Sometimes I get a bit tired of working for a living. Sure, I enjoy what I do and I am paid very well to do it. Like many, there are times when I dream of winning the lottery and having oodles of money to do with whatever I want. When the Powerball jackpot climbs to a ridiculous amount I can’t help but think of the luxuries and freedoms such winnings could bring. And then I automatically switch gears and worry about the pitfalls of winning a huge sum of money that could possibly ruin my life. That’s just me – I always think of the potential downside(s) that can go with any upside. And of course the question of whether to continue working or simply retire starts pulling on my brain.
With great winnings come great responsibility, I suppose.
After I’ve made my travel plans, pay off the house, buy a few cars or other toys for my wife and I, I always think of where I would like to donate some of my windfall. Under today’s tax codes, charitable donations aren’t what they used to be as far as being able to reduce your tax burden. If all you have is some spare pocket change to help out a worthy cause, you’ll get no tax relief. A few hundred million dollars? I’m not sure. Can you still get a tax break for donating extremely large sums of money to a charity? I’d have to speak to a tax attorney for answers to that question. Ho hum. There may be a way to designate it as a one-time gift but I can do without hiring a tax attorney right now.
But if I had $500 million, I’d disperse a healthy chunk o’ cash to many local, national and international causes that could use the fundage. I would consider myself lucky to be able to do so. I could list hundreds of worthwhile charities and organizations that can use and need our help, but for now I will focus on two groups who could really use a boost that are close to my heart, and there’s nothing like the holiday season to put you in the mood to provide some help to those who can really use it. My groups today focus mainly on animals and our veterans.
Ok, let’s assume you have some resources and want to provide some help that can really make a difference. Here we go…
No-Kill Animal Shelters
Being a dog lover, there is nothing worse than a dog or other domesticated animal that is stashed in a shelter. I’m not a big cat guy, but they do have a place in my heart and I understand how some people could think they are worthy pets. I bow to that. Birds? They can be included, too. It doesn’t matter what kind of animal they are, if they find their way to a shelter, we need to help them. Pronto, Tonto.
The longer these animals go without being rescued or adopted, the more it costs to keep them alive and the more the animal yearns for a home, a yard to romp in, and a warm place to sleep (zzzzzzzz). These shelters deserve our help and those who occupy them depend on us for their survival. Find a no-kill shelter near you and find out how you can help, either by donating money or your time. One of my favorites is the Buddy Dog Humane Society in Sudbury, Massachusetts.
Even if you don’t live in Massachusetts, consider helping them out. This organization provides crucial services for pets in their shelter and provides adoption services. I have been there several times and I am always amazed at their energy, passion, and devotion to their residents. No pet wants to spend their time in a shelter, not even a no-kill shelter. These types of shelters need everything, such as paper towels, toys, food and blankets and money to build outdoor shelter from the sun and food bowls.
If you don’t feel it, then visit a no-kill shelter and look into the eyes of the animals there. You’ll see it. You’ll feel it. Their eyes are simply asking you for some help.
Animal Rehabilitation and Adoption
A friend and coworker of mine suggests looking in to The Devoted Barn in Holly, Michigan. This organization takes in just about any kind of animal that has been exposed to cruelty, neglect, animals from hoarding cases, animals that are unowned and need medical attention and they have a feral dog program. They also use the interaction of at-risk youths and special needs adults that work at the barn to help animals regain trust in humans again so animals that have been abused or neglected can find their forever home and once again be great pets and companions. This is just the tip of the iceberg – check out their website to learn more and find out how you can donate your time or dollars to this important organization. You can even keep it simple by ordering a 2020 calendar from their online store.
Service Dogs for Veterans
Service dogs are nothing new, they’ve been trained for years and used by those with certain disabilities. Service dogs are also being paired with our veterans after they return home to assist them with some of their challenges, including issues related to PTSD and other health or emotional needs. These dogs are trained to serve and many of our veterans need their help with day-to-day tasks. Find an organization that trains and pairs dogs with veterans in need. Give them a donation that will possibly save or improve the life of someone who has put their life on the line for us and our freedoms. You can start at Pups4Patriots. Studies have found that the connection between the dog and veteran can be critical in giving real people the ability to live real lives again. These dogs help with many things some people take for granted everyday, such as being able to open a door, get into bed, or even answer a doorbell.
ASPCA
Several years ago when my wife and I lived in Massachusetts, we called the MSPCA, which is a branch of the ASPCA. We lived on a river and noticed a Great Blue Heron a few feet out from shore that didn’t look very healthy. These wonderful birds are one of our favorites so we researched who to call and we called the MSPCA. They came out and picked up the bird and took it to their facility for testing, care and nurturing, with the hope of returning it to the wild, where it belongs. A week or two later they called us to let us know that the bird had died of West Nile Virus.
The data they were able to capture from examining and monitoring the bird benefited their understanding of the causes and effects of this virus within the wild bird population. They care about the protection of all animals and are astute to the problems that can occur when humans encroach on the native habitat of animals. They tackle animal cruelty issues, provide veterinary care, animal training and adoption resources, and in general, they simply advocate for all animals. Give them a hand by visiting their website. If you want to help out on a national scale you can, and they can also direct you to their affiliated sites for your locale.
