Stone Soup - A Call to Action

Building a Better Country

Join with the millions of Americans
who spend one day working together to build a better country.

The Big Help Campaign                        212-258-7080
The Big Help is Nickelodeon's year-round campaign gets kids involved in their communities through volunteering. Each year, Nickelodeon airs The Big Help-a-thon, a live, televised extravaganza when kids call 800 numbers to pledge their help. In 1997, 8 million kids called in and pledged 85 million hours of service. Nickelodeon also provides teachers with The Big Help Classroom Kit, local community leaders with educational materials and information about local volunteer activities through a traveling Helpmobile. They partner with 23 national organizations dedicated to helping kids serve. The Big Help Week is the third week of April.
Visit www.NICK.com

Rebuilding Together                       800-4-REHAB9
Deliver a dream to an elderly neighbor who needs you -- grab a hammer or a paintbrush to restore joy and hope in homes across the country. Rebuilding Together preserves neighborhoods, reduces institutionalizations and builds stronger communities in partnership with community groups, business, labor and everyday Americans. Lend a hand and make a difference. "We're love in action."
Visit www.rebuildingtogether.org

Day of Caring                               703-836-7100
The United Way in over 400 communities conduct one or more Days of Caring each year, typically in the fall. Individuals and groups volunteer to work in day-long projects at local agencies -- delivering meals to the elderly, reading to children, repairing and painting houses ... even rebuilding a baseball field. The day combines the camaraderie of side-by-side work with co-workers, friends or new acquaintances with exposure to the good wok of agencies in your community.
Visit www.unitedway.com

Make a Difference Day                       800-VOLUNTEER
An annual day of doing good in which more than one million Americans volunteer and organize service activities in their communities. The event, created in 1992 by USA WEEKEND magazine in partnership with The Points of Light Foundation, rallies corporations, government leaders, charitable organizations and everyday Americans. Volunteer efforts that capture the spirit of the day receive charitable awards from a pool funded by USA WEEKEND magazine and Newman's Own. The day takes place the fourth Saturday of each October. In 1998 Make A Difference Day is Saturday, October 24.
Visit www.usaweekend.com

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day                       202-606-5000
In the spirit of Dr. King's commitment to service, the King Holiday in January is a national day of service. This day, sponsored by the Corporation for National Service, is also an opportunity to raise awareness about human rights, interracial cooperation and youth anti-violence initiatives. On January 29, 1998 people and organizations will keep the "Dream" alive by opening their hearts and offering their hands to bring diverse peoples together.
Visit www.cns.gov/index.html

National Youth Service Day                       202-296-2992
Celebrate the power of young people to change our country block-by-block, neighborhood-by- neighborhood. Held on April 21 in 1998, National Youth Service Day is the largest service event in America, engaging 2 million young volunteers in more than 9 million hours of community service. An annual public education campaign, sponsored by Youth Service America in collaboration with 34 national youth organizations, it promotes the benefits of service to the American people through youth service and volunteering in communities.
Visit www.SERVEnet.org

Stand for Children                               800-663-4032
Stand for Children is a national network of grassroots children's activists who are building a strong movement to Leave No Child Behind. Each year, they plan local activities all across the country on June 1. To learn how you can help the children in your community,
Visit www.stand.org

Take Our Daughters To Work Day                       800-676-7780
On the fourth Thursday of April, parents and other adults across the country take their daughters of other young girls to work for the day. Sponsored by the Ms. Foundation for Women, this day gives girls get a first-hand glimpse into what the work day looks like, celebrates girls' work by educating them about their wide range of life options and helps girls become self-confident and resourceful during their teen years. Call Gail Maynor or
Visit www.nsfoundation.org

Trick or Treat for UNICEF                       800-252-KIDS
For over 50 years children across America have been celebrating Halloween by collecting coins to help provide medication, vaccines, clean water and sanitation, nutritious food and basic education to millions of children in over 106 countries. During the month of October, the U.S. Committee for UNCIEF provides educators and families with a myriad of opportunities to teach children about global issues and celebrate cultural diversity that surrounds them in their classrooms, communities and the world. To order the free trademark orange Trick or Treat for UNICEF cartons or educational materials,
Visit www.unicef.org

Growing Nationally

To get involved with exciting programs in your community, call one of these national organizations who are connecting people across the country.

Alliance for National Renewal                       800-223-6004
The Alliance is a unique coalition of 194 community-building organizations, institutions, communities, and people from the public, private and nonprofit sectors who are re-engaging citizens in community life and working together towards a shared vision of improving communities. ANR is a program of the National Civic League. Call 800-223-6004 or
Visit www.ncl.org.

