Christian Charity Commercial

[SportinOne]

it's just about midnight here on the West Coast, and all the informercials and ads for John Denver's Greatest Hits CD's are starting to roll in. I just saw a commercial for a Christian Charity for the less privelaged children of the world. You know, the one where you sponsor a kid for 80 cents a day. Well i only bring this up because they sucked me in, and i want to help. BUT.... I have heard that stuff like this is often BS, BIGTIME BS. And so i wanted to know if anyone here knows of any programs like this that are actually legit and where your money actually starts to make a difference. Anyone's input is appreciated. Maybe we can get the members of the Mane to sponser a whole family and then convert them to Broncoism somehow.

[REB]

Feed the Children and Habitat for Humanity are good ones.

[Kaylore]

I spent two years for my church in Korea doing some of that stuff. Some of the problems overseas poor children face can be easily taken care of for minimum cost.

That said, if you really want to help the needy, you should look in your own backyard. There are plenty of people that need help right here at home. Just do a little homework and opportunities will open up. I strongly recommend going down and getting directly involved yourself if it's possible. This is partly to make sure the gig is real, but also you can see the faces of the people that you help, and that's probably one of the coolest experiences you can have.

[footstepsfrom#27]

http://www.charitynavigator.org

http://www.charitynavigator.org/inde...orgid/3499.htm

Good question...you can't be to careful.

I manage strategic planning operations for non profits and link them with financial supporters. Recent scandals iinvolving abuse of the IRS tax laws have led to increased regulatory supervison by the government and tighter secuirity by the IRS for charities. Along with this is goes easier access to information for the public. Non profits file form 990 which is public domain material. The above links ought to help you make a decision on Christian Childrens Fund or others your interested in. Hope that helps.

[REB]

Nice link fsf27. Thanx!

1-2-3 !!!!!!!

[footstepsfrom#27]

Originally Posted by REB

Nice link fsf27. Thanx!

1-2-3 !!!!!!!

No problem.

[SportinOne]

Originally Posted by Kaylore

I spent two years for my church in Korea doing some of that stuff. Some of the problems overseas poor children face can be easily taken care of for minimum cost.

That said, if you really want to help the needy, you should look in your own backyard. There are plenty of people that need help right here at home. Just do a little homework and opportunities will open up. I strongly recommend going down and getting directly involved yourself if it's possible. This is partly to make sure the gig is real, but also you can see the faces of the people that you help, and that's probably one of the coolest experiences you can have.

I know what you're saying about the "own backyard" thing, and i am proud of my country, but to me it seems like most of the people in this country who need help only need it because they themselves messed up. Alot of the people in other countries didn't even have a chance. Then again, neither did the children of the needy over here. I'll have to give it some thought, maybe consider helping a little of both.

[Rock Chalk]

Originally Posted by TheChamp

it's just about midnight here on the West Coast, and all the informercials and ads for John Denver's Greatest Hits CD's are starting to roll in. I just saw a commercial for a Christian Charity for the less privelaged children of the world. You know, the one where you sponsor a kid for 80 cents a day. Well i only bring this up because they sucked me in, and i want to help. BUT.... I have heard that stuff like this is often BS, BIGTIME BS. And so i wanted to know if anyone here knows of any programs like this that are actually legit and where your money actually starts to make a difference. Anyone's input is appreciated. Maybe we can get the members of the Mane to sponser a whole family and then convert them to Broncoism somehow.

That Christian Children's fund is not BS. My uncle volunteered for them all through the 90s. If you are looking to help, that's as good a place as any.

[RMT]

http://www.worldvision.org/ is one I support and contribute to. Their customer service staff is especially friendly. You don't see that very often.

I, too, feel that there's a greater proportion of people in our country who don't help themselves. I am NOT suggesting there aren't people who truly need and deserve to be helped. But very few countries support their poor to the extent we do in the U.S. Could more be done? Absolutely ... Are other countries supporting their poor like the U.S.? Absolutely NOT. Why else would so many want to come here? We are blessed beyond measure and have an obligation to help others when we can.

