Monday, December 8, 2008
Happy Holiday$$$
My Aunt & Uncle have sent out an e-mail requesting that, instead of gifts, we donate to a charity in their name. They have asked for charitable organizations to which we might like a donation, in lieu of a gift. Putting aside my absolutely unbridled joy at opening presents (yay!!!), I really don't need more stuff, and this is a wonderful idea. I'm trying to think of what charity to suggest, so I've made a poll to solicit the thoughtful opinions of the Brushfires family. It's my first poll, so I'd love it if you would check a box. Of course, your comments are appreciated (and necessary for me to feel validated - what a sad life your host must lead...) Just remember, it has to be a charity, Political Action Committees and 527 Organizations need not apply. So, feel free - remember, it's not your money you're spending!
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51 comments:
I voted for the boys and girls club because they did Mr. Suza a lot of good while he was young, but I've also been really touched recently by the organizations trying to aid women in Afghanistan - especially after the acid attack. I had a couple of their names written down (one in SoCal and one up here), but I've misplaced it for the moment. I can't imagine denying girls the right to an education and the joy of knowledge and learning. It almost brings me to tears...
I'm a charity case. You can send checks to : The Gina Gavone Gonzalloni Human Fund.
I have strong interests in two:
Silicon Valley YMCA (presently on the board): "The YMCA of Silicon Valley is committed to enriching kids, adults, families and the community through health, fitness and wellness programs, youth programs, camps, family programs, swimming, and a variety of activities for people of all ages, incomes and abilities. Anyone can join. The YMCA values and embraces the diversity of all people in the community. Financial assistance may be available for you and your entire family to join, thanks to the generosity of our donors. The YMCA uses 100 percent of donor contributions to provide financial assistance for members and to subsidize a wide range of programs. Our goal is to provide financial assistance to anyone who needs it to participate." We just opened a branch in East Palo Alto after doing nearly 20 years of groundwork gaining acceptance in the community. http://www.ymcasv.org/index.html
Senior Housing Solutions (formerly on the board). The goal: "to develop safe, affordable housing and create opportunities that enhance the ability of seniors to live healthy, high quality lives." http://srhousingsolutions.org/index.php
Since the Freedom from Religion Foundation (ffrf.org) is a political group, I'll mention Doctors Without Borders/ Medecins Sans Frontieres. You can watch a YouTube video describing their efforts here:
http://tinyurl.com/6nggrn
and you can donate here:
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/donate/
A good option if you aren't sure of a good fit between charity and gift recipient is the "Good Card" available from Charity Navigator, the charity evaluation website. You buy the card tax deductible, the recipient chooses the charity (not tax-deductible for them, but then, they didn't spend anything!)
http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&cpid=699
I always give to Glide Memorial
Do you know what my problem is with organized charities? It always seems as if the organizers pay themselves a big,fat stipend first, then worry about their 'clients' as an afterthought...often people who always seem to have no problem being Professional Pitiful Charity Cases. And, then there's the rest of us. Living in our cozy worlds, fat and well-fed, with all sorts of White American Guilt and no place to direct it to. Just ripe for the pickin'. Ya, I'm a little cynical.
(And I don't include Doctor's Without Borders in that group, because they do seem more altruistic than others.)
I mean, it's a lot easier to write a check for proof of the deed and be done with the obligation, than, say, visit a lonely old person and have no one know about it.
Gina - you're missing the point. I am sacrificing something more valuable than my time - my gift! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE opening presents - I mean, like a 4 year-old LOVES opening presents. My aunt & uncle will probably give more money to a charity than they would have spent on my gift, but it's really the opening that I enjoy. Yeesh, visit old people, what do you think I am, a freakin' saint???
You're just a brat, I know.
I sincerly hope that you're never old and lonely one day.
I Sincerely hope that I learn to spell for Christmas.
Brat?!?!? I'm going to hold my breath until you take that back! (stomps foot)
How did a nice blog entry about charity devolve into petty bickering?
WV--mytor (companion of the snow hog)
Bickering?? I thought I was being charitable. That should score some points with someone.
