Donate to any of these worthy organizations today.
With everything going on in the world, it’s easy to feel helpless and removed from all of the hardship we’re seeing day in and day out. I love that Giving Tuesday encourages us to celebrate the incredible work these organizations do every single day. So take a minute to check out some worthy causes and consider making a gift — every dollar matters!
The Alex Trebek Fund at Stand Up To Cancer
Jean Trebek (Alex Trebek’s widow and now a friend of mine) announced The Alex Trebek Fund for Pancreatic Cancer on November 1 of this year as a way to honor the late Jeopardy host who died of the disease in 2020. Alex was the personification of intelligence and integrity, and making a gift to this fund is the perfect way to honor a man who was in our living rooms every night for 37 seasons. Pancreatic cancer desperately needs more research dollars. I hope you’ll consider contributing to this fund, and, as they always say, no donation is too small.
I AM ALS
Six years ago, my friend Brian Wallach was diagnosed with ALS at just 37 years old. He and his wonderful wife, Sandra Abrevaya, found out the day they brought their second daughter home from the hospital. Since then, the two of them have dedicated their lives to curing this ruthless disease. Their organization, I AM ALS, has raised millions of dollars and secured almost a billion dollars in government funding. They are both my heroes, so please consider making a donation — and watch the trailer for our documentary, No Ordinary Campaign!
Michael J. Fox Foundation
My father died of Parkinson’s in 2011, so the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research has been a cause near and dear to my heart for the last 12 years. Michael is truly a profile in courage and another exemplar of turning pain into purpose. John and I are proud to call him and his wife Tracey Pollan our friends, and you can join them in their extraordinary efforts with a donation. (PS: Michael and Davis Guggenheim were on my podcast earlier this year to talk about their documentary, Still, about Michael’s life and career — listen to our conversation!)
American Ballet Theatre
I was so thrilled to be honored by the American Ballet Theatre this year, especially because of the scholarships they give to so many dancers who wouldn’t be able to reach this level of training without their support. Calvin Royal III is one of the many people who benefitted from ABT’s scholarships, and he’s one of the most elegant dancers in the company. You can help ABT continue this work.
City Harvest
This year, City Harvest will collect 77 million pounds of food and deliver it to food pantries and soup kitchens across New York City. They’re neighbors helping neighbors, feeding New Yorkers one meal at a time. More than 44 million people in the United States face hunger, including 1 in 5 children, but you can get them closer to making sure every person is fed.
Team Rubicon
Team Rubicon is a veterans organization that represents the best of humanity in the wake of crushing natural disasters. In 1980, there were 82 days between billion-dollar disasters. Fast forward to 2021, and that gap narrowed to just 18 days. Team Rubicon steps up as the first boots on the ground, mobilizing volunteers to aid communities devastated by hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, and more. Their swift response is mission-critical, saving lives when every second counts. Learn more about their accomplishments here.
World Central Kitchen
Chef José Andrés is truly a living saint. No matter where or when disaster strikes, he and his team are there in an instant to provide warm meals for the people at the center of it all. Right now, his team is in Israel and Gaza, as well as Ukraine and Poland, helping people who are affected by the wars. They are truly doing God’s work and I love to support them whenever I can.