[smalltowngrll]

Originally Posted by RMT

http://www.worldvision.org/ is one I support and contribute to. Their customer service staff is especially friendly. You don't see that very often.

I, too, feel that there's a greater proportion of people in our country who don't help themselves. I am NOT suggesting there aren't people who truly need and deserve to be helped. But very few countries support their poor to the extent we do in the U.S. Could more be done? Absolutely ... Are other countries supporting their poor like the U.S.? Absolutely NOT. Why else would so many want to come here? We are blessed beyond measure and have an obligation to help others when we can.

Same here. I contribute to World Vision...I've sponsored two children over the past 10 years....one just gre up about five years ago, so I took a little girl. I get cards and letters from her and I can send her cards and letters too. It's interesting to watch as they get older.

The little girl that I have now sends me pictures that she colored and little cards. The volunteers down there send progress reports on how she is doing with school, health and socially with other children.

I find it to be rewarding...each month I write the check it's not like paying a bill, but that my money is actually going to help others.

I agree with the notion that you can't be too careful. I work in accounting as well, and have been called in to help out a few local non profits. I've learned that I will be VERY carefull with which organization you give to. The IRS stipulates how much money of the total donation base can be used for administration purposes. The Financial Statements of 501C3 Orgs should be public...so, you should be able to at least see what is going on. Most larger Non Profits are required to go through an audit of the Financial Statements each fiscal year...which is ALWAYS a good thing.

[watermock]

Originally Posted by Kaylore

I spent two years for my church in Korea doing some of that stuff. Some of the problems overseas poor children face can be easily taken care of for minimum cost.

That said, if you really want to help the needy, you should look in your own backyard. There are plenty of people that need help right here at home. Just do a little homework and opportunities will open up. I strongly recommend going down and getting directly involved yourself if it's possible. This is partly to make sure the gig is real, but also you can see the faces of the people that you help, and that's probably one of the coolest experiences you can have.

The wonders of Communism...I'm turning red and going to candle power..,.

That has to be doctored a little...there is light in the capital of Poontang or whatever they call it.

[watermock]

Yeah, there is a light on in the idiots mansion...The astounding thing is he keeps threatening the south while feeding off the teat of China and even the USA out of pity.

Why don't we just take that goon out with a GPS bomb and let China run that rockpile?

I don't even think China would take it at this point. It's not like it would be lost to the communists...I'm just thinking of the poor people living of oil and candles...That place is a disaster.

[ludo21]

I sponsor a child in El Salvador.

Its through Compassion international. Its a good organization, they do try and get ya to send mrore money all the time, but they are doing good things out there.

[SportinOne]

the Big Brother/Big Sister foundation popped into my head when someone started talking about helping out in your own backyard. Does anyone have any experience with that? I'd have no problem donating some of my time on weekends instead of laying around hung over.

[epicSocialism4tw]

Originally Posted by TheChamp

the Big Brother/Big Sister foundation popped into my head when someone started talking about helping out in your own backyard. Does anyone have any experience with that? I'd have no problem donating some of my time on weekends instead of laying around hung over.

Bro, once you get involved helping out others that are less fortunate, your life will change for the better. Those children that you impact will remember you for the rest of your life. You may be the only person in their life that takes the time out to hear them and to show them things that are important to know. You would be surprised at how many children there are in America that grow up rudderless. I can guarantee you that your own community is swamped with them and their only hope is that someone like you takes the time out of their schedule (maybe hangover time, etc.) to give them a little reprieve from the chaos. Your time and attention could be the difference in a child's school performance among other things. I could tell you story after story of children that I have seen grow up in the inner city that were shown a better life by volunteers who actively pursued a relationship with them and who helped them to become more adept at the basic survival skills in life.

You dont have to be a saint, and you dont have to be perfect. You just have to be willing to be involved in their life.