And I'll never take it back, brat.
DSG: Few would get that referernce to Rush, but I did. Take off, eh? ;-)
WV: Wooks : cute books
Now that I have regained conciousness (thanks to my office mate), I realize that gina is right, and I'm being a brat. So, in the spirit of the season, I will be visiting a lonely, old person - or at least, her blog: http://ineedashotofredemption.blogspot.com/
(tee-hee!)
Wow! Gina was right, I feel so much better now...
WT, I figured it would be either you or TS. I love those guys--the piece that RS did on them a couple of months back was too much! Geddy Lee's voice could only work for rock and roll. BTW, dear hostess, your mention of old people made me think of that commercial Kaiser has out these days, using the song, "When I Grow Up" by Michelle Shocked.
WV: phymplui. Excuse me while I clear my throat.
Oh hush you RUSHers:
"Take oooofffff
To the Great White North
take oooofffff
It's the beauty way to go...."
;)
Must be the season: I agree with some of the suggestions, particularly Doctors Without Borders (TedSpe).
On a simpler and far less poltically charged level, the well-publicized surgical work of Operation Smile is worthy, too.
(note: IMO, the original M.Shocked CD with "when I grow up" is great. "If Love Was a Train" and the "L&N Don't Stop Here Anymore" and "Anchorage" also are master works. Everyone should have a copy. . . .)
I am not old. I'm only half old, according to the Kaiser commercial, which means I have a long ways to go before I'm back in diapers like some people. And please do not visit me unless I'm notified first. The gate to the Temple is kept locked at all times by the Keeper, and only specially approved people are allowed through.
Rush, is that a water reed of some kind? They grow all over the place around here.
O.k., I give in. I know it's a sin to double-post, but sinning never stopped me. I remembered that I do have a favorite charity. It's called 'Save The Eagles'. They even have a theme song that you can get for free if you make a sizable donation.
Here it is, just in case you're interested:
Rush — I Think I'm Going Bald lyrics
I looked in the mirror today;
My eyes just didn't seem so bright.
I've lost a few more hairs.
I think I'm going bald,
I think I'm going bald.
Seems like only yesterday
We would sit and talk of dreams all night,
Dreams of youth and simple truths.
Now we're all so involved,
So involved with life.
I walk down vanity fair,
Memory lane ev'rywhere
Wall Stree shuffles there,
Dressed in flowing hair.
Once we loved the flowers,
Now we ask the price of the land.
Once we would take water,
But now it must be wine.
Now we've been and now we've seen
What price peace of mind.
Take a piece of my mind.
My life is slipping away.
I'm aging every day.
But even when I'm grey,
I'll still be grey my way.
Cutting and pasting was my best subject in school, by the way.
My favorite Rush song of all time is Xanadu.
WV: preflu. Better bundle up.
I thought that was Olivia Newton-John and E.L.O. ;-)
No, no, no! Xanadu was the name of Charles Foster Kane's estate.
I donate to an organization that aids Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange. And I would never dream of soliciting donations in my name. The money goes directly to a fund in a Vietnamese bank...
You ever hear about the "Pizza Helicopters"? They delivered the pepperoni pies to the generals in Saigon. With 2,4,-D and 2,4,5-T for the forests below...
The fund is for the villagers who were in the woods, and died there. And their children and grandchildren and the children not yet born, as the dioxin in the soil will outlive all of them and all of us...
Well, geez, Michael, that's why I am soliciting them for you.
Seriously, though. Don't you think it's far better to be really charitable by giving your time rather than money? It doesn't show up on your resume, and you can get a tax write off, or smugly tell people about your cause, but can't you understand the need to give of yourself and not your money?
gina - people give of themselves what they can. And just so you know, I don't itemize my tax return, so I don't get a tax write-off. And I don't know anybody who goes around bragging about what money or time they give.
BTW - Michael has given more than most, already. Like suza, he is also thinking outside of the country, to more global needs.
