Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
A MADE IN THE USA HOLIDAY SEASON - HOMELESS CHILDREN
Reading the news about how many hundreds of thousands of Children in the United States are homeless this Christmas, we wondered how we might be able to help while keeping to our own budget.
The first thing you should know is that the term "Homeless" doesn't just mean the people - often mentally ill and filthy - who are actually on the pavement sleeping in doorways at night.
Homeless means that a person does not have a stable legal residence.
It includes families that live in motel or hotel rooms, who sometimes have to leave for a few days and then come back each month. It includes people who are living with or near family, sleeping on floors, in sheds, in unheated garages, and those who go from sofa to sofa belonging to friends and other people one knows. Often those who are renting are carefully monitored by building owners and management so that they do not move people in without putting them on a lease and so they have to sneak or come and go, careful not to spend more than a week at a time.
Many of the homeless children's paretns work for money, if not a living, but cannot make enough to save for deposits into apartments. Others rely on U.S. government for benefits that buy them food and shelter.
There are homeless kids in families who are camping outdoor all year long, sometimes unable to stay in the same school district.
There are homeless kids with one parent in shelters. Some, but few, of these shelters can guarantee that a stay with them will result in housing.
So let's say you are like us and you really cannot open your wallet too wide when it comes to charitable giving. What can you do?
The first thing you can do is volunteer. It's true that free labor has become part of big business. Our local library refuses volunteer help unless a person commits to at least 6 months. (This is probably why they are always hunting for volunteers. In our opinion that is ridiculous!) Generally we are opposed to the free labor of volunteerism because we think it's bad business. We don't like the way so many school districts and even colleges expect it.
But you would be surprised at how many places welcome volunteers for the half a day and even at short notice. They have broken down the tasks they need done for that time into small, doable activities, like serving food or sorting through donated clothing.
The next thing you can do isn't specific to the holidays. You may be able to give art and craft making supplies - fabric and yarn scraps, plastic microwaveable containers that are good for pouring glue on and holding glitter, for instance. (You'll be recycling.) If you think you can read aloud or teach a specific craft, offer to do so for an hour a week or for an afternoon.
Consider dropping of good used clothing that your own children no longer wear to a family shelter or orphanage.
If you'd like to bake a cake or cookies to give away or make a hundred peanut butter sandwiches, call ahead to be sure they can accept them.
The first thing you should know is that the term "Homeless" doesn't just mean the people - often mentally ill and filthy - who are actually on the pavement sleeping in doorways at night.
Homeless means that a person does not have a stable legal residence.
It includes families that live in motel or hotel rooms, who sometimes have to leave for a few days and then come back each month. It includes people who are living with or near family, sleeping on floors, in sheds, in unheated garages, and those who go from sofa to sofa belonging to friends and other people one knows. Often those who are renting are carefully monitored by building owners and management so that they do not move people in without putting them on a lease and so they have to sneak or come and go, careful not to spend more than a week at a time.
Many of the homeless children's paretns work for money, if not a living, but cannot make enough to save for deposits into apartments. Others rely on U.S. government for benefits that buy them food and shelter.
There are homeless kids in families who are camping outdoor all year long, sometimes unable to stay in the same school district.
There are homeless kids with one parent in shelters. Some, but few, of these shelters can guarantee that a stay with them will result in housing.
So let's say you are like us and you really cannot open your wallet too wide when it comes to charitable giving. What can you do?
The first thing you can do is volunteer. It's true that free labor has become part of big business. Our local library refuses volunteer help unless a person commits to at least 6 months. (This is probably why they are always hunting for volunteers. In our opinion that is ridiculous!) Generally we are opposed to the free labor of volunteerism because we think it's bad business. We don't like the way so many school districts and even colleges expect it.
But you would be surprised at how many places welcome volunteers for the half a day and even at short notice. They have broken down the tasks they need done for that time into small, doable activities, like serving food or sorting through donated clothing.
The next thing you can do isn't specific to the holidays. You may be able to give art and craft making supplies - fabric and yarn scraps, plastic microwaveable containers that are good for pouring glue on and holding glitter, for instance. (You'll be recycling.) If you think you can read aloud or teach a specific craft, offer to do so for an hour a week or for an afternoon.
Consider dropping of good used clothing that your own children no longer wear to a family shelter or orphanage.
If you'd like to bake a cake or cookies to give away or make a hundred peanut butter sandwiches, call ahead to be sure they can accept them.
Sunday, December 14, 2014
NON PROFITS AND DONATIONS - HOW TO BE SMART ABOUT IT!
It's easy to print up business cards and other brochures and literature that make untrue claims in order to collect money for a good cause. You never know if that person who is wearing a Santa Suit and ringing a bell, or who is standing outside your supermarket with an official looking can is even going to turn over your donations to a real non-profit.
