There are so many worthwhile causes and the frustrating thing is that none of us have enough time in the day to give as much as we'd like to as many as we'd like. I donate through my church. Its an organization whose outreach program I trust and love supporting.

For for the last few years I've been privileged to have been a part of a beautiful concert series directed by David Galligan and musically directed by Ron Abel whose proceeds go to APLA, Aids Project Los Angeles. It is an exciting organization that offer hands on support to those living with aids.

We all have heroes and someone who has from a distance inspired me is Christopher Reeve. As a friend of mine commented " he is the bravest person I ever met." Mr Reeve is a great man I think who has found the motivation within himself against tragic odds to be a person of action. He has done much to educate the public to the challenges of living with and the very real possibilities of overcoming spinal cord injuries.

His Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation: is one of the best run, most efficient foundations ever. Through the research they support our world is getting closer on a daily basis to a cure. How thrilling! Check out their website and be inspired. I am!

My sister, Mara Purl, and her best friend, Erin Gray, help the Haven House Domestic Abuse Shelter in Los Angeles by providing their time and talents to make people aware of the problems associated with domestic violence. They created a 30-second public service announcement that can be used by any station to help fight abuse in the home.

A friend of mine has a daughter who is challenged by Cystic Fibrosis. The help and hope that the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation offers is tremendous. Not enough parents realize that one in 31 Americans (more than 10 million people) is an unknowing symptomless carrier of the defective gene that triggers this often fatal disease.

It's very helpful to know that we can make a difference in the quality of life for others by donating in some way. Through time, money or simply getting educated about some of the challenges in life, we all can contribute to a better society.

The foundations I mentioned here get my support and I hope that maybe you will find a way to help too. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Linda

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Additional Information About The Charities.

AIDS Project Los Angeles: APLA is dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by HIV disease by providing direct services; reducing the incidence of HIV infection through risk-reduction education; and advocating for fair and effective public policy. AIDS Project Los Angeles serves over 7,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in Los Angeles County.

Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation: CRPF encourages and supports research to develop effective treatments and a cure for paralysis caused by spinal cord injury and other central nervous system disorders. The Foundation evaluates and selects these research programs using councils of internationally renowned neuroscientists and clinicians. The Foundation also allocates a portion of its resources to grants that improve the quality of life for people with disabilities.

Haven House: Haven House was the first shelter for victims of domestic abuse ever established in the United States. Today it is more actively than ever helping victims in the greater Los Angeles area. Help for Victims of Domestic Violence. Are you being abused? Your local shelter can help with counseling, temporary housing, and more. Call you local shelter now.

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: The mission of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is to assure the development of the means to cure and control cystic fibrosis and to improve the quality of life for those with the disease. They support the advancement of medical science by funding its own network of 10 CF research centers at leading universities and medical schools throughout the United States.