In the season of giving, giving to charity has become more and more popular. Not only does it truly celebrate the true spirit of the season, it makes people feel really good–on both the receiving and the giving end. How can you give to charity instead of giving more “stuff” to the people in your life?
* Enviro-Girl’s book club collects a new children’s book from each member during their December meeting. The books get donated to our local domestic abuse shelter. Instead of walking out with another Christmas tree ornament or plate of cookies, the Bumble Book Club members walk away feeling warm and fuzzy inside.
* When asked by her mother-in-law where she’d like her annual $100 gift card from, Enviro-Girl asks for a donation to her favorite theater company instead and hands over a contribution envelope and brochure sbout American Players Theater explaining who/what/where/why.
* Enviro-Girl’s grandma is drowning in knick-knacks, doo-dads and widgets. A few years ago Enviro-Girl began giving grandma a calendar (disposable), framed family photographs (sentimental) and a donation made in grandma’s name to buy milk for a child in Africa. To everyone’s surprise, grandma didn’t balk at not receiving another teddy bear or candle holder.
* The Salvation Army is on Enviro-Girl’s gift list–a portion of her family’s Christmas budget is donated every year.
There’s probably a charity near and dear to each person’s heart, but in case you’re at a loss of the best places to donate, here’s a short list. Enviro-Girl selected the most reputable, least fraudulent charities so your holiday spending can get the best value.
The Heroes in Your Life (Dads, Uncles, Grandpas, Brothers)
Their Local Fire Department (especially helpful if they’re volunteer–but do NOT donate to the Association for Firefighters & Paramedics which donates less than 40% of its proceeds to actual firefighters or paramedics), VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars–but NOT Disabled Veterans Association–again, an inefficient charity), Doctors Without Borders, Engineers Without Borders, American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity
The Soft-Hearted (Kids, Grandmas, Aunts)
Local Humane Society, Salvation Army, Local Food Bank (or Feeding America), World Wildlife Foundation (kids will love “adopting” an animal–and there are many to choose from–from manatees to polar bears to chimps!)
The Old-School Folks
Rotary International, Lions Club, Optimist Club, local theater, National Public Radio/Television, your local library, Boys & Girls Club, or hospital
Other Really Good Charities
Conservation Fund, Greenpeace, CARE, Global Fund for Women, Kiva
A few tips to pull this gift off gracefully:
1. Choose a charity that the recipient would support. Avoid those charities with a political bent if you’re not sure of their beliefs, likewise, avoid those with religious intent.
2. Choose a charity that has a good reputation for using its money well. When in doubt, look it up on Charity Navigator. If it’s a poorly run or corrupt charity, you’re better off buying grandma a Precious Moments figurine!
3. Enclose a note explaining why you’ve donated to a charity in their name and to make the gift more meaningful. Dear Grandma, over the years you have impressed me with your compassion for animals. Remember that stray cat you took in? And how you taught me how to feed the birds when I was little? To celebrate your love for our furry friends, a donation of $50 has been made in your name to the Happyville Humane Society. Many animals will continue to benefit this coming year from your kindness. Much love, Enviro-Girl
Happy giving!
Beans have been a food staple for humans for thousands of years. They have been cultivated all over the world, including ancient Egypt. They are endlessly versatile and can be added to a variety of meals.
One of Recycla’s favorite meals on cold, blustery days is slow-cooked beans. Cannellini, kidney, pinto, and black beans are her favorites and she loves to simmer them for hours and have them for dinner. True, her house might not smell so great, but the reward is being able to scoop warm pinto beans into a tortilla and then adding salsa and a little cheese to create an utterly divine dinner.
