March Goodness: the Final Hours

Spotlight: MinnPost

Our fourth and final spotlight is on MinnPost. MinnPost is an incredible organization and example of homegrown excellence in journalism that exemplifies the need for the dissemination of good information.

With 45,000 regular readers and 4,800 registered commenters, there is a lot to read and a lot to be said.

In their own words: MinnPost is recognized locally and nationally as a nonprofit pioneer in providing and sustaining high-quality journalism. We’re building an engaged online community of tens of thousands of people who care about Minnesota, its democracy and its quality of life.

What some of their readers are saying:

Used Affiants Strib Coupon ie: US Bank Rewards to Donate, Love www.minnpost.com, specifically Constitutionalist Eric Black www.taxthemax.blogspot.com

“A much-valued news source!”

“Quality news requires an investment – whatever we can afford. If we all pitch in we maintain reliable news like MN Post”

“I believe that high quality journalism needs to be supported as we witness the decline of traditional print media.”

“MinnPost is my #1 source of Minnesota information, and I’m delighted with each new blog/contributor you add.”

“I donate when I’m in Minnesota too but my donation is even more important to me now that I am temporarily in the U.K. I can still keep up with what is happening in Minnesota by having access to good quality journalism just by logging on to MinnPost with my PC.”

Consider your own town and the information that is important to you and your community by donating

Spotlight: Akilah Institute for Women

The Akilah Institute for Women is in Bugesera/Kigali, Rwanda. With their headquarters in Tampa, FL, people that are passionate about rebuilding and restoring hope in Rwanda are focused on the inaugural class of 50 students at the Institute.

Their mission: The Akilah Institute for Women empowers young women to transform their lives by equipping them with skills, knowledge, and confidence to be leaders and entrepreneurs in Rwanda.

Below are 3 of the Akilah Institute students and their profiles. The quotes that inspire them have inspired us in this competition. If you are interested in supporting one of these 50 women, please visit www.marchgoodness.com for more information.

Student no. 1:

Name: Aniti Umutoni

Age: 21

Hobbies: Singing, dancing, traveling and reading novels

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

The superpower I would want is the strength to believe in myself and to be empowered with my family, my teachers, and my colleagues.  If I am confident and empowered, I will have superpower which will make me a superhero.

Why did you become a student at Akilah?

I became a student at Akilah because Akilah offered courses in subjects that are really important in Rwanda.

Why do you want to learn about Hospitality?  Why is hospitality important in Rwanda?

I want to learn about hospitality to upgrade my education and prepare for my future.  It is important in Rwanda to learn about hospitality because we need professionalism in hospitality, competition in the market so that we can offer the best tourism services to help develop Rwanda.

What is your favorite quote?

“Yes we can.” — Barack Obama

“I have a dream.” — Martin Luther King Jr.

“The Just shall live by faith.” — Jesus

“Go forward without looking behind.”— Rwigyeme Gisa Fred

What are your dreams for the future?

I want to be a very important woman to my family, my society, my nation and all over the world.

I want to have the opportunity to show my potential in what I have learned so far at Akilah.

With all I will gain at Akilah, I will help people from my village to innovate and create their own jobs.

Student no. 2:

Name: Donavine Nijyimbere

Age: 21

Hobbies: I like music and singing.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

I would like to be a superhero that helps people who are powerless, because when I see those people, I feel bad and want to share with them what I have.

Why did you become a student at Akilah?

I joined Akilah because I like the courses that are in this institute like Hospitality and Leadership.

Why do you want to learn about Hospitality?  Why is hospitality important in Rwanda?

I am interested in the field of hospitality.  I want to learn how to welcome people,  how to provide service, and how to help develop the country through the hospitality industry.  Hospitality is very important in Rwanda because we have the potential to be a very big tourist location but we don’t have enough people to develop the industry.

What is your favorite quote?

My favorite quote is from Barack Obama.  He usually says, “Yes we can.”  For me, “yes” means that we must accept what we feel and “we can” means that we must operate what we plan.

What are your dreams for the future?

My dream is to learn about hospitality so in the future, I can become a good servant of my country.

Student no. 3:

Name: Justine Uwera

Age: 21

Hobbies: I like to sing dance and play sports.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

I want to be a superhero that helps people who live in bad conditions.

Why did you become a student at Akilah?

I became a student at Akilah because in my heart, I had a dream to learn about hospitality and tourism.  Akilah accepted me and now I can follow my dreams.

Why do you want to learn about Hospitality?  Why is hospitality important in Rwanda?

