A few members have suggested doing a charity donation drive this holiday season. We need your help.

[Skinner]

A few DUers have suggested the idea of doing a donation drive for charity this holiday season. The admins talked it over, and we think it would be a good way to do some good in the world, while also fostering some good vibes in our community.

We're looking for suggestions for a possible charity (or charities) to which we could all donate, and we're hoping you all could give us suggestions. Possible candidates should meet the following criteria:

1. It should be a charity and a cause that is not controversial. Something that the vast majority of DUers can support without reservation. A charity that fits with our values, and does not have a hidden right-wing agenda.

2. They should have a detailed website (include a link in your post), and the ability to accept donations online.

3. If possible, it would be great if we could set up a special online donate page for members of DU, so we can share that address with our membership and we can easily keep track of how much our community has donated.

4. Obviously there are many worthy causes, but our preference is that we select a charity that focuses on helping the less fortunate: people who are poor, hungry, or sick. During the holiday season when our culture becomes obsessed with material abundance, it seems appropriate to us that we try to help those people who do not enjoy such access to material wealth.

Please post suggestions in this thread. If you wish to express support for someone else's suggestion, feel free to do so in this thread. If you think there is a reason why someone's suggestion would not be an appropriate candidate, please post in this thread to explain why.

The DU administrators will review the suggestions and choose a charity. If we like many candidates, we might have a brief vote so DUers can express an opinion.

We're hoping to get through the selection process relatively quickly so we can start the donation drive sometime next week. So if you have a suggestion please post it as soon as possible.

Thank You and Happy Holidays!

David Allen
DU Admin

Please recommend this thread.

[JNelson6563]

1. I don't have suggestions but Bravo!!

Very nice DU! :applause:

Julie

[Patsy Stone]

2. What a wonderful idea.

Recommended...and thinking.

[Annces]

3. I don't know about charities, but it would be nice to have a DU production company

to produce little news videos or reports, like Frontline.

[Horse with no Name]

4. Jimmy Carter's Habitat for Humanity

or the ACLU.

[shugah]

6. habitat for humanity seconded n/t

[Scurrilous]

9. Thirded!

:thumbsup:

[LibraLiz1973]

172. I agree with Habitat for Humanity

[il_lilac]

10. I also like Habitat n/t

[terrya]

11. Habitat for Humanity is a wonderful idea, Another suggestion:

Doctors Without Borders. A fine humanitarian organization.

http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/donate/index.cfm?msource=AZD0408H1001

Some excellent suggestions on this thread. :thumbsup:

[lonestarnot]

13. mmmhmmm! Like both of these!

:applause:

[Drops_not_Dope]

77. As long as we're not limiting this to USA

I've donated at Mercy Corps, a very good way to help.
www.mercycorps.org

[spindrifter]

143. I second Mercy Corps!

This is the single organization that I give the most money to during the year because the need is so great. They provide the money to locals. Consequently, they are not wasting time and dollars trying to set up their own systems for getting funds where they should be. This also means they can keep a handle on the more expensive western salaries that need to be paid in-country where they are working. They, of course, monitor what the locals are doing with the money.

[EFerrari]

26. Both are great orgs but they already have a good network

to raise money. Couldn't we give a less connected org a boot up -- and get them connected the same time? ;)

[TahitiNut]

43. These are my own 'favorite' targets for donations. I think the ACLU might be most apt.

For quite some time, the ACLU, Habitat for Humanity, Second Harvest, Medicins sans Frontiers, Amnesty International, NOW, and NAACP have been my topmost 'causes' ... since they deal directly and effectively with the most fundamental needs of humanity.

For DU, however, it seems to me that the ACLU is most appropriate ... since EVERY DUer has a direct, personal interest in the work they do. Yes, the fundamental needs of shelter, food, and health are inarguably critical - but they're universal causes independent of philosophy or political values. Of the suggested charities, the ACLU best reflects the scope and substance of absolutely every seminal discussion on DU. It maps to the principles and values of the DU 'base' most comprehensively.

[southlandshari]

101. Thumbs up for Habitat here!

Here's the link:

http://www.habitat.org/

:hi:

[SidDithers]

129. That was my first thought...

Good choice, Horse with no Name

Sid

[Whoa_Nelly]

168. I don't like Habitat For Humanity

because it's a Christian Ministry, and as an atheist, this bothers me.

http://www.habitat.org/how/christian.aspx

<snip>
Putting Faith into Action
Habitat's ministry is based on the conviction that to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ we must reflect Christ's love in our own lives by loving and caring for one another. Our love must not be words only—it must be true love, which shows itself in action. Habitat provides an opportunity for people to put their faith and love into action, bringing diverse groups of people together to make affordable housing and better communities a reality for everyone.

The Economics of Jesus
When people act in response to human need, giving what they have without seeking profit or interest, we believe God magnifies the effects of our efforts. Habitat refers to this perspective as "the economics of Jesus." Together, the donated labor of construction volunteers, the support of partner organizations and the homeowners' "sweat equity" make Habitat's house building possible. By sharing resources with those in need, Habitat volunteers and supporters have made decent, affordable housing a reality for more than 200,000 families worldwide.

********************

So, with all the above being my objection to HFH, would like to suggest Second Harvest, a national food bank:
http://www.secondharvest.org/

[question everything]

176. There was a comment someplace that Habitat for Humanity

is no longer for poor people..

I have been donating them for over 15 years now but last year they soured on me.

I got a call and when I said that, yes, I have their letter and am ready to respond, the caller said no, to wait for the letter confirming my pledge. Which I did, and was inundated with letters "reminding" me of my pledge, with dates long after my check cleared my bank account.

So I have to wonder how much of the donation goes to pay phone solicitor and badly managed administration cost.

[sniffa]

5. right off the bat

i'd prefer feeding/cLothing/housing the poor.

i have no suggestions yet, on which groups to choose, but it's a great idea.

[Cha]

140. How about some organization

that helps victims of Katrina? Your "feeding/cLothing/housing the poor" lent itself to that suggestion.

[foxeyes2]

7. Suggested Charity

I would like to suggest America's Second Harvest Food Network as a potential charity.
They feed hungry people and to me that is something we should all be able to support.

[Neecy]

8. I second that suggestion

[lonestarnot]

14. Like this one too!

:applause: Rughro! Three already!

[blm]

21. That is one I have been supporting, too.

And the local food banks.

[Midlodemocrat]

44. Second Harvest is an awesome idea.

[Habibi]

48. I vote for this one too.

I've been donating to them in my siblings' names for the last few Christmases, and intend to do so again this year. If I do it through DU, so much the better!

[Book Lover]

67. Second Harvest has my vote

I have worked with them regularly over the years - the people in the org. that I know are stellar.

[JudyM]

124. Absolutely. Great choice. nt

[truckin]

12. I would suggest "Nothing But Nets". In terms of doing the most

good for the least amount of money this cause is hard to beat. Below is a link to the program and an excerpt describing how it works.

http://www.nothingbutnets.net/

About the campaign

Nothing But Nets is a grassroots campaign to save lives by preventing malaria, a leading killer of children in Africa. While the UN Foundation has been working with the UN to fight malaria for years, it was a column that Rick Reilly wrote about malaria in Sports Illustrated, challenging each of his readers to donate at least $10 for the purchase of an anti-malaria bed nets -- and the incredible response from thousands of Americans across the country -- that led to the creation the Nothing But Nets campaign.

The reaction to Reilly's 815 words made clear that thousands of people were ready to help the million children dying unnecessarily each year of malaria. Within a few short months, Nothing But Nets raised over 1 million dollars. And so Nothing But Nets was born.

The UN Foundation has now partnered with groups as diverse as National Basketball Association’s NBA Cares, The People of the United Methodist Church and Sports Illustrated to bring Nothing But Nets to the American public. These Founding Partners are joined by corporate, multi-media and financial partners to make a significant impact by raising awareness and funds to purchase and distribute bed nets and save lives.

Now, we're asking you to help spread the word about Nothing But Nets, and how easy it is to protect children from malaria with bed nets.

You can save a family. Your church, school, or team can save a village.

Together, we can cover Africa with life-saving bed nets.
How it Works

Nothing But Nets is powered by your passion; it works because you do! Create a community for your church, school, team, or family and friends. Together, you can spread the word, raise funds, and share your stories.

With the money you raise, the UN Foundation and its partners work with the Measles Initiative – one of the most successful vaccination efforts ever undertaken – to purchase bed nets and distribute them in countries and communities in greatest need.

