What I value. President
Joe Biden 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
because I recently sat down with my accountant to discuss tax deductions for my 2025 return. This list of the 13
organizations I gave the most to (listed highest to lowest) does say
something about me.
1. My church.
2. My local food pantry. Because these are my neighbors. In addition to monthly cash contributions, I also throw a non-perishable ($1.25 or less) into my cart every time I go grocery shopping. Today it was a can of corn (89¢). Anyway, by doing that, I'm able to bring a bag of food over to the pantry in person every month without even feeling a pinch.
3. Doctors without Borders. If you're like me, you see stories about Ukraine or the international impact of DOGE cuts and you wonder, "What can I do?" Through my monthly donation to DWB, I am helping provide aid.
4. Feeding America. This national organization supports food pantries and meal programs all across the country.
5. Harmony House for Cats. Chicago has many animal shelters. I've chosen to give monthly to this one. They do great work, but they don't get a lot of publicity.
6. Greenpeace. I do this for my late mother. She often worried aloud about the impact of climate change on endangered species.
7. The Night Ministry. The homeless are our neighbors. The Night Ministry supports them with food, shelter, and medical care.
8. The Carter Center. I made the first of my 2025 contributions to this organization in memory of Kathleen's mother. Kathleen has a very big family with lots of siblings, so I was afraid any floral arrangement I sent to the funeral would be lost among amid a sea of FTD deliveries. I know Kathleen found Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter's post-White House work inspiring and thought this would be a nice way to comfort her. Anyway, now I'm on their mailing list and I support their efforts to promote peace and health across the globe. The Center refers to their efforts as "Waging Peace." Contrast that with the current POTUS, who insists on referring to the Department of Defense as the Department of War. I'm happy to support The Carter Center's work.
9. Fried's Cat Shelter. I do this for my late uncle. It was his favorite charity. It was started in the 1970s by the Frieds, Jewish immigrants who escaped the Nazis by coming to America in 1939. After they retired, they bought an abandoned motel in Michigan City, IN, and turned it into a no-kill shelter for homeless cats. Their time under Hitler taught them, "To save a life is more in conformity with God's law than to kill." Every cat who enters Fried's is guaranteed a home for life, whether with an adopter on in loving care at the shelter.
10. WTTW – Channel 11. It's Chicago's PBS station. The Trump Administration has been behind the defunding of public television, and it's up to those of us who care about local news to do our part to help make up the shortfall.
11. Marine Toys for Tots. I worked in advertising for decades, and I began my career working at Sears, writing about toys for The Wish Book. I commercialized Christmas, and this is my penance. I don't want any wee one to be disappointed because they didn't get a toy from Santa.
12. Lincoln Presidential Foundation. Kathleen has Jimmy Carter, I've got Abe. People, especially children, need to learn more about him. Fortunately, since Mr. Lincoln was President before the 1950s when the formal system for Presidential libraries was established, it does not rely on Federal funding. The Trump Administration can't fuck with its staffing, like they did the JFK Presidential Library. Because it's state run, they can't fuck with the content, like they have with the Smithsonian. But that means it depends heavily on private donors.
13. World Wildlife Fund. I do this in my mother's memory, too. Polar bears, seals, elephants ... she often said she worried her great grandchildren wouldn't get to see these wonderful endangered animals. Whenever she was a little money ahead, she'd send $10 along to WWF. I like thinking how pleased she would be that I am expanding her good work, especially now that she has three great grandkids.
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.
