TONY-approved charities

Coffee Kids
Nominated by: Erin Meister, copy editor
Why you should give: "Coffee Kids is a nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of Latin American coffee farmers and their families. Some coffee farmers earn as little as a nickel a pound for their pickings (which they collect by hand), and this charity works toward developing health and educational resources for the farmers’ communities—services often inaccessible to them otherwise. Coffee professionals (myself included—ooh, secret double life!) have rallied behind this charity for years—it’s been around since ’88."

One Laptop Per Child
Nominated by: Andrew Johnston, Time In editor
Why you should give: "I've been encouraging people to donate to OLPC online and then give away the resulting "give one, get one" laptops to an afterschool program. (When you give money to donate an XO laptop—a specially designed, durable children's computer—to a child in a developing nation, you also receive one for yourself in recognition of your contribution.) I already gave them a personal donation and will give away the laptop I get once I've had the chance to play around with it a bit, since I'm curious as to what it's like. It would really be awesome if readers did this too."

Fertile Hope
Nominated by: Marci Weisler, digital-business director
Why you should give: "Fertile Hope is a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to providing reproductive information, support and hope to cancer patients and survivors whose medical treatments present the risk of infertility."

Animal Haven Shelter
Nominated by: Nicola Lathroum, associate circulation director/subscriptions
Why you should give: "Working with Animal Haven Shelter to get my beloved pooch has been fantastic. It is a no-kill shelter that doesn't act like a pound—they really take care of the animals. It has programs with companies in the city to promote awareness, and it maintains a sanctuary and recovery center for abused animals."

Waggytail Rescue
Nominated by: Monika Fabian, assistant to the president
Why you should give: "I became familiar with Waggytail Rescue about a year and a half ago when I adopted my dog from them, so I can definitely vouch for the good they do. Waggytail is a grassroots network of volunteers that provides foster homes for small dogs and cats rescued from kill shelters. It covers all of the pets' medical needs, including spay and neutering, and grooms the animals while also rehabilitating them and preparing them for new homes. As you work with them, you get the sense that looking out for the animals' interest is their genuine and sincere mission."

Project Morry
Nominated by: Lisa Levinson, sales and marketing director, guides
Why you should give: "This was known as Morry’s Camp, and the name just changed to Project Morry. They do amazing things for inner-city kids. Project Morry is a nonprofit, year-round youth-development organization, anchored by a residential summer camp with an educational focus. The organization is dedicated to giving inner-city children enriching learning opportunities through a curriculum based on school gatherings and an intensive summer camp program. The children, for whom these experiences would not otherwise be available, benefit from a support network and gain increased social skills, enhanced self-esteem, positive core values and a greater sense of personal responsibility. In schools and communities where fewer than 50 percent of incoming ninth-graders graduate from high school, 100 percent of the young people in Project Morry have completed high school on time and have gone on to college or military service or have joined the workforce as responsible citizens."

Hunger-related charities
Nominated by:The Eat Out department
The TONY story "Standard of giving" (Issue 634) describes the work of several organizations devoted to stamping out hunger in the city.

The Mayor's Volunteer Center
Nominated by: The Around Town department
This handy, searchable compendium of volunteer opportunities in the city "will allow you to find the best volunteer opportunities based on your preferences."

WellGood LLC
Nominated by: Elise Loehnen, Seek editor
This is another "choose your own" concept that matches givers with organizations that fit their altruistic interests.