give something instead

[threeplusfire]

My new favorite thing is to give charitable donations as presents to people. I hope that if I keep doing it, it will influence someone else and so it will spread. Because there are people I know who don't need anything, and don't need useless things. So if there is someone like that in your life, or someone just can't find anything for this holiday season, consider donating something to a group they would appreciate. I made a donation to a classroom program that needs books to get children excited about the written word. (It only needs $69 more dollars!!) When I was first introduced to DonorsChoose.org on LJ, I donated towards getting a ballet barre for a Houston middle school. (Only $430 more to go.)

I also love to buy gifts for sick kids off the wishlists at Child's Play, which has raised a stunning $851,000 this year. If you're a gamer, or you love a gamer, this is the charity to support. It's organized by the guys at Penny Arcade and is completely awesome. There's Heifer International and ONE if you're interested in fighting poverty. Make It Right is working on building green, affordable housing for people in the 9th Ward in New Orleans. They have some very awesome home designs and plans.

Even if it is only one person on your list this year, go for it. Do it because it is a good thing to do. Do it because it gives you good karma. Do it because you know your friend will love it. Do it because you know your horrible, stuck up mother-in-law isn't going to say anything nice no matter what you give her. Whatever reason you have, just donate to something.

Comments

[avidbeader.livejournal.com]

Hmm...I just got my Christmas bonus. The book project is in my home state.

I only wish they would take Paypal.

ETA: And they're fully funded! Woot!

[delchi.livejournal.com]

I agree with you , but I try to do it differnetly. I distrust the orginizations that claim to help. More often than not they are lining their pockets and giving a few pennies in a disjointed effort. Also, I was turned down for help from every orginization when I was unemployed, out of unemployment, had no money and was about to lose my apartment after 9/11. I think they have alot of balls coming to me and asking me for money after that.

What I do is I give help to people I know, and trust. I do so directly and to the best of my ability.

I fixed a computer for a friend who was recently divorced ( she woke up , and he was gone ) so that she could get her photography business back in order.

I ran 3 events to raise money for a victim of a gang beating. She had no insurance and had to have facial reconstruction surgery after being stomped into the ground for being in the wrong place at teh wrong time.

I tutored on line, and changed the life of a person from dreaming of being a help desk phone bot, and now will be a network engineer in about 2 years.

I maintained web pages, domain names , and other net life for several people who didn't knwo how, or just didn't have the time. I even went to the WIPO to get a domain name back that was sniped.

I used my " hacking " skills to help a college student who could not in any way or form afford $500 software for school to achieve a few goals.

I helped promote a small business to the point of it being almost sustainable.

I've had people come to me with their computers riddled with problems , and fixed them in exchange for a bottle of gatorade. I showed them how to prevent things like this in the future. I saved their files, work, art, writing.

These are not big charities, grand causes, or things of any note to anyone other than the people themselves. They are not extrodinary cases, nor are they tricks to make them owe me ( though I stand accused of that more often than you think ).

I give. I will continue to give this way.

[xiuzan.livejournal.com]

This is something my family does every year and I love it. There's so little that I *need* and I travel so much that I can't even justify most of the things I want (new TV, computer, stuff for my apartment, etc.). I think the same goes for most of my family. I typically give regular, fun gifts to my niece and nephew, but everyone else gets a couple of small, personal things, but the main gift is usually a donation to a charity that I know means a lot to them. It somehow seems so much more fulfilling :).

Merry Christmas!

[n-o-m-i-c.livejournal.com]

Do it because you know your horrible, stuck up mother-in-law isn't going to say anything nice no matter what you give her.

LOL. I'm glad I don't have anyone on my list like that.

[nimlowyn.livejournal.com]

This is a wonderful gift idea for my grandparents! Thank you for bringing this up.