Congrats to the HSUS, your choice to receive NT's $10,000 10th anniversary donation! UPDATE 2/20!

December 10 marks the tenth anniversary of the NikeTalk community. To celebrate, we'll be donating $10,000 to a charity selected by YOU, our fellowmembers, from a list of every organization we've supported to date.

As many of you already know, our staff members have always donated their services to the community. Ever since implementing ads in 2006, we've donated100% of our revenue above the basic cost of web hosting to charity. In total, we've succeeded in delivering over $93,000 to 15 different charities. With this $10,000 donation, we will breach the $100,000 mark.

Throughout the month of November, you'll have the opportunity to cast your vote to determine the recipient of our special 10th anniversary $10,000donation. Each of our voices will count equally, and while there are no wrong choices I urge you to review each charity and carefully consider your selection.

The poll results will be revealed on December 1st, leaving us time to make the donation official prior to the 10th anniversary. I can't wait to find outwhich charity you've chosen.

Before you cast your vote, let's take a moment to briefly review each organization. As you do, I hope you'll consider supporting the causes you careabout by volunteering, learning more, raising awareness, and perhaps offering a donation of your own.

NikeTalk has always paid homage to what we stand in. Now is the time to show the world, and each other, what westand for.


UNICEF
United Nations Children's Fund, http://www.unicef.org/

Original Donation Amount: $2,569.92, issued August 2006: http://niketalk.com/topic/430

What They Do: UNICEF's programs run the gamut from emergency/disaster relief and disease prevention to genderequality and education. Learn more about their programs here: http://www.unicef.org/whatwedo/index.html

How Would the $10,000 be used? If selected, we would allocate the $10,000 to UNICEF's Schools for Africa campaign: http://www.schoolsforafrica.com/home.htm


Access Books
http://www.accessbooks.net/

Original Donation Amount: $4,116, issued October 2006: http://niketalk.com/topic/429, http://niketalk.com/topic/418 (update)

What They Do: Access Books refurbishes inner city school and community libraries in the greater Los Angeles area. They accept book donations as well - so check their website and send in children's books(new or good condition) to help spread joy and knowledge tochildren in need. The average book in these grossly underfunded libraries was published in 1960 - long before any of us (save perhaps kdwallace) were evenborn. A calendar of events is available as well, and those of you in the SoCal area are welcome to volunteer to help transform a library: http://www.accessbooks.net/happening_calendar.html

How Would the $10,000 be used? $10,000 would go a long way towards refurbishing a library in need somewhere inSouthern California.


Ettie Lee Homes
http://www.ettielee.org/

Original Donation Amount: $4,116, issued November 2006

What They Do: Ettie Lee Homes, now known as Ettie Lee Youth and Family Services, has provided group homes for youngpeople since 1950. They help troubled and at risk youth through range of services, from 24 hour residential care to adoption, education, gang/violenceintervention, and mental health/addiction treatment programs. We initially selected Ettie Lee Homes in part because one of our staff members spent some timethere during his youth, so we know first hand what a difference they can make in a young person's life.

How Would the $10,000 be used? If selected, $10,000 would be used at the organization's discretion.


Gawad Kalinga
http://gk1world.com

Original Donation Amount: $2,907, issued January 2006

What They Do: Based in the Philippines, Gawad Kalinga (which means "give care") offers community developmentand disaster relief services. Current programs seek to help 5 million people emerge from poverty and encourage environmentally sustainable development.

How Would the $10,000 be used? If selected, $10,000 would be used at the organization's discretion.


The UNCF
http://www.uncf.org

Original Donation Amount: $3,656.92, issued March2007: http://niketalk.com/topic/421

What They Do: The UNCF has provided a pathway to higher education for men and women since 1944. Today, theorganization helps over 60,000 students each year receive a college education and, in the process, assists us in closing the racial achievement gap. It is acritical contribution not only for each student and his/her family, but for our society as a whole:

 

Behavioral science research suggests I'm barking up the wrong tree on this one, that you all will be overwhelmed by the 15 options and put relativelylittle thought into your selections. I'd prefer to think otherwise, that you'll focus more on this decision than blind taste testers selecting a jam ata supermarket or some similarly trivial task. I hope you'll give this the consideration it deserves and choose carefully. It is a really, really toughcall.

Even I'll be kept in suspense til December 1st. I just hope we have a strong turnout, so our selection will really represent the community as a whole.

On a board like ours it's too easy for threads like this to fall through the cracks and go unnoticed, so please spread the word and, for those interestedin keeping up with the donations, following us on twitter (niketalk1999) is an easy way to find out as soon as new posts go live.


Thanks, everyone!