Sharing: 5 Ideas
I had some trouble with this post’s title. “Giving Back” doesn’t give me the warm fuzzies (I ask: “To whom?” and “What’d they ever give me?”). And “Spreading the Wealth” doesn’t seem to fit since I can guarantee “wealthy” isn’t the first word that comes to mind when trying to describe me.
But what I am is simply a bit more fortunate than many who, well, aren’t. So whenever I’m in a batch giving mood, I try to share a bit with them too… why the heck not?
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So, “Sharing” it is.
And here are five organizations/sites to help you do just that online. And easily too. These most certainly are not the only worthwhile projects out there you can help and share with. But these, for whatever reason, caught my eye and interest. Check them out:
Doctors Without Borders
Give a donation to help them with their mission to provide emergency medical aid and preventive healthcare services to the needy around the world.
DonorsChoose.org
This program is quite interesting, actually: Choose a very specific public school class project from its list, and you help fund it and bring it to reality for the kids with your donation. You get thank you cards from them too. Cool huh?
NCADV Call to Protect
Donate your deactivated cell and wireless phones to help victims of domestic violence.
Share Your Soles
Donate your gently worn shoes for distribution to those in greatest need worldwide.
And here’s one for post-Christmas:
eBay Giving Works
Forget regifting or storing them away never to be seen again… sell unwanted gifts on eBay instead, and donate part of the proceeds to charity through this eBay-managed program.
OK, sorry for this public service detour. Had to get it out of my system. We’re now returning to our regular programming…
NOTE: Comment below if you want to add any other other causes to the list! (Only legit non-profits please.)
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New reader here. (Subscribed via RSS) One of the best charities I can think of is Compassion International. (http://www.compassion.com/default.htm) Unlike some of the other sponsor-a-child programs, Compassion doesn’t put you on a guilt trip!
A suggestion: FlyLady.net calls it “Paying it Forward.” I think that’s a good way to say it instead of “Sharing” or “Giving Back.”
Thanks for your awesome site!
Welcome Rachel! Thanks for tipping us off to Compassion International. No guilt trip = good in my book.
Thanks for reminding me about PIF, which I guess is based on the movie “Pay It Forward” with Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt and that sixth sense kid Osment. Good concept, although my goals aren’t quite that ambitious.
Wonderful* Thanks for encouraging and posting this! I actually have a hair appointment in 2 hours that I am nervous about: I decided to donate my hair to Locks of Love (they make wigs for children who have lost their own hair, usually due to sickness).
It’s another option to consider that doesn’t involve money (although of course, they also accept monetary donations, since it costs $$$ to make the wigs!).
http://www.locksoflove.org
Good day, E-Man:
One of my latest favorites, and a really cool concept I believe, is http://www.Kiva.org, where you can loan small amounts (micro-loans) to entrepreneurs in emerging countries around the globe. So, you can essentially help someone start a small manufacturing outfit to make shirts, a local fruit market, you name it.
Check ‘er out. Cool stuff.
DM Werner
wow, Johanna, it’s one thing to give money, or unused phones and shoes… hair! That’s a whole different level. Especially when it’s still on your head, and it’s so nice and long (saw your pic on your site)… it must have taken you forever to grow it!
Hats off to you, Johanna. Rather, my hat TO you. Hope you won’t need it, but just in case.
best
ees
PS How’d it go?
dmw, thanks also for pointing out kiva.
For some reason, I get reminded of Heifer International.
ees
EES,
(I’ll try to blog about it soon) Sometimes it’s so good and so important to let go like that, I think. It was hard, because it had become such a part of my identity. It had just been like that for so long. But the kids can use it — need it, so much more. And it’s fun to imagine some little kid with my hair…. 
Thank you for the encouragement! Went well ~ I was so nervous as we began. But I brought my measuring tape and plastic bag, and magazine with ideas*
Definitely a bloggable experience, Johanna. Even imagining the recipient of your hair has pretty good “fiction potential,” I think. But truly, that was very generous of you. Round of applause.
*sheepish*
Thank You*
Happy Holidays!
Here’s another GREAT one I’ve just come across.
Fun too!
http://www.FreeRice.com
You can increase your vocabulary prowess in a fun game and donate rice to needy people at the same time.
Check ‘er out; cool stuff.
DM Werner