September 19, 2024 • 16 mins
Have you ever thought about how dressing up as a pirate could help fund college scholarships or how a monkey might become someone's most valuable helper? In this exploration of unconventional and heartwarming nonprofit initiatives, we begin with the origins of International Talk Like a Pirate Day and its connection to Tampa Bay’s Gasparilla Pirate Festival, where pirate-themed fun generates over $1.1 million for local charities.
Next, we highlight extraordinary organizations making a global impact, such as Helping Hands Monkey Helpers, which trains capuchin monkeys to assist individuals with disabilities, and APOPO, which uses African giant pouched rats to detect landmines. Supporting nonprofits that resonate with you is vital, and resources like charitynavigator.org can help ensure your donations make a meaningful impact. Join us for stories that inspire and motivate action toward these unique causes.
Thank you to Medium.com for the list of unique Nonprofits: hhtps://medium.com
Check out some videos from the nonprofits mentioned in this ReAudio episode:
Helping Hands Monkey Helpers: https://youtu.be/MKpTGJ7mD58
APOPO: https://youtu.be/L0swUc492hU
ColaLife: https://youtu.be/hH2D2tYgxn8
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Perspective.
Perspective is spelledP-E-R-S-P-E-C-T-I-V-E.
Perspective the 30,000 footview.
Perspective Put on someoneelse's shoes.
Perspective can also refer tothe state of existing in space
(00:20):
or one's view of the world.
Perspective R-E-A audio.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Reemployability.
If you're listening to this onSeptember 19th, 2024, then you
may or may not know that todayis International Talk Like a
Pirate Day.
Yep, this thing goes way beyondour country's borders and is
apparently celebrated across theglobe.
Well, according to Wikipedia,International Talk Like a Pirate
Day was begun as an inside jokebetween two friends, John Burr
(00:50):
and Mark Summers, when one ofthem got hurt during a
racquetball game and yelled Arr.
They agreed that there shouldbe a day when people all over
the world talked like pirates.
So they contacted a syndicatedhumor columnist named Dave Barry
in 2002, who promoted the idea,and the rest is, as they say,
(01:10):
history.
So Talk Like a Pirate Dayresonates with us here in the
Tampa Bay area.
As the story goes, the dreadedpirate Jose Gaspar, a real guy,
was famous for invading thecoast of Florida in the 19th
century.
However, in 1821, the US Navyconfronted Gaspar's ship and a
furious battle occurred, Withdefeat inevitable.
(01:32):
The pirate tied himself to ananchor chain and jumped into the
sea, never to be seen again.
Well, in 1904, local Tampaleaders were looking for a way
to promote the emerging city,and what better way than to
create a legend and a festivalaround a man who captured ships,
collecting a fortune that wasnever found, injuring and
(01:52):
killing many people whoeventually committed suicide.
We think Now, every year inJanuary, hordes of Tamponians
dressed as pirates and known ascrews invade the city in what's
now the third largest parade inthe country.
The Gasparilla Pirate Festivalis a fun event that has spurred
off shoots like the GasparillaMusic Festival, the Gasparilla
(02:13):
Distance Classic, and so on andso on.
Anytime large events captivate acity, it gives rise to
opportunities for charity workand giving.
Gasparilla is no different.
According to their website, Ye,Mystic Crew of Gasparilla is no
different.
According to their website, Ye,Mystic Crew of Gasparilla has
awarded over $1.1 million incollege scholarships to students
(02:34):
in the Tampa Bay area, and thisis just one organization.
Considering that dozens ofevents, each of which has a
charity component, dressing upas a pirate really helps a lot
of people out.
It got me thinking.
What sort of other nonprofitsexist that are a bit unique in
what they do, who they serve andhow they impact their
communities?
Maybe you're familiar with oneor two, but then again maybe not
(02:57):
.
Are you ready to find outwhat's out there?
