Michael has nearly two decades of experience managing diverse financial and administrative operations across America and in Japan, with both small entrepreneurial firms and large corporations such as Ford Motor Company, First USA Bank, Mitsui Marine & Fire Insurance Company and Dialight Corporation. This experience spans the manufacturing, financial services and distribution industries. He has also taught both graduate and undergraduate finance and accounting courses. His particular expertise includes strategic planning, analysis, budgeting, and forecasting. He earned his B.A. in East Asian Studies and Economics from Yale University and M.B.A. in Finance from the Wharton Graduate School of Business. He has served on several nonprofit Boards in various capacities -- including academic, philanthropic and professional organizations -- and was conferred the Distinguished Service Award from Ateres Yeshaya. Michael is an active member of the Institute of Management Accountants.

Alan has been working at The Foundling for nine years and has been the Manager of Volunteers and Community Relations for the past five. He has forged countless relationships with local businesses, schools, community groups and individuals, and has generated more than $1,000,000 in in-kind donations this past year. Throughout the year, Alan manages the distribution of the thousands of donated articles of new clothing, books, pajamas, school supplies, toys, linens, cribs, beds, electronics and gift cards to the children and families in The Foundling’s care. In addition, Alan oversees more than 100 volunteers in various capacities.

Rick Akin has served as the Director of Volunteer Services for the Bowery Residents’ Committee (BRC) for over four years.  Prior to his tenure at BRC, he was the Volunteer Services Manager at City Harvest for three years, during which time he also served on the volunteer advisory committee (VOAD) for the Office of Emergency Management and was on the volunteer board at America’s Second Harvest.  His professional experience also includes 12 years in national corporate sales and account management.  Rick is currently on the Board of Directors of the New York Association of Volunteer Administrators, and has spoken both locally and nationally about community service involvement and volunteer management.  Rick has will also be teaching classes around the topic of corporate volunteerism for Volunteer Management Group, LLC as of the end of this summer into the fall.  He has a BA in Liberal Arts from SUNY Stony Brook.

Tamika currently serves as Sistercare’s Coordinator of Community Outreach and Volunteer Services. She is a member of the Women’s Well-Being Initiative (WWBI) Community Advisory Board, a 2004 graduate of the United Way of the Midlands Blueprint for Leadership program. Tamika is currently pursuing her Bachelors of Science Degree, South University-Columbia, in Information Technology. A large percentage of her work involves establishing and coordinating relationships within the public and private sectors to raise awareness and education about domestic violence. As volunteer coordinator, she manages Sistercare’s volunteer programs including Sistercare’s Speakers Bureau, Community Outreach Program, Special Projects and Children’s Program. As part of special projects, Tamika also publishes the agency newsletter, Turning Point.  

Mary Baldauf was born and raised in New York. After high school, Mary received her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Harvard University. She then went on to Chicago Medical School to pursue a Master’s degree in Applied Human Physiology prior to going to Stony Brook Medical School. Mary completed her internship, residency and a fellowship in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine at Schneider Children’s Hospital. She is currently serving as the Chief of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine and Director of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at The Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center. The Pediatric ICU is of vital importance to those critically ill children suffering from traumatic injuries, chronic illnesses or other life-threatening conditions. Mary is proud to be an active member of her Brooklyn community. In addition to her clinical responsibilities, Mary has developed a mentoring program in conjunction with Big Brothers/Big Sisters which gives a select group of high school students a unique introduction to the world of medicine. This groundbreaking community-based mentoring program pairs 40 physicians with students from Brooklyn high schools. The program provides the students with the opportunity to learn about many of the medical professions integral to a hospital setting. Mary also finds time to indulge her passion for inventing with her company Baldy by Design. The company has designed and tested several medical products which they are hoping to make available to many patients in the future. These products were developed in response to specific clinical needs. The focus of the inventions is to improve the quality of life for those who need them.

Yes! There are many ways you can help no matter where you are located.

501(c) is a provision of the United States Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. § 501(c)), listing 26 types of non-profit organizations exempt from some federal income taxes. 501(c)(3) — Religious, Educational, Charitable, Scientific, Literary, Testing for Public Safety, to Foster National or International Amateur Sports Competition, or Prevention of Cruelty to Children or Animals Organizations. Another provision, 26 U.S.C. § 170, provides a deduction, for federal income tax purposes, for some donors who make charitable contributions.A public charity, identified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as "not a private foundation," normally receives a substantial part of its income, directly or indirectly, from the general public or from the government. The public support must be fairly broad, not limited to a few individuals or families.

Helping is Easy is registered as a charitable non-profit organization and classified a public charity.

The majority of Board Members, Staff, Volunteers & Interns for Helping is Easy are located in the New York City area, but there are other people who help located all around the world!

Helping is Easy relies on donation to fund its operations. We are a registered 510(c)3 non-profit organization.

No...we have a 100% volunteer staff.

Financial donations and the donation of new or used goods are tax-deductible up to certain amounts. Don't assume your donation is tax deductible. Not every in-kind donation is tax-deductible. Donated services, although often welcomed by organizations, generally cannot be written off. IRS Publication 526 outlines what types of donations can be deducted and how to claim a deduction.

If you donate goods, the fair market value of such donations is tax-deductible. IRS Publication 561 explains how to determine the fair market value of your donation. If you're thinking about donating a vehicle, keep an eye out for possible new legislation that may tighten valuation regulations. 

If you are interested in volunteering for Helping is Easy please email your resume and letter of interest to team@helpingiseasy.org. We will be in contact with you within 5 business days to follow-up.

Helping is Easy was founded in 2005 under a different name, Project TKE - Transforming Kids' Enviornments, and was renamed Helping is Easy in 2008.