The Daily Tell

The outreach to flood-ravaged Pakistan has included efforts from individuals and nations around the world, as well as donations numbering in the hundreds of millions of dollars, but some officials have criticized the Muslim community for not reaching out to the devastated country. As flood waters threatened the historic city of Thatta and rose in the town of Sujawal, destroying homes, hospitals and schools, Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu of the Organization of the Islamic Conference responded to the criticism.

Speaking at a joint news conference with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Ihsanoglu said that the Muslim community has donated more than $1 billion to the relief effort. Pledges have been made by NGOs, Muslim states, some of the fifty-seven OIC institutions and by individuals during telethons in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

Muslims "have shown that they are one of the largest contributors of assistance both in kind and cash," said Ihsanoglu.

The 250,000 residents of Sujawal and the 350,000 people who call Thatta home have mostly fled to higher ground, but the flood waters – which reach as high as 10 feet in some places – continue to destroy historic landmarks, as well as private residences and shops, mosques, clinics and other buildings. Unfortunately, just leaving the cities hasn’t been enough to save all residents.

"We don’t have water to drink, not to mention food, tents or any other facility," Mohammed Usman, a laborer who fled Sujawal several days ago, told the Associated Press. Usman needs water to help cope with a painful kidney stone.

While international support has been tremendous, not everybody is thrilled with the route that relief money is taking. Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani criticized donations made to foreign NGOs rather than the Pakistani government, saying much of the money would disappear before it ever reached Pakistan.

"Eighty percent of the aid will not come to you directly," Gilani said, referring to Pakistani citizens, at a press conference in Multan. "It will come through their NGOs, and they will eat half of it."

According to the United Nations, about $228 million in emergency aid has been donated by the U.S. government and humanitarian aid organizations to the country and another $42 million has been pledged.

The Fifth Annual Lake Wobegon Regional Trail Ride benefiting Catholic Charities’ St. Cloud Children’s Home and other participating faith communities will take place this year on the September 11 anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, according to the St. Cloud Times.

Chuck Rieland, the charity ride’s founder and director, was deeply affected by the tragedy in 2001. His employer, Morgan Stanley, had offices that occupied more than 50 floors of the World Trade Center. All 50 came crashing to the ground nine years ago when al-Qaida flew two airliners into the buildings, killing more than 3,000 people and injuring countless others. Rieland was inspired by the events to make a difference in his community and prevent the tragedy of the attacks from reaching other homes and families.

“After 9/11, I was getting letters from the children’s homes," Rieland told the paper. "They talked about the cutbacks they had to make because the corporate sponsors felt they had to take care of their own people first, and so it was very sad for me."

Rieland, a native of New Munich, Minnesota, approached the St. Cloud Children’s Home and Catholic Charities five years ago about creating a bike ride along the Lake Wobegon Region Trail where he had grown up.

"They were all for the idea," he recalls.

The first ride, in 2006, raised more than $55,000 for the organizations. Subsequent rides raised $61,000 in 2007, $67,000 in 2008 and $68,000 in 2009 for a total of almost $251,000 in the history of the event. Last year, about 215 riders participated in the fundraiser, Rieland told the paper.

The St. Cloud Children’s Home was founded by Benedictine nuns in 1875 as an orphanage. Today, it remains true to the nuns’ vision as a place where youth from all parts of Minnesota, ages 8-18, can come for support and help in dealing with hardships including abuse, neglect and drug addiction.

Stanley F. Druckenmiller has joined an elite but expanding group of billionaires who have stepped down from executive positions to devote more time and money to philanthropy.

Last year, Druckenmiller, a hedge fund manager worth an estimated $2.8 billion, transfered a quarter of his personal fortune – $700 million – to his family foundation.

Before the transfer, the foundation had assets of about $6.5 million, meaning that Druckenmiller’s contribution increased its net worth by more than 100 times. As a result, the Druckenmiller Foundation’s annual gift giving grew to about $26 million last year from $3.6 million in 2000.

The donation landed Druckenmiller at No. 1 on the Chronicle of Philanthropy’s ranking of largest individual charitable contributions in 2009. That year, Druckenmiller and his wife, Fiona, also donated $100 million to New York University’s Langone Medical Center to create a neuroscience institute.

