What do you think of this idea? - Sponsoring a charity this Holiday season

MommyToAshley wrote: Some of the discussions lately have been about those less fortunate than ourselves. DH and I give what we can to a few charities, but we are not rich by any means and give what we can afford. I especially think of those less fortunate during the Holidays, and try to do something a little extra. But, it just never seems like enough. What would you think about chosing a charity and giving as a group this Holiday? We could ask for suggestions for the charity and then put up a poll to choose the charity. I don't want anyone to feel obligated to give though. It's just a thought, I'd like to hear your honest comments and thoughts on the idea.

mckayleesmom replied: That sounds like a great idea.

ediep replied: I'm in! Great idea!!

Jamison'smama replied: Sounds good--DH and I sent money to the orphange where my nephew lived in Russia in lieu of giving nonsense presents to the siblings last year--felt much better.

Great idea Dee Dee!

Boys r us replied: I think it's a great idea Dee Dee!

A&A'smommy replied: I think its a good idea and I hope I will be in a situation where we will be able to give too I was thinking toys for tots another forum I'm a member of does toys for tots every year (because its for my town).

stanleygirl replied: That is a really good idea!!

kit_kats_mom replied: I'm game. I think it will be a good exercise for Katherine too. She can give 1/3 of her chore money as well. I think we should focus on domestic family type things though. Like Habitat for Humanity, Farm Aid etc.

coasterqueen replied: Great idea.

We give to several charities throughout the year, not just at the holiday time. But one thing our association does is give presents to kids less fortunate. I just love doing that.

Also an association I am a member of in our hometown...every year we solicit other associations to give money to put dinner baskets together. Then we go buy all the stuff and put together food baskets for those in need. For those who would not normally get a Thanksgiving dinner. Plus we put some other items in there besides what they would eat/cook for Thanksgiving. It's so much fun. I didn't get to do it last year because of being pg and the whole bedrest thing.

redchief replied: I love this idea!!! We're in!

amynicole21 replied: Great idea!

jcc64 replied: Great idea, Dee Dee. Count me in.

SOUTHERN MOMMY replied: Wonderful idea count me in

mammag replied: I'm in! Great idea!!!

ions_momma replied: That sounds like a great idea!

Alice replied: Forgive me if I sound like Scrooge, but I would prefer to give to charities that mean a lot to us personally. I like to donate to local charities (with the exception of disasters like the Tsunami of course) because it gives the kids a feel for where the donation is going.

For example, in the days after 9/11, the local high school was having a collection of stuff for the rescue crews. I only found about it a few minutes before the truck was leaving for Manhattan (I have no kids in the high school, and a friend called as she was leaving to drop off stuff.)

I went down into the pantry and got anything I thought they could use. Brian followed me down and asked what I was doing. I explained that some firemen were working on a big fire in the city and didn't have time to go home for snacks (He was 3 at the time.) He reached in and added a package of his favorite snacks to the bag.

I'm not sure it would have had as much meaning had I sent a check. But an emergency 40 minutes away-- that he could relate to.

So, forgive me, but I'll decline.

MommyToAshley replied:
I don't think of you as a scrooge. And I understand your point. I don't intend for this to take the place of what we do throughout the year or during the Holidays either. But, it was a way for us (the people here at Parenting Club) to do something as a community. It appears as though the majority of the members would be interested in doing something so I will open the discussion for charity recommendations in another thread. But, like I said in my original post, I don't want anyone to feel as though they have to participate and I don't think any less of someone if they choose not to.

MM'sMama replied: Thats a wonderful idea Dee Dee