Charities Blog

Giving Something Back

Fewer Donations Coming in This Year

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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.

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

Hurricanes or Economic Downturn: Who Really Needs Help?

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Charities are pegged to be having difficulties these days and if you think of it, you have to wonder what the real reason is behind these hard times? Is it because of successive natural climate disasters or because of the economic downturn which has made most people become more conservative as far as executing charitable acts for the needy?

Indeed, hard times means two different ways. We have seen the hurricanes and storms plaguing each country through the past months and if you had a choice, you would be wondering how organizations such as the Red Cross is able to sustain their funds in aiding the displaced people in the world today.

Actually, the Red Cross has already asked for help. At the rate that natural disasters are hitting, it is only a matter of time before they can admit that they cannot assist all. Add to the fact that the credit crunch has made people shy away from donating large sums of money, you have to wonder where the help will come from.

With that, it would be wise to note that we all have to help out. It is not restricted to the big companies. One small token of help can really go a long way.

In a new report, the Government Accountability Office looked at the capabilities of the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, the Southern Baptist Convention and other charities and concluded ” A worst-case large-scale disaster would overwhelm voluntary organizations current sheltering and feeding capabilities.”

Cindy Fagnon of the GAO says, “For a really catastrophic kind of indicent no one entity alone could handle this and that reinforces the need to have really good collaboration across all sectors… public, private government.”

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Originally posted on September 12, 2008 @ 2:19 pm

Charities Feeling the Inflation Bug

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If you think that charities are not affected by the economic crisis these days then guess again. Remember, donations and contributions to which most charitable institutions rely on heavily come from the pockets of people who can spare and afford to support them. No thanks to inflation, even these people today are hit by hard times of high prices, cutting down on expenses and of course charitable contributions.

Charities are totally helpless in this aspect. Donating to charity is not a demandable thing. They are done out of voluntary will and for the people who used to do this, how can they if they themselves cannot survive the growing problems of daily needs? In short, inflation goes way beyond the financially able, they hamper them and makes them stay away from expenses or donations that many would see as a big lift towards aiding agencies put up for a cause.

At this rate, we may even see more suffering for these charitable institutions. How can they maintain their charitable ways if they cannot sustain their territories due to the financial crisis? A scary thought indeed and if it does happen, it seems like more people are destined to suffer than to be aided. In the end, it is the people to be blamed as well considering that we all have our own faults in contributing towards world crisis today.

In a survey of eight local safety-net organizations, several said the need for financial and in-kind donations is becoming desperate. Without additional support, they say, severe cuts in services are inevitable and likely will begin in August.

Others – while dealing with a flat financial year, a spike in demand and rising costs – are holding their own. But they’re banking on a benevolent holiday season to keep up.

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Originally posted on July 30, 2008 @ 4:18 am

Do Charities Still Make Sense Today?

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Everyone is suffering and surely the people who can support charities have been limited to the groups that can still hold concerts or even special shows. But independently, you will be surprised to find good Samaritans who can still devote time and a part of their income to the charity. Of course, you have to consider, their welfare comes first before doing a good deed.

There are other forms of charities though outside the standard concerts. There are other ways such as golf tournaments where participant fees and green fees act as the funds to be given to charity. If we see them a lot in the movies, they are actually done in real life. Basketball, golf and tennis, all of these events make periodic charity events and at least they are all doing it for a worthy cause.

Here are some scheduled events for charity in the world of golf:

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The fifth annual Off the Wall and Open Door Youth Centres golf tournament will begin at 7 a.m. with a shotgun start at GolfNorth Acton. Cost is $90 per player for 18 holes of golf, cart and a barbecue lunch. Community heroes are needed to sponsor a youth to attend and play ($90). You can also assist by sponsoring a hole for $50, or donating a prize or raffle item. Tax receipts are available for sponsorships and donations. All funds raised go to the Youth Centres.
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Fore the Animals golf tournament to aid the Upper Credit Humane Society will be held at the Caledon Country Club on Monday, Sept. 8. Registration, driving range and putting contest opens at 10 a.m.; shotgun start, scramble format at 12:30 p.m. Cocktail reception, gourmet dinner and silent auction, followed by awards and prize ceremony, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Golf and dinner package (per golfer), $170; dinner only (per person), $50.
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The 13th annual Community Living North Halton charity golf tournament will be held Tuesday, Sept. 16 at Eagle Ridge Golf Club in Georgetown.
Entry fee is $175 per golfer which includes cart, lunch and dinner. The cost for dinner only is $45.
Proceeds go to the CLNH’s Saturday Centre, a respite program for school-aged children with developmental disabilities.

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Originally posted on August 4, 2008 @ 7:38 pm

Non-Profit Groups – the backbone of charitable institutions

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Volunteer work.jpgThe several charities around all rely on manpower in the form of volunteers may they be aimed at people or towards nature. The many charities survive because of people who are dedicated to provide the proper care and help to those who may need it wherever they may be. Volunteer nurses and doctors go to distant lands to help people such as those who are currently suffering in Darfur helping the sick and injured as they live day by day in uncertainty.

