Charitable contributions?

[Tuberoller]

I was wondering if anyone here donates time,money or other stuff to charity.I refuse to hand money to people on the street and I won't give to phone solicitors.I do donate goods,money and time to various charities that I think are worthwhile.I have donated two trucks,about 2,000 records and a bunch of money to charities this year.The reason this comes up now,is that I talked to a local victim's rights group about electical work I donated to them earlier this year.I had to place a dollar value on that work and the materials used.I just figured that out and went ahead and calculated all the other stuff I have donated this year.I really had no idea I had donated so much.I have reached a time in my life where I have more money than time and I find that I now just give money and non-cash contributions.After to talking with some of the charities I see that contibutions of time are actually needed most.I realize that I will not be making contibutions of this nature every year and my time will not always be at such a premium but I value all that I do for a good cause.I usually volunteer to help local political candidates around election time,but this year my wife and I saw that our candidates were all gonna lose anyway and felt our time was best spent doing charitable work.My wife was Principal For A Day at a local grade school and I did free in-home Fire Safety Inspections.I felt I did some good.I strongly encourage all who feel the desire to donate what you can,when you can,to the Charity of your choice.

 

[jude]

[size=xx-small] Quote:

Originally posted by Tuberoller I was wondering if anyone here donates time,money or other stuff to charity.I refuse to hand money to people on the street and I won't give to phone solicitors.I do donate goods,money and time to various charities that I think are worthwhile.I have donated two trucks,about 2,000 records and a bunch of money to charities this year.The reason this comes up now,is that I talked to a local victim's rights group about electical work I donated to them earlier this year.I had to place a dollar value on that work and the materials used.I just figured that out and went ahead and calculated all the other stuff I have donated this year.I really had no idea I had donated so much.I have reached a time in my life where I have more money than time and I find that I now just give money and non-cash contributions.After to talking with some of the charities I see that contibutions of time are actually needed most.I realize that I will not be making contributions totaling $80,000 every year and my time will not always be at such a premium but I value all that I do for a good cause.I usually volunteer to help local political candidates around election time,but this year my wife and I saw that our candidates were all gonna lose anyway and felt our time was best spent doing charitable work.My wife was Principal For A Day at a local grade school and I did free in-home Fire Safety Inspections.I felt I did some good.I strongly encourage all who feel the desire to donate what you can,when you can,to the Charity of your choice.

[/size]My wife and I donate to charities that are important to us, and I do volunteer my time politically when I can, as well as donate to the campaigns of politicians and political organizations I support. How much we donate is between my wife and me, those we donate to, and the tax man.

 

[elipsis]

I help people out where I can, even if they ask me for money on the street.

Sadly, I don't really make enough money for regular contributions to charities, but when I can give change, either to an individual or a charity, I always try to. Weak, I know, but better than nothing.

 

[kelly]

I remind myself to be thankful for the existence of kindness and charity for its true usefulness continues to fill far greater needs even after its altruism has been slain when it comes time to take credit and boast.

 

[elipsis]

Quote:

Originally posted by kelly I remind myself to be thankful for the existence of kindness and charity for its true usefulness continues to fill far greater needs even after its altruism has been slain when it comes time to take credit and boast.

And here I was wondering how it was you got to nearly 4000 posts so fast.

 

[Mr.PD]

Where I work we can donate through payroll deduction. I do that, and the usual give stuff to the Salvation Army.

I have a shortage of time and money.

 

[millerdog]

I donate any art I have to charities. I have donated my works to the local Heart Association and another charity on Maui. It's the least I can do, right?
md

 

[JMT]

I give regularly to our church. I also have a payroll deduction that gives to The United Way.

......I also occasionally donate to new DIYers.

 

[RickG]

I don't let my left hand know what my right hand is doing...

 

[Budgie]

I donate money, as my income will allow, to charities I trust to actually put the money towards what it is intended for. There are alot of charty scams out there. (Some in the name of otherwise good charities.)

 

[Tuberoller]

I hope the message here was not one that I was attempting to pat myself on the back.I want nothing of the sort to be taken from the initial post.In order to prevent such a misunderstanding I have edited the post accordingly.I realize to some people any good that is done is done so for public recognition.I also realize that there those among us who will take any post out of context,I don't think there is much left in the original post to misinterpret.

 

[ai0tron]

If I ever reach the point where I can be charitable with my money the first thing I would do is help my family out. It's very sad to me because there are several people in my family who are exceedingly rich, and yet, there are members of my family living on the street as well, and or living in near poverty. Instead of trying to help each other they are all fighting and bickering over who gets what.

 

[john_jcb]

The donation of ones time to a charitable cause is in some ways more valuable than cash donations. Money can be earned again but time can never be recaptured so it is more valuable gift IMO.

 

[ai0tron]

I helped build a house for an old lady once.

 

[DanG]

Jon, maybe you should check into United Way before you keep sending them money -- I believe there was a recent scandal involving them. I'd never donate to the American Red Cross considering that getting them to donate your money to the people you meant to benefit is like winning an insurance claim with UPS...

In high school I was the head of a tutoring program -- soliciting good students to be tutors and getting the word out that tutors were available. We had over half of the school involved as tutors or tutorees (it's a tough private school) and I think I did a lot more good than sending some money to a corrupt or inefficient charity. Did I do it for altruism? There's no such thing as altruism -- I don't believe there's such a thing as total selflessness within humanity. If you're helping others you're doing it to ease your conscience, to be a better person, or to show others how good you are (or a combination). Keep in mind that your conscious mind is not always processing everything your unconscious mind does...

Doing good deeds is helpful to people no matter what your motive -- and if your motive is to be a better person, then good for you. Some say it's the intent that counts -- try telling that to a homeless beggar or to the woman who can barely support her family, let alone allow her son to finish high school and not work.

When I do good deeds, it's generally because I care about the people I'm helping -- in a sense, helping them is helping me, because those people are a part of me. With some, this can be extended to the whole world (I suppose that Mother Theresa was this sort of person). Sometimes, though, I just give a buck to some charity a friend is collecting for in the college mailroom to get him or her off my back.