Mon 15 Dec 2008
Photo by Mr Kris
I got this idea while reading the blog Green Style Mom and it’s a dandy - so I’m shamelessly appropriating it for myself and expanding on it. And check out her blog, too - it’s interesting and fun.
So many people are worried about the economy, and non-profit organizations say donations are way down this year, so I’m going to join Green Style Mom in giving a little back. And you can help.
Sharpen your (figurative) pencil, hit the comment button, and share your thoughts about giving and which charity you choose to support. For every comment left on this post (up to a maximum of 500), I’ll donate $1 to the charity of the winner’s choice*. I’ll close the comments out on Sunday, Dec 21st, at 6 PM ET, randomly choose the winner, and make the donation—just in time for Christmas!
I’m challenging my fellow bloggers to participate—let’s make this a global blogging initiative and really make a difference. To kick it off, I’m tagging some of my favorite bloggers and asking that you share this with your readers, and think about setting up your own “give back” campaign.
The Blog Squad
Joan Stewart
Steve Roesler
Phil Gerbyshak
Drew Rozell
Andy Wibbels
MomGenerations
Scott Young
Steve Wright
Joanna Young
Marte Cliff
Pass it along!
* The charity must be a nonprofit and must be legit “ with a current, valid 501 c(3) designation from Internal Revenue Service—and be eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions under section 170 of the IRS code; or, must be a verifiable charitable fund (no “buymeaporsche.org”). I reserve the right to refuse comments that are inappropriate.
My Facebook
December 15th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Hi Joan,
I help run this charity in the UK , are we eligible?
http://www.OneVoiceForFreedom.org
THanks.
May
December 15th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
i think it is so important to share with others, not only in this season. we’re supporting the merasi school, which trains 36th generation low-caste merasi for a better life, through their musical heritage. truly, saving kids lives.
good for you – GREAT project!!
December 15th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
May—
If I can donate with a US credit card or through PayPal, it’s no problem! Glad to have you aboard!
Joan
December 15th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Hi Joan – great idea. I have a lot of causes I care about – traditionally it’s been animal rescue.
But right now I’m working to get the word out about a problem that affects far more families than most people realize: Domestic Abuse.
The Battered Mother’s Resource Fund is a nation-wide hotline that helps mothers find a shelter where they can take the kids along when they escape. This is important because many shelters take the women only – and many women fear too much for their children to leave them behind.
That may be a big part of the reason why 10 women are killed by their partners EVERY DAY in the U.S. Add to that the number who suffer black eyes and broken bones… and you know they need a way to escape with the kids.
Often emergency room personnel and law enforcement don’t even know where to find these safe places, but the volunteers at BMRF do.
The problem is, the hotline has been funded by BMRF’s director – and he has suffered major health setbacks this year that prevent him from working. Thus, his pockets are empty!
To learn more, and to donate, please visit http://www.batteredmothers.com.
December 15th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Joan:
Nice to hear from you. This is an excellent idea. The charity I am trying to help is the USO (www.uso.org). The families of those serving overseas face unique challenges under the best of circumstances. But the holidays are particularly tough both financially and emotionally. I encourage everyone to be thoughtful of those families who have parents in harm’s way ths Season.
But, nowadays, with requests coming from all directions and we find ourselves saying, “There is only so much I can give, I’m reminded of my parents who, not having much to start with, found a way to stretch their giving potential. Once a month they used the “two-for-one” coupons when going grocery shopping and gave the second to the local food bank instead of pocketing the savings themselves. Instead of giving just a couple items they filled entire shopping bags.
Happy Holidays,
Rick O’Sulllivan
December 15th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
I volunteer at an inner city school in Baltimore, MD and plan to donate little token gifts to the students I teach. They have already given to me with their zest for life
P.S. Great Danes Rule.
December 15th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
There are so many charities. I contribute where I can but only have so much to spend. I’m really glad I found a place where I can sponsor a child simply by switching brands on the things I already buy. It feels really good to touch the life of a real child. Check it out at http://www.TrivaniJoanne.com
December 16th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Great idea, Joan! I donate to the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes has had a tremendous impact on my life as it has affected the health of several family members.
