7 Top Charities

1. Best Buddies Arizona

This charity matches students with intellectual disabilities with typical peers for one to one friendships at high school and college chapters in Arizona. It was founded by Best Buddies International, which Anthony Kennedy Shriver founded in 1989 at Georgetown University.

Best Buddies Arizona is creating a buddy ambassador board for buddies who've been recruited by their chapter's program manager. Ambassadors tell people what exactly Best Buddies is and how its changed their lives. I am a buddy ambassador for BBAZ. The program is led by Rachel Southard.

2. Special Olympics Arizona

SOAZ allows students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to participate in sports such as bowling or track and field. Track and field is offered through SOAZ's Unified Sports Program. USP matches typical students with a Life Skills athlete who is their partner for track events. Its offered at high schools such as Chaparral and I am an athlete. Special Olympics is the twin organization for Best Buddies.

3. Phoenix MDA

Phoenix Muscular Dystrophy Organization is a fine charity that works to raise a cure for MD related illnesses. The charity is putting on a muscle team event in April 2011. Its on the 14th of April. I am the team manager. It will be so much fun!

4. Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center (SARRC)

Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center is a charity that is there to provide support for families of children with Autism. SARRC offers programs such as LibraryWorks or CulinaryWorks. Volunteers at LibraryWorks volunteer at both Burton Barr and the Scottsdale Public Library: Civic Center branch. They organize books, CD's and sanitize toys. I am involved in LibraryWorks as a volunteer.

5. Phoenix Children's Hospital

Phoenix Children's Hospital recently opened it's first part its expansion. In general, PCH cares for patients with a variety is illnesses such as cancer or collapsed lungs....those are just a few of the illnesses or issues that the hospitals population of patients face. The surgical team is amazing. The team led by Dr. Stuart Lacey took great care of me.

6. Medical Mercy

Medical Mercy is led by Dr. David Beyda. The team of physicians (doctors and nurses) goes to places such as Haiti or India. They take care of the children that they sponsor. The team strikes me since they went to Haiti recently to help the children they care for cure themselves of cholera. They also went to Haiti after the catastrophic earthquake to take care of their kids.

7. Arizona Capernaum YoungLife

Arizona Capernaum YoungLife gives children and adults with disabilities the opportunity to enjoy YoungLife club and camp. The charity is led by David Thames. He makes sure everyone knows they are unique by the way God made them. Capernaum campers go up to YoungLife's Lost Canyon camp in Williams, AZ to enjoy some time with God the Lord and their friends they've made through Capernaum. WE ARE ALL #1 IN GOD'S KINGDOM.

Please donate or consider joining one of these charities such as BBAZ.

If you don't have a Best Buddies chapter at your school, consider starting a Buddy club.