The Gift of Giving...Paying It Forward Is More Rewarding Than I Ever Imagined

Many people are charitable, and choose to give in their own way. There is no one way to help others, or to be a kind, giving person. I know that when it comes to charitable giving, my passions are charities involving children and women in underdeveloped countries.

I wanted to share with you all my favorite charities in hopes of encouraging, inspiring, and thanking you for being willing to help others.

Here are my favorite ways to give...

Kiva

Kiva is a global lending program. They are micro-loans, usually in increments of $25, to help small businesses get off the ground. Many people come together to help fund a loan for a stranger, in a foreign land, and hopefully, help them change their life for the better.

The beauty of Kiva is that the loan is repaid over time, and you can re-loan the same $25 to help someone else. www.kiva.org

DonorsChoose.org

Donors Choose is a wonderful way to help teachers and classrooms across the United States to fund special classroom projects, and improve the learning experience for children. You can choose a local school or any school, anywhere of your choosing to help. Log in to see where the need is. It takes very little money to make a big difference. www.DonorsChoose.org

Heifer International

Heifer prides itself on helping to lift families out of poverty. As another global charity, your donations can be monetary, or you can purchase livestock that goes directly to villages. My girls and I choose to purchase goats, which are $120, and flocks of chicks $20, and flocks of hope $60. There are many options to help with this charity. www.Heifer.org

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Last, but not least is St. Jude. I have been giving to St. Jude for about as long as I realized children could have cancer. You can give a one time donation to St. Jude, or set up an allotment. This charity in particular is a heartbreaker for me, and one that probably means the most. www.stjude.org

Whether your motivation to give is from the heart, for bragging rights, or for the tax deductions I care not. I do not think the recipients could care less either. If you donate time, money, or food and clothes, it is all valuable, and appreciated. The benefits are the same regardless. 

Do you think charitable givings are important? Do you worry that your donations will be misused?

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