Category: Update

Hi everyone,

This year I’m not able to contribute as I have in the past to the charities I usually support.

I wanted to talk about tithing, which I take pretty seriously. I usually donate 10% of my income, and then at the end of the year donate 10% of my assets, should I have any. When I worked corporate, and even after I left and cashed out my retirement, that actually came out to a good amount in donations.

Sometimes people have asked me where I put my donations.

First, I divide the amount to be donated by 3 – Local, National, International.

Then I pick 1-3 top charities in each category to donate too. Because I’ve moved around a lot, my local donations sometimes go to places I used to live. So, here are some of the charities I care about and have contributed to over the years. Please consider a donation to any, or some, or all of these great places.

Local

High Horses

Vermont – This is a therapeutic riding center. My horse Buddy was donated there prior to my leaving Vermont and he worked there with clients until he retired. They do fantastic work, and could use your support.

Safeline

Vermont – Safeline works to end physical, emotional and sexual violence against women and children through direct service, education, advocacy and social change. 

First Step

Ohio – URGENT – Since 1985, First Step has faithfully provided safety, shelter and services to victims of domestic violence in Sandusky, Seneca, Wood and Wyandot counties. It is the ONLY emergency shelter serving the Sandusky, Seneca and Wyandot areas. First Step is in urgent need of funding to continue operating in Ohio.

Chopin Hall    

Ohio – For 37 years CHOPIN Hall has been on the front lines of getting food into the hands of people in-need in our community.  Our faith-based volunteer-driven organization is able to leverage every dollar donated into many pounds of food.  – They also help with clothes, diapers, furniture, and have a resale shop to help offset costs and provide low cost goods to the community.-

COA

Wisconsin – COA Youth & Family Centers nurtures children, supports families, and builds strong and resilient communities — one child, one family, one community at a time. COA’s programs are designed to meet the needs of Amani, Riverwest, and Harambee families through the advancement of our three core areas of focus: early education, youth development, and community development.

African American Roundtable

Wisconsin – The African-American Roundtable (AART) is an assembly of partners led by and serving Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s Black community. AART exists to empower and organize our community to transform policies so that Black people can thrive and live at their greatest potential

Community Kitchen

Indiana – At Community Kitchen, our mission is to work alone and in collaboration with others TO ELIMINATE HUNGER in Monroe County and surrounding areas through direct service, education and advocacy. – They were on my list for this year’s donations. –

Middle Way House

Indiana – At Middle Way House, we work to support all survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking and educate the community through outreach and prevention programs.

National

Black Women’s Blueprint

Our mission is to provide services and spaces for healing, reconciliation and human connection with the natural world. Working with land, we bring people together to design and practice strategies for healing, health and reparative economics. ​

Semper Fi

Semper Fi & America’s Fund cares for our nation’s critically wounded, ill, and injured service members, veterans, and military families. Supporting all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, we provide one-on-one case management, connection, and lifetime support. Today. Tomorrow. Together.

Mission 22

Mission 22 provides support to Veterans and their families when they need it most: right now. Through a comprehensive approach of outreach, events, and programs, we’re promoting long-term wellness and sustainable growth.

Guitars 4 Vets

Nearly one million of our Military Veterans are afflicted with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In fact, more soldiers have committed suicide since the Vietnam War than have died in actual battle. But many are finding hope in an unlikely place: behind the wood and strings of an acoustic guitar. The healing power of music helps soldiers cope. That’s why we provide Veterans with guitars and a forum to learn how to play. But we can’t do it without your help. Please read on to learn more about the program and how you can help those who served rediscover their joy through the power of music.

Center for Anti-Racism (I am a founding donor for this organization)

The Boston University Center for Antiracist Research represents a collaborative research and education effort across multiple disciplines to build a world where racial equity and social justice prevail.

International

UN-WRA Decades of support – I assume my ex-husband is still supporting them enough for the both of us – and am including them here because please don’t let the plight of Palestinians be forgotten nor neglected.

UNRWA USA lifts up the voices, experiences, and humanity of Palestine refugees to secure American support for resources essential to every human being, for the promise of a better life.

Doctors Without Borders Decades of Support.

Every day, Doctors Without Borders teams deliver emergency medical aid to people in crisis, with humanitarian projects in more than 70 countries.

Habitat for Humanity On and off support over decades sometimes local and sometimes national

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that helps families build and improve places to call home. We believe affordable housing plays a critical role in strong and stable communities.

I use Charity Navigator to check the accountability of most organizations.

Please consider giving this year.

Thank you.