Charities Blog

Giving Something Back

Charity Begins at Home

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We often hear that charity must begins at home.  Unless someone learns to show charity to family members, it is impossible for him or her to show charity to others.  We cannot give what we do not have.

Such is the truth.  One cannot feel true empathy for other human beings if it has not been learned at home.  It starts with the training of parents of children which will not only be through empty words but actual actions that can be emulated.  Action speaks louder than words, so they say.  Everything is learned more thoroughly when it is done and not merely mouthed for show.

Charity at home starts in giving not only of material things but of the time, attention, and care that would help develop healthy human beings.  Material things will not compensate for uncharitable acts at home.  Long after family members have grown old, memories will be that of the happiest and loneliest moments.

It is such a tragedy if the loneliest moments are caused by the failure to give a part of one’s self to another family member.  This failure is a serious failure of the essence of charity to work at home.  Families have to inspire in each other the desire to give in whatever form.

Charity learned at home will go a long way.  It will be part of a person wherever he or she goes.  The values in charity will never be unlearned even with exposure to other views in the real world.  Anyone who is unable to feel charitable to family members will find it difficult to feel charitable towards others.

About the Author:

Teresa is a researcher-writer who covers a wide range of topics in search of useful information.

Image: socialmoms.com

Originally posted on March 1, 2013 @ 1:08 am

Newborns Need Your Help

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Charities of all sorts abound these days, but here’s one that will tug your heartstrings. Denver Health Medical Center has released statistics that show that more than eight out of 10 newborns are in need of assistance. These babies are born to families which are not well to do. As such, they struggle to provide for the needs of the babies.

That is why the charitable organization Denver Health’s Newborn in Need was born. This organization caters to the needs of mothers who have just given birth and their babies. The money that the organization gathers is used to provide for essential items such as diapers, milk formulas, and blankets among other things. If you would rather give goods as opposed to cash, the organization will gladly accept your donations as well. In fact, the hospital has a dedicated room to house goods that have been donated.

The sad fact, however, is that the shelves in the rooms are starting to become depleted. It seems that the needs are much higher than the donations that are coming in. That is why the organization is now actively seeking gifts from those who are willing to give them.

According to a story published by 9news, the mothers who have received these donations have expressed their gratitude. For those in the area, donations can also be made when shopping at King Soopers, where donation cards are available for $3 and are added onto your grocery bill. For more information, you can also visit the organization’s web site.

Originally posted on June 21, 2011 @ 12:36 pm

How to Choose Charities in Asia that Help Poor Children

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Giving to charity is a worthy endeavor and should be practiced by everyone. It does not only help the underprivileged people but it also provides a rewarding feeling to the giver for being able to share part of his earnings.

Contrary to what many people believe, one doesn’t have to be rich in order to give to charity. Did you know that in the U.S., it’s those who earn less than $50,000 each year that donate more to charitable institutions? A report from Indiana University’s Center on Philanthropy revealed that those who have more actually just donate two percent of their income compared to the four percent given by those who earn less.

More important, however, than how much you give is where your money is going. When donating your hard earned money, it is vital to do a little research first about charities available and determine the group of people you’d like to help. Ask yourself if you want to help the poor children, the disabled people or the elderly.
[Read more…]

Originally posted on December 17, 2012 @ 1:57 pm

The Fistula Foundation

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fistula.jpgFistula is a non-profit organization that aims to help women who have been abandoned by their husbands after suffering the dreadful birth complication. Fistula is an injury that results from prolonged labor which cuts off blood supply to the tissues of vagina and bladder. This results in the tissues death leaving a hole through which urine and feces pass through uncontrollably. This problem exists in countries where proper health care and practices are out of reach resulting in many women without husbands left to fend for themselves. With 100,000 new cases each year in the developing world, only a fraction of these women get the help they need. A total of 2 million women are affected by fistula worldwide and from that figure, only 6,500 get the medical treatment and attention they need to continue living a normal life. The birth complication has long been eliminated with the advent of cesarean sections which is not only costly but out of reach of most developing countries. Along with incontinence, nerve damage can also result in paralysis leaving the lower extremities useless taking away their ability to contribute as productive members of society.
The organization was put up by people who saw the debilitating effects of the childbirth condition when they were on volunteer work in developing countries as members of the Peace Corps. The organization was officially put up in the year 2000 and it has brought the plight of these helpless women to the media and many charitable organizations the world over. Relying on the efforts of private citizens’ doctors and other large organizations who regularly donate supplies and equipment, the organization has managed to help many women in the affected regions of Ethiopia. The foundation currently does most of its work there but that doesn’t mean that the complications do not affect other parts of the world. Countries where health care is still a luxury, there are higher cases and they work purely to educate the public about the dangers and debilitating effects of the birth complication that is Fistula.

