| During our daily lives or in the midst of | | | | set up charities with the intention of using |
| extraordinary circumstances, we often come | | | | donations received for their own benefit. |
| upon worthy causes to donate to. However, | | | | However, there are many more big and small |
| because of one of any number of reasons we fail | | | | charities that are directly helping the people they |
| to make the donation. When you give even a little | | | | are intending to assist. When you choose not to |
| bit to an organization that helps others, you are | | | | donate because of the transgressions of the few, |
| making a positive impact. Just as multiple rain | | | | you actually hurt the people you were motivated |
| drops can cause a flash flood, your few dollars | | | | to assist. |
| combined with the few dollars that thousands and | | | | Don't allow a few bad people and organizations |
| millions also donate can change lives. So, why do | | | | stop you from helping the organizations that really |
| good people hold back from donating when they | | | | do help people. You can be a part of the solution. |
| really want to? Here are the top 5 excuses | | | | Do your research, get comfortable with the |
| people use to NOT donate to charity. | | | | company you want to donate with, and then |
| 1. I don't have the money to donate. | | | | follow through. |
| It is true that there are a great many people that | | | | 4. My money won't help. |
| cannot afford to donate money. They may in | | | | How can a donation of $5 help anyone? That $5 |
| fact need the assistance of some of the great | | | | could be enough to purchase vital medication, |
| charities that are out there. However, for the rest | | | | food, water, and other supplies that can make a |
| of us, we can more often than not find the $5 or | | | | difference in someone's life. That $5 could be |
| more to donate to a great charity. | | | | combined with thousands of others that also |
| There are creative ways to find money to make | | | | donated in varying amounts to help a lot of |
| charitable contributions. Today, skip one gourmet | | | | different people. |
| coffee trip. This week, cut out one fast food | | | | Don't think of your donation as being the end, but |
| night and eat at home. Rather than buying snacks | | | | instead as money that will be added to the |
| at lunch time, save that money and put it to a | | | | donations of many others to effect real change. |
| different use. Cash in your box or bottle of | | | | Every dollar helps. You can never donate too little. |
| change. Bring lunch to work instead of buying | | | | Decide what's comfortable for you and your |
| lunch for a day. | | | | family to donate and make it so. You'll also feel |
| In short, if you believe in a cause, you can find a | | | | great once you do! |
| way to donate to that cause. | | | | 5. My money is no longer needed. |
| 2. I don't want my money to go towards | | | | When a crisis abates, and the news cameras go |
| overhead. | | | | home, people often think that their donations are |
| We all want to see our dollars go directly to the | | | | no longer needed. When issues that were once |
| people that require the assistance. That assistance | | | | major seem to be getting better, it may appear |
| has to someone reach the people it is intended to | | | | that the work of the charity is complete. Often |
| help though. Transportation, packaging, and | | | | times, nothing can be further than the truth. |
| security are just some of the areas that charities | | | | In many cases, it's when the major attention is |
| must spend dollars to ensure their aid reaches the | | | | off of the crisis that the real work begins. When a |
| people it must help. Unfortunately, we still live in a | | | | charity forms, there is often much more work to |
| system where those things must be paid for. | | | | be done than any single charity can fulfill. Don't |
| In the end, it's more important to donate to a | | | | decide not to donate because you believe the |
| charity that you believe in, and that has the | | | | need has passed. Do your homework and |
| capability of delivering aid to the intended | | | | determine for yourself if there is more work to |
| recipients. You should take the time to understand | | | | be done. Rather than assume that lack of media |
| the companies you consider donating to so you | | | | attention means all is well, check into for yourself. |
| have the peace of mind that you are making a | | | | You will often be surprised at the degree of |
| difference. Don't rule out donating altogether | | | | misery and human plight the world often ignores. |
| because of rumors, unsubstantiated statements | | | | Please donate what you can to the causes that |
| or a few proven bad apples. | | | | touch your heart the most. You feel good when |
| 3. I believe all charities are fraudulent. | | | | you are giving, because you know that you are |
| There have been issues with some companies in | | | | helping others to help themselves. |
| the past. Also, there are people that purposely | | | | |