Do you give money to causes you believe in? Which ones?

i'm trying to, more and more.

i gave money at least three times this year, probably more than i've ever donated before.

the biggest donation i made this year was to the ASPCA, because i believe in what they do, because i think they actually provide visible and positive results with the money they're given, and because i've yet to hear a nasty word about the organization.

i also donated to a friend who was in a bowl-off for a pro-choice organization, partially to support my friend, partially because i believe in the cause, and partially because i work with a bunch of uber-conservatives and it was a way for me to blow off some much needed steam. so TAKE THAT, ya neocons!

i also donated a little bit to an animal farm sanctuary that takes care of rescued farm animals, just because...damn. how could i not?

there are other little things i will do for charity, like buy merchandise that has proceeds going to good causes. i highly suggest the 2008 best american non-required reading anthology because all the proceeds go to a teen literacy organization. and it's a cool book.

i'd like to do more sometime. i think it's entirely possible to do good things for charity and have fun doing it, and i'd like to think of something along those lines. one day i'll figure it out.

I sponsored a child a few years ago, but had to stop, because it was weird us giving money to this stranger, when my husband has several relatives living in shanty towns, way below the poverty line

ZombieKitten said:

Do you ever give them money to help out, or would that be getting in too deep?

Anxiety said:

You mean, like volunteering or riding in a bike-a-thon?

I have been trained to "tithe" a portion of my income, and once I started, it feels un-dharmic to keep all my earnings without giving any back. I don't give much, but then I don't make much. Here's what I do:

1) Help support my spiritual organization by donating a small monthly pledge
2) Donate to the National Park Foundation (because darn it, I love em, and having traveled around the world, I am amazed by how this federal organization honors and preserves its natural resources. I think it's one of America's finest achievements. They do a great job welcoming visitors to wilderness areas without spoiling the wilderness )
3) Become a member of arts and other organizations
4) Pick and choose a cause once in a while and send them a check. It's fun!

heartbeatocean said:

My husband said we can't afford to help them all, and it would really start trouble if we only helped a couple. Which is where I thought at least we could help SOMEONE with a sponsor child but he read this kid's bio and said we can't, because that kid is already pretty OK, goes to school, had a real roof over his head and everything, when HIS family is way worse off the argument keeps going around in a cirle without us doing anything.

ZombieKitten said:

Hmm...yeah. That sounds kind of painful. Maybe you could donate to an organization that could help his family or to their community or school, without them actually knowing? It's not just about who gets the donation, but the act of giving is very healthy methinks. Good for ourselves and our souls.

heartbeatocean said:

I think I would have to form the orgnisation and police it myself corruption is rile down there, every man for himself. They collected some money to improve the roads there once, and then the guy who collected it ran off with it.

I give my time, rather then my money. I volunteer countless hours to my daughters private school. I am the chair-woman for the annual harvest festival, and I am on the board for the annual auction. I enjoy meeting all the parents, and workiing with the school's staff.

heartbeatocean said:

i've heard of people who start board game nights for charity, like scrabble or something like that. i would TOTALLY love to do something like that.

Anxiety said:

they have started a thing here called Girls Night In for breast cancer, where you invite all your girl friends over and collect together the money you would have spent had you all went out for dinner /clubs / etc. You could do something similar! BYO drinks & fingerfoods.

I have donated money to Children's Miracle Network, but mostly I volunteer to help raise money for CMN, through cookouts, racing, etc. It's always good fun for a great cause, sick children. Also, through my job, I donate a small portion of my paycheck that goes into an account for others who work for the company in critical need.

I give to the Minnesota AIDS project at least once a year, I've given to various politcal causes over the years like the National Organization for Women, Pro Choice Resources, Human Rights Campaign, etc. and I've given money for various diseases that friends were collecting for, breast cancer, MS and so on.

I was giving quite a bit 2004-2006, I've tightened up a bit over the last few years as I haven't had as much to give myself as the economy has changed.

wow, it's great to hear how you all give so much

i do a lot of volunteer work because i don't have the money to give away

we give monthly to Médecins Sans Frontières(doctors without borders)

i always support daffodil day (cancer council)
red nose day (SIDS)
69 roses appeal (cystic fibrosis)


and i buy heaps of raffle tickets