Kast Construction’s Post

Cara is who motivates us to empower youth, encourage volunteerism & kindness towards others, support families whose children struggle with cancer & root for the underdog. In the end, that’s what we’re all about. To learn more about Cara—our inspiration & namesake—go here: https://lnkd.in/ehPz7tx

Another great article on the power of Kesem!

Trends at I Will Survive, Inc. When we first started in 2010, we saw the majority of our clients in apartments renting and without health insurance. Since 2014, expansion of the Affordable Care Act, we saw a major increase of families with health insurance (some still underinsured) but to see preventative services now being covered in health insurance was a great stride for us in our work. During the pandemic to present day, we had more applications of home owners than ever before and began paying the highest rental and motgage rates (inflation) to ensure families could stay in their homes while battling breast cancer mitigating homelessness. In this housing crisis, we now see about a 1:10 ratio average of homeless families impacted by breast cancer. Families with the youngest in the household of 2 years of age to the highest of 85 years of age. Families who endure food insecurity, transportation and childcare barriers to appointments for treatments and more. Veteran and non veteran families across the Atlanga Region need your help. Can we count on you to help one more family this month? Click the link below to get involved! Give 8/28 takes place during Black Philanthropy Month and commemorates multiple critical historical landmarks in Black Americans march toward freedom. Here are just a few: ● August 28, 1945: Major League Baseball President Branch Rickey met with Jackie Robinson to tell him he would be integrating the Majors. ● August 28, 2005: Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Louisiana. The storm, which devastated New Orleans, inordinately impacted many of the city’s Black residents. ● August 28, 2020: Our beloved Chadwick Boseman, aka T’Challa died of cancer. ● And…on August 28, 2024: YOU joined #Give828 in support of Black self-empowerment through philanthropy! https://lnkd.in/dwVFnJHk

Mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer—Movember takes them on! Movember goes beyond whiskers by encouraging everyone to move during the month of November. Commit to walking or running 60 km over the month while seeking donations to recognize the 60 men we lose globally every hour to suicide. You don’t have to be an athlete at all. Put one foot in front of the other, and you’ve already made a start. Movember funds health projects around the world, challenging the status quo, shaking up men’s health research, and transforming the way health services reach and support men. To learn more: https://ca.movember.com/ To support JLR's team: https://lnkd.in/gHTG_8EF #Movember #JLRCanada

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and today's Impact Story is Amanda Hope Rainbow Angels! At the heart of every nonprofit is a mission to change lives, and Amanda Hope Rainbow Angels does just that. This incredible organization supports families and children facing pediatric cancer and other life-threatening illnesses by providing financial relief, emotional and physical comfort, and a sense of dignity in their toughest battles. Their mission goes beyond service - it's about offering hope and comfort when it's needed most. It's a true honor to partner with such a purposeful organization. It got me thinking: as business leaders, how can we ensure our ventures positively impact our communities? How can we, too, be beacons of hope? #NonprofitLeadership #ImpactfulBusiness #AmandaHopeRainbowAngels #CorporateResponsibility #LeadershipForGood #PediatricCancerAwareness

Today is Giving Tuesday. Consider supporting one of the following concussion-related organizations with a donation: Concussion Legacy Foundation: This organization is dedicated to advancing the study, treatment, and prevention of the effects of brain trauma in athletes and other at-risk groups. They focus on research, education, and advocacy to improve the lives of those impacted by concussions and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA): BIAA works to improve the quality of life for all people affected by brain injury. They advocate for increased access to care, advance brain injury research, and provide education and support to patients and their families. Concussion Alliance: This nonprofit organization provides science-based concussion education and advocacy. They aim to meet the diverse needs of concussion patients and educate providers on current research and recommendations. Supporting these organizations can make a significant impact on the lives of individuals dealing with concussions and brain injuries. Your generosity on Giving Tuesday can help advance research, provide critical resources, and improve patient care. #TeleCare #ConcussionRecovery #TBIAdvocacy #GivingTuesday #InjuryLawyer #PersonalInjury #VirtualRehab

The Power of Local Businesses Stepping In to Make a Difference Running a nonprofit is never easy. You must balance the crucial work of your mission with the practicalities of keeping the doors open. At Crossroads4Hope, A Network of Cancer Support, our mission is to provide life-changing support, information, and resources fundamental to everyone navigating a cancer journey—at no charge. Our commitment is to ensure that no one faces cancer alone, regardless of who they are or where they live. While much of our work is delivered virtually, our Bedminster campus, housed in a historic 1760 building, is designed to feel like a safe, welcoming space—like visiting a friend’s home rather than being in a hospital environment. This summer brought a particularly tough challenge. Our air conditioning system failed, with New Jersey experiencing its 10th warmest summer on record. The discomfort was hard on our members and staff, but the real pain came from the looming cost of replacing the system. Thankfully, we recently contracted with Queen Bee Plumbing and Air Conditioning. Little did we know their CEO, Brenda Dilts, would come to our rescue. When Brenda heard about our situation, she didn’t just see us as another customer—she took the time to understand our mission. After visiting our website, she connected with our work on a deeply personal level, having experienced the impact of cancer in her own family. Driven by that connection, Brenda contacted Paul Balducci at Ferguson, the largest U.S. distributor of plumbing supplies and HVAC equipment. Without hesitation, Paul offered to donate the equipment we needed. Some might think it’s unusual for a company to make such a generous gesture, but it’s entirely in line with the values that both Queen Bee and Ferguson embody—caring for the communities they serve. Thanks to Brenda and Paul, what seemed like an insurmountable problem disappeared, allowing us to continue focusing on our mission of changing lives. We are profoundly grateful to Brenda, Paul, and everyone at Ferguson for stepping in when we needed it most so we can continue being there for others. Moments like these remind us of the extraordinary power of community. #CommunitySupport #Gratitude #CancerSupport #LocalHeroes #ThankYou #QueenBee #Ferguson If you or you know someone impacted by cancer, please call: 908-658-5400 or email us at: programteam@crossroads4hope.org

