I do give to various charities. I donate to the Cancer Society, and to the Breast Cancer Awareness program. I also donate to local charities in my area like the Knights of Columbus (they take up donations for the local children's hospital) and to the Salvation Army (who feed the poor meals, give shelter to the homeless, help needy families at Christmas time with gifts for the children and meals). I also do try to 'adopt' a needy child off their Christmas tree every year. Which involves buying clothes, and a toy or two for a needy child that otherwise wouldn't have any gifts under the tree.
I also know that my money I donate, to the charities I mentioned above, does go towards helping the people in need of the financial assistance.
Maybe.
I tithe to my church and give a fast offering to my church as well each month. I know that money goes where it should and is used properly. My church gives to many causes and does not limit its help to members of my faith only so I don't feel it is necessary for me to then give more to the Red Cross or the United Way for example.
I do, however, give to friends when they participate in Walkathons for a charity or when their kids are selling candy for school or scouts, etc.
If we don't give to charity in one way, then the government would need to give more and force our giving with additional taxes.
I think we have an obligation to help others if we have the ability to do so.
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Donations can also take the form of physical help and/or time and talent |
I believe that if you've got money, then you should do something to help others with it. I don't believe it has to be huge amounts though, as long as it is given with the right intention and from the heart.
(biblical terms.. 'the widow's mite' ) In other words if you give what you can, I don't think that anybody has the right to judge you for it.
I give some money to my church each month, but they account for themselves each year right down to the last penny, so you can see where your money has been needed, and where it has been used.
I also give a small amount to the RSPCA (The Royal Society For The Protection Of Cruelty to animals) which is a yearly alternating thing that I do between them and the NSPCC (The National Society of Prevention of Cruelty to children)
I don't think it has to be financial things that you do though, if you can do something that can help somebody out that you know will make a big difference to them, it's worth thinking about doing, even if it's giving only a couple of minutes of your time!