Photo: theCHman

By: Melaina Gasbarrino

The most wonderful time of year has sprung upon us once again and this holiday season its not only about giving the perfect gift to the ones you love it’s about extending that concept into something so much larger that can show you how wonderfully magical the holiday season really can be. When many people’s minds were on Black Friday or getting those special deals on the holiday gift must-haves, we often forget the true spirit of the holidays, which is can be a simple as the joy giving to those in need.

This year you can put a sparkle in many people’s eyes if you decide on a more unconventional holiday gift. Many nonprofits today make it easy to buy a family in need essential services or income provisions through simple donation. What makes it even more special, is that you can consider a donation in someone else’s name as a gift to them during the holidays. Read More

Photo: Omega Man

By: Michele Wolfson

The leaves are falling off the trees, it’s getting dark before 5 pm and our breath is now visible as we briskly walk from one destination to the next in this biting weather. You know what that means, don’t you? It’s that time of year again where the Christmas songs and commercials play non-stop as they remind us all that the holidays are here and ’tis the season of giving!

While it is wonderful that food banks, soup kitchens, and other organizations are brimming at the seams with earnest volunteers and donation bins are overflowing around this time of year, it’s disheartening to see this kind of enthusiasm to help the needy die down after the New Year. Read More

By: Maya Haile

Today I discuss the final part of my journey to Ethiopia. After giving out our donations at Togojalya, I decided to visit further deep into Somaliland. We were advised that since it was Muslim land that my arms and legs must be covered in order to be allowed to enter. I had just regular clothing so I had to improvise. I found a quick solution when we found a street tailor that could make me a quick garment. I bought the fabric and within a few moments, I had a handmade dress made from native fabric that I could wear when crossing the Muslim lands. I also had a scarf with me that I could wear, so I felt like I fit in. I was happy to be able to partake of the local culture at least with my clothing; especially being in Ethiopia and Somalia, since both cultures are so similar, so I was super happy to follow their culture.

When we went further into that area, we visited the children’s school. But their school was nothing like we know a school to be, in fact it was technically just two trees. Read More

By: Maya Haile

As I described in Part I of my journey, we were welcomed to Togojalya with open arms. Togojalya is comprised of 5 tribes, each comprised of 200 families, totaling 1000 families in that area. We visited one in particular named Muhammad’s Tribe, which is registered with the Ethiopian government and are more willing to accept visitors. In this case, they welcomed us since we went with good intentions to help the families affected by the famine.

At Muhammad’s tribe, we passed out our donated food to each family, about 75 kilos (165 pounds) of food; 25 kilos (55 pounds) of each grain (rice, corn, and lentils). Read More

Photo: Jonathan_W

By: Cyndi Amaya

With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, many of us are planning what to prepare for that momentous family meal. The menu, guest list, and decorations may be clouting or minds as we start to plan for the biggest meal of the year. While this one meal can weigh heavy on our minds, one meal also weighs very heavy for over 50 million Americans every day- their next meal. Right now, over 50 million Americans — including 17 million children — are struggling with hunger because of rising food prices, unemployment woes, and other factors issues rising food insecurity. Read More

By: Maya Haile

As many of you know, I just recently returned from my charity trip to Ethiopia. The main goal for my trip was to distribute relief to the numerous famine victims affected by the worst drought that has hit Africa in more than 60 years. With the collected funds from Marcus’ and my Brunch for the Horn, I traveled back to my homeland and with the help of kind Ethiopia people, I was able to pass out our donations in the form of much-needed food. It was good trip, although a bit risky since Marcus wasn’t with me. But at the same time I had a lot of good energy with me from all of your support and the support of our staff and I took the good energy with me to Africa.

I had an amazing experience during my trip. Read More

By: Cyndi Amaya

As a Mets fan myself, I was thrilled to see that the New York Mets is teaming up with Goya Foods and City Harvest for a Holiday Food Drive on Thursday, November 17, 2011. On Thursday, November 17 from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., fans can drop off their food donation at the City Harvest truck that will be parked in Lot G outside the Mets Team Store at Citi Field.

So for those interested in free tickets to a Mets game, listen up! Fans donating 10 items or more of nonperishable nutritious food will receive a voucher redeemable for one pair of tickets to a select Mets game in April 2012. Read More

I have been a UNICEF ambassador for more than 10 years now and one of UNICEF’s projects that is most important to me is their Tap Project. Tap helps provide funding for better access to clean water for millions of children throughout the world, especially in Africa. How Tap works is simple; restaurants like Red Rooster Harlem, ask their patrons to donate $1 or more for the tap water they usually enjoy for free, and all funds raised go to support UNICEF’s efforts to bring clean and accessible water to millions of children in developing countries.

Since its inception in 2007, the UNICEF Tap Project has raised almost $2.5 million in the U.S. and has helped provide clean water for millions of children globally. Just the other day, genConnect featured their video of my passion for UNICEF’s Tap Project. Check out my genConnect video below about why UNICEF and the Tap Project are so important to me.

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Photo: Mark Eichmann

By: Saira Malhotra

Amidst obscurity and struggle, yet another company has seen great worth and possibility in Africa, this time, it’s Madagascar. The island is situated on the South East coast of Africa and is an exporter of primary products, such as minerals, lychees, and shrimp. In Africa, there is a growing shift in attitude among companies to take their respective industries to the next level. For Pepsico, it meant investing in infrastructure and better seeds to grow chickpeas on a large scale. For Edun, clothing, it meant using African textiles to create an edgy fashion line made in Africa. But what did it mean for Peace Corp volunteer, Tim McCollum?

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Photo: OhNo!Doom Collective

We all know there are those in the world who are suffering because of high poverty levels and poor economic times; but thankfully, there are companies who are ready to change that all. Companies around the globe have been devising and implementing plans to create unique pieces of clothing, accessories, and footwear to enhance the lives of those less fortunate. Sustainability is also the new fashion craze, and many clothing companies are not only looking for ways to be environmentally sustainable, but also in ways to help sustain people throughout the world as well. Read More