Ways to GIve

[creditcardfree]

We gave a cash donation to the Red Cross this morning to help the survivors in Oklahoma. I wrote on my blog today that there are many ways to find the cash to help in even the smallest of ways. Many of these are the same things you can do when looking to get out of debt. Some of my suggestions included:

Returning an item to the store for cash.
Sell a gift card online.
Sell used cds, books, and cell phones.
Turn in aluminum cans for cash.
Skip eating lunch out today.
Donate your Swagbucks or MyPoints.
Donate airline miles.
Look for change in your purse, wallet, pockets, car, ashtray and send that amount in as a donation.
Mow a lawn, or babysit this week and donate your earnings.

What other ideas do you have to find the cash to help others?

[Baby_nurse]

Love this idea.

Go an extra week or 2 between nail appointments and donate instead.
Use some of those gift cards you've been squirreling away and donate the cash you would have used.
Use a few extra coupons this week.
Put back one impulse item at the store.

[sam042013]

Selling not just gift cards, used cds, books, and cell phones but also other unused stuffs that you don't need anymore and donate used shirts that are still presentable and not worn out.

[creditcardfree]

Selling not just gift cards, used cds, books, and cell phones but also other unused stuffs that you don't need anymore and donate used shirts that are still presentable and not worn out.

Giving used clothing is a great idea if your aren't using it anymore. Currently, major disaster relief agencies are looking for cash, so anything you can sell and then donate the cash to will have more value at this time.

[mrpaseo]

Stop lighting Cubans with $100 dollar bills.

[Esozh]

Is there any organization that is coordinating with volunteers? I live within driving distance, and I'd rather just go down and help for a few days than donate. I don't trust the organizations that take in a lot of the money.

[creditcardfree]

I saw there was a Baptist church in the area collecting donations, that organization may be coordinating volunteers. Not sure the name or where I saw that. Search online to see what speaks to you.

I would NOT drive there without confirming a place to help. Just showing up just adds another person to the confusion if you have not coordinated your assistance ahead of time.

[Baby_nurse]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/05/20/help-tornado-victims/2344493/

If you are concerned with donating money to a large organization, there are a number of smaller local ones that are going to be in this for the long haul.

What is that money used for? In addition to immediate needs for the victims, there are large expenses involved in mobilizing trained search and rescue teams to disaster areas.

While its tempting to jump in the car and help, the last thing the rescuers need is to have to rescue someone else. Police and National Guard will most likely also be deployed to the areas because the unseemly side of these disasters is looters.

Donate blood locally. The national blood banks will be diverting their supplies for the injuries, possibly leaving your area with a shortage.

http://disaster.ifas.ufl.edu/PDFS/CHAP03/D03-12.PDF

[creditcardfree]

I thought of a couple more ideas.

Suspend your Netflix or Hulu membership for at least one month. Give that money to victims of disasters.

Redeem any debit or credit card rewards you have accumulated.

[Petunia 100]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...ctims/2344493/

Donate blood locally. The national blood banks will be diverting their supplies for the injuries, possibly leaving your area with a shortage.

http://disaster.ifas.ufl.edu/PDFS/CHAP03/D03-12.PDF

Oh, I like that one. I'm going to check my local blood bank's hours of operation right now.

As for cash, I give to the American Red Cross. We should all keep in mind that even if we can't donate cash right this minute, the ARC will be digging into their own reserves providing help to those who need it. So also think about what you can do in the coming months; they will need to replenish their reserves for the next disaster which is sure to strike someplace.

[creditcardfree]

As for cash, I give to the American Red Cross. We should all keep in mind that even if we can't donate cash right this minute, the ARC will be digging into their own reserves providing help to those who need it. So also think about what you can do in the coming months; they will need to replenish their reserves for the next disaster which is sure to strike someplace.

Yes, there is always a need with the American Red Cross, they help anyone regardless of race, religion, country, political affiliation, and so forth.

[Petunia 100]

Yes, there is always a need with the American Red Cross, they help anyone regardless of race, religion, country, political affiliation, and so forth.

That is exactly what makes them my first choice.

When disaster strikes, they are always first on the scene with help. I feel very good about supporting them.

[AsiaTraveler]

Lutheran Church Charities (http://www.lutheranchurchcharities.org/) will be coordinating teams of volunteers to help with rebuilding over the long haul. They are a Christian organization, but I see no indication that volunteers must be Christians. They have assisted with coordination of similar teams in Joplin, Katrina-affected areas, and Sandy-affected areas.

On their site there is a link to register as a group or an individual, and then someone will be in touch to coordinate when/if/how your help is needed.

[shaggy]

My ex-DH used to donate blood and plasma on a regular basis. (I would do it but I'm often too anemic to give blood). ETA: Due to various legal and health restrictions, blood may not always be transportable out of your state or local region. So your blood may not go to OK, but it will still be needed by many in your community.

I "tithe" when I make a luxury purchase. E.g. if I buy a piece of jewelry that cost $xxx, I give 10% of that amount to a charity.

Another thought on giving to charities -- they spend a lot of money to process each donation, so if you donate a large amount to one organization, it will have more impact than sending $25 to several organizations.