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What to do and what not to do for World AIDS Day
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Today is World AIDS Day, a globally recognized event for spotlighting attention on the worldwide AIDS epidemic. No matter the level of your involvement there are several things you can do, and at least one I would argue against.
Starbucks is offering to donate 5 cents for every red cup drink they sell. There are three red cup drinks to choose from. I will not be joining Starbucks Red Campaign for a mere 5 cent donation. If you're buying a cuppa anyway then it works just fine, but if you're going out of your way to stop by Starbucks on December 1st, then why not just go to Africare.org, where they fight AIDS and poverty every day, and donate a few tax-deductible dollars like I plan to do? Raising 2 kids I have very little money left over for charity, but 5 cents in my name, after spending money on a drink I don't really need, is almost an insult.
Or go to Charity Navigator and find a worthwhile non-profit NGO and put your money on one of them. Or donate to Northwest Harvest or a local food bank in your area. Or give a Real Change vendor a couple of bucks in exchange for a newspaper telling stories the mainstream media overlooks. Anything rather than buy into a 5 cent donation. Yes, nickels add up when you're talking about millions of Starbucks customers. But some things matter more.
You can discover ways to get involved and take action on the AIDS.gov website, and you can learn more about World AIDS Day on the World AIDS Campaign website, where you can also view events happening all over the world. Locally, visit the Lifelong AIDS Alliance website to learn what you can do to help. These are the people who annually put on the Seattle AIDS Walk. I'm sure they would welcome a donation of the money you might have spent at Starbucks and it takes less than you think to help someone living with AIDS in your community. You can also learn about ways to volunteer. Browse a wealth of information in other Examiner.com topics.
Whatever you do today, give it some thought. A little thought can take you a long way in this world.
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