“Once we discovered all the great things that DonorNation does for nonprofits, we knew this would be a great fit,” said Eileen Campbell, Co-founder of Spirit of Sharing.

Currently featured on DonorNation, Spirit of Sharing is auctioning two seats and a backstage Meet and Greet of country star Justin Moore, the ACM New Artist of the Year and front man for Miranda Lambert.  The concert is located at the Irvine Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre on August 10, 2014.  So that the concert goers don’t have a late night drive home, a one night stay at the cozy Mediterranean style Laguna Hills Lodge is also included. The auction ends on Sunday, July 20^th at 10pm and 100% of net proceeds will benefit Spirit of Sharing.

DonorNation’s fundraising solution facilitates community commerce by bringing together local merchants, nonprofits, schools and consumers onto an online platform for a cause.

Spirit Of Sharing relies on the support of the community to continue our holiday assistance program (for Christmas and Thanksgiving) and the SOS Emergency Relief Fund which is available throughout the year to military families in need. All proceeds from DonorNation’s platform will help provide military families with basic necessities throughout the year such as clothing, transportation assistance, food, and gifts for the entire family during Christmas. Our focus is helping our local active duty military families in need!

To help open the door to limitless possibilities, contact DonorNation to learn more about how your nonprofit can benefit from DonorNation’s free online fundraising platform.

About Spirit of Sharing:

Spirit of Sharing is a 501(c) 3 non-profit located in Oceanside, CA. Spirit Of Sharing assists active duty military families during the holiday season and throughout the year in emergencies.  Our 100% volunteer organization is made up of military veterans, military spouses, and caring individuals form the surrounding community. Since 2000, Spirit Of Sharing has provided 833 military children with the joy of the holiday season and items of necessity, such as a month’s worth of groceries, toiletries, warm clothing, and several items from their Christmas Wish List.

World Cup Championship Match Viewing Party

www.wcnp2014.com     |      #NorthPark     |      #WCNP2014

Happiness is best when shared! This Sunday July 13 it’s time to get together with 5,000 fellow FIFA enthusiasts to celebrate and watch the live broadcast of the final championship on a Jumbotron at this family-friendly event!

The World Cup 2014 Championship Block Party is endorsed by Mayor Faulconer where you’ll get to browse a variety of vendors to shop at like The Sash Bag, Go Vavi, Lazy Coconut Custom Tees. You’ll also get to satiate your appetite with food trucks for some quick and easy grubbing. They’ll be located on 30th street between University and Lincoln along with the rest of the block party.

Remember, squinting is not necessary to watch the finals when you see it on a glorious 20 foot Jumbotron. Show your support and cheer on your favorite team during the Live Championship Game from 12-3pm. The huge block party will be open to pedestrians from 9am – 7pm and closed to traffic. If you do decide to drive, Public Parking will be available for a small fee of $1 all day from 7am – 7pm.

Thanks to Spirit of Sharing, you have a chance to place a bid to win the ultimate VIP package to see ACM New Artist of the Year, Justin Moore, live in concert! 100% of the net proceeds from this auction will benefit our active duty military families throughout Southern California. This country prize package will include two tickets, two backstage passes, an overnight stay at Laguna Hills Lodge, and a chance to win a lifetime of memories. The Justin Moore auction ends Sunday July 20th at 10pm. Bid for a chance to win here.

You and a friend will be granted a night of entertainment with two tickets to Justin Moore’s show at the Irvine Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre on Sunday August 10, two exclusive backstage passes for a Meet and Greet with Justin Moore, and an overnight stay to unwind from your musical escapade at a Mediterranean oasis — Laguna Hills Lodge.

The “Small Town USA” singer may be best known for currently being the front man for Miranda Lambert, with whom he sang a duet with on “Old Habits.” Miranda Lambert and Thomas Rhett are also set to perform at the Irvine Verizon Amphitheatre. Read up on Justin’s latest scoop.

Place your bid for a chance to win this VIP Country Prize Package!

Spirit of Sharing works to collect donations year round in person, by mail, and online, including automobile donations and other assets, to help our active duty military families throughout Southern California each year. Read more about their great work.