🌟 Empowerment through Action: How Small Steps Create Big Impact 🌟 Ever wonder how simple actions can drive change? It’s all about doing something meaningful. - Consider participating in initiatives like St. Baldrick's, where contributing your hair can help create wigs for children battling cancer. - Every act of giving not only empowers you but also inspires others, creating a ripple of positivity. - Even small deeds can collectively lead to extraordinary movements. Are you ready to turn small gestures into powerful change? Share your experiences or ideas in the comments below! #Empowerment #ChangeMakers #CommunityImpact #SmallActionsBigResults #Philanthropy #InspireChange

Two years ago, my friend and former teammate locked himself in his hotel room and drank himself to death. Following his death, he was diagnosed with CTE. His four young children will now grow up without a father. Another friend and former teammate was sentenced to 30 years in prison after committing assault. He ultimately hung himself in his cell. He once told me "Fleiz, sometimes I just snap and I just can't control myself, no matter what I do". Following his death, he was also diagnosed with CTE. The memory of that conversation makes me shiver, considering what we now understand about brain injuries. CTE is a degenerative brain disease caused by severe and repetitive hits to the head, but it is completely preventable. We must act now to save lives, and the Race to End CTE is a critical fundraising effort to drive change. Donations to the Race to End CTE have a profound impact by funding research, education, and treatment for brain injuries. Today, I asking my network to donate generously: 💰🔗Canadian Donors: https://lnkd.in/e4rEipTa 🇨🇦 💰🔗American Donors: https://lnkd.in/edxCArEw 🇺🇸 By donating, you’re also investing in a safer future for our communities and the activities of CLFC. Your generosity enables us to: 🎓 Educate: Help us reach more children through school visits, equipping them with knowledge to recognize and address brain injuries. Our efforts have already reached 40,000 children through school visits. 🤝 Connect: The CLF HelpLine, supported by your donations, connects brain injury sufferers with crucial medical resources, ensuring they receive the care they need. 💡 Innovate: Funding from donors like you fuels groundbreaking trials at CAMH's Brain Health Imaging Centre, advancing our ability to diagnose and treat CTE. 📣 Advocate: Your support helps push for legislative changes like Bill C-277, advocating for a national strategy to address brain injuries. 🧠 Prevent: Ultimately, your contributions help prevent tragedies like those experienced by my friends and teammates, creating a safer, healthier future for all. Together, we can make a difference. Join me on May 25th for the Race to End CTE in Ottawa, as we strive for healthier futures and brighter tomorrows and please donate generously – every dollar goes toward real impact for Veterans, athletes, survivors of intimate partner violence, and kids. Learn more about CTE visit our website: concussionfoundation.ca If you missed it earlier, here are the donation links: 💰🔗Canadian Donors: https://lnkd.in/e4rEipTa 🇨🇦 💰🔗American Donors: https://lnkd.in/edxCArEw 🇺🇸 #CTE #Brain #racetoendcte #donate #fundraiser #charity #nonprofit @Concussion Legacy Foundation Canada

On May 25th, I will be running alongside former CFL player and 4-time Grey Cup Champion Tim Fleiszer and Canadian Veterans in the "Race to END CTE". I am honoured to run for my good friend MWO Brendan Hynes. Watch his story here: https://lnkd.in/gc6mmyCA CTE is a degenerative brain disease caused by severe and repetitive hits to the head, but it is completely preventable. We must act now to save lives, and the Race to End CTE is a critical fundraising effort to drive change. Donations to the Race to End CTE have a profound impact by funding research, education, and treatment for brain injuries. Today, I asking my network to donate generously: Canadian Donors: https://lnkd.in/gHERiQQZ By donating, you’re also investing in a safer future for our communities and the activities of CLFC. Your generosity enables us to:  🎓 Educate: Your donations help us reach more children through school visits, equipping them with knowledge to recognize and address brain injuries. Our efforts have already reached 40,000 children through school visits. 🤝  Connect: The CLF HelpLine, supported by your donations, connects brain injury sufferers with crucial medical resources, ensuring they receive the care they need. 💡  Innovate: Funding from donors like you fuels groundbreaking trials at CAMH's Brain Health Imaging Centre, advancing our ability to diagnose and treat CTE. 📣 Advocate: Your support helps push for legislative changes like Bill C-277, advocating for a national strategy to address brain injuries. 🧠  Prevent: Ultimately, your contributions help prevent tragedies like those experienced by my friends and teammates, creating a safer, healthier future for all.