In which we talk about good causes
Everybody's thoughts turn to giving at this time of year, so I thought I'd share my favorite causes.
Always and forever, the Heifer Project holds a special place in my heart. When we first began our charitable donations, many organizations seemed less than eager to accept the tiny amounts of money we were able to give, but Heifer was different. They thanked us as graciously for our $10 donations as if we'd given them thousands, and always made us feel as if every dollar we sent made a difference. If you haven't checked out Heifer, please drop by their website and read some of the stories. In a nutshell, they establish programs to give livestock to needy families and teach them how to prosper from that single gift of an animal. You can purchase a share of an animal if that's as far as your budget will stretch, or you can donate an entire ark. Lovers of bees and knitters will also appreciate the gifts of hives and fiber animals.
Lately, our local news has been full of stories about the empty shelves at local food banks. I'm sure our town is no different from yours. An extra canned good or package of pasta every time you step into the store is a pretty painless way to contribute. Use 2-for-1 specials or coupons to make it even easier; just stockpile the extra until you have a bag to drop off at your area food bank or shelter. Many organizations also take donations of coats, jackets, work pants, blankets, etc. that they are able to distribute with food, so be sure to check. Also, don't forget the pets. Record numbers of folks have found it difficult to feed their pets this year, so grab a bag of dog food or even a few cans of cat food while you're shopping and check ahead of time to make sure your shelter accepts donations of pet food. We are lucky enough to have one such organization here in my town where warm clothing, food, and pet supplies can be found in one spot. Other organizations prefer cash, so if you are strapped for time but have a little extra money, you can still make a difference.
Speaking of which, your local animal shelter is probably more than happy to receive donations of food and bedding--call ahead to find out what they need.
Another of our favorite causes is the Barnes and Noble gift tree. Shoppers take a gift tag with the age and gender of a child who would appreciate a book for Christmas, make their selections to purchase, and the B&N staff takes care of the rest. There are few more wonderful gifts to an imaginative child than a book of their very own, and for an impoverished child, a book that belongs to them might be an unimaginable luxury.
What are your favorite causes, dear readers?
Always and forever, the Heifer Project holds a special place in my heart. When we first began our charitable donations, many organizations seemed less than eager to accept the tiny amounts of money we were able to give, but Heifer was different. They thanked us as graciously for our $10 donations as if we'd given them thousands, and always made us feel as if every dollar we sent made a difference. If you haven't checked out Heifer, please drop by their website and read some of the stories. In a nutshell, they establish programs to give livestock to needy families and teach them how to prosper from that single gift of an animal. You can purchase a share of an animal if that's as far as your budget will stretch, or you can donate an entire ark. Lovers of bees and knitters will also appreciate the gifts of hives and fiber animals.
Lately, our local news has been full of stories about the empty shelves at local food banks. I'm sure our town is no different from yours. An extra canned good or package of pasta every time you step into the store is a pretty painless way to contribute. Use 2-for-1 specials or coupons to make it even easier; just stockpile the extra until you have a bag to drop off at your area food bank or shelter. Many organizations also take donations of coats, jackets, work pants, blankets, etc. that they are able to distribute with food, so be sure to check. Also, don't forget the pets. Record numbers of folks have found it difficult to feed their pets this year, so grab a bag of dog food or even a few cans of cat food while you're shopping and check ahead of time to make sure your shelter accepts donations of pet food. We are lucky enough to have one such organization here in my town where warm clothing, food, and pet supplies can be found in one spot. Other organizations prefer cash, so if you are strapped for time but have a little extra money, you can still make a difference.
Speaking of which, your local animal shelter is probably more than happy to receive donations of food and bedding--call ahead to find out what they need.
Another of our favorite causes is the Barnes and Noble gift tree. Shoppers take a gift tag with the age and gender of a child who would appreciate a book for Christmas, make their selections to purchase, and the B&N staff takes care of the rest. There are few more wonderful gifts to an imaginative child than a book of their very own, and for an impoverished child, a book that belongs to them might be an unimaginable luxury.
