Yesterday in my BlogFlash2013 post about water, I asked you to consider donating just $20 to help build a well in a community needing clean, safe water. In the grand scheme of our lives $20 seems like so little to give to give hope to so many.
Yet there are a lot of different organizations out there asking for donations for so many different causes. There are health organizations, human rights organizations, political organizations, and religious organizations. The list goes on and on and it is enough to make your head spin as you try to decide which organization can do the most good with what you have to give. You have to decide what causes you support and how to best demonstrate your values through your giving. My friend +Jacqueline Wilson wrote an amazing post titled Cats, Comics, or Kids which talks about where people are putting their money even in this economy. I would urge you to visit her site and read it as it is truly eye-opening.
I know that I am rethinking some of my spending habits because of organizations such as Monkey Do Project and The Thirst Project. Seeing what other people don't have is making me realize some of the things that I can do without in order to help someone else. Monkey Do Project has many infographics detailing what $26 could give to a child in Appalachia. Could you spare $26 to help Pave the Path with Monkeys and give a child a backpack with school supplies and healthy snacks?
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Donating to charities, I feel, is very important. There are just so many people in this world without many things that we take for granted- like clean water.
ReplyDeleteThis is so important! I recently read a book about the hungry children in Africa and you are so right that we take so much for granted here!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this and having such a giving heart!
ReplyDeleteGreat post!! We make donations to Harvest Crusades and Samaritan's Purse and they make a huge difference in what God has called them to do!! :)
ReplyDeleteI believe it's also important to remember that we can support causes and effective nonprofits with our time or skills, whether we can afford to give a specific amount of money or not. Sometimes our time - whether it's spreading the word, stuffing envelopes, or helping with a fundraiser, can be as valuable (or more valuable) as our money. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is very true and one of the reasons that I've been spending quite a bit of my time trying to help spread the word about Monkey Do Project lately. I don't have a lot to give financially but perhaps I can help reach more people who can give a little and the donations add up to make big changes.
DeleteThanks for reminding me about this part of the equation that I forgot to put in my post!
And it's great that you use your platform to spread the word!
DeleteIt's very difficult to decide where to place a little cash or a donation of time as there are so many deserving causes. I support the hospice movement, Water Aid and our local Air Ambulance.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with Aria's comments - sometimes a gift of time can be just as valuable (or more so) than a handful of coins/notes.
Another great post, Angela!