Animal shelters struggle from over population and lack of funding. There are many ways to help them. You can donate items they need or you can support by volunteering in your spare time.

The first thing you should do is to find animal shelters in your vicinity. Each shelter is different; there are many organizations, leagues or local animal groups that operate them. Check the yellow pages or the internet to find them by zip code.

Once you have chosen a shelter of your choice, call them and ask about their volunteering process. They may ask you to come in and apply to make sure that you are well suited for their organization. While you are there, get to know the staff, system and working conditions.

Choosing how you will volunteer will depend on the work or activities needed because some require specialized training. Shelters often have an age requirement for volunteers. They must be 16 years old or older. The working hours also depend on availabilities or their volunteering rules.

Cleaning cages, the facilities, admin work such as filing papers or making phone calls are some tasks you may do. Fundraising or collecting blankets and supplies are also other options. Other tasks include feeding, grooming, walking the animals, playing or spending time with them.  You may also foster them if you wish.

Each minute you spend trying to help these organizations will help the animals and definitely make a difference.

Image from  daveparker

Categories: Animals, Charities, Ideas, Volunteering | Tags: animal home, animal shelter, How to Volunteer at an Animal Shelter, pet shelter, volunteer at an animal shelter

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Just because money’s tight, it doesn’t mean you aren’t interested in supporting a charitable cause. Even if you don’t have a lot to give, your little bit can go a long way toward bettering the world around you. If you’re looking for ways to contribute to charity, but not sure where a small donation might be well-received, then check out this list of five charitable things you can do with ten dollars or less. Read the rest of this entry »

Categories: Ideas

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When looking to find a job in the non-profit world, the first step is to ask around. Network by telling people you know ( family, friends, colleagues) and consider doing some unpaid volunteer or internship work to get your foot in the door, so to speak.

Although most internships are not paid (or paid very little, perhaps just covering food and/or transportation expenses), it can be a wonderful opportunity to also discover your strengths and become aware of the roles and environment when working in the non-profit industry.

The next best resource for work in the non-profit world is obviously the internet. Nearly all of the non-profit organizations and groups have websites which post career opportunities and volunteer positions, and job sites are also useful as many of them have sections featuring jobs in the non-profit sector.

Not only does online research make sense financially (it costs nothing to email!), but it also allows you to learn about the various organizations to discover what suits you best.

Other good places to look are local newspapers, non-profit organizations magazines and newsletters, and bulletin boards at your community center or church.

Remember that only 20-25% of jobs use advertising, so it pays to think out of the box and be resourceful. Perhaps after finding organizations which interest you, you could contact them directly to know first-hand if they have any possible openings. Their websites should also have some useful information and contact details.

And lastly, don’t give up! Always check up on your resources often as new jobs and openings appear daily. Keep on researching, and don’t be afraid to apply even if you are worried that your qualifications won’t suffice. If you have passion and commitment for the job, you could be the best person for it.

Categories: Ideas, Jobs, Organizations, Tips, Volunteering | Tags: career, Jobs, non-profit

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What does the word CHARITY mean, exactly? The word has many connotations these days – from simply giving alms to the poor, to a more divine, selfless way of giving.

So just in case you were wondering, here are the word’s origins. The rest is up to you.

“….The word “charity” entered the English language through the French word “charite” which was derived from the Latin “caritas“.

In the twelfth century it indicated a state of benevolance towards the poor.

In the fifteenth century charity was used to indicate ‘the state of love or simple affection which one was in or out of regarding one’s fellows; an occasion or body of people seeking to embody that state; the love of god, in both directions.

The fraternity was the embodiment of this ideal. In 1700, it meant ‘an optimistic judgement about the good intentions of others; an act of benevolence towards the poor or needy; an institution erected as a result of such an act.”

In Christian theology:

“…Love, in this sense of an unlimited loving-kindness towards all others, is held to be the ultimate perfection of the human spirit, because it is said to both glorify and reflect the nature of God. In its most extreme form such love can be self-sacrificial. Confusion can arise from the multiple meanings of the English word “love.”

The love that is caritas is distinguished by its origin, being Divinely infused into the soul, and by its residing in the will rather than emotions, regardless of what emotions it stirs up. This love is necessary for salvation, and with it no one can be lost.”

Categories: Charities, Ideas, Religious | Tags: charity-definition, charity-history, Charity-origins

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When we hear of solicitations, chances are our mindset would be to give away old clothes or canned goods just to say that we made a charitable act. But while this is something generous of us, it may be wise for us to use logic at times. Old clothes still have categories and this includes “still usable”. These days, people forget about this important necessity. We stock up old clothes and put them in sacks since we cannot use them. But before we placed them there, we already have an idea on whether they can still be used or not.

Old clothes are a big help to the needy. But apparently, we cannot discount the possibility of giving away clothes that are good as trash. Since we donate them, people receiving them do not have a choice of selecting and make do with what we can give. But personally, we should take out the clothing that are no longer usable.

Canned goods can be in any form. The normal ones we give out are the cheap ones such as sardines. For a couple of extra bucks, perhaps we can add something different like perhaps milk or something healthy. If all the poor people had to live on sardines, imagine at the level of help they can get.

All I am saying is that when you give to charity, mean it. It is not about taking something out of the closet or the kitchen cabinet to say you did a good deed. We are giving to people as well. Just imagine how you would feel if you were in their shoes.

Categories: Activities, Analysis, Charities, Fundraising, Ideas, Products, Tips | Tags: canned goods, charity, donations, old clothes

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