Sunday, December 1, 2013

Girlfriends Films’ December Charity Donation Benefits the Brain Trauma Foundation

On November 16, in Phoenix, Arizona, a promising young and recently married engineer had a seemingly simple accident. He fell off the back of a golf cart, striking his head on pavement. He was immediately taken to the hospital where – due to the severity of his injury – two parts of skull were removed to relieve pressure on the brain. Despite heroic efforts, the young man, Tony died nine days later.

Tony didn’t work at Girlfriends Films, but he is the brother-in-law of Moose, who heads up our sales & marketing effort, in addition to taking care of most of Girlfriends Films’ business affairs. Those who have watched our membership-site talk shows or kept in touch with our forum know Girlfriends Films has grown into a close family, from which nobody has ever quit or retired. We consider Tony a family member.

This month, to honor Tony, we are making our $1,000 donation to the Brain Trauma Foundation, headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1986, it facilitates research on brain injuries, publishes guidelines for treatment, and provides information for patients and families who deal with brain injuries. They even have a special program to assist field medics working in combat zones.

While nearly all of Girlfriends Films’ monthly donations are specified by our performers, our traditional year-end charity donations are selected by management to benefit our customers, whether they are at the wholesale level or are our ultimate consumers. This event was a reminder as to how unexpectedly catastrophic accidents can happen to any of us. Hopefully, none of us will ever suffer such an occurrence, however, we give now so you and your families will benefit from their services if the unspeakable ever does happen.

To join Girlfriends Films in donating to the Brain Trauma Foundation, visit http://www.BrainTrauma.org

Friday, November 1, 2013

Tammy Sands Selects The Sunshine Foundation for Girlfriends Films’ November Charity

Tammy Sands Selects The Sunshine Foundation for Girlfriends Films’ November Charity
Director Tammy Sands chooses The Sunshine Foundation as Girlfriends Films’ November charity. The Sunshine Foundation will receive $1,000 from Girlfriends Films. Sunshine Foundation’s sole purpose is to answer the dreams of chronically ill, seriously ill, physically challenged and abused children ages three to eighteen, whose families cannot fulfill their requests due to financial strain that the child’s illness may cause.

“Thank you, Girlfriends Films, for allowing me to select The Sunshine Foundation for this month’s charity,” says Sands. “It’s so important for kids to experience childhood as it’s meant to be – and organizations like The Sunshine Foundation make that a reality for so many who otherwise cannot. I hope that this donation will help some kids have some great experiences so they can have as much of a happy childhood as possible.”

Bill Sample founded Sunshine Foundation in 1976 as an idea born during his many years as a Philadelphia police officer. Stationed on protective duty at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, Bill often met chronically ill or terminally ill children and their families. Through talking with the families, he learned the emotional and financial strain that comes with having a seriously ill child. Mounting medical bills and time off from work made providing their child with what could be their last dream seem out of reach.

After taking out a personal loan and gathering a small group of dedicated volunteers, Bill founded Sunshine Foundation, the Original Wish Granting Organization, with the mission of answering the dreams of chronically ill, seriously ill, physically challenged and abused children ages three to eighteen, whose families cannot fulfill their requests due to the financial strain that the child’s illness may cause.

With Bills direction, Sunshine Foundation has grown to include the Dream Village, a 22 square acre property, 15 miles of the Orlando theme parks, where children and their families stay in one of 9 fairytale themed cottages and enjoy a handicapped accessible playground, a wheelchair accessible pool and a miniature golf course during their stay.

Sunshine Foundation has answered over 36,000 dreams to date, and has been able to maintain that 82% of all donations go directly to children’s programs.

For more information about The Sunshine Foundation and to join Tammy Sands and Girlfriends Films in supporting the charitable organization, visit http://www.sunshinefoundation.org.

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

The catalyst for Girlfriends Films’ charitable donations

Dan-O-New-PortraitThe catalyst for Girlfriends Films’ charitable donations program can be traced back to a single person, my sister Shelley. She was a school teacher and lived modestly, regularly giving a part of her paycheck to charities that dealt with causes she believed in. Well-traveled and highly schooled in geography and sociology, Shelley would occasionally tell me about a charitable donation she’d just made and why she made it. She was careful with her donations, vetting various charity groups via internet research including the web site, www.charitywatch.org.

