Cross Country Cares

2007 Organizations | 2006 Organizations | 2005 Organizations

January 2008 Alzheimer's Association
Alzheimer’s is a disease of the brain that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. It is not a normal part of aging. It gets worse over time. Although symptoms can vary widely, the first problem many people notice is forgetfulness severe enough to affect their ability to function at home or at work, or to enjoy lifelong hobbies.

February 2008 American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is committed to fighting heart disease and stroke and raising awareness of these diseases. As part of their mission, they focus on specific causes designed to help people achieve a heart-healthy lifestyle. Each of their cause initiatives reaches out to the public with resources and information to help them take positive action.

March 2008 Tennessee School for the Blind
Vision is more than eyes; it is seeing hope, possibilites, and solutions. The Tennessee School for the Blind is a visionary resource for Tennesseans from birth through high school who are blind or visually impaired and for others who provide them with care and services. They have provided quality educational services to Tennessee's blind and visually impaired children since 1844.

April 2008 Park Center
Park Center is a private, non-profit agency for adults in middle Tennessee diagnosed with a severe and persistant mental illness. Park Center offers a wide range of housing, educational, employment, support and social service programs that help people with mental illness achieve their full potential and gain respect as co-workers, neighbors, and friends. Their goal is to return their members to the community as healthy, working and independent adults.

May 2008 USO (Uniformed Service Organizations)
The USO is a non-profit organization that uses donations to inspire and comfort U.S. troops. Eight to seven cents of every dollar donated goes directly to programs to support U.S. service members and their families. The USO provides information referral services, internet and email access, housing, emergency assistance, and support groups for U.S. troops and their families.

June 2008 St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
St. Jude is the first institution established for the sole purpose of conducting basic and clinical research into catastrophic childhood diseases, mainly cancer. Since St. Jude opened in 1962, it has treated children from all 50 states and more than 70 countries.

July 2008 Polycystic Kidney Disease
Polycystic Kidney Disease is one of the most common, life-threatening genetic diseases, affecting 600,000 Americans and 12.5 million people worldwide. There is no cure treatment or cure for PKD but there is hope. Donations help fund the PKD Research Foundation and patient education. To learn more visit their web site at: http://www.pkdcure.org/

August 2008 Muscular Dystrophy Association
The Muscular Dystrophy Association is a voluntary national agency - a dedicated partnership between scientists and concerned citizens aimed at conquering neuromuscular diseases that affect more than a million Americans. MDA has led the worldwide fight against muscular dystrophy for half a century. MDA funds 350 research teams around the globe, allocating tens of millions of dollars in grants each year in pursuit of cures and treatments. You can learn more about MDA at: http://www.mda.org/

September 2008 Mothers Against Drunk Driving
MADD is the September fundraiser. MADD’s mission is to stop drunk driving, to support the victims of this violent crime, and to prevent underage drinking. MADD was founded in 1980 by two women who suffered irrevocable losses due to drunk driving. Since its inception, MADD has helped to save about 300,000 lives and reduced the amount of alcohol-related traffic fatalities by 40%. If you would like more information about the local MADD chapter, you can visit their website at http://www.maddtn.org./