America's Promise: The Alliance for Youth                       800-365-0153
Launched at the Presidents' Summit In April 1, 1997, America's Promise --The Alliance for Youth mobilizes communities, organizations, businesses, and volunteers across the country to help provide young people fundamental resources of caring adults, safe places to live, a healthy start, marketable skills and opportunities to serve. Not only are these the tools that create opportunities for success, they are the Five Promises that America's Promise strives to fulfill for every child. All too often children today are told they cannot obtain the obtainable. They cannot achieve the achievable. But America's Promise Is working to ensure that young people have a brighter future. A future where anything is possible for a young person who is willing to spend the hours of effort needed to make dreams come true. To find out how you can help endure a brighter tomorrow for a child today call 888-55-YOUTH or
Visit www.americaspromise.org

Connect America                       800-VOLUNTEER
Connect America is a collaborative effort that brings together the energies and resources of nonprofit organizations, businesses, and community volunteers to help build the connections that are critical to solving many of society's problems. To learn about volunteer opportunities in your community call 800-59LIGHT or
Visit www.pointsoflight.org

Corporation for National Service                       800-942-2677
A public-private partnership that collaborates with local and national nonprofit organizations to sponsor service projects that respond to the needs of the communities they serve. They oversee three national initiatives: AmeriCorps: a year of community service for 17-23 year olds; Learn & Serve educational resources and models for kindergarten through college and the National Senior Corps for people 50 years and older: 800-424-8867.
Visit www.cns.gov or www.nationalservice.gov

The Giraffe Project                       360-221-7989
The Giraffe Project is a national nonprofit organization that finds, honors and publicizes people who "stick their necks out" for the common good, like Stone Soup story, Steve Mariotti, National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship. The K-12 Giraffe Heroes Program provides educational materials to students in all 50 states and American schools abroad. Email us at office@giraffe.org
Visit www.giraffe.org

The Independent Sector                       202-223-8100
Comprised of 800 nationally-oriented foundations, nonprofits, charities and philanthropies, the Independent Sector researches and reports on trends in giving and volunteering; labors to safeguard advocacy rights for nonprofits; educates the public on the integral role of nonprofits in society and provides a forum for interaction and collaboration between the nonprofit, business and government sectors.
Visit www.indepsec.org

One to One: The National Mentoring Partnership
202-338-3844
One to One serves as a resource for mentoring initiatives nationwide and advocates the benefits of expanding mentoring programs. To start or expand a mentoring program,
Visit www.mentoring.org.com

The Points of Light FoundationVolunteer Centers
800-VOLUNTEER
The Points of Light Foundation is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to engaging more people more effectively in volunteer service to help solve social problems. Their Stone Soup story spotlights Phil Stevens and his work with Native American Indians. The Foundation and its member Volunteer Centers around the country are working together to mobilize people and resources to deliver creative solutions to community problems. The Volunteer Centers connect over 1 million people each year to volunteer opportunities. To learn about volunteer opportunities in your community, call your local Volunteer Center or
Visit www.pointsoflight.org

What One Person Can Do

You, too, can make a difference in someone's life! Call one of these organizations to learn how.

American Association of Retired Persons                       202-434-3219
AARP has a national Volunteer Talent Bank that matches people ages 50 and older with volunteer opportunities based on their interests, skills and geographical location. Their database matches volunteers with service opportunities in literacy, sciences, legislative and legal assistance, health, housing, arts and cultural, intergenerational and environmental activities. To become a volunteer, call us for a registration packet or
Visit www.aarp.org

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America                       215-567-7000
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America's 500 agencies nationwide provide more than 100,000 children from single-parent homes with positive adult role models. Become a caring friend to a child in your community so they can succeed in the world -- through BBBSA's One-to-One mentoring program or through the School-based Mentoring Program.
Visit www.bbbsa.org

Boys and Girls Club of America                       800-854-CLUB
Boys and Girls Club of America is a nationwide affiliation of organizations working to help youth of all backgrounds, especially those in disadvantaged circumstances, to develop the qualities needed to become responsible citizens and leaders.
Visit www.bgca.org

Catholic Charities USA                       703-549-1390
Catholic Charities USA is a national nonprofit network of 1,400 local, independent agencies, which in 1996 provided social services to more than 12 million people in need -- regardless of religious, ethnic, or social background. As the largest, private, social services network, they provide housing, refugee and immigration assistance, employment programs, pregnancy and adoption services, counseling and food.
Visit www.catholiccharities.org