While I initially admired Shelley’s generosity, I was happy to spend my money in other ways. However, the seed of giving that Shelly planted continued to grow and there became a point when I could no longer acquire discretionary goods while at the same time turning a blind eye to the problems suffered by others less fortunate than myself..
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The seeds of Shelley’s concerns and good example spawned Girlfriends Films’ charity program as well as the company’s active interest and participation in social justices such as free speech and the freedom of consumers to enjoy pornography in the privacy of their own homes. .
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After a two-year physical slide with a rare muscle disease and then a diagnosis of colon cancer this past June, Shelley died September 19. Through the example she set, her giving continues thru the Girlfriends Films’ charity program as well as our political involvement in industry matters. .
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I’ve heard that charitable donations can be more meaningful if they remain anonymous. I disagree with that. For many of us – myself included – it is too easy not to give to others without being exposed to the good examples set by others. By publicizing our giving program and industry involvement, Girlfriends Films tries to get others to see the larger picture and become involved, as well..
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Every month Girlfriends Films has one of its performers designate the recipient of a $1,000 charity donation. In Shelley’s memory I’m commandeering this month’s donation and designate that it be given to Cancer Research Institute. Why CRI? It’s hard to find a Girlfriends Films employee, customer, or anyone in our industry who hasn’t had a loved one devastated by this disease. Founded in 1953, CRI has proven itself in developing cures and bringing back health to cancer victims. .
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Dan O’Connell, President Girlfriends Films

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Tasha Reign Selects CancerCare for Girlfriends Films’ August Charity

tashaPerformer / Director Tasha Reign chooses CancerCare as the recipient of Girlfriends Films’ August charity donation. CancerCare will receive $1,000 from Girlfriends Films, which Reign says will honor the memory of her father. Financial donations to the charity support cancer counseling, support groups, and financial assistance.

“My father passed away from Sarcoma cancer about three years ago, when I was just 21… He was my role model,” says Tasha Reign. “With the public donation to CancerCare, I hope to help raise awareness about the care given to cancer patients and how important it is to their recovery, or in the event of their passing, to their friends and family.”

Acting under the knowledge a cancer diagnosis can turn a person’s world upside down – emotionally, physically, and financially – CancerCare was created to help. The organization provides telephone, online, and face-to-face counseling, support groups, education, publications, and financial and co-payment assistance. Professional oncology social workers offer personalized care, while all of CancerCare’s services are free of charge.

Reign adds, “Support groups and counseling for a patient’s loved ones is pertinent in the overall care for cancer. Everyone is affected by the awful disease in one way or another, so I am honored for Girlfriends Films to donate to this amazing charity, which does so much.”

For more information about CancerCare and to join Tasha Reign and Girlfriends Films in supporting the charitable organization, visit www.CancerCare.org.

Monday, July 1, 2013

July Charity Donation Helps Establish the Ashley Julia SandauScholarship Fund

The July Girlfriends Films charity donation goes to help a well-respected member of the adult entertainment industry’s family – Shelly Sandau, Director of Purchasing for Lion’s Den’s chain of 43 retail stores. Girlfriends Films’ principals Dan O’Connell and Moose are honored to donate $1000 to help Sandau establish an annual scholarship in the name of his beloved daughter, Ashley Julia Sandau, who is remembered by friends and family as a loving, adventurous, and daring young woman. The Ashley Julia Sandau Scholarship Fund will be awarded each year to a student majoring in Journalism / Mass Communications at St. Bonaventure University, Ashley’s alma mater.

Ashley Julia Sandau graduated second in her field from St. Bonaventure University in 2010 with a bachelors in Journalism / Mass Communications. In 2011, she earned a masters degree in Integrated Marketing and began working for Solomon Levy at System JO in Valencia, CA. “Many people in our industry had a chance to meet Ashley while she was working for System JO,” states Ashley’s father, Shelly. “She attended 2 ILS shows and the winter ANME show in 2012. Ashley is actually the person who came up with the idea to have a soft serve ice cream machine at the spring ILS to promote System JO flavored lubes – they had some ice cream flavors.”