Donations flow to those who suffer in the far reaches of the earth, delivered by volunteers who choose to do a little for their fellow man such as pilots, military men and others who just want to help. Financing is not the only aspect one can help with in terms of wanting to help. Habitat for Humanity has projects that construct free housing for the homeless relying on volunteer masons, electricians and the regular Joe to do the building. Thousands of houses have been built by these volunteers some of whom come back, time after time for the unseen reward of gratitude one gets from those who benefit from their hard work.

The people who need help are endless in this world and at any one time, a person dies in misery, his life becoming worthless and insignificant just because they are nobody’s. That is what we aim to change, everybody is somebody and all should know that. The children of Africa who have survived drought and famine now face AIDS and a life without parents due to the disease. Much can be done if everybody pitches in including businesses for they are the main source of funding besides governments and donations. Helping all those who need it is the goal, volunteering is the soul.

Originally posted on February 4, 2008 @ 1:32 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

Community Service in Educational Curriculums

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In most educational institutions, community service is placed alongside the entire curriculum so that up and coming yuppies can get a glimpse of other things they can do outside that of contributing their expertise and working for a living. Exposing them to the people who have not the same luck that they have, like obtaining degrees and becoming bums is a good way of showing them that life is too precious to take for granted.

Community Service Philippines

Also, taking on community service work where they can do their share in helping various foundations and organizations that aim to answer the call of the needs of various groups is something that people may want to devote a part of their lives. It does not cost much for people to do so. A portion of their time and what they can offer is all that is needed. Everything is purely voluntary but the best way to see where they can help out once they are set out in the world and venture on things that they can contribute for a better society and world to live in.

[tags]community service, charities, organizations, foundations[/tags]

Originally posted on March 15, 2007 @ 8:07 am

Donation To Catholic Charities

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The most notable donations given to charities would usually be in the form of cash or clothes. While there are many other things that catholic charitable institution would indeed need, they will in no way dictate what these needs are. Catholic charities such as that of the Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County, are numerous, most of them placed on their website but do not obligate people to actually prioritize them.

Catholic Charities

Donations are done through own free will. They will normally come unsolicited and it would depend on the people who put premium on them if they would be able to adhere towards these requests. Gifts in the form of cash gifts, legacy gifts, memorial and honorary gifts are some of the many types of donations that they would need and it would be up to the donors to choose on which among them would be ideal and affordable on their end.

[tags]charities, catholic, religious, organizations, foundations[/tags]

Originally posted on June 7, 2007 @ 1:12 pm

Charities… For Real!!!!! ( Part 1)

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Kids.jpg
There are millions upon millions of charities out there and the new year is the best time to begin with a helping hand to those who needs it the most. True, charity should have no suspicion and other nuances but with the many fraudsters out there, one simply does not know whom they can trust to get their money to those they aim to help.

Best to get information from the many online charity organizations and web sites to get a glimpse at the scope and type of work the said charity does for your country of choice or target field. You can check out America’s Charities, Give.org, The Charity Navigator, Just Give.org, The Angel Network among some of the many charity resources out there that can help you in your quest to a more oriented and hassle-free drive to help others.

Ask your family and friends if they have knowledge in the area and to allow you to get more of the localized resources available. Don’t have much to give but still want to help and have spare time? Donate your time and help make the world a better place. There are many charities that allow volunteers to play parts in their various activities. Volunteer your services which may prove to be indispensable during their many outreach programs. Mostly any skills can have a place in charitable organizations, many of which rely on other people like you to provide the bulk of their manpower needs.

Still not sure who to trust? Ask the government social services organizations or other Non-Government Organizations on who they work with (many of them work in coordination with others to provide or make up for needed resources). Companies who have or sponsor charities are more likely to get help from the government in the form of many benefits which can be seen in the many tax-deductions and other perks.

Originally posted on October 17, 2007 @ 8:00 pm

Living the Life of a Beggar

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Beggars are often misunderstood as people who have given up on life and choose to beg for support in the form of pennies and loose change. To these people, feeling that they have given up any hope of getting their feet back on the ground is a normal response if they were asked up close and personal.

Beggars of Today

While sharing a nickel or a quarter may go a long way for them, it is hard to believe the people would simply lie over and die. But to some people in such an unfortunate situation, it is more than simple surrender but another aspect of personal proportions that have led them to lose hope and live the rest of their days in misery.

Money and support is not all the things in a person�s life. The matter of affection and care is also an invisible need that people tend to overlook. For people who fill the streets in rags and dirty clothes, a simple comfort and smile may eventually give their lives a new lease.

[tags]beggars, despair, hope, foundations, charities[/tags]

Originally posted on February 27, 2007 @ 8:01 pm