2 posts tagged “charity”

Over on Holidailies, one of the things recently discussed as one of the prompts was a request to post charity ideas.  The thought was that a charity would be chosen and Holidailies participants could choose to donate.  Even if people threw in small donations, a number of small donations would really add up.

You may have read my suggestion a few days ago, and there were a number of other great suggestions, including some small local charities, and larger charities like Heifer International and Big Brothers Big Sisters.  A specific charity hasn't been chosen yet, but either way, I think this project has pointed out a lot of great charities that I hope people choose to give to, maybe not during the holiday season but at some point during the year when they have a bit of extra cash and a desire to help someone else out.

What I was very disappointed to see was the number of people who were angry about the fact that this was a Holidailies prompt.  The prompts are optional.  You don't have to write on that prompt, it's just a suggestion.  And there was never any requirement that everyone donate.  Sure, there was a comment that if everyone participating in Holidailies donated $10, think of the amount of money that would be donated in total.  But again, it was never a requirement.  And yet some people seemed to be outraged that this was even suggested.

I understand that not everyone has the money to donate, especially during the holiday season, and I understand that even if someone has money, they might not have any desire to donate to charity.  I have always believed that the holiday season is a time for giving, be it of your money or your time or simply your good wishes towards someone else.  Smile at someone on the sidewalk, for example.  But I guess I don't understand how the suggestion that you donate can cause such outrage. And this isn't an isolated incident.  I know people who find the Salvation Army bell ringers incredibly annoying.  But I think that's more the incessant bells rather than the suggestion that they give money.

I find this kind of attitude disappointing all year round, but I guess I find it especially disappointing during the holidays.

Today's Holidailies prompt is a bit different:  "What are your ideas for the Holidailies Charity Project, and which organization would you choose?"

There are so many very deserving charities out there that I think it's hard to choose who to donate to, especially during the holidays, when there are people who can't afford heat or food or any sort of gifts for their children.  One of the suggestions was that this charity have something to do with literacy or reading, so that did help me narrow it down a bit.

My suggested charity for the Holidailies Charity Project, and one that I think anyone can contribute to, is Donors Choose.  Donors Choose is a website dedicated to getting public school teachers the materials they need for their students.  Teachers submit written proposals, and the Donors Choose staff reviews them, and the eligible proposals are posted on the website.  Then donors can fund part or all of the proposals.  You get a thank-you e-mail and if you fund the whole project or $100 or more, you get a feedback package with letters from the students and photographs.

This is sort of one charity and a lot of charities all in one.  There are a lot of public school teachers requesting donations for so many different types of items.  Some just want nice rugs for their classrooms or dry erase boards.  Some are looking for reading materials and some are looking for funding for trips for these students. 

One of the great things to me about this charity is that a small donation clearly makes a difference.  For example, this proposal for art supplies is a request for a total of $548.00.  A few $10 or $20 dollar donations really add up.  And there are so many proposals that are nearly funded and are less than $100 away from being completed.  What a great Christmas gift for these students and teachers to get the books they want or the rug for their classroom or the art supplies they lack.

I think Donors Choose is a great choice for the Holidailies Charity Project.  It allows you to choose a project to donate to, and it's a great way to make an impact on the lives of students.