Using its proven distribution system – which in just five years has vaccinated nearly a quarter billion children – the Measles Initiative will distribute bed nets along with measles vaccinations and other medicines to at-risk countries. It’s an effective and cost-efficient way to get the nets to the people who need them. To see how a bed net gets from you to a family in Africa click here.
Getting Involved

At NothingButNets.net you will find resources on malaria, toolkits that you can download to help you raise awareness and organize fundraising events, and the ability to create or join a Netraiser team.

Sign up as a Netraiser Team Captain to recruit your friends, family and co-workers to help support you in raising money for bed nets to prevent malaria in Africa. As a Team Captain, you can invite people to join your team so they too can ask their friends to sponsor them within your team or simply ask for sponsors.

Working together, we can cover Africa with lifesaving bed nets.

Contact Us

send to friend

[GardeningGal]

15. I suggest Modest Needs

I don't know if they can keep track of our donations though. I'll see if I can figure it out.

Here's their website:

http://www.modestneeds.org/

[Kadie]

16. Feed The Children

http://www.feedthechildren.org/


Here is info from
Give.org
BBB Wise Giving Alliance

http://charityreports.give.org/Public/Report.aspx?CharityID=524

[EFerrari]

17. The National Coalition for the Homeless and I'll tell ya why.

i've never contacted them for help in any part of the country without getting a good referral. That's pretty amazing to me anyway.

This time of year, most of us try to do something for others. These folks do that every day. :)

"The National Coalition for the Homeless, founded in 1984, is a national network of people who are currently experiencing or who have experienced homelessness, activists and advocates, community-based and faith-based service providers, and others committed to a single mission. That mission, our common bond, is to end homelessness. We are committed to creating the systemic and attitudinal changes necessary to prevent and end homelessness. At the same time, we work to meet the immediate needs of people who are currently experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of doing so. We take as our first principle of practice that people who are currently experiencing homelessness or have formerly experienced homelessness must be actively involved in all of our work."

http://www.nationalhomeless.org/

[bluerum]

18. Voting for Habitat. How will funds be collected? nt

[HeeBGBz]

19. 46664 - Nelson Mandela Foundation

Raising global awareness on HIV/AIDS

http://46664.tiscali.com/

Or an offshoot of that project, Grobanites for Africa (Silly Name- good cause) Fighting HIV, hunger and poverty in Africa.

http://www.grobanitesforcharity.org/gfa/about.php

[blm]

20. Local food banks are really suffering at this point, Skinner. They are overwhelmed

by the crushing needs of unemployed and growing numbers of lowincome families.

Maybe there is a way to choose the neediest cities through the Urban League or some such group and we can send donations there from those in more stable counties and townships.

[OzarkDem]

22. Agree, local food banks desperately need help

and I'm not sure how much help they get from national organizations. Probably not much.
Here in Ohio, the GOP has cut so many programs and so many people have lost jobs that they're overwhelmed.

I would suggest people living in Ohio donate to their local food bank.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

25. gets my vote

food banks are literal life-savers.

[blm]

29. And the urgency is so real on a DAILY BASIS.

.

[Stinky The Clown]

37. America's Second Harvet is another way to get money to local food banks

ASH is connected with many of them. They don't run them directly, but they are affiliated with most of them. ASH collects the food and distributes it to the food banks and community kitchens. The community kitchens consolodate/prepare it and serve it directly to the poor and homeless. ASH, for example, are the ones who operate trucks that pick up food at restaurants (in jurisdictions where such donations are allowed) and takes it to the community kitchens.

[petunia.here]

97. Putting in my voice of support for ASH/Local food banks

As someone who has had to rely on them in years past, I can truly say they are a life saver. Wonderful organization and people.

[Hippie Chic]

23. Habitat for Humanity.

I'm new here, but I wanted to chime in on this.

Wonder if there is a way to earmark the money to go to the gulf coast efforts of Habitat?

[me b zola]

141. That gets my vote

Welcome to DU! :toast:

[noamnety]

24. Arabi Wrecking Krewe (New Orleans)

Background: The Arabi Wrecking Krewe, Inc. is a 501(C)3 Charitable, Non Profit Organization of Volunteers. Many of them are musicians or former musicians from the New Orleans Metro Area along with other Volunteers from Across the U.S. and Around the WORLD.

The KREWE offers their time and experience for the purpose of providing FREE assistance to Victims of Hurricanes "KATRINA & RITA".

Our Main Focus has been to locate and assist THOUSANDS of our Local Musicians, their families and extended families. Most of them are displaced across the U. S. after the loss of their homes, their livelihoods and their possessions.

The Arabi Wrecking Krewe has GUTTED ~ CLEARED ~ REPAIRED numerous flooded homes removing storm flood debris, including refrigerators, appliances, cabinetry, molding sheet rock, and even sorted through debris before disposal to find personal mementos of the past that often can never be replaced. All work has been "FREE OF CHARGE".

http://www.arabiwreckingkrewe.com/

Why I'm suggesting them

They have been consistently working with Veterans for Peace and the Iraq Veterans Against the War on relief efforts. Those who were on the Veterans and Survivors Walk to New Orleans in the spring will remember them, because they took a splinter group one day to help gut houses.

The overhead is almost nothing, with many of the VFP and IVAW folks staying for free at the Bayou Liberty Relief Camp, in tents. Because they are smaller, a donation to them would make a huge difference in their budget.

There is a link to a video of them working with members of Iraq Veterans Against the War on the New Orleans Veterans for Peace site http://www.neworleansvfp.org/node/3958. They're helping to heal not only the hurricane victims, but also helping our veterans who are speaking out against the war.

[AtomicKitten]

57. ANYTHING that benefits New Orleans

I saw a piece on the Arabi Wrecking Krewe. Great work but perhaps too limited in scope for a DU effort. Perhaps there is another one that services a wider range of people?

[blondeatlast]

96. Agree on both counts. Help out Katrina victims, but help as many as possible. nt

[uppityperson]

149. Habitat is working in LA and MS

[annabanana]

89. my vote is for this one. . . . .eom

[Patsy Stone]

130. Excellent!

:hi:

I've been thinking a great deal about the music of NOLA and how its return is integral to restoring that city. That goes for working and non-working musicians. The guy on the street corner is just as important as the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

[Maddy McCall]

185. This one gets my vote, too. I've seen the founder interviewed locally.

I would wholeheartedly support this choice.

[OzarkDem]

27. Making it local

As head of a charitable non-profit, I know that much of the money donated to national charities doesn't make its way to the local level.

Donors can have a lot more impact by donating in their own community. If everyone wants to support a food bank type of charity, may I suggest putting up links for local organizations or posting donor links in the state forums?

As info. (In the interest of disclosure, my charitable group is not a food bank, but we do refer a lot of people to them and I know in our state they're in trouble.)

[NMDemDist2]

28. how about ComicRelief NOLA/Katrina?

they make sure all the cash gets to the peeps who need it

and CR is not only helping in NOLA but throughout the Gulf Coast

https://www.comicrelief.org/this_years_show/themission.htm

[WhollyHeretic]

30. Doctors Without Borders

http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/

[Lex]

46. I second this. I thoroughly researched them

before I donated a chunk to them after the tsuamni.

They are honest, up-front, efficient and accountable (you will get quarterly reports after you donate), and don't have money going to unnecessary staff jobs and the like.

[Junkdrawer]

61. Third that...n/t

[Synnical]

118. Fourth one to agree

I like Second Harvest, though, too.

[eleny]

145. DWB gets my vote, too

[NMMNG]

151. I concur

They are one of the charities I donated to this year.

[mnhtnbb]

184. Gets my vote. I gave to them in 2004 after the tsunami.

[Stinky The Clown]

31. America's Second Harvest

(Click the logo for the link to their site)



The online donation link is right there on their front page.

A little about them ..... they are the nation's largest food bank and recycler of restaurant food. In that they are so large, they are, of course, in the habit of taking large corporate donations. To be sure, some here may find the names of some of their donors a bit off putting. I have worked first hand with these good people on several occasions and know some their leadership personally. They're lefties through and through. Money from the corporate world is what it is. In most cases, any 'objectionable' donors use this sort of charity for PR cover. From the charity's perspective (this one or virtually *any* charity that accepts corporate donations) money is money and money is what makes their efforts possible in the first place.

Besides being a food bank, they also are connected with community kitchens across the country. Most of these serve as a place to consolidate their direct donations, to prepare food fresh from their food banks, and as a place to provide on the job training to people who can benefit from that. Many of their employees are former clients. They also enjoy deep support from volunteers - particularly from the independent restaurant community.

They are very financially conservative and are among the best in the country in terms of donations going to their work (as opposed to the administration of the organization and other such fluff). I can't say for certain, but I am reasonably sure that, if not now then in the very recent past, they were, in fact, the number one financially conservative charity in the country. For what its worth, their IRS from 990 is available on their website in PDF form and can be downloaded. No secrets here.

