Biggest share goes to Planned Parenthood, then Lucille Salter Packard Childrens hospital, the Humane society. Each year we take some money at Thanksgiving and divide it up among several charities or causes that seem most needy at the time.
Unfortunately, we have been getting pestered to death with fundraising phone calls despite having an unlisted number. With the Internet, this doesn't mean much. Now we just tell whoever calls that we don't give money to people to call us. I've been burned by giving money to telephone solicitors. You do have to be careful. I'd rather give directly to the group.
Detroit Bulldog Rescue (money, but also bowls, collars, supplies)
Paws with a Cause (leader dogs for the disabled)
ASPCA
St. Vincent de Paul
Be careful of the United Way. I've had and heard of some bad experiences with them. My mom was "forced" to donate to them through work as I was also "forced".
I chose to give money to Paws with a Cause through United Way but then found out that they were getting the money almost 6-8 months AFTER I donated it. So, I discontinued my donations to the United Way and give to Paws with a Cause directly.
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“Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are…something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.”
- Author Unknown-
I swear I thought I answered this, but I guess not!
Anyway, we give every Christmas to the Humane Society and to no-kill animal-rescue organizations (usually the major one here in Phoenix, and also my dog's foster mom, who rescues tons of dogs unofficially).
We also send a little money twice a year to animal control, even though I can't stand them, because they get most of the lost/abandoned animals.
Edited to add: I forgot that we also give $250 every year to my school. But Arizona has a tax-donation reimbursement program, so we get it back from the govt.
-- Edited by halleybird at 19:29, 2005-06-09
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"We live in an age where unnecessary things are our only necessities." --Oscar Wilde