Denim Fund
Every Friday is casual day at Debt Shield with one string attached: Employees who choose to wear jeans to work are asked to donate towards Debt Shield's charitable fund. Each employee may submit a charity of his or her choice as a potential beneficiary and a donation is made to a charity chosen randomly.
The Denim Fund started in March of 2004. So far, Debt Shield employees collected and donated towards the following charities:
2009 Charitable Donations
Ducks Unlimited
Ducks Unlimited conserves, restores and manages North American wetlands and other waterfowl habitats and is the world's leader in wetlands and waterfowl conservation. The group was organized by a small group of sportsmen in 1937 after the Dust Bowl reduced the water-fowl population to record low levels. Members of the group include conservationists and outdoor enthusiasts.
Read the press release here.
Metro Kidz
Metro Kidz is a group for inner-city Baltimore youth ranging in age from 4 to 18. The group is located in Charm City Church in South West Baltimore.
Read the press release here.
Grassroots
Grassroots is a 24-hour resource and crisis center in Howard County, MD. They provide 24-hours services to individuals and families seeking emergency and transitional shelter, counseling and education.
Read the press release here.
The Humane Society
The Humane Society is the country's largest animal protection organization. In addition to serving as a refuge for homeless and abandoned pets, the Humane Society also has initiatives aimed at protecting wildlife, farm-raised animals and animals used in research.
Read the press release here.
2008 Charitable Donations
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Big Brothers Big Sisters “Bigs in School” program pairs local volunteers with participating schools to mentor students during weekly lunch visits. Volunteers (or “Bigs”) are paired with elementary school students (“Littles”) based on the children's needs, interests, age and gender.
Read the press release here.
The AIDS Orphan Education Trust (AOET)
The AIDS Orphan Education Trust (AOET) a nongovernmental organization providing education to African children who lost their parents to AIDS. According to AOET, “in an environment of poverty, disease, and vulnerability, education is one of the most important predictor of a child's growth and future economic certainty.”
Read the press release here.
Operation Homefront
Operation Homefront, which created ECarePackage.org, is a nonprofit organization supporting service members and their families. Visitors to ECarePackage.org can register overseas family members, sponsor service members or their families. Operation Homefront created this program as a way for citizens to make safe contributions to military families and personnel.
Read the press release here.
2007 Charitable Donations
The Charity Projects Entertainment Fund
is a U.S. charitable organization established to raise money and awareness to help combat extreme poverty in the United States and throughout the world, particularly in Africa. CPEF joined the hit FOX TV series “American Idol” in a two-night fundraising television event entitled “Idol Gives Back.”
Read the press release here.
Art With a Heart
Art With a Heart is a non-profit organization that provides interactive, hands-on art activities to disadvantaged families and children, and to people with developmental and physical challenges.
Read the press release here.
Better Business Bureau Education Foundation
Better Business Bureau Education Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to decreasing the financial and devastating impact of scam and fraud in Maryland.
United Way of Central Maryland
United Way of Central Maryland's mission is to improve people’s lives by mobilizing the caring power of our communities. They help those in crisis by taking aim at the root causes of the toughest problems the community faced.
Read the press release here.
Friends of the Family
Friends of the Family works with private organizations, public agencies, and local communities to initiate, provide quality assurance services, and garner resources to ensure the development of a strong family support network in Maryland, and to promote policies and programs that strengthen and support all members of families with young children to encourage healthy and productive lives.
2006 Charitable Donations
The Jacob's Light Foundation
The Jacob's Light Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that sends care packages and letters to soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Jacob’s Light Foundation’s mission is to send our military overseas necessities and comforts from home. They focus on military without family or support from home in an effort to give them the support they need and to serve as lifeline from America.
Locks of Love
Locks of Love is a non-profit organization that uses gifts of human hair to make wigs for children suffering from long-term medical hair loss.
The Arc
The Arc is the national organization of and for people with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities and their families. It is devoted to promoting and improving supports and services for people with mental retardation and their families. The association also fosters research and education regarding the prevention of mental retardation in infants and young children.
Muscular Dystrophy Association
The Muscular Dystrophy Association is a voluntary health agency – a dedicated partnership between scientists and concerned citizens aimed at conquering neuromuscular diseases that affect more than a million Americans.
CARE
CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. Their mission is to serve individuals and families in the poorest communities in the world. Drawing strength from their global diversity, resources and experience, they are able to promote innovative solutions and are advocates for global responsibility.
The Tibet Foundation
The Tibet Foundation was established in 1985 with the aims of providing healthcare, education and social economic support for people of Tibetan origin, both those living in exile, and those living in Tibet itself.
The Jimmy Fund
Since its founding in 1948, the Jimmy Fund has supported the fight against cancer in children and adults at Boston’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, helping to raise the chances of survival for cancer patients around the world.
Chesapeake Habitat for Humanity
The Chesapeake Habitat for Humanity works in Baltimore City neighborhoods, rehabilitating vacant houses to provide homeownership opportunities to low-income families.
Door of Faith Orphanage
Door of Faith Orphanage is a non-profit refuge for underprivileged Mexican children. They currently care for just over 100 children, and have several outreach programs to the dozen smaller nearby orphanages. They receive no government assistance and depend on the generosity of people.
American Red Cross Hurricane Katrina Fund
Over the past year, supporters of the American Red Cross have helped to deliver hope and comfort on a scale that has never been witnessed in the 125 year history of the organization. On Feb. 3, 2006, thank to the generosity of its supporters, the Red Cross announced that financial donations will cover the estimated $2.116 billion cost of its response to Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma.
2005 Charitable Donations
Hospice of Howard County
Hospice of Howard County provides end-of-life physical, emotional, and spiritual care for people with terminal illnesses and bereavement support for their families.
Please note:
In addition to the monetary contribution, the company participated in the Taste and Auction of Howard County. Employees joined the function as one of only 30 Bon Vivant members and helped the charity raise funds with a goal of reaching $500,000.
The Parent Place of Maryland
A non-profit family-centered organization. Their sole purpose is to enhance the lives of persons with disabilities.
The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults
The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults provides support services for young adults diagnosed with cancer.
The American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization led by volunteers that offers biomedical, blood-donation, disaster and emergency service.
The World Vision Quake & Tsunami Victims in Asia Fund
The World Vision Quake & Tsunami Victims in Asia Fund was setup to provide much needed emergency aid to those suffering from this tragic natural disaster.
United Way
United Way is the human services leader whose mission is to improve people's lives by mobilizing the caring power of our communities.
Second Chance
Second Chance helps newly released prisoners rejoin society as productive citizens.
The Jack Russell Terrier Club of America Russell Rescue
The Jack Russell Terrier Club of America Russell Rescue is a network of JRTCA members dedicated to placing unwanted or abandoned Jack Russell Terriers into permanent homes.
World Vision
World Vision provides relief to children and families in need around the world.
