# Help me pick a charity, please. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 14, 2004, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-a-charity-please/274631 "2004-11-14T00:36:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-a-charity-please/274631/21 "2004-11-15T01:09:20Z")
I beleive very strongly in acting locally first. Our school(s) would rather have each child donate $2 in lieu of a gift to the teachers to go towards an anonymous family in the school that is having a hard time financially. Non perishable foods are also donated as well. It is amazing how good you can feel when you make a donation of a couple of 5# bags of pancakes, SuperDuper Sized peanut butter and jelly can do. All for less than $20. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-a-charity-please/274631/22 "2004-11-15T04:19:28Z")
I would say either the USO or Team Up for Down Syndrome. ---
**Author:** ![Burnt\_Sugar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee59a6/32.png) [@Burnt\_Sugar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Burnt_Sugar)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2004, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-a-charity-please/274631/23 "2004-11-16T09:40:52Z")
I would split it, personally, between the UN\* (you can direct as to which organisation under their umbrella), some medical research organisation and some local organisation that helps find people jobs (for example). Or if you feel you donation would be insubstantial spread three ways, pick the one which deals with a problem of most concern for you. I’m very much in favour of donating to organisations that help fix problems, rather than donating toys (etc) which will result in a little joy but do nothing to help fix the long-term problem. \*Cheques or money orders made payable to the United Nations may be sent to: The Treasurer, Room S-2770A, United Nations, New York, NY 10017. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2004, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-a-charity-please/274631/24 "2004-11-16T10:13:25Z")
Can I put in a word for [www.elvesandmore.org](http://www.elvesandmore.org) ? They buy Christmas presents (usually bicycles) for poor American kids. If there’s a center nearby, you can also learn how to build a bike (or pump up the tires) Does the CEO jet off to Hawaaii for golf trips? No, for the first three years, he funded the charity entirely out of his own pocket. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Primaflora](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/898d66/32.png) [@Primaflora](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Primaflora)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2004, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-a-charity-please/274631/25 "2004-11-16T10:13:32Z")
> [@Mississippienne](#): > > [Charity Navigator](http://www.charitynavigator.org/) ranks charities based on how well they utilize their funds. I personally don’t donate a dime to organizations that rank below a 3 on that site. sooo heifer international with 49.68 isn’t looking good? Damn. there goes some of my holiday present spending idea. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2004, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-a-charity-please/274631/26 "2004-11-16T11:37:46Z")
I see the Shrine Hospitals got a 57 or so, for three stars. In my opinion they deserve extra points for the funny hats too. ---
**Author:** ![Oregon\_sunshine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/50afbb/32.png) [@Oregon\_sunshine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oregon_sunshine)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2004, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-a-charity-please/274631/27 "2004-11-16T11:51:34Z")
I second **DMark** and others on choosing the local food bank or shelter. No matter where you live, there is more poverty and struggle than you know, right under your nose. ---
**Author:** ![Caprese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9a28c/32.png) [@Caprese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caprese)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2004, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-a-charity-please/274631/28 "2004-11-16T12:12:13Z")
> [@Primaflora](#): > > sooo heifer international with 49.68 isn’t looking good? > Damn. there goes some of my holiday present spending idea. Yeah, I used to give to Heifer annually but this might well be the last year. The last couple seasons, I was beginning to wonder about Heifer because I was receiving 2 or 3 of their slick magazine-like brochures a year. And about giving charity locally: I do that year-round. Not just around the holidays. When it comes to this time of year, I think a bit more globally. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2004, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-a-charity-please/274631/29 "2004-11-16T12:14:59Z")
I have been doing this for years and find it particularly satisfying because I like picturing the end of the story. I contribute a kid’s gift to one of the local charities that distribute presents to less well off families. I always pick a name card for a very young child and as well as the gift I wrap up $200. It’s nice on Christmas morning to think that some mother somewhere is helping her 2 year old open a package and, lo and behold, no more charity needed today she has money in her pocket. ---
**Author:** ![Oregon\_sunshine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/50afbb/32.png) [@Oregon\_sunshine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oregon_sunshine)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2004, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-a-charity-please/274631/30 "2004-11-16T12:18:09Z")
Upon reflection, I realize that my post may have unintentionally sounded snotty. Scratch the “right under your nose” thing. Sorry!!! :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2004, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-a-charity-please/274631/31 "2004-11-16T14:36:52Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > I used to work for one of those major charities listed. > > If you really want to make a difference, DON’T donate to them. > > Tell your parents to send you the money. > > Call your local homeless shelter, meals-on-wheels, women’s shelter, AIDS hospice, Salvation Army, etc. and ask what they need. Blankets, cans of food, toothpaste…whatever. > > Then go to your nearest Costco, Sam’s Club or whatever. Buy a lot. > > Take all of it to that location. Deliver it. > > Then you know for sure your $$ have really done good and not paid for a CEO’s trip to Hawaii to meet with a donor to play golf. > > Plus, you get to see the actual good you have done and my guess is, you will be one of their pals for life. YES. I work for a charity, and I agree with this information. It’s a lot different thean an anonymous check. Help out with a soup kitchen, or whatever. ---
