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Question of the day

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Illinois

Which charities do you regularly contribute to at this time of year? Are there new ones you’ve discovered this holiday season?

Also, if you can, please provide contact info (a link would suffice) for your recommended charity or charities.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Dec 21, 06 @ 9:26 am

Comments

Leo High School and Mercy Home for Girls and Boys

Comment by Pat Hickey Thursday, Dec 21, 06 @ 9:29 am
Silent Blessings
http://www silentblessings.org

Deaf Missions
http://www deafmissions.com

Salvation Army
http://www.salvationarmyusa.org

Comment by This Guy Thursday, Dec 21, 06 @ 9:38 am
Sorry about the 1st two links. Should be…

Silent Blessings
http://www.silentblessings.org
Deaf Missions
http://www.deafmissions.com

Comment by This Guy Thursday, Dec 21, 06 @ 9:40 am
Sorry, Rich,

Mr. Robert W. Foster, President
Leo High School
7901 S. Sangamon Street
Chicago, IL 60620

For Mercy Home:
http://www.mercyhome.org/

Comment by Pat Hickey Thursday, Dec 21, 06 @ 9:40 am
Chicago Anti-Cruelty Society
http://www.anticruelty.org/

Comment by Anonish Thursday, Dec 21, 06 @ 9:46 am
Prison Fellowship was the last one, complete with match by a rich guy:

Comment by Cal Skinner Thursday, Dec 21, 06 @ 10:12 am
Following the tsunami I began regularly donating to Doctors without Borders (http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org) and have recently become interested in two other intl organizations

http://www.womenforwomen.org Founded in 1993, Women for Women International helps women in war-torn regions rebuild their lives by providing financial and emotional support, job skills training, rights awareness and leadership education and access to business skills, capital and markets. Through the program, women become confident, independent and productive as they embrace the importance of their roles in rebuilding their families, their communities and ultimately, their nations.

And, http://www.heifer.org - helping the poor purchase a cow or lamb or pig - teaching families to fish rather than feeding one meal.

Intl organizations seem to do more with less than many of our local groups that have bloated budgets and expenses outside of the actual cost of providing services.

Comment by babs Thursday, Dec 21, 06 @ 10:23 am
Not new, but rediscovered:

http://www.wish.org/

after receiving one of those urban myth chain letters misstating what the Make-A-Wish Foundation does.

Comment by alex Thursday, Dec 21, 06 @ 10:24 am
the USO
http://www.uso.org/holidaysupport2006/

Comment by grand old partisan Thursday, Dec 21, 06 @ 10:28 am
Salvation Army

Comment by Bill Baar Thursday, Dec 21, 06 @ 10:29 am
This is a group through Old St. Pat’s in Chicago that does some incredible work:

“CARA Program
The CARA Program’s mission is to assist the homeless and at-risk population in their efforts to return to a life of self-sufficiency and achievement, by providing job readiness training and permanent job placement to those participants who successfully complete the program. The CARA Program needs assistance with mock interviewing our candidates in preparation for job search. We prefer volunteers with human resources and management backgrounds for this opportunity. A volunteer that can make an introduction to a potential CARA company is also welcome. We look for financially sound companies that offer full-time employment with benefits that are accessible by public transportation.”

For more info, see:

http://www.oldstpats.org/volunteer/local-outreach/cara-program/index.html

Comment by Skeeter Thursday, Dec 21, 06 @ 10:33 am
Alan Keyes is Making Sense (Renew America)

Comment by Snark Thursday, Dec 21, 06 @ 10:47 am
The Wounded Warrior Project
www.woundedwarriorproject.org

Provides care packages and services for wounded troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Remember our brave men and women this Holiday season as they stand watch over our freedom from all corners of the globe.

Comment by Jasper Thursday, Dec 21, 06 @ 10:47 am
The Friend-in-Deed through the State Journal Register in Spfld. A great charity where every penny goes to needy families in the area for food and toys for the children. It not only provides for children and their families, but also food and/or clothing for the elderly, disabled, and those facing a hardship. The newspaper absorbs all administrative costs. www.sj-r.com

Comment by maggiemae Thursday, Dec 21, 06 @ 10:59 am
Because I’m never sure where the money goes, particularly as it relates to “administative costs”, I prefer to give directly to those working their buns off day in and day out and struggle to get through the month. The giving can be alot, or a few bucks tip, but it’s something that could help them a little bit at least. I try to do this anonomously (sp?) if possible.

Comment by Matts Thursday, Dec 21, 06 @ 11:00 am
The Human Fund

Comment by George Costanza Thursday, Dec 21, 06 @ 11:09 am
Animal Protective League: Any City; Salvation Army: Any City: These folks help us all be a better world community. Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Hanukah.

