Charity


 * Do you give to Charity? A National Speak Out Discussion**

The end of the year is a time for giving- and for giving to charities. December 31st is a deadline for giving for taking tax deductions for gifts to charity as well... so the end of the year becomes an even busier time for giving to good causes. Harmon has its Coats for Kids drive among other charities that our school works for. What do you think about giving to charities? Which charities do you support and why?

Here is the direct link to the Annenberg Speak Out... posting to both discussions earns you double credit for the same post if you copy and paste.

=__Do you give to charity?__=

Here is the text of the background information given by Annenberg.

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December 18, 2013

Jeremy Quattlebaum, Student Voices staff writer

During the holiday season every year, Americans from all walks of life open their wallets and make charitable donations that are expected to top $200 billion.

“I think that during this time of year, people have generous hearts and there is a time period of giving,” said Peggy Dyer, chief marketing officer with the American Red Cross.

The American people are the most giving people in the world. Last year, Americans gave $316.23 billion to charities, according to the Giving USA report, more than any other country. According to the National Philanthropic Trust, 89 percent of American households give, most to the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and the American Cancer Society. On top of that, most households give to their place of worship to help the needy in their community.

“The $316 billion in total giving reflected by our 2012 data continues the positive twin trajectory of dollars coupled with hope. I would say the outlook is positive for those who believe in and understand the power of American philanthropy,” said Gregg Carlson, chair of the Giving USA Foundation, which publishes the Giving USA report.

The United States’ charitable donations have helped provide aid during the world’s most recent natural and man-made disasters.

The early November landing of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines caused the year’s largest humanitarian crisis, with over 4 million left homeless. As of late November, $298 million had been donated to the Philippines, most came from individual donations. With the death toll still rising and access to basic necessities limited in the hardest-hit areas, organizations like UNICEF and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Societies have been busy handing out donations and supplies.

The Syrian civil war also led to a massive humanitarian crisis, with two million Syrians living in refugee camps outside their country, and millions more facing the hardships of war. Save the Children reports that over 2 million children are facing malnutrition because of the conflict and over 7,000 children have been killed, injured, maimed or victimized by the war.

The expected $317 billion in charitable giving this year, however, is nowhere near the $311 billion high in 2007. Adjusted for inflation, that would mean $344 billion in today’s dollars.

If you want to give, how do you find an organization that ensures your money goes where you want it to? Organizations such as the Charity Navigator can help you find a charity.

**What do you think?**

Do you support any charities? If so, which ones? Is it important for people to donate? If you can’t afford to give money, what are other ways you help? Join the discussion and let us know what you think!