Fresh off of a weekend chock full of food and family and shopping for most of us, we are checking in online on our computers, tablets, smart phones. We're likely somewhere warm, having some coffee, in comfortable clothes. We live an abundant life.
If we have a list of needs, they're likely actually wants. When we say we need it, we know we're exaggerating. Most of us have no idea what it's like to truly be in need of water, food, shelter, heat, etc.
Even when we're having a poor month, to most of us that means having to cut down on cups of coffee on the go or the amount of beers we drink or bottles of nail polish we buy to round out our collection. It means stretching food in our pantry and staying in. Sure, there are times we struggle to pay bills or have surprise expenses that wiped out savings. But to struggle daily or not be able to provide for our kids is not something that's familiar to most of us.
Thankfully.
I want to help others, even when the a amount I can afford to give or the time I can afford to spend is small. I want to help others even if they never know it's me that went shopping for canned goods, me that raised the money for that ride to chemotherapy, me who donated the clothes they're wearing. I actually prefer to keep the me out of it. I imagine that having to rely on charity is humbling and I don't need to be out there tooting my own horn. I don't give to get recognition.
MFD and I like to be charitable and make a difference volunteering where we can throughout the year, but there's something that tugs at your heartstrings even more at Christmas, isn't there? So many people in need, so many wishes to be granted.
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a Rafflecopter giveaway
How do you choose to give back?
p.s. Happy birthday to my uncle Billy today!Linking up with
Because Shanna Said So - Random Wednesday
Steph, Gerren and I were feeling so fortunate this year, and even though money is somewhat tight (isn't it always?) we have a big comfy bed, heat, a roof over our heads, our health, etc. We do not need to daily worry about our safety, about bombs going off, about loved ones being hurt. So we decided this year to sponsor a local family in need rather than spend so much on holiday gifts for each other, since we don't NEED anything, and some around us do. I think this blog post is spot on, thanks for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteI love that you adopted a family!
Deleteoh i forgot to also list my charity! Heifer International :)
ReplyDeleteLove this idea! I'd definitely choose St. Jude's. I try to donate to them at least once a year!
ReplyDeleteThis is the best giveaway I've seen all year. I always like to keep this stuff local and I don't have a charity in mind yet… so I'll have to do some research. We did something through Jersey Cares called Frosty's Friends where you get a letter from a kid with their Christmas list. The letters were the best part. Thank you for doing this.
ReplyDeleteAmazing idea! I'd have you donate the money to EIF Revlon Run/Walk for Women's Cancers
ReplyDeletethis is literally my favorite post ever :) I would give to autism speaks
ReplyDeleteI volunteer all year long and give tons of dough to the Miss America Org., plus I give to our local Planned Parenthood, Cancer Society, and a place called Mom's House, which helps single parents with child care. I did the Wendy's Walk over the summer to raise money for mom's House, and attended their benefit dinner last month.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post! I would do the Special Olympics.
ReplyDeleteGreat choice!
Deletei absolutely LOVE this giveaway! i would give to the heart and stroke foundation. i think i got so excited about this post/giveaway that i totally didn't answer the first question right so sorry about that LOL
ReplyDelete-kathy
Vodka and Soda
Great post! I give to Susan G. Komen regularly and to St. Jude. though over the holiday i try and give to our local food pantries every time I go to the grocery store. Glad you are helping out a charity!
ReplyDeleteI'm an avid supporter of all things animal and I'd donate to the SPCA, as I do throughout the year.
ReplyDeleteAnimals are in need too! We usually give food and blankets to shelters.
DeleteSteph, I always love your blogs and I am really so happy about this one and so proud of you for doing it! Kudos lady! You're a very bright shining star in a world that can be so dark and unpleasant sometimes. Stacey
ReplyDeleteThanks Stace!
DeleteI choose Rosie's Place! I think they do amazing work, and we need more places where women and children can be safe.
ReplyDeleteThat is the absolute truth. Everyone needs safe places and we need to provide them for those who don't have them.
DeleteThis is amazing!! I would pick the Ronald McDonald house!
ReplyDelete.#GRATITUDEISTHEBESTATTITUDE Giving is a display of your gratitude. My favorite charities, that I feel are legit, are the Bucks County Courier Times Give-a-Christmas- goes to local residents(no administrative fees- all volunteer), St.Jude and The Shriner's (because of Willis). Each year we give to those 3. Writing checks today! Proud of you always. This is a beautiful blog.
ReplyDeleteLove you to infinity and beyond! YOUR MOMMA
Love all three mother!
DeleteThis is a beautiful post! I can never believe how much I GET from GIVING!
ReplyDeleteAmen, my friend! I actually adopted an "angel" at work and we bought her a bike last night! I am sooo excited...and you're totally right, most of the needs I know I have, are actually wants.
ReplyDeleteSteph- you are awesome. I love this. I would give to Out of the Darkness, an organization dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research, education, and advocacy.
