CerebralDebris

Well, we’re nearing holiday season, and like many other Americans, the holidays often serve to remind me that there’s a whole big world out there full of people less fortunate than myself. Each year I try to make some donations - the amount of which varies based on how I’m doing that year. It’s something nice I can do for some people who need it. Even twenty bucks, if that’s all I can swing, can make a substantial difference in someone’s life. It also feels better than giving money to the various panhandlers one constantly meets in New York (and I mean constantly), if only because I know that giving to panhandlers only encourages further panhandling, rather than doing anything to lift people out of their situation.

Anyway, my basic selection criteria is pretty simple - I want people who are legit, who will use the vast bulk of their donations on actual charity and not their own operating expenses, who are unafilliated with any type of religious organization, and who are actively working on causes I support. This year I donated to four charities, two of which I was already a fan of and two of which my fiancée keyed me in on. I’m listing them here in case anyone out there is looking for similar stuff. If you are, please go and help - these guys are doing good work.

Child’s Play - If you’re a gamer, chances are you already know about Child’s Play. Founded by the guys who write and draw Penny Arcade, they’ve raised well over two million dollars in cash, toys and games for sick kids who’re stuck in various childrens’ hospitals around the globe. As the older brother of two girls who’ve undergone more than a dozen surgeries between them (more on that in a minute), this is a cause that’s pretty near to my heart. It’s also a chance for gamers to show that they’re not all crazy, school-shooting weirdos. We’re just normal, good people who want to share our hobby with others and help brighten those kids’ time in the hospital. I love this charity and am glad to have the opportunity to support it.

The Smile Train - This relates to my sisters, mentioned above. Both were born in Korea with cleft lips and palates, and after my parents adopted each of them, they had to undergo several reconstructive surgeries to fix all kinds of things, not just the noticeable aspects but also things like sinus and dental problems that arise from being born with a cleft. The Smile Train brings this kind of surgery to kids who haven’t been lucky enough to be adopted into loving families (or who’ve been adopted by families don’t have good insurance or otherwise can’t afford the massive surgery bills). These guys do amazing work for an unbelievably small amount of money, and just a couple of donations from people can totally change a kid’s life. Awesome.

Amnesty International - This is a pretty well-known organization, obviously, but it’s become important to me lately. When you date, move in with, and eventually marry a French girl, you learn how America-centric your upbringing has been, even if you’re a fairly liberal east-coast guy who likes to think he’s world-aware. Amnesty International isn’t really interested in borders. They want to help people, all over the world, who are facing human rights issues. From Darfur to Guantanamo to many causes which have received far less attention, they’re helping a lot of people in a lot of ways.

PEN - Two birds with one stone! PEN supports authors of both fiction and non-fiction, AND they support freedom of speech, both in the US and abroad (where it’s not guaranteed by constitutional amendment). I am a huge, huge believer that all speech should be free, and obviously I support anything that encourages people to write, and write well.

So that’s the list … hopefully this post will inspire someone out there to donate to one or more of these organizations, or to one that they support! Donating to causes you believe in is awesome, and I encourage everyone to do it.

I’ll be back this week with more Voices, and probably some other stuff. :)