Wounded Warrior Project
Let’s face it, this need has been around for many, many years and through many deployments, missions, conflicts, tours, and everything else our service men and women have tended to for us. Conflicts and battles don’t use the same conventions these days, but the need to help our wounded service members remains the same as it always has. Each of us owe a bit of ourselves and our freedoms to men and women who have laid it down and sacrificed for this country and for each of us as individuals.
The Wounded Warrior Project is an organization that provides many services to those injured while serving our country. Make no mistake, these services don’t need to pass a litmus test to justify them. Don’t just take my word for it, visit their website and learn about their mission and how you can help this valiant cause. The lives of the people you can help did not end with their service and an injury incurred. Some are only paused. Their lives can begin again with your understanding, compassion, and by simply getting involved or by donating.
I absolutely cannot write words that can impose upon you to help other than to simply state that the things you do every day are only made possible by the sacrifices made by others in conditions you cannot imagine if you have never served. ‘Nuff said.
Habitat for Humanity
Ok, loosely related to animals and our veterans but still related just the same. Want to know how important this organization is? Then picture yourself living on the street or being forced from your home because of a hurricane or other natural disaster. Or trying to find a place to live where the cost of housing pushes you so far outside of the market that you have no choices to be able to live in a house…a real home…with your family. This organization has helped communities all around the world build or rebuild not only homes but also the human spirit. Affordable housing is becoming an increased challenge everywhere, not just in California.
Former President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter have worked with this organization for more than 35 years. Their steadfast commitment to Habitat for Humanity travels beyond the realm of doing good, decent things for people and communities. Volunteer your time and skills or make a donation. Each of the five Hierarchy of Needs defined by Maslow are met by the help provided by Habitat for Humanity. Even if you don’t understand that most basic law of psychology, you can’t go wrong here.
Public School Lunch Programs
This is an add-on that isn’t directly related to animals or our veterans but it seems to be a hot topic at the moment that really ticks me off. I’m seeing more and more stories these days about kids in public schools being denied lunch because they can’t afford it, or they are ringing up so much debt for their lunches that they might as well be calling it student loan debt…and they’re not even in college using loans through banks. It’s a shame. A damn shame.
I can only help this situation at a local level because $500 million isn’t all that much on a national scale. I would create a trust fund for the public schools in the town where I live. This trust would earn money through interest and possibly additional donations with the intent of being a self-sufficient method of allowing EVERY kid in the public schools in my town to be able to get in line every school day and be served lunch.
If localities around this country aren’t going to wake up and provide funding through millage increases, then I need to step in and ensure these kids get fed. Everyone has always said the most important meal for a student is breakfast. That may be true, but a student going through a school day without lunch seems a bit ridiculous to me from the standpoint of said student feeling healthy and robust enough to learn something in the waning hours of the school day. Adults that work for a living supposedly perform better later in the day if they eat a lunch. Why doesn’t that idea apply to kids in school?
Summation
The gist of this post is actually not geared toward what I would do if I had $500 million to blow. It’s not geared toward waking you up to some need that just recently began to exist. This post is about what you can do today and in this Season of Giving to help an animal or a person who really needs assistance. Ok, you may not be able to start a trust fund to feed kids in public schools, but you can make a donation to your favorite charity. You can donate your time or extra money to help an organization or a cause. The key thing to remember, though, is before making your contribution, whether it is your time or by monetary means, is to ensure that the organization, person, animal or whatever you want to help will actually be helped by your efforts.
Although the tax benefits of donating are mostly dried up, that doesn’t mean you can’t make a difference. It doesn’t mean you can’t help one person, one animal or one organization succeed. Some people donate to charities because it makes them feel good. Others because they like (or used to like) the tax breaks. It doesn’t matter what reason motivates you. What matters is that you help those who are in need of help if you have the means to do so.
One person who is making a difference today is Greta Thunberg.
She’s the Swedish environmental activist on climate change who recently addressed the UN Climate Action Summit in New York. She pointed a lot of fingers at a lot of old geezers, she made several strong statements that needed to be made. She’s recently been on several news and talk shows promoting her message that seems to be creating a hailstorm around this planet thing we live on. The girl will be 17 years old in January of 2020. She’s telling leaders of nations that they need to wake up and protect the environment for future generations. She’s causing a serious and welcomed kick in the pants for some who have forgotten what this planet means to its inhabitants.
How did her message get started? One day, while at school, she decided to go outside and sit down. She decided on her message and she stated it clearly while just sitting there. One person. One difference. One global difference. And now people and countries are talking about change for the good of everyone.
Go ahead, think about it and decide what or who you’re passionate about helping. It can be an animal, a veteran, a friend, a neighbor, an organization, a movement, our planet, or anything. Make a commitment and follow through on it. Do some research and make a commitment, whether large or small, it doesn’t matter. It takes just one person to get any ball rolling, and that person can be you.
Roll on.
Unknown Quantity 