Vote for Your Favorite Charity in 96.1 Joy FM’s Charity Challenge! [POLL]

It should be no surprise that charitable and non-profit organizations are hurting. Donations to charities increased ever-s0-slightly in 2011 from 2010, and nonprofits are hopeful that this will be the year that things turn around, but donations are still down from pre-recession levels.

Charitable organizations are losing government money, too. National, state and local governments are hard-pressed to balance their budgets, and non-profit organizations are the first thing to be slashed.

So we decided it was time to help.

We passed the hat around the 96.1 Joy FM office and each selected a charity we think deserves the $1,000 we have to give away. Joe's supporting the Niagara Falls Boys & Girls Club, while Cheryl is championing Hospice. Alexis is hoping you'll support Cradle Beach Camp, and Brian Russel is rooting for Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Now, we need your help to determine which nonprofit is going to get the $1,000 cash! Click the links above to read why we each think our charity of choice is most deserving, then cast your vote for your favorite.

Voting will open at midnight on Monday, July 9, and close at midnight on Monday, July 23. Joe, Cheryl and Keith will announce the winning charity that morning on Buffalo's Morning Show.