Three days left to write checks for good causes.
We have a lot of favorite causes. Top of the list is Safer Country, which I don’t hesitate to tell you in run by my brother, Paul Friedman. With guns still at the top of list of dangers to our lives in the US, it’s more important than ever to invest in laws of change.
Safer Country has had a huge impact in Virginia, where shootings are higher than ever. Paul says:
In November, Safer Country was proud to honor four departing members of Virginia’s state legislature for their championing the prevention of gun tragedies:Â Former Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn, and Delegates Elizabeth Guzman, Kathleen Murphy, and Ken Plum.
In 2024, Safer Country will be building upon its 2023 public awareness campaign successes to expand our reach and pursue vital legislation to get guns out of unsafe hands.
For instance, we are working with new House Majority Leader Charniele Herring to get guns out of the hands of people convicted of brandishing weapons.
We are also working with Sen. Barbara Favola and Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker to get guns out of the hands of people barred from having guns due to a permanent protection order.
Please take a moment and click on safercountry.org to make a tax-deductible donation of $24 to show your support for our 2024 agenda.
My other favorite groups: Musicares, part of the Grammys, takes care of musicians with health and financial issues. All the musicians from the stars’ hit records are largely unprotected if they get sick, have addictions, or have no place to live. This year, on February 2, Jon Bon Jovi will be honored as Musicares Person of the Year for his tremendous philanthropic work.
The Rainforest Foundation, created by Sting and Trudie Styler, continues to assist indigenous peoples in South America and around the world. Protection of the rainforest is vital to our survival, and remains a front burner issues despite all the other distractions around us. Click here.
The Elton John AIDS Foundation is the leading group fighting AIDS discrimination, helping AIDS patients and families, ending AIDS around the world. They’ve just started the Rocket Fund (See below). David Furnish and Elton continue to run the most open and productive group in this endless battle.
And then there’s Project ALS. Started by the late Jennifer Estes and her remarkable sister, Project ALS is actually responsible for several new drugs in the fight to discover help for devastating Lou Gehrig’s Disease. So many of are hearing about friends and family members with things like ALS and Parkinsons. A donation here is investment in the future.
Some other group’s to check out: Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation, Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation, New York Women’s Foundation, Martin Scorsese’s Film Foundation, The Actor’s Fund aka Entertainment Community Fund, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Rosie O’Donnell’s Theater Kids/Maravel Center, and, even when we don’t agree with them, the ACLU.
