give a little bit

Holidays are almost here, and I hope your season of giving will involve giving to some charities!  It makes me feel warm and fuzzy.  If you're looking to give, back here are some of my favorites:

Kiva.org
Kiva is a microlending site where you contribute money to a loan made directly to a person in need.  Their stories, locations and occupations are posted, as well as how they plan to use the money.  Over time, they pay the loan back.  I've made 19 loans, and they've all been paid back (some are still active, with money coming in).  That is AMAZING to me - 19 people have improved their lives through hard work and returned my money in good faith.  When they payments come in, I just lend them back out.  Someday I could cash in the money, but I hope I never need it as badly as these people.

Oxfam America Unwrapped
Oxfam is a wonderful, long-standing charity where you can "buy" really unique gifts for people.  Last Christmas, I bought my mom a goat, which Oxfam donated to a rural Asian family.  Look at him - he wants to be your friend and eat your tin cans!

OneXOne.org

Like Oxfam, only with Matt Damon!  No seriously, this charity does wonderful outreach to children.  You can choose from categories like Hunger, Heathcare and Education and "buy" a gift of specific supplies for various numbers of children.  Pens & pencils, soccer balls, mosquito nets.  I worked on some publicity for the launch of this charity and I think their mission is wonderful.

IWantaGoat.com

I have been going ON about goats this week, since we did a Bollywood Scavenger Hunt to raise money to provide goats to families in poorest rural India.  The woman who ran the event volunteered in India with this charity for 7 months and showed us first-hand where the goats go and how they improve lives.  It's only $20!

Goodwill.com

Don't forget to clean out your closets - and give your clothes to Goodwill or the Salvation Army.  Not just for vintage shoppers, the extra donations and proceeds from these stores go to educating and employing needy people in your own cities.  Sending money overseas is very trendy, but there are people right here at home who need your help just as much.

Don't forget friends who are fundrasing!  My friend Chris running & raising money with AIDS Marathon LA (his 3rd one).  California's state budget is cutting HIV/AIDS organizations' funding by 50% this year, so now is the time to get involved.

My friend Meaghan is doing a cross-country bike ride, raising money for treesftf.org, surfrider.org and playingforchange.com (which Jimmy Buffett also supports!).  You don't have to ride from Seattle and Mystic, CT to do your part for a good cause.  Just do your homework - some charities have high overheads and much of your donation goes to admin costs.  Please be sure your money is going where it's really needed.

I hope you'll think big when giving this year!  It makes you feel good inside.  Have an extra cookie, you deserve it.