This Christmas season, I've found that the one thing I really want (besides time off from work to go home, which, alas, is not part of my contract), is to be able to be an active part of relief efforts for the uncommon number of terrible situations going on right now. Failing this, I've donated money, but I'm not exactly rich, so I can only give so much!
So, if you feel moved to do so, the best Christmas gift you could get me this year would be to donate to one of the following charities and send me the receipt! Or really, pick any charity you feel like is doing good, life-saving work. Below are just a few of the things I'm currently feeling strongly about.
Homelessness:
This summer, I spent a month living in the heart of Manhattan while completing job-required training. In that time, I walked past dozens of homeless individuals. I spent a lot of time thinking about the standard reaction to someone homeless, that is, the cold-hearted way the passing crowd ignores them. I grew up loving the parable of the Good Samaritan, and I was continually upset with the knowledge that I did not have the resources to truly help my neighbors who had been left for dead on the streets.
Wrestling with that problem, I found the BRC (Bowery Residents' Committee), a NYC-based charity that works to address homelessness on a local, individual level. Please consider donating to them, or researching and finding a similar local organization in your area!
https://www.classy.org/checkout/donation?eid=103547
Flint:
United Way of Genesee County: UWGC has set up this fund for the purchase of filters, bottled water, emergency support services and prevention efforts. 100% of the fund is used for these projects and no Administrative Fee is assessed. The UWGC has sourced more than 11,000 filters systems and 5,000 replacement filters, ongoing sources of bottled water to the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan and also supports a dedicated driver for daily distribution.
http://www.unitedwaygenesee.org/flintwaterfund
Syria: (borrowed from this tumblr post)
Syria Relief: They work to provide many life-saving essentials including food, medicine and medical care, winter provisions including warm blankets and bedding, as well as an orphan support programme. 88.8% of your donation goes into relief, the remaining go into raising money, and a small portion into admin.
https://www.syriarelief.org.uk/donate/?aleppo-appeal
Save The Children: Provides food and water, helps repair water systems, supports hospitals, helps schools, and provides emotional help for children. They have helped over 500 000 children in besieged areas so far. 88% of your donation goes into relief, the remaining goes into fundraising efforts.
https://secure.savethechildren.org.uk/donate/emergency?sourcecode=SA4006001&_ga=1.158660734.551543489.1481608383
Islamic Relief Worldwide: They distribute food packs, clothes and medical supplies to communities under siege within Syria and displaced people along the Turkish border. They are also running or supporting camps and providing livelihood programmes, education and psychosocial support for refugees in Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq. 90% of your donation goes into relief and development, the remaining goes into delivery of relief, campaigning, and generating future income.
https://donations.islamic-relief.com/? (Click Current Appeals and donate to Syria Crisis Appeal)
Karam Foundation: An NPO that develop Innovative Education programs for Syrian refugee youth, distribute Smart Aid to Syrian families, and fund Sustainable Development projects initiated by Syrians for Syrians. They distribute clothes, food, water, flour, blankets, infant formula and other basic necessities. 100% of profit goes into building programs, providing relief, and sustaining development.
https://app.moonclerk.com/pay/m084arkxtho
Doctors Without Borders/Medecins sans Frontieres: “Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters and exclusion from healthcare. MSF offers assistance to people based on need, irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation. Our actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of neutrality and impartiality.” 80% of your donation goes into relief/ supplies.
http://www.msf.org/en/donate
Love and peace with you <3
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