**Author:** ![monica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a183cd/32.png) [@monica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monica)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-a-charity-please/274631/32 "2004-11-17T02:53:09Z")
> [@Shayna](#): > > Along those lines, if you’d like to make it Christmas related, since it’s supposed to substitute for a Christmas present for you, you might consider having them buy some toys and give them to the [Marine Corps Toys For Tots](http://www.toysfortots.org/) drive. It’s kind of funny that you say that…I’m in charge of organizing the Toys for Tots drive at our school this year, so I’m already participating in it. ---
**Author:** ![JerH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bb73d2/32.png) [@JerH](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JerH)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-a-charity-please/274631/33 "2004-11-17T15:01:56Z")
I think it’s best to determine what’s important to you personally, and donate money to organizations that support that. For example: I’m a big reader and I collect (well, accumulate) books, so my charitable donations are to [RIF](http://www.rif.org/) and local libraries. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-a-charity-please/274631/34 "2004-11-17T15:47:41Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > I used to work for one of those major charities listed. > > If you really want to make a difference, DON’T donate to them. > . I disagree with this statement. Charities are generally better able to put the money to good use than individual people. They can get better deals, they can use the money at appropriate times, they can use it for necessary stuff you can’t pay for (say, renting trucks, or, yes…paying a professionnal whose training is required). ---
**Author:** ![Rock\_n\_Roach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Rock\_n\_Roach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rock_n_Roach)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-a-charity-please/274631/35 "2004-11-17T17:27:53Z")
What has a lot of meaning to you at this moment in your life. When my grandfather died of lung cancer I gave to the American Lung Association for a while My current charity is my local Animal Rescue League as animals have a very dear spot in my heart. ---
**Author:** ![Elenfair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cc9497/32.png) [@Elenfair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elenfair)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-a-charity-please/274631/36 "2004-11-17T17:39:54Z")
Your local Women’s Shelter. They need all the help they can get, and most people forget about them until Christmas. They’ll appreciate any help they can get, and the money goes straight where it’s needed. ---
**Author:** ![Caprese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9a28c/32.png) [@Caprese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caprese)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-a-charity-please/274631/37 "2004-11-17T20:53:32Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > I disagree with this statement. > Charities are generally better able to put the money to good use than individual people. They can get better deals, they can use the money at appropriate times, they can use it for necessary stuff you can’t pay for (say, renting trucks, or, yes…paying a professionnal whose training is required). I understand what you are saying, **Clairobscur**. But so far this year I have received 3 catalogs from Heifer International. They are glossy, color catalogs. The layout is wonderful and the pictures beautiful. It really makes you want to give! But I did not need to receive 3 of them. It’s not even December yet–I will probably receive yet another catalog. I sent my contribution two weeks ago. I am sure they get better deals, and I appreciate the work Heifer does. But I disapprove of all this stuff coming in the mail. It still seems wasteful to me. And it makes me wonder just how much waste is going on with Heifer. I always give to local charities, and will continue to do so. But next year I am going to pick a different, perhaps worthier seasonal charity. Maybe I will give to the Charity Navigator! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![moi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@moi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moi)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2004, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-a-charity-please/274631/38 "2004-11-18T05:24:33Z")
Here’s another vote for your local chapter of **Habitat for Humanity**. They don’t fit your nondenominational request, I know, but the chapters don’t necessarily focus on the God aspect of things: They’re just out there building houses, good ones, for people in need. Even in the cold of winter. (Full disclosure: Yes, my husband works for them but we will in no way benefit from your gift to your local chapter. Also, on the religion front, I’m Pagan, so it’s not like I’m pushing a Christian agenda either.) If that doesn’t meet your fancy, I would recommend a local soup kitchen or shelter for the homeless or abused. On a more self-serving note, it’s been a hard few years for arts organizations, so you could always throw your money at the local arts council or a favorite museum. IMHO, of course. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![kimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f0a364/32.png) [@kimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kimera)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2004, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-a-charity-please/274631/39 "2004-11-18T06:36:07Z")
[Child’s Play Charity.](http://www.penny-arcade.com/childsplaycharity/index.php) You buy gifts off of Amazon which are sent to children’s hospitals around the country. As someone who has spent WAY too much time in a children’s hospital, I can tell you how much a game or toy or book will mean to a sick child. You can pick the items you want to send and where you want to send them too so you know exactly where your money is going. ---
**Author:** ![smartini](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/22d042/32.png) [@smartini](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smartini)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2004, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-a-charity-please/274631/40 "2004-11-18T15:35:09Z")
**monica** , this is such a great way to celebrate Christmas! My extended family always exchanged gifts. We tried the total exchange bit, the drawing names bit and even the gag gift only bit. The happiest thing is what we finally settled on about 6 years ago. After dinner on Christmas Day we all put our name in a hat and someone, by some foolish, fun way, gets picked to draw the name. The person whose name is drawn gets to announce their charity pick and tell about it and why they chose it. Then everyone gets out their checkbook and writes a check to that charity. We have _loved_ it. I have yet to win on the name draw but have always thought I would pick Mother’s Against Drunk Driving because I see the pain left in the wake of DUI way too much in my work and because I am a mom. > **[MADD | Mothers Against Drunk Driving](https://www.madd.org/)** > > The mission of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes, and prevent underage drinking. Good luck in choosing your charity! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-a-charity-please/274631.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-a-charity-please/274631.md?page=3)