Choose a Charity and make a Difference

Autumn is definitely here but our crazy weather can’t decide from day to day if it will be tropical summer or crisp, breezy, fall. Here on the Eastern Shore, we went from incredibly hot to needing a jacket and then back to hot and unbearably humid. You can tell, though, that it’s definitely October because everything in the stores has been decorated for Halloween for at least two months and the enormous bags of candy beckon as soon as you walk into any store (super-size me comes to mind).  I’ve bought into the Halloween hype in a small way so I have a pumpkin and jack-o-lantern next to my front door, plus a “Witch is in” sign in my front window.  My husband and I will be in Mexico on the 31^st so unfortunately, I’m going to miss all of the cute ghosts and goblins who usually come by, although these days they are usually avatars, aliens or zombies.

October is probably best known for Halloween but I found out through some recent Internet research that it’s one of the most popular “official national months” for all sorts of charities. Unless you’ve been hiding in a cave this week, you’ll know that it’s National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and there are all sorts of aggressive campaigns. But did you know that it’s also “National Bullying Prevention Month”, “National Popcorn Poppin’ Month”, “National Book Month”, “National Cyber Security Awareness Month”, “National Window Coverings Safety Month”, “Domestic Violence Awareness Month” and “National Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog Month”? And all of these popped up before I found the site that I was looking for, The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s. This is the nation’s largest event that helps raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. (Sorry, I had to get my plug in!) Last year, my husband and I did a 5K walk to help the Eastern Shore chapter but we’ll be away this year so I was trying to find out how to help by just giving a donation.

Every time I check out at a store these days, the clerk asks me if I’d like to donate to a specific charity. While I feel guilty for saying no, there are only so many that I can support and I do have my favorites. I usually have a very good reason to support my choices so I choose those which I have some sort of personal connection. Some of these include: The American Heart Association, and in particular the Go Red for Women, because my family has a history of heart disease; I support the Alzheimer’s Association because an aunt, my husband’s uncle and my son-in-law’s grandmother suffered with Alzheimer’s. Actually, in the end, it was their care-givers all of whom were family members who suffered the most. I also support the (WWF) World Wildlife Foundation because my favorite animals, the cheetahs and polar bears, could become extinct if we humans don’t step in to help. My husband and I support our local animal rescue because the volunteers there do a thankless and endless job of caring for animals that have been abandoned. And our two incredibly spoiled cats came from there. Without ARF (Animal Rescue Foundation) we wouldn’t have Sadie and Ali.

There is another one that I’d like to comment on, yet again, and that’s supporting our troops. One of my blogs last month mentioned several ways you can support them and their families but since Halloween is coming up, I’d like to remind you of the Halloween Candy buyback program. Check to see if your dentist will buy back your left over Halloween Candy – your body will thank you for it. The troops who are keeping you safe will appreciate it too. If your dentist isn’t buying back candy, visit halloweencandybuyback.com for more information.

I guess my concern and question is - "how do you choose which charities you support"? The above list is an amazing one and every single one is a good cause and they all need our support. I’d just urge you to choose those that you are really committed to and give what you can. Every little bit helps.

 

"Generosity consists not the sum given, but the manner in which it is bestowed"

Mahatma Gandhi
"Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions"

Dalai Lama