13 charities I supported last year. President Biden has said, "Don't tell me what you value. Show me your budget and I'll tell you what you value." That quote is top of mind for me this time of year as I pull together receipts for my tax preparer.
I gave to 27 charities last year* and here are the top 13, highest to lowest. The President is right: this list does reflect my values.
1. My church.
2. My local food pantry. Because these are my neighbors.
3. Harmony House for Cats. Chicagoland has many animal shelters, but I give the most support to this one. They do great work but are somehow under the radar when it comes to PR.
4. Feeding America. This organization supports food pantries and meal programs all over the country.
5. Doctors Without Borders. I'm so glad I give to this one regularly. Whenever I see stories about suffering in faraway places like Gaza or Ukraine, I want to help! Then I realize I already have, because Doctors Without Borders is already there.
6. Greenpeace. I do this in memory of my mom. She worried about the impact of climate change on endangered species.
7. Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation. If you read this blog, this one is not a surprise. My favorite ballplayer of all time is devoted to paying it forward, and he inspires me to help. His foundation helps families battling cancer with all the things insurance doesn't cover, including parking and meals at the hospital, rent and mortgage relief, and Christmas presents. Rizz survived cancer as a teen and his experience has informed where the money goes.
8. Planned Parenthood. I am personally opposed to abortion, but that is based on my faith. In America, we should not legislate one religion's tenet over another. Speaking with my Jewish friends about abortion has strengthened my belief that outlawing it is UNAmerican because it blurs the line between Church and State. Also, I just want every woman to have reproductive healthcare so every mom will be healthy and every baby will be wanted.
9. The Night Ministry. Because the homeless are our neighbors and this group helps provide shelter and healthcare.
10. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. I can be pretty corny when it comes to patriotism, but I genuinely believe this true: knowing where we've been helps us decide where we want to go. This foundation is so effective in bringing the 18th century to life.
11. Marine Toys for Tots. First in advertising and now at the card shop, I have been involved in commercializing Christmas for nearly 45 years. This is my penance. If I'm going to promote Christmas as on occasion for stuff, I should try to put stuff in kids' hands so they will feel included.
12. ASPCA. Supporting your local animal shelter is important. But when something huge happens -- like the wildfires on Maui -- the ASPCA is there to help. As with Doctors Without Border, supporting the ASPCA helps me feel less helpless in the face of catastrophe.
13. PAWS Chicago. Another local shelter that does very good work. My friend Elaine just adopted her cat, Tuffy, from there!
Before you give to any charity, make sure it's worthy of your money. Check it out at Give.org.
Please join us for THURSDAY THIRTEEN. Click here to play along, and to see other interesting compilations of 13 things.
*Lest you think too highly of me, three of those 27 got just $5 each.
We used to give to Greenpeace and the Sierra Club years ago. RIght now, most of our charity money goes to our church which does A LOT of humanitarian good throughout the world. We also support and donate to Toys for Tots, and our local homeless shelter and food back whenever there is a drive for toys, food or warm clothing. You support some great causes and you are a great example of altruism. :-)
ReplyDeleteI give to Feeding America, too. I think it's a good organization. You are doing a lot of good with your donations. Good for you!
ReplyDeleteA very worthy list.
ReplyDelete