Check your charity.. good resource at this time of year

[SoCalDem]

http://www.charitynavigator.org/

Top Ten Lists

* 10 Most Requested Charities
* 10 Charities with the Most Consecutive 4-Star Ratings
* 10 Most Commented Charities
* 10 Least Reviewed Charities with High Ratings
* 10 Highly-Rated Charities with Low Paid CEOs
* 10 Super-Sized Charities
* 10 of the Best Charities Everyone's Heard Of
* 10 Highly Rated Charities Relying on Private Contributions
* 10 Charities Routinely in the Red
* 10 Charities Expanding in a Hurry
* 10 Charities in Deep Financial Trouble



Tips & Resources

* Top 10 Best Practices of Savvy Donors
* 6 Questions To Ask Charities Before Donating
* Tips For Older Donors
* What To Do When A Charity Calls
* How To Stop Solicitations By Mail
* Protecting Yourself From Online Scams
* Tips For Giving In Times Of Crisis
* Evaluating Charities Not Currently Rated by Charity Navigator
* Tax Benefits of Giving
* Guide To Donating Your Car
* Guide to Donating Noncash Items

[Monique1]

1. I know someone in my school district who is in touch with families

and now am giving to that family. I don't know them personally - I had the option of taking the food for them to prepare or give it to the person in charge. I am not one who feels comfortable giving to receive a tax deduction or make a fuss over. Give the family their food and may they enjoy their gifts, that is all I want and this will happen. The person in charge gave me info re the family. Yes, I am comfortable giving to them. I will be giving more than they are expecting.

Merry Christmas to my adoptive family.

[SoCalDem]

2. Our Newcomers' Club used to adopt a family every year,,for the whole year

we did Mother's day, Fathers' Day, Back to school, kids' birthdays , Thanksgiving & Xmas..:)

It's the best way, but lots of people like to donate to a "cause" :)