Hi Everyone,
Money is tight. We all know that. Most of us are tightening our belts and trying to think of ways to conserve. Anyway, I know I am. If we still have our homes, jobs, food, and enough money to pay our bills then we are the lucky ones.
During the holidays there are always charities like the Salvation army, Harvesters, Toys for Tots and various other organizations asking for help. All year long, we are bombarded with notices from cancer organizations needing money, churches, City Union Mission and so many more.
Do you give? Who do you decide to give to? We want to help everyone but there's only so much one person can do. I want to give to St. Jude's, cancer organizations, help feed the homeless, prevent child hunger, give to Save the World, to literacy, food pantries and many others.
Hubby and I give to three or four different organizations, which has been cut way back compared to what we used to do. We've had to cut back like everyone else. At the same time, we know how lucky we are. We are truly blessed because we have our home, furniture, heat, lights, food and enough money to get by on.
We still try to help others when we can. I have found a way to help several organizations just by clicking on a button using my computer. It only takes a few seconds every day to click on these organizations. I'm an animal lover so the very first one I started with was the Animal Rescue Site at http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/tpc/ERA_012711_ARS. Once you're in there you can click and then vote for the animal rescue site near you.
Once you finish you can click on the other sites found across the top of this site. Click on: Hunger, breast cancer, child hunger, literacy, and rain forest. This doesn't cost you a penny and you feel good because you're helping someone. I have the animal rescue site send me a reminder every day, so I won't forget. Thirty seconds out of your life every day and you're helping six organizations at no cost to you. I hope some of you will join me and help.
Have a great week and stay warm and safe.
Sandy
http://www.eirelander-publishing.com/
http://www.skaymarshall.com/
14 comments:
It's hard to decide what charities to support. We too have cut back, and now limit what charities we donate to. There are so many and it's hard to choose...but choose we must.
Hi, Sandy, around my area, we have homeless people, and my heart goes out to them. I help when i can.
I also click daily on the websites you refer to. I put in my planner to do this daily. This costs nothing but a minute of your time. Another way to give at little or no cost to you is to give of your time. Make it a family affair to serve a meal at a homeless shelter, sort or collect food for a food bank, save those coupons from box tops and cans of soup and give to a school. It is unfortunate you have to be so careful these days because not all charities are legitimate or give a big percentage to the clients. Since I retired, we limit to about 3 charities a year.
I give yearly to the United Way. If I was loaded with cash, I'd want to help the homeless and abused kids. It saddens me to see them go through pain!
Great post, Sandy. It's so important for us all to remember that as tough as the economy may be on us, there are others in even more dire straits. I give annually to the ASPCA then I try to support friends who do active fundraisers for many worthy charities through walks, bike rides, sport tournament, etc. I'm also a pushover for adding a few dollars to my grocery bill for United Way or March of Dimes or Special Olympics. Add in holiday donations to Salvation Army, collections by veterans or local police/fire departments--everyone needs a bit of help. I also give annually to food and school supply drives. At the same time, there are dozens of requests I must ignore each year because I cannot possibly support them all. But I try to do what I can.
Thank you, Marianne. Yes, we have to choose, but we also must help somewhere.
Laura,
We have homeless people around here, too. What's really sad is to see the children homeless. Most of those families with children can find shelters. Those who live under the bridges are mostly mentally ill and can't help themselves. It's a sad situation.
Thanks for your comment, Historical Writer.
Thank you for the suggestions, Belinda. They are good ones, and they make you feel good when you help by giving your time.
I know, K.T. I hate to see kids abused. They are so helpless.
Thank you for coming by.
Amy, thank you for your comment.
Doing what we can is more helpful than doing nothing. Even just those little clicks on the sites I wrote about is so helpful.
I always add food at the grocery store for our church pantry. My church is in the inner city, and we feed the homeless and elderly one hot meal every day. Many seniors live nearby but they just don't have enough money for a lot of food.
We give to our local organizations, such as the yearly cancer walk, firemen's Christmas baskets, veterans needs, etc. That way, we know the donations are going to local needs.
That's a good idea, LuAnn. Thanks for your comment.
I too feel very fortunate that I have all my needs met during these very difficult economic times. I donate frequently to our local crisis agencies right here in town; Domestic Violence, various churches, food pantries, senior centers. Trying to live more with less by passing items on in good condition. Thanks for the reminder.
PV
Anonymous,
Thank you for your comment.
I think those who can should help others even if it's only penny's at a time. I post this blog to give ways to those who may not have the money right now but can go to their library and use the internet. It's just a possibility, and I don't want anyone to think I'm critizing them if they can't.
There are times in everyone's life when they need help, and we should forward it on when we can.
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