[Lidderer]

can someone get bob to post in here quick, and preferably drunk?

[DomCasual]

Originally Posted by Lidderer

can someone get bob to post in here quick, and preferably drunk?

How true!

[Hogan11]

Think Global, act local.

[Sassy]

I'd rather do stuff locally...some of that stuff...you never know where your money is going...


Here's one they've been advertising that I like...of course, I make fleece blankets for gifts anyway so it's something that would be easy for me. It's a national program with local affiliates. They are collecting blankets locally for kids on February 18th.

You guys might not get into this...but you gals might be interested or the wifeys!

http://www.projectlinus.org/chapter.shtml

[smalltowngrll]

Speaking of Local...has anyone ever been involved with Sparrow Clubs? I haven't. I actually just learned of their mission. But, I was impressed, to say the least. Any feedback on that?

[footstepsfrom#27]

Champ this is for you, or anyone else interested...from the Charity Navigator which ranks and analyzes the effectiveness of charitable organizations...don't just read the article here and ignore the link since additional info on various organizations in Kenya including Christian Children's Fund is listed there...

http://www.charitynavigator.org/inde...8/cpid/386.htm

Humanitarian Emergency Alert: Kenyan Food Crisis
by Andrew Heck, Charity Navigator
February 1, 2006


The people of Kenya , where over 50% of the population already lives in poverty and where life expectancy is only 47 years, are now facing a potential famine due to drought. The government of Kenya estimates that upwards of 3.5 million are at risk from the worsening food crisis. Despite pleas from international leaders aid money to the devastated region is slow in coming. The World Food Program, for example, estimates that it could run out of food for the Kenyan people by the end of February if it does not receive new donations.

With domestic news and celebrity gossip dominating the news, concerned donors can easily overlook the burgeoning crisis. Donating to a U.S.-based charity responding to this humanitarian crisis is one way you can make a difference in the lives of the starving people in Kenya .

Many of the charities working to alleviate the suffering of the starving people of Kenya are rated highly by Charity Navigator. Highly rated charities are those that have demonstrated exceptional financial management, outperforming most of their peers in their efforts to allocate and grow their finances in the most fiscally responsible way possible. The table below highlights the work of 4-star and 3-star charities with people affected by the famine in Kenya. Donors can be confident that contributions made to any of the following charities will be spent efficiently. These charities have low overhead and fundraising costs enabling them to use more of their resources in carrying out their missions.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

We have millions of kids in this country who need all the help they can get.

[SportinOne]

Thanks Footsteps!

[epicSocialism4tw]

Originally Posted by Bronco_Beerslug

We have millions of kids in this country who need all the help they can get.

That's right...do you want me to get you Mission Rockport's contact information?

[footstepsfrom#27]

Originally Posted by Bronco_Beerslug

We have millions of kids in this country who need all the help they can get.

Which shouldn't keep anyone from ignoring other people less fortunate than we are around the world.

Social services assistance in the USA is light years ahead of the curve compared to what's taking place in Africa, where not only poverty and starvation are rampant but AIDS is exploding at frightening rates. For the most part, if you're poor in the US, help in some form is generally available somewhere, though it's often difficult to struggle through the red tape, and navigate the system. In Kenya we're talking about the possibility of literallly MILLIONS of people possibly starving to death. In addition to this, Kenya is a US ally, a stable African republic with a pro-western government with relatively little internal conflict and most importantly...under heavy pressure from radical Islamic groups trying to infiltrate this country for use as a futue base for terrorist operations. A large scale drought bringing extensive famine in Kenya could create a destabilizing influence throughout East Africa and give Al Quaeda and other terrorists the perfect opportunity to move into a power vaccum if the current government were to fail. Christianity is the dominant religion in Kenya but Islam has made large inroads. There are serious strategic reasons NOT to allow Kenya to starve to death.

Of course compassion might be an appropriate reason also. They are people.