While sorting through old school papers, Ashley’s mother, Liz, found an epithet Ashley wrote for her high school AP English class when she was 16. In it, Ashley discussed how she wanted to be remembered: “I just want to be remembered by those I love as good and kind, but not too good... just the right amount of daring, fearlessness, flirtation, and mischief. I want peple to look back on me, the times we had and the memories they made with me, and smile.” “Ashley was the closest person to being perfect I have ever known,” says Shelly. “She always had a kind word about everyone she ever knew. She was as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside – extremely intelligent, a true joy to be around. She is truly missed by everyone who knew her.”

By creating the scholarship in her name, Ashley’s parents are ensuring the young woman will continue to impact the lives of others even after her death. For the fund to be activated, it must reach $7,500.00. To contribute, visit CRCFOnline.org and click on “Donate Now.” Then type in “Ashley Julia Sandau.” Donors may also call (716)-488-0387 to help.

Monday, April 1, 2013

Melissa Monet’s June Charity Selection HelpsHurricane Sandy Relief Efforts

Melissa_Monet_profile_001Performer / Director Melissa Monet is using June’s Charity of the Month selection to help an organization close to her heart. A native of Staten Island, New York, Monet chooses the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation to receive $1000 from Girlfriends Films. Monet worked with the charity directly after Hurricane Sandy decimated Staten Island, and the money will help further relief efforts.

Friday, March 1, 2013

Chastity Lynn Chooses Farm Sanctuary as Girlfriends Films’ Charity of the Month

Chastity_Lynn-02Fan-favorite performer Chastity Lynn chooses Farm Sanctuary as the Girlfriends Films Charity of the Month. As a result, Fan-favorite performer Chastity Lynn chooses Farm Sanctuary as the Girlfriends Films Charity of the Month. As a result, Farm Sanctuary will receive a $1,000 donation on behalf of Chastity to help with its mission to protect farm animals from cruelty, inspire change in the way society views and treats farm animals, and promote compassionate vegan living. “I’m choosing to donate to Farm Sanctuary, an advocacy group currently doing the most to improve factory farms,” says Chastity Lynn. “I believe reforming the conditions of our factory farms is extremely important because of the hazards they pose to the environment, our health, and animal welfare.” For more information about Farm Sanctuary, visit www.FarmSanctuary. org. To join Chastity Lynn and Girlfriends Films in supporting the organization, visit www.tinyurl.com/ChastityLynnCharity.

Friday, February 1, 2013

danaThe lovely Dana DeArmond selects AIDS/Lifecycle as Girlfriends Films’ April Charity of the Month. AIDS/Lifecycle, which is a 7-day, 545-mile bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles, raises funds for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center. Girlfriends Films will donate a $1,000 on behalf of Dana to her friend, Nick Youssef, who is participating in the event. “Recently I was asked to support someone very close to me in an AIDS/Lifecycle ride, and I was inspired to see how much I could do to make a difference,” states DeArmond. “I truly admire the sacrifice and commitment it takes to train for such a long bike ride. The amount of time spent on not only physical conditioning and training, but also to the actual fundraising itself, is astronomical. It is what’s inspired me to do all I can to contribute and to humble myself to be more public about my desire to give back to the causes I so desperately believe in and want to support.” DeArmond continues, “Girlfriends Films will be joining me in the sponsorship of one rider in this year’s AIDS/Lifecycle event. I am so very grateful to the good people at Girlfriends Films. Not only do they produce an excellent product, but they are kind, generous, honest, and good to more than just the people who support them, but also the people who work with them.” For more information about AIDS/Lifecycle, visit www.AIDSLifecycle.org. To join Dana DeArmond and Girlfriends Films in supporting Nick Youssef’s ride, visit http://TinyURL.com/GFFAprilCharity.

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Madison Young Selects Planned Parenthood Federation of America to Receive $1000 from Girlfriends Films

532825_10150891490398487_2083970406_nThis month Girlfriends Films and Madison Young support Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Planned Parenthood has served as an essential resource for women through out the United States. Planned Parenthood provides accessible non-judgemental services and information to women without health insurance including pap-smears, birth control, and breast exams. As a freelance artist, small business owner, and feminist porn performer and director all of my 20s were spent uninsured and I was grateful for the excellent resources and care that Planned Parenthood provided to me personally and that they continue to provide to many of my friends, models, colleagues, and much of my community. I’m happy to support their organization however and whenever possible.