Donating Wisely.

I'd like to start a thread about donating wisely. Whether it is to a charity, or a person in need, it never hurts to be a little cautious.
PLEASE. This thread is a work in progress! If you have links to sites that help donate money, to well known charities, or helpful hints on staying safe while donating, please feel free to mention them!!  

Baby-Gaga is a VERY friendly online community. We're overall very giving, empathetic, and understanding. We're moms.   But we all need to remember, that this isonline. I know just because it's online it doesn't mean we haven't formed very strong bonds with each other, but anyone can join the site. Not only that, but money has been known to create a bit of a greed in people, and once they start getting it, they may not want to stop.

THINGS YOU CAN DO BESIDES DONATE MONEY:
-If you live nearby the person in need, you could offer to help out in person. Watch their kid(s), clean up their house, cook them some meals, there is so much you could do if you live close to them.
-Send a care package. What is in it would be up to you, and depend on the person you are sending it to.
-Send them food. Nonparishable foods can be sent in the mail, and would be a very welcomed gift to receive to most.
-Look into what is available in their area, that could help. You don't need to live there to do this, Google works wonders. Perhaps there is an organization that could assist the person.

KEEPING YOURSELF SAFE, AND AVOIDING FRAUD:
Look for little things that may help you decide if you want to donate actual money. Maybe the person is asking for a little too much, or giving themself an 'out' of the site, never to be seen or heard from again.Maybe an obvious one, but I would be leary of donating to someone if a post was made by someone who had only been here for a very short amount of time, or had 50 or so posts.
Ask the person in need, or the person creating the thread for them, what you can do other then donating money. If money is needed, then chances are there will be something else that could be used to. After all, the money is going to go towards something. Again, I would be leary of someone who refused any other kind of help, other then money. If I was in a situation (I'm sure a lot of people here agree also..) that I needed money for something, I would glady accept any type of help people were offering.

HELPFUL SITES
http://www.helpothers.org/ Acts of kindess. From ideas, to actual tools to help others!
http://www.networkforgood.org/Donate/donatetips.aspx General tips on donating to charities.
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/donors More help on donating to charities, and avoiding fraud. This site IS Canadian, but it may be of use to others as well!
http://www.charityfocus.org/new/An experiment in the joys of giving.

SITES TO HELP DONATE:
http://www.locksoflove.org Locks of Love. Donate your hair!
http://www.copsforcancer.ca Cops For Cancer. Same idea as Locks of Love, only in Canada!
www.wishuponahero.comOnline community of people helping people.
http://www.stjude.org/donateSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Great idea for a thread! I hope it makes people think a bit. I have been known to think with my heart and hand out money when it may not always be the best idea.

This needs to be stickied. Stickied? Sticky-d? Oh well...

Quoting MommaOfAngels:“ Great idea for a thread! I hope it makes people think a bit. I have been known to think with my heart and hand out money when it may not always be the best idea.”

And it's so hard not to! When you hear of someone hurting and in need, you can't help but want to help them out. But I think that can also blind us a little, in not seeing the 'warning signs' that it may not be legit..... Which is horrible, but it happens.

i haven't been financially stable enough to donate money, but i did what i could, and i donated my hair (15 inches) to Locks of Love. they make wigs for children with cancer.

http://www.locksoflove.org/

Quoting pregula *got boys?*:“ i haven't been financially stable enough to donate money, but i did what i could, and i donated my hair (15 inches) to Locks of Love. they make wigs for children with cancer.”

I still need to send mine.  

Quoting pregula *got boys?*:“ i haven't been financially stable enough to donate money, but i did what i could, and i donated my hair ... [snip!] ... and i donated my hair (15 inches) to Locks of Love. they make wigs for children with cancer. http://www.locksoflove.org/”

That's so awesome! My hair is never long enough, or natural enough to do it...   Lol! But I think people who do that are great.

Great post Tawnya!!! <3

Quoting Dr. Zoidberg.:“ That's so awesome! My hair is never long enough, or natural enough to do it...   Lol! But I think people who do that are great. ”

Mine neither.
It's pretty processed lately, haha

Quoting Rorschach.:“ Great post Tawnya!!! <3”

Thanks.   <3

Quoting MommaOfAngels:“ Great idea for a thread! I hope it makes people think a bit. I have been known to think with my heart and hand out money when it may not always be the best idea.”

I have too. I've donated a good bit of money to BG ladies and I hope and PRAY that it was used wisely...

Great idea...and Heather's right...this needs to be...stickied...

Quoting ♥Cassi♥:“ I have too. I've donated a good bit of money to BG ladies and I hope and PRAY that it was used wisely... Great idea...and Heather's right...this needs to be...stickied...”

mmhmm. It's really crappy to think, but I mean.. It has happened in the past, people have scammed others. Not just on BG, but everywhere.

I wish we could trust everyone, and have everything work out...   Lol.

I'll send Mara a message about making it a sticky...... I assume that's how you go about making it a sticky, ? lol.

great idea tawnya! 

Quoting angie... irish bitch:“ great idea tawnya!”

Thanks!  

Good post Tawnya!

I know I dont trust people easily in real life... I know the internet isnt any different!!