


You can find our shirts at:
Fashion Mechanics in the Springfield and Manassas Mall

Evado in the Fair Oaks Mall

Shadows in the Forestville Centre

SWANK in the Pentagon City Mall

Millennium in Georgetown

Sport Zone- Selected locations


Gaithersburg MD

First Thangs First- Waldorf MD

Next Level Clothing- Ellicott City MD

Turning Point- Laurel Centre Mall, Laurel MD

New York Fashions- Charlottesville VA

Fashion Kings- Bridgeport WV

Hot Stepper -Martinsburg WV

Urban Flavor- Old Town, Manassas, VA

Heartbeat- Lake Forest Mall, Gaithersburg MD

Fashion World- Hurlock MD

City Wear- Farmville, VA

Help us pass along the Try Change message by joining one of our blog communities and asking your blog community members to visit our blog.
My Space
Razoo
Idealist
Change.org
MyBlogLog
BlogCatalog
Twitter
Thank you,Vince & Chrissie



Sunday, February 14, 2010

San Diego Center for Children


Recently, I attended an event here in San Diego that benefited the Center for Children. Being new to the area I was unfamiliar with the organization. However, by the end of the night I learned so much about the San Diego Center for Children I thought it would be appropriate to highlight this outstanding organization.

As stated on their website:

'The mission of San Diego Center for Children (SDCC) is to promote the well-being of children, youth, families, and communities by providing an array of proven and effective mental health, educational, and social services. Founded in 1887, SDCC is San Diego’s oldest accredited non-profit organization. Today, SDCC has become a leader in providing mental health services to children and families within our community. We offer a variety of programs for children facing behavioral, emotional, social, and educational challenges.SDCC programs support Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and re-establish the learning process while meeting the specific mental health needs of the children and adolescents we serve '

'San Diego Center for Children provides a variety of therapeutic activities for each youth. They are designed to improve social functioning and self image; understand developmental stage and organizational skills of each youth; meet individualized treatment needs; develop new skills and interests; and to provide a means for appropriate self-expression. Sessions include team sports, non-competitive games, aerobic exercise, bike riding, swimming, and field trips. Other more passive sessions include board games, art, music, writing and word games, study skills and creative play. Sessions are developed by a Certified Recreation Specialist and carried through by the Recreation Therapist and/or the CDC staff.'


To learn more about the San Diego Center for Children visit their website at: http://www.centerforchildren.org/


At Try Change we feel we can all make a difference. For us, we donate 10& of all our profits to Volunteers of America which serves the homeless in the DC,VA & MD areas. We also adopt a homeless family during the holiday season, donate clothes as well as hold an annual Charity yard sale for VOA.


You can find our shirts at:

Fashion Mechanics in the Springfield and Manassas Mall
Evado in the Fair Oaks Mall
Shadows in the Forestville Centre
SWANK in the Pentagon City Mall
Millennium in Georgetown
Sport Zone- Selected locations
D-Block-Lakeforest Mall,
Gaithersburg MD
First Thangs First- Waldorf MD
Next Level Clothing- Ellicott City MD
Turning Point- Laurel Centre Mall, Laurel MD
New York Fashions- Charlottesville VA
Fashion Kings- Bridgeport WV
Hot Stepper -Martinsburg WV
Urban Flavor- Old Town, Manassas, VA
Heartbeat- Lake Forest Mall, Gaithersburg MD
Fashion World- Hurlock MD
City Wear- Farmville, VA

Help us pass along the Try Change message by joining one of our blog communities and asking your blog community members to visit our blog.








Thank you,
Vince & Chrissie




Thursday, January 21, 2010

Tavis Smiley Foundation


At Try Change we all can make a difference. We also like highlight individuals and organizations that are making a difference in the lives of others. Today we like to showcase the Tavis Smiley Foundation.


As stated on their website "Our goal is to serve as a powerful positive force in young lives to counter the negatives in media and our society as a whole and provide an infrastructure that allows youth to voice their concerns and actively engage meaningful civic participation"


How does the foundation accomplish this mission?

By providing the following programs:

Talented Tenth High School Tour- The goal of this 10-city tour is to enlighten, encourage and empower young people to develop the skills needed to become powerful leaders in their school, community and the world. Tavis Smiley, founder and president of the Tavis Smiley Foundation (TSF), shares what he has learned about strong leaders and engages students in conversations to discover their priorities and motivate them to action. Teachers and students will receive a Youth to Leaders Toolkit of resources. Click here to learn more.


The Tavis Smiley Foundation Leadership Institute is a national five-day interactive leadership curriculum that trains youth to meet the challenges in their communities. Click here to learn more.


Tavis Smiley Foundation Leadership Institute Tour The Institute Road Tour takes our core group of youth trainers and the Leadership Institute curriculum across the United States to conduct a two-day version of the Institute with other young people. Click here to learn more.


Youth to Leaders (Y2L) Ventures To help youth receive funding for community service projects they develop at the TSF Leadership Institute and the 2003 Youth to Leaders National Summit, the Tavis Smiley Foundation partnered with Youth Ventures, a non profit organization dedicated to promoting youth led social entrepreneurial projects. Click here to learn more.


Salute to Youth Leadership Gala A lavish and exclusive affair, the Salute to Youth Leadership Dinner and Gala celebrates the contributions and accomplishments of young leaders and pioneers in youth development while raising money to support the Tavis Smiley Foundation's leadership development programs for African American youth. The annual five-course dinner for 100 is hosted by a celebrity and presented by an African-American executive chef. Click here to learn more.


Smiley ScholarsThe Tavis Smiley Foundation provides scholarships to its program participants who have demonstrated outstanding academic excellence, leadership and service to the community. Past recipients have attended Morehouse College, Yale University and Howard University. Click here to learn more.


Please pay a visit to the Tavis Smiley Foundation website


At Try Change we feel we can all make a difference. For us, we donate 10& of all our profits to Volunteers of America which serves the homeless in the DC,VA & MD areas. We also adopt a homeless family during the holiday season, donate clothes as well as hold an annual Charity yard sale for VOA.You can find our shirts at:
Fashion Mechanics in the Springfield and Manassas Mall
Evado in the Fair Oaks Mall
Shadows in the Forestville Centre
SWANK in the Pentagon City Mall
Millennium in Georgetown
Sport Zone- Selected locations
D-Block-Lakeforest Mall,
Gaithersburg MD
First Thangs First- Waldorf MD
Next Level Clothing- Ellicott City MD
Turning Point- Laurel Centre Mall, Laurel MD
New York Fashions- Charlottesville VA
Fashion Kings- Bridgeport WV
Hot Stepper -Martinsburg WV
Urban Flavor- Old Town, Manassas, VA
Heartbeat- Lake Forest Mall, Gaithersburg MD
Fashion World- Hurlock MD
City Wear- Farmville, VA
Help us pass along the Try Change message by joining one of our blog communities and asking your blog community members to visit our blog.My SpaceRazooIdealistChange.orgMyBlogLogBlogCatalogTwitter
Thank you,
Vince