Holiday (or Anytime) Charity

[SweetErika]

Do you give time, money, or goods to individuals or charitable organizations during the holiday season?

Or, do you prefer to give at other times of the year instead? Or both?

If so, what type of people or which charities? Why did you choose them? What do you give?

 

[TBKahuna123]

Do you give time, money, or goods to individuals or charitable organizations during the holiday season?

Or, do you prefer to give at other times of the year instead? Or both?

If so, what type of people or which charities? Why did you choose them? What do you give?

I don't give enar as much as I should. I tend to give primarily to my church, the Salvation Army bell ringers(cause they are there), and a few other "loose change" things like that.

The one holiday thing I love are the angel trees, or whatever they are called where you all are. Basically you pick a child off the tree and purchase gifts for them. Be they sick or just needy, I find it very fulfilling to help a child have a happy holiday.

I remember as a kid giving my old toys away to needy kids all the time. If I knew then what all those Star Wars toys would be worth today...

 

[jerseyman1963]

Wow. I know we're on Lit and this is way off topic for most, but what does it say about the country that we're the only 3 posters on this so far? I mean, Kahuna, your post on wine has like a gazillion hits and 69 posts to date. I know wine can be related to sex, but still, as a country we talk a good game about charity, a thousand points of light and all that, but I guess this proves that talk is cheaper than giving.

I work for a nonprofit, and having a better idea of the inner workings of a nonprofit organization than most I tend to be selective about my own charitable giving. Without a huge amount of disposable income to throw around, I want to know it's being put to good use and not squandered on dysfunctional sillyness.

I am singularly unimpressed by charities like the save-the-animals donation I am always asked to contribute a buck to at the chain pet store I get my pet food at. Every time the kid at the register asks me if I want to add $1 or $5 to the bill to go to this chain's foundation, I am always tempted to ask him if he knows anything about how this foundation works, what % of my $1 or $5 is actually going to go to the animals, and what % is being used for adminstration, salaries and marketing, and if this chain is so concerned about the animals, how much $ do they take out of their own income and profits every year instead of asking us the customers to support their need to look good doing something?

The other thing that pisses me off, especially at the end of the year, which is right now, is the huge amount of direct mail appeals we'll get at this time of year. I am outraged by the amount of money nonprofits spend on buying mail lists and sending me mail, photos and return address stickers. Why does everyone think that just because I contributed to the ACLU I am going to be interested in saving a manatee? I have nothing against manatees, or spotted owls, or whales per se, but they don't touch me personally, and it's a tremendous waste of paper, resources, time and money. I know if they send enough mail out they'll get the 2% response rate they need and the $ they're looking for, but for me it's all a sham. Something has to touch me personally and effectively before I am opening my wallet.

Wow. Sorry. I got on a bit of a rant there.

All that said hoeever, I used to avoid the bell ringers. It really gets tiring these days being hit every time you turn around for a charitable donation. But now having rung the bell myself for a local service organization I am a sucker for it. If they're going to put themselves on the line for a few hours in the cold, the least I can do is cough up a buck or two. This year I challenged myself that every time I saw one I was not going to dodge them but was going to throw in $2. I'll see a lot of them in the next few weeks so it should turn into a $100 or $200.

As for other giving, I am generally unimpressed by mail appeals and special projects and dinner dances and things like that. Too much of the money goes to pay expenses. If I know enough about the charity, I like to write them a check for general operating support, a check that says basically, "I like what you do, spend this as you need to and keep doing good work." At taxes last year I was amazed to see I'd made charitable gifts of about 2.5% of my take home pay last year. It's not the 10% that some religions tithe for, but in the northeast US, where too much personal income is spent on things like housing, it's not a small number, and I bet if everyone gave that % to something this year, the world would be a better place.

Next up, we should talk about why the current government, which is supposedly so Christian, keeps putting the cost of taking care of each other off on private charity. Now that will REALLY get me going!

 

[covariant]

For the last few years, my family has made charitable donations through Heifer International (http://www.heifer.org).

I learned of this organization from my sister-in-law, who works there. It doesn't seem to br that well known, but it has been around for about 60 years or so. Their goal is the elimination of world hunger. The name came from their practice of giving livestock to needy people rather than packaged food.

Thank you Erika for bringing this up, you are a wonderful person.

 

[KarenDee]

Every week when I go to the grocery store, I pick up a few extra items. I put them aside until I have a couple boxes full, then I bring them to the local food pantry to donate to the homeless or people with limited means. I feel doing it this way is less of a strain on my budget since a few extra things per week is no big deal. Plus I'm donating something where 100% of it is going to good use, and there is no wasting of monetary funds that get used as expenses for some organization.

