We support the charities listed below with recurring or event-specific donations. We chose these charities because either we have benefited directly from their work, we have seen them at work, or we feel strongly about the causes they champion, and we believe this is money well used. With that in mind, if you are looking for ways to make a difference, please consider donating time or money to one of the organizations listed below. It will make you feel good and your donation really does make a difference.
American Red Cross
www.redcross.org
Clara Barton “successfully organized the American Association of the Red Cross in Washington, D.C., on May 21, 1881. Created to serve America in peace and in war, during times of disaster and national calamity, Barton’s organization took its service beyond that of the International Red Cross Movement by adding disaster relief to battlefield assistance.”
Catholic Relief Services
www.catholicrelief.org
Catholic Relief Services was founded in 1943 by the Catholic Bishops of the United States. Its mission is to assist the poor and disadvantaged, leveraging the teachings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to alleviate human suffering, promote development of all people, and to foster charity and justice throughout the world.
Habitat for Humanity (local organizations)
www.habitat.org/local/
“What the poor need is not charity but capital, not caseworkers but co-workers. And what the rich need is a wise, honorable, and just way of divesting themselves of their overabundance. The Fund for Humanity will meet both of these needs…..The fund will give away no money. It is not a handout.” Please donate locally, plenty of Americans need homes.
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
http://www.mdanderson.org/Departments/Development/
Simply the finest cancer research center and hospital in the United States, possibly in the world, since 1941. At M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, the mission is simple—to eliminate cancer. The center works toward that goal with integrated programs in cancer treatment, clinical trials, education programs and cancer prevention. At MDA “people are more than just their cancer symptoms. Compassion—along with innovative cancer treatment, cutting-edge cancer research, comprehensive education and research-based prevention of both common and rare cancers—has earned the gratitude of countless adult and pediatric cancer patients and their families.” My family is among the grateful. The doctors at MDA saved my daughter’s favorite uncle after he had been told by other doctors that nothing could be done. What more needs to be said?
National Wildlife Federation
www.nwf.org
The National Wildlife Federation inspires Americans to protect wildlife for our children’s future; the NWF has been working to protect America’s wildlife since 1936.
Nature Conservancy
www.natureconservancy.org
“The mission of the nature conservancy is to preserve the plants, animals, and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth. by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive.” A simple but elegant strategy: buy the land and leave it alone!
Salvation Army
www.salvationarmyusa.org
In this new century, the Salvation Army is serving more people in the USA than ever before. It is “already seeing large increases in the number of Americans seeking the basic necessities of life—food, shelter, and warmth. More than 33 million people received help from the Salvation Army in 2004.”
San Antonio Metropolitan Ministry (SAMM)
www.samm.org
“SAMMinistries is an interfaith ministry whose mission is to help the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless attain self-sufficiency by offering, with dignity and compassion, shelter, housing and services.” These folks work hard and will travel a long way to pick up items that Goodwill and other too-good-for-that-stuff charities will not come to collect. Look for the “Donate Now” link.
