The Blue Card

The Blue Card
Founded 1934
Type Charity for Holocaust survivors
Location
Key people
Masha Pearl, Executive Director
Website bluecardfund.org

The Blue Card is the only national non-profit organization solely dedicated to providing financial assistance to destitute Holocaust survivors residing in the United States.[1][2]

History

Established in Germany in 1934, The Blue Card’s sole purpose was to provide financial assistance to Jews fleeing from that country’s growing persecution. The organization’s name is derived from the blue cards that were given to Jewish donors who raised funds for Jews who lost their jobs.[3] It was re-established in the United States in 1939, to continue aiding refugees escaping from the Holocaust. Today, it is the only organization in the United States whose sole mission is to aid needy Holocaust survivors by providing cash assistance.[1]

Charitable work

The Blue Card is a charitable organization aiding Holocaust survivors since 1934. It is dedicated to the support of European Jewish survivors in this country, who still suffer from the aftereffects of Nazi persecution, are sick or emotionally unstable, have been unable to achieve economic independence, or have lost it through sickness or old age; in many cases the Holocaust has deprived them of a family. The Blue Card’s activities are not duplicated by any other Jewish welfare agency. During the year 2013, The Blue Card made grants amounting to nearly $1.9 million. This brings the grant total since the Blue Card’s inception to $25.5 million.[1]

Programs

The Blue Card provides aid to over 2,400 annually.[4] Programs The Blue Card provides to the survivors include:

Team Blue Card

Since 2009, The Blue Card has been an Official Charity Partner of the New York City Marathon. Team BlueCard is The Blue Card's endurance team, which participates in endurance events such as the 2011 TD 5 Borough Bike Tour in New York City and the 2015 Panasonic Life Time Triathlon. It is composed of participants from countries such as Argentina, Austria, France, Israel, Italy, Mexico, and South Africa. Team BlueCard has raised over $1,000,000 since 2009.[6]

Events

The Blue Card participates in many fundraising events annually, including:

Recognition

In 2013, Charity Navigator announced that the Blue Card earned its ninth consecutive four-star rating for its ability to deliver services in a cost-effective manner. Fewer than 10% of rated charities have received at least four consecutive four star evaluations, indicating that The Blue Card outperforms most charities in America in its efforts to operate in the most fiscally responsible way possible.[31]

The Blue Card is accredited by the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance. In order to meet accreditation standards, the Blue Card demonstrated its compliance with 20 stringent regulations regarding transparency standards and effectiveness reporting. The strictness of the standards ensures that only the most qualified charities are able to maintain their rating.[32]

In 2012 and 2013, the Blue Card was voted one of the Best Jewish Charities by the Federal Times. The Blue Card was also awarded with the Independent Charities of America (ICA) Best Seal of Excellence.[33]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "About Us". The Blue Card. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  2. Liz Robbins (24 October 2010). "Charities Gain Traction in Marathons". The New York Times. p. SP4. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
  3. Patricia R. Olsen (13 June 2015). "Support for Holocaust Survivors". The New York Times. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  4. "Home". The Blue Card. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "How We Help". The Blue Card. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  6. "Team BlueCard". The Blue Card. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  7. "NYC Triathlon 2016". The Blue Card. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  8. "NYC Triathlon 2-15". The Blue Card. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  9. "Miami Marathon, 2016". The Blue Card. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  10. "Miami Marathon, 2014". The Blue Card. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  11. "Jerusalem Marathon 2015". The Blue Card. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  12. "Jerusalem Marathon 2014". The Blue Card. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  13. "5 Boro Bike Tour 2016". The Blue Card. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  14. "5 Boro Bike Tour 2015". The Blue Card. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  15. "5 Boro Bike Tour 2014". The Blue Card. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  16. "Run for The Blue Card 2016". The Blue Card. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  17. "Run for The Blue Card 2015". The Blue Card. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  18. "Run for The Blue Card 2014". The Blue Card. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  19. "Run for The Blue Card 2013". The Blue Card. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  20. "Art Benefit in TriBeCa, 2014". The Blue Card. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  21. "2015 Annual Benefit Dinner". The Blue Card. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  22. "2014 Annual Benefit Dinner". The Blue Card. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  23. "Annual Benefit Gala 2013". The Blue Card. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  24. "Past Events: Annual Gala Highlights". The Blue Card. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  25. "2013 SoulCycle Charity Ride". The Blue Card. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  26. "Ping Pong Social - 2016". The Blue Card. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  27. "Ping Pong Social - 2015". The Blue Card. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  28. "Ping Pong Social 2014". The Blue Card. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  29. "Ping Pong Social - 2013". The Blue Card. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  30. "Ping Pong Social - 2012". The Blue Card. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  31. "The Blue Card". Charity Navigator. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  32. "Blue Card, The". Better Business Bureau. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  33. "Blue Card". Best of the CFC. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
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