Charities Blog

Giving Something Back

Charity to Animals

By

It is not only people who need charity.  Animals also need it, maybe much more so because they are usually unable to ask for what they need.  There may be a slight difference however in the manner of handing out charity to animals as compared as to how it is given to humans.

Charity to animals involves protection from abuse, provision of a suitable home, rescue from maltreatment, and support of laws that will enable the authorities to prosecute violators of animal rights.  Animals rights advocates are concerned about allowing animals to lead their lives in the absence of suffering imposed by humans.  Critics to this thinking have been quick to point out that animals are unable to enter into contracts and are therefore not entitled to rights.

There is another thinking that animals can be used to serve human purpose as long as they are not made to go through any suffering.  This is quite a complicated issue since some specifically point out to animal farming, animal entertainment, and laboratory experiments as one of the culprits that has brought undue suffering to countless animals.  There are concerns about cramped cages, stressful living, and cruel deaths.

Animals serve various functions in relation to their relationship with humans.  Some become pets and trusted companions  but many end up in circuses, laboratories, and farms.  Many who are best left in the wild are being captured to make products intended for human use such as bags, shoes, and many others.  Animals form the bulk of man’s food source which is questioned by animal advocates for any basis as to why this is allowed to happen.

Organizations have been established for the specific purpose of protecting animals.  Their success so far remains wanting.  Humans still have a long way of really understanding what charity to animals really mean.

 

Disaster Fatigue

By

disaster-fatigue.jpg
The term denotes the slow influx of aid and donations form countries that used to be generous enough to send billions of dollars to countries that have been devastated by disasters like the recent catastrophes in Myanmar and China. The government has sent aid but for most of the private individuals who used to give a buck or two to help people rebuild their lives, donations are relatively small compared to other disasters on record. Maybe its the recent financial crunch that has many either fearing the loss of their jobs in the coming months or maybe just that they are quite fed up with the situation as in Myanmar with the government committing crimes against humanity by refusing to help their own residents. They initially refused to accept aid from Western nations saying they had the capacity to do it on their own, but as the obvious became apparent and they finally let some aid in the officials of the Military Junta began to stockpile imported aid for their own sending rotten stores to their citizens.
This is a sad yet true story for even the most generous people do have to deal with their own financial woes. China, which has spent billions of dollars in developing and constructing new structures (airport, athletic venues and other such Olympic aimed infrastructures), has appealed for aid from the outside world countering their previous denial for aid. Myanmar which showcases everything as normal even with the rest of the world saying and knowing it isn’t is truly hypocrisy in the highest levels. With thousands of corpses lining rivers and villages, and with no immediate sanitary way of dealing with them the threat of epidemics is high and possible.
People will continue to give like they have always done in the human tragedies of past but world wide economic slowdown may make it more difficult for those who give and receive aid. People are also frustrated that even with the billions in aid being sent to areas and people in need, their government’s themselves fail to take up the cause of helping their own. The world is filled with compassionate and caring individuals that allow us to remain human, compassionate and ever helpful.
A reality that has to be accepted is that these people will have to do the healing by themselves and that is by far the only certainty in this disaster plagued world. The resilience of humans has amazed us in all of the world’s disasters from then till now, let us just hope we as a part of the human race continue to help each other in spite of political, ideological and other differences.

Do You Check Before Giving To Charity?

By

charityHow do you give to charitable organizations? Do you have a specific list of groups and causes that you regularly help out? Or maybe you’re the type that gives whenever you can, whenever someone comes up to you? It does not really matter how you choose to give to charity – it is the intent behind the giving that counts.

However, we have to face the stark reality that not all charities and fundraisers give everything they raise to their clients – those in need. And no, I am not talking about scams. In fact, we have to realize that fundraisers and other similar events cost money. As such, part of the money that people give for charity goes to operating costs.

Now the question is just how much do organizations use for expenses and how much of the money raised actually goes to those in need? The answer varies depends on the organization, naturally. I just saw some figures at the Yakima-Herald relating to this:

To that end, check out the Commercial Fundraiser Activity Report, compiled by the office of Secretary of State Sam Reed. The report, which is available online, tracks third-party, paid fundraisers who operate in the state. There are some 8,800 charities registered in Washington, of which nearly 600 use paid fundraisers.

The 2009 report found that an average of 58 percent of contributions were returned to charity clients. However, while the top 10 fundraisers gave back an average of 89 percent to charities, about a third of the paid fundraisers returned less than 20 percent to their clients.

Less than 20 percent?! It is outrageous, isn’t it? That is why, in my opinion, it is so much better to give directly to causes that you support. Fundraisers are great, but only if you can get assurance that most of the money will go to the deserving.

Donate Something Still Useful to Charity

By

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.

The Dilemma Of Celebrity Adoptions (From the Archives)

By

art.elton.john.afp.giOn the one hand, the children being adopted by celebrities are given another shot at life – a much better shot, actually. On the other hand, celebrity adoptions may be sending out the wrong message. This is what the charitable organization EveryChild is concerned about.

The recent news that musician Elton John is planning to adopt a 14-month-old boy from a Ukrainian orphanage is the root of the charity’s sentiments. Elton John has been active in helping raise awareness for infants who are infected with HIV. His recent visit to the Ukraine is part of his efforts.

While he has always considered adoption, he said that he had concerns about it as he is not exactly a spring chicken and his career is not exactly the perfect setting for raising a child as well. However, when he laid his eyes on Lev, the baby boy, and interacted with him, Sir Elton John said that he changed his mind.

