"I believe that if you show people the problems and you show them the solutions they will be moved to act. " Bill Gates Think about it and I know you'll agree that Bill's statement is true. Charities have used tv and film to make sure that we know the problems. They also show us how we can make the lives of the people who need help better. It may not be just money either. For example, charities donations can be tinned foods or warm clothes for bitterly cold nights, or spectacles to help people see. You can even make a charity car donation to be used or sold by the charity. Things we don't have a use for any more but are still too good to throw away. This way we can make a difference easily and feel that we are helping in a way that doesn't mean we have to give money. Cash is of course a good thing to donate and if this is how you make your charities donations then please continue to do so. If you give cash then how do you make your donations? Do you give regularly or only after a disaster has occurred? If you are one of the many people that make regular charities donations then you probably have a good idea which charities are the most important to you, such as AIDS or homelessness. You are probably also aware of the tax benefits open to you too. Charities can often reclaim the tax that you have already paid on the value of your charities donation. The basic rate of tax in the UK is 22% and that can make a significant difference to the charity you are donating to. Make sure that you have filled in the appropriate forms to say that you are a taxpayer and allow the charity to reclaim the tax. I don't have a favourite charity and if you are anything like me then you probably don't have one either. If this is the case then it's a good idea to budget your donations for the year by deciding how much you are going to donate in advance. When you have done this you can then decide whom you are going to help. There are international charities like the Oxfam, Red Cross, Cafod, etc. that are known worldwide and are often seen to arrive at disaster scenes before anyone else. After a major disaster charities are set up to help rebuild communities and peoples lives. Recent examples have been events such as the Tsunami and Hurricane Katrina. If you search the Internet you will find lots of details about those. By supporting charities donations for these one off disasters it means that you can get help to the people who have lost everything to allow them to start their lives again. Perhaps you think that it is better to help with charity donations closer to home. Sometimes the best and most satisfying things to do is be involved with fund raising at a local level. When I had a young family we used to help raise money for the local school. This meant giving time as well as money or goods and through it we made new friends. We lived in a country village and the children enjoyed celebrating harvest festival by giving fresh vegetables and fruit. When the festival was over the food would go to a local charity for the homeless. My children are all grown up now and we have moved away from the village they grew up in. I haven't stopped helping though; I just do it differently now. Working full time doesn't leave much time to help fund raising events. In recent years I have supported charities in two main areas. Cancer research is one as it affects my family. Children's charities are another and I like to support local, national and international charities. I get the satisfaction of seeing my financial help in charities donations going to make a better future for us all. |