Speaker 1 (03:01):
A nonprofit organization, also known as a
non-business entity, nonprofitinstitution or simply a
nonprofit organization, is alegal entity organized and
operated for a collective,public or social benefit, as
opposed to an entity thatoperates as a business aiming to
generate a profit for itsowners.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
I've heard of service dogs, but what about service
monkeys?
Now, this is a unique nonprofitHelping Hands Monkey Helpers
brings primates to theassistance of people with
limited mobility.
Speaker 3 (03:29):
The average person has never had a monkey in their
living room.
Speaker 4 (03:32):
I remember seeing a monkey for the first time.
I've never been that close to amonkey.
Speaker 3 (03:36):
I remember Craig just saying over and over again this
is awesome, this is awesome,this is so cool, Like he just
had this smile on his face andhe was just amazed by watching
her.
Speaker 4 (03:44):
This is like a little person coming here.
It's not like a dog or a cat.
Speaker 3 (03:48):
It's not any other animal that you can possibly
imagine In 1979, a researcher bythe name of MJ Willard had the
idea to train capuchin monkeysto help people with spinal cord
injuries.
In the beginning of our programwe were only placing monkeys
with spinal cord injury patients.
Now we place monkeys withpeople with all types of
physical disabilities.
(04:09):
Let's draw.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
Good job.
Thank you, allie, what a goodjob.
Speaker 4 (04:17):
I broke my neck in a car accident about oh coming up
on 12 years ago.
Now I don't have any fingers orhands that function normally
anymore.
I don't have any legs thatfunction anymore and I have no
feeling from about my shouldersdown.
So when Minnie showed up, oneof the biggest, biggest
(04:37):
lifesavers that she couldpossibly offer me was fetching a
phone.
If I drop the phone, that's mylifeline to 911 and emergencies.
I'm pretty much done untilsomebody comes and picks it up,
and before Minnie that could behours.
Way to go, way to go.
High five that a girl.
She'll start rubbing my ear orshe'll start rubbing the back of
(04:57):
my neck, and no matter if I'mdown or not, you can't help but
laugh.
Grooming and the ability totake care of each other to a
monkey or a primate is theultimate sign of trust, and you
could just tell that the bondhad been made between me and
Minnie.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
She really, really alleviates the pain of being in
a wheelchair.
She really does.
And, what's even better, 96% ofMonkey Helper's revenue goes to
the program.
I'll post a link to the videoso you can see these little guys
in action.
You'll be sold on the idea andthe mission.
Now, in certain parts of theworld, a real danger is
unexploded landmines.
In fact, in 2022 alone, atleast 4,710 people were killed
(05:41):
or injured by landmines andexplosive remnants of war.
So how do you find these hiddenmenaces before they kill or
maim more innocent people?
Well, rats, of course.
Apopo is a Belgian non-profitwhose letters, translated into
English, stand forAnti-Personnel Landmines
Detection Product Development.
The organization uses giantAfrican pouched rats to sniff
(06:05):
out and indicate the location oflandmines.
Check it out.
Speaker 5 (06:09):
It's early morning and Mandy is boarding the bus
for her regular journey to thetraining fields.
But today she has a big testahead to see if she's ready to
join an elite team on a mineclearing mission to Mozambique.
In the past, dogs have beenused for mine detection, but
African pouch rats like Mandyhave distinct advantages.
Speaker 6 (06:31):
Rats have some advantages to dogs, that is, of
course, they're smaller in size.
They're much cheaper,especially the transport Our
animals which we're using.
They're almost blind or theydon't see much because they're
night animals, so they'recompletely depending on their
sense of smell and hearing.
And if you look at them,they're sniffing all the time.
Speaker 5 (06:54):
As with the TB training, mandy and chums have
spent several months inlaboratories tuning their noses
to the smell of TNT, theexplosive in landmines.
Having completed this stage,they put their nose to the test
in the field on a series ofcourses designed to stretch
their mind-sniffing capabilities.
Speaker 7 (07:17):
We use three metres and we call it contamination,
whereby we use iron casings sowe put them down in the field.
They are three metres wide,that's why we call them three
metres.
Then the light when it's usedwith that system, then the light
goes to five meter.