Druckenmiller, 57, announced earlier this month that he plans to shut down his hedge fund, Duquesne Capital Management, which oversees $12 billion, to spend more time on charitable causes – chief among them the Harlem Children’s Zone, to which he donated $25 million in 2006. Druckenmiller has also given to Teach for America, Human Rights Watch, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Robin Hood Foundation, among others.

For a while, it was all the rage in Los Angeles to carry a tiny purse-sized dog, such as a Chihuahua, Pomeranian or Yorkie. But, like all trends, this one faded – leaving hundreds of small dogs homeless, unwanted and alone. These pups quickly filled Los Angeles-area shelters, and many were euthanized when suitable homes couldn’t be found in time to make way for a new wave of abandoned pets.

Meanwhile, hundreds of miles away in quiet Utah, families and apartment-dwellers looking for a small dog were having trouble finding such a pet at the shelter. In Utah, lap dogs are a rarity in shelters and must usually be purchased for exorbitant prices from private breeders.

Then Robin Harmon, the adoption manager for Best Friends Animal Society in Los Angeles, and Jessica Almeida, rescue and transfer coordinator for the Humane Society of Utah, figured out a way to save hundreds of dogs and provide families with the companions they were looking for. The duo founded Pup My Ride about two and a half years ago to shuttle small homeless dogs between the two cities.

"It’s senseless to have dogs euthanized in one area when dogs like that are in demand in another area," Almeida told Tonic magazine. "You have these little dogs and you can’t imagine why no one would want them. And to imagine you can make someone’s dream come true, for a dog who had no future, is amazing. It is a fantastic feeling."

Pup My Ride has so far saved more than 3,500 small dogs from euthansia in California by making twice-monthly van trips to Utah. And the program has some major backing: actress Katherine Heigl and her mother, Nancy, fund the effort through their Jason Debus Heigl Foundation. In addition, Denise Richards is a regular volunteer.

Pup My Ride also rescues dogs from puppy mills – cruel operations where dogs are often left neglected and starving in their own waste, often in wire cages suspended feet from the ground. Dogs in such conditions can suffer horrible injuries, including amputation of the paws by the sharp wire of the cage.

A country ham has fetched a record-breaking $1.6 million in a charity auction last week in Lexington, Kentucky.

The winning bid, which comes out to $100,000 a pound, was placed by two Louisville businessmen – Bernard Trager, chairman of Republic Bank and Trust, and Dr. Mark Lynn, of Dr. Mark Lynn & Associates and owner of Dr. Bizer’s Vision World. Each contributed $800,000 to the purchase of the meat produced by Broadbent B&B Foods of Kuttawa at the 47th annual Kentucky Farm Bureau Country Ham Breakfast.

Bids on the ham go to a charity of the bidder’s choosing. Dr. Mark Lynn & Associates indicated it plans to donate its bid to the University of Louisville, Visually Impaired Preschool Services and Eastern Area Community Ministries. Republic Bank and Trust did not specify the recipients of its donation, but said most would go to local healthcare and education, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader.

The ham auction takes place each year at the end of the summer. It has humble beginnings – in 1964, $124 won the very first country ham to be auctioned off – but it has grown exponentially in recent years. Over the last decade, the average price of the auctioned ham has increased to a respectable $462,048.

Although no official fundraising goal is set, the event has raised more than $5.6 million for local charities and educational and philanthropic groups over its nearly half-century-long history.

The $1.6 million price tag for the 16 lb. porker – whose meat will also go to charity – shattered a previous charitable-food record. In 2007, billionaire Stanley Ho paid $330,000 for a 3.3-pound white truffle, proceeds from which went to nonprofits including the Consortium for Street Children in the UK, the Telethon in Italy and Caritas in China, according to Tonic.com.

When we think of religious persecution, we often think of events that took place centuries ago – the crusades, or the Spanish Inquisition, to name a few examples. Unfortunately, however, religious persecution is still part of everyday life for religious minorities around the world. A charity called Global Women is working to put a stop to religious intolerance, especially in Kazahkstan.

Anara Nessipbekova, a Global Women ministry partner from Kazakhstan, has spent the last month in America helping to translate Christian materials into the Kazahk language. The nation of Kazakhstan, which sits in central Asia and is surrounded by a community of predominantly Muslim nations, is home to approximately 16 million people, only 15,000 of whom are Christian. These Christians can be subject to heartbreaking religious persecution.

