Josh Gibson Foundation

The Josh Gibson Foundation has many programs that do wonderful work with youth in the Pittsburgh community.  This foundation positively affects lives in the present that reverberate throughout the future in exponential ways.  A great foundation with the namesake of one of the greatest baseball players of all time–Josh Gibson, Pittsburgh Grays legend known as “the Black Babe Ruth” for his power hitting that may have even exceeded Ruth’s ability.  Josh Gibson is in the Baseball Hall of Fame and this is certainly a hall of fame-worthy Foundation. 

The American Diabetes Association

We make some jokes related to sweetness and diabetes, but there is nothing funny about having diabetes.  The phrase Sweet Livin’ has its roots in raising money for the American Diabetes Association as college students collecting money for ADA years ago at University of Pittsburgh football game tailgates.  The ADA does great work with diabetes research and efforts to improve the quality of lives for those with diabetes.  Through the work of the ADA, many people are indeed able to live longer, sweeter, and safer lives.    

The Bee Conservatory

Not only do bees share the same color palette as Sweet Livin’ Productions, but they also share the same love for producing sweetness.  In addition to their direct sweetness production capabilities through honey, the importance of bees cannot be understated as they are vital to our ecosystem.  Their pollination is crucial to many foods.  If you are drinking coffee right now, you probably could thank a bee (if you are lucky enough to find one around, for their population is in danger).  If you enjoy the smell of a fragrant flower, you probably could thank a bee (if you are lucky enough to find one).   If you are eating an almond–or drinking almond milk–you most certainly need to thank your local (or distant) bee because we would have zero almonds without bees.   Even the Almond Joy candy bar would go extinct without bees.  We cannot let bees get any closer to extinction, for if that happened, all joy–at least the almond-based variety–would also be gone from this world.  

Roberto Clemente Foundation

Being in the baseball Hall of Fame certifies Clemente as one of the greatest baseball players of all-time.  But he is much more than that.  He is also one of the greatest humanitarians of all-time.   In fact, in addition to the numerous humanitarian deeds he did during his lifetime, he died taking earthquake relief supplies to Nicaragua on New Year’s Eve, 1972.  He literally died for a good cause, trying to help others.  But his legacy and impact have not died at all.  The Roberto Clemente Foundation carries on both. 

Allied Whale

Allied Whale is a pioneer in whale Photo-ID techniques and started the North America Humpback Whale Catalog in 1977.  Allied Whale has continued not only the catalog, but other work and research to help protect whales.  “Save the dolphins” or “save the whales” has been a mantra or refrain that has continually resurfaced at different times throughout recent decades.  If you literally want to save the whales, you can support the work at Allied Whale.  You can even Adopt a Whale like we do annually–a Humpback Mother/Calf Pair is our choice here at Sweet Livin’ Productions–but you can check out Allied Whale’s website for other Adopt a Whale options, like the Finback (afterall, why should the Humpback get all the love?).  We sometimes roam the shores or cruise the waters hoping to get a chance meeting with our adoptive aqua-loving friends…  

Folds of Honor

This widely-respected organization focuses on providing scholarships for children of wounded and fallen soldiers. While the generational pain cannot ever completely be healed and there is no magic remedy for such hurt and loss, these scholarships act as a levee to stem the tide of negative effects these tragic events can have and allow the next generation a better opportunity for a brighter future. Heroic sacrifices are honored through the power of education. Any monetary donation is helpful–with the great majority of it going directly to the scholarships–and still a modest sacrifice in comparison to the sacrifices these heroes made.

NextStep

Next Step Domestic Violence Project Hancock and Washington Counties has been providing support for victims and survivors of domestic violence, interpersonal violence, and abuse for almost half of a century in Downeast Maine. Their services—which include a 24/7 Helpline, an emergency shelter, legal assistance, among other support—are free and open to people of any gender or background. They have developed close relationships with community partners in developing a network that truly has supported the safety and wellbeing of many people.

Note:  While there are times in other sections of the website where we link to other charities or organizations, these are the only ones that we directly financially support.  There are many great charities and much great work being done throughout the world; we simply are trying to focus our modest efforts with this wonderful group here on this page, most of which are smaller organizations that really feel the positive impact of any donation, however modest it may be.   

Thank You!  

We want to thank you in advance for any way in which you are able to support these fine organizations and their efforts.