The United States has fallen significantly behind the rest of the world when it comes to the STEM subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Did you know that girls are even less involved in STEM majors and careers than their male counterparts? Women hold less than 25% of our country’s STEM jobs. This Verizon commercial hopes to inspire parents to choose their words wisely. Instead of complimenting little girls how pretty they are, tell her how smart she is.

“Our words can have a huge impact. Isn’t it time we told her she’s pretty brilliant, too? Encourage her love of science and technology and inspire her to change the world.”– Reshma Saujani, Founder of Girls Who Code.

Girls Who Code programs work to inspire, educate, and equip girls with the computing skills to pursue 21st century opportunities. Girls Who Code’s vision is to reach gender parity in computing fields, which is paramount to ensuring the economic prosperity of women, families, and communities across the globe, and to equip citizens with the 21st century tools for innovation and social change. They believe that more girls exposed to computer science at a young age will lead to more women working in the technology and engineering fields.

DonorNation and ArtReach are excited to announce their joint commitment to providing free visual art education for K-6 schools throughout San Diego County through funds raised on DonorNation. Through this strategic partnership, ArtReach is eligible to receive up to 100 percent of net proceeds made through purchases on DonorNation’s online fundraising platform for schools and nonprofits.

“ArtReach is thrilled to be featured on the DonorNation site,” said Judy Berman Silbert, Executive Director of ArtReach. “What a great way to raise funds for worthy projects.”

Currently featured on DonorNation, ArtReach is offering a variety of 8″ x 8″ art panels for $88 each.  Produced by San Diego artists and art instructors to support the ArtReach free workshop programs and the education programs at the San Diego Art Department, these art panels were created in a variety of media on 8” x 8” birch wood panels, and can be purchased as a stand-alone piece or as part of a collection. CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW!

“It’s a win-win because you get amazing original art at the lowest price possible,” said Silbert.  “Proceeds will be divided equally between ArtReach and the San Diego Art Department to increase youth access to hands-on art making experiences.”

DonorNation’s fundraising solution facilitates community commerce by bringing together local merchants, nonprofits, schools and consumers onto an online platform for a cause.

The money raised through the DonorNation platform will be used to fund the Free Workshop Program that ArtReach provides to schools with no resources for visual art education.

“The funds will help us continue to send artists to schools throughout San Diego County whose students would otherwise receive no formalized art instruction,” said Silbert. “We believe that every student, regardless of socioeconomic status, deserves and benefits from a rich education in the arts.”

Through its partnership, DonorNation and ArtReach are committed to providing K-6 students hands-on visual art education despite budget cuts and socioeconomic status. For more information about DonorNation, visit www.donornation.com. For more information about ArtReach, visit www.artreachsandiego.org.

To help open the door to limitless possibilities, contact DonorNation to learn more about how your nonprofit can benefit from DonorNation’s free online fundraising platform.

About ArtReach:
ArtReach is a not-for-profit, 501 (c) 3 organization that takes working artists into K – 6 schools throughout San Diego County to provide hands-on visual art education workshops. The team that brings ArtWalk events to San Diego every year created ArtReach in 2007. Since then, the San Diego non-profit has worked with thousands of students and families.

If you love Mad Libs, you’ll love this Dad Libs for Father’s Day! Fill in the blanks and share with your Dad to express your love and gratitude.

DonorNation and Camp Battle 2014, an Athletes for Education Foundation (AFE) youth program launched by Former San Diego Chargers Tra Battle, joined forces to build a soccer field for orphans in Tijuana, Mexico. With nearly 100 orphans from three orphanages in attendance, along with Former San Diego Charger’s Tra Battle and Greg Camarillo, the soccer field broke ground on May 24, 2014.

Earlier this year, Roberto Ruiz, VP of Product Development at DonorNation.org, pitched the idea to build a soccer field for orphans in Tijuana, Mexico to Ysabel Giacalone the program Director For Tra Battle’s “Battle For Success” program. She enthusiastically agreed and shared the idea with Tra Battle.

“When Ysabel told me about working with orphanages in Mexico, my heart simply melted,” said Tra Battle. “I knew immediately that I wanted to support this cause in any way that I could.” So Battle booked a flight to San Diego.

Ruiz visited orphanages in Tijuana, Mexico last Christmas to deliver toys that were donated by members of the AFE community. The children were grateful for the toys, but Ruiz quickly realized there was something fundamental that was missing from the experience.

“The kids smiled when I gave them the toys, but I could sense that they wanted something else,” said Ruiz. “They wanted me to stay and play with them. And, that’s when it hit me, they didn’t want the toys, they were craving a sense of belonging, which is usually provided by family.”

With this epiphany, Ruiz pondered ways to help these orphaned children obtain a sense of belonging, and the idea to build a soccer field came to mind because of his personal experience with team sports as a young child. Ruiz is thankful for DonorNation and Windows Mobile’s donations that help make this day possible.

“Playing team sports always provided me with a strong sense of belonging,” said Ruiz. “Kids who participate in team sports develop friendships, camaraderie, social skills, self-esteem, good work ethics, and most importantly — long lasting memories. Your team becomes a family unit, and I can’t think of a better gift for these children.”

After the groundbreaking, Camp Battle 2014 received multiple requests to build additional soccer fields at orphanages across Mexico.

“We couldn’t be happier with the results,” said Battle. “With the help of Ysabel Giacalone, my program director, Roberto Ruiz, And many of my program supporters in Georgia and San Diego, we were able to raise funds to give each child a t-shirt, back pack, lunch and most importantly a fun-filled day that will last a lifetime. All of this is possible due to our generous sponsors and volunteers who have dedicated their time to supporting our vision.”

AFE’s Camp Battle aims to build a soccer field for an orphanage every year. To support this cause, visit www.donornation.org/dn/afe and learn more about how you can help.

For more photos from the groundbreaking, click here.

About DonorNation:
DonorNation is the Marketplace with a Heart™ where every purchase or donation of goods and services benefits a cause. The San Diego-based company helps unlock the power of the community by providing its users with the tools to provide a sustainable source of funding for schools and nonprofit organizations while supporting community-minded businesses.

About Athletes for Education Foundation:
Athletes for Education Foundation, (AFE), is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization of current and former professional athletes, entertainers, business and community leaders that finds and runs programs that are designed to help youth help themselves by building bridges instead of walls and dare them to dream and succeed with AFE’s mentorship and scholarship programs . AFE’s goal is to challenge youths to persevere through the development of self-confidence, self-esteem, and a positive work ethic that makes dreams come true.

About Battle for Success Foundation:
Tra’s Battle for Success Foundation, established in 2007, strives to be instrumental in helping people to achieve their goals. The foundation is dedicated to enhancing the general quality of life for the less privileged and to encourage their active participation in conquering life’s battles and challenges. Tra understands that through the course of one’s lifetime certain battles and difficulties may present themselves and that with the proper guidance, motivation and support everyone has the ability to triumph over these roadblocks. Tra has a vision of influencing the manner in which people approach difficulties and a belief that no battle is too small or too large to be overcome.

We all have had a teacher who’s shaped us, inspired us, even scared us, and whom we can credit with having empowered us to become who we are today. In his third documentary to look at education in America, Davis Guggenheim brings us “TEACH,” which asks the question: what does it take to be a teacher? Offering a rare glimpse inside four public school classrooms, Guggenheim invites us to follow the struggles and triumphs of America’s education system through the eyes, minds and hearts of its most essential resource: teachers.

The event honored outstanding school volunteers across San Diego County for their extraordinary efforts and unheralded contributions. The event was attended by over 600 guests, including school volunteers and their family and friends, San Diego County school officials, and members of the school community.

A special performance by the award-winning choir, Chamber Bravura, kicked off the awards ceremony, which was followed by a keynote address by Chris Yanov, founder of Reality Changers, California’s leading mentorship program for scholarships.

Over $25,000 in prizes and cash donations to volunteers’ schools was presented at the ceremony. Award and prize sponsors included La Jolla Playhouse, Mission Federal Credit Union, Sprouts Farmers Market, and The New Children’s Museum.

Grand Prize Winner, Hermelinda Figueroa, from Monroe Clark Middle School walked away with a $5,000 check from DonorNation for her school. Additional prizes included a year’s worth of free groceries ($100 per week for 52 weeks) from Sprouts Farmers Market, season passes for La Jolla Playhouse, and a family membership to The New Children’s Museum.

Figueroa has been volunteering to help improve the future for students in City Heights for 18 years — while raising her three grandchildren. She is a strong student advocate who encourages inter-generational participation in community and cultural programs, such as “Latinos and Latinas in Action” and IRC’s “New Roots,” City Heights Community Farm. She is passionate about encouraging students to go to college, to become self-sufficient and successful. She remains dedicated to increasing parent involvement and engagement with teachers, staff and community members to maximize opportunities for all students to achieve the highest level of success.

First Runner-Up Becky Kwock from Rancho Buena Vista High partners with a teen outreach program to bring food pantry to her schools plus 11 other schools in her district. Her leadership has resulted in a thriving program that provides food to any student in need every Friday. In addition to Rancho Buena Vista High receiving a $2,5000 cash donation from DonorNation, Kwock noted that she wishes to donate her Sprouts Farmers Market prize, 26 weeks of free groceries, to the food pantry. She is an inspiring example of how devotion and determination can make a difference in students’ lives.

Second Runner-Up Jerry Butkiewics from Kearny High Construction Tech Academy has mentored students and organized career programs since 2001. He reaches out to local businesses to support real-life experiences that provide a strong foundation for student success. From his own past struggles in school, Butkiewicz helps connects students who are facing adversity. Kearny High Construction Tech Academy received a $1,500 cash donation from DonorNation along with 13 weeks of free groceries from Sprouts.

To view a full list of the winners, visit http://www.donornation.org/award/results

To view a full list of the prizes, visit http://www.donornation.org/award/prizes

For more information about the awards, visit http://www.donornation.org/award

DonorNation and Waves of Impact are excited to announce their joint commitment to providing free surf opportunities for children with special needs through funds raised on DonorNation. Through this strategic partnership, Waves of Impact is eligible to receive up to 100 percent of net proceeds made through purchases on DonorNation’s online fundraising platform for schools and nonprofits.

Not only is this outstanding local nonprofit making waves in the community by extending more opportunities that allow children with special needs to experience the thrill and serenity of the surf, but Waves of Impact aims to achieve a tremendous milestone through its fundraising efforts this year by exceeding 1,000 students who have been impacted through their free surf  camps since the nonprofit’s founding in 2012.

“DonorNation has connected us to people who are looking to make a difference,” said Waves of Impact co-founder Keith Lovgren. “Our exposure to this generous community has enabled us to raise money that we otherwise wouldn’t have so we can continue our mission to expand opportunities and improve the quality of life for these very special kids.”

DonorNation’s fundraising solution facilitates community commerce by bringing together local merchants, nonprofits, schools and consumers onto an online platform for a cause.

What that means for Waves of Impact, is that more children with autism, Down’s syndrome, MS and other challenges are able to enjoy the calming effect of the ocean through surfing.

“For the families, this day is as much for them as it is for the kids. They’ve been told many times that their kids can’t do things and they’ve seen their kids try things and not ‘succeed’ compared to their peers,” said Lovgren. “When they see their kids having fun riding waves of a surfboard and are surrounded by accepting volunteers and other families, it reminds them of what they already know – that while their kids are a bit different than other kids, they really are quite capable”

Through its partnership, DonorNation and Waves of Impact are committed to empowering this segment of the San Diego community through surfing. For more information about DonorNation, visit www.donornation.com. For more information about Waves of Impact, visit http://www.wavesofimpact.com.

To ride the wave of fundraising in the 21^st century, contact DonorNation to learn more about how your nonprofit can benefit from DonorNation’s free online fundraising platform.

About Waves of Impact:

Founded in 2012 by Josh Harper and Keith Lovgren, Waves of Impact was founded in order to show individuals facing exceptional challenges the thrill of riding waves, while also focusing on building and rebuilding confidence in those who need it most. Waves of Impact integrates groups that serve the beach-going community, including people and families facing extraordinary hurdles who are often isolated from the surrounding community. Our day at the beach introduces these groups to each other and helps bridge the gap between these groups fostering friendship and support. Waves of Impact was formed to introduce individuals facing exceptional challenges in their lives to the thrill of being in the ocean and riding waves. Visit www.wavesofimpact.com for more information.