This page is a list of Charities that Ryan has publicly been supportive of, as well as some information about the charity. We have decided to list Ryan’s short lived public Charity, Toy Box of Hope, on this page as well as it ties into what he supports and his mission in being charitable.
Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles
Official Website | Ryan’s Big Brother: James Glover
For more than 100 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has operated under the belief that inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life. As the nation’s largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network, Big Brothers Big Sisters make meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and children (“Littles”), ages 6 through 18, in communities across the country. We develop positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people.
— Ryan’s Official Website (now defunct)
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles (BBBSLA) is a youth empowerment organization whose mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.
Los Angeles is home to one of the most diverse populations in the country and along with being one of the largest affiliates of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, BBBSLA is also one of the largest youth mentoring organizations in Southern California. Every year, we impact nearly 1,500 children throughout Los Angeles County—many of whom are referred to as being “at-risk” or “high-risk” youths. With the help of our amazing staff, army of selfless volunteers and generous donors, we continue to empower lives and provide our Littles with the opportunities and skill sets they need and deserve in order to achieve, succeed, and awaken their full potential.
— BBBSLA’s Official Website
Ryan has spoken quite a bit about his time with the Big Brothers, Big Sisters organization and how he spent well over nine years with them, with his big brother, James.
One of the main reasons I am where I am today is because people have gotten involved in my life and guided me down the right path.
— Ryan on Big Brothers Big Sisters
I’ve had a Big Brother for years now, and he’s a huge role model in my life. There are so many kids in smaller towns that are on the waitlist. I’d love to be able to shorten the list, as some kids have been waiting for years. I want to be able to spread that message of being a role model in a child’s life. They’re a phenomenal organization.
— Ryan on Big Brothers Big Sisters, 2014
Red Cross Japan Relief
As many of you know, I was raised in Japan. I am deeply connected to and very proud of my Japanese heritage. The recent earthquakes, tsunami and nuclear radiation crisis have devastated Japan. And they have hit home in a very personal way for me. The crisis is a long way from being over. Both the Japanese Red Cross and The Red Cross have worked tirelessly since dy one continuing to provide shelter, supplies, food, comfort and resources in this very difficult time for the Japanese nation. The clean-up of the destruction and reconstruction of lives is far, far from over. Please continue to support these hardworking organizations in their efforts to help the people of Japan.
— Ryan’s Official Website (now defunct)
The Red Cross was advocated by Henry Dunant (Swiss: 1st Nobel Peace Prize Laureate) with the aim of “respecting human life and saving those who are in suffering, regardless of whether they are friends or foes.” It is an organization that makes use of the network of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies that spreads over 192 countries and regions around the world.
The Japanese Red Cross Society is one of them and since it’s first activity in the relief of injured people in the Satsuma Rebellion, it has been active in a wide range of fields, including disaster relief at home and abroad to save suffering people.
— Japanese Red Cross Official Website
Toy Box of Hope (2011 – 2013)
Official Facebook | Official Twitter
Ryan Potter started Toy Box of Hope with the purpose of bringing a little holiday cheer to the lives of homeless children in the Los Angeles region.
It is estimated there are some 16,000 homeless youths under the age of 18, who call the sidewalks and doorways of Los Angeles their bed for the night. Some local agencies have estimated the number to be much higher. Regardless the number, the problem is huge. Charities and organizations in the Los Angeles region that provide services to homeless individuals find their resources can never go far enough to meet the growing problem. Many organizations like Covenant House, OPCC and many others focus their efforts not only on getting young people off the streets but also on providing them access to resources and services to help them build independent, self-sustaining lives.
Moved by both the problem of homelessness and the community’s response, Ryan decided to start his own organization that would have a two-fold purpose; 1) to raise awareness of the critical problem of youth homelessness and 2) create events and other opportunities to raise badly needed funds and supplies for these organizations that are working so hard in the Los Angeles area to create effective, lasting positive change in the lives of homeless youth.
Ryan’s first activity with Toy Box of Hope is an annual toy drive. Working with local businesses and friends in the entertainment business Ryan is hosting celeb meet and greet events where fans can come and meet some of their favorite TV personalities. The very first event was held in November 2011 at White Tiger Kung Fu in West Los Angeles. The final event of the 2011 toy drive will be held at Chick-Fil-A in Northridge and promises to be well attended by Nick stars, So You Think You Can Dance stars and other familiar faces. Each guest (not each group) is asked to bring new unwrapped toys $10 and over to join the festivities.
All toys collected will be delivered directly to local charities that service homeless youth including the Salvation Army Westwood Transitional Village, Good Shepperd and Beyond Shelter.
After the holidays Toy Box of Hope will begin planning events for it’s next charity collection so stay tuned to the web site for updates and the latest information. Follow Toy Box of Hope on Twitter at @toyboxofhope.
— Ryan’s Official Website (now defunct)
The first annual Toy Box of Hope charity event was held on December 17th, 2011 from 10AM to 11:30AM at the Northridge, California Chick-Fil-A! Guests for this event included: Tadd Gadduang, Leon Thomas, K. Alex Wong, Jared Kusnitz, Stephen Glickman, Carlos Knight, Taylor Gray & Dillon Lane.
The second annual Toy Box of Hope charity event was held on December 1st, 2012 at JAM Movement Gym. Some notable guests for this event included: Rachel Crow & Carlos PenaVega!
The third annual Toy Box of Hope charity in 2013 was held privately and included Ryan and close friends, purchasing toys to donate them to various charities.
