Causes that "The Star Thrower" is used to Support
"The Star Thrower" appears on many webpages for organizations, businesses, and other groups because it represents their philosophy. The story is used by animal rescue groups, community organizations, associations concerned with children and education, environmental groups, and religious organizations.
Since "The Star Thrower" is a story about animal rescue, it is naturally used by many animal rights and rescue groups. The Cats-R-Us website says that the "story sums up what we do and why we do it."
All Creatures.Org - a group "dedicated to cruelty-free living"
Alberta Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals - their mission "is to have every animal in Alberta humanely treated."
Forgotten 4-Paws - "a no-kill non-profit all volunteer organization in the Central Ohio area"
Citizens for Animal Protection - "helping and speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves"
Haldago Bay - has links to "over 700 animal shelters, animal rescue groups, and private rescue groups sites"
Hancock County Animal Shelter - "voice for the voiceless"
Boxer Rescue Mailing List - a site devoted to boxer rescues
Second Chance Horse Rescue Ranch - "An all volunteer ... non-profit organization dedicated solely to the protection of horses."
Equine Rescue League - "a non-profit organization that supports the responsible use of working, sport, and pleasure horses, ponies, donkeys and mules"
Cats-R-Us - "a self funded sanctuary"
Diabella Loves Cats (scroll to the bottom) - the homepage of a cat lover who is involved in rescue efforts
"The Star Thrower" is also a story about environmental awareness.
"Visions of the Sea" - an article by Peter Benchley
AquAid - a company that provides safe drinking water
Letters to the Editor in Smithsonian Magazine - a letter from a wildlife rehabilitator
"Environmental Philosophy in the Context of Bangladesh" - an article by Md. Khalequzzaman
Alternatives for Simple Living (scroll down slightly) - "a non-profit organization that equips people ... to challenge consumerism, live justly and celebrate responsibly"
Many organizations involved with community and world issues also use "The Star Thrower" to show why, as the OnLineNow website says, "single efforts may not solve the whole problem but they can make a real difference to someone."
OnLineNow - the WeCareNow™ Hunger Site Pledge Page
Florida International University Diversity Initiative - "programs that explore and engender an appreciation of the differences among men and women of different ages, economic backgrounds, races, ethnic groups..."
"The Worldwide Nature of the Family of Jesus Christ" (scroll to the bottom) - a speech given by Ram Gidoomal about cultural differences
The Asian Pacific American Women's Leadership Institute - a "national, non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing and enriching leadership skills for Asian Pacific American women leaders"
Vectors/Pittsburgh - a community service group
Gurukul - "a nonprofit group working for literacy and housing"
Dartmouth Habitat For Humanity - "a forum for reflections on homelessness awareness"
City Year - their mission "is to put idealism to work by tapping the civic power of young people"
School of Social Work at the University of South Florida (scroll one quarter down the page) - a story that "embraces the spirit and pride of social work"
Boy Scouts of America Troop 358 (scroll to the bottom) - information about some of their volunteer activities
The Country Cottage - patterns for "blankets, mittens, hats, teddy bears and more for Homeless and Domestic Violence Shelters"
Yukon Fire Department - they offer public education programs on fire and injury prevention
Western Wisconsin Legal Services - their mission "is to assist ... low-income people in obtaining ... the basic necessities of life ... through the provision of high-quality legal services and community legal education"
"Fostering Gumption" (scroll two thirds down the page) - an article by Luke Baldwin and Linda Brion-Meisels about their "experiences working with ... undergraduate women who elected to do community service in the area of violence-prevention and peace-making"
Residents Attacking Drugs - "a grassroots non-profit organization dedicated to public awareness and prevention of drug abuse"
Teens Against Drunk Driving (scroll about three quarters down the page) - "a forum for students and teens to discuss and promote the dangers associated with drinking and driving"
Mr. Rogers "Say No" Program, Inc. - their mission is to "provide, in minority communities, a long term program for young males to enhance their development towards becoming productive citizens"
Many educators consider "The Star Thrower" to be an analogy for teaching. For this reason, the story appears on many websites of schools, teachers, and educational organizations.
America Taking Action - "We can help the children of this nation to live, learn, and love life to its fullest ONE CHILD AT A TIME."
Oakland Schools - they are "dedicated to making a difference one person, child and customer at a time"
Ridgeview Elementary School - their vision is "to make a difference in the life of each child"
St. Augustine School - their "Make A Difference Quilt Project"
Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District - their Academic & Character Training Program
Pat's Dyslexia Home Page - "Words to Teach By"
Teacher's Resource Sites - "A Teaching Analogy"
Project STAMP - "Stanislaus Tutoring And Mentoring Partnership"
America Reads Challenge Program at Southern Illinois University - "Tutoring children who need help with reading, like throwing starfish back into the sea, is about making a difference--one student at a time."
Phi Delta Kappa - "an international association of professional educators" whose "mission is to promote quality education"
Northwest Arkansas Education Service Cooperative - their motto is "Making a Difference!"