Family Service America                       414-359-1040
Family Service America strengthens family life through 280 local agencies in the U.S. and Canada. Volunteers mentor young people to reduce teenage pregnancy and drug/alcohol abuse, serve as counselors for marriage and parent-child relationships and help with foster care, adoption and crisis hotlines for family pressures related to aging, child abuse, or family violence.
Visit www.healthy.net/pan/cso/cioi/fsa

Jewish Community Centers Association of North America
212-532-4949
The Association offers a wide range of services and resources to enable its 275 affiliates -- Jewish Community Centers, YMHA, and YWHA's and summer camps across the U.S. and Canada -- to provide educational, cultural and recreations programs to enhance the lives of Jewish people. Email: info@jcca.org or
Visit www.jcaa.org

Jewish Family and Children's Agencies
Jewish Family and Children's Agencies provide family services to people in need regardless of their faith. Volunteers help feed the hungry, visit hospital patients, serve as companions to the elderly, and work with disadvantaged children, at-risk youth and people with disabilities. They also help resettle Jewish families from other countries and work at improving intercultural relations.
Visit www.ajfca.org

The United Black Fund                       800-323-7677
There are 39 United Black Funds around the country who work with nonprofit organizations to meet the unmet needs in communities such as child care, literacy, crime prevention, drug and alcohol programs, mentoring programs for youth and support programs for the elderly people and those with disabilities.
Visit www.unitedblackfund.org

Community Organizations

Many of these organizations have been helping your community for many years. Give them a hand. Check your phone book for the one nearest you.

American Red Cross                       212-737-8300
The American Red Cross is a volunteer emergency services organization with more than 2,600 chapters throughout the U.S. and its territories. Volunteers help in blood centers, food banks, providing transportation for people with disabilities and translation for new immigrants, caring for the elderly and children of working parents as well as repairing homes after fire, floods or tornadoes.
Visit www.redcross.org

Girls Incorporated                       212-689-3700
Girls Inc., a national youth advocacy organization, helps girls become "strong, smart and bold" in an equitable society. Professionally trained staff provides educational programs, i.e. developing leadership skills, encouraging science, math, technology studies to 350,000 young people at 1,000 sites, particularly those in high risk, underserved areas.
Visit www.girlsinc.org

Girl Scouts of the U.S.A.                       212-852-5000
The Girl Scouts are committed to helping all girls from every background develop the confidence, determination and skills needed to thrive in today's world.
Visit www.gsusa.org

National 4-H Council                       301-961-2800
In 4-H, teamwork and leadership skills are developed through hands-on learning projects in the environment, gardening, and nutrition and, raising animals as well as public speaking and citizenship. More than 5.6 million youth, ages 5-19 participate in 4-H's co-educational programs every year.
Visit www.fourHcouncil.edu

Ronald McDonald House Charities
By supporting Ronald McDonald House Houses in communities around the world and by making grants to other not-for-profit children's programs, this organization lifts disadvantaged children to a better tomorrow.
Visit www.rmhc.com

The Salvation Army                       703-684-5500
The Salvation Army is a national nonprofit organization motivated by a love of God and a concern for people in need, regardless of color, creed, gender or age. Volunteers in their 10,000 centers help with crisis hotlines, emergency disaster services, day care centers, summer camps and youth programs for low-income children, as well as food banks and shelters for the homeless. During the Christmas season, they distribute food to the homeless along with toys and clothing to disadvantaged children.
Visit www.salvationarmyusa.org

Volunteer Centers of America                       800-899-0089
Volunteers of America serves over one million people each year through our community-based affiliates which offer a variety of programs including day care centers for abused and neglected children, emergency shelters for the homeless and "meals on wheels" for the frail elderly. We are also the nation's largest non-profit affordable housing provider for low-income families, the elderly and persons with disabilities.
Visit www.voa.org

YMCA (Young Men's Christian Association)                       312-977-0031
The YMCA helps men and women of all ages, incomes, abilities, backgrounds and religions grow in body, mind and spirit. Volunteer with one of the 2,400 YMCAs nationwide to help them provide tutors, mentors and offer alcohol and drug prevention programs, health and recreation programs, day camps and childcare, food banks and job training. Call us or
Visit www.ymca.net

YWCA of the U.S.A. (Young Women's Christian Association)
212-614-2700
The YWCA is dedicated to the empowerment of women and girls. With 363 member associations in thousands of sites in all 50 states, the YWCA works with more than a million women, girls and their families nationwide with parent and peer counseling, child care, health care, teen pregnancy prevention, domestic abuse and career counseling.
Visit www.ywca.org

United Neighborhood Centers of America, Inc.            216-391-3028
United Neighborhood Centers of America serves 153 neighborhood centers by cultivating leadership and accrediting quality day care, youth/family/elderly programs and other services improving conditions for all neighborhood residents.
Visit www.unca.org

Doing Well By Doing Good

Dare to share. Act with your pocketbook. Write the check. Just do it! Join with these organizations who are building a better world.

