True Blood Gift Guide: Giving Back

The holidays are upon us! Need some help deciding what to buy the True Blood fan(s) on your list? We have lots of ideas! We’re kicking off our 2010 True Blood Gift Guide a little differently, though. We’ll get to the goodies to wrap or place in stockings next, but first we wanted to focus on the generosity of spirit that pervades the season.

As you prepare to spread holiday cheer, we encourage you to consider ways to give back either through donations of money or time. The cast and creative team of True Blood support a myriad of organizations that would love to have your help now or any time during the year. Here are some suggestions, straight from them:

Human Rights Watch – Alexander Skarsgard (Eric Northman) tells us that Human Rights Watch is his favorite charitable endeavor. Human Rights Watch is dedicated to protecting the human rights of people around the world. Their rigorous, objective investigations and strategic, targeted advocacy build intense pressure for action and raise the cost of human rights abuse. This international organization works to lay the legal and moral groundwork for deep-rooted change and has fought to bring greater justice and security to people around the world. Visit HRW.org to get involved.

The Amanda Foundation – Kristin Bauer van Straten (Pam de Beaufort)  has a heart for animals, and it shows in her chosen charity. Kristin tells us, “I have known Terri, she runs Amanda, for 15 years. This group is true blue. They rescue and find homes for thousands of dogs and cats off death row in the over crowded Los Angeles shelters. She also has a spay neuter mobile program that works with LA City 365 days a year in poor neighborhoods to give free vet care. Amazing group doing amazing work! All charities are down 70%, so many have had to close. Amanda Foundation really needs every $10 donation right now; no donation is ever too small.” Visit AmandaFoundation.org to get involved.

World Vision – Jim Parrack (Hoyt Fortenberry) holds World Vision close to his heart, and he tells us why: “I got involved with World Vision a few years ago because it was so diverse in the way that offers help to those in need. It doesn’t just address one way of helping or another, but really covers ground with just about every kind of help in every part of the world from hunger, to clean water, to education to sex traffic recovery for young girls and their families, to crisis response when some catastrophe strikes be it a typhoon in Indonesia or an earthquake in Haiti. They actively promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ by going into the World and loving it in all its complexity and diversity.” Visit WVI.org to get involved.

Stand Up 2 Cancer – Lindsay Pulsipher (Crystal Norris) lost both her father and her co-star in The Beast, Patrick Swayze, to cancer in recent years. She supports Stand Up 2 Cancer, which raises awareness and funds for collaborative research, as well as providing a community for those who have been touched by the disease. Visit StandUp2Cancer.org to get involved.

It Gets Better Project – True Blood costume designer Audrey Fisher says, “The “It Gets Better” Project reaches out to LGBT youth across the country, providing hope for lesbian, gay, bi, trans and other bullied teens, and letting them know “It Gets Better” by sharing many voices of courage with them. Everyone deserves to be respected for who they are, and the project promises to speak up against hate and intolerance.” Visit ItGetsBetter.org to get involved.

Clean The World – Mariana Klaveno (Lorena) tells us why she supports this organization: “Stephen Colbert made me aware of this wonderful organization that distributes recycled soap products and corresponding educational materials to impoverished countries worldwide, and also to domestic homeless shelters.  So many diseases, including the Cholera outbreak in Haiti, could be prevented simply with soap.  The people of Haiti  need us now more than ever and so it’s important to keep them in the forefront of our minds and hearts.” Visit CleanTheWorld.org to get involved.

Equality California – True Blood composer Nathan Barr supports EQCA, telling us “Equality California and I share common beliefs and goals by striving to achieve equal rights for all of California’s citizens.” Visit EQCA.org to get involved.

Good Shepherd Shelter – Lauren Bowles (Holly Cleary) supports the Good Shepherd Shelter, a shelter for women and children who are the victims of domestic violence. Lauren says, “Good Shepard Shelter for battered women and children is a unique haven for victims of domestic violence. They offer on-site, childcare, schooling, therapy and legal advocacy in addition to food and shelter. Most impressive though is their success rate. Ninety-six percent of the families that complete their program go on to lead independent, violence free lives.” Visit GoodShepherdShelter.org to get involved.

Project Empatia – Kevin Alejandro (Jesus Velasquez) supports this non-profit organization created with the sole purpose of providing underprivileged children in Mexico opportunities for a better life through education. Visit ProjectEmpatia.org to get involved.

International Rett Syndrome Foundation – David Tischman, co-writer of the True Blood series one comics, supports this organization in honor of his niece who has this rare developmental disorder. Visit RettSyndrome.org to get involved.