#Relay4Kids – Making a Difference and Helping Children in Crisis

If you’ve had a chance to check out some of the different areas of Life in a House of Testosterone, you know that I’m passionate about a variety of causes and concerns around the world and how I can help with making a difference, especially those that relate to animals that have no voice, and children who cannot help themselves. #Relay4Kids is one of those causes that is dear to my heart, and I’ll tell you why.

What is #Relay4Kids About?

Child advocates from around the globe have teamed up to raise awareness (and funds) for children in crisis. Beginning on March 23, these advocates began posting and sharing a series of stories on the Huffington Post as part of Relay for Kids. This is a month-long virtual relay with the potential to raise up to $30,000 to help improve the lives of children living in crisis by providing shelter, food, and medical care.

Children worldwide are living in extreme poverty, witnessing horrific violence and suffering the long-term impact of deprivations. Without our support, these children are at heightened risk of exposure to trauma and exploitation,” said Lynn Croneberger, CEO of SOS Children’s Villages – USA.  “Relay for Kids gives us the chance to make a difference in the lives of these children. Together we can raise awareness about children in crisis and give them the chance to enjoy the safe and healthy childhood they deserve.”

Millions of children worldwide are in dire need of food, medical care and a safe place to sleep at night. In war-torn Syria, 5.6 millions of children – roughly the population of Los Angeles and Philadelphia combined – are either caught in the line of fire, displaced from their home or living in poverty. Throughout West Africa, the Ebola outbreak has killed more than 10,000 people, leaving thousands of children without parental care. And in countries like Haiti and the Philippines, children are still experiencing the aftermath of natural disasters that have destroyed their families, homes, schools and communities.

Launched by SOS Children’s Villages, sponsored by Johnson & Johnson and in partnership with the Huffington Post, Relay for Kids will help raise awareness about the plight of these children and inspire the world to take action.

How You Can Help:

Relay for Kids will take place from March 23 to April 24, 2015. Here’s how it works:

• Every week, the Huffington Post’s Global Motherhood will feature three blogs that will focus on helping children in crisis. Relay for Kids blog participants include: Anne Geddes, world-renowned photographer; Dr. Jane Aronson, Founder and CEO of the Worldwide Orphans Foundation; Anne Goddard, President and CEO of ChildFund International; and caregivers from SOS Children’s Villages who have worked with children affected by crisis in places like Syria and West Africa.
• Blog posts shared via social media on the Huffington Post will trigger a $1 donation from Johnson & Johnson—up to $30,000*— to SOS Children’s Villages.
• The virtual relay will conclude on April 24 with funds going to SOS Children’s Villages to help provide shelter, food and medical care to children living in crisis zones, such as Syria, Ukraine and West Africa.
• In addition, people can upload a photo to Donate a Photo* and Johnson & Johnson will donate $1 — up to $20,000** — for children in crisis.

For more information about Relay for Kids, visit www.sos-usa.org/relayforkids. Follow the conversation live at #Relay4Kids.

About SOS Children’s Villages

SOS Children’s Villages is the largest organization devoted to the care of orphaned and abandoned children.  SOS Children’s Villages builds families for children in need, helps them shape their own futures and share in the development of their communities. We believe that every child deserves a loving home and family, and with that – an education and quality health care.

Johnson & Johnson has a long-standing commitment to helping children around the world. Our partnership with SOS Children’s Villages is an extension of that commitment and has grown to include orphaned children, families in need, and youth striving for a productive adult life”, said Conrad Person, Director, Johnson & Johnson Corporate Contributions. “Now, through the Relay for Kids, we can work together to create a community of support for the greatest of causes, our children.”

With 545 villages in more than 130 countries and territories, SOS Children’s Villages is raising more than 82,000 children. In places such as West Africa, Syria and Ukraine, we currently operate 24/7 emergency relief services for affected children and their families. To learn more about SOS Children’s Villages, visit www.sos-usa.org.

[Tweet “#Relay4Kids help us save children in crisis. Find out how here – “]

I thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for your assistance in sharing these stories via your social media links. The children of the world thank you as well.

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*Blogs must be shared between March 23 and April 24, on Facebook, Twitter, StumbleUpon, Reddit, Tumblr and Google+ via the Huffington Post’s social media icons. Each share will trigger a $1 donation up to $30,000. There are no limits on how many times you can share a post.

** via the Donate A Photo app for iOS and Android. Johnson & Johnson has curated a list of trusted causes, and users can donate a photo to one cause, once a day. Each cause will appear in the app until it reaches its goal, or the donation period ends. If the goal isn’t reached, the cause will still receive a minimum donation.