Oh, you guys. I know I don’t hang out in this space as often as I’d like anymore, and I virtually never post five times in a week these days, but this Giving My Money Away thing is one of the highlights of my year, no lie. I love doing the research into places both familiar and new to me, I love writing about good people doing important work, and I love hearing from you about the issues about which you feel passionate, and the organizations you’re proud to support.
This year, in a change from years’ past, most of the votes I got for Readers’ Choice charities were general, not specific. The majority of comments I received fell into one of two camps: food pantries, and no-kill animal shelters. Well, those are both causes I support, too. So in a departure from past years, instead of putting a poll in this space, I’m going to make a $25 donation each to The Greater Chicago Food Depository, and PAWS Chicago. Both are awesome organizations, four-star rated on Charity Navigator, with a proven track record. I’m delighted to support them both.
Frankly, it’s always sort of troubled me how to choose among the many great organizations recommended by people, particularly when so many have similar missions and I’m not in a good position to evaluate their efficacy. This way, I hope, I’m honoring the spirit of what people recommended, and giving to two very worthy and reputable organizations.
So thank you again, for your support and your enthusiasm for this weird little project of mine. I love doing it, I love hearing from you, and I can’t wait to do it again next year. Happy Holidays!
Great bunch of charities, I’m so glad you are helping them.
Food pantries are one of my favorite kind of charities.
Once again, thank you for doing this. You’re the bestest!!
This is so lovely.
You are amazing.
I really like that idea of getting general TYPES of charities—it’s nice that there’s audience participation but you can still choose a local one!
I heard a story on NPR that food shelters actually prefer gifts of money to food because they can purchase in scary bulk through the network of food shelters. Yay for cash!
I am a huge supporter of PAWS, two of our animals came from there. Thanks for supporting them!
No, thank YOU for doing this. You are the essence of the holiday spirit.
Thank you for doing this!
Thanks again for doing this! You find the charities that make me feel so good about giving my money to!
better late than never, right? $25 each to both charities from me too!