Tag Archives: charity

Project Shine

It is often in the darkest skies that we see the brightest stars.

CUMULUS MEDIA and VolunteerMatch bring you PROJECT SHINE. Today, you have the power to shine. To help our country find its way out of the darkness. Your good deeds can light up the sky and shine light into the world.

In the wake of COVID-19, America’s non-profits need our support more than ever. Sure, it feels good to donate money, but when you VOLUNTEER, you truly give of yourself, and the world and your soul are richer for it.

PROJECT SHINE believes that everyone should have the chance to make a difference. That’s why we make it easy for good people and good causes to connect. You’ll be amazed at the world of volunteer opportunities that exist in your area through VolunteerMatch – the largest online volunteer engagement network.

There are currently 3.2 million volunteers needed by the non-profits on VolunteerMatch. Over 700,000 of those openings are for virtual volunteers, and many postings are for safely-distanced activities. Find your dream volunteer opportunity right now at www.VolunteerMatch.org.

Give what matters most – your time, effort and love – as a volunteer in your community. Let the light shine down, and let your light shine brighter too!

*If you know of a non-profit that needs help recruiting volunteers, we can help with that too! Find out more HERE.

We’ve partnered with Collective Soul who have recorded a brand new, exclusive 2020 version of their hit song, “Shine”, created just for Project Shine. It is all about bringing some light back into our world this season. Take a listen…

John & Ray’s 12 Strays of Christmas from PAWS Chicago

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John Howell, Ray Stevens and Jen DeSalvo of the WLS-AM 890 morning show visited PAWS Chicago this holiday season to bring you info for adoptable pets.

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MEET HOTDOG

If you love the quirky, feisty traits that define Chihuahuas and dachshunds, then Hot Dog is your guy. His spunky personality is written all over his adorable mug!

Hot Dog was adopted but unfortunately came back to us because he wasn’t a good fit with a new child in the home. These things happen. But he’s more than ready to find a new fit in a quiet and calm, adults-only home with an experienced owner who can help him work through his fear of strangers.

Ready for a BFF (best furry friend) that’ll keep you on your toes and in stitches?

Here are Hot Dog\’s \”Likes\” and \”Dislikes\” on his PAWS Chicago page!

Jen, Ray & John talk about Hot Dog on Monday, Dec. 12:

 

 

snowball

MEET SNO BALL

Sno ball is just a baby. At three months old, this little labrador retriever is looking for a family with lots of energy to help her grow into a socialized and happy adult!

As a puppy, Sno Ball will want to play quite frequently, so be ready to get ample exercise!

Sno Ball would love to meet you! Stop by the Pippen Fasseas Adoption Center at 1997 N. Clybourn Ave., in Chicago\’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, today.

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kesef

MEET KESEF

Kesef is an adorable kitty who is looking for a forever family!

Playful and energetic, Kesef is an active cat who gets easily overstimulated, and will need an adults-only ‘purrrrmanent’ home. He lived with another kitty during his recent stay in a foster home, and while the two got along well, Kesef sometimes lacks the social skills to realize that other cats don’t always like to play as much as he does! We think he would do well with another kitty who is laid-back and willing to tolerate his playful antics.

He used his cardboard scratching post in his foster home, and also has excellent litter box habits! If you’re looking for a fun addition to your home, look no further— Kesef is sure to bring lots of energy and excitement everywhere he goes!

Learn more about Kesef at his PAWS Chicago page!

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MEET POOCHIE

Here’s the thing about Poochie: She’s diamond in the ruff! Sure, it may take her a minute to get comfortable in new environments. But once she does, her friendly and outgoing personality shines bright.

Poochie is incredibly affectionate—perfect companion material. She spends her days chewing on toys, running and playing, and indulging in afternoon naps. Right now, she’s not a fan of loud noises, and she doesn’t find the great outdoors to be so great. But an experienced, patient owner in a quiet and calm, adult-only home can help her through those things.

See Poochie\’s PAWS Chicago page here.

Christopher

MEET CHRISTOPHER

Christopher is an adorable kitty looking for a home with experienced cat owners. Energetic and playful, Christopher loves playtime and would do very well on a schedule involving daily structured play sessions in his ‘furever’ home! He recently spent a month in a foster home where he loved to snuggle with his foster dad at night and play during the day. Christopher has a bit of a mischievous streak, however, and enjoys playing with toilet paper rolls and knocking items off counters—so make sure to keep your prized collection of glass figurines out of his reach!

Christopher will need an adults-only home as he can get overstimulated and nip for attention. Since he is so active, he will do best in a house where he will have lots of room to run around rather than an apartment or condo.

There\’s more to learn about Christopher, so visit his PAWS Chicago Page!

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marcus

MEET MARCUS

This handsome boy weighs 28 pounds and came to PAWS under very sad circumstances. Confiscated by Animal Control from his previous home due to neglect, Marcus arrived with an injured tail, an ear infection, and callouses on his elbows from lying on the ground without any bedding. PAWS provided medical care right away and Marcus was placed into a foster home for some much needed TLC.

There\’s so much more to Marcus, so check out his PAWS Chicago page to learn about him!

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parsley

MEET PARSLEY

Parsley is a people person! She absolutely LOVES to be near her humans and will follow you from room to room. Her fosters reported that she enjoys belly rubs, lounging near you, and cuddles of any kind. She is also a very playful dog and likes trips to the lakefront, rolling in the grass, showing off her amazing obedience skills, and chasing tennis balls.

