How much do you give to charity at xmas?

Sallys_Savings

Rachie_B wrote:

thos of you who donate monthly to charity ,can i ask who you donate to ?

i really want to start doing this ,probably a childrens charity or third world ,but have heard stories about how not much money goes to the actual charity cause etc due to overheads etc ?

That is exactly the sort of thing that concerns me too.

We have been priviledged to have been helping directly an orphanage abroad. (We go over and pay direct for things to be done or we have a very good friend who overseas longer term projects for us).

Whilst visiting we have seen larger charities at work...and yes they do a fantastic job yet I do feel that some of the money does go astray in administration and "extras". Some of the places the charity workers were staying in weren't exactly what I call basic. Arriving to events in huge new cars etc. Wearing new charity logo t shirts (these are people who are visiting tsunami victims so would of been more beneficial to give out t shirts rather than wearing them)

ariba10

The ones I would never let past without giving to is the Salvation Army.

newleaf

ariba10 wrote:

The ones I would never let past without giving to is the Salvation Army.

Me too. They will help anyone, any time, no questions asked. I think they are wonderful.

newleaf

Rachie_B wrote:

thos of you who donate monthly to charity ,can i ask who you donate to ?

I donate monthly to Oxfam and my local Hospice. I have had 3 friends need the services of the Hospice in the last 12 months, and it's my way of thanking them.
I know Oxfam is often criticised for spending too much on other things besides direct aid, but I do believe that they do a good and worthy job in so many places, not just the ones you hear about in the news.

karren

ive organised a coffee morning for breast cancer cymru and macmillian and raised £157
I gave 2 shoeboxes for christmas child
I have given shoes to the blue peter apeal
Ive given money to oxfam to buy a goat etc through the school
I have given my time to the school fete
I have given donations to the school raffle and bought all the raffle books sent home 6 at £1.50 each ( was too embarassed to send them back, but didnt like to ask anyone else to buy as they must all be in same boat with thier own children)
I have organised for work to donate to macmillion and write on a pospter instead of giving xmas cards
and will donate to the oxfam fund again instead of the children giving christmas cards in school
I have given the scouts my stamp money instead of the post office and have given them my time for orgainising events for money for the club,
But I do something all the time, as we have so much and others have so little, and after the farepak thieves took my savings it have made me realise just how much money i waste at this time of year.

suzukibabe

A few of us bake a load of cakes and have a cake sale in work, we leave them in the coffee room with a jar to put your money in and all money raised goes to the childrens adventure farm.

We also instead of sending christmas cards to everyone in work donate the money we would have spent.

We are having a raffle at the moment, and the winner gets a massive homemade christmas cake.

LJM

we always go through the kiddies toys coming up to xmas to see which to keep which go,the ones that go are either donated to the charity shop or my parent/toddler group.we make cakes and give in other bits clothes/toys etc to my daughters school,also if i see anyone collecting for our local hospice i always put some pennies in the pot,as its close to my heart

jcr16

um this will sound bad but at xmas i generally don't donate any more than i always do.

every month i donate to different charities and i like to be consitant and do all year rather than just at xmas. so although at first i sound a meanie, i'm not . i just like to give thorugh out the year to help the chairties in their good work.

livinginhope

I have to say and I know I will get told off for saying it,but I don't give to charity I would love to be in a position to do so,but as the way things are,charity begins at home and I just don't have it to give.I feel a little upset,but then realise that our need is just as great.Sorry!