As Year Draws to a Close, Support these (or other) Charities
As the year draws to a close, I, like many Americans, am making last-minute charitable contributions. Given my past donations, I seem to find myself on the lists of countless non-profits, many surely worthy cases. And while most make appeals, highlighting the problem they seek to address, the hard-sell of some often annoys me. As I was tidying my apartment earlier this week, I recycled (we can recycle paper in California) four 2007 calendars that arrived unsolicited.
I have drawers full of note pads and address labels — not to mention greeting cards. Yesterday, after mailing a donation to one veterans’ group, I returned home to receive yet another solicitation, the envelope informing me that my “personalized notepad and address labels [were] enclosed.” I didn’t order such labels — and was delighted to give without such a gift.
Some groups send me solicitations so frequently that I stopped giving. Others send out “Urgent” appeals on a regular basis. When I first started donating to Project Angel Food, an LA organization which delivers nutritious meals to people affected with HIV/AIDS and other serious illnesses, they would send me regular weekly mailings. I had donated to help provide food to sick people, not to receive more mail. Apparently, I was not the only contributor who did not welcome this volume of correspondence. The group has long since reduced the amount of mail they send out. And I have increased my contributions to that worthy organization — and encourage you to do the same.
Earlier in the week, Hugh Hewitt was promoting the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund which provides assistance to Marines injured in combat and training. This is another good group to support. Hugh also recommends Fisher House and Soldiers’ Angels, both of which I have supported in the past.
If your finances allow, please support one of these four groups — or other charities of your choice. If you do, you may well see an increase in the volume of your charitable solicitations. And what that may be burdensome, it may well provide further suggestions for future donations.
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I was just commenting on this…funny you should too. I gave a couple months ago to the United States Navy Veterans Association. The last week alone I have had at least 4 other charitable organizations call me asking if they can send me an envelope for a donation. I also got another call from the Vet’s Assoc. asking more more money. If I had had more time to think between his scripted request, I would have let him know that the association that hired him at the clearing house he worked for has turned me off to donating money to charities that call constantly at my home, since his association has obviously sold my information. If I had known that my info would’ve been sold, I wouldn’t have donated. I donate elsewhere and sponsor two children, and was doing this as an occasional thing, but not any more. And I DON’T appreciate the guilt trip they try to put on you…”we wouldn’t want these kids to not get presents this Christmas”…That’s not the way to get my pocketbook open.
Comment by rebel mama — December 29, 2006 @ 3:22 pm - December 29, 2006
Those are all great charities, to which I would add America’s Second Harvest.
Comment by Rheadher — December 29, 2006 @ 4:37 pm - December 29, 2006
Excellent list, GPW.
I would also suggest The Point Foundation.
Comment by North Dallas Thirty — December 29, 2006 @ 6:46 pm - December 29, 2006
Dan, Thanks for reminding us that New Years resolutions are about helping our favorite causes. We as Americans are a very genereous people, and as individuals have donated more to charity than many a government has.
The wonderful thing is there are so many causes, small and large that can use our help, either in a monetary donation, or even with a donation of time and effort.
Happy New Year to all.
Comment by Leah — December 29, 2006 @ 8:28 pm - December 29, 2006
Very well put, Leah, in #4. Good to see you again!
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — December 31, 2006 @ 2:25 pm - December 31, 2006