Donations, Holiday Giving, etc.

[Kitty]

I'm a huge believer in donating to causes. The right causes, for the right reasons (everyone has their own personal reasons.) But, I don't like to donate to agencies - such as big national agencies. I totally respect what they do, and know they are doing good things, but I personally like my personal donations to go to local places, or even local people specifically or families, and have immediate impact in my community. Whether it be my time, a financial donation, or a donation of something they need, I like to know my efforts went locally, and as I said, had immediate impact.

I also like to give year round, not just during the holidays. Yes, donations are up during the holidays, for sure, for obvious reasons, but the needs exist throughout the year. I like to donate to causes for animals, children and education for kids. Technology projects in schools, animal shelters, and food drives, for example.

I just thought I'd start this thread to talk about how others give. Time, money, tangible food/other donations, and how you decide where your donations go.

:-)

[OD2274]

You and I are in perfect agreement here. I used to do the big ones like United Way when I was younger. Now I want to know that my giving is getting results, not padding somebody's pockets. I donate to the local food shelters (especially at thanksgiving), local church groups, and special donations set up by local newspapers or television stations through a local bank for particular people or a certain organization. There have been too many cases of money wasted in some of the bigger groups. The local media let us know when the local food banks or charities are running low and then we give to them. Lots of food drives around here in the winter. I never give to people begging on the streets. Had a friend who worked for the IRS who was assigned to go to California and stand on a street corner with a sign. After three months (when his assignment was finished) he reported that he was on schedule to earn $80,000+ for the year!

[Cardiac]

Read this below before you make any donations. It will really open your eyes.
The Salvation Army is my favorite charity other than local ones....They are awesome!


· The American Red Cross President and CEO Marsha J. Evans
salary for the year was $651,957 plus expenses


· The United Way President Brian Gallagher receives a $375,000
base salary along with numerous expense benefits.


· UNICEF CEO Caryl M. Stern receives $1,200,000 per year (100k
per month) plus all expenses including a ROLLS ROYCE . Less than 5
cents of your donated dollar goes to the cause.


· The Salvation Army's Commissioner Todd Bassett receives a
salary of only $13,000 per year (plus housing) for managing this $2
billion dollar organization. 96 percent of donated dollars go to the cause.


· The American Legion National Commander receives a $0.00 zero
salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and
youth!


· The Veterans of Foreign Wars National Commander receives a
$0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their
families and youth!


· The Disabled American Veterans National Commander receives a
$0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their
families and youth!


· The Military Order of Purple Hearts National Commander
receives a $0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans
and their families and youth!


· The Vietnam Veterans Association National Commander receives
a $0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their
families and youth!

[Lortikit]

Had a friend who worked for the IRS who was assigned to go to California and stand on a street corner with a sign. After three months (when his assignment was finished) he reported that he was on schedule to earn $80,000+ for the year!I'd like to know, what did his sign say, did he report those earnings to the IRS and why is our government thinking that the supposed homeless are the key to collecting more taxes?

[OD2274]

I'd like to know, what did his sign say, did he report those earnings to the IRS and why is our government thinking that the supposed homeless are the key to collecting more taxes?

1. His sign just said "Homeless, please help. God Bless."

2. IRS employees are audited every year. He was there on assignment to pretend to be homeless and to report the earnings level. Yes he turned in all the money. Had he kept any, he could have been caught in his annual audit and that would have resulted in prison time.

3. Their motivation was to determine if the "homeless beggars" were really destitute and in need of government help or wealthy people who were cheating on their taxes. They later decided that tax revenue was being lost, but that there was no reliable way to catch all the fake "homeless" people. Even if many were caught and prosecuted, the cost to do so would likely offset any tax gain realized.

A couple of us once followed one of the better known (semi permanent) sign holders who was always on a particular downtown street corner with his sign. When he left for the day, he walked two blocks and got into his fairly new Cadillac and drove to his condo in one of the more pricey locations.

Once upon a time the "favorite" sign for these folks claimed that they were hungry and just wanted money for food. Followed some of those. They went to a liquor store, not a fast food place. One local charity printed "Meal Tickets" to give to the people with the "I'm hungry" signs. The meal ticket could be traded for a free meal. The charity only did this for one month because most of the tickets were found abandoned on the street. The "beggars" did not want a meal, they wanted cash. There are several shelters here that feed anyone who shows up for free. No one needs to beg for food money in this town.

[OD2274]

Read this below before you make any donations. It will really open your eyes.
The Salvation Army is my favorite charity other than local ones....They are awesome!

I used to give to the Boy Scouts every year until I was shown an annual Profit/Loss statement for the local chapter. Most of the donated money goes to overhead and salaries and a little goes to benefit the scouts. I still support the scouts, but only particular events where the funds go directly to the event and not into high salaries. I should have known something was going on, their headquarters was in a very nice building with lots of brass and glass. Nothing humble about it.

[FullThrottle]

During the holidays when I go shopping or my brother goes shopping all our change from the bill from the store goes to the Salvation Army kettle on the way out the door. Might not be much, but if everyone did that it would add up.

I also collect coupons and samples for the local human society. They love being able to get free food or help people save money on food and stuff for their pets.

DRAW - The Drag Racing Association of Women (DRAW) is a non-profit organization that provides financial and emotional support to qualified individuals involved in drag racing accidents at a track.

[dollymadison]

I don't donate to large corporations or agencies either. We live in a rural area, and there are several thrift stores where we donate a significant amount of clothing, household items, etc. every year. There is also a coat drive near here called 'Coats for the cold', and we pack up items we didn't use the year before and donate those. I support all the veteran's charities Cardiac mentioned. My daddy was a vet and I think vet's charities are highly important to improve the lives of those who have served. We donate to the Salvation Army, much like FullThrottle does. I don't give to 'beggars' on the street either. I'm not sure where the money would be going.