Choosing your own charity

November 19, 5:56 PMRelationship ExaminerKristen Houghton

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We are barraged daily by charities. By mail, at the supermarket, by phone; everyone has a cause that needs our money. All of the causes are good ones, from helping to prevent children’s diseases to societies aiding abused animals and we feel badly that we can’t support every one, but we can’t. We simply cannot give to all.

One day, after having gone through a pile of solicitations at home, I went to a local coffee bar only to be accosted by an elderly woman sweetly asking for a donation to a local charity. She seemed genuinely annoyed when I said I didn’t have any extra cash with me. Turn around was fair play and I became the annoyed one when she said,

“Well, dear, you could donate the money you’re spending on that overpriced cup of coffee, you know.”

I went in and bought my cup of coffee, overpriced or not. I draw the line at being told what I should do with the money I had earned. Her comment bordered on harassment.

I am all for donating my time and money to charities but the solicitations have become so numerous that I don’t know where to give. I also don’t want to be perpetually broke. Deciding which charity was close to my heart and right for me was a necessity and it kept me sane. Giving to the causes which were important to my values and life gave me focus and made me feel I was doing something worthwhile.

If you have a problem with organization after organization bombarding you with requests for donations, here are a few simple rules to follow.

Decide what cause is important to you and only you.

You can’t give to all so you need to focus on what charity tugs at your heart the most and leaves you feeling you’ve done some good.

Don’t be pressured into giving to every reputable group.

Give what you can easily afford, no more. Remember that you are not required to give anything if you don’t want to do so or if you really can’t afford it.

No matter how many “gifts” an organization sends you in the mail, you are not obligated to donate.

Most of the gift items are donated anyway so don’t feel they have lost money because you’re not sending a check.

If you can’t donate money to the cause you’ve chosen, how about your time?

A friend brings her collie to an elder care home as a therapy pet. My neighbor volunteers at a women’s safe house. The same rule applies with volunteering; choose only the charity closest to your heart.

Get on the National Do Not Call list if you’re bothered by phone solicitors.

Tell people who do solicit you that you’re sure their cause is very worthwhile...

but that you are strongly committed to another equally worthwhile one. Then solicit them for your charity!

Charity blesses both the giver and the receiver. Bless yourself and your cause by donating your money where your heart tells you.

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