These days are not easy – not for charities, not for businesses. Indeed, giving to charities may not be high on your business agenda at this point, but hear me out. You can actually help others out, give a helping hand, and gain benefits for your business as well. I got this idea from an article I read, which is written by Jerrie Dean.
You know how most often, when we talk about helping charities, we think about actually giving money to them? I suppose that this is the norm – people do not have enough time so instead of volunteering, they offer financial help instead. What if I told you that there is a way to help charities without having to volunteer or give money in the traditional sense?
Jerrie Dean presents the idea of sponsoring a charity. There are many ways by which you can sponsor a charity without having to make an initial cash lay out. For example, if you have an online store, why not sponsor a specific charity that will receive proceeds from the sale of a specific product? This will not only encourage your customers to buy that product (because in effect, they will also be contributing to the charity) but it will also show how socially responsible you are.
Another way would be to simply create awareness for your favorite charity. Add a banner and/or a donate button to your favorite charity on your web site. Of course, an informative write up and a link to the charity’s web site will even be more helpful.
The bottom line is that just because you do not have the cash does not mean that you have to stop helping out.
Categories: Analysis, Charities, Ideas
When you give to charitable causes, what do you normally give? Do you prefer giving cash? Or maybe you would rather give in kind?
I remember that, as a kid, my mother would much rather give in kind. Not only did we not have that much spare money, she would also say that it is much better that the people who need things can get the things they actually need. This would also lessen the temptation to use the money on other things that may not be urgent needs. I have come to adopt this way of thinking most of the time.
That is why, when I read an article on Penn Live about donated items becoming less, I felt a tinge of sadness and worry. It got even worse when I read the reason behind this. Apparently, instead of people giving old or used items to charity, people now tend to make use of eBay and other similar venues to get rid of their stuff.
But you know, you can’t really blame them. The economic times are crazy, and even those who were relatively well off are finding themselves in trouble. Who would blame people when they try to make some extra money in most any way they can? At least they are not doing illegal stuff, right?
Still, this is an eye-opener for me, and I hope that it will be the same for you. Perhaps it is time to re-examine our spending and giving habits. Perhaps there are some things that we can afford to give to those in need.
Photo courtesy of thaths
Categories: Analysis, Inspiration, News
Whenever the last quarter of the year comes in, expect a lot of charities to be put up. While most of us are planning on what stuff to buy and what food to prepare on Christmas, there are people who are sulking in a corner, wondering what Christmas would be like this year.
A lot of them are made up of orphans and old people who have been abandoned. For orphans, they never really experienced what the true meaning of Christmas truly brings. They only hear about it through the papers or from stories by people who visit them but as far as really enjoying the season of giving, majority are clueless on how it is like.
As for elders who have been abandoned, they have at one time enjoyed the spirit of the Yuletide season. They know how much joy it brings to any home and while they are sure that past experiences are cherished memories, the fact remains that they have to spend Christmas differently from hereon.
Social community services have been put up to try and share the spirit of Christmas to these people. It is not simply about giving gifts. It is about being there for them since they really have no one else to celebrate anymore. Even if you ask them, it is about fighting off the loneliness that they experience during these times. Apparently, it all comes down to making do with what they can this coming holidays and rest assured, being loved or having company around is more than enough for them this time around.
Categories: Activities, Analysis, Campaigns, Charities | Tags: Charities, christmas, orphans
Charities have not been known to provide the better side of life as far as taking care of the people under their wing. While it cannot be declared as also being too generous, the fact remains that if charities are to survive in these times of crisis, saving also has to be done.
This does not only include expenses. It goes as far as trying to limit food needs for the meantime that the world is in crisis. It is not something that they have much to decide on. Today, if you don’t do the right measures, chances are you may find yourself worse than the beggars we see sleeping in the dark alleys today.
No one is exempted from the economic disaster we are experiencing today. Everyone is included and surely we are all adjusting to it. Even charity groups need to do their adjustments as well and most of them can be perhaps tagged as basic measures to get through this debacle besetting us.
So can they do it? Of course they can. We are all in this together. While some people can still provide some sort of help, it is best to measure that they are not as bulky as before. Unless something comes up to improve the problems we are facing, then we just have to wait and see if things look up, charities included.
Categories: Analysis, News, Programs | Tags: Charities, economy, saving
With the hard times upon us, no one is spared from the hardships of earning a living and surviving in this world. With that said, you have to wonder if religious organizations and charities need the aid of security protection as well as with their open “door policy”, practically anyone can come in.
The churches have had the benefit of being watched over and it would not be surprising if charities would follow suit. It would not be surprising if evil eyes would monitor charity organizations and their activities since we all know that money comes to them from the free will and voluntary acts of citizens aiming for a good cause. Has humanity lost its mind in targeting the religious and goodwill organizations as well? It really should not be surprising.
For one, there are people who are becoming desperate these days. They need money to survive and feed their families. Bad or good, the only important thing for them right now is providing. If they can get away with it, then it would be good for them. But in case they don’t, well at least they tried. They would live a better life in prison with full meals would they not?
The mentality seems to be deranged. But the fact is that unless something subtle comes up, people are always at the edge of their seats. They continue to hope and pray but apparently most of them are unanswered. So with that in mind, the only thing left right now is to protect the organizations operating for a good cause. Now that is something we never thought would be seen before.
Categories: Analysis, Charities | Tags: Charities, crisis, donations, economy, security