I have been in the food service industry for closing in on 40 years. I can say without question that this group is respected highly within the industry and is very broadly supported.

I think they're worthy of our consideration.

The only downside ...... I suspect no matter how much we might raise, it will be a drop in the bucket compared to some of the big buck donations they get. The upside .... it will be MUCH more meaningful and heartfelt. (In 2004, their direct public support exceeded $500,000,000.)

[Sapphire Blue]

64. America's Second Harvest gets my vote, too. I'd also encourage/BEG DUers to work/w the Coalition...

... on Human Needs (http://www.chn.org) please!

About CHN

The Coalition on Human Needs (CHN) is an alliance of national organizations working together to promote public policies which address the needs of low-income and other vulnerable populations. The Coalition's members include civil rights, religious, labor and professional organizations and those concerned with the well being of children, women, the elderly and people with disabilities.

CHN Member Organizations : http://www.chn.org/about/chnmembers.html

http://www.chn.org/about/index.html

************************

Human Needs Survey Results (priorities for the 110th Congress): http://www.chn.org/2007surveyresults.html

CHN's Legislative Action Center: http://www.chn.org/takeaction/index.html

Sign up for CHN Email Lists: http://www.chn.org/signUp.jsp

:hi:
Thank you,
Sapphire Blue
Resident DU Fanatic Beggar

[Solly Mack]

157. CHN is great!

And I'd pick America's Second Harvest if I could only pick one charity to give to....

[Ghost in the Machine]

32. Toys for Tots is a good charity...

I have an "angel tree" set up at my restaurant to collect gifts for the needy this year. I am also sponsoring a wrestling match on Dec 14th at the Sweetwater National Guard Armory, with all proceeds going to "Toys for Kids", which is the local chapter of Toys for Tots, headed by Sweetwater Police Chief Eddie Byrum. Bell time is 7 p.m.

Also, that day, I will have WCW/TNA Wrestling Superstar Buff "The Stuff" Bagwell at my restaurant from 4 til 6 p.m. signing autographed 8x10 pictures for all who bring in a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Kids.

My restaurant is The Country Star, located at 209 Hwy 68, Sweetwater, Tn. We are right off I-75 at Exit 60. Anyone and everyone in the area is invited to attend. Advanced tickets can be purchased at my register for $10.00... OR $12 at the door. Children 6 and under get in free.

This is a wrestling show that people would pay $25 - $35 to see at an arena. The card features Buff Bagwell vs. The International Playboy as the main event, with the co-main event being a Ladies World Championship match featuring Bambi vs. Peggy Lee. Other matches will include ECW/WCW Stars Tracy Smothers and Dr. Tom Pritchard in tag matches. There will also be an "over the top rope" Battle Royal.

Come one, come all... and help make a difference in a child's life this year.

PEACE!
Ghost

[Stockholm]

33. Save the Children?

Working hard globally and locally.

www.savethechildren.org

or the American Civil Liberties Union.

[Rainscents]

34. Skinner, this is great idea!

I would like to see, money DU donate goes to families needed right here in America. Especially for the holiday donation.

[mindfulNJ]

35. Michael J Fox Foundation

for Parkinson's research.


After all, he did play a part in the Dem takeover:)

http://www.michaeljfox.org/

[skyblue]

154. ABSOLUTELY!!!!! Mom or Dad may get Alzheimer or perhaps they

both will. Should research only be limited to adult stem cells, or manufactured stem cells. What about our military who may have been paralyzed by bullets. Shouldn't they be able to possibly get cured by embryonic stem cells? Americans need to be more educated on this issue as it is an issue that separates the Democrats from the RatsmogpigswhodreamofUSASuperfundsiteplaygroundsandthinkitsholytoallow40+millionstogowithoutinsurancebecauseGawdrewardsthegoodandpissesonthebad.

[dweller]

36. why not more than one?

Habitat, foodbanks, and another. Let the contributor decide which to donate to, but give a choice of 3 (or more).

just a suggestion.
dp

[Melinda]

38. America's Second Harvest: National Org that supports local food banks and others....

I've noticed others have mentioned local food banks above. For those who aren't familiar with Second Harvest:

"We distribute food and grocery products through a nationwide certified member network, increase public awareness of domestic hunger and advocate for public policies that benefit America’s hungry."

Among client households served by the America’s Second Harvest Network:

41.5% have had to choose between paying for food and paying for utilities or heating fuel.
52.4% of households with children had to choose between buying food and paying for utilities or heating fuel.
30.8% of households with seniors had to choose between buying food and paying for utilities or heating fuel.
44.6% of all pantry client households have had to choose between buying food and paying for utilities or heating fuel.
27.7% of all shelter client households have had to choose between buying food and paying for utilities or heating fuel.


America's Second Harvest—The Nation's Food Bank Network is the country's largest charitable hunger-relief organization with a Network of more than 200 Member food banks and food-rescue organizations serving all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

We support approximately 50,000 local charitable agencies operating more than 94,000 programs including food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, after-school programs, and Kids Cafes.


Last year, the America's Second Harvest Network provided food assistance to more than 25 million low-income hungry people in the United States, including more than 9 million children and nearly 3 million seniors.

http://www.secondharvest.org/

Millions of children go to bed hungry every night in this country. It would be my Christmas wish that DU might help toward alleviating hunger this Christmas; is there a more perfect moment than that on which we celebrate the birth of the one who especially loved the little children and taught us to be our brothers keeper?

Thank you Skinner and DUers. Spread love liberally. :loveya:

[NicoleM]

39. Heifer Int'l

http://www.heifer.org/

What does Heifer do and how do we do it?
Heifer works to end hunger and poverty, and care for the earth by providing appropriate livestock, training and related services to small-scale farmers and communities worldwide. We care for the earth's natural resources through training in livestock management, pasture improvement, soil conservation, forestation and recast. Our cornerstone of "passing on the gift," assures that each participant in the program becomes a donor and gives the animal's offspring to another family in need. This concepts helps build community and enhances dignity and participation in each project. The families continually give to others ensuring self-sufficiency, one family at a time. We have field offices in major program areas around the world. We work at the grassroots level, sometimes with large networks of local nongovernmental and grassroots organizations. Our field staff is equipped with a variety of skills that help project participants prepare for the challenges and problems they encounter by providing training prior to receiving any animal gift.

[wicket]

41. I second Heifer International

They are wonderful.

[myrna minx]

42. I recommend that too!

Instead of giving Christmas gifts this year, my family is giving to Heiffer International. No one in my family is in need of anything, and this is a really good charity. :bounce:

[truckin]

45. This is an excellent suggestion.

[Mnemosyne]

53. Heifer is an amazing charity! Gets my vote. n/t

[blm]

56. We use Heifer in Mr blm's family AS gifts to each other.

.

[Mnemosyne]

117. How wonderful! Always wish I could donate much more. n/t

[Booster]

79. I vote for Heifer Int. also. Probably my most favorite charity.

[DemExpat]

80. I prefer a charity like this one that goes farther than providing a meal.

More structural help in helping end poverty and hunger.
:thumbsup:

Looks excellent.

DemEx

[bobbolink]

116. And those of us who don't have land for a heiffer?

We can skip the meal, too?

[alfredo]

85. Great idea.

[OnionPatch]

98. Heifer's a great organization!

My family chucked the gift exchange two years ago and started pooling the gift money and sending it to Heifer. This organization provides a means to make a living for so many people. I'd happily donate to it.

[druidity33]

112. count me in for Heifer... n/t

[JohnLocke]

113. My vote goes to Heifer too.

[Divernan]

133. Heifer does great good in the US - promotes self-reliance

Heifer's Success in North America
A Hurricane's Legacy
Hurricane Katrina devastated many communities along the Gulf Coast. Even Heifer partners who lived more than 100 miles inland suffered great losses of property, livestock and feed. Read more.


Agriculture Gets a New Outlook in Appalachia
A return to small-scale agriculture in eastern Kentucky isn’t just reviving the economy – it’s molding a new generation of responsible, self-sufficient citizens. Read more.


Garden Stories
Heifer is working with the nonprofit Arkansas Urban Gardening Educational Resources, Inc., to provide earthworms and chickens to integrate into the organization's educational and job training programs. Read more

Sheep: The Life-Giving Livestock Bringing Hope to the Navajo
Dibé bi' iina' means Sheep is Life to the Navajo Nation, but lately, that life has been dwindling. Thanks to Heifer's partnership with Navajo communities, ranchers and weavers are receiving the technical training they need to combine with their ancient traditions and keep the industry - and their culture - alive. Read more.

