| What prevents most of us from donating to charities | | | | 2. Online Shopping - Shopping online is something |
| and worthy organizations? Like many, lack of extra | | | | most internet savvy people do nowadays at some |
| money and time can be an issue even if your heart is | | | | point during the year. A well-known site for online |
| in the right place. Luckily for all of us there is a simple, | | | | shopping is Benefiting cancer research, a charity close |
| easy solution that won't take any additional effort or | | | | to my heart, all you have to do is select the retailer |
| time on your part. Can it really be so simple? The | | | | and it tells you the percentage they will give back for |
| answer is yes! | | | | all your purchases. Another option, also on Good |
| By simply changing a few of the web sites you visit | | | | Search is a link to their shopping site, Good Shop. |
| for your normal online activities, you can begin to | | | | You get to pick your participating company and you |
| give back without actually donating out of your own | | | | can also submit a charity to donate your purchase |
| pocket. And since you are only changing the sites | | | | too. Once verified you can shop all day and know |
| you visit, it won't take any longer out of your day to | | | | that a percentage of your normal purchases will be |
| start right now. There are plenty of online services | | | | going to the charity of your choice. |
| that are comparable to, and in my opinion better | | | | 3. E-cards - If you are like me, you will occasionally or |
| than, their competitors that give to charities just by | | | | even often send an e-card to a friend to brighten |
| having you visit or use their site instead of another. | | | | their day, for a birthday or another occasion. Make |
| These donations are usually funded by the companies | | | | your efforts benefit a charity. There are plenty of |
| that advertise on these sites or by third parties that | | | | sites that donate a set fee for each e-card sent. |
| may benefit from your patronage. Regardless, it | | | | Sometimes I will even log on and send a card to |
| allows everyone to give back without even trying. | | | | everyone on my email address just to get the |
| Below are a few services that I have incorporated | | | | donations rolling and hope they will do the same. |
| into my normal routine and it has now become | | | | Check out There are many others that offer this |
| second nature to visit them when I need something, | | | | kind of service year round, while some offer |
| making giving back effortless. | | | | donations to a specific charity for a limited time. |
| 1. Search Engine - My new search engine of choice is | | | | Now that you have some more information on how |
| powered by the already well-respected and | | | | to go about giving back without spending anymore |
| established company Yahoo! It lists a daily charity off | | | | time or money than you do in a normal day, what is |
| to the left when you go to the site so you know | | | | stopping you? Use the sites listed above or find your |
| what your searches will benefit that day and it also | | | | own and share what you've found with your friends |
| allows you the ability to suggest a charity if it is not | | | | and family. Your referrals to these sites only add to |
| already listed. Another easy way to promote them is | | | | the donations you are creating. I challenge you to |
| to copy a link or banner to post on a personal web | | | | surf the web for your cause! |
| page directing traffic to their site. | | | | |