Comment by Justice Thursday, Dec 21, 06 @ 11:13 am
Animal Protective League; Salvation Army. These folks help us be a better world community. Merry Christmas.

Comment by Justice Thursday, Dec 21, 06 @ 11:15 am
Animal Protective League and Salvation Army.

Comment by Justice Thursday, Dec 21, 06 @ 11:16 am
Oops!!!

Comment by Justice Thursday, Dec 21, 06 @ 11:16 am
Babs’ remark about overhead and mismanagement is, unfortunately, true about too many organizations, including the United Way and Salvation Army. Doctors Without Borders is a much more deserving charity than SA, which botched Katrina relief big time.

Comment by jaundiced eye Thursday, Dec 21, 06 @ 11:38 am
jaundiced eye: Actually the Salvation Army was very active in Louisana the very next day and is still active there today. The Red Cross was a bit skewed. What the hey..they were pitiful!! I was there for over six months and can say from experience that the SA did a great job. I agree that Doctors Without Borders is a great organization as well.

Comment by Justice Thursday, Dec 21, 06 @ 11:54 am
Salvation Army and Global Ministries

http://www.globalministries.org/
http://www.salvationarmyusa.org

Comment by Lovie's Leather Thursday, Dec 21, 06 @ 12:07 pm
The charities that I always try to donate to are: CARE, Florida United Methodist Children’s Home, Save the Children, Salvation Army, and The American Cancer Society. My wife will also give to our church as well as other smaller amounts to various charities. You got me to wondering as to whether we are giving back enough unto charities or at least as much as others do. The only persons that I could compare our charitable giving with were Rod and Patti Blagojevich. I remember reading in the newspapers what they gave in the way of charitable contributions last year since Governor Blagojevich must have to publicly declare it. I am retired and my wife still works. We live off of my savings and her income. Last year (according to our tax return), we had a an adjusted gross income of $36,098 and we gave $4,844 to charity based on my personal income tax return which I decided to get out and looked up. I don’t remember the exact amount of Rod & Patti Blagojevich’s charitable contributions but I do know that my wife and I made far less than the governor and his wife and yet we gave substantially more. That made me feel good about what we were giving. I won’t judge the Governor (Ebenezer Scrooge Blagojevich) based on what he gives to charity because he probably has his reasons for giving the amount that he gives. But, somehow I derived a certain satisfaction upon comparing his charitable spirit and mine. I guess it would be like leaving the waitress at the local restaurant a significantly larger tip than the one that Donald Trump just left for her upon leaving his table. The Governor can probably expect a lump of coal and a toothpick in his Christmas stocking on Christmas morning. And, I always thought that the Republicans were the ones that were “tight” or “fiscally conservative”?

Comment by Beowulf Thursday, Dec 21, 06 @ 12:08 pm
Lots of good suggestions so far, and a good variety as well.

One more thought: do we want to help one of our own, i.e. if Little Egypt is okay with revealing a bit about himself, maybe he’d like to give the mailing address for his son’s unit so CapFax-ers could send a care package. Thoughts ? (Sorry, Rich, I don’t want to hijack the thread. Folks should continue to answer the QOTD.)

Comment by Scott Fawell's Cellmate Thursday, Dec 21, 06 @ 12:38 pm
Friend-in-Deed at the Illinois State Journal-Register. You simply can’t believe the organization of these people who work this program for countless years. No one takes a single penny for their work. The SJ-R absorbs all administration costs and every single solitary penny goes for the intended purpose. How many charities can say that these days?

Comment by Little Egypt Thursday, Dec 21, 06 @ 12:40 pm
Please consider the American Friends of Maru a Pula School, AIDS Orphansâ€™ Fund.
http://www.afmap.org/

The fundâ€™s scope is narrower than that of the other worthy charities with overseas missions mentioned here. It offers a small group of orphaned children the chance to live what most of us would consider to be merely normal lives.

Comment by Ivory-billed Woodpecker Thursday, Dec 21, 06 @ 1:13 pm
Orbis
http://www.orbis.org/bins/index.asp

Similar to Doctors Without Borders, but the focus solely on eye treatment. They have a converted DC-10 that has an operating theater in it with a classroom to help teach local doctors. They don’t go about curing the really extreme/rare cases, they focus on common ailments that can lead to blindness so that local docs can continue treatment after the plane leaves.

Comment by Anonish Thursday, Dec 21, 06 @ 1:19 pm
Mea culpa. Thanks, Justice, I meant the Red Cross but that’s what happens when you write and talk on the phone simultaneously. I appreciate the correction.

Comment by jaundiced eye Thursday, Dec 21, 06 @ 1:26 pm
I support the American Red Cross. Locally, they’re at http://www.chicagoredcross.org.