Ohio Appalachian Center for Higher Education - their mission "is to increase the level of educational attainment of residents in this region"
Prelude Learning Systems - they offer "accelerated learning programs and techniques"
"Teaching Ethics in Public Schools" - a presentation by Dean Waldfogel
"Why do you want me to do that?" (scroll two thirds down the page) - an article by Bradley Parker about his experiences teaching other police officers
Outside of education, "The Star Thrower" is also used for many other children's issues. These issues include adoption/foster care, mentoring, troubled youths, and abuse.
Starfish Adoption Products - they provide "adoptive families with personalized items designed to address some of the emotional needs associated with adoption"
David & Lori - about two new foster parents
Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Monmouth County, New Jersey - "The Difference Lasts a Lifetime"
Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Central Maryland - about the impact of the program
Camp Starfish - a camp for "children with emotional, behavioral and learning problems"
Georgia Children's Home - a home for troubled youth
Safeguarding Our Children-United Mothers - "a non-profit organization dedicated to public awareness, prevention of child abuse..."
Texas Court Appointed Special Advocates - "advocates for abused and neglected children in the court system"
Teaching Peace: How to Raise Children to Live in Harmony, Without Fear, Without Prejudice, Without Violence (scroll halfway down the page) - a book by Jan Arnow
Starfish Music - they "provide quality music programs for children in the Cape Cod area"
"The Star Thrower" also appears on websites for physical and mental health organizations such as hospitals and support groups.
Shriners Hospitals - a speech given in 2000
Henry Ford Hospital - letter from Stephen H. Velick, Chief Executive Officer
Seasons Hospice - they provide "caring that assists a person nearing the end of life"
"Ways of Coping" - inspiration for those "who work in the fields of medicine, counseling, social services"
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses - "If just one critical care nurse today helps the starfish to safety, we can make a difference."
City of Hope - a cancer research institution
Insulin-Free World Foundation - "a comprehensive and current source of high quality information about technologies and research at the forefront of curing diabetes"
Batten Disease Family Association - they "keep families informed about recent developments and research" and try "to raise awareness of the illness"
National Graves' Disease Foundation - their "Contributors Hall of Fame"
Northern Colorado Support Group for Ataxia - some inspirational thoughts
Miles for Millions Multiple Sclerosis Foundation - about Brian Scott's year long run "to increase the awareness of MS in the world while raising much needed funds for research into a cure"
The Starfish Project - "a project for training people who stammer (stutter) to both control and gain confidence over something that has controlled them"
South Coast Today - about a graduation ceremony for guide dogs
Self-Worth.com - pages to help you "find the inspiration and motivation to change your life"
A Tribute to James Grant (scroll one quarter down the page) - for a man involved concerned with the health of children in developing countries
Politicians have also picked up on the message of "The Star Thrower."
Democracy in Action - an interview with Senator Bob Smith
"Being a Good Citizen" - an article by J. Taylor Starkey, a city councilman
Congressman Rick Lazio (scroll two thirds down the page) - his Touro Law Center Commencement Address
The Liberator OnLine - a digest "of interest to members of the Advocates for Self-Government, libertarians, and anyone interested in the ideas of freedom"
Many businesses use "The Star Thrower" as their business philosophy or mission. Some even take their company's name from the story, and others use the story in the products they sell.
StarThrower, Inc. - they offer "training and development video/multimedia tools"
Starfish Technologies - "a computer consultancy firm"
StarShineUnlimited - their mission is "to inspire others to live their dreams, to make a difference in small and in powerful ways, one act, one person at a time"
Taylor Place Real Estate - "We are here to make a difference for you."
Condor Creations - they sell pins, collector plates, and other items based on the story
StarQuest - a motivational cassette tape by Rory Aplanalp entitled "All the Difference in the World - The Starfish Story"
Finally, many religious websites use "The Star Thrower" as an inspirational story. The story is also used in many sermons and religious articles.
Unity Center - a collection of stories
The Fountain Gateway (scroll down slightly) - a collection of inspirational stories
Writings on Buddhism - a collection of stories related to Buddhism
Illustration Exchange - a collection of stories used as illustrations
Missouri Job's Daughters - an organization of young women who are related to a Master Mason
All About Mormons - a collection of stories from the Young Women’s Corner
Inspiration Peak - a collection of inspirational stories
Cyber Ministries - a collection of inspirational stories
The Reconstructionist Synagogue of the North Shore - a reading to inspire you towards tikum olam
Today's Word for You - daily thoughts
First Presbyterian Church Pitman, New Jersey (scroll to the bottom) - a sermon by Reverend Bruce Gillette
St. Martin's Church - a sermon
Eric Elder Ministries (scroll halfway down) - a newsletter
"Make a Positive Difference" - "Soul Surfing" with Father Bob
"A Balanced Spirituality! and A Call to Spiritual Formation!" (scroll halfway down) - an article by Michael Sanders
Joel News (scroll one third down the page) - "international prayer and revival bulletin"
Otterbein United Methodist Church - a note from Pastor Wayne Heberlig
Racers Under the Son - a Christian motorcycle club
Marist Fathers in Ireland - several religious branches that take Mary as their model
Scotfest - their "vision is to encourage women ... to reach out to family, neighbours and friends who are hurting ... and to tell them that they matter to God"
Warner Southern College (click on the "Star Thrower Inspiration and Program Information" link) - a program "designed to inspire, instruct, challenge and offer opportunities for students ... to make a difference in their world!"
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