Now back to the concern of EveryChild…according to James Georgalakis, EveryChild’s Communications and Advocacy Manager, people in developing countries might get the wrong message from all these celebrity adoptions. He told CNN that:

“Research conducted in the Ukraine in 2007 which showed high-profile celebrity adoptions and news around foreigners coming into the country and adopting children generally was actually encouraging vulnerable young mothers to abandon their children into homes hoping their child would be adopted by a rich foreigner and have a better life. So it’s quite well documented that these high-profile adoptions could actually be increasing the number of children in institutions.”

Having read that information, I do see the point that EveryChild is concerned about. However, limiting or disallowing celebrity adoptions may not be the solution. What do you think? Should celebrity adoptions be restricted or is there another way to approach the issue?

Photo courtesy of CNN

Helping Disabled People in Kind

By

People having disabilities are sights to which anyone’s heart will surely go out to. A lot of them can be seen all throughout the world, particularly in Africa, the Philippines and Vietnam. Being in their state was not made by choice but rather by fate. Fortunate people who care enough would give the necessary support and capable sponsorship to extend their helping hands towards them. People cannot simply claim that it is these victims who choose not to do something to rehabilitate their current stature.

Helping the Disabled People

True that it fattens the heart to be able to help people in need. This is why people who do charity work and worthy causes would rather do something good for the benefit of the lesser fortunate people. The rewards may not be measured in terms of financial or objects, but all the same, it is providing assistance and support that matters above all.

There are some things that are simply immeasurable and intangible that people would prefer and this is usually doing something wholeheartedly without anything tangible in exchange.

Bringing Science and The Spirit Together

By

Below are three astonishing experiments with DNA which proves that
DNA can heal itself according to the “feelings” of the individual as
reported recently by Gregg Braden. In his recent program entitled
Healing Hearts/Healing Nations: The Science of Peace and the Power
of Prayer, Gregg Braden discussed how in the past we lost huge
amounts of information from ancient spiritual traditions (when the
library at Alexandria burned we lost at least 532,000 documents),
and that there may be information in those traditions which could
help us understand some of the mysteries of science.

To this end he reported on three very interesting experiments. Gregg Braden started
off as a scientist and engineer, before he began pursuing these
larger questions.

EXPERIMENT #1

The first experiment reported was done by Dr.Vladimir Poponin, a
quantum biologist. In this experiment, first a container was emptied
(i.e. a vacuum was created within it), and then the only thing left
photons (particles of light) they measured the distribution (ie the
location) of the photons and found they were completely random
inside the container. This was the expected result.

Then some DNA was placed inside the container and the distribution
(location) of the photons was remeasured. This time the photons were
LINED UP in an ORDERED way and aligned with the DNA. In other words
the physical DNA had an effect on the non- physical photons.

After that, the DNA was removed from the container, and the
distribution of the photons was measured again. The photons REMAINED
ORDERED and lined up where the DNA had been. What are the light
particles connected to?

Gregg Braden says we are forced to accept the possibility that some
NEW field of energy, a web of energy, is there and the DNA is
communicating with the photons through this energy.

The Limited Choices of People Seeking Aid

By

Hunger in the World of Poverty

Around the world, it cannot be denied that there are a lot of people who are experiencing poverty and issues regarding their manner of living. A lot would depend on where they are situated, the country and of course the manner of living that majority of the region is experiencing. Not all countries are blessed with a good economy to which people can find a way to survive with the available jobs to choose from. Some are just plain unlucky to be situated in them like Vietnam, Africa and so on.

The good thing about the world is that people from other countries do not hesitate to lend a helping hand to the best of their abilities. Help in any form cannot be measured and people in need do not really have much choice. Hence beggars really cannot be choosers in this case.

Help in the form of food, clothing and other materials essential for living is being sent to most parts of the world. Some would even render volunteer work and services just to reach them. In a sense, they can call themselves lucky that there are people who still care for what the world has to deal with today.

The First Step in Giving Back

By

If you’ve been thinking of giving your time or money to a charity or non-profit organization, the first step to consider is WHERE? As first-timers will quickly find out, there are thousands of people, places and organizations to choose from, and choosing the right one for you can be a daunting task.

The best way to begin is to ask yourself this question: “What means the most to me?” Think about the things most important to you, what you have a passion for, or perhaps a health concern that has affected someone close to you. Reflect on this, and it should be easier to find the charity for you.

Whether you have a lot of money or not is irrelevant when it comes to giving financially or otherwise. There are many ways to give money, online and offline, through direct gifts, donor-advised funds, giving circles, or through your place of employment. Giving of your time, on the other hand, can be a much more rewarding way to help, as this offers you some first-hand experience with those you wish to help. This does take more thought, however, as there other concerns such as proximity, time constraints, safety and the impact the experience could have.

Whatever you choose, it really doesn’t take much to get started on giving back through a charity. With the right organization or issue, some time and energy and the willingness to help, everyone can make a difference in the world today.

Wherever the Need

By

There are people in need everywhere. Some of them are right in your own backyard. Some of them are on the opposite side of the world. No matter where it is, Wherever the Need (WTN) tries to assist.

Wherever the Need is an organization that chooses to implement projects that will have long term effects. Water for example is of prime importance to them. They work to provide clean drinking water for the people- which is critical for people to stay healthy, and if possible to the livestock and plants as well. They are very environmentally minded. They always try to ensure that their projects are earth friendly.

Wherever the need isn’t as big an organization as some but they are registered in the UK and the US.The fact that they aren’t as big an organization means that it is possible for relationships to grow between benefactors and the recipients. For those who like to make a difference and feel like they are extending their circle of family and friends, this is a great choice

One beauty of this organization is that you can approach them about a project that you woud like to start and they can help you to make it happen. It is your project but they help get it up and running. So if you know of a group that really needs your help, don’t hesitate to bring them to the attention of WTN. Be prepared to do your part of course. You will be involved every step of the way with your project; it is worth it!.