Co-op America                       800-58-GREEN
Co-op America is a national, nonprofit membership organization that links socially responsible businesses and consumers in a national alternative marketplace. Through our National Green Pages, Co-op America Quarterly, and Financial Planning Handbook, we educate people on how to vote with their dollars and use their purchasing and investing power to create a just and sustainable society. We provide Information and services to help people make spending and investing decisions that are in harmony with their politics and values. The National Green Pages. Directory features 2,500 socially and environmentally responsible companies and organizations including the Stone Soup story, and Thanksgiving Coffee, that are changing the way America does business.
Visit www.coopamerica.org

The World Business Academy                       415-227-0106
The World Business Academy celebrates its 10th year. Since business has become the dominant force in society, WBA urges members to seek to avoid or solve our most pressing problems including sustainability. An international membership organization, it is open to anyone committed to maximizing our human potential and implementing the new paradigms. Their Stone Soup story, We Can Do It, honors businessman Cabel Brand.
Visit www.worldbusiness.org

Social Venture Network                       415-561-6502
SVN is a part of an international organization of business and social entrepreneurs dedicated to promoting progressive solutions to social problems and changing the way the world does business. SVN members strive to be effective business people and catalysts for social change by integrating the values of a just and sustainable society into their day-to-day business practices and use their enterprises and create new ventures to improve the world.
Visit www.svn.org

Community Cooperation

The next time you get together with your family and friends, try talking about what you could do to improve things in your world. Call these organizations to learn how you can create community cooperation.

Institute for Food and Development Policy: Food First
510-654-4400
Food First empowers citizens to address the root causes of hunger, poverty and environmental decline. Our research and educational materials teach people how to change anti-democratic institutions and belief systems which promotes hunger and environmental deterioration. Email us at: foodfirst@foodfirst.org or
Visit www.foodfirst.org

Grassroots Leadership                       704-332-3090
Be passionate for justice. Learn the skills of community empowerment. To receive books, tapes, CDs, from Grassroots Leadership write to: Box 36006, Charlotte, NC 28236 or
Visit www.grasslead.org

National Civic League                       800-223-6004
Help your community prepare for the future through a citizen's visioning and strategic planning process. Call the National Civic League and ask for their catalogue of books, conferences and tools including: 98 Things You Can Do For Your Community.

National Coalition for the Homeless               202-775-1322
NCH is a national advocacy network of persons who are or have been homeless, activists, service and housing providers committed to ending homelessness. NCH works to meet the urgent needs of who are (or are at risk of becoming) homeless as well as creating systemic and attitudinal changes to prevent and end homelessness. Email us at: nch@ari.net or
Visit www.nch.ari.net

Robert Wood Johnson Community Health Leadership Program

617-426-9772

Each year, the Community Health Leadership Program honors ten outstanding heroes of community health care, like the Stone Soup "community hero", Dr. Juan Romagoza and his work with the Hispanic community in Washington D.C. Call us to nominate an outstanding health leader or
Visit www.communitieshealthleader.org

Cultural Healing

Take small steps towards healing our country. Challenge your friends and family to think and act more compassionately. Call these organizations to learn how you can create cultural healing in your community.

Teaching Tolerance This project of the Southern Poverty Law Center helps teachers promote interracial and intercultural understanding. Half a million educators receive its free magazine and more than 50,000 schools have used its free multimedia kits. For more information write to: 400 Washington Ave. Montgomery, Alabama 36104 .
Visit www.in.pacbell.com/wired/fil/pages/listteachingve

Anti Defamation League's A World of Difference            212-885-7700
Visit www.adl.org/awod/awod-Institute

Conflict Resolution International, Inc.                       412-687-6210
CRCI is a worldwide web of cutting edge mediators, teachers, arbitrators and dispute resolution specialists bridging conflict and peace on every continent. They draw on the accumulated wisdom and experience so that wherever you are, whatever your problem, the solution may be available to you.
Visit www.conflictnet.org/crcii

Educators for Social Responsibility                       617-492-1764
ESR is nationally recognized for promoting children's ethical and social development to shape a safe, sustainable and just world -- through conflict resolution, violence prevention, inter-group relations and character education. A leading voice for teaching social responsibility as a core practice in the schooling and upbringing of children, they offer professional development, networks, and instructional materials to educators and parents.
Visit www.esrnational.org

National Coalition of Latino Health Organizations            202-387-5000
Visit www.nchc.org

National Council of La Raza                       202-785-1670
Visit www.nclr.org

National Urban League                       212-558-5300
Visit www.nvl.org

Global Village

Take the time to get to know people from different countries. Call one of these organizations to discover how we can live together on one planet. Our children and grandchildren can then look forward to a more hopeful future.