Growing Seeds, Animals and Relationships
The livestock and training you provide through Heifer do so much more than put food on a family's table. Take the case of young Henri Dominique Carroll of Tallulah, La. Read more.

-----------------------------------------------------
Heifer In Your Community
Get involved in your local community with Heifer events, volunteer opportunities, fundraising and more. Contact the Regional Office nearest you for more information.


Heifer Project International
1 World Avenue, Little Rock, AR/USA 72202
Tel.: [phone] | Contact Us

[Norrin Radd]

142. Heifer, yes.

n/t

[LeftyMom]

152. Heifer sends animals to countries with no vet care or follow up. They demand you confine the animal

and require fencing that can cost several years of a family's income before their "gift" arrives, even in areas where land is plentiful and ranging is a more appropriate source of fodder, disregarding the experience of the people who live on the land how it best supports animals and what animals it best supports. They send dairy cattle to areas where people can't digest dairy, which is wasteful and at least potentially racist (dairy digestion is almost exclusively a northern European mutation.) They don't keep track of how many of their animal "gifts" die in transit or how they fare in their new homes. Even if one buys into the idea that their mission is noble, they go about it badly.

However, the bottom line is this: a living, feeling being is neither a source of food, nor a gift. Heifer is not an appropriate charity for the fund drive. I'd find the idea of DUers teaming up to sell animals into confinement and deprivation deeply offensive and so would many others.

PS If you still want more reasons why Heifer isn't appropriate, here's something I posted to a previous thread about them:

First of all, there's already more than enough food out there to feed the world, so hunger charities that don't address underlying issues of dysfunction in distribution are band-aids on cancer.

Second, excluding the few areas (which outside of the industrial world tend to be sparsely populated) where a plant-based diet can't be supported by the local environment, encouraging further animal agriculture is not a responsible thing to do. Both human health and the health of the planet are negatively impacted by flesh-consuming diets. While Heifer does offer some seed and other more sustainable solutions, as their name suggests the focus is on animal agriculture, which is neither healthy nor sustainable.

Third, there is a certain racist and culturally imperialist element to this. First, in the selection of animals for food. One of Heifers gifts, as their name suggests, is that of a dairy cow. Now most of the world's people can not digest cow's milk- no surprise, no other animal consumes the milk of another so this behavior is an evolutionary oddity- and the ability to do so well is almost exclusively a mutation confined to Northern Europeans. However the attitude in the US and other places largely descended from people with that mutation is that this is a essential food for health of women and children. Science tells us that this is not the case, that it is in fact a potent allergen, and that the concentrated animal protein changes blood chemistry and leeches calcium deposits from the bones. Second, Heifer is a religious charity. Religious charities operating in the developing world aim to proselytize the poorest and least resistant populations, often with the implied (or outright stated in some cases, such as that of Mother Theresa's operation in Calcutta) suggestion that conversion is a requirement for aid or a way to get more help. As such, I'm extremely wary of religiously-motivated charities except in cases where their track record of respect for their beneficiaries is clearly established, as with Habitat for Humanity. Giving people a little food in exchange for changing a part of their culture seems like a poor trade.

I'd keep my money and time with more forward thinking organizations that have a greater focus on environmental responsibility and addressing the inequities in food distribution that cause hunger. Food Not Bombs is a good option, in my opinion. Here's a link to some other organizations addressing hunger without animal exploitation: http://episcoveg.weblogger.com/2005/01/28?...

PS As an aside, Heifer International is also a partner in junk science. They sponsored, together with the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, a study intended to compare the healthfulness of animal and plant based diets in children. Their animal consuming population was first world children. The veg population? Third world children subsisting on very small quantities of rice and beans from hunger relief organizations. Needless to say, when you compare well fed children with access to health care to half-starved kids with none, the first world kids win out. NCBA and it's membership used this deeply and intentionally flawed study to promote an animal-based diet as the only healthy answer to child nutrition while Heifer uses it to promote the need for animal products in third world children's diets, and thus the need to donate to Heifer. I'm certainly not about to donate to an organization that colludes with industry in the creation of mutually advantageous junk science.

PPS Better analysis of problems with Heifer (and a few more examples of a disrespect for truth on their part) here: http://www.all-creatures.org/articles/heif... and here: http://www.all-creatures.org/articles/heif...

[DemExpat]

153. Some good points there, LeftyMom....

but I would love to support a charity that more structurally, longer term helps hungry people provide for themselves and their families.

But you are right, as someone very interested in animal welfare, this might not be an appropriate one!

Thanks,

DemEx

[question everything]

177. Thank you for a detailed report

This is what is needed. We all want to help and open our hearts to an idea that sounds wonderful. So we need people like you who have done some digging and can provide, at least, a different POV.

[Horse with no Name]

40. There are some excellent ideas in this thread

With several pleas for making it local and for food banks.
Is there any way we can make contributions locally in the name of DU?
Perhaps a downloadable Christmas card to attach to the food from DU?
I would suggest that people have to request this from the admin team because knowing freepers, they would get hold of them and taint the food and give it under DU's name.
They could care less about poor and unfortunate and hungry people if it accomplished their mission of destroying something good that DU wanted to do.
Just a suggestion.

[theHandpuppet]

47. May I suggest MercyCorps?

http://www.mercycorps.org/mercykits

Please refer to this General Discussion thread: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2881075&mesg_id=2881075

Peace!

[MonkeyFunk]

49. I think it's a great idea.

I'd vote for Second Harvest - a non-religious (unlike Habitat) group that does a whole lot of good.

[Brazenly Liberal]

50. AmeriCares

This is a wonderful organization. If you haven't heard of them, it's because all your donation $$$ go into the work, not into self promotion gimmicks.

AmeriCares is dedicated to bringing health care to those who need it and can't afford it or don't have access to it.

They operate free clinics in the US to offer health care to the working poor and go on health-related missions to some of the most difficult parts of the world, offering disaster relief and conducting clinics teaching locals how to do well child care, how to make nutritious meals from locally available foods, etc. They operate Camp AmeriKids for children with AIDS.

AmeriCares was the first on the scene, ready to offer medical care to the victims of 9/11 - ahead of Red Cross, ahead of anyone. They sent medical supplies and nurses down to Louisiana to assist the Katrina refugees.

http://www.americares.org

[Brazenly Liberal]

54. Their Charity Navigator rating

An organization's efficiency rating is critical. It doesn't matter much if the work they do is good if half the money donated goes to administrative costs instead of into the actual programs.

4 stars
99.4% efficiency - meaning 99.4% of money donated goes into the work. Only 0.2% goes for administrative costs and 0.4% for fundraising costs.

http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm/bay/search.summary/orgid/3289.htm

[EFerrari]

84. What a great link

Thanks!

[aintitfunny]

51. Another potential International project of merit

http://www.womenforwomen.org/projectindependence/index.htm

Project Independence: Women Survivors of War a joint project of Soroptmist International http://www.soroptimistinternational.org/ and Women for Women International http://www.womenforwomen.org/wWIIndex.do?g11n.enc=ISO-8859-1.

There are many worthy causes in this thread. I thought I would at least get a mention in for this project.

[wakeme2008]

52. Skinner do you know who runs ActBlue

Different groups set up donation pages for lists of candidate for this past election on the Act Blue system. IMHO what would be nice is a DU list of groups to receive donations and let the members pick which or all they want to donate to.... :)

[AnnInLa]

58. mydd.com (I think)

That's where I used ActBlue

mdd.com in conjunction with kos, I believe

[AnnInLa]

59. Whatever yall decide is OK with me, but

I favor Doctors Without Borders and anything that benefits Katrina survivors directly

[EFerrari]

73. That's another good suggestion. And I agree. Whatever you all

decide is fine.

:kick:

[CoffeeCat]

55. I know a family who needs miracles right now...

When I'm deciding how to donate during the holidays, I've often wished that I could
find "that one family"--and help them out to make their holidays brighter.

If you have ever felt this way--I know an amazing, beautiful family that would benefit
from and appreciate caring arms around them right now.

The Jacobs family is comprised of Heather (mom) and four boys: Brayden (age 7), Justin (age 6),
Keenan (age), Ethan (age 2)--and an unborn child who is due in January.

Three weeks ago, this family lost their father/husband, Eric Jacobs in an airplane crash. Three of
Eric's co-workers and the pilot were also killed. Eric was 31.

Eric was returning home to Iowa from a business trip in Indiana--flying on a small airplane.
Eric was supposed to be on a commercial flight, but it was canceled. Eric took a seat on the
small, corporate plane--because Eric wanted to get home and see his family.