 

[midwestyankee]

About every two months we donate one to three large bags of used clothing to Amvets of Vietnam Vets (just depends on who calls when).

My wife donates many hours each week plus a fairly decent check to her church.

We both have our own favorite charitable organizations that get a small check once in a while. I also make a small donation each year to a good cause from my business.

What I never do is agree to donate money on the basis of a phone call -- if you want some money from me you're going to have to prove your legitimacy with a written document that arrives by first class mail.

Oh, and I'm a real sucker for school kids selling candy bars so their band can go to Disney World.

Almost forgot: this time of year I never pass a Salvation Army worker without fishing in my pocket for a little something to put in the bucket.

 

[KarenDee]

Oh, and I'm a real sucker for school kids selling candy bars so their band can go to Disney World.

OMG, I do that too! Those kids are so cute, they come to the door with scared faces, just waiting for you to say "no" and I always cave in and buy WAY too much candy. It's a good thing the boys eat it all or I'd gain 50 lbs!

 

[bobsgirl]

I do the Amvets or Vietnam Vets thing during the year.

I don't know if this is considered charity, but I make a couple quilts every year and donate them to Project Linus.

I send a donation to St. Jude's Research Hospital every year.

I tend to focus on organizations that help children.

 

[Cathleen]

I tend to do smaller giving through the year. I do make contributions once a year to organizations - like Heifer International (http://www.heifer.org), St. Judes, Pine Stree Inn and Rosie's Place (the last two are shelters in Boston, Pine Street is for men, Rosie's Place for women and kids).

But also I give to Pine Street and Rosie's through out the year with gifts of products, clothing etc. I do the local food pantry the way Karen Dee mentioned - a little at a time. I give to the local animal shelter too.

When I set my Will up I stipulated a donation to the above places too. I figured I covered men, women and children. I've since added my hometown library.

Each year on my mother's birthday I buy a book from the library's list. She was an avid reader and she made sure we all had library cards at age 5 or 6 and I used to go with her as a toddler - they had the neatest kids room. The building was sold and is now a private residence... lucky people. It is such a beautiful building and holds many good memories for me.

There are small things I do through the year. Thanksgiving is my favorite time to give a token of my gratitude - I give my doctors a little something at least once a year (if I know I won't see them around the holiday). I also give platters of goodies to the guys at the valet service at the hospital. They are always so nice and I appreciate them so I let them know. We used to have a maintence man where I live (condo) and I always give him a gift of cash - the prior man was a lover of all things Irish and was always in the St. Pat's Day Parade in Southie (South Boston), so I gave him his give during that time. Now we have some service and it seems never the same person so...

This year I won't be able to give as much as I have in the past but I give something.

 

[SweetErika]

The ideas and issues here are great!

Like some of you, I'm a big fan of donating goods because I know where they're going and exactly how they'll be used.

A few months ago, I saw this thread: Looking for a good deed to do?. I was humbled because I had no idea we (as a country) were allowing such a large community to go without, well, anything really. My ideas of 'poor' and 'in need' were redefined.

So, I did some research on the history of the Lakota, and committed to sending things to be distributed by the Friends of Pine Ridge Organization throughout the year. I was impressed that 100% of monetary donations and goods goes DIRECTLY to those who need it most...there are no admin., marketing, or other costs, it's all grassroots, and runs on volunteers and donations. I also enlisted the help of my mom, who got her school (it's been a great learning opportunity for the students as well) and friends with plenty of disposable income involved.

Right now, they desperately need Christmas gifts for the kids, particularly those who have been victims of crimes. With the sales, I've been buying inexpensive things like coloring books, games, cards, and turtlenecks, and combing through the house for new and very gently used items that will be better off in their hands than mine. I've collected a bunch of unused "gift with purchase" makeup bags and new cosmetics for the older girls. It's really costing almost nothing, and with no kids on our gift list, it's been a lot of fun.

I started this thread because I thought it'd be neat to share and get some ideas. However, it's heartbreaking for me to think kids who already have nothing and have been/go through so much won't have the joy of opening something for Christmas, so I'd like to plug this cause while I'm here.

The Friends of Pine Ridge Organization still needs gifts for girls (especially) and boys 11-18, though anything for any age would be greatly appreciated, even gifts for the adults/elders. When you're out shopping or looking around the house, please pick up something. If you're shopping online, you can send it directly to the reservation to save on shipping. There's a list of ideas here , but anything will do...even little items that are less than $1.

I know this is a giving community, and the responses here make it clear generosity and compassion are thriving. I'm hoping if we can all find it in ourselves to spend a few bucks on gifts, donate a little money (right now they need it for heat...people are literally freezing to death), and send a few gently used pieces of clothing, blankets, books, or other things now and throughout the year, we can actually make a huge difference.

