Charity

The word charity can be applied in many different ways. Charity can mean concepts or practices. Charity can mean a place, such as Charity Island in MI. Charity can also mean organizations or entertainment. The idea of charity as a practice is the practice of benevolent giving. Honestly this concept does not necessarily mean money or even material items. This concept can simply be time. Anyway my point is that charity is something that we should all consider in whatever means possible that suits each of us. A few ways that come to mind are donating clothes, or helping out at a soup kitchen. One of the issues I always have is that I want to know that my donations are going to a worthy cause and not some thrift store that is going to slap a price tag on the items and charge people for my donations. So I encourage you to take a little extra time and be sure that the money, time and items that you are donating are going to a worthy cause that is actually helping people and not just making money for themselves at your expense. It doesn't take allot to give.

The latest way that I have chosen to donate is Craig's list. It is not hard to find someone in the wanted section who is looking for clothes for their kids or dishes, household furniture etc. These are people in the local area, contributing to your economy, in need of help. It can be done through Craig's list with no exchange of information except on your terms. I just met a family in the Bronx, a mom and two small children who needed school clothes. The mom did not have enough money to buy groceries and clothes so she posted her needs on Craig's list. I responded with a box of Patricia's charity clothes. I also had three gift cards to the Gap that I was never going to use so I drop shipped her the amount of toddler clothes that I could get with those gift cards. My only expense was shipping on the initial box of clothes. I got the Gap shipping for free. I know that charity might have a bad stigma to some. Living on hand outs and being a "charity case" can enable those that simply need to get a job. However there are those that work hard and just don't seem to get ahead. They are out there find them and help out no matter how small. Just the positive interaction might be the charity. So like I said before it doesn't have to be much, encouraging words or a gift of clothing, money etc. Do what you can to leave this place better then you found it! Even if all you are doing is improving the life of those around you.

Give to those in need!

http://www.charitywatch.org/toprated.html