I'm curious, What charities or gifts are you giving to this year?

[winniegirl]

So many wonderful ones out there: Salvation Army for sure, Humane Society, The Heifer Project, and of course any group that supports our Troops, all good

One that holds a special place in our heart is Love Without Boundaries see www.lovewithoutboundaries.com Only been around about 5 years, but they have provided many lifesaving surgeries to children in China with heart defects, cleft lip and cleft palate.

Also nutrition and education to the nannies who care for those children. Without the knowledge about how to feed a cleft baby and the special cleft baby bottles, many of those children wouldn't survive in the orphanage. LWB has provided many, many children with special needs the chance for adoption.

And did I mention FOSTER CARE PROGRAMS?? Read about them on their site, it's amazing! And, they are so thankful for even the smallest donation!!!! I could go on and on, perhaps I will in another post

We are thankful for LWB for another special reason!! Our youngest is adopted from China and has a heart defect, but thankfully does not need surgery at this time. LWB gave DH and I the info we needed to be able to make the decision to adopt her, She's only been here 8 months but we CAN'T even remember our family without her!!

 

[wyliefarms]

What a cutie! Adoption is such a wonderful thing.

 

[BayCityBabe]

I give - and volunteer - to help our local domestic violence shelters and our state domestic violence coalition. Federal funds to these programs have been slashed in the past decade. Local funding from county United Way organizations has also decreased. Of course, here in Michigan, United Way offices are not able to conduct the big workplace campaigns that were possible in the past. However, I also get the sense that lately, there is less empathy for victims of violence and their children. Have "we" become so coldhearted? I am happy to read that BYCers are generous.

 

[spook]

Quote:
Well, I didn't mean for it to sound like a gift snob either-lol.
We do buy for the Christmas for kids in our area, where you buy a toy, clothes, hats etc, for a child-teenager in poverty settings. Also, we do give all the goodies to elders that we know that are not able to get out or they are childless. If I know someone has a hard time with cooking, I'll make a big turkey and stuff, give them freezer bags for their own use.
So its just a matter of yes, we have everything we need too, but for the sake of my nephew going through bankrupcy, we will not cause a burden or make them feel bad about no gifts.
And the oar going in circles, AMEN! lol!!!!

 

[Sunny Side Up]

We just heard our first Salvation Army bell-ringer for this Christmas season! I think this organization does great work, and their bell-ringers add a note of holiday festiveness to the air. I'm always looking for ways to get my kids thinking other-ly during the holidays, and they've learned to get all excited when they hear a bell-ringer. I keep a roll of quarters in my bag and give them each a coin whenever we see the kettles. They're instructed to not only drop in the coin but to look the ringer in the eyes, smile and wish them "Merry Christmas and God bless you!" I'm glad to give to Salvation Army and in turn they have helped teach my children to be cheerful givers.

 

[AngieChick]

We are donating to our local food bank. Also, I am asking that friends and family donate to a fund to aid in the legal battle against Proposition 8 in California instead of giving me a gift for Christmas, in honor and support of my beloved brother.

 

[AussieSharon]

I have sponsored 2 familys through The Box Project and send each a carepackage every month (been doing it for 7 years now) One family is a single Mother on the Pine Ridge Reservation in SD. The other a Grandmother who is raising her grandaughter by herself in rural MS.

As a family we also write out 200+ Christmas cards and send them to our deployed heroes to let them know they are not forgotten. Especially during the holidays.

 

[Stumpy]

Usually the same every year; a few different Christian ministries, plus a veterans' group or two.

 

[spook]

You know...after the charity begins at home...when I do see Salvation Army, Veterans, our local No Kill Cat Shelter, I will reach down to the bottom of my purse, what ever is there, they get. So I don't know how much I'm passing out because I don't keep track of the change, only the paper money!
When I see those giving blood at the Red Cross I always stop and Thank them for their work and encourage people to donate. I cannot due to medications and medical issues, but I had 2 blood transfusions a number of years ago now and it was life and death.
Donating our time is often more appreciated then just dollars. Those few minutes of filling shoe boxes through the year is such a beautiful idea. Giving pencils to a school, erasers, or a box of paper for your child's classroom. What beautiful ideas you all have! Just amazing, thank you for reminding me that I do give where I can.
Like I said prior to, I give what I can of myself, be it a dozen eggs, a hug or working in the psychic area free for missing persons, hospice and those that have lost loved ones. It does not cost you a thing to be a decent neighbor.
Many blessings to you!

 

[Guinea Goonie]

Years ago I gave to the childerns christian thingy. About 3 years into it I found out the founding fathers of the village were taking all the money and nothing went to the kid I was supporting. I gave up giving money to HUMANS. So now I only give to the ASPCA and the local animal shelter. I will give to equisearch this year only.