Circle K’s Preferred Charities and International Service Partners

Hello, service leaders! Not only do we have district service initiatives, we also have preferred charities and international service partners that we serve which provide service projects that we work towards to unite ourselves internationally. We help these partners every year with an overall goal to Focus on the Future: Children. Below are descriptions of the charities, links to the websites and a few examples of possible projects to do within your home clubs as well as a link of where to find additional projects.

1. March of Dimes

Description: March of Dimes works to end premature birth and other problems that threaten our babies. They help moms have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies. If something goes wrong, they offer information and comfort to families. They also research the reasons why babies are born too soon or very sick and work on preventions.

Link to website: http://www.marchofdimes.org/index.aspx

Possible projects: Help in local NICU, assist with March for Babies (marchforbabies.org), awareness ribbons, letter campaigns, cards, etc. A list of projects and tips/links to creating these projects can be found on the Circle K international website at:  http://www.circlek.org/Service/PartnersCharities/MarchOfDimes.aspx

2. Junior Chamber International

Description: Junior Chamber International is a non-profit international non-governmental organization of young people between 18 and 40 years old. It has members in about 124 countries, and regional or national organizations in many of them.

Link to website: https://www.jci.cc/

3. Better World Books

Description: Better World Books uses the power of business to change the world. They collect and sell books online to donate books and fund literacy initiatives worldwide. With more than 8 million new and used titles in stock, they’re a self-sustaining, triple-bottom-line company that creates social, economic and environmental value for all our stakeholders.

Link to website: http://www.betterworldbooks.com/

Possible projects: Create a book drive! A list of projects and tips/links to creating these projects can be found on the Circle K international website at: http://www.circlek.org/Service/PartnersCharities/BetterWorldBooks.aspx

4. Students Team Up to Fight Hunger (STUFH)

Description: Students Team Up To Fight Hunger (STUFH) is a non-profit organization devoted to assisting and inspiring food drives at colleges and universities across the country. The mission of STUFH is to help feed the hungry while at the same time raising awareness among college students about hunger in their local communities. STUFH had its roots in the end-of-year food drive, where college students preparing to leave campus for the summer could donate any unused food rather than discarding it. Since its founding in 1999, STUFH has reported over five million pounds of food raised by colleges throughout the nation through various types of food drives. In the past year, STUFH involved more universities in the fight against hunger and has sponsored innovative food drives including STUFH THE BUS and food fight competitions. STUFH is also proud of its continuing partnership with Circle K International (CKI) with clubs on 450 campuses. Thousands of CKI college students are dedicated to community service and to fighting hunger. STUFH invites colleges and food banks to send their comments, food drive results and photos to our website to inspire other universities to become involved.

Link to website: http://www.stufh.org/

Possible projects: Encourage members and their families to skip a meal. Take the money that would have been used for the meal and donate it to a local food bank. Grow your own green and donate it to local soup kitchens, etc. A list of projects and tips/links to creating these projects can be found on the Circle K international website at: http://www.circlek.org/Service/PartnersCharities/STUFH.aspx

5. St. Baldricks

Description: The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a not-for-profit organization with the aim of raising funds to help find cures for children with cancer. The name of the foundation is not associated with a recognized Saint of the Catholic Church, but is founded on word play and appropriation of the title of sainthood. Volunteers sponsored by family, friends, and employers shave their heads in solidarity with children who typically lose their hair during cancer treatment in order to raise funds.

Link to website: http://www.stbaldricks.org/

Possible projects: Create a fundraiser of people willing to shave their head to donate to the cause!

6. UNICEF

Description: UNICEF is a leading humanitarian and development agency working globally for the rights of every child. Child rights begin with safe shelter, nutrition, protection from disaster and conflict and traverse the life cycle: pre-natal care for healthy births, clean water and sanitation, healthcare and education. UNICEF has spent nearly 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Working with and for children through adolescence and into adulthood requires a global presence whose goal is to produce results and monitor their effects. UNICEF also lobbies and partners with leaders, thinkers and policy makers to help all children realize their rights—especially the most disadvantaged.

Link to Website: http://www.unicef.org/

Possible projects: UNICEF has two important projects that we raise money for as well. This is the Eliminate Project and Six Cents Initiative. Small projects that can be done to contribute to either of these are to create fundraisers, spread awareness of the issues, etc.  A list of projects and tips/links to creating these projects can be found on the Circle K international website at: http://www.circlek.org/Service/PartnersCharities/UNICEF.aspx

**NOTE**

If you are planning on working with other schools outside your home club you must fill out an Event Request Form or ERF to ensure the proper permission is granted and correct number of chaperones/advisors are available for the event. ERF’s take some time to fill out so please allow AT LEAST one month before the event to fill out all the required sections. ERF’s can be found on the CNH website in the Resource Database tab or at the link below http://resources.cnhcirclek.org/category/2-policies_forms_and_manuals/