Charities

Whom to give to? Everybody wants donations. Church? Private schools? The poor? Those sad-eyed dogs on TV? What is behind some donations? A leg up, perhaps? This is where my world turns black and white. Donating money is serious business for me. I don't have a lot, but when I give—I give with my heart. Donating to private schools and pet projects is all well and good, but these are not what you think of when you hear the word "charity."

During the holidays, I buy food for the Long Island Harvest group, which distributes holiday dinners locally to the have-nots. Disaster funds always get a response. Vaccines go to third-world nations on my dollars. But I have to say the best is a group who donates goats to families. The children get milk. The mom can make and sell yogurt. When a goat gives birth, the kid is donated to another family. It is a gift that keeps on giving. There are several charities that gift livestock. Church groups would do well to contribute to this type of charity. If 200 people donate a dollar apiece, you could donate a goat.

It is unbelievable to me, the amounts of money people who donate to alma maters. Really? Children are starving. There are people who don't have potable water! Yet people have libraries and hospital wings dedicated to themselves for their large donations. If your goal is to be remembered for something great, why not clean up the water supply in a village or slum? What about hospital programs for children with cancer? What about the poor?

People donate to their churches, temples, mosques and that's okay if they need a new roof. But what about people who donate to palatial glass churches so they can what, earn God-points? I don't think anyone's God cares if you worship in a crystal palace or on your back steps. Yes, religious organizations give to charities, but what else is the money going to? Giving to large organized highly rated charities puts help where it is needed most. There are places online that rate charities and will break down how much of your dollar goes to administration costs and how much goes to hungry mouths. Just think what could be done if every person was asked to donate a dollar from his or her tax return to a choice of institutions. That would be 293 million dollars to charities (according to the latest IRS figures.)

Chloe is my 10-year-old Cavalier. I love dogs. But I'll be damned if I would donate to a dog fund when people need help to save their lives. I had a student once whose mother killed herself. He was left to live with his alcoholic grandmother. He had no winter coat and no clothes that fit. His sleeves were six inches too short, and his pants looked like they were waiting for the flood. We, his teachers, decided we would give him a music award which was money we donated. One of us took him shopping and let him pick out some things he needed. He bought underwear, pants, and a coat. One woman wouldn't chip in because she said she only donated to animal shelters. She spent her off-time rescuing dogs, but couldn't be bothered rescuing a young boy she knew well. This was a human being in dire need. There was only one moral choice and she didn't take it. Animal rescue programs ask for about sixty-five cents a day. There are groups that provide amenities to kids for thirty-five cents per day. There are drug stores that will vaccinate a deserving child if you go there for your flu shot, food companies that give their profits to the poor, one company promises pure drinking water if you buy one of their glasses. Donate to charities. Even if it is a small amount, it will make a difference. It is a teachable moment for your own families; one person CAN make a difference, in some places for no cost at all. Make a moral choice!