 

[Guest]

 

[TBKahuna123]

So, I did some research on the history of the Lakota, and committed to sending things to be distributed by the Friends of Pine Ridge Organization throughout the year. I was impressed that 100% of monetary donations and goods goes DIRECTLY to those who need it most...there are no admin., marketing, or other costs, it's all grassroots, and runs on volunteers and donations. I also enlisted the help of my mom, who got her school (it's been a great learning opportunity for the students as well) and friends with plenty of disposable income involved.

I know this place. I grew up near a number of reservations throughout the north and Pine Ridge is one of the most depressing ones I have seen. I had no idea this charity existed, but I'm going to look into this one.

This is a wonderful idea Erika, and I applaud you for taking and active role to promote this idea.

 

[TBKahuna123]

I work for a nonprofit, and having a better idea of the inner workings of a nonprofit organization than most I tend to be selective about my own charitable giving. Without a huge amount of disposable income to throw around, I want to know it's being put to good use and not squandered on dysfunctional sillyness.

I hear you man. I too work for a non-profit and it's amazing when you see how these places work. You can tell pretty clearly which organizations actually do something and which are fairly useless. That's why I gravitate more toward giving tangible items.

 

[SweetErika]

I know this place. I grew up near a number of reservations throughout the north and Pine Ridge is one of the most depressing ones I have seen. I had no idea this charity existed, but I'm going to look into this one.

This is a wonderful idea Erika, and I applaud you for taking and active role to promote this idea.

Yeah, the second lowest life expectancy in the WORLD, and an 85% unemployment rate because they're out in the middle of fucking nowhere IS depressing!

I found out via Cloudy's thread about six weeks after Katrina hit, when the outpouring of support was so high. I just kept thinking, 'The people of PR are living like Katrina victims every single day, and have been for so many decades. Where are all of the donations, government money, and help for them? Where's the TV coverage? And, perhaps more importantly, where the hell is the outrage over how these people are living and dying?'

I can't do a ton alone, but I can try to marshal some support; hopefully enough of that will come for those kids to have a Christmas, and the families heat, clothing, blankets, food, educational materials, etc. this year.

If you guys can manage to send anything, it'd be great.

 

[cloudy]

Yeah, the second lowest life expectancy in the WORLD, and an 85% unemployment rate because they're out in the middle of fucking nowhere IS depressing!

I found out via Cloudy's thread about six weeks after Katrina hit, when the outpouring of support was so high. I just kept thinking, 'The people of PR are living like Katrina victims every single day, and have been for so many decades. Where are all of the donations, government money, and help for them? Where's the TV coverage? And, perhaps more importantly, where the hell is the outrage over how these people are living and dying?'

I can't do a ton alone, but I can try to marshal some support; hopefully enough of that will come for those kids to have a Christmas, and the families heat, clothing, blankets, food, educational materials, etc. this year.

If you guys can manage to send anything, it'd be great.

You're wonderful, and I appreciate your help so much.

I do this all year, sending whatever I can. I've probably shipped somewhere around 150 handmade blankets up there this year so far. It's not much, and I feel so helpless. There but for the grace of God, and all that. I'm lucky that the Choctaw are a prosperous tribe, for one thing, and that I didn't grow up in the midst of all the despair that is so common on the rez.

I've also "adopted" an elderly home on another rez, and I'm doing what I can to make their Christmas a little better.

You getting the word out means so much to me! I often feel very alone in trying to turn the tide, and now I don't.

 

[AppleBiter]

I give blood to the American Red Cross, clothes to the Salvation army, and money to Mothers Against Drunk Driving. This year, though, I'm thinking of giving my clothes to the local youth crisis center, instead of the Salvation Army. *shrugs* Those are my charities, anyway.

As far as when I give . . . I give any time of the year.

 

[SweetErika]

You're wonderful, and I appreciate your help so much.

I do this all year, sending whatever I can. I've probably shipped somewhere around 150 handmade blankets up there this year so far. It's not much, and I feel so helpless. There but for the grace of God, and all that. I'm lucky that the Choctaw are a prosperous tribe, for one thing, and that I didn't grow up in the midst of all the despair that is so common on the rez.

I've also "adopted" an elderly home on another rez, and I'm doing what I can to make their Christmas a little better.

You getting the word out means so much to me! I often feel very alone in trying to turn the tide, and now I don't.

I hope you give yourself A LOT of credit both for what you do and for inspiring others to take action...neither are small feats.

And I think all too often good works are limited to the holidays and rare occasions like major disasters; this thread is a wonderful reminder that's not the case with many in this community.

 

[EndCredits]

Toys for Tots, every year without fail.

 

[DLL]

Do you give time, money, or goods to individuals or charitable organizations during the holiday season?

