Well, everyone, this week was quieter on the internet than I had expected, but I’m delighted to see that we rallied and got some really good numbers for the hugely deserving organizations I featured Monday through Wednesday.

I’ve enjoyed reading about some of your favorite charities. There were a lot of really great organizations nominated! Below, you’ll find a brief description and a link to the five finalists, along with who nominated them. I’ll be taking votes from now through New Year’s Eve, and the organization that gets the most votes will receive a $50 donation. So get voting! And again, thank you all so much for playing along this week, and happy holidays.

1. The Valentino Achak Deng Foundation: Does community development work in Sudan (including building schools!), works with Sudanese folks in the U.S., and advocates on Sudan policy issues. Nominated by Marilyn.

2. Young at Heart Pet Rescue: Dedicated to the rescue and adoption of senior pets in the Chicago region. They help senior pets, who often are the first to get euthanized in shelters because they are the hardest to adopt. Nominated by Samantha.

3. Couch Potatoes for the Cure: Support Steph‘s effort to raise money for gynecolocical cancer research and support the Campbell Family Institute at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto.

4. Northern Virginia Theraputic Riding Program: Provides theraputic horse back riding lessons for people with disabilities, youth-at-risk, and veterans. Horseback riding has been proven to be hugely beneficial to at-risk populations and people with disabilities. Nominated by Becs.

5. REACH LA: Trains low-income youth of color from Metropolitan Los Angeles, and empowers them with skills to develop innovative program initiatives that lead to social change in their own peer community. Nominated by Yvette.

This is a great group of organizations. Check them out, make your decision, and cast your vote!