One of society’s greatest ways to give back are charities. Not only does it give people the ability to give something back to their community, but also unifies the community as it supports groups who need this defense. Whether it’s helping an organization provide food to a struggling local, or a man’s best friend to a veteran, you are giving someone in need confidence and safety. Here are a few different charities you can get involved with and give back.

IntraHealth 

Founded in 1989 by healthcare worker advocate Pape Amadou Gaye, IntraHealth International is committed to improving healthcare professionals’ performance and the systems they work in. When first founded, the organization aided local non-profits until it eventually expanded globally, now working with businesses, governments, activists and technologists to additionally influence healthcare policies and advocate for investment into frontline workers in impoverished countries. This organization holds a Gold Seal of Transparency from Guide Star, as well as meets a 100 percent Encompass rating of accountability and finance from Charity Navigator. Ways to donate to this charity include directly to their website at https://www.intrahealth.org/ or shop through AmazonSmile. 

St. Leo’s Soup Kitchen 

St. Leo’s Soup Kitchen has been an active part of the Detroit community since 1971. Providing free food for those in need, the nondenominational nonprofit 40,000 meals each year. The service at their location on Grand River and 15th St. was put on hold after a flood damaged the facility, but a new facility was created on 8642 Woodward Ave. Detroit, MI 48202 and is ready to serve the community once more. Winter may be a time of giving, but the charity doesn’t have to stop when the snow does. Consider volunteering outside of the holiday season when organizations don’t have the same support they do now.

The kitchen is looking for service volunteers as well as administrative positions such as volunteer coordinator, clothing donation supervisor and administrative/office assistant.

For more information, visit the website at https://www.stleosoupkitchendetroit.org/. To volunteer, contact Manager Rich Perry at [email protected].

Giving Songs 

Brent and Jaime Johnson founded Giving Songs in 2012 after the birth of their son, Jack. He was born with a number of disabilities and the family was soon faced with the harsh reality of how hard it is to accommodate the challenges of raising a special needs child. With hearts bigger than many, they brought Giving Songs to life: a charity designed to raise money through music to grant families wheelchair accessible vehicles in order to make navigating those challenges a little easier. The organization is always on the lookout for professional musicians and kind souls to donate to their mission. The music created can be found on all streaming platforms by searching for the artist GIVING SONGS. To learn more about the organization and to find a donation link, visit https://givingsongs.org/. 

K9s For Warriors 

K9s For Warriors is the largest veteran service organization in the nation with its focus on providing highly trained service dogs to our nation’s warriors. They provide service canines to veterans that are suffering from “Post-Traumatic Stress Disability, traumatic brain injury, and military sexual trauma. The K9s are mostly all rescued from shelters, they give them purpose in saving these animals lives from abandonment,” quoted from their website, “Each pair who graduates from our program represents two lives saved, the Service Dog and the Warrior.” To learn more, visit to k9sforwarriors.org 

The Michigan Humane

The Michigan Humane is a private, non-profit organization that provides animal welfare and shelter services in the Detroit area. They are focused on ending the worst forms of institutionalized animal suffering. They spread awareness to the general public, consumers, education, campaigns, public policy initiatives and more.

They respond to large-scale disasters and more to provide rescue, hands-on care and expertise when animals are in danger. Their care centers heal and give protection to abused, abandoned and endangered animals. They strive to bring about faster change in animals.

To help with time, money or a birthday, visit www.michiganhumane.org/support-michigan-humane/ to find the many ways to help these precious animals.

The Ronald McDonald House 

The Ronald McDonald House (RMHC) was founded in 1974. It was built in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania when Eagles football player Fred Hill’s daughter, Kim Hill, spent time in the Philadelphia Children’s Hospital with leukemia. According to RMHC.com, “The Eagles reached out to McDonald’s with the idea that they could offer the proceeds from their Shamrock Shake sales to benefit this new house. McDonald’s agreed, and the Philadelphia RMHC was born on Oct. 15, 1974.” The mission of RMHC is, “To provide a “home away from home” for families of children experiencing a serious illness or injury requiring hospitalization.” 

So, why donate? Donations to RMHC can provide a family with meals, housing and even toiletries. Parents of an ill or injured child already have enough on their plate between work and time at the hospital. The RMHC strives to make this experience less stressful for families. To donate or volunteer at the Detroit location, visit www.rmhc-detroit.org. If you’re closer to Ann Arbor and would like to help out, visit www.rmhcannarbor.org. 

WDET

Something that should be part of everybody’s routine is listening to the news from your local area. Detroit’s local NPR Station has the news and stories that are much needed in the era of fast news and clickbait. The team located at Wayne State University goes the distance to provide an area of discussion for all of Metro Detroit. 

The local station, 101.9 FM WDET produces over 60 hours of original local programming a week while also hosting popular NPR shows like “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered.” WDET is also the best promoter for local music and a major voice for the arts and culture. They provide a platform for underrepresented people that often go unheard, which gives listeners an opportunity to experience local cultures that they would have otherwise missed, bridging divides. 

More than half of all monetary support comes directly from listeners, they’re always looking for donations and as a bonus, it is tax deductible. Their merchandise is also available as a ‘thank you’ gift to show support. To learn more, visit wdet.org.