Charities Blog

Giving Something Back

Fewer Donations Coming in This Year

By

Is it surprising to note that donations that are usually aplenty once the holidays are nearing are dwindling in numbers? Considering the state of the world today, it should not really be surprising. People are having a hard time coping with the economic crisis and before good deeds can be done, they have to look out for their own means of survival.

This is not an act of being selfish. Times are really hard and the charity groups just have to accept that fact. Over the years more charities have been blessed with donation in the form of money and in kind but today, the best they can hope for are perhaps in kind donations.

In kind means of course stuff like used clothes or even gadgets that are no longer in use. While many of these charities need money to finance their operating expenses, the best they can do is perhaps to conserve or cut down on some of them.

There is the issue of food allocation as well, a part that is sure to be affected. Rising prices are not helping and surely, a lot of cuts will be done. Until the economic issues stabilize, everyone is affected and this includes the good causes.

Charities mean well but it needs the support of generous donors. But while they cannot be forced, it remains that people are not hesitant to share. The factors affecting giving is just something that they cannot override at this point.

Source

Originally posted on November 7, 2008 @ 1:58 am

Charities Forced to Save As Well

By

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.

Originally posted on November 24, 2008 @ 8:41 pm

Texas Calls for Baby Supplies Donations

By

When it comes to aids for people hit by disasters such as Hurricane Ike, you would think that food and clothing would be enough. But for the people down in Texas, it has gone as far as seeking aid for the little ones, babies who need proper needs to live alongside other victims of these freaks of nature.

Diapers, baby clothes and food would normally not be in the list of supplies that most organizations have as donations. Hence in this light, it seems that they are needs for infants who have unfortunately been caught with these rampant hurricanes hitting various regions.

For people who can spare some diapers or baby formula, perhaps you can lend a helping hand. This is something that they did not ask for and it is quite a pity why innocent children have to bear the problems at such an untimely age.

There is a known shortage of supplies and food for adults, but children are being overlooked in this crisis. Charities such as Red Cross and Catholic Charities are advising donors to donate money so that officials can purchase diapers that are the right size.

More children and babies are becoming lactose intolerant and they require soy based formulas. This is becoming a large problem for parents of children with food allergies who cannot eat milk products or products with nuts and various other food allergies. Families of these children are feeling the stress.

Source

Originally posted on September 17, 2008 @ 2:22 pm

Corruption Money Given to Charity

By

There will be always money coming from unknown sources. Usually, these originate from people who are up to no good like felons and convicted people, definitely welcome but not needed as far as campaign procedures are concerned.

Much of these have been traced to reach the U.S. presidential candidates, Barack Obama and John McCain. And while these transactions were traced, it is apparent that to avoid any untoward audit of campaign funds, such amounts are said to be headed for a worthy cause; charitable institutions.

There was no specific number specified although there was one felon who admitted wiring $7,000 and structuring financial transactions. At least you know that $7,000 is on its way to these charity groups, names of the organizations of which were not divulged.

Was it done intentionally or another publicity stunt to look good in front of the potential voting population of America? If perhaps there would be a probing team released to audit and oversee these funds, then perhaps the real intent and amount of funds disbursed will surely be seen.

This is not to question the integrity and character of the presidential candidates. But once news like this leaks, it is something that can work against people considering money is a very tedious word in the industry today.

But as far as the charities are concerned, as long as they can get support and help for their cause, all is welcome. If there is one group that needs help these days, that would be the charities.

Source

Originally posted on November 3, 2008 @ 12:57 pm

Laid Off Workers Shift to Voluntary Work

By

With the rampant growth of people losing jobs today, many are still trying to find new jobs but others are doing something charitable in the form of voluntary teaching at some charities work. Such a scenario can be seen in Britain where most laid off bankers are finding new life of perhaps doing something good for the community while the recession bug is plaguing the world.

But what is really surprising is that the number of volunteers who have shifted their attention for perhaps something worthwhile are being turned away for the reason that the volume of voluntary teachers is swelling. This is to be expected no thanks to the people who are being cut from their jobs as a result of business downsizing by organizations to avoid impending closure.

So while it looks like many of the bankers are aching to get into charities for work, it looks like they have a long line to expect. Never has it been seen that charities would experience such interest but perhaps at least for this period of recession, such should be a fixture that will be seen.

International development charity VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas) said it received 2,572 enquiries for voluntary work between September and mid-November this year, more than double the 1,233 it received for the same period in 2007.

Source

Originally posted on December 3, 2008 @ 8:40 pm

Thank the Hurricanes for Charity Woes

By

We have been hearing it a lot lately. Aside from the credit crunch that has been preventing or downsizing the sizable amounts for people to make donations and all, the natural disasters hitting one country after another are not helping. The number of people left homeless and having to deal with injuries and illnesses are growing and the Red Cross can only do so much. Besides, they thrive mainly on generous donations, something that has apparently dipped thanks to the current crisis that has claimed most businesses today.

