Dear Readers: I am a sucker for the holidays. I love the twinkling lights, the office parties – even the hideous sweaters. Mainly, I treasure the occasion to review my many blessings.
From natural disasters to wars, 2005 has been a challenging and distressing time. I would like to encourage readers to take some time today to research ways in which they can help one another. Below is an eclectic list drawn from my own interests. My hope is that it will inspire readers to find their own ways to give.
Some of your most valuable contributions will be in your communities, through donating time, money, goods or services, or through such simple kindnesses as shoveling snow from the neighbors’ walk or visiting with an elderly friend.
Please don’t forget fellow citizens who have been displaced, whether by hurricane or by their service to the armed forces.
Salvation Army (salvationarmyusa.org): Whenever there is trouble, the Salvation Army quickly and quietly shows up. This Christian group has been serving the needy for 140 years.
When hurricanes struck the Gulf Coast, the Salvation Army set up 178 mobile feeding units and has served an estimated 5 million meals to hurricane survivors and rescue workers. The Salvation Army is an integral part of the fabric of many communities, serving people of all ages via food, clothing, shelter, counseling and social services.
This year the Salvation Army has launched an online “red kettle” campaign. This is a nifty way to donate, honoring the spirit of thousands of volunteer bell ringers during the holidays.
American Red Cross (redcross.org): The Red Cross responded to the Gulf Coast hurricanes by making it possible for more than 340,000 people who were running out of resources to remain in hotels in 46 states. Internationally, the Red Cross is working with its partners, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (ifrc.org), to aid survivors of the earthquake in South Asia that killed about 80,000 and injured and displaced more than 3 million.
Oxfam America (oxfamamerica.org or call 800-776-9326): This is a Boston-based international development and relief agency that sends teams of people, tents, food and relief supplies directly to disaster zones.
Fisher House Foundation (fisherhouse.org or call 1-888-294-8560): More than 16,000 American soldiers have been wounded in action in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Many of these injured service members spend extended periods in hospitals in the U.S. while getting treatment.
Fisher runs “comfort houses” attached to every major military medical center, providing low- or no-cost housing to wounded soldiers and their families. Fisher also administers programs such as “Hero Miles,” working with airlines to donate frequent-flier miles to soldiers and military families.
Care (care.org): The organization was founded in 1945 as a response to the plight of children affected by World War II. Since then, this group has grown and operates in 70 countries, always concentrating its efforts on aiding the poor and hungry.
Care was one of the few international charities working to assist Iraqis. Tragically the organization’s Iraq director, Margaret Hassan, was kidnapped and murdered last year, forcing them to close operations there.
Refugees International (refugeesinternational.org): There are an estimated 25 million refugees. This tiny advocacy group serves as a vital voice, sometimes the only voice, for refugees and displaced persons worldwide.
Refugees International sends teams to locate displaced populations and then agitates with governmental and aid agencies to get help where it is desperately needed. In the past two years, teams from the group have toured Sudan’s Darfur region, highlighting the plight of internally displaced people.
Many sites help find and rate good charities. The best are charitynavigator.org, guidestar.org, give.org and charitywatch.org.
E-mail askamy@tribune.com or write Ask Amy, Chicago Tribune, TT500, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611.