The distance from each landmineis much further, to make the
(07:39):
rat work more to get to find thelandmines.
They are like humans.
Some of them they are good,some they are not good.
So they have differentcapabilities.
Speaker 5 (07:52):
Mandy is one of the rat school's high achievers.
Most take about a year to train, but she has made it to the
final test in a mere eightmonths.
Speaker 6 (08:02):
The rats have to do a few hundred square metres
containing, let's say, five, six, seven mines, and they're not
allowed to miss one mine.
When they miss one mine, theycannot operate on the minefield.
Speaker 5 (08:14):
Today, nine real landmines have been hidden.
Mandy will have to find themwith 100% accuracy, guided by a
search string which is connectedbetween her two trainers.
Mandy moves systematically upand down the course, processing
(08:36):
lane by lane.
Every time she sniffs a mine,she scratches the surface at the
spot, weighing less than 5kilograms she's too light to set
off the explosive device.
And when she indicates a mine,she gets what she's in it for A
(08:58):
click, followed by a reward.
With nine mines to find.
That's a lot of bananas to eat,and, as Mandy's ever-expanding
pouches show, she's doing ratherwell.
Speaker 6 (09:10):
They work for their food and they work a bit
mechanical.
Once they know something, theylove to repeat it.
To repeat it all the time, aslong as they know they're going
to get the food and they'reconfident they can do the job.
So that makes them very wellsuited for this job.
Speaker 5 (09:24):
Finally, when Mandy's cheeks can take no more banana.
The test is over.
She has passed with flyingcolours and will head to
Mozambique on a mind-clearingmission.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
Believe it or not, these rats have also been
trained to sniff outtuberculosis.
There's a link to this video inthe show notes as well.
Now, did you realize thatdiarrhea is still a leading
killer in some countries?
It's a totally preventablecondition if you have the right
medicine.
Introduce Coca-Cola into themix.
No, Coke isn't the cure fordiarrhea, but you can truly find
(10:00):
it anywhere in the world.
So what if you could piggybackthe right medicine onto
Coca-Cola's efficientdistribution network onto
Coca-Cola's efficientdistribution network.
So was born Cola Life, theunique nonprofit dedicated to
saving the lives of Africanchildren by hitching a ride with
Coke bottles.
Speaker 7 (10:23):
Diarrhea is still a leading killer in children under
five.
This is really a huge problem.
You will find Coca-Cola in anyvillage at any time, but you
(10:43):
will not find medicines.
What's the difference?
There is something there tolearn from.
Speaker 8 (10:48):
There is something there to learn from.
Colalife has now trialled theKit Yomoyo anti-diarrhoea kit.
400,000 have been distributedin Zambia.
Let's show the kit in use,filmed using a prototype Kit.
Yomoyo co-packages ORS and zinc.
This format is governmentbranded.
(11:10):
It pops open easily.
There's a commercial format too, for small shops and
supermarkets.
Inside are four 200 millilitresachets of oral rehydration
salts.
These stop a child dying ofdehydration.
It also contains 10 zinctablets, vital for immunity.
Graphics make it easy fornon-readers.
(11:32):
When taken for 10 days, zincprotects a child for 3 months.
Crucially, the pack is markedto show 200ml.
It's used as a measure for theright amount of safe water.
African mothers rarely havemeasuring vessels at home.
Once you're sure it's right,tip into a cup or glass, add one
(11:56):
sachet of ORS and mix.
It's an attractive orange colorthat looks nice.
Doesn't taste too bad formedicine either.
Thanks, mama.
Speaker 2 (12:09):
This nonprofit is still in its infancy, but has
real potential to save livesSuper unique.
Speaker 1 (12:15):
From Statistacom, in 2023, roughly 2 million
nonprofit organizations wereregistered with the Internal
Revenue Service in the UnitedStates.
Speaker 2 (12:24):
Thanks for listening to REA Audio.
Please make sure to follow uson Spotify or Apple Podcasts or
Stitcher or wherever you getyour podcasts.
We appreciate you have a greatrest of your week.
