Charity - Page 2

littlecricket2 · #16 07-19-2005, 05:42 PM

I used to volunteer more of my time to various charities (when I was in college) but I don't as much anymore (time constraints).

I do donate to St. Jude's through an automatic payment once a month ($10 per month).

I donated to the American Red Cross after 9/11 and again after the tsunamis.

Pledged my friend who ran a marathon to benefit an organization that helps AIDS victims in the D.C. area.

I occasionally donate old clothes, and a few causes I'm considering in the near future:

Doctors without Borders (monetary donation)
Young at Heart Pet Rescue (a local pet rescue--donating some possessions and possibly volunteering for a fund-raising event or two,

--even though this probably won't amount to much, if feels good to actually be doing something again).

Someone mentioned charity being tax-deductible. Just wanted to mention that although this is true, a lot of us who don't make enough or who don't have enough assets or sources of income or whatever to bother with itemizing our taxes do not bother with the deductions, even though we donate to causes that are tax deductible.

Violet · #17 07-19-2005, 05:50 PM

Yearly I donate to St. Jude's and to my daughter's former orphanage in China. Occasional donations go to www.angelcovers.org, which helps children in orphanages around the world. They recently provided new cribs to my daughter's orphanage to try to help with the lead poisoning problem there.

Also the United Way, Humane Society, and I give clothes and household goods to Goodwill.

Carol

sparky · #18 07-19-2005, 08:21 PM

Local Fireman's Fund
Local COPS Fund

World Parrot Trust (My favorite and biggest - they buy forested Parrot Habitat and also train former parrot poachers to guide ecotours

This charity is in my friggin will.)

www.worldparrottrust.org

Sign the petition to stop wild caught parrot imports into the EU !

strandinthewind · #19 07-19-2005, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparky

Local Fireman's Fund
Local COPS Fund . . .

exactly what kind of support do you provide our boys in blue

sparky · #20 07-19-2005, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

exactly what kind of support do you provide our boys in blue

I think there's this video floating around called "Sparky at The Station"....

strandinthewind · #21 07-19-2005, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparky

I think there's this video floating around called "Sparky at The Station"....

You and Colin Farrell

BTW - has anyone seen ole Colin Farrell in the video - I looked on the net for it, but could not find it.

sara1998 · #22 07-19-2005, 08:49 PM

There's always a drive contributing to the children's charities where I work. I also do Clothe-a-Child activities at work. We raise money year round , and in the winter time, around Thanksgiving, we have a huge outing and take underprivledged children from our community to Great Times (kinda like Chuck E. Cheese; most of these children don't have the opportunity to ever go there) then we take them to Shoe Carnival and get them 2 or 3 pair of shoes, then we take them shopping for winter clothes. And I do mean a full wardrobe. It's awesome to see their little faces light up when you tell them, "yes, you CAN get that sweater if you want..." Prior to our outing, we're given a sheet with details of the child we sponser, and their dream toy they want for Christmas. So we go and buy that prior to the outing, and Santa gives it to them after our shopping trip. It really is an emotional and eye opening experience for me, and others as well. I cry every time I leave my "child."

amber · #23 07-19-2005, 08:57 PM

It's funny you posted this, I just called to volunteer at the Berkeley Shelter. They're no kill. It sounds all nice and good, but I could not be happier than if I was to hang out with animals all the time. It's like....free therapy. I actually can't wait. This will really coalesce my skills of "petting every dog I run into when I walk, and every cat who will come to me, too. I even talk to cats the won't come to me. I say 'whassup, Mr. Kitty? Are you being good? Yeeees...good kitty! You know, just to say 'hi'

'"
Look at what they need people to do! Could I be any more in heaven???

I can't really do the handyman stuff (although I suppose I could paint, or carry stuff) but the socializing of dogs and cats, and the help with dog obedience is right up my alley. Yeah, I can pet/train dogs and cats for my volunteer work.

Here's where my real skills can come into play!

Socialize and nurture dogs
This runs the gamut from just visiting and bringing treats, to feeding, walking and grooming. Training for volunteers is scheduled frequently and at convenient times.

Socialize and nurture cats through Cat Cuddling
Spend quiet "touch time" with our beautiful felines to make their stay at BEBHS as much like home as possible.

Foster program
Provide vital temporary care at home for a too-young kitten or a dog who needs to experience home life before adoption.

Obedience Class program
Help out at obedience classes as a training assistant.

Mobile adoptions
Help us transport and exhibit our animals in high-traffic public areas to maximize their exposure

Provide administrative support
Stuff envelopes, generate donor letters, etc.

Share your artistic talents
Design signs, brochures, take photos, create scrapbooks * help us make BEBHS more attractive and create materials that promote our mission in the community

Serve on the Board
Provide oversight and strategic direction, and raise money for BEBHS

Handypeople
Our building always needs fixing. Bring your tools and we’ll set you to work!

sparky · #24 07-19-2005, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

BTW - has anyone seen ole Colin Farrell in the video - I looked on the net for it, but could not find it.

I haven't seen it. But I would like to.

Chilly Willy · #25 07-19-2005, 10:32 PM

I do ASPCA, American Cancer Society and St. Judes. At my father's funeral we had envelopes for donations to St. Jude's and quite a few people wrote checks right there.

A good way to volunteer if you don't have a lot of time is to give blood. Nothing else has a higher benefit/time ratio. I've given every 8 weeks for over 25 years.

littlecricket2 · #26 07-19-2005, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chilly Willy

A good way to volunteer if you don't have a lot of time is to give blood. Nothing else has a higher benefit/time ratio. I've given every 8 weeks for over 25 years.

That is true, but unfortunately some of us can't give blood for some reason or other. For me, it's because I don't weigh enough. I'll just have to think of some other way to donate my time!

Miss Vicky · #27 07-19-2005, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GypsySorcerer

I've looked into giving to a few on your list - Surfrider and the Ocean Conservancy. Glad to see they're recommended.

You must have a thing for the ocean.

I was a little hesitant to give to Surfrider because they obviously have an alterior motive for protecting the beaches - so people can surf there - but I made a promise to someone that I would donate to that charity in return for a favor so I had to.

I suppose it doesn't really matter why a charity tries to protect something, just so long as it gets protected.

Miss Vicky · #28 07-19-2005, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littlecricket2

Someone mentioned charity being tax-deductible. Just wanted to mention that although this is true, a lot of us who don't make enough or who don't have enough assets or sources of income or whatever to bother with itemizing our taxes do not bother with the deductions, even though we donate to causes that are tax deductible.

I don't make much money either, which is exactly why I save all my receipts. Every little bit helps.

GypsySorcerer · #29 07-20-2005, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miss Vicky

You must have a thing for the ocean.

I was a little hesitant to give to Surfrider because they obviously have an alterior motive for protecting the beaches - so people can surf there - but I made a promise to someone that I would donate to that charity in return for a favor so I had to.

I suppose it doesn't really matter why a charity tries to protect something, just so long as it gets protected.

I do - I love the ocean.

I actually didn't know that about Surfrider. Hmmm.

Miss Vicky · #30 07-20-2005, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GypsySorcerer

I do - I love the ocean.

I actually didn't know that about Surfrider. Hmmm.

If you look at their website, they have links to surf reports and things like that. So my impression was that it seems to be a surfer's charity and the person I made the promise to is a big surfer. Also, if you look at their mission statement, it suggests as much. But, like I said, as long as the beaches get protected that's the important thing.