Trying to decide what to do with your tax refund?

My first real big exerience with giving, it started with a group of moms who decided our community needed new park equipment. Now this park project may not save the world or make a global difference, but it did bring a lot of people off the sofa.It made a safe place for our kids to play - and it is built out of recycled material. This project did a couple of things, made a lot of people aware that every person can make a difference, and many of those have gone on to other projects. I personaly work with a school in Cambodia, an Orphanage in Roatan & a group who provide medical and dental care to 3rd world countries, a pet organisation in Wyoming, and a Art Center. As you can tell I got hooked. What I did figure out is 1000's of oganisations are looking for money and at the end of the day many people have little left to give. I have partnered with a company that allows people to switch stores to environmentally safe products and a portion of your monthly purchase goes to a Non profit. I think it is a perfect marriage, help you favorite organisation raise money and help the environment. Our web site does not give information about Non profits but you can request from the site and make note you are interested in NPO. The POWER of ONE is an incredible thing.

Posted by: stayinhomeandlovinit | May 18, 2006 at 11:02 AM

I never thought about giving to non-profit organizations too deeply until I started working for one. When I began working for Forest Guardians, an environmental advocacy organization that works to protect the biodiversity of the Southwest, I realized just how vital charitable giving really is. That is when I decided to donate a portion of my monthly income back into the organization. Forest Guardians depends upon the generosity of individuals for the bulk of our income. And so do many organizations like ours. Without this generosity, many of the advocacy and social service organizations that really play a critical role in our culture would cease to exist. Then who would watchdog our Nation's decision makers as they propose unprecedented changes to environmental law and public policies? Who would advocate for the people, places, and animals who depend on us to speak up? I can count on Forest Guardians to stand up and be a persistent and outspoken voice for the wildlife and wildlands that I so cherish. Since this realization, I have made a commitment to donate as much as I can possibly afford to different non-profit organizations every month. Not only do I feel like this gives my karma a little boost, but I feel like I am helping to sustain an indispensable niche within American culture. After all, if we don't put our money where our mouths are, we will have not ground to stand on if the ethical imperative of protecting wild nature is overthrown by greedy public policies and practices.

Posted by: Rosie Brandenberger | May 19, 2006 at 02:52 PM

Bonsoir jen, love your blogs...Well...I think that whatever you didn't do before for charity is well gone as now your work with idealbite makes up for it so much! As for moi, well, as i often say, everything is 2 to form one balance; left, right (then center), high, low (then center), sleep, walk (balance) etc...even inhale/exhale (makes our body alive and well)...So...giving then receiving is logical too( it balances the take give scenario well) What do I do/ I Ihave been a member of Bat Conservation International and Southern Poverty Law Center too...Also, I shop often in thrift shops...of course, my site, as you know...and boosting for free some amazing people (like you gals)...here is another example of someone that shows us compassion: http://www.smilemailer.com/ cool, huh?

Posted by: Pascal Gillon | March 26, 2007 at 04:08 AM