We should also remember that the Red Cross is a purely voluntary organization. It thrives on some key donors but even these donors are likewise auditing their current finances for fear that this economic breakdown may hit them as well. If it does, it will not be surprising. If the bigger corporate giants are closing shop or even looking for life support, how can an organization which is losing its main financers continue to survive and do its part for charity and disaster aid needs we all need?

Apparently the call is for real. The wrath of nature is something that is becoming serious. Worsening situations have made disasters occur in multiple instances. Being able to address most of these situations simultaneously may diminish in time. But the real score is to find new donors who can help keep these needs up. Hopefully it comes soon as the threat for having to say NO to people in need may soon be realized with lesser understanding from people becoming victims of these hurricanes and disasters.

Originally posted on September 29, 2008 @ 7:56 pm

Corpses to Rise at Princess of the Stars Tragedy

By

After months of planning and waiting, the bodies of the victims of the Sulpicio Lines Princess of the Stars tragedy will finally be retrieved. The question is, isn’t this a bit too late?

We have heard the cries of many Filipinos in the past months and apparently this stems from the fact that they lost their loved ones but have yet to determine if they are indeed among the casualties. Expecting that most of the corpses that they will find will be beyond recognition, retrieval operations are expected to have their work cut out for them especially upon identification of the bodies that are sure to have decayed beyond recognition by now.

Issues such as poisonous chemicals and all have delayed the retrieval operations in Romblon and to safeguard the nearby areas, the need to first take out the chemicals was the priority. It is indeed hard to accept and understand the logic but basing it in general, it would be best to look out for the safety of the nearby towns before addressing the bodies of the dead who were trapped inside the vessel.

For proper identification of the bodies, requirements such as birth certificates, dental records and blood samples were required before the bodies can be released to their families. At this point, you would have to wonder if it still makes sense since the only confirmed thing is that they lost a lot of loved ones from this unexpected tragedy.

Originally posted on October 25, 2008 @ 9:36 am

Miss Australia Offers herself to Charity

By

People will do crazy things and this is perhaps what many are thinking when Miss Universe Australia, Laura Dundovic, offered herself for a date with the highest bidder via a website. The website is located at http://eswap.co.au. The bidding starts at $1 dollar which commences on August 14 and will run for 10 days. The winning bidder will be having dinner with Ms. Australia at an exclusive restaurant.

Many may call it nothing new although the first thing that we would associate such a move would be in the movies. But today, it is a reality and all for charity. It is not about the distinction of being able to date Miss Australia but about helping for a charitable cause. The proceeds from the auction will be handed over to the Children’s Hospital at Westmead.

“It’’s a bit exciting to be auctioned off as a date but it’’s been three years since I last went on one, so I have high expectations and am expecting to get swept off my feet,” The Daily Telegraph quoted Dundovic, as saying.

Source

Originally posted on August 15, 2008 @ 12:00 am

China’s Devastating Earthquake

By

china1.jpgMany have died in the earthquake that hit the Chengdu region of China that has resulted in rural villages getting almost totally wiped out. Several schools have collapsed and children are the ones who suffered most of the brunt of this, one of the deadliest earthquakes in the recent history of China. Sadly, a few months away from them hosting the 2008 Olympics, many have died and people have criticized the government for continuing revelry about the event whilst thousands are dead with thousands still missing. Many buildings collapsed and people were buried alive and some crushed to their deaths. The booming Chinese economy shattered by the quake forcing them to send the largest military and emergency reaction force into action. Some areas were so severely affected that even the government has had little contact with regions. Cellular networks were cut off and electricity and water supplies cut off. The government has reacted swiftly to the disaster but say they can manage the disaster for now. With the tremors felt as far away as Beijing, people were alarmed and rushed to the streets due to fears of building collapses. None have suffered any in the capital and all the major Olympic venues are structurally sound.

Originally posted on May 13, 2008 @ 6:03 am

Sea Tragedy Still on the Rocks

By

It has been over a month now and to this day, nothing striking has been reported on the MV Princess of the Stars tragedy that occurred in Romblon, Philippines. With thousands of lives that perished no thanks to Typhoon Franks, relatives had to console themselves with P200,000.00 in exchange for the lives of their loved ones that sank with this vessel.

The thing you have to hate about this is that the vessel, the MV Princess of the Stars is still out there overturned with bodies floating all over perhaps decaying by now. Apparently there are further issues to resolve such as the celebrated chemicals that were on board the ship that can lead to an outbreak of diseases and contamination if the rescuers are not careful.

Already affected are the fish and sea creatures that are being sold in the area as the increasing fear of contaminated fish or sea shell food is a possibility. With that in mind, one can just imagine the impact that this tragedy has given to the local folks of Romblon and how the livelihood of nearby towns are being affected as well.

Rather than focusing on how to resolve the issue, the people behind the vessel, Sulpicio Lines continues to face the raps being hurled their way. Political parties in the Philippines are having a heyday frying the vessel owners and while they are doing that, family members of the victims on board continue to wait.

Even worse, it is the rainy season. While the vessel has not been completely taken out, there are more storms headed the way of the Philippines. More delays are sure to ensue and perhaps make the situation grow worse.

Originally posted on July 24, 2008 @ 6:35 am