According to Anara, being a Christian in central Asia can mean the loss of family, friends and employment. She knows from experience: When her brother became a Christian, his wife divorced him and will no longer allow him to have any contact with his four children.

Global Women works to provide Christians in Kazahkstan and other central Asian countries with the emotional and financial support to persevere in their faith even in the face of enormous adversity. The organization, based throughout the Southern U.S., is a nonprofit charity that aims to help followers of Jesus Christ be safe in their faith.

Hundreds of nuns, bishops, children, tourists, locals and volunteers crowded today around the grave of Mother Theresa in the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity, the order of nuns she founded in 1950 in the eastern Indian city of Calcutta. Some brought flowers or candles, others offered prayers and blessings.

The selfless nun who dedicated her life to serving India’s poor was born on this day one hundred years ago. Her birth is being celebrated around the globe with masses and vigils dedicated to remembering her legacy as a hero to the underprivileged and an inspiration to philanthropists the world over.

"Her life and work continue to be an inspiration for the young and the old, the rich and the poor, from all walks of life, religions and nations," Sister Mary Prema, the nun who now heads the Missionaries of Charity, told the Associated Press.

Pope Benedict XIV spoke at a mass dedicated to the nun, who was on this day in 1910 to Albanian parents in Macedonia. The Pope described Mother Theresa as an "inestimable gift" and added that "this year will be for the church and the world an occasion of joyful gratitude to God."

Mother Theresa, born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, came to India in 1929 and spent the next 68 years caring for Calcutta’s impoverished, destitute and homeless, regardless of their religion or creed. In 1979, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and was beatified upon her death in 1997 by Pope John Paul II.

The nun’s legacy is not free from controversy, however. She has been criticized by numerous groups for her strong stance against contraception and abortion and the proselytizing nature of her work, among other concerns. Regardless, the massive turnout to mark the centennial of her birth proves that, differences in beliefs aside, Mother Theresa made an enormous impact on the lives of people around the world.

Five years ago, Hurricane Katrina left the houses along New Orleans’ historic streets in ruins. Once grand mansions and cozy family residences were reduced to little more than piles of kindling. Now, a charity called Make It Right is working to restore the area.

Two years after the cataclysmic storm, actor Brad Pitt was appalled by how little had been done to rebuild the Lower Ninth Ward – a low-income area that had not been the focus of much government funding. Pitt, a Louisiana native, founded Make It Right in 2007 to address the needs of the community. Since then, the charity has raised $31 million and enlisted 21 architects to build 150 homes in the Lower Ninth.

The construction is focused on designing homes at a modest cost that are tall enough to stand above potential floods but sturdy enough to withstand another hurricane – all while preserving the traditional New Orleans spirit, which has centered on intricate wrought-iron designs and brightly-colored tiles that serve as a reminder of the city’s liveliness.

A documentary detailing the effort to rebuild and repopulate New Orlean’s most devastated areas, directed by Spike Lee and entitled "If God is Willing and Da Creek Don’t Rise," aired earlier this week on HBO. Pitt appears in the feature, discussing the charity’s work and stating that it has thus far "exceeded expectations."

Bloomberg Muse architecture columnist James S. Russell expressed his guarded but genuine appreciation for the projects headed by Make It Right.

"Make It Right has proven psychologically and symbolically invaluable," he wrote. But, "despite the project’s enormous success, you don’t have to walk far in the Lower Ninth to find dozens of empty, weed-choked blocks."

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has partnered with pharmaceutical company Merck to provide $60 million over the next five years to fight HIV/AIDS in Botswana.

The country, located just above South Africa, has the second-highest rate of HIV/AIDS infection in the world, second only to nearby Swaziland. An estimated 23.9 percent of the adult population has the disease, and 11,000 of the country’s citizens will die from it every year. These figures reflect only what is officially reported; thousands of others many be infected or dying from HIV/AIDS but are unaware that they are affected and may not be recorded because they cannot reach treatment centers.

Merck, along with the Gates Foundation, is now building on its initial investment of $56.5 million, donated in 2001 to the African Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Partnerships. The two donors will add a $60-million gift to the investment, to be spent over the next five years on care and treatment, as well as on second-phase initiatives to meet the current treatment needs of the 137,000 Batswana – the name for the country’s citizens – living with HIV.

The second phase initiatives include the prevention of HIV, the critical need to treat people living with HIV for tuberculosis and other common infectious diseases and the sustainability of the program to allow Botswana to successfully address HIV/AIDS within its own borders.