Eric's wife, Heather, is moving forward, and she is committed to being strong for their boys.
Eric was an extremely devoted husband and father. He declared Sunday "family day"--a day
when the children chose all activities for the day. No request was denied. If the children
wanted their bedroom furniture moved, Eric and Heather would spend the entire day
shuffling everything. Some Sundays, they spent the entire day in their pajamas watching movies.
The kids ruled the day and Dad never said no--because he wanted to teach them that, "anything is possible".

Heather, the four young boys--and the baby who will be born in mid-January--will press forward
and they will thrive in the years to come. Heather is an amazing mom and a very strong person. Less
than a week after Eric's death, my husband and I saw Heather in the local grocery store with
her four-year-old, Keenan. Although she was in tremendous pain, she knew it was important to
smile, move forward and spend special one-on-one time with each child.

I see the pain. I see the need. It is real. It is one family.

The family doesn't have a Website, but I will provide article links at the bottom of this
post--which detail the airplane crash, and how Eric Jacobs gave so much to the world. He
co-founded an organization--Iowa.net--that builds and maintains free Web sites for non-profit
organizations. He was a technical lead at his company, and he did so much for non-profit
groups.

One of Eric Jacob's brothers or co-workers could set up a Paypal account for them within a few
hours, if they don't all ready have one.

If you're wondering how the money would be spent, I know the money would help the children and
it would help Heather with daily expenses--big and small. I know Heather would like the boys to
go to college. More importantly, it would help Heather and the boys feel as if they were loved
during the holiday season and that their father was remembered by many people around the country.

There are many great charities, and I support whatever cause DU chooses. I thought I would
bring this family to the attention of DU--as a worthy cause. This would be such an unexpected
avalanche of support, and I know Heather would be so grateful--and it would really impact their
family in many powerful ways.

Eric Jacobs spread a great deal of positive kharma around the world, and it would be so
heartfelt--to see that come back around to his family during this holiday season.

---------
Links to articles about Eric Jacob's death:

http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2006/11/15/news/metro/a52b205325336b93862572270057ba46.txt

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061114/NEWS/311140002&lead=1

Link to the article about Iowa.NET (the group that Eric Jacobs co-founded), which builds
sites for non-profits, for free.
http://www.iowadnug.org/DesktopDefault.aspx

Local Article about Eric Jacob's death:
http://www.presscitizen-shopper.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061119/ANKENY01/611190303

[Junkdrawer]

60. Dupe.

[Berserker]

62. I would like to suggest

we find a way to get the donations to needy families with children here in the United States.
Just to know that we all helped some little child somewhere have a full belly and a toy to play with on Christmas would make everything else we complain about pale in comparison.
Second Harvest and Toys for Tots sound great to me.

[Laurab]

63. Voting for America's Second Harvest

I didn't know anything about them, but after looking through all the suggestions, that one would seem to be the one most in the spirit of Skinner's post. The others are fine charities, I just think that one would be most in the spirit of helping more of the less fortunate.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

65. I'm thinking that Second Harvest is also a good choice

They do a lot toward feeding the hungry in the US, and they also advocate change on a legislative level to end hunger for good.

I like them.

[flyarm]

66. Please read.........

My husband and I just joined his partner at work to do a dinner event to help Johns Hopkins raise money for Johns Hopkins Pediatric Oncology.

I had the honor of meeting the top research doctor in Stem Cell research..at Johns Hopkins and in the nation.....and having a wonderful conversation with him. There is hope in the future for many many diseases folks!! This man has hope in the Democrats who will be taking over congress!

Many charities are struggling right now..but it seems to me..many children of Iraq have died in this bush war.. innocent children and many have lost limbs..that could be helped with stem cell research in the future..

Or the cancers our bombs will cause to the Children of Iraq..will require all the research we can do here on our side..

When bush started this war ..over 50% of the citizens of Iraq were under the age of 15..children..those who haven't lost their lives will require lifetimes of cures for all kinds of cancers...

Maybe we can donate to Johns Hopkins Pediatric Oncology..research for life........

its just a thought..

or...

For the memory of our Andy.....Johns Hopkins also is always looking for research money for Pancreatic Cancer research.....

here is another idea.........


http://pathology2.jhu.edu/pancreas/giving.cfm

General Support

While all efforts to advance our understanding of pancreas cancer are proceeding at a record pace, we have more leads than we have resources to pursue them. Financial support is needed to continue these efforts. Some people give donations directly, some leave money to Johns Hopkins as a bequeath, and some ask that donations be sent in lieu of flowers. Each donation helps us explore new avenues of research, and each is a poignant reminder of the human cost of this disease. Importantly, this private giving has provided us with the opportunity to make real advances in our understanding of pancreas cancer and it has provided critical support to our young investigators. Those of you wishing to support pancreas cancer research at Johns Hopkins may do so by sending your tax-deductible contribution made payable to "The Johns Hopkins University" and send to:


Attention: Dr. Ralph Hruban, Director
The Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center
Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions
401 North Broadway, Weinberg 2242
Baltimore, MD 21231-2410


A number of you have asked us to spell out exactly where these donations go. We do not use the donations to support fundraising or other administrative efforts. Instead, 80% of each donation goes directly to support pancreatic cancer science--particularly our young investigators. These young investigators have wonderful creative ideas and they are at a point in their careers at which private giving can help convince them to join the battle against pancreatic cancer. For example, Drs. Maitra and Iacobuzio-Donahue were both able to start their careers in pancreatic cancer research because of donations given by the users of this Web page. Both doctors now both have independent grant support from the Federal Government, demonstrating how your donations can have a significant long-term impact on our battle against pancreatic cancer. The remaining 20% of your donation goes to the Dean's office here at Hopkins. The Dean's Office supplies infrastructure support to the pancreatic cancer research labs (things such as paper towels, lighting, heating for the building, lab space, etc). If you have any other questions about how you can help support pancreas cancer research, do not hesitate to give us a call: 410-955-9132.


I miss you my friend Andy.........
I hope this helps with ideas..and I would be proud to donate to any charity this wonderful community chooses!...fly

[recovering democrat]

68. More food donation information

Great idea. I will enthusiastically support Second Harvest, anything that benefits Katrinia victims directly, and of course, Habitat for Humanity.

Local food banks are critically important for individual donations. Here is another piece of information I haven't seen in this posting and a link to it. I am not suggesting this as the DU donation but only for the general information of interested members.

Campbell Soup has a promotion for each City with an NFL franchise. You can go into their web site and vote for the team in your city. For each vote, Campbell's will donate a can of soup to a soup kitchen in that City. Good cause, takes less than 10 seconds of your time. Pass it on. http://www.chunky.com/clickforcans.aspx

[Melinda]

72. Excellent suggestion - please, everyone read democrat's post ^^^ and click the link for food!!

Thanks for raising our (my!) awareness! :loveya:

Passing it on: http://www.chunky.com/clickforcans.aspx

[Shakespeare]

69. Ideally, I'd love to see the $ split between Habitat and Second Harvest, or...

Coaliation for the Homeless and Second Harvest. Others have already given detail on why they're good charities, and I suspect most of us are pretty familiar with them anyway.

All three of those offer support and comfort of a kind especially needed this time of year. I wish we had a magic wand we could wave to give everybody a happy Christmas, but helping to make sure that nobody goes hungry or without a warm place to sleep at least begins to accomplish that.

[robinlynne]

70. OXFAM. They provide animals to people ion third world countries, teach people how to

care for the animals, and provide entire villages with self sustainment, cows for milk, chicken for eggs. They not only combat hunger, but communities build schools and change lives with only a few animals.

[intheflow]

122. AND they're funding US grassroots groups working on Katrina issues.

Katrina response is their first US program.

http://www.oxfamamerica.org/whatwedo/emergencies/hurricane_katrina

[robinlynne]

144. all around really good group. I like the way they think. it isn't just charity.

It is charity and make the world a better place to live in....

[intheflow]

161. Not charity.

Solidarity!

[berni_mccoy]

71. I Suggest the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF)

Type-1 diabetes affects 1 in 500 children and is a devastating disease. My son has it and I know the challenges that go with living with type-1 diabetes, as do many DUers as I have come to know.

Why should DU fund raise for JDRF? Because, while the JDRF is seeking a cure for type-1 diabetes, they aren't forgetting about other illnesses that could be cured with Stem Cell Research. In fact, they have one of the strongest advocacy groups for Stem Cell Research and were instrumental in getting the Stem Cell Research Bill passed through Congress.

Furthermore, their research benefits EVERYONE with diabetes, type-1 or otherwise. They have spent more on research for the treatment of diabetes than any other single organization.

