Do you donate to good causes such as charities?

[dandruff]

Originally posted by: Flyback
Why don't I donate? I haven't found a charity I believe to be worthwhile or necessary so far.

We can echo most of what you wrote ... but think outside US ... here is one that we donate to : smiletrain.org ... why because it really improves someones life ...


any other charities like smiletrain out there? let us know ... (need to be non-religious/ no political leanings/ no middle man/ most of the donation should go towards improving not lawyers etc./ not helping ablebodied or ppl w/ access to other avenues/ help ppl who otherwise dont have a choice / should not discriminate (read global) .. we donate to smiletrain instead of birthday gifts to each other .. heh last year made everyone at work to donate to smiletrain during christmas .. who needs more starbucks giftcards and liquor ...

good thread!

 

[Gooberlx2]

I usually do on my tax return....I also always pay the extra $1 to the local humane society when I buy stuff from PetSmart and/or Petco. That can add up to a fair chunk of change.

 

[Looney]

Does anybody know how United Way exactly distributes the funds? I've been trying to dig that up now and then for years, but can't ever find the answer.

 

[PepePeru]

Amer. Cancer Society, United Way, PAWS, NPR
I do not donate to any one charity regularly.

 

[BoberFett]

I donate about 70% of my income in the form of taxes and child support. I can't afford to donate anything else.

 

[Linflas]

Originally posted by: Looney
Does anybody know how United Way exactly distributes the funds? I've been trying to dig that up now and then for years, but can't ever find the answer.

You might try looking here. For United Way you will have to figure out which one serves your area.

 

[Dirigible]

I donate, but to bad causes. The Society for Tripping Old People. The Littering Club. Saint Vincent DeNoisy Foundation for Making a Huge Racket Outside of People's Houses in the Middle of the Night. Those sorts.

I do, however, volunteer for those "good" charities. That can be lots of fun.

 

[Mr Pickles]

Used to do volunteer work through my youth group at church. We'd help at soup kitchens and things for a local group, Metropolitan Ministries. It was just something to fill a kid's day, never put much thought into it until I ran into someone that struck me as the smartest man I'd ever met. He was definately homeless, in his 50's. He talked with me while everyone sat down for lunch and he really changed my view on things. Now that I have a nice job with less time I find myself donating more and volunteering less, but I do my best to help. I know how most people feel about homeless and that they are all drunks and could get a job if they wanted and we help them so much so what's the point, but I don't see it that way around here. I don't do sob stories or crap and rarely have some life altering event bla bla bla. This guy was just amazing and if it weren't for him I'd probably feel the same way as the rest of the ignorant ass holes about homelessness.

 

[j00fek]

give to my good cause: ME

 

[Cdubneeddeal]

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: Linflas

Originally posted by: vi_edit
My wife and I give money/materials and time to very local drives that support specific causes.

These are typically being driven by our employer. Examples include backpacks full of school supplies for kids. Winter clothing and blankets for families. Electric company credits. Fun baskets for the local Childrens Hospital. Ect.

We specifically chose not to give to United Way and other similar organizations because of the overhead and distribution of the funds. We feel our dollars are much better used locally.

:thumbsup:

I don't know about your experience but almost every year of life I have been subjected to pressure from employers to give to United Way. One company I worked for went so far as to demand that you return the pledge cards with 0 entered if you chose not to contribute to them.

Our employer was pretty forceful with the United Way stuff too. We had a *required* attendence(we got dinged for bonuses if missed) where we were all stuck in a room and offered cookies and treats and then handed the United Way contribution forms. Then the dog and pony show started where they wheeled out all of these "fabulous prizes!" like company coffee mugs, hooded sweatshirts, ect that you could get for each level of donation.

Bleh.

I'm just glad that there are still dozens of other events throughout the year that driven entirely out of donated time and charity that we can give to that goes directly back into our community.

My company is the same way but in the past, I've donated my time to our local United Way and I know where the money goes so I have no problem donating to them. For PBS, I donate because the put out a lot of shows that I watch often, Fly Tying Online and such..

 

[Gunslinger08]

I only donate to dastardly causes.

 

[sdifox]

my charity budget usually end up at Children's Hospital.

 

[SoulAssassin]

see sig