Here\’s Parsley\’s PAWS Chicago page with more information and pictures!

Hawking

MEET HAWKING

Hawking is a 2-year-old tuxedo cat who came to PAWS during the worst snowstorm of last winter. This poor guy had lost most of his ears and tail to frostbite, and was severely underweight at just 5 pounds. Thankfully, he was rescued just in time and spent a couple weeks healing and gaining weight at the PAWS medical center. During that time, Hawking made a miraculous recovery and is now ready to find a family to love!

Hawking recently spent some time in a foster home where he loved to sleep in bed with his foster parents and always wanted to be the center of attention. His foster described him as “the best cat he’s ever had” and said that “every day with Hawking is special.”

There\’s more to Hawking, so take a look at his PAWS Chicago page!

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MEET HERO

More than anything, Hero craves to connect with and please his humans. As you can imagine, he’s now anxious to find a new home, where he can resume his heroic efforts at heart-bursting love.

Hero is house trained and behaves like a perfect gentleman at home. He loves toys of the Kong, chew, and rope varieties, as well as tennis balls. Turnoffs include strangers, being left alone for extended periods of time, and loud noises. We’re working with him to help with the fearfulness and to grow his confidence.

There\’s more to Hero, and you can learn about him on his PAWS Chicago page!

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MEET SHELLEY

Shelley is a sweet and social cat who loves just about everyone she comes in contact with, feline and human. Shelley originally came to PAWS in back in February with her two babies and while the kittens both found homes long ago, Shelley is still on the hunt for her forever family. Energetic and playful, Shelly loves interactive games such as mouse-on-a-string and may be a good candidate for clicker training!

Shelley can get overstimulated from too much petting but will show clear signals to show when she needs a break. Because of this she will be best suited for an adults only home.

Catch all of Shelley\’s \”likes\” and \”dislikes\” on her PAWS Chicago page!

zeus

MEET ZEUS

Zeus is just a baby! At eight months old, there is so much that he has to learn, and is looking for a devoted family to show him!

He\’s a sleek Shepard mix who is still growing!
Zeus has a PAWS Chicago page!

eugene

MEET EUGENE

Eugene’s middle name is “life of the party.” It’s just in his hilarious nature. No smile is left uncracked with him around. He’s a very active dog who particularly enjoys playing ball and going on runs. He also likes showing off his smarts in training—and it’s been pretty impressive.

Sure, Eugene has some things to work on, including his drive to chase cats and his less-than-stellar behavior around small dogs. (He is good with larger dogs, and did we mention that he’s hilarious?) So his best fit will be with an experienced owner in an active, cat-free home with kids 15+.

Check out Eugene\’s personal page at the PAWS Chicago website!

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Cancer charities defrauded donors out of $187 million, feds allege

(CHICAGO) Four cancer charities bilked $187 million from donors who thought their money was going to help patients, but instead went for personal amenities such as cruises, jet ski outings and luxury cars, federal authorities said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday.

The suit is one of the largest actions ever brought by enforcers alleging charity fraud, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Regulators from all 50 states and the District of Columbia joined the FTC in filing the suit.

“These are among the most appalling cases of charitable fraud that my office has prosecuted,” Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan said in a statement Tuesday announcing her office’s participation in the suit.

Named in the complaint are the Cancer Fund of America, Cancer Support Services, Children’s Cancer Fund of America and The Breast Cancer Society, as well as several current and former executives, according to the FTC.

The charities told donors their money would help pay for patients’ pain medication, transportation to chemotherapy sessions, and for hospice care, authorities allege.

Instead, the defendants spent the donations on cars, trips, luxury cruises, college tuition, jet ski outings, tickets to sporting events and concerts, and dating website subscriptions, as well as creating lucrative jobs for friends and relatives, the FTC claims.

According to the suit, the charities “operated as personal fiefdoms characterized by rampant nepotism, flagrant conflicts of interest, and excessive insider compensation, with none of the financial and governance controls that any bona fide charity would have adopted.”

Some hired professional fundraisers who kept 85 percent or more of every donation, authorities said.

The charities hid their high fundraising and administrative costs from donors by falsely inflating revenues with donated “gifts in kind,” authorities said.

Several defendants have agreed to settle the charges, the FTC said. The Children’s Cancer Fund of America (CCFOA) and The Breast Cancer Society (BCS) will both be dissolved and their assets liquidated.

CCFOA President Rose Perkins and BCS Executive Director James Reynolds II will be banned from fundraising and charity management, as will Kyle Effler, CFO of Cancer Support Services. All three face significant monetary judgments.

The litigation, filed in federal court in Arizona, continues against Cancer Support Services, Cancer Fund of America and executive James Reynolds Sr., according to the FTC.

“These operators played on the heartstrings of well-intentioned donors, diverting what could have been significant funds for legitimate charities that instead were used by the defendants for their personal benefit,” Madigan’s office said.

Meanwhile, the Better Business Bureau is recommending anyone who wants to donate to a charity should research the organization first. Donors should be cautious if pressured to make an immediate decision to contribute, especially over the phone, and should seek out experts like the BBB’s Give.org to verify whether charities are trustworthy.

“We believe that charity financial ratios should not be the sole basis for a giving decision,” said H. Art Taylor, president and CEO of Give.org. “But today’s government action does show that a charity’s fund raising ratio can be a good initial marker to root out fraud and poor financial management.”