And finally, they are efficient. They are one of the more efficient charitable organizations, with over 80% of the money they raise going directly to research.

The JDRF was founded by parents of children with type-1 diabetes in 1970 and since then they have raised over $1 billion in research money. Each year, my family walks in the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes (walk.jdrf.org) and I plan to raise money next year by also participating in the ride to cure diabetes.

You can learn more about the JDRF at http://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?page_id=100694

I urge you to strongly consider choosing the JDRF as one of the organizations DU donates to.

Sincerley,
Berni McCoy

[ohtransplant]

74. I would gladly support any of the previously mentioned causes.

And I would like to suggest a couple others as food for thought. Unless they're too controversial...

How about Paralyzed Veterans of America.

www.pva.org

or...

the Disabled American Veterans

http://www.dav.org/default.html


Peace.

edit sp.

[johnnie]

75. I think this is a great idea

I don't know of any in particular right now, but I vote for something to do with helping children. Is St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital something to consider?

[Morgana LaFey]

76. I vote for whatever helps people who are hungry or homeless

and in the U.S. NOT that the rest of the world doesn't need our help, but that there are so many in dire straits here in the U.S.

I'd also vote for a permanent presence in the charity fundraising department. Why not choose several charities, over a spectrum, and make it possible that DUers can donate in the name of DU throughout the year, with a special emphasis around the holidays?

[RayOfHope]

78. But there are many DUers who aren't American citizens

maybe we could have the option of donating to a USA OR internationally based charity.

[DemExpat]

81. This would be nice for all of us expats and internationals.

I would donate to both!

DemEx

[lies and propaganda]

82. K A T R I N A

Im sure there are 50 million ways we could help the people and the state more so then the fucks in charge who arent.

[uppityperson]

148. states, please include the "s"

[in_cog_ni_to]

83. America's Second Harvest or a TRUSTED, LIBERAL organization that directly helps Katrina victims n/t.

[bluescribbler]

86. Union of Concerned Scientists

Here's their site: http://www.ucsusa.org/

Here's why. Hunger, disease, poverty and war are all serious problems, but I believe the most serious problem facing human civilization is the environment. If we don't start cleaning up after ourselves, none of the other problems will be solvable.

[democrank]

87. Bravo, Skinner!

Second Harvest. Although there are many worthwhile charities, feeding the hungry is about as basic as we could get.

[philosophie_en_rose]

88. How about more than one? (suggestions below)

National Charities that Work Locally:

America's Second Harvest
Habitat for Humanity


But my personal choice is:

United Yorkie Rescue - http://www.unitedyorkierescue.org/lookingforlove.shtml (Yes. Yes. It's small, but it's a great cause. These little guys have been through hell). UYR does great work, and are grateful for any donation - no matter how much. Please consider contributing to medical costs or adopting a puppy.

[applegrove]

90. Katrina, Autism or Amnesty International

[emmadoggy]

91. Lots of great causes already listed...

my favorites would be Heifer International, Habitat for Humanity, America's Second Harvest, and Toys for Tots.

I don't envy trying to narrow down the choices. There are a lot of great causes. I agree with some others that perhaps we could do 2 or 3?? Maybe that's not feasible, but a thought to consider.

This is a great idea. Thanks.:grouphug:

[porphyrian]

92. I'll kick that until I think of something that hasn't been mentioned yet. - n/t

[mistertrickster]

93. Crawford Peace House nt

[mike_c]

106. I second that suggestion-- Crawford Peace House is an excellent idea....

One that I will happily donate to.

[angstlessk]

94. Here's my deal. Skinner you set up the charity..and I will donate.

Not a lot. I am not rich..but I will donate to any charity DU decides is a worthwhile cause. (not doing sheudenfraud or anything...but don't you think the freepers are wetting their pants about this?)

[SeattleGirl]

95. There are so many worthy charities, but America's Second Harvest

would be my vote. Many people go hungry every day, and the food banks are often overwhelmed, particularly around the holidays.

[blondeatlast]

99. Just read up on America's Second Harvest and they are my choice now. nt

[OnionPatch]

100. Friends of Pine Ridge

I give money to them when I can. I always figured one may as well give to an organization here at home (and maybe it helps me with my big ol' white-person guilt complex, too. :shrug: )Anyway, there are children there in dire need. Last winter they said they hardly had enough blankets! :cry:
http://www.friendsofpineridgereservation.org/

[Blue Gardener]

105. Another good one!

I'm glad I don't have to make the decision!

[PaulaFarrell]

102. I suggest Sight Savers

They operate in third world countries, providing eye operations, treatment and education for the blind who not otherwise get it:

http://www.sightsavers.org

[datadiva]

103. America's Second Harvest

gets my vote. I saw a program on tv about them a couple of years ago. On FSTV I think. Great caring organization.

[Kare]

104. Childs Play

I think that childs play is a good charity, it meets all of the criteria. I intend to donate myself.

Childs Play

Since 2003, gamers have banded together through registered Seattle-based charity, Child's Play. Over a million dollars in donations of toys, games, books and cash for sick kids in children's hospitals across North America and the world have been collected since our inception.

We collect no administrative fees or other charges, 100% of all gifts and donations go directly to our partner hospitals, to help make life a little brighter for a sick child.

[Catchawave]

107. New Orleans Habitat for Humanity

More information here:


http://www.habitat-nola.org/



Count me in for any project DU chooses !

[intheflow]

123. Please, national Habitat, not just NOLA, so Miss. can benefit, too.

Our local Habitat chapters here were all blown out (literally) by Katrina, so the only way the Mississippi Coast gets help from Habitat is through the national association. Donations can be earmarked for Katrina relief.

[bajamary]

108. New Orleans Public Libraries

Happy Holidays to one and all.

One of my favorite charities is the Rebuild New Orleans Public Libraries.

As you can imagine, the flood destroyed almost all of the branch libraries across New Orleans. There's been one library rebuilt in the 9th Ward which is a resource for a wide variety of information for the people in this community.

So one thing we might consider it helping to rebuild the libraries so the information about all kinds of rebuilding/employment/grants/ etc can be FREELY accessible to all.

http://www.nutrias.org/howtogive.htm

[CTyankee]

109. Could we have a U.S. and a foreign charity?

For the U.S. I would vote for any cause providing basic care, food, shelter for people so it could any of many of the charities listed in this thread.

For a foreign charity, what could we do for Darfur refugees? It seems to be this huge need (and one that needs to be addressed by more than charity, of course)and so much suffering, I am surprised I haven't heard it mentioned in this thread.

Just my 2 cents here...

[nam78_two]

110. Meals on wheels-seniors could use some help

Local food banks a great idea too.

[ganeshji]

111. Heifer International

I like the idea of something that keeps on giving and helping people.

[MasonJar]

114. Victims of Katrina is my first choice and then maybe the Humane Society

of America which spent a long time in New Orleans rescuing innocent pets and animals.

[JudyM]

127. That's right, I forgot about all that work the Humane Society did saving and reuniting pets.

They'd be a great one, as well as Second harvest (which I already voted for, above).

[Maddy McCall]

186. Because the Humane Society did such a shoddy job of reuniting pets...

to owners as promised, even when those pets were dropped off at the shelter by owners, tagged, and records supposedly kept....

Because the Humane Society let other organizations take people's pets away from NOLA and to disparate places across the US, meanwhile keeping no records of whose pet went where, thus permanently dislocating pets from owners...

Because the Humane Society turned down eager volunteers at the Gonzales shelter...

Because the Humane Society did not hold true to their promise not to adopt out pets that had owners intent on reclaiming them...

I will not support the Humane Society as the recipient of DU's donations.

Signed,
Worked in the Gonzales Shelter
and saw what a mess the
Humane Society made.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

115. This One Looks Like A Really Good One. 100% Of Each Dollar Is Used And You Can Have Your Own Webpage

https://www.robinhood.org/index.cfm

https://www.robinhood.org/greatest_gifts.cfm

The web page is a bit cheesy and it defaults to being for an event, asking for donations instead of a present etc, but you can see how much you've raised, you have your own web address to mail out, and anyone can click on the page and donate straight from there with options already embedded. It seems like a really good charity for feeding the homeless, youth education, teen pregnancy etc...

I'd like a few of you to check it out and see what you think!

The part to create your own page is at the bottom of the second link, under the 'invite friends to donate in lieu of gifts' header.

I just got a really good vibe from this site.

On edit: It appears you can only donate with Visa, Mastercard or Amex. I didn't see any option for paypal so I'm not sure if that's good enough.

