Giving

[BobD]

Merry Christmas all. I've been up most of the night taking care of a few animals that are having some social issues. My wife and I foster care for the SPCA. We both love animals (me dogs, her cats), so we take them in, care for them, train them, socialize them etc. until they're adopted by good homes. We currently have 3 Dogs and 5 cats. It can be trying (and expensive) at times, but we love it. Helping these animals that don't have a voice, especially the ones that have been abused find loving homes is very rewarding and gives us great joy.

Anyhow, I was sitting here by the Christmas tree, exhausted with these furry children and thinking this is what it's all about....giving. Giving to others does way more for the giver than the recipient.

There are some amazing people here on IE, so in the spirit of Christmas I'm wondering what do you give?

 

[RyCo1983]

We've been saving our loose change for a year now at my house...
I came up with an idea last week that we should do that every year...and then donate it all to a local charity...
This year we decided to give to the SPCA...So with the money we raised, and a big bag of assorted treats and things, we're hoping to make some animals in need a little more comfortable this winter.

I always give to the Salvation Army. I'm also the Chaplain for the Sons of the American Legion Post. No. 6, Clearfield, PA. As an organization we are always giving to families in need...be it food, money for gas for frequent hospital trips, or things of that nature.

As a musician I am always donating my time for charity performances and such. I am not wealthy by any means...but I share what I can, when I can.


Giving makes you feel good!

 

[Old Man Mike]

Money, of course; to Catholic organizations like Family Services of all sorts; our IE brother's Farm of the Child apostolate; Paralyzed Vets of America [even though I never served and am WAY against the "general principle" of War {yes, I understand that SOMETIMES it's inevitable}], still our loyal and courageous vets more than deserve our love.

I believe that giving to the homeless food banks and shelters is demanded by the Sermon on the Mount, and so I haul stuff over each Christmas and Thanksgiving, and occasionally buy some warm clothing to donate too. Used to do the same thing for Mexican immigrants who would migrate "north" to pick Michigan's fruit crops [it WAS true that no one else would do it], and then go back home from the camp afterwards. Our Church had a close relationship with the growers and the immigrant leaders, and even had a dedicated Spanish-speaking priest and nun to help out.

Once donated yearly funds to sponsor a poor girl from El Salvador through high school and college. Our parish had a very close and personal relationship with the priests and nuns there. "My girl" had been dragged at two different times into her village square so she could watch her father and her mother assassinated by governmental thugs. Inconceivable. So what did Aracely become? A nurse. God creates some absolute treasures.

And I write a blog about anomalous phenomena, the purpose of which is [although I do not state it specifically; I let the stories tell their own truth] to spread a bit of spiritual awareness and a little "enchantment" back into the world which is stupidly letting such elements of reality die underneath the weight of money, stuff, and materialism. This is quite time consuming, so I consider it "giving" too.

And just the willingness to cut away from what one thinks is his "agenda" for the day when a human being crosses our path with a need. Henri Nouwen said: God is going to judge us NOT by how we pursued our plans, but by how we handled our "interruptions".

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

My wife and I volunteer and donate money to an organization called Paws and Stripes. They provide assisted living dogs to vets specifically for helping them cope with social anxiety and PTSD. Up until recently, vets with mental wounds were not always eligible for an assisted living animal. We do a lot of fund raising on behalf of this organization.

We also volunteer on our local Marine Base - Camp Pendleton. I teach art to kids on base after school and sometimes on weekends. We also help out at the base animal shelter walking dogs and giving baths to the animals that are affected when their owners get deployed or otherwise have to give them up.

 

[peoriairish]

Some great stuff being done by you IEers!

I hope to get more involved in charity and helping once school finishes up, but for now, my PT program runs a pro bono clinic for the under-served in Peoria. So I spend a few hours a week in the clinic working on those who can't afford physical therapy.

Merry Christmas and God Bless y'all and your families.

 

[Redbar]

Money, of course; to Catholic organizations like Family Services of all sorts; our IE brother's Farm of the Child apostolate; Paralyzed Vets of America [even though I never served and am WAY against the "general principle" of War {yes, I understand that SOMETIMES it's inevitable}], still our loyal and courageous vets more than deserve our love.

My feelings and practice exactly! Truly amazing! In addition, my siblings and I sponsor a family through Catholic Charities in lieu of giving each other gifts, it simplifies things so we only have to shop for each others children and we get the joy of helping a local family celebrate the joy of the season, with a less concerns.

 

[NDGirlzRock]

My idea for giving is this (and I hope that people start doing it......please pass it on if you think that it is a good idea!!!):

We all know about the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary school almost two weeks ago now. So as you go about your days and lives ahead, do random acts of kindness for those around you, but do them in honor of the Sandy Hook 26! Meaning for instance, you buy a drink for someone at Starbucks or you pick up the tab for someone at a restaurant.....write on their bill "Paid In Full! In Honor of The Sandy Hook 26!" What better way to help us all remember them and at the same time participate in a random act of kindness!

Please spread the word if you think that this is a good idea! Would love to see it spread around the world!

 

[Me2SouthBend]

Go to the grocery a store in a neighborhood that has some less fortunate customers, find the manager and hand them 5 $20 bills. Ask them to find some people coming to the registers that look like they could use some assistance and have them approach 5 of these customers. Ask the manager to tell each of the 5 that Santa wanted to help them out a bit. Stand back and watch the smile and the renewed faith in humanity that these people have. When you do this, be sure to have your child with you to observe. Priceless experience. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Me2SouthBend: Love It... especially the teaching the kid addition.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I give a few hours here and there to the elementary school five of my kids have attended. I currently have five there, three kids, and two grandkids.

Anyhow, I was in class Wednesday, with my beard that much more filled in than last time I was in that class, and the portable pot that I have to do something about with the new year, and Quenton, one of my buds comes up giving me a hug, and puts his hands on his hips saying, "You know you're starting to look just like Santa."

I almost died, in a tone like it is a bad thing, and he is there to nag me!

Also, if anyone is looking for a way to be charitable, conservative statistics show a third of girls are sexually abused, as are a quarter of the boys. Remember every girl is a Princess, and every boy, a hero to someone. These kids need to know they can be safe and loved for who they are.

 

[Irish#1]

My wife and I usually buy gifts for kids. We take a tag off the ree in the store and return it to the store so they can get it to the kids.

This year, my wife came across a lady in her 20's who had posted something on Craig's list. She had claimed her husband had died of cancer a year ago and left her with three boys and a girl to raise. Two of the boys were autistic and she was working two part time jobs to support them. She wasn't asking for any help, but my wife sent her an e-mail. We went out and bought clothes for all four, yet for the two weeks leading up to Xmas she always had an excuse for either coming and picking up the gifts, letting us drop them off or meeting her.

She sent an e-mail saying she wasn't a scammer, but I have my doubts. We'll find some place else to donate them to.

 

[IrishinTN]

Give lots of money. Don't want to name a number but there are so many in need, it is crazy to think we all don't do that. It is the easiest thing to do. (Includes Salvation Army, toys for tots, tithing, etc.)

My wife and I teach second grade Sunday School.

I do prison ministry two nights a month.

I volunteer 2 hrs every Friday at my kids first grade. Also am fund-raising chair for my oldests high school band.

Am on the local Chrysalis (teenage Christian youth retreat) board and was Lay director last year.

I basically do everything I can. It is the most rewarding thing to do outside of being a parent in general.