Good Deed of the Day

[Mr. Bloom]

Chick has really offered a wonderful option to help.

I am a former board president of an organization that, among other things, had a shelter for women in crisis.

Personal care items are clearly important and expensive, and their donation is very helpful. HOWEVER, these organizations desperately need consistent and predictable support, not simply one time thoughts. They also need CASH (you can often designate the agencies in your area through your annual United Way if you participate in that). In the case of my organization, we would raise 80% of our donations in the fall, which always made summers challenging when we had overhead of $60,000/month...we needed consistent support.

Another challenge: Your local "clothing closet" for the indigent is likely overflowing with women's clothes, but never has much for men. (Men don't give clothes away...they wear them until they have holes in them...and then maybe they throw them away). If you're at Walmart or Old Navy and see warm men's shirts for $5 on sale, buy three or four with the intent of giving them to the "clothing closet".

Also, consider a personal involvement. I assure you that nothing will challenge your perspective more than personally interacting with people less fortunate than you.

I think it's great that chick is sharing this idea as an easy way to get involved. I encourage you to find an organization that you really like and give what you can to them on a consistent basis.

[Bad JuJu]

Good points, all, Mr. S. I actually was thinking as I clicked, "What about next month? And all the other 'next months'?" But, as you suggested, I use United Way and designate local charities to receive my donations, so I hope I'm doing my part in that way. I've read somewhere that what charities really need is cash--I try to help out as much as I can.

Regarding clothing, when I go through my closet (once a year or so) to see what I haven't worn in a while and thus can donate, I get DH to do the same thing. He doesn't spend a lot on his clothes (except his motorcycle gear ), but he does tend to accumulate little piles of inexpensive stuff, and I can usually get him to part with some of those things.

[chickwhorips]

good points mr silver. thank you.

also, some don't think of this: animal shelters. i just donated a bunch of clothes to the SPCA thrift store in anchorage. i'm sure there are other communities that have an animal thrift store. just another thing to keep in mind.

[7rider]

Your local "clothing closet" for the indigent is likely overflowing with women's clothes, but never has much for men. (Men don't give clothes away...they wear them until they have holes in them...and then maybe they throw them away). If you're at Walmart or Old Navy and see warm men's shirts for $5 on sale, buy three or four with the intent of giving them to the "clothing closet".

Thanks for the great ideas, Mr. Silver.
Sad to see my own DH is typical male in that capacity - he has more holey sweaters and pants that he refuses to part with than I care to think about! For a gender that is infamously commitment-phobic, they are surprisingly attached to some things!

Animal shelters (and vets!) can also often use donations of newspaper and towels!

[Pedal Wench]

Georgia checkin' in