[pmc62]

119. Buck O'Neil

Although this does not rise to the level of need as many of the other wonderful suggestions, the Negro Leagues Museum is trying to raise money for an education center, named for Buck O'Neil. Buck was working on this before he died. If anyone would like to honor this truly marvelous man, they could donate to the Thanks a Million Buck campaign.

http://www.nlbm.com/buck/buck.htm

All the other ideas posted here are great and I think think the DU will help many worthy charities by the thoughtfulness of the members.

[calimary]

120. Skinner! Skinner! Skinner! How about something for our own needy?

Buckminster Fuller, I believe it was, said to think globally and act locally.

Is there something we could do to help OUR OWN? We have people here on DU who are struggling, some just barely making it. The other charities suggested on this thread are worthy, indeed, and I appreciate their being remembered here. But perhaps we could start in our own little corner of the world, and make an impact with some of our own - who desperately need our help.

I've been around here for quite some time, and I've seen the posts. Poignant and heartbreaking and immediate - in the HERE and NOW. About falling through the cracks. About being rudely shaken awake to realize - and have to cope with - the much-vaunted safety net that the bush regime has left in tatters. People who have nowhere and no one else to turn to, and nowhere to go. I'm sure you've seen some of them. A job is lost. A spouse or loved one dies. Or becomes seriously ill. Or even shipped off to Iraq. Devastating illness strikes a family without any health insurance. The breadwinner gets laid off with no pension. The unemployment "benefits" have run out. The disability has run out or doesn't cover what it's supposed to. I think we may even have one or two Enron vicims here, or those who know some. We have people here from New Orleans (or what's left of it), who've seen and weathered the calamity first-hand and are picking up pieces of nothing. We have homeless DUers here who can only weigh in when they make a trip to the library. There are some who've experienced the tragedy of having to sleep in their cars while snow swirls outside. No place to go, and no money even to find a cheap-ass hotel room somewhere. And as much of a Godsend as Habitat for Humanity is, it seems only to address the needs of a family for a house - but not an apartment dweller who also sorely needs shelter (and Habitat doesn't build apartment buildings, not even small ones).

THIS. JUST. SHOULD. NOT. HAPPEN.

Sometimes it can feel overwhelming, thinking that a teeny little contribution like the ones that most of us might find affordable would actually do somebody somewhere some good. But a few dollars from a few of us, here and there might not buy a whole heifer from Heifer International (and when I've been able to do so, I've sent money to buy a share of a heifer from that same terrific group), but it might mean the difference between one of our own members freezing in a drafty apartment this winter because they had to choose food for their kids over paying the heating bill. Or maybe it'd provide gasoline money to another DUer who's struggling to cover too many family expenses, and sometimes has to choose filling the tank to get to and from a shitty low-paying job, OR paying the doctor bill.

I'd love to see us do that, because our brothers and sisters in need, HERE, deserve our backs, every bit as much as we've exhorted each other to have the backs of our timid Dems.

Many of us have risen to the occasion every time there's a DU quarterly drive - to help a needy DUer get his or her star so they can continue their communication with us. Sometimes, it's almost a lifeline. How many sweet people here have secretly sent Skinner a few bucks extra so some other DUer who couldn't post during the election - COULD do so, because otherwise they couldn't afford their own donor star? If we can do THAT, can't we do THIS?

Just a thought, but if I can scrape together a few extra bucks, that's what I'd REALLY LOVE to see done with 'em.

These are OUR OWN brothers and sisters facing hard times and harsh turns of fortune. I'd like to start there.

Just another thought - I rather like your suggestion #3:

3. If possible, it would be great if we could set up a special online donate page for members of DU, so we can share that address with our membership and we can easily keep track of how much our community has donated.

Seems to me that would be MOST workable and useful for this particular cause. There is the matter of privacy and dignity involved. Anonymous donations (as they come in during DU quarterly drives) to help a fellow DUer get the donor star he/she couldn't otherwise afford, could remain in a "bank" from which a needy DUer could contact you and request a "withdrawal." From time to time you could issue an announcement advising the rest of us of the status of this "bank" - if it's getting thinner and needs a bit of shoring up. Perhaps, even, a small percentage of each quarterly drive could be set aside to feed this "bank" to some extent.

There are people among us - OUR OWN DUer PEOPLE, from OUR OWN DU FAMILY, for whom this might mean the difference between starving and eating, heat and cold, a safe roof under their heads for a few nights rather than a doorstop or bus station, or perhaps covering a single essential prescription... especially for those who've turned everywhere else for help and find all lifeboats have already left the sinking ship. I know there are at least a few of those here with us. They've tried everywhere else. They're out of options. And they face - well, it breaks my heart even to imagine it. People have donated for the sake of other DUers in need here. For Andy when he was dying. For Mari333 when her husband died (and their son had been sent to Iraq) and we wanted to comfort her with flowers. There have been others. There are others of our brothers and sisters in desperate situations now. I'd like to help THEM now.

Let's start with our own, and then stretch outward a little farther...

[nam78_two]

128. Very true-I would get behind that!

Thanks Mary :thumbsup:

[Sapphire Blue]

131. Oh, how I wish that I could RECOMMEND your post!!!!! Skinner, PLEASE consider calimary's suggestion!

[JeffR]

132. That's a brilliant idea, calimary

:applause:

[brook]

137. Excellent idea, Mary.

I like it and it gave me some further thoughts for consideration.

What if........we established this fund from which DUers in need could draw no and/or low interest loans for emergency/desperate situations? Repayments when and if possible would keep this informal fund viable. I read something a long time ago about immigrant enclaves that did this sort of thing to help their fellow countrymen get a foothold in this country. If half the population of DU 'deposited' 10 dollars every January 1st, we'd have quite a cushion.

Then each December, we could also ask every depositor to vote on which 5 or 10 charities outside of DU that we want to support that year and in what amount. Then the next month, we ask for the new deposits.

In encouraging people to give back, we (in my opinion, anyway) are giving them a hand up - not 'charity' per se - and helping to retain their self-esteem.

Anyway, thought I'd run this by y'all. :)

[shanine]

158. Great Idea!!!!

and personally, the way I like to give back.

[Nickster]

160. That's an awesome idea. n/t

[dogday]

163. We are already making happen for Straight Story

let's keep it up... It is a good feeling to give....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2880482&mesg_id=2880482

[Midlodemocrat]

164. I like this idea as well.

I've helped out several folks here on DU because their situations are so heart breaking. I would like to see some of these other worthy folks get the leg up they need.

[dogday]

166. Always best to start with those close to you

and we do have a few in dire need... I have heard the stories and I am touched deeply. This Christmas holds special meaning for me as my Son is home from Iraq in good condition... What else could anyone ask for? I would like to share my happiness with others if I can...

[Midlodemocrat]

170. Oh, dogday! What fabulous news!! I must have missed that thread

where you announced he was back!!

Thank God.


:hug:

[question everything]

178. I agree

I often read calls for help on these pages and my heart goes to them, feeling so helpless and wondering whether donations from DUers make a difference. And I am always thankful for those DUers with paypal accounts who immediately offer them to collect donations.

[Lisa0825]

181. Another vote for this idea.

While it is great to help anyone, I'd prefer helping someone who is a part of our own community. I have given to many here, a little here and there, and I would love to see a more organized effort to assist people.

[ulysses]

182. either this or Second Harvest

gets my vote.

[Maddy McCall]

187. Flame me if you want...I'm not cold-hearted...

but people who can afford an internet connection are not down to their last dollar and truly destitute.

I'd rather support a grass-roots organization that is rebuilding after Katrina, or one that helps the homeless.

While I sympathize with the plight of many DUers, the very fact that they still have a computer and internet access tells me that they aren't at rock bottom as are many Katrina victims and homeless people. And many homeless Katrina victims.

[jannyk]

121. Doctors Without Borders (medicins sans frontieres)

I think this should be a global foundation not a US one. Many of our membership is not US based.

This organization goes where even the Red Cross will not/cannot. It was Medicins Sans Frontieres that was there all through the Rwandan genocide when all other NGO's and aid agencies left. I cannot speak of them highly enough.

Main website:
http://www.msf.org/

US website
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/

[uppityperson]

147. I vote for MSF also.

[intheflow]

125. The long-term relief worker says: Katrina, Katrina, Katrina!

I vote either Oxfam America or Habitat for Humanity. Both groups are doing extraordinary work on the Coast, donations can be ear marked for Katrina relief, and donations can be made online.

Oxfam is my first choice, as they are truly working for the most oppressed. Habitat requires people to take out a very limiting mortgage with Katrina homes (long, involved explanation), whereas Oxfam is working on fair and affordable housing issues for impoverished people/renters, and also working on human rights.