Originally posted on April 29, 2011 @ 6:53 am

How Can You Identify the Homeless from Syndicates?

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Children of Hope

One thing about the Philippines is that you will find a lot of beggars in the streets. You will also see acts of charity which is heartwarming. But one thing most people fail to realize is on whether these acts of kindness are indeed going into their pockets or to the people who organize and deploy them in different parts of the metropolis.

Sad to say, begging in the Philippines has been made into a business. Despicable as it may seem, it is a reality to which some wiser Filipinos have been advised not to give to the poor or if ever, just give something in kind like food, canned goods, or clothes. That way, you are giving them something that they can use rather than money which is obviously holding true to its word as a source of all evil.

Through this, true acts of charity are being made. You are helping unfortunate people through the actual needs based on the hierarchy of John Maslow. These are acts that syndicates hate since it deprives them of profiting through using people. Addressing the needs of the actual people may at times be the best way and good blessings. But for people who are handling them, they are given ultimatums and punished if they do not meet quotas. Yes, they are given quotas making begging more of a profession rather than something to which any person can provide any form of help.

Pathetic as it may seem, if you find yourself coming across such people in the Philippines, try not to give any form of cash to them. You can either say NO or give something that a person would really need outside that of money.

Originally posted on October 28, 2010 @ 2:15 am

The Easiest Way Create Your Own Personal Foundation

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Have you ever wanted to start your own foundation or charity? Perhaps there was already a charity close to your heart, an issue you’ve always felt strongly about, or even something which involves a family member or friend?

Well heres a great idea I stumpled upon – you can now start your own private and personal foundation, complete with website, with easy ways for people to donate online. And you need much money to do it. Read on:

At Independent Charities of America, you can now set up your own personal, private, online foundation.

Through a simple process, you will be able to:

* Deposit contributions to your own foundation by credit card, check, or securities transfer at any time. The deposits you make to your foundation are charitable gifts, fully tax deductible to the extent permitted by law at the time you make the deposit.

* Nominate gift distributions from your foundation to charities, churches, or schools of your choice at any time. You are not limited to the charities found on this site.

* Accept email “proposals” from charities seeking funds, an option you can turn on or off at any time.

* To see an example of how this works, you can take the tour at the organization’s website here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the required contribution to my donor advised fund?

A: Your initial contribution to open a donor advised fund is $250. There is no minimum requirement for subsequent contributions.

Q: How often may I contribute to my fund?

A: As often as you like.

Q: What is the minimum requirement for recommending grants from my fund?

A: $25.00 per recipient.

Q: How do I receive a receipt for my contribution to my fund?

A: A receipt is issued by email. The summary report of all transactions in your account is also printable.

Q: May I allow funds to accumulate in my account in order to grow into a substantial amount?

A: Yes, and many donors do so. You can wait up to five years between deposits and nominations, providing you nominate at least 5% of the balance every year.

Q: Can someone other than myself or my family make a contribution to be credited to my personal/family foundation?

A: Yes, they can.

Q: If our club creates a foundation, who will get the tax deduction?

A: The club itself, if the club is the entity that makes the gift to ICA. The members receive the tax deduction if it is the individual members who make the gift to ICA.

Q: Can I contribute non-cash or non-stock gifts, such as real estate?

A: No, ICA can only accept check, credit card, or securities contributions.

Q: Can someone other than myself make nominations for distributions from my fund?

A: Yes, anyone with whom you share your email address and Personal Giving Number.

Q: I’m an employer. Can I have an at-work fund drive using the ICA system and let my employees fund their accounts by payroll deduction?

A: Yes. The employer needs to make special arrangements with ICA to facilitate reporting. This is easily done. Inquire by email to [email protected].

Originally posted on July 30, 2010 @ 12:40 pm

ThoughtsFurPaws

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The blog is a collection of pet charities and concerned individuals, which combines posts from pet lovers from all over who are tasked into improving the lives of neglected and abandoned pets. The many charities that deal with pets have been wrecked by intrigue and drama that you don’t know which is which. The pages contain warming stories straight from the people who do the rescue work themselves as well as pet lovers who are passionate about our furry friends.
Not just for furry but all types of animals and pets are subject with many links to several blogs that also aim to raise awareness regarding the plight of dogs, cats, birds and even farm animals that are being raised for the pet trade. Hear the warming stories of adopted animals as far as Baghdad that have been brought home to the States, helping their adopted owners deal with the turmoil that is war.