You, you, you, you, you, you,you, you, you.
(16:16):
So I hope you can see that withthe right intentions,
everything, even a silly daydedicated to talking like a
pirate even if that's howpirates spoke can bring hope and
new life to someone in need.
My wish is that this episodeinspired you to support a
nonprofit doing any kind of workhelping others that tugs at
your heart.
There's more than enough ofthem out there Now.
(16:38):
If you want to make sure thatyou're working with a legit
nonprofit, you can go tocharitynavigatororg to see how
nonprofits spend their money orto simply search for one that
aligns with your passion.
Perspective.
Perspective is spelledP-E-R-S-P-E-C-T-I-V-E.
Perspective the 30,000 footview.
Perspective Put on someoneelse's shoes.
Perspective can also refer tothe state of existing in space
(00:20):
or one's view of the world.
Perspective R-E-A audio.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Reemployability.
If you're listening to this onSeptember 19th, 2024, then you
may or may not know that todayis International Talk Like a
Pirate Day.
Yep, this thing goes way beyondour country's borders and is
apparently celebrated across theglobe.
Well, according to Wikipedia,International Talk Like a Pirate
Day was begun as an inside jokebetween two friends, John Burr
(00:50):
and Mark Summers, when one ofthem got hurt during a
racquetball game and yelled Arr.
They agreed that there shouldbe a day when people all over
the world talked like pirates.
So they contacted a syndicatedhumor columnist named Dave Barry
in 2002, who promoted the idea,and the rest is, as they say,
(01:10):
history.
So Talk Like a Pirate Dayresonates with us here in the
Tampa Bay area.
As the story goes, the dreadedpirate Jose Gaspar, a real guy,
was famous for invading thecoast of Florida in the 19th
century.
However, in 1821, the US Navyconfronted Gaspar's ship and a
furious battle occurred, Withdefeat inevitable.
(01:32):
The pirate tied himself to ananchor chain and jumped into the
sea, never to be seen again.
Well, in 1904, local Tampaleaders were looking for a way
to promote the emerging city,and what better way than to
create a legend and a festivalaround a man who captured ships,
collecting a fortune that wasnever found, injuring and
(01:52):
killing many people whoeventually committed suicide.
We think Now, every year inJanuary, hordes of Tamponians
dressed as pirates and known ascrews invade the city in what's
now the third largest parade inthe country.
The Gasparilla Pirate Festivalis a fun event that has spurred
off shoots like the GasparillaMusic Festival, the Gasparilla
(02:13):
Distance Classic, and so on andso on.
Anytime large events captivate acity, it gives rise to
opportunities for charity workand giving.
Gasparilla is no different.
According to their website, Ye,Mystic Crew of Gasparilla is no
different.
According to their website, Ye,Mystic Crew of Gasparilla has
awarded over $1.1 million incollege scholarships to students
(02:34):
in the Tampa Bay area, and thisis just one organization.
Considering that dozens ofevents, each of which has a
charity component, dressing upas a pirate really helps a lot
of people out.
It got me thinking.
What sort of other nonprofitsexist that are a bit unique in
what they do, who they serve andhow they impact their
communities?
Maybe you're familiar with oneor two, but then again maybe not
(02:57):
.
Are you ready to find outwhat's out there?
Speaker 1 (03:01):
A nonprofit organization, also known as a
non-business entity, nonprofitinstitution or simply a
nonprofit organization, is alegal entity organized and
operated for a collective,public or social benefit, as
opposed to an entity thatoperates as a business aiming to
generate a profit for itsowners.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
I've heard of service dogs, but what about service
monkeys?
Now, this is a unique nonprofitHelping Hands Monkey Helpers
brings primates to theassistance of people with
limited mobility.
Speaker 3 (03:29):
The average person has never had a monkey in their
living room.
Speaker 4 (03:32):
I remember seeing a monkey for the first time.
I've never been that close to amonkey.
Speaker 3 (03:36):
I remember Craig just saying over and over again this
is awesome, this is awesome,this is so cool, Like he just
had this smile on his face andhe was just amazed by watching
her.