Happy Holiday and good health to all,
Suzette
December 16th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Yours is a great idea, Joan. Thanks for expressing the real heart of Christmas.
As you say above, many are concerned about the world-wide economy? And here is something the press won’t be covering.
There are some companies that are having their best year despite a recession that’s been with us for a year and seems to be turning into a full-blown depression.
A changing economy brings deep challenges for some and major opportunities for others.
For example, last year – globally – Dr. D. James Kennedy’s Evangelism Explosion (EE)team had a fantastic year.
They completed over 1,100 ‘Leadership Training Clinics’, equipped more than 225,000 men and women, and saw over 5,100,000 professions of faith in Christ.
If your readers are interested in this form of significant outreach ministry, they can get involved or help. For example, anyone can make a very significant difference in the lives of millions worldwide as EE begins raising $600,000 to help strengthen Evangelism Explosion’s top leadership globally.
Folks can find out more at .
Hopefully, many will consider giving a tax deductible gift to this “true charity”.
Jesus is the reason for the season! And “charity” originally meant love!
Blessings,
@GaryFPatton in Toronto
December 17th, 2008 at 11:47 am
Low vision isn’t life threatening but it is life altering. I am president of Low Vision Center (LVC) located in Bethesda, Md near the Metro. We are about to enter our 30th year of commitment to the community.
I became involved with the org. as my mother suffers with severe Macular Degeneration. LVC services are FREE with appt. It’s an opportunity to learn about some non-medical equipment (for example: CCTVs, magnifiers, check & letter writing guides, playing cards, talking watches and clocks)& obtain useful info (like how to properly light a space, put “bumps” on keyboards, oven & washer/dryer to locate routine settings) in an apartment setting to help those with low vision live easier. LVC does not do any testing or evaluating.
Please refer everyone you know with low vision to our website http://www.lowvisioninfo.org. or call 301.951.4444 for an appointment. We may be able to provide them with some ways to enhance their lives. All donations are gratefully accepted.
Joan, this is wonderful. But I know you. You are getting so much from the act of giving and informing us. It says a lot about the person you are! Happy Holidays to all! Gratefully, sss
December 17th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
The organization I have focused most this year is The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. This particular organization is working on a cure for blood cancers as well as helping to improve the quality of life for individuals living with cancer.
In just one year, among my immediate circle, several family members and a few friends and associates have been diagnosed with some form of blood cancer. For some of my loved ones, there is no cure.
Someone is diagnosed with blood cancer every 5 minutes. Every ten minutes, a child or adult is expected to die from leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma. This statistic represents nearly 145 people each day or six people every hour. Leukemia causes more deaths than any other cancer among children and young adults under the age of 20. See http://www.lls.org/hm_lls for more information.
This is a terrific thing you’re doing, Joan. Thank you.
December 17th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
My favorite charity is the SPCA. As I wrote on facebook, nothing makes a bummer-of-a-day better than the wagging tale of a dog, a meow greeting from a kitty, and just the wonderfulness of love a pet offers on good days, bad days, and all of those in-between days. People who help animals lovingly deserve to be supported. Happy Holidays!
December 18th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
My primary charity, that I’ve been supporting with a monthly contribution for years, is Doctors without Borders: http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/
I also support NPR through my local radio station and though it’s not a charity, I make micro loans to entrepreneurs in developing countries through http://www.kiva.org
And, now I think I have a new organization to add to my list: Womens Bean Project, an organization helping women break the cycle of poverty by giving them job skills. Saw a piece about them on the News Hour and was incredibly impressed and moved by their successes. http://www.womensbeanproject.com/index.html
Great idea, Joan. Look forward to hearing which charity you pick.
Blog on!
December 18th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
magdrl.org, of course!
December 20th, 2008 at 2:49 am
Hopefully, all who comment do read the other comments, because I have a free offer for them.
I have a Fundraising Primer that I sell on my site.