Or, do you prefer to give at other times of the year instead? Or both?

If so, what type of people or which charities? Why did you choose them? What do you give?

I do give to the New York Firefighter 9-11 Disaster Relief Fund we lost friends that day both firefighters and a good friend at canter..and my children feel very strongly about giving as do we...
We also every year "adopt" a family and send gifts that are on their wish lists thats something that makes us all feel good..its something my children can participate in and shows them the true meaning of christmas is to give from the heart...

 

[SaraClarisse]

My husband and I give most of our monetary-type contributions to a program called "Second Chance," run by his parents through their synagogue. They basically work with a couple of homeless families every year. They set each family up with a rent-paid, modestly furnished apartment, job interview clothes, a mentor, etc. I know his folks will use the money well, and they work hard to keep the program going -- moving furniture, cleaning and scrubbing so each family has a nice place to set up home, and of course, campaigning for contributions to pay the rents and buy household items.

I've never had a garage sale because I prefer to give gently-used items (or never-used, unloved gifts) to the Easter Seals truck when it comes around, 3-4 times a year. Hey, they make it easy...picking the goods up at your door and leaving your house a little tidier.

I will give a bit more during the holidays. Toys-for-Tots is fun, since I don't have any kids of my own to buy for. If I need to pass a toystore around the holiday, Toys-for-Tots is almost guaranteed some My Little Ponies and some Legos.

And of course, the Salvation Army buckets...I'll give my spare change, and I've served as a bell-ringer myself to encourage others to give theirs. I've been amazed and pleased by how many people do give, and how generously and cheerfully even during a bad economy. I tried not to glance at the amounts going into the slot so no one felt uncomfortable, but couldn't help noticing one guy tucking in a $50 bill.

 

[HoldenMcCrank]

Well lets see

Christmas time we do the Toys for Tots. Our kids think it is really neat that we give them money that they themselves can decide how to spend. This year and some other years past my wife class has adopted a family or two and filled there christmas wish list (this via the Salvation Army application process). Then through out the year the main charity that we give to is the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Over the last 4 years our family and another local family have helped to raise a very large sum of money(the amount isn't relative) for the CF Foundation. Working for (indirectly - not on payroll) for a non profit group is an enlightning experience. Before working with the CF Foundation I would just write out a check and think I have done my part. That is so not how it works. Not that that is bad but there is so much more that everyone could do to help. Next time you are writing out that check ask yourself this. What does this organazation need other then money? What skill do I have that they might be able to use. Ask yourself could I give more of myself?

Then there are the school fundraisers which are getting to be too many too often here. But we still donate to them just less each time because next week there will be someone else asking for their fund raiser.

HO HO HO Holden

 

[SweetErika]

Christmas time we do the Toys for Tots. Our kids think it is really neat that we give them money that they themselves can decide how to spend. This year and some other years past my wife class has adopted a family or two and filled there christmas wish list (this via the Salvation Army application process). Then through out the year the main charity that we give to is the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Over the last 4 years our family and another local family have helped to raise a very large sum of money(the amount isn't relative) for the CF Foundation. Working for (indirectly - not on payroll) for a non profit group is an enlightning experience. Before working with the CF Foundation I would just write out a check and think I have done my part. That is so not how it works. Not that that is bad but there is so much more that everyone could do to help. Next time you are writing out that check ask yourself this. What does this organazation need other then money? What skill do I have that they might be able to use. Ask yourself could I give more of myself?

Then there are the school fundraisers which are getting to be too many too often here. But we still donate to them just less each time because next week there will be someone else asking for their fund raiser.

HO HO HO Holden

Great point, Holden. I've heard a lot of people say, "I just don't have the money to give," and have even said it myself at times. However, just about everyone has some time, skill, clothing, a can of food, and this thread has helped me see a lot of those non-monetary things I can do to help out.

Thanks for doing all you do.

 

[Guest]

 

[david_42]

I rarely contribute to charities. I know way too much about the internal working of non-profits. I did send money to the vet school that was coordinating the animal rescue after Katrina. I didn't do it to make myself feel good and certainly the animals will never know who helped.

 

[SweetErika]

This past weekend I pick couple tags off a tree, each had a gift request from children of needy families. (I can't seem to find a decent fire truck though....most are plastic and I'd like to find a metal one. Damn it, I might just have to go to that house of horrors, toys r us.)

Anyway, every year when I do this, I get mixed emotions because I start thinking I do it so I can feel good, instead of to make someone else feel good. Does anyone else ever feel this way?

I don't know, guess I have to look at it as we both benefit.

I've thought about that too, but as you said, it's mutual. Like sex, there's nothing wrong with getting a lot of enjoyment out of giving someone pleasure. *groan*