Speaker 4 (03:44):
This is like a little person coming here.
It's not like a dog or a cat.
Speaker 3 (03:48):
It's not any other animal that you can possibly
imagine In 1979, a researcher bythe name of MJ Willard had the
idea to train capuchin monkeysto help people with spinal cord
injuries.
In the beginning of our programwe were only placing monkeys
with spinal cord injury patients.
Now we place monkeys withpeople with all types of
physical disabilities.
(04:09):
Let's draw.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
Good job.
Thank you, allie, what a goodjob.
Speaker 4 (04:17):
I broke my neck in a car accident about oh coming up
on 12 years ago.
Now I don't have any fingers orhands that function normally
anymore.
I don't have any legs thatfunction anymore and I have no
feeling from about my shouldersdown.
So when Minnie showed up, oneof the biggest, biggest
(04:37):
lifesavers that she couldpossibly offer me was fetching a
phone.
If I drop the phone, that's mylifeline to 911 and emergencies.
I'm pretty much done untilsomebody comes and picks it up,
and before Minnie that could behours.
Way to go, way to go.
High five that a girl.
She'll start rubbing my ear orshe'll start rubbing the back of
(04:57):
my neck, and no matter if I'mdown or not, you can't help but
laugh.
Grooming and the ability totake care of each other to a
monkey or a primate is theultimate sign of trust, and you
could just tell that the bondhad been made between me and
Minnie.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
She really, really alleviates the pain of being in
a wheelchair.
She really does.
And, what's even better, 96% ofMonkey Helper's revenue goes to
the program.
I'll post a link to the videoso you can see these little guys
in action.
You'll be sold on the idea andthe mission.
Now, in certain parts of theworld, a real danger is
unexploded landmines.
In fact, in 2022 alone, atleast 4,710 people were killed
(05:41):
or injured by landmines andexplosive remnants of war.
So how do you find these hiddenmenaces before they kill or
maim more innocent people?
Well, rats, of course.
Apopo is a Belgian non-profitwhose letters, translated into
English, stand forAnti-Personnel Landmines
Detection Product Development.
The organization uses giantAfrican pouched rats to sniff
(06:05):
out and indicate the location oflandmines.
Check it out.
Speaker 5 (06:09):
It's early morning and Mandy is boarding the bus
for her regular journey to thetraining fields.
But today she has a big testahead to see if she's ready to
join an elite team on a mineclearing mission to Mozambique.
In the past, dogs have beenused for mine detection, but
African pouch rats like Mandyhave distinct advantages.
Speaker 6 (06:31):
Rats have some advantages to dogs, that is, of
course, they're smaller in size.
They're much cheaper,especially the transport Our
animals which we're using.
They're almost blind or theydon't see much because they're
night animals, so they'recompletely depending on their
sense of smell and hearing.
And if you look at them,they're sniffing all the time.
Speaker 5 (06:54):
As with the TB training, mandy and chums have
spent several months inlaboratories tuning their noses
to the smell of TNT, theexplosive in landmines.
Having completed this stage,they put their nose to the test
in the field on a series ofcourses designed to stretch
their mind-sniffing capabilities.
Speaker 7 (07:17):
We use three metres and we call it contamination,
whereby we use iron casings sowe put them down in the field.
They are three metres wide,that's why we call them three
metres.
Then the light when it's usedwith that system, then the light
goes to five meter.
The distance from each landmineis much further, to make the
(07:39):
rat work more to get to find thelandmines.
They are like humans.
Some of them they are good,some they are not good.
So they have differentcapabilities.
Speaker 5 (07:52):
Mandy is one of the rat school's high achievers.
Most take about a year to train, but she has made it to the
final test in a mere eightmonths.
Speaker 6 (08:02):
The rats have to do a few hundred square metres
containing, let's say, five, six, seven mines, and they're not
allowed to miss one mine.
When they miss one mine, theycannot operate on the minefield.
Speaker 5 (08:14):
Today, nine real landmines have been hidden.
