Thanksgiving is next week and the next thing you know, Christmas will be upon us.
How has 2010 been for you? For me, it's been pretty good, a welcome relief after meager home sales in late 2008 and early 2009.
The letters from charities have been coming in the mail and piled up on my desk. Tonight I sat down, thought about how thankful I am and wrote out checks to eight charities. Let's face it, there are people and other living beings who are having a tougher time than most of us are.
After closing a home sale it's so easy to go out and blow some money on something for yourself or friends and family. How about spending a little on others who really need it?
Need some donation ideas? Some of my favorites are:
- Feed the Children
- Easter Seals
- Habitat for Humanity
- American Lung Association
- Population Connection
For the first time this year, I donated to FINCA, an organization which loans money to people in developing countries, in order to get their small businesses going and work their way out of poverty.
I also donate to Sea Shepherd every year. Watch "Whale Wars" on Nat Geo sometime and see what they do. It's a scary job and they do what they believe in.
The Humane Society is another organization to consider if you are a dog and/or cat lover. They will take in unwanted pets and only euthanize an animal if it's suffering from irreversible disease or injuries.
In Hawaii, some popular local charities are Hawaii Foodbank (feeding those in need) and Aloha United Way, which distributes donations to other Hawaii charities.
Think about it and share if you can. Charities have been hard hit in the last couple of years due to the recession.
Mike Bates
Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties
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