Why Bother? Trivia Quiz

Answer: 17 million

The International Committee of the Red Cross had been formed in 1863, and was expanded in 1919 to include the Red Crescent Societies in 1919. The IFRC exists in every country of the world. The IFRC is especially well-known for mobilizing volunteers to offer humanitarian assistance after disasters such as floods, earthquakes, and tsunamis.

In many countries, they are also linked with healthcare groups that also assist during emergency response.

Answer: Aiding the blind and visually impaired.

In 1925, Helen Keller challenged members of Lions International in a keynote address to fight blindness. They adopted this call and have since developed a number of programs that assist individuals with vision impairments. Their efforts range from eyeglasses recycling programs to training guide dogs.

Answer: Polio

Business and professional leaders typically join Rotary International to volunteer around the world in order to advance peace and goodwill. Members provide a variety of services to communities in need all over the world. The polio eradication program was started in 1985. Since then, Rotarians have donated thousands of volunteer hours to inoculate over two billion children around the world.

Answer: Cancer

Terry Fox had had a leg amputated due to cancer when he was 18 years old. When he was 22 and believing that he had been cured, he set out to run across Canada to raise $1,000,000 for cancer. Unfortunately, his cancer returned when he was about 2/3 of the way across the country and he was forced to stop his run.

He died ten months later, but had raised $23.4 million. Terry Fox runs have occurred every year since in his honour, raising over $750 million for cancer research since he passed away in 1981.

Answer: The Seamen's Church Institute

The Seamen's Church Institute has been providing a variety of services to mariners since 1834. They provide onboard pastoral care, adult education, legal services, and other care such as care packages for those who have spent many months on board merchant ships.

They even accept hand knit/crocheted hats, mitts, socks, and other articles of clothing to help keep mariners warm and more comfortable during cold seasons. Despite its name, services are provided to all onboard workers regardless of their backgrounds or religions.

Answer: Youth

Optimist International is a service group that was formed in Kentucky in 1919. By 2015, there were over 3,000 groups in more than 20 countries around the world. The groups are free to decide where they will place their humanitarian focus, as long as their efforts are designed to improve the lives of youth in their communities. Optimist programs range from sports (golf, bowling), to mentorship programs.

In 2008,they launched an internet safety program as a response to the fact that children and youth were being exposed to the internet at increasingly younger ages.

Answer: World War II

UNICEF was created by the United Nations in December, 1946 in response to the circumstances that were being experienced by children in countries that had been involved in the Second World War. The mandate of UNICEF was changed in 1950 to include all children and mothers in all countries who are in need due to war, famine, and other adverse conditions.

The name of the association changed to "The United Nations Children's Fund" in 1953, but retained the acronym "UNICEF" at that time. UNICEF was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1965.

Answer: Habitat for Humanity

The "Brush With Kindness" program is a volunteer program that is affiliated with Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity builds new homes for low-income families that are able to assist with the building, and who are able to pay a mortgage that is funded by Habitat for Humanity. On the other hand, "Brush With Kindness" volunteers work with individuals who have their own homes, but who struggle with affording the exterior maintenance on them. Volunteers offer assistance with minor exterior repairs, exterior painting and landscaping to homeowners in need.

Answer: Doctors Without Borders

Doctors Without Borders was formed in France in response to the suffering that was experienced by people living in the province of Biafra when it seceded from Nigeria in the late 60s. Their first official mission after the group was formed was in 1972 to Managua, the capital of Nicaragua, after the area was devastated by an earthquake. Medical volunteers (doctors, nurses, and others) have continued to make a difference to over 10 million people in need around the world ever since.

This international humanitarian organization was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999.

Answer: William and Catherine Booth

William and Catherine Booth were a married couple who started their ministry in London, England in 1865. William preached to the poor and Catherine preached to the rich, trying to get donations to support their humanitarian work. Over the years, the Salvation Army expanded to become an international organization that provides a variety of supports to those in need. Supports include disaster relief (e.g., earthquakes, floods, hurricanes), hostels and food services for people who are homeless, rehabilitation care for those wishing addiction services, family hampers for those in need during the holidays, food banks, and a variety of other humanitarian services as determined locally.