For me, hospitality is important in Rwanda because it is an industry that will help the country make a lot of money and grow.  Rwanda needs many people who have training and experience in the hospitality industry, which is why I am happy to study at Akilah.

What is your favorite quote?

My favorite quote is from the First Lady of Rwanda who says, “Take all the children as your own.”

What are your dreams for the future?

My dreams for the future are to be a woman who helps poor people and orphans who have problems in their lives.  I also want to be a businesswoman who knows how to work well in the hospitality industry.

Thank you for reviewing the profiles of these three talented young survivors of the Rwandan genocide. Let’s make ensure they stay in school.

Donate before Tuesday, April 6, 11:59PM ET.

Spotlight: endPoverty.org

Our second spotlight is on endPoverty.org. endPoverty.org is an organization based here in the United States, but whose mission is global.

Their mission:

endPoverty.org helps enable the very poor of the world to lift themselves, their families and their communities out of poverty.  We provide small loans, business training and community development programs through a network of locally-led organizations in twelve countries to equip poor families to improve their lives.

The beneficiaries of endPoverty.org are local implementing partners who then loan the money to clients. This chain of giving can be kick started by you, right now, at www.marchgoodness.com.

Here are some forever smiling faces that reflect the power of endPoverty.org’s work around the world:

Najima

Sarah

Wasswa

Please consider giving to create more long lasting smiles through donating to endPoverty.org at www.marchgoodness.com by Tuesday, April 6, 11:59PM ET.

Spotlight: Helping Paws

Our first spotlight will be on Helping Paws. We wanted to hear from the clients of Helping Paws and get in touch with those whose lives are changed by the organization and their mission: The mission of Helping Paws is to further the independence of individuals with physical disabilities through the use of service dogs.

Here some of those  who have benefited from their Helping Paws graduate program…

“You can have a bad day, and be irritate, and they don’t care. They just come put their head on your lap and you look at those big brown eyes and your spirits can’t help but soar.”

“The first time in twenty-three years that I don’t have to rely on another human being to open a door for me. I have independence”

After a devastating football accident left 17-year-old Tyler paralyzed, very few certainties remained. Unsure of which physical functions he would recover, Olson was provided one assurance – Charlie. “He got up on my lap and it was love at first sight. I ended up going to Helping Paws’ headquarters and meeting with some other dogs, but none connected the way Charlie and I did.”

Please visit them at www.marchgoodness.com and give to them online before the clock strikes 11:59 PM ET on April 6.

Big Dance Final Four Weekend Wrap Up

Over the holiday weekend we were not expecting much action from our top competitors, boy, were we dead wrong. At the end of the day Sunday over $19,000 had been donated on Razoo. With MinnPost, endPoverty.org, and Helping Paws switching places like a wicked, never ending game of Twister. Akilah Institute for Women has stayed silent and steady in fourth place, but we have seen them play this angle once before. In the first round of the Big Dance they played it safe until the eleventh hour and came back to steal the Southern bracket out from under the most competitive leaders of the Tournament. We would not count them out just yet.

We’ll be watching to see which strategy will walk away with the $10,000 prize money.

Profiles: The Final Four

The final four non profit organizations who advanced to the second round of the Big Dance are as varied as they come in the nonprofit sector. They all play a vital roll in communities at home and abroad and each bring a special something to this year’s competition. We are honored to have them participate.

Below is a quick preview of each organization and the answer to our most burning question…What will you do with that $10,000? Prepare to be inspired to give.

Champion of the South:

Akilah Institute for Women

(Tampa, FL)

The Akilah Institute for Women empowers young women to transform their lives by equipping them with skills, knowledge, and confidence to be leaders and entrepreneurs in East Africa. Our inaugural class of students in Rwanda consists of 50 passionate, motivated women who are eager to earn a two year diploma in leadership and hospitality studies, and ultimately find meaningful employment in the fastest growing sector of the Rwandan economy. (The $10,000 will provide scholarships.)

Champion of the East:

endPoverty.org

(Bethesda, MD)

endPoverty.org is a faith-based non-profit dedicated to empowering the working poor in the developing world to lift themselves out of poverty. We provide small loans, business training and community development programs through a network of locally-led organizations in twelve countries to equip poor families to improve their lives. (The $10,000 will provide small loans all over the world.)

Champion of the West:

Helping Paws

(Hopkins, MN)

The mission of Helping Paws is to further the independence of individuals with physical disabilities through the use of service dogs. When Helping Paws places a service dog with someone it changes their life, for a long period of time and it makes a big, big impact. (The $10,000 will help provide training for service dogs and change the lives the serve.)