Jaundiced Eye, I hope you’ll revise your opinion. The Red Cross has a four-star rating on www.charitynavigator.org.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 21, 06 @ 2:00 pm
The punctuation above is causing problems with the links. (Sorry!) Try:

http://www.chicagoredcross.org
http://www.charitynavigator.org

Comment by WesSub Thursday, Dec 21, 06 @ 2:03 pm
The Fairygodmother Foundation
It’s like Make a Wish Foundation, but for adults. Based in Chicago.

National Brain Tumor Foundation
A longtime friend of mine passed away at the age of 26 due to malignant glioblastoma. I give during the holidays and on his birthday in May.

Comment by Bridget Dooley Thursday, Dec 21, 06 @ 2:07 pm
A lot of our spare bucks always go to the ACLU and the Southern Poverty Law Center. At holiday time we give to the Northern Illinois Food Bank and the local homeless shelter, Salvation Army and animal shelter. We plan to expand the holiday giving to year-round, having actually gotten a little ahead lately.

One project I’ve become particularly excited about this year is the Kiva microlending organization. You make not a donation but a loan to an entrepreneur in one of the poorest countries. When repaid, you can loan it out again.

Comment by yinn Thursday, Dec 21, 06 @ 2:12 pm
Hate to brag, but I’m a Methodist for a reason - helping others.

http://www.knms.org
Kumler Neighborhood Community - Springfield

I donate every week throughout the year with money, food, blankets, toys and baby items.

Douglas Methodist Church Supper Hour
These wonderful people feed my kids after school, helps them with homework, acts as surrogate grandparents, and gives them chores to do. When there is no one at their “homes”, Douglas takes these kids in. My mom volunteers there and our family gives money when needed too.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Dec 21, 06 @ 2:35 pm
Illinois affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union.
www.aclu-il.org/

Comment by Save Me Thursday, Dec 21, 06 @ 2:55 pm
Re: “Because Iâ€™m never sure where the money goes, particularly as it relates to â€œadministative costsâ€…”

The link was posted by other posters already, but just a note that you can look at the breakdown as far as programs versus administrative costs at this site, too.

http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm/bay/search.summary/orgid/4248.htm

Shameless plug for Northwestern, I know, but perhaps if Rod Blagojevich reads Cap Fax, he can make up for utterly blowing them off while trying to get elected for a second term and send them a huge donation (I’m sooooo bad, but it is for a good cause here).

Comment by Angie Thursday, Dec 21, 06 @ 3:24 pm
D300 Foundation for Educational Excellence serving Communinity Unit School District 300. http://www.d300.org/web/foundation2.html Dedicated to enhancing and extending the classroom experiences for all students in D300 - concentrating on science & technology, literacy, student leadership, and fine and performing arts.

Comment by Mary Fioretti Thursday, Dec 21, 06 @ 4:08 pm
Oh, all this ACLU talk reminds me… Please, please, please make sure everyone sends a CHRISTMAS cards to the IL ACLU…

180 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 2300
Chicago, IL 60601

Let’s make sure that they have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Comment by Lovie's Leather Thursday, Dec 21, 06 @ 4:43 pm
LL,

You are using “Merry Christmas” in an effort to OFFEND somebody?

I bet the fires of hell are warming up just waiting for you.

Before celebrating the holiday, try looking into what it means. Your post reflects the polar opposite of everything He stands for.

Comment by Skeeter Thursday, Dec 21, 06 @ 5:29 pm
Salvation Army.

Comment by Link Thursday, Dec 21, 06 @ 9:58 pm
Save Abandoned Babies www.saveabandonedbabies.org

Big Brothers Big Sisters (www.bbbscapitalregion.org is web site for Springfield area)

Kumler Ministries (Springfield)

Holy Family Food Pantry (Springfield)

Mini O’Bierne Crisis Nursery (Springfield)

and this is a web site where you can send cards to our soliders … www.letssaythanks.com … you pick card & message and Xerox sends card

Comment by Jo Thursday, Dec 21, 06 @ 10:18 pm
The Pujols Family Foundation
http://www.pujolsfamilyfoundation.org

New Mission Systems, International
http://www.nms-intl.com

Illinois State University Encounter
http://www.isuencounter.org

Comment by b-matt Friday, Dec 22, 06 @ 11:50 am
The Sierra Club: http://www.sierraclub.org/

and numerous organizations or shelters dedicated to helping animals.

Comment by tistiphone Friday, Dec 29, 06 @ 10:56 pm
Du musst ein Fachmann sein - wirklich guter Aufstellungsort, den du hast!

Comment by liberi Wednesday, Mar 14, 07 @ 4:41 pm