Black Friday Shopping without the Lines
It’s black Friday. This morning shoppers across America pushed and shoved to get the best bargains of the day. It’s a little ironic, isn’t it, to think how brutal Christmas gift shopping can be on black Friday!
In any case, some people chose not to drive to the mall and inside logged online to grab some great deals at retailers’ websites. Wal-mart’s site even crashed today because of the large volume of users!
In a previous post (read it here), I told you all about an innovative gift idea for that person who had everything–make a donation to charity in their honor.
As promised, here’s my list of top five charities for Christmas giving. Happy Holidays!
1. Heifer International: This charity has long been a favorite of mine. Instead of donating food to families that need it, they donate entire live animals. This provides a long-lasting food source for the family, as well as a possible source of income. Instead of simply donating money, you can buy geese, rabbits, cows, sheep, and other animals. “What did you get me for Christmas this year?” “A water buffalo…no really, I did…” www.heifer.org
2. Samaritan House: Samaritan House is an organization based on the concept “Neighbors helping Neighbors.” Often, I think we get so caught up with helping the poor countries around the world that we forget about those in need right in our own neighborhood. This specific charity is located in California, but groups around the world are providing communities with the same services–literacy programs, hot meals, places to stay, job assistance, clothing, and medical needs. www.samaritanhouse.com
3.The Make-a-Wish Foundations: Most people ahve heard of this charity. If you have not, the premis is simply. This organization pays for children who are sick with terminal illnesses to fulfill a final wish–some go to Disney World, some meet celebrities, you get the idea. The charity aims at providing a memorable experience for the entire family without them having to worry about the financial aspect. www.wish.org
4.America’s Second Harvest: For every dollar you donate to this charity, they give about 28 pounds of food to Americans who really need it. During the holidays, we have an overabundance of food at my house. Is yours the same? If the answer is yes, then your friends and family don’t need that extra fruitcake–take the money you would have spent buying cookies and candy and donate it to this charity instead! www.secondharvest.org
5.My Two Front Teeth: You’ve heard for toys for tots, and My Two Front Teeth works in almost the same way. However, here, you don’t have to pruchase a toy or find a drop box–simply make a monetary donation and the charity takes care of purchasing toys–specific items children ask for! This year, they have a goal of fulfilling the wishes of 5,000 children. www.mytwofrontteeth.org
black Friday, Christmas, gift shopping, innovative gift idea, donation, charity, Holidays
November 25th, 2006 at 11:50 am
What a great idea. Cause we all have too much stuff anyway, right?
November 29th, 2006 at 10:21 am
How cool to see Samaritan House up here….That means a lot.
They are truly an incredible charity…all of the ones you highlighted are.
Nicely done.
May 11th, 2007 at 11:20 am
[...] Last Black Friday, I did a special on charities where you could donate your money. Here’s the link. [...]
November 23rd, 2007 at 4:49 am
[...] The most compelling argument against braving the cold on November 23rd, 2007 is the proliferation of Internet outlets. The fact that the Amazons and FYEs of the world provide inexpensive options for shoppers should be enough to keep people in after a long Thanksgiving Day. Newspapers and TV reporters have been speaking about the increasing isolation of Americans due to technology. If this sociological assessment is true, we would see a massive falloff of Black Friday sales. [...]
December 10th, 2007 at 12:21 pm
[...] for people you don’t even like, cards, etc) and donate the money instead to Thon or to another charity that you like. Even if you just put an extra $20 in the plate at church this week, you’re [...]