"For nearly 10 years, Merck has been a partner in helping the Government of Botswana save the lives of thousands of people living with HIV and AIDS and we are confident our new funding will continue to contribute to the well-being of the country," said Richard T. Clark, chairman and CEO of Merck. "This collaboration is a great success story on many levels, and has become a model for many countries both on and off the African continent."

Thanks to donations like those from Merck and the Gates Foundation, the African Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Partnerships have established 32 ARV treatment sites and more than 170 clinics throughout Botswana – allowing 90 percent of Batswana in need to receive treatment.

Public Invited to Vote for Favorite Playground “Idea;” Winner Will Receive $70,000 to Build All-Inclusive Playground

Woonsocket, RI – August 23, 2010 – CVS/pharmacy, Boundless Playgrounds, and Pepsi are inviting the public to join them as they work together to provide all children with the opportunity to play together in a truly inclusive environment. The partnership is part of the Pepsi Refresh Project, a groundbreaking effort that funds ideas, big and small, that can refresh the world.

From now until September 28 at noon ET, the public is asked to visit boundlessplay.refresheverything.com and vote on which playground idea should receive $70,000 in funding to build a Boundless Playground. Voting is limited to one vote, per person, per day. The website will announce the winning idea on September 28, 2010.

On a Boundless Playground children of all abilities can gain the important developmental and physical benefits of unstructured play. They also learn to appreciate the unique capabilities of others, regardless of any perceived ability, and are able to grow together while playing side-by-side in a safe environment.

The partnership with the Pepsi Refresh Project is made possible through CVS Caremark All Kids Can, a 5-year, $25 million commitment to support children with disabilities. Since 2006, CVS Caremark All Kids Can has supported Boundless Playgrounds and donated more than $4 million which has resulted in the building of more than 50 Boundless Playgrounds nationwide.

“Our goal with All Kids Can is to help all children succeed in life. A Boundless Playground has a real impact on a child’s physical and emotional development and we’re thrilled to be a part of creating an environment that encourages all children to learn and play with one another,” said Eileen Howard Dunn, Senior Vice President of Community Relations for CVS Caremark. “We are excited to be part of the Pepsi Refresh Project and to give people the opportunity to support organizations like Boundless Playgrounds in their commitment to making local communities a better place for all children.”

“We are proud to partner with CVS/pharmacy and Boundless Playgrounds and support their mission to give children of all abilities the opportunity to play together in a fun and welcoming environment. The Pepsi Refresh Project supports powerful, creative and fun ideas that encourage positive change and we’re thrilled to be part of an initiative that has and continues to make a difference in the lives of children with all abilities in communities throughout the country,” said David Regine, Pepsi National Account Manager, CVS/pharmacy Team.

Through the Pepsi Refresh Project, Pepsi is awarding more than $20 million in 2010 to fund ideas that move the world forward. At www.refresheverything.com, anyone can submit an idea and each month the public votes to determine which ideas get funded.

The Pepsi Refresh Project is an evolution of the Refresh Everything initiative Pepsi launched in 2009, which showed the brand as a catalyst for optimism. In 2010, Pepsi is funding ideas that will move the world forward in six categories: Health, Arts & Culture, Food & Shelter, The Planet, Neighborhoods and Education. The Pepsi Refresh Project features significant social engagement around people and the power of ideas.

Boundless Playgrounds

Boundless Playgrounds is the leading nonprofit developer of truly inclusive playgrounds where children of all abilities gain the important developmental and physical benefits of unstructured play. On a Boundless Playground all children can be in the middle of the fun. There are nearly 200 Boundless Playgrounds in 31 states and Canada, with over 100 under development. For more information about Boundless Playgrounds, visit www.boundlessplaygrounds.org.

About CVS Caremark All Kids Can

All Kids Can, a program of the CVS Caremark Charitable Trust and CVS Caremark, is a five-year, $25 million commitment to support children with disabilities. The goals of All Kids Can are to support children with disabilities by raising awareness in schools and in local communities about the importance of inclusion, creating greater opportunities for physical activity and play, and providing access to medical rehabilitation and related services. CVS Caremark and its more than 211,000 employees help children with disabilities learn, play and succeed through partnerships with leading local and national nonprofit organizations. For more information, visit cvsallkidscan.com