But from now until the end of the year, everyone coming from your site can get it at NO CHARGE. All they need to do is send an email to mailto:fundraisingsuccess@getresponse.com
The Primer will help them write a good appeal and give other tips for successful fundraising.
I wrote it because so many small non-profits don’t have a budget for hiring a writer – but also don’t have any volunteers who have studied the psychology behind successful letters.
Feel free to pass this offer along however you choose. It will be good until January 1.
Much success to all,
Marte
December 20th, 2008 at 9:46 am
Joan, what a very generous and unselfish thing to do. MY Charity of choice is MAGDRL and such a wonderful cause it is. It makes my heart sing every time I get to help in some way. I thank the Lord every day for my three beautiful Great Danes and the love they bestow upon us.
Thank you again for this chance.
Happy Holidays
December 20th, 2008 at 10:00 am
Several years ago I was in Las Vegason on a businss trip. One morning as I entered the skywalk between several opulent hotels, I encountered a homeless man.
The man was sitting on the curb and surprisingly, he had an adult dog with him. The dog looked relatively healthy and clearly loved his owner, despite their circumstances. This sight made me realize that the significance of our lives extends beyond the material goods we accumulate; it is the connections we make with other living things that truly defines our humanity.
This year more than ever I am thankful for all that I have, but even more for those I love and who love me. Jupiter, Merlot, and Savannah are the center of my universe, so I vote to donate proceeds from this effort to MAGDRL.
Happy Holidays!
December 20th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
choose me, choose me
http://www.mustardseedmigrantministry.org
much love,
d
December 20th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
My charity of choice is Mid Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League. Right now with the economy so tough, many people have chosen to turn their Danes into rescue or animal control due to financial constraints. We are seeing an enormous amount of emaciated and unhealthy Danes coming into rescue. My heart goes out to the special needs Danes the most.
Seasons Grrrreatings!!
Jenny and the Z Pack in NC
Zoe, Zeke, Zane, Daizy Lu, and Zala Bu
December 20th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
What a great idea Joan.
My sister is 40 yrs old and has Down Syndrome. She lives in a wonderful community at http://www.5starind.com and they haven’t received Illinois state funding in 3 years. They may have to close their doors come February/March. I am working on a campaign with them and would LOVE your support. 70 mentally handicapped people will become homeless and most have no family. Truly tragic, thanks to Rod Blagojevich:(
Thank you Joan. Happy holidays!
December 21st, 2008 at 8:16 am
http://www.kiva.org/ is our charity of choice. It supports small business people in developing countries by giving out loans to start or improve a business. The loan is repaid and lent out again – asmall amount of money goes a long way and we have the pleasure of watching our money work.
December 21st, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Hi Joan,
This is a wonderful thing that you are doing.
I support the MSPCA http://www.MSPCA.org
Many Blessings,
Leah
December 21st, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Hi Joan,
My charity of choice is an organization that supports research on MS. I have a very dear friend that suffers from this disease and there is no cure. Every month she gets infusions which help with the symptoms but make her very ill for two days afterwords. I have watched her suffer through these treatments and it is heartbreaking. Thanks for doing this. Karen
The Nancy Davis Foundation for Multiple Sclerosis
http://www.erasems.org/index.php?page=donation.html
December 21st, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Thanks to everyone who participated—I am so thankful for you all.
I ran the random number generator, and I’m pleased to announce that the winning number was 6, so Linda Long and the Baltimore inner city school she volunteers at are going to get a $100 donation.
All of these charities that were listed deserve your attention, so please take a look at them and consider doing some end-of-the year giving of your own.
Have a very happy holiday and a joyous and abundant New Year!
December 22nd, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Hi, looks like I am too late for the charity event but I would like to tell everyone about my project anyway so that they might spread the word— I am setting up a program at my non-profit hospital in transplant ethics to help patients and families in the areas of organ donation and transplantation. See http://www.transplantethics.com All consults are free of charge.
Happy Holidays to everyone.
December 23rd, 2008 at 11:24 am
Katrina—
I’m sorry you missed the event, but thank you very much for adding your organization’s info. You’re doing much-needed, often-overlooked work. Best wishes to you.