USO

From video, to infographics, to a simple letter, I've seen nonprofits say thank you in a lot of different ways over the past few years. (Huzzah for your creativity, folks!) But no matter the level of sophistication, there are a few things that really make the thank-yous I love stand out … They're sincere. They give me a sense of the big picture. They're creative AND relevant. They're not JUST an excuse to ask for more. They showcase the ones you serve.

Subaru of America Facebook fans take the wheel starting Aug. 6, and select two charities to join three others for the automaker's 2012 "Share the Love" event. Subaru has donated nearly $20 million to charitable organizations through its "Share the Love" sales event over the last four years. This year's fifth-annual event is expected to deliver $5 million in donations to five charitable organizations.

Retailer J.C. Penney has launched jcp cares, a new charitable giving program. Through jcp cares, J.C. Penney will support a new cause each month by inviting customers to round up their purchases to the nearest whole dollar and donate the difference to the company's featured charity partner. It kiccked off July 1 with jcpenney's support of the USO. Along with round-up donations raised by customers throughout the month of July, jcpenney will be making a $1 million donation to the USO.

The ball drops in Times Square, and next thing you know, Chez Seville is lousy with membership cards. Over the course of about six weeks, I received member/partner/supporter cards from 18 different organizations.

Over the course of about six weeks, I received member/partner/supporter cards from 18 different organizations.

Tis the season for giving and this holiday season the USO is offering Americans a unique way to spread cheer and give gifts that matter, with the launch of its first-ever alternative giving website, the USO Wishbook.

The T.J. Martell Foundation for Leukemia, Cancer and AIDS Research is proud to announce the honorees for the 36th Annual Awards Gala, which will take place Nov. 3rd in New York. The award winners are Bea Perez, chief sustainability officer at The Coca-Cola Co.; Scott Borchetta, president/CEO of the Big Machine Label Group; golf legend Arnold Palmer; and actor/comedian Drew Carey. Each honoree is heavily involved with nonprofit organizations and fundraisers dedicated cancer and AIDS research.

Every year tens of millions of Americans ask friends to sponsor them in events ranging from 3-mile "fun runs" to 100-mile bike treks. The largest such event — the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life — raised more than $400 million last year. Meanwhile, the ever-growing movement includes tens of thousands of tiny "thons," collecting for schools, hospitals and homeless shelters. As soon as the weather warms, the walkathoners take to the streets, proudly parading in their oversize T-shirts and ribbon pins.

The United Service Organizations (USO) has announced a $5 million lead gift from the Northrop Grumman Foundation for a new Wounded Warrior and Family Center at Fort Belvoir in Virginia.

To be operated by the USO of Metropolitan Washington, the 25,000-square-foot facility will provide troops and their families with a variety of programs and support services and will be a place where they can find relief and understanding amid the rigors of rehabilitation and reintegration.

When Welcome Home 2011 commemorates the 25th anniversary of the 1986 Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home Parade in Chicago, event planners can count on a new leading-edge online platform to help sell tickets, raising funds and awareness for one of the Windy City’s most anticipated events. The platform, www.tix4cause.com™, founded by Chicago businessman Kevin Nemetz, was designed specifically to help nonprofits. Its application is ideal for “Welcome Home 2011” which takes place in downtown Chicago, June 17th-19th.