Posted on 11/23/2005 6:42:18 PM PST by ChicagoHebrew
I will be receiving my Christmas bonus in about two weeks. In keeping with the Jewish requirement of donating 10% of my income to charity, I'm now in the market for some good place to give to.
I'd like to give to a charity focusing on the truly poor -- those people unfortunate enough to live in destitute countries -- and one that focuses on developing poor economies (i.e. providing clean drinking water, educating people on modern farming methods, microcredit, fighting malaria with DDT) rather than simply giving handouts.
Note: I will not give to an organization that tries to promote Christianity (or Islam for that matter). I love and respect what good-hearted Christians can do, but as a Jew I simply will not aid Christian missionizing with my money.
Any suggestions?
Action Against Hunger - USA
877-777-1420
Bread for the World
800-82-BREAD
Food for Survival
718-991-4300
Freedom from Hunger
800-708-2555
Global Hunger Project
212-251-9100
Any of these have websites you know of?
You don't know of any Jewish outreach programs?
Salvation Army - Best return on your dollar. Definately do not give to the Red Cross - one of the worst returns on the charitable dollar.
I suggest the Heifer International charity and the USO.
Salvation Army
Why not look into that type of donation.
My favorites are the USO and Salvation Army.
My fave Jewish Charity is the "Joint Committee". I get a kick out of the name of course. But my understanding is they help poor Jews all over the world, and pretty much only help Jews. As my friend told me "If there are three Jewish people in China, and they need help, the Joint Committee will help them". I have never heard a bad word about them. Obviously I am not remembering the entire name, but if you can't find them, freep mail me and I'll find out what it is.
There is also a Marine supported charity that helps children of Marines, soliders, etc. killed in action. I'm a little useless as I can't remember that name at all, but again I could find out. They are good too as the folks that run it are almost all volunteers, so they can spend the vast majority of the donations on the actual people being helped.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
As horrible as the deaths are, I've always tried to visualize (and saying a prayer for) those countless others that are so severely injured for the rest of their lives. Good idea for a Jewish donation!
I've seen my kids' karate dojo work more miracles in the lives of decent people than just about any other organization. I've seen an adopted boy, abused by his biological parents to the extent that doctors claimed he would never again walk without crutches, grow up to endure a night of grueling testing to (after years of practice) earn his black belt.
There's lots of worse places to donate than the local dojo. :)
Better yet, go and find someone on the street that needs help. Get them a room in a hotel, get them a shave, shower and haircut. Make an appointment for them with a medical psychologist if they need one and make the payments until they get set up to receive their meds free (that of course if they need that kind of help and chances are good they do).
Depending on how much money you have, support them in a small apartment. Even one that does not look like much to you will be a palace to them.
That in my mind is the best thing you could do with your chairity if you can afford that much. Otherwise, give it to the Salvation Army as they do pretty much the same thing for you and take very little by way of administration.
Definately donate to the Salvation Army if you are looking for a charity organization.
Unfortunately, I don't. They might exist, and if anyone knows of any, I'd give to them. Jews tend to give money either to Israel, poor Jews in western countries, or to the general community (universities, hospitals, the poor) in developed countries where Jews live. But very few Jews live in or care about the 3rd world.
As an aside, I've often believed that personal charity to the 3rd world should be a prime conservative issue. If you grow up in the US and work hard, you've got an excellent chance to make it. If you happen to be born in Bolivia or Zambia, chances are you'll be dead by 14, no matter how hard you work.
Ditto Heifer Project International....
I like your criteria; well thought out.
It would help, I think, if more people gave their giving as much thought as you (and I hope I) do.
A really meaningful post. Thanks.
I won't give to the Salvation Army. As its name implies, it is a very Christian organization. I admire their work, but I won't support it with my dollar.
"dakine"
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.