Christmas Charities.

[Demiterracotta]

So I have come across a bit of spare cash this year after donating to all of my local food banks/charities and was wondering if anyone knew of a good national charity that would be worth donating to.

I couldn't care less about their religious or political affiliations, the only thing I care about is that my money is going to go to those in most need without the bulky administrative take of a lot of the huge charities.

Anyone have any good charities I might not know about in Idaho?

[inscribed]

Spare cash? Buy bitcoin.

But if you really insist on donating to charity, Child's Play, from the Penny Arcade guys, is a pretty worthwhile cause. They raise money to buy video games for kids in hospitals and domestic violence shelters around the world. It's still very much a grass roots charity, and the money doesn't go to a lot of bureaucratic nonsense. They have an annual fundraising event every year around the holidays.

[Imoutgoodbye]

Give it to Pali. He likes finger painting apps and is always open to receiving. :hammer:

[Trick]

Donate it to your local firefighters. We are always in need of some new equipment.

[Pali]

Give it to Pali. He likes finger painting apps and is always open to receiving. :hammer:

You're the one who keeps paying for it...

[Volgathras]

I can't access the web page now, but look up Emmanuel Jal and the charity he champions for child soldiers. I believe it's called We Want Peace. If you don't mind an hour of soul-poisoning reading, look in to the situation. It's about as sad as it gets.

Intervoice is an organization that helps people with hearing voices, schizophrenia, etc., a problem that is little understood and highly stigmatized. Sufferers are drugged, institutionalized or ignored, and these guys are trying to change this by employing people and methods that have had success in leadning to live with voices.

Another I've started to look in to but have no suggested charities is women's/girl's education, especially in places like africa and the middle east. Will update if I find something I feel is reputable.

A note on grassroots charities though, having helped run one for a few years; there's a reason bearuecratic nonesense exists in a charity. Grassroots charities are idealistic but prone to poor money management, at the mercy of the whims of a few or one individual, and have little means of accountability. Even the most idealistic and well-meaning charity or group can suffer from these, which means your money isn't being spent how you wanted, or is being employed poorly. Larger and better organizaed charities are stigmatized, but it's the best current method for making sure your money goes where you want. So from someone who saw this firsthand, don't trust small groups simply by virtue of their size, ideal or support base. A charity is effective when it helps the best way it can, regardless of whether it's run by a former CEO or some instructor with free time.

[mya]

Help your own town.

Find the nearest Soup for poor and offer to buy them groceries.

[Imoutgoodbye]

Help your own town.

Find the nearest Soup for poor and offer to buy them groceries.

This. By far the best idea is to turn down nationalized and globalized charities and focus on this one. You can see where you money went and know what is and isn't reputable. Indeed, there are organizations like Adopt A Family that help local families have a Holiday meal and the kids get presents. I, as a child, was part of an adopted family one year and can say that it was a truly memorable Christmas that year.

EDIT: Don't worry, Pali, I'll keep paying IN to your charity. Everything I like about karma I like about you.

[Demiterracotta]

Donate it to your local firefighters. We are always in need of some new equipment.

Already done Trick. I can't firefight myself due to anxiety (otherwise I would). So they always get a hefty chunk of money from me. And my local fire department does a ton of charity work themselves around the town.

But if you really insist on donating to charity' date=' Child's Play, from the Penny Arcade guys, is a pretty worthwhile cause. They raise money to buy video games for kids in hospitals and domestic violence shelters around the world. It's still very much a grass roots charity, and the money doesn't go to a lot of bureaucratic nonsense. They have an annual fundraising event every year around the holidays.[/quote']

They always get most of my tax return so was looking for something else. They are awesome, always super appreciative and I know my money is going to the right place with them. And they just had the Dinner & Auction last night.

Help your own town.

Find the nearest Soup for poor and offer to buy them groceries.

I always give food to the food bank. Ended up delivering and entire butchered cow to them two weeks ago. Which is my preferential method of delivery. I just buy a cow from my dad then haul it in after it's cut & wrapped. Our local Food bank is very fortunate in that what they mostly need is Protein for people. Local charities always get the majority of my money, and I know it does the most good, however I wanted to help some people elsewhere because I'm really fortunate to live in a small enough area that even those too proud to ask get food anonymously left on their doorstep.

Just wanted to spread the love around a bit due to some nice money coming in. Thanks for all the awesome ideas guys! Looks like I have most of my bases covered. I will look into Volg's charities though, hadn't heard of them before.

PS: Thank you all for not bringing up something like ASPCA (due to some bad things happening with me in the past they will never see another cent from me).

[Trick]

Thank you for giving.

[The-Nameless]

go to a local group home, and take all those kids out to golden corral/cici's/chinese food. I used to donate time at local grouphomes alot, amazing how upbeat some kids can be in those situations.