ReplyDeleteGreat choice Carrie! A subject that is close to home for me.
Deletelove love love this. i always support cancer, since it's so close to my family
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday Uncle Billy!
ReplyDeleteI donate to a couple of local organizations, serve on the board of a non-profit theatre group and work with an organization that donates needed items to area homeless. It never feels like enough.
We do what we can, and as long as we're doing something, that's good!
DeleteYou are on fire with posts this week - yesterday was so light and funny and relatable and today it's serious and full of perspective and still relatable. What a great idea and a giveaway I will gladly support and enter. I love keeping it local and like to support the Houston Food Bank but if I win and it's inconvenient, supporting Philly's would be equally lovely!
ReplyDeleteGiven the timing of this giveaway, I would choose Nationwide Children's Hospital here in Cbus.
ReplyDeleteIt makes me so sad that people are truly needy, and especially at Christmas.
Such a great post. It is always good to give to those that are in need any time of the year. It helps you just as much as it helps the person you are giving to. Cancer is always something that I try to give to. That and homeless pets! This year my sister's best friend lost her five year old son to a brain tumor. Another girl in our community (who is my step fathers niece) is now in and out of the hospital battling a brain tumor. I would choose Team Emma. https://www.facebook.com/TEAMEGMITCHELL Nothing makes me sadder than seeing a child battling cancer.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea!! I might have teared up a little. Damn hormones. I am not a crier.
ReplyDeleteI would pick St. Jude's Hospital. For as long as I can remember, my grandmother always gave to them and they always get me with their commercials and stories. In fact, this just inspired me to donate to them myself today.
I don't have the finances to give (I'm lucky to pay rent this month, which, at 46 feels pretty pathetic) but you are so right, we are so fortunate. My way of giving back is doing for others. For instance, I cook for a family once a month. I did just last night, in fact. It is an elderly couple with a son who has spinal cancer and is paralyzed (just since July) and the 7 mentally disabled adults that they care for in their home. I love bringing them a feast, visiting with them, bringing Ellie with me and having her help, and knowing we did something to help.
ReplyDeleteNothing beats hands on helping in my book. I love that you do that and that you're teaching Ellie to do it too!
DeleteWhat a great idea! I can't wait until my kids get older and we can spend our holidays at the homeless shelter helping people in need.
ReplyDeleteI have taught them since birth, that we are lucky that we have everything we have, and that not everyone is as luck as we are. They have been taught to donate, and give back as much as they can.
this is the best idea!! there's a few charities that I typically give to, but I'm thinking I might branch out and go with Wounded Warrior Project, to help those who have given me so much.
ReplyDeleteand I forgot to mention the other day how I love the Christmas-y design!
Girl- you're amazing! Such a great post!!
ReplyDeleteI would donate to a Big Brothers Big Sisters agency...and not just because that's where I work...but because it truly changes the lives of children in communities!!
And to answer your question correctly, I personally would choose the non-profit that I work for (Assistance League). We provide clothing for children throughout the county, have a pre-school for children with learning and/or physical disabilities to get them ready for mainstream school, we have an after school program for girls, we provide kits to the hospitals for rape victims, and teddy bears to hospitals, fire departments and the court system for children in traumatic situations. I see daily the good it does. It's awesome.
ReplyDeleteI just emailed you my comment because it was a novel. Haha! Long story short, you're awesome. This is totally awesome.
ReplyDeleteThis truly makes my heart happy. You're a good egg, SMD.
ReplyDeleteI chose The Cardiac Center at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
I love this!!! I hate the thought that any child would wake up Christmas morning without a gift... so I choose Samaritans Purse's Operation Christmas Child! http://www.samaritanspurse.org/donation-items/operation-christmas-child-2/
ReplyDeleteDoes it have to be people? I donate to animals every christmas :) I'd have you donate it to your local shelter! What can I say, I'm a dog person.
ReplyDeletethis is such an awesome idea! i chose the humane society. a couple times a year i try to give to the local humane society (and a local pug rescue group as well).
ReplyDelete-- jackie @ jade and oak
You are the bestest!! I entered every possible way! Thank you for your HUGE heart!! xoxo
ReplyDeleteFirst of all... this is amazing... YOU are amazing for coming up with it! :D I mean, seriously... this gives me the warm fuzzies!!!!!!!!!! I would choose Free Kibble. They have a cool site where you answer trivia questions every day and whether you're right or wrong they donate 10 pieces of food to shelter animals. :)
ReplyDeleteYou are awesome! I would choose St Judes for my charity
ReplyDeleteThis is so amazing - you are great! I'd choose an organization called The First Tee of Connecticut that uses the game of golf as a vehicle to teach kids core values they can use throughout their lives (goal setting, perseverance, responsibility, respect).
ReplyDeleteI am a little late but I would give to out of the darkness foundtion, they help bring awareness and do research for suicide prevention. Very near and dear to my heart. This is an awesome thing you are doing!!
ReplyDelete