What are your favorite causes, dear readers?
Labels: doing good, holidays
posted by deanna at
6:45 AM
10 Comments:
I adore Heifer and make a donation each year in memory of my son who not only loved animals but was a teenage advocate for those in need.
I work for a hospice which also has a thrift shop as part of its community outreach program; they gather the sheets, towels, blankets and bedcovers that for one reason or another (maybe a small stain, or tear) cannot be carried in the shop and donate them to our local no-kill animal shelter ... I take that kind of stuff (and clothes, shoes, coats) to them.
Sometimes one of the most precious gifts we can give is the gift of our time: volunteering at a soup kitchen, cleaning cages at the zoo, mentoring a young boy or girl, or participating in a self-help group such as Compassionate Friends (which is a very giving/receiving kind of thing ... but aren't they all!). ^_^
Thank you for bringing this up and reminding us what this season - all seasons, really - is really about. Bright Blessings to you!
Journey
We are buying a goat for a family in Malawi. Then we are donating to a local fund that is given to families on the financial edge and spent in our town. Everyone wins with that. We are donating $100 this year. In two years ( we use the Dave Ramsey plan) we will be able to quadruple that. I cannot wait to be able to give more. Animal charities are the closest to my heart, so once we can give more that is where it will be going.
As an FYI if you shop at Trader Joes they have a donation box right in the store, and so you can shop and donate, without giving yourself the extra errand of dropping food off.
Mike and I have given goats through Heifer! What an amazing organization.
Hi Deanna- Just testing. Missi
Great, my account works. The Heifer catalog came to my house. It does look like a great organization. I've recently donated to local food banks and Samaritan's Purse. My next goal for giving is PBS, NPR, and our local Christian music radio station.
In reference to convents, I also am intrigued with them. There is one in Maryland that my mom and I visited because they sell items made by the nuns. I imagine a peaceful weekend of silence in wooded surroundings.
I had never heard of this Heifer Project before but now, I have to say I glad you told me. My family and I became involved with St. Jude after my grandfather passed away-cancer is horrible enough but children with cancer...unbearable.
Heifer.org is one of my favorites, as is Kiva.org, especially since one can make micro-loans to women to help them establish small businesses.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for mentioning the Barnes & Noble book drives! I work in the children's department at a B&N in southern Ohio, and one year I got to go to the Christmas party where my store's benefiting charity, the county Big Brothers and Big Sisters organization, gave the books to the children who are members of their program. Oh, the looks on their faces! I have seldom seen children so excited to get a book! It was the first time that many of them had ever owned a new book of their own, and they were thrilled to get a real Harry Potter book, or a book about ponies, or Star Wars, and they went running over to their mentor, asking if they'd help them sound the words out. Every time I think of their beaming faces and laughter it makes me tear up. Sponsoring the book drive program is absolutely the coolest thing that the booksellers at my store get to do all year long.
If you don't have a B&N near you, there are other ways to give books, too! A lot of Half Price book stores do book drives for various charities (the one near me collects books for our local Children's Hospital), and I'm sure other bookstores must as well. And school libraries and community libraries are always thrilled to get donations-- a lot of them have wish lists of books that they'd like to have in their collections. That would be an indelible legacy to the children of your community-- I know I'm not alone when I say that the library literally rescued me when I was young.
Okay-- down off the soap box now. Don't you just adore the holidays, though? People are so generous during them. And if I work retail and I say that, then you know it must be true! :-)
Meredith B.
Heifer, definitely. I have a link on my blog, and I blog about it a few times a year. Usually, I buy beehives as gifts and morale-boosters for myself, but this year I've been doing trees.
Heifer and Kiva are two of my favorites.. I keep adding to my Kiva account each time money comes in to put it back out there right away.. But I've neglected Heifer lately.. Thanks for the reminder to go back and send more..
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