The catalyst for Girlfriends Films’ charitable donations

The 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

HotMovies.com Selects Center for Great Apes as Girlfriends Films’September Charity, Donates Additional $5,000

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Tasha Reign Selects CancerCare for Girlfriends Films’ August Charity

Performer / 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.

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.

Melissa Monet’s June Charity Selection HelpsHurricane Sandy Relief Efforts

Performer / 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.

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

Fan-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.

The 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.