Quaker Information Center                       215-241-7024
The Center provides a list of volunteer/service opportunities, internships, work camps and life changing experiences with a wide variety of Quaker and non-Quaker organizations like American Friends Service Committee in the U.S. and around the world.
Visit www.afc.org/qic.htm

Amnesty International                       212-807-8400
Visit www.amnesty.org

Campaign to Ban Landmines                       888-BAN-MINES
Visit www.banminesusa.org

Heifer International                       800-800-422-0474
Heifer helps more than 4 million struggling families worldwide to become self-reliant by giving the gift of livestock and training in its care. Heifer joins with people of all faiths to work for the dignity and well being of all people.
Visit www.heifer.org

Mennonite Central Committee                       717-859-1151
MCC connects people around the world who suffer from poverty, conflict, oppression and natural disaster with those in North American churches. We strive for peace, justice and dignity of all people by sharing our experiences, resources and faith.
Visit www.mcc.org

Save the Children                       202-221-4079
Save the Children Federation empowers 2 million disadvantaged children and their families in 39 countries and 15 U.S. states to take control of their lives. Their 2000 professionals provide education, health, economic opportunities and humanitarian response and community self-help assistance.
Visit www.savethechildren.org

Trickle Up Program                       212-362-7958
We give the poorest of the poor the opportunity to start their own businesses. In twenty years, over 250,000 people in 112 countries have lifted themselves out of poverty by starting over 47,000 businesses.
Visit www.trickleup.org

US Fund for UNICEF                       800-FOR-KIDS
Works for the survival, protection, and development of the world's children through fundraising, education, and advocacy. UNICEF works in over 160 countries and territories to provide lifesaving medicine, better nutrition, clean water and sanitation, education, and emergency relief.
Visit www.unicefusa.org

Peace Pals Program; World Peace Prayer Society                 212-755-4755 Unite with people all over the world through the universal prayer, May Peace Prevail on Earth! To bring the Peace Pole Project to your community or learn about the Peace Pals program for children, contact Deirdre Fisher, Director 26 Benton Road, Wassaic, NY 12592 or
Visit www.worldpeace.org

Books

The Soul of a Business, Tom Chappell, New York, Bantam Books
It Takes a Village, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Simon& Schuster
The Call of Service, Robert Coles, Houghton Mifflin
Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam: Oasis of Peace, Laurie Dolphin, Scholastic, Inc.
The Measure of Success, Marian Wright Edelman, Harper Perennial
On Leadership, John Gardner, The Free Press
Emotional Intelligence, Daniel Goleman, Bantam Books
Newman's Own Cookbook, Nell Newman and Ursula Hotchner
World Class, Rosabeth Moss Kanter, Simon& Schuster
The Young Entrepreneur's Guide, Steve Mariotti, Times Books
50 Things You Can Do to Save the Earth, Earth Works Press
Building Communities From the Inside Out, John Kretzmann and John McKnight, ACTA Publications
The Quickening of America, Frances Moore Lappe, and Paul Martin Du Bois, Jossey-Bass Inc., Publishers
The Kid's Guide to Social Action, Barbara Lewis, Free Spirit Publishing
The Simple Act of Planting a Tree, Andy and Katie Lipkis, Jeremy P. Tarcher, Inc.
Revolution of the Heart, Bill Shore, Riverhead Books
Streets of Hope, Holly Sklar and Peter Medoff, South End Press
The Different Drum, Scott M. Peck M.D. Simon& Schuster
A Way Out of No Way, Andrew Young, Thomas Nelson Publishers

Magazines

Hope Magazine                       207-359-4651
A bi-monthly magazine about humanity making a difference.
Visit www.hopemag.com

The Utne Reader                       800-736-UTNE
Visit www.utne.com

Who Cares Magazine                       202-628-1691
This bi-monthly magazine reaches 50,000 readers providing information to help people create, grow and manage organizations for the common good and to foster a sense of community among social entrepreneurs.
Visit www.whocares.org

Yes! A Journal of Positive Futures                       800-937-4451
Subscribe to Yes! Magazine. Connect with thousands of others in the US and around the world who are turning hope into action for a sustainable, just, and compassionate future.Visit yesmagazine.org

Fellowship for Reconciliation Publications www.forusa.com or www.nonviolence.org Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. The Power of Nonviolent Action, by Mary King. Commissioned for the U.N Decade for a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence.