I've
always given primarily to local charities that I or my friends work with
as volunteers or board members. I feel that my dollars mean more to a
local group and also that if people I respect are willing to devote their
talents to a group, it is probably worthy of support.
I also give to my college alumnae fund, both because I received a good
education and because I received scholarships and want to make the same
opportunities available to the current generation of students.
Jane,
63
West Linn, OR USA
My church.
Janet,
46
E. Brunswick, NJ USA
I give to my church, St. Joseph the Worker Shrine. I give to Habitat for Humanity International because I firmly believe that people should have a simple, decent place to live. I give to Maryknoll Sisters because they do awesome work around the world. To a lesser extent I give to local museums and some random charities because a friend asked me to support them.
Laura,
38
Lowell, MA USA
at the moment only English Heritage, because a) I think they need the money and b) that gets me in free to their properties. I don't donate to anyone else currently, as our outgoings are far more than our income. Once I graduate, and am working full time again I will resume giving to SCOPE, the charity which helps out people with cerebal palsy and their families. My nephew has cerebal palsy, and they have helped his family a lot (providing equipment, and funding his father to have driving lessons) so I can see what good work they do:)
Alice
Winchester UK
OSPCA and World Vision.
Keri-Jade,
23
Brampton, Ontario CANADA
I try to give to charities thru my church. I have heard that they give most of your money to what ever you donate to.
KarenNJ,
45
Milltown, NJ USA
I give to my church because it helps keep me in touch with God. I give to my high school because it's a parochial school and doesn't get any state money. I give to the University of Detroit and to the Ohio State University because I went there, enjoyed myself, and learned a lot. (I don't give to Wayne State because I went there and hated it!) I give to the Salvation Army because those poor freezing bell-ringers deserve something for their effort. I give to the Manresa Jesuit Retreat House because the annual retreat I go to is soul-satisfying.
Cathie,
53
Novi, MI USA
Once in a while I give to a random charity. When I give a larger amount, it's usually to some kind of environmental protection group. Humans are overpopulated and trashing the world, and I think it should stop. I think my biggest contribution to anything was $100 to my high school for a new weight room. I didn't get any kind of acknowledgment for that. I mean, supposedly there's a brick with my [maiden] name on it in the new weight room, but I've never seen it, and the booster club certainly never thanked me in any way. . .just cashed the check. I thought that was kind of tacky for a local operation, but at least the high schoolers have a new weight room. I would have loved to have a fancy new one when I was in high school, though.
Karen,
23
Ames, IA USA
at the moment only English Heritage, because a) I think they need the money and b) that gets me in free to their properties. I don't donate to anyone else currently, as our outgoings are far more than our income. Once I graduate, and am working full time again I will resume giving to SCOPE, the charity which helps out people with cerebal palsy and their families. My nephew has cerebal palsy, and they have helped his family a lot (providing equipment, and funding his father to have driving lessons) so I can see what good work they do:)
Alice
Wincehster UK
Most of my charitable donations are made on the local level: the volunteer fire company; the volunteer ambulance squad; the woman's shelter, a handful of environmental groups dedicated to preserving the local woods and farms; Christmas toy funds, local libraries, a l8th century farm and a megalith park. I also support my college alumnae fund.
Jill,
61
Saylorsburg, PA USA