Worthy Causes
This page is dedicated to several causes I currently support and/or endorse. If you are considering volunteering or donating, these are great places to spend your time and resources. Each is a nonprofit operating solely to fulfill their mission of helping others. I vouch for the integrity of these organizations and encourage you to get involved and make a difference!
Why do I endorse Family Promise of Summit County?
Family Promise of Summit County is the organization on this list with which I have the closest relationship. For 14 years, I have served as a volunteer, committee member, or board member. More personally, my relationship with this organization began when my daughter and I were homeless. They took us in and treated us better than family. They are a homeless shelter that caters specifically to homeless families with children. Unlike most shelters nationwide and any other shelter in the Summit County area, Family Promise keeps entire families together without separating fathers, mothers, and children due to gender. Thanks to a generous grant from PetSmart®, they even have a kennel for the families' pets, too. Family Promise operates on a nearly 70% volunteer basis. The amazing volunteers donate their time and resources, and they demonstrate genuine love to all who walk through their doors. In 2023, their Survive to Thrive program launched, as a path to affordable homeownership for homeless families with children. The difference they make provides family stability for generations. Family Promise is not a government funded shelter, so 100% of their support comes from generous donors and grants. Whether you've been looking for a way to give back, want to volunteer, own a business and want to donate services, or want to offer assistance in some other way, you can do it here. To learn more about this organization, click the logo above to visit their website.
If you’re not in NE Ohio and want to volunteer or donate to your local Family Promise, click HERE to find an affiliate near you.
Why do I endorse Humane Society of Summit County?
Humane Society of Summit County (fka PAWSibilities®) has proven to me that they are an organization dedicated to doing all they can to ensure that animals in need receive care to survive and live well. Without exception, the Humane Society has taken every sick, injured, or distressed animal I have walked through their doors. I will never forget the sweet, Labrador Retriever who had received a horrific home "amputation" before being left unhealed and on the street to fend for herself. The Humane Society gave this gentle girl proper medical care and updated me to her status of "doing very well" weeks later. There are too many more to name. They have also partnered with me in the past by providing surplus donations of food to offset food costs and supplies for my rescues. Only 5% of their funding is from local government sources. The rest comes from private donations, grants, and adoptions. Whether you are an animal lover and want to volunteer or you want to donate to help cover the cost of life-saving medical, shelter, and rehabilitation expenses, there is opportunity to get involved with a great organization here. For more information, click the logo above to visit their website.
Why do I endorse FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education)?
FARE is the only organization listed where I know no one personally and have no formal relationship with any representative outside of getting their permission to promote and display their info on my website. However, my connection to them is vital. As a person who has a deadly food allergy and has had the life-altering experience of anaphylactic shock from eating the wrong food, I follow this organization closely and fully appreciate the work they do. Advocacy for allergy protocols that treat allergies as serious medical conditions is big work. They send out updates (almost daily) of food mislabeling and cross-contamination reports, which is life-saving information for the 30 million people who suffer from food allergies in the United States. FARE is our greatest spokesperson for regulation and education pertaining to research and treatment of food allergies. They boldly, intelligently, and unapologetically stand for a large population who, without special consideration, would live less peaceful and secure lives. If you or someone close to you suffers from food allergies, this organization has taken the initiative to fight for you. For that, they deserve our support. For more information, click the logo above to visit their website.
Permission to promote and display the organizations above has been given by an authorized representative of each agency listed. All descriptions are personally written by Deven Bernadette and are not intended to represent the organizations' own claims. Logos are the property of the organizations represented. Copying or reproducing logos is strictly forbidden unless specifically authorized. The agencies listed do not endorse or provide any compensation to Deven Bernadette, devenbernadette.com, Wonderfully Made Series, or REHABSoul.