Mandy will have to find themwith 100% accuracy, guided by a
search string which is connectedbetween her two trainers.
Mandy moves systematically upand down the course, processing
(08:36):
lane by lane.
Every time she sniffs a mine,she scratches the surface at the
spot, weighing less than 5kilograms she's too light to set
off the explosive device.
And when she indicates a mine,she gets what she's in it for A
(08:58):
click, followed by a reward.
With nine mines to find.
That's a lot of bananas to eat,and, as Mandy's ever-expanding
pouches show, she's doing ratherwell.
Speaker 6 (09:10):
They work for their food and they work a bit
mechanical.
Once they know something, theylove to repeat it.
To repeat it all the time, aslong as they know they're going
to get the food and they'reconfident they can do the job.
So that makes them very wellsuited for this job.
Speaker 5 (09:24):
Finally, when Mandy's cheeks can take no more banana.
The test is over.
She has passed with flyingcolours and will head to
Mozambique on a mind-clearingmission.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
Believe it or not, these rats have also been
trained to sniff outtuberculosis.
There's a link to this video inthe show notes as well.
Now, did you realize thatdiarrhea is still a leading
killer in some countries?
It's a totally preventablecondition if you have the right
medicine.
Introduce Coca-Cola into themix.
No, Coke isn't the cure fordiarrhea, but you can truly find
(10:00):
it anywhere in the world.
So what if you could piggybackthe right medicine onto
Coca-Cola's efficientdistribution network onto
Coca-Cola's efficientdistribution network.
So was born Cola Life, theunique nonprofit dedicated to
saving the lives of Africanchildren by hitching a ride with
Coke bottles.
Speaker 7 (10:23):
Diarrhea is still a leading killer in children under
five.
This is really a huge problem.
You will find Coca-Cola in anyvillage at any time, but you
(10:43):
will not find medicines.
What's the difference?
There is something there tolearn from.
Speaker 8 (10:48):
There is something there to learn from.
Colalife has now trialled theKit Yomoyo anti-diarrhoea kit.
400,000 have been distributedin Zambia.
Let's show the kit in use,filmed using a prototype Kit.
Yomoyo co-packages ORS and zinc.
This format is governmentbranded.
(11:10):
It pops open easily.
There's a commercial format too, for small shops and
supermarkets.
Inside are four 200 millilitresachets of oral rehydration
salts.
These stop a child dying ofdehydration.
It also contains 10 zinctablets, vital for immunity.
Graphics make it easy fornon-readers.
(11:32):
When taken for 10 days, zincprotects a child for 3 months.
Crucially, the pack is markedto show 200ml.
It's used as a measure for theright amount of safe water.
African mothers rarely havemeasuring vessels at home.
Once you're sure it's right,tip into a cup or glass, add one
(11:56):
sachet of ORS and mix.
It's an attractive orange colorthat looks nice.
Doesn't taste too bad formedicine either.
Thanks, mama.
Speaker 2 (12:09):
This nonprofit is still in its infancy, but has
real potential to save livesSuper unique.
Speaker 1 (12:15):
From Statistacom, in 2023, roughly 2 million
nonprofit organizations wereregistered with the Internal
Revenue Service in the UnitedStates.
Speaker 2 (12:24):
Thanks for listening to REA Audio.
Please make sure to follow uson Spotify or Apple Podcasts or
Stitcher or wherever you getyour podcasts.
We appreciate you have a greatrest of your week.
You, you, you, you, you, you,you, you, you.
(16:16):
So I hope you can see that withthe right intentions,
everything, even a silly daydedicated to talking like a
pirate even if that's howpirates spoke can bring hope and
new life to someone in need.
My wish is that this episodeinspired you to support a
nonprofit doing any kind of workhelping others that tugs at
your heart.
There's more than enough ofthem out there Now.
(16:38):
If you want to make sure thatyou're working with a legit
nonprofit, you can go tocharitynavigatororg to see how
nonprofits spend their money orto simply search for one that
aligns with your passion.
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