VOTE for the 2010 Racketboy Charity Auction Beneficiary

[dsheinem]

Once again, we will be having a charity auction near the end of this year. We've started doing some planning here.

Please visit each site and educate yourself a little bit before you vote!

Please do not use this thread to lobby for one charity or another, or your comment will be deleted. All are worthy causes, and this isn't a competition! (Members have already made their case in the planning thread above.)

This poll closes on Wednesday, October 20th.

Here's the basic information for each charity along with links providing more information.

Alzheimer’s Association -http://alz.org/ - The Alzheimer's Association is the leading, global voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care and support, and the largest private, nonprofit funder of Alzheimer research. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s, and since our founding in 1980, we have moved toward this goal by advancing research and providing support, information and education to those affected by Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Our Mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. http://alz.org/about_us_about_us_.asp

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) - http://www.aspca.org/- The ASPCA was the first humane society to be established in North America and is, today, one of the largest in the world. Our organization was founded by Henry Bergh in 1866 on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment at the hands of humans, and must be protected under the law. Headquartered in New York City, the ASPCA maintains a strong local presence, and with programs that extend our anti-cruelty mission across the country, we are recognized as a national animal welfare organization. We are a privately funded 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, and proud to boast more than 1 million supporters across the country. (http://www.aspca.org/about-us/about-the-aspca.html)

The Betty Ford Institute Children's Program - http://www.bettyfordcenter.org/kids/index.php - The Betty Ford Institute Children's Program addresses the needs of children aged seven to twelve who love someone who suffers from addiction to alcohol or other drugs. Through age-appropriate activities children learn that their loved one’s disease is not their fault, they are not alone and there is hope. Because more than 90% of participants in the program attend on scholarships, we continually strive for donations to underwrite program costs. It is only because of the commitment of our donors that we can firmly maintain the goal that no child is ever turned away from the program due to an inability to pay. (Last year's beneficiary.)https://www.bettyfordcenterfoundation.o ... px?pid=324

The Brian Wood Memorial Trust - http://www.brianwoodmemorialtrust.com/ - A memorial trust has been set up to assist the family of Brian Wood, a developer who died under tragic circumstances …Wood had been the lead developer on Company of Heroes Online. The trust has been set up to help his pregnant wife and family during this time. (http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/09/brian ... donations/)

Christopher Reeve Spinal Cord Injury and Paralysis Foundation - http://www.christopherreeve.org- The Reeve Foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research, and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis through grants, information and advocacy. The Reeve Foundation's Paralysis Resource Center (PRC) promotes the health and well-being of people living with a spinal cord injury, mobility impairment, and paralysis by providing comprehensive information, resources and referral services. http://www.christopherreeve.org/site/c. ... out_Us.htm

The Epilepsy Therapy Project -http://www.epilepsy.com/ The Epilepsy Therapy Project is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit corporation dedicated to a singular focus: overcoming the funding gaps and roadblocks that slow the progress of new therapies from the lab to the patient. Epilepsy Therapy Project seeks to improve incentives and encourage commercial investment in new therapies. Acting as both a catalyst and clearing house for innovative research and the early commercialization of new therapies, the Epilepsy Therapy Project brings together financial resources, scientific insights and business expertise from leading academic and commercial industry participants. - http://www.epilepsy.com/etp/about_etp

The Make a Wish Foundation - http://www.wish.org/ - Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation® has enriched the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions through its wish-granting work. The Foundation's mission reflects the life-changing impact that a Make-A-Wish® experience has on children, families, referral sources, donors, sponsors and entire communities. The Make-A-Wish Foundation was founded in 1980 after a little boy named Chris Greicius realized his heartfelt wish to become a police officer. Since its humble beginnings, the organization has blossomed into a worldwide phenomenon, reaching more than 193,000 children around the world. http://www.wish.org/about

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research - http://www.michaeljfox.org/ - The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease through an aggressively funded research agenda and to ensuring the development of improved therapies for those living with Parkinson’s today. We believe without fail that our goal is within reach - but we can’t get there without your support. Please join the fight today. - http://www.michaeljfox.org/about.cfm

Partners in Health - http://www.pih.org/ - At its root, our mission is both medical and moral. It is based on solidarity, rather than charity alone. When a person in Peru, or Siberia, or rural Haiti falls ill, PIH uses all of the means at our disposal to make them well—from pressuring drug manufacturers, to lobbying policy makers, to providing medical care and social services. Whatever it takes. Just as we would do if a member of our own family—or we ourselves—were ill. http://www.pih.org/pages/who-we-are/

[dsheinem]

Come! Vote!

[Ack]

I already did.

[Luke]

I voted as well.

Not much enthusiasm around here.

[dsheinem]

Not much enthusiasm around here.

[YoshiEgg25]

Voted. I didn't notice it earlier but when I saw it, I had to vote for it.

[Luke]

Not much enthusiasm around here.

Things will hopefully pick up once items are up for bidding. I'm hoping we can at least match last year's revenue. And I'll donate and purchase items again regardless of who the beneficiary is, but my heart is in Alzheimer's research.

[jfrost]

How many charities will be benefitted in the end?

[jp1]

I voted as well. With all the talented members of these boards it would be really cool to see some repro carts, console mods, custom jobs, etc... in the auction. I would be down to do some bidding on a few of those.

[dsheinem]

How many charities will be benefitted in the end?

Probably just 1. If there is extremely strong support for two of these compared to the rest, then maybe 2.