It's easy to turn your pockets inside out to give a few coins to someone, and we're not saying that all those people who need out there are frauds or that you need to give big or take tax deductions to give.
We're saying be careful, make phone calls, ask good questions, and also protect your privacy as a giver. One of our friends gave a couple thousand dollars to a candidate she believed in years ago and her name, address, amount she gave, and other information are still on the Internet, and of course there is an assumption about her political affiliation because of it. SO YOU MAY WANT SOME ASSURANCES THAT YOUR DONATION WILL ALWAYS REMAIN PRIVATE.
A way to start is to read some of the sites about NONPROFITS. Here is a site that will lead you to MANY opportunities to find out more about the non-profit you may consider donating to:
NON PROFIT AND CHARITY EVALUATORS resource center
It's easy to turn your pockets inside out to give a few coins to someone, and we're not saying that all those people who need out there are frauds or that you need to give big or take tax deductions to give.
We're saying be careful, make phone calls, ask good questions, and also protect your privacy as a giver. One of our friends gave a couple thousand dollars to a candidate she believed in years ago and her name, address, amount she gave, and other information are still on the Internet, and of course there is an assumption about her political affiliation because of it. SO YOU MAY WANT SOME ASSURANCES THAT YOUR DONATION WILL ALWAYS REMAIN PRIVATE.
A way to start is to read some of the sites about NONPROFITS. Here is a site that will lead you to MANY opportunities to find out more about the non-profit you may consider donating to:
NON PROFIT AND CHARITY EVALUATORS resource center
Sunday, December 7, 2014
Thursday, December 4, 2014
HERE'S SOME IDEAS FOR YOU - ECONOMICS OF A HOLIDAY SEASON - KEEPING THE SPIRIT WITHOUT SPENDING
We had a small traditional Thanksgiving feast, laid back, and let "Black Friday" and other sales events go by without a purchase. That's because we're on a budget and committed to keeping the spirit of the Holidays alive while staying on that budget. We're committed to spending our money wisely, recycling, giving away things we don't need (without a tax deduction), being innovative and creative.
We don't think that a Christmas Tree piled high with gifts is important. In fact, this year we will decorate without a Christmas Tree. The drought has raised prices on real ones and we will not buy a fake one; they're bad for our economy and not biodegradeable.
Here are some ideas for you:
Instead of buying Christmas stockings (they get bigger every year) go traditional and put out one knee sock or one shoe.
Use old Christmas cards again by using them hung on string in windows, cut them to make your own present-tags, or use them to make tree ornaments.
Use old Christmas wrap again. Cut out the ripped, taped, or worn out parts and wrap smaller gifts with it.
Use fabric scraps or scarves for gift wrap.
Don't buy a tree. There is no reason that gifts must be under a tree.
Ornaments can be shown off and appreciated by placing them in bowls for the table.
Pull out old, ethnic recipes, and give things like casseroles that can be frozen and thawed out for meals, as gifts. (Call ahead and tell the person that's what you're giving them to be sure they will appreciate it and have room in their freezer. Reuse the small #5 Plastic containers from store bought frozen meals for smaller portions.)
Have a "misfit" toy party. You and your children's friends wrap a toy they used but which is in good condition that they are through with, bake a cake, and have the kids grab bag the toys.
Don't forget about caroling; cheering up others by appearing at their door with song is still a great gift... go by the nearest Assisted Living place in your neighborhood. Last time we did this people cried "You remembered us!"
We don't think that a Christmas Tree piled high with gifts is important. In fact, this year we will decorate without a Christmas Tree. The drought has raised prices on real ones and we will not buy a fake one; they're bad for our economy and not biodegradeable.
Here are some ideas for you:
Instead of buying Christmas stockings (they get bigger every year) go traditional and put out one knee sock or one shoe.
Use old Christmas cards again by using them hung on string in windows, cut them to make your own present-tags, or use them to make tree ornaments.
Use old Christmas wrap again. Cut out the ripped, taped, or worn out parts and wrap smaller gifts with it.
Use fabric scraps or scarves for gift wrap.
Don't buy a tree. There is no reason that gifts must be under a tree.
Ornaments can be shown off and appreciated by placing them in bowls for the table.
Pull out old, ethnic recipes, and give things like casseroles that can be frozen and thawed out for meals, as gifts. (Call ahead and tell the person that's what you're giving them to be sure they will appreciate it and have room in their freezer. Reuse the small #5 Plastic containers from store bought frozen meals for smaller portions.)
Have a "misfit" toy party. You and your children's friends wrap a toy they used but which is in good condition that they are through with, bake a cake, and have the kids grab bag the toys.
Don't forget about caroling; cheering up others by appearing at their door with song is still a great gift... go by the nearest Assisted Living place in your neighborhood. Last time we did this people cried "You remembered us!"
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