Amazon Prime Day is here – and predicted to shatter sales records for the fourth year in a row over the two-day event. For those of you living under a rock, Amazon Prime Day is a magical time of year when Amazon does their best Oprah impression and gives Prime members special discounts on featured items. Last year, estimated sales exceeded $4 billion globally during the 36-hour sale. But did you know that your shopping spree could also benefit a charity of your choice? When Prime members shop through AmazonSmile, Amazon donates 0.5% of the purchase price to the individual's preferred charity. If every Prime member shopped with AmazonSmile in 2018, approved nonprofits would have received over $20 million in donations!
AmazonSmile donations are made at no extra cost to the customer, who can choose which organization to support from nearly 1 million public charitable organizations. The best part is that the shopping experience is not impacted at all – the only difference is, customers need to make their purchases on www.Amazonsmile.com instead of www.Amazon.com. Though 0.5% is not a very large amount for a donation, and it isn't intended to replace a customer’s regular charitable activities, AmazonSmile continues to be a great way to take advantage of a service customers are using anyway.
Several Dallas-area nonprofits are participating in Amazon Prime Day this year, encouraging shoppers to select a charitable cause during their shopping spree through AmazonSmile. From helping lift families out of poverty to supporting families battling pediatric cancer, finding forever homes for homeless animals or providing life-saving support to families in Guatemala, Dallas residents have the opportunity to make an impactful difference by shopping Prime Day through AmazonSmile.
By now, you’re probably asking yourself which Dallas nonprofits are participating this year and how you can get involved. No worries! Check out Dallas’ local nonprofit list below to find out more information and what kind of care they provide the Dallas community.
The Community Council of Greater Dallas
The Community Council was founded in 1940 and has identified services that are needed in the Dallas community. The services have been assessed on how best to be delivered to the community to meet social issues, and mobilizing and implementing action plans that work together with its member agencies and public sector resources. The issues often found by Community Council include juvenile delinquency and welfare, seniors, public health, day care and legislative advocacy. The organization meets these challenges through fact-based research, volunteers, creating and fostering new services and agencies, expanding government programs, convening collaborative work and delivering selected direct services.
To find more information about the Community Council, visit their website at https://www.ccadvance.org/.
Heroes for Children
Heroes for Children is a nonprofit that provides community support via social and financial assistance to Texas families with a child aged 0 to 22 battling pediatric cancer. Since the founding of the organization in 2004, the organization has given nearly $6 million to 6,000 families. They are the only organization in the state of Texas that also provides financial assistance for fertility preservation and funerals. The impact of childhood cancer is felt by the entire family and Heroes for Children provides additional social programs and events in the DFW, Houston, San Antonio and Austin areas that give children and their families the opportunity to participate in activities for the whole household. Heroes for Children ensures that no family fights pediatric cancer alone.
You can learn more about Heroes for Children by visiting https://heroesforchildren.org/.
Operation Kindness
Operation Kindness is the original and largest no-kill animal shelter in North Texas. Founded in 1976, the organization’s mission is to care for homeless animals until each is adopted into a responsible home. Since its founding and advocacy for humane values and behaviors, Operation Kindness has saved the lives of more than 105,000 animals. On average, the shelter cares for 400 animals daily and assists with more than 5,000 cats and dogs each year.
Not only is it an opportunity to check out some adorable pets up for adoption, but you can find out more about Operation Kindness by visiting https://www.operationkindness.org/.
HELPS International
Steve Miller, a Dallas-based investment banker and CEO of Dillon Gage, one of the world’s largest precious metals wholesale trading firms, accepted an invitation in 1981 that was extended to private groups by the Guatemalan government in an effort to bring aid to poverty-stricken areas. After witnessing the tremendous suffering in the region from a 36-year internal conflict, Miller began working with a missionary to bring food, clothing and blankets to the local community. He also assisted in building homes for widows of the war. His efforts eventually led to the founding of HELPS, which was registered as a nonprofit in 1984. HELPS is now a culmination of volunteers and donors who help the community by addressing the root cause of poverty in Guatemala. The four key areas of focus include agriculture, community development, education and health care.
To learn more about Steve Miller and HELPS International, check out their website at https://www.helpsintl.org/.