Champion of the MidWest:

MinnPost

(Minneapolis, MN)

MinnPost is recognized locally and nationally as a nonprofit pioneer in providing and sustaining high-quality journalism. We’re building an engaged online community of tens of thousands of people who care about Minnesota, its democracy and its quality of life. (The $10,000 will help to continue to provide the people of Minnesota the power of information.)

Every dollar counts.

Check out www.marchgoodness.com for videos from each organization.

March Goodness FINAL FOUR begins TONIGHT

Four organizations will begin the final round of competition tonight, April 2 at 12AM ET. This final round for the Big Dance will award the organization who raises the highest dollar amount between 12AM ET tonight and 11:59PM ET on April 6, 2010.

Now is the time to dig deep and give big. $10,000 is on the line

Who will you support?

Representing the East is endPoverty.org

Representing the Midwest is MinnPost

Representing the West is Helping Paws

Representing the South is Akilah Institute for Women

Links will go live at Midnight ET.

Please check back here later for more information or visit www.marchgoodness.com for our live leader board and links.

March Goodness Winners Announced (Round One)

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Derek Wong
Tel: (202) 684-7459
Email: derek@razoo.com
Website: www.marchgoodness.com

Razoo Announces March Goodness RazooNIT Winner and Organizations Advancing to the FINAL FOUR

After 360 hours of nonstop competition, 4 nonprofit organizations have emerged from a field of 64 and will advance to the Razoo March Goodness Final Four and we have our RazooNIT winner.

We are excited to announce the regional winners advancing from each bracket to the March Goodness Final Four:

East: endPoverty.org
MidWest: MinnPost
South: Akilah Institute for Women
West: Helping Paws

The 2nd and 3rd place winners in the March Goodness Big Dance:

East: The Syracuse Center for Peace and Social Justice, House of Blue Hope Foundation
Midwest: Randy Shaver Cancer Research and Community Fund, Campaign for Better Health Care Fund
South: Legal Advocates for Abused Women, Big Cat Rescue
West: Association for Marriage and Families, Volunteer Lawyers Network

And our March Goodness RazooNIT winners (listed in order from 1st to 4th): CHOSA, Sustainable Schools International, Coming Home Rescue, and Small Dog Rescue of MN.

With over $157,024 donated and 5,424 unique donors, 96 organizations have participated in 15 days of incredible competition. Though only four advance to the final round, all organizations were successful in raising awareness and much needed support through March Goodness and the Razoo giving platform.

The second round, the March Goodness Final Four, begins Friday April 2, 2010 12 AM ET and will conclude April 6 11:59AM ET.  Whichever of the final four organization raises the highest dollar amount will win a $10,000 cash grant. The winner will be announced April 7, 2010 on www.marchgoodness.com.

Additionally we would like to officially thank D.C. United for the partnership in this year’s March Goodness Tournament and their sponsorship of the D.C. United Sweet Sixteen.

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Day 15 March Goodness (Recap)

With only 24 hours to go, as predicted, the race is getting heated. Day 15 caused for some wave making in the South with Legal Advocates of Abused Women pulling ahead of Big Cat Rescue and Tiger Haven. These three organizations have been battling it out for number one for the entire competition. The clock is ticking and at 12AM EST we will have our Final Four. Any predictions for who will take the South?

The leaders in the RazooNIT have been instrumental in adding dollars and donors to the leader board. Let’s take a look at a few of their profiles and the amazing work they do.

Coming Home Rescue assists homeless animals who wait, alone and frightened, in shelters & helps find them a new “home for a lifetime”. $20 will help provide food and shelter for an animal for one month.

Sustainable Schools International empowers rural Cambodian communities to build and sustain their schools in ways that serve their children and support community needs. $10 pays for breakfast for a primary school child for one year.

Dads Makes a Difference promotes the positive involvement of fathers and educates youth about responsible parenting. $25 Covers the cost of DMAD curriculum for teen peer educator who will teach middle school aged youth about familial responsibilities.

Indigenous Pitch Dance Collective through the art of dance, assists and nurtures children affected by natural and/or socio-economic disasters. $50 will sponsor one child for a week of camp in Philadelphia. Five of your friends for $10 each can send a child to camp.

National Youth Rights Association is a youth-led organization dedicated to defending the civil and human rights of young people. Help them grow the active power of youth. $10 will help them towards their goal of placing in the tournament.

Good Luck to the RazooNIT contestants.

REMINDER: LESS THAN 24 HOURS LEFT TO DONATE. JOIN US IN SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITIES GLOBALLY AND LOCALLY.