As I said yesterday, Mr. Right and I are “Celebrity Apprentice” fans. The final two contests’ charities were highlighted, which prompted a discussion on our part.
Joan picked a charity close to her heart. She has had several friends die of AIDS so she picked a charity that takes meals to the sick – primarily AIDS patients, but also people with cancer and other debilitating illnesses.
Annie’s charity didn’t seem as touching to me. She picked Refugees International, and of course the great work they do was highlighted on the show. To me, however, it just seemed a little cold. She gave no reason or explanation for picking this charity and she didn’t seem passionate about it. To me it seemed like she thought “I’m going on a show and have to pick a charity…what’s a random politically correct one?”
Mr. Right and I started discussing what charities we would play for, if given the opportunity. Of course a hemophilia related charity was top on his list. I agreed, if it were a donation to the local hospital rather than the national foundation that will do who knows what with it.
My boss has two children with Cystic Fibrosis, so that would be a contender for me. I also mentioned the Tennessee Baptist Children’s home. My great-grandmother was pretty much an orphan – her mother died when she was very young and her father couldn’t handle raising a young child. Thankfully she had family to step in and raise her. Some children aren’t so lucky.
Of course there is also KARM and SMARM – rescue ministries in our area that help those who are struggling financially. There are so many needy people right now, with a variety of needs. I don’t know that I could make a choice like that. Who am I to say that one charity is more deserving than another?
Then Mr. Right posed another question. Do you think you could find 10 people to donate $100? He seemed to think he could. I could only think of two or three people that would be able to do that, but could think of plenty friends/family members who would donate smaller amounts. I would have a much easier time finding 100 people to donate $10.
Who knew fluff TV could provoke such deep thought?
What about you? Is there a charity near and dear to your heart?
How would be easiest for you – if given the challenge of raising $1,000?
I have ties to the American Cancer Society, the Methodist Children's Home, and the American Heart Association. My grandmother has had cancer three times; I have a super soft spot for children who are neglected, and my dad has had a heart attack, therefore the AHA. I'm a member of Junior Auxiliary, but that may not be for much longer (long story)...I want to help out, but I've learned that focusing on one or two charities instead of a wide variety increases your ability to help those one or two.
ReplyDeleteActually my sister and I are considering doing a half-marathon (or full!) through Team in Training. Its a program that provides the coaching/training and you have to raise a specific amount of money and it all goes to Luekemia/Blood Cancer research. Our grammy has had Luekemia for 5 years now and we'd love to do this for her! Only problem is we live in middle of no where and they close Team in Training program is 2+ hours away. We are hoping they start one in TC which is just an hour away.
ReplyDelete~ Katie
I agree with you entirely - when there are so many worthy causes, it is difficult to narrow ones focus. My husbands band contributes all of their proceeds to food banks. That is surely a noble cause. But no nobler than any other.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely easier for me to find 100 people to give $10 than 10 people to give $100.
Thanks for stopping by!
There are so many organizations and charities out there today. It's hard to pick one. My family has a history of Diabetes and Alzheimer's. So if I had to pick it would be one along those lines and I would try and do something local so I would know where the money is going. Guess where the dog slept last night?...
ReplyDeleteI think I would begin with a charity that focuses on children with sensory disorders. Currently if you have a sensory disorder, but do not suffer from autism or Aspergers, there is no medical code. In short, insurance does not cover costs. My son was recently diagnosed, and all I can say is thank goodness for the resources I've found through the internet. Friends and family would help, but for serious funds, you have to hit up the larger companies. One thing I've learned in life: you don't get anything unless you ask.
ReplyDeleteI'm really a fan of World Vision. You can sponsor a kid like a lot of other similar charities, but you can also donate a set amount to go towards different things. This last year my mom gave to them in my name for Christmas (I requested it) and she donated enough to provide a family with 5 ducks which would provide eggs and a potential income for the family. I love that!
ReplyDeleteI also really love Kiva. I have given $100 to go towards micro-loans for small businesses in third world countries. The cool thing about Kiva is that it's a loan that gets paid back, which you then can re-donate to another business.
For our wedding we asked for donations to charities in lieu of gifts. We picked Make A Wish foundation and Mission to the Americas. Hub's neice had cancer as a child and was sponsored through Make A Wish. She had an amazing experience through that org that she and her family will never forget. Thankfully she made it through and is a healthy teen today, but for so many other families it doesn't work out that way and their memories are SO precious to them!
I went on a missions trip when I was in college through Mission to the America's. So that's why we picked them as our second. And that's really why I have such a passion for the third world in general.