Thank you all for your great input on this issue. I have decided on the local office of Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Readers of this blog might remember my stance on education (I'm for it!), but in addition, I think a positive role model who is willing to give their time towards the aim of molding future responsible citizens is key. I have been blessed in my life to have found several of these people, both personally and professionally.
It is a "cause" that I am deeply familiar with and one that I choose to bring attention to. With that said, perhaps I can check my finances and see if I have the wherewithal to make an additional donation this year, to the Gina Gavone Gonzalloni Human Fund.. or since you are undoubtedly a lonely person, I'd be happy to give you five minutes of my time and I'll not tell a soul...
Why, Mr. Michael, I'm speechless. For five minutes I'll appoint you to the board and kiss your ass to boot.
That humility thing is a hard one to swallow, isn't it?
MY GOD, DSG, THOSE HORNS ARE HUGE!!!!!!
Readers of this blog might remember my stance on education (I'm for it!)
**
Going out on a limb there a little, eh?
;)
Funny
Ted - yes, but my support is emphatic, note the '!'
All this internationalism impresses me. Mitigate some of the harm our great nation has inflicted.
.
I know republicans who think the country started on the road to hell with the GI bill after WWII. Suddenly all sorts of riff raff could go to college. To hear these people tell the tale, the result was a mass production of pinko teachers.
Not my view. I agree Ms. FH -- educate! educate em all!
Oh, yes, let's! Educate!!! I'll go first. I propose a big book on horns...dsg has inspired me. I could do some sort of scientific coffeetable book. On horns. Catoregize them. Shape, size and color.
Whaddya think ferret? Can you dig it?
Let's teach children how to bunt instead of hunt, I'll start there...
Thought 1: as much as I admire the filthy fellow, I am not TedSpe.
Thought 2: Big Brother? I think we've all given just about enough to Big Brother!
Thought 3: Limelight... uh-oh... I think I just snapped my whammy...
Michael - are you the 'little buc' in the pic with your dad? I totally agree, bunting - while not supplying food - is a much more worthwhile endeavor.
Oh, please, let me TooSense--snapping whammies is what I do best.
Ferret, yes that is me, the jumping jack champion of Pittsburgh Pa... my brother Bill used to take bets from the other kids on how many I could do. Really, there was no limit, I could do them all day. We were a team. Made a lot of ice cream money.
I'd be more impressed if you all decided to be pro-life for Christmas...even for one day.
Now that would be a charitable gift Christ would like.
Gee, a pro-lifer who couldn't come up with a charity besides herself. Is anyone else as shocked about this as I am? yaaaaawn...
Gina - I hereby pledge that I will not have an abortion on December 25th. Merry Christmas!!!
It's kinda like this TooSense: Charity is a Christian concept, as is Christmas, which celebrates the birthday of Christ. Christ talked endlessly about the inherent dignity and worth of everyone. Now what do you think he'd honestly say about a bunch of abortions supporters wanting to give gifts in anyone's name celebrating his birth?
That's right, ickypoo. Go slobber all over your own holiday. How about Labor Day? Isn't that where all good socialists love to congregate and pat eacho ther on the back for their deeds of random kindness?
Incidently, yes, I'm full aware of the fact that I am being a BITCH. But the beauty of losing everything is that you get freedom in return. Ah, the beauty of standing naked before God. I love you, TooSense...
That's funny, Ferret.Thanks. You should know what I did one Christmas...but it's a secret.
"Christ talked endlessly..." so Jesus was a fast talker? "Christ! The Movie" Starring
Denis Leary...
I didn't understand your post, TooSense, until I read the others again more stringently. Yeah, you mentioned Doctors Without Borders, not me. I said Glide Memorial. They're both good.
Ted, I only say 'filthy' in the most respectful, septic sense. ;)
Well, the error was mine. TS and TS look pretty similar to these old eyes. Doctors without Borders -- at least we agree on that.
What the hell's goin on on the new thread? Change in the weather seems to have imparted a negative charge.
Lefty - you have the power. Post a Xmas story to chart a new course for the wayward thread...
"Jesus was all right, but his disciples were thick and ordinary."
--John Lennon
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