Originally posted on October 21, 2010 @ 9:38 am

Orlando Bloom’s Stuff Up For Sale For Charity

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orlando-bloom-i1The hunk’s mom, Sonia Copeland Bloom, is moving house, and she wants to clear out her son’s room before she does it. What do moms normally do when this happens? My own parents jammed my stuff into boxes and left them in storage. Some of the stuff, I decided to get and use in my own place. But then again, I am NOT Orlando Bloom. I do not have tons of stuff that I can sell for a hefty price to the countless collectors out there.

This is what the star’s mom is planning on doing. She has already spoken to her son, who has given her permission to do so, with one stipulation: the proceeds of the sale would go to charity. So what can you get your hands on? The Guardian lists some of the items that will be on sale:

Among the items up for grabs are a bodyline wetsuit used by Bloom, 32, when he filmed a scene with Elijah Wood in The Return of the King and a poster signed by the entire cast.

A pair of Moroccan slippers and boots he wore in The Kingdom of Heaven could also entice film buffs.

But fans of Bloom – who now lives in west London – can also get their hands on more personal items such as the badminton and tennis racquets he used as a boy.

Gucci shoes, Puma trainers, polo shirts and a hooded waterproof Gap jacket belonging to the star will also be auctioned.

It will be interesting to see how much this auction will make. The charities that will benefit are Unesco, the New Marlow Theatre, cancer charity Odyssey and the UKC Music Scholarships.

Originally posted on June 20, 2009 @ 4:23 pm

NEADS

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neads.jpgMember of the Animal Charities of America, Neads was established in 1976 to train and rehabilitate puppies and dogs rescued from all over. Their main goal is to get these dogs, raise them, and then train them as aids to deaf and disabled people who need independence. The rising cost of medical care and care of animals has strained many charitable organizations that rely totally on the goodwill of people who provide donations in monetary and kind. Located in Central Massachusetts, the organization has trained and awarded dogs to many of America’s disabled and deaf. They have allowed people with disabilities to live normal lives without much reliance on other people boosting their self-confidence making them more productive members of society.
Dogs undergo a six-month training cycle where they learn the ropes of becoming a hearing-eye dog becoming the ears for the deaf and eyes for the blind. People who are candidates to receive NEADS trained dogs are houses for two weeks in fully furnished housing units where they work together with the trainers in getting to know better their animals and learning about proper treatment and care of their special animals. Being a charitable institution with little financial might, all candidates have to pay for all the equipment and training costs for their animals. But many who have received animals do earn a lifetime of memories for their dogs become more than guide dogs but members of their family. Often times we hear stories of people getting saved by these magnificent animals who would otherwise have been euthanized, given a second life as aides to the disabled.

Originally posted on April 19, 2008 @ 6:50 am

Lowering you Carbon Footprint (Part 1)

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carbon1.jpgFrom the StopGlobarWarming.Org, there are many ways however small that can be done in order to lower your carbon footprint to help the earth. They come in many shapes and forms and are applicable for inside and outside of the home. These measures are meant to be behavior modification tips that would make earth conservation an automatic task for all of us. First, the switch form Incandescent to Compact Fluorescent bulbs. The old style incandescent bulbs are set for phasing out in the next few years to be replaced by more efficient CFL fixtures which are not only brighter but consume less electricity in their daily use. A single 5 watt CFL has the light output equivalent to 40 watts compared to a standard bulb so it does make sense. The tires on your vehicles are a major contributor to wasted gasoline as you drive around town making your car an inefficient machine. The insufficient air makes the engine run harder to push the vehicle forward consuming more gas. Clogged filters result in improper gas-air mixtures having your vehicle to poor gas mileage and lower overall efficiency which could also lead to premature engine wear. Inspect your air filters/cleaners to ensure the engine is getting ample air for it to work better and cleaner.
When using dishwashers and washing machines, be sure to maximize the load to allow more to be washed with enough water. Loading the washers with less than the recommended loads consumes just as much electricity and water as a fully loaded one. Recycled products are in and ones made from virgin products are out.

Originally posted on April 4, 2008 @ 1:33 am