If you want to get an idea of what orgaizations Oxfam is funding on the Mississippi Coast, they funded all the groups listed in my sig line. More general info from Oxfam is at this link: http://www.oxfamamerica.org/whatwedo/emergencies/hurricane_katrina. Katrina is their first US response.

[livvy]

126. Here's an idea...

Veterans Administration (VA) budget cuts in recent years have left many of our nation's veterans at VA hospitals without the means to call their families over the holidays.

So Working Assets, Veterans for Peace, CODEPINK, Iraq Veterans Against the War and Gold Star Families for Peace have teamed up on a project to thank our veterans by sending them phone cards loaded with 125 minutes of domestic long-distance calling time. We'll purchase these cards and deliver them to VA Medical Facilities all over the country on December 18th. (If you want to join in delivering the cards to a VA hospital near you, just click on the link you'll see after making your gift.)

$10 will cover the cost of phone cards for three veterans. $20 will buy six phone cards. $33 will buy ten cards. $100 will buy phone cards for 30 veterans to call home over the holidays. 100% of your gift will go directly to buying phone cards -- so please give as generously as you can.



https://www.workingforchange.com/Order/index.cfm?OrderFormID=6

[Skittles]

134. The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) for Parkinson's Research

yes INDEED :thumbsup:

[skyblue]

155. See 35 & 154

[Time for change]

135. Amnesty International

Amnesty international is a human rights organization. My reason for suggesting them is, not only for all the individuals they help, but I see them an important force for world peace. They speak out and act against human rights abuses wherever they occur, including the numerous human rights violations of the Bush administration.

http://www.amnestyusa.org/index.html

Mission statement

Amnesty International's vision is of a world in which every person enjoys all of the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards.

In pursuit of this vision, AI's mission is to undertake research and action focused on preventing and ending grave abuses of the rights to physical and mental integrity, freedom of conscience and expression, and freedom from discrimination, within the context of its work to promote all human rights.

AI is independent of any government, political ideology, economic interest or religion. It does not support or oppose any government or political system, nor does it support or oppose the views of the victims whose rights it seeks to protect. It is concerned solely with the impartial protection of human rights....


Current campaigns include:

Abolish the death penalty
Oppose abuses related to the "War on Terror"
Denounce Torture: Stop it now!
Stop violence against women
End the uncontrolled proliferation and misuse of arms
Demand change in multinational corporations

[Sacajawea]

136. The Smile Train -- MDs do cleft palate/lip repairs - and train local staff to do it also

www.SmileTrain.org

For $250 the MDs can do the surgery. 100% of donated money goes for the surgeries (administrative costs of the charity are funded some other way).

Think of it....$250 and you can TOTALLY change a child's life!!!

[Longhorn]

138. My vote goes to an organization that does not have a religious affiliation.

This is a wonderful idea and I'll be happy to donate to the chosen organization. Thanks! :hug:

[Suich]

139. Great idea!

I've found this site helpful when it comes to charitable donations:

http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm

:hi:

[motocicleta]

146. I've got a local and a global suggestion

MercyCorps for global - I have great respect for their work.
AFCMentoring for those of us in Boston. For many of the adopted and foster care kids they mentor, AFC is the most consistent force in their lives, day in and day out. The kids have been dealt a harsh hand in a lot of ways, and mentoring makes a huge difference. Plus I have volunteered there and know it to be a solid organization.

Way to go DU, whatever we choose.

[ClayZ]

150. We like "Food not Bombs"

http://www.foodnotbombs.net/

[barbtries]

156. i nominate this organization

of which i am happy to say i am a member and which does a lot of good for bereaved families in southern california.

Justice for Murdered Children

as you can see, we are having our annual christmas party on the 16th. for me personally having been out of a job earlier this year and being a single mother the party is about my best chance to be sure my grandsons and youngest son see some presents for christmas. i know that i am not the only single bereaved mother who will attend with her surviving family members.

JFMC also sponsors members' trips to Sacramento in April during National Victims of Violent Crime Week for Mother's March on the Capital.

Members, myself included, have undergone training and take part in a program through the California Youth Authority, in which we visit the CYA to give victim impact classes to youthful offenders. This program is especially dear to my heart.

JFMC also has a weekly radio program for discussion about crime in los angeles particularly the crime of homicide. A local access cable tv program "Crimes in the Hood" is produced by JFMC. i have appeared on both. At monthly meetings we support each others' grief. My daughter's face recently appeared on a billboard as part of an ongoing campaign against street violence. We have a warm list - we become each others' best friends when the original best friends and even sisters and brothers have no clue how to deal with us....

the woman who founded Justice for Murdered Children, LaWanda Hawkins, is an absolute force of nature. Her only child was murdered in 1995, and if it was not for LaWanda's tirelessness in pursuing justice for Reggie, his killers may have put justice off until their own deaths. In 2007 LaWanda will travel to Ohio to deliver a victim impact statement to the man primarily responsible for her 19-year-old son's execution-type killing (the bullet man was a juvenile and to my knowledge remains in prison for a different crime - lack of evidence).

thanks for considering doing such a kind thing - i hope you choose JFMC - DU is kinda my home on the web and it's all about politics. but to this day, over 5 years after the fact, my daughter's untimely, unjust, and tragic death by homicide at 21 years and 13 days, is just a huge unchanging informative fact of my life. The work i do with JFMC means the most to me because i know firsthand that the terrible experience can only be understood by others so afflicted; i need these people and they need me - and my daughter Bekah will never be forgotten.

JFMC - and i could name a couple of other worthy charities as well - means so much to me. and not just to me...

[Berserker]

159. A very important kick n/t

[angstlessk]

162. This needs a big fat kick too!

:kick:

[Wiley50]

165. Why Don't We Do A Drive for Those DU Members Who Need Help?

We don't have to look any farther than our own membership
to find people in desperate need of help.
We have members who are homeless, living on inadequate govt assistance
facing all sorts of hurdles and really need a hand up.

Why look to a bureaucratic national Charity to help?
and ignore those in need in our own backyard

True Charity begins at home

[dogday]

167. I just post this without seeing your post and you are so

right... It begins at home.. Great Post... :hi:

[Lisa0825]

183. Others who agree up-thread...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2880525&mesg_id=2884344

[Whoa_Nelly]

169. A site that has reports on charities

http://www.give.org/reports/index.asp

From the site:
National Charity Reports Index
This page lists the current BBB Wise Giving Alliance reports on charities and other organizations that solicit nationally. If you do not see a particular national charity on this list, feel free to ask us about it.

[dolo amber]

171. I like the Nobel-winning Grameen bank

If this idea caught on (as they're hoping it will) in other countries it could likely be the beginning of the end of crushing third-world poverty as we know it. Just mho, of course. :)

http://www.grameen-info.org/

[rainbow4321]

173. A list of grassroots orgs from The Nation (for Katrina survivors)

Just a link/list of places for DUers browse through..not sure how current the $$ needs are since the Katrina related lists was posted immediately post-disaster:

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20050919/pollittweb


http://katrina.mayfirst.org/

"extensive list of grassroots/low-income/minority-led groups committed to community organizing and delivering immediate disaster relief."

-----------------
My pick: Either something grassroots from above or Doctors Without Borders. I was impressed w/ them when after the tsunami disaster when they actually announced that they didn't need any more cash donations..as opposed to other charities that would have just kept taking/squandering donations.

-----------
give.org also has a long list of other charity suggestions

http://www.give.org/reports/index.asp

[WindRavenX]

174. heifer.org

http://www.heifer.org

[lonestarnot]

175. Ok so what's the choice? There's way many here. I picked a

Christmas Angel from the tree. Bill age 5 wants a bike. A bike he shall have. Have to get the training wheels tomorrow. Wish I could see his face. I love you little Bill, whoever you are.

[Beausoir]

179. Oh you made me cry.

I'm taking my 5 kids out today to pick out their toy to give to someone who is not as lucky as we are. Happy Holidays to you, lonestarnot.

[JeffR]

180. cheers to you, lonestarnot

:toast:

[Nicole]

188. Second Harvest

or Habitat for Humanity.

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

189. Habitat or Second Harvest

Both of these aid New Orleans as well as the rest of the country.

I give whenever I can to Greater Chicago Food Bank, and I'm pretty sure Second Harvest helps local orgs like that.

[HuffleClaw]

190. although i feel this will ultimately prove to be a fruitless exercise in cat herding

i will nonetheless toss my two cents into the mix and suggest 'doctors without borders'.

[Sweet Freedom]

191. What about the troops?

Since our own government doesn't want to support active and/or returning troops, is there something we can do for them? (Sorry, I didn't follow the rules by posting a site. Anyone have a suggestion?)