Charity Auction 2010 Planning

[aaron]

i think a poll is in order. i support the ASPCA annually so i can get behind that cause for sure. i also would feel better about donating to the ASPCA as opposed to a more radical group a la PETA or the ALF. would also be into Alzheimer's.

one of my favorite charities is parners in health, who are "A non-profit health care organization dedicated to providing a “preferential option for the poor”, striving to bring good medical care to the poor in developing countries by establishing long-term partnerships with local sister organizations." good health care is something that most people in developed countries really take for granted and is a huge, huge issue with people all over the world. http://www.pih.org/

there's also kiva loans, which are cool, but i don't know how we'd really get a great big donation divided up evenly. plus they typically repay the loans so, i dunno. maybe not. cool charity though! http://www.kiva.org/about

[Limewater]

I would suggest a cause that does not directly or indirectly involve anyone on the board, like feeding starving children in another country, or giving malaria vaccinations to children in Africa (so they can totally catch Autism).

you know, the main reasoning for doing the charity last year was because of a person that was involved to a certain degree to the charity we were giving too. but im down for some of those idea's too.

Sure, but look at it this way: We on the board are mostly USAian, Canadian, and Western European. We're among the wealthiest people in the world. I'd be really surprised if anyone on the board wasn't within at least the top 20% of the world in terms of wealth. We have rich people problems.

*EDIT* I think I'm going to stop here. I've made my case. I will not post on this thread again. Feel free to flame away, but I really am not intending to troll or derail the thread.

[Ack]

I've mentioned this in the past to Ds, but I fully support us donating to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. While it deals with human beings (which appeals to certain folks here), it is in response to illness and not necessarily a reaction to society's ills (which some folks have mentioned they oppose donating to charities over). Sometimes life is simply unfair, and I support the notion of giving those who suffer the chance to experience at least some level of joy and triumph in their lives, especially those who are children and likely won't ever make it to adulthood.

Plus, let's face it: the reason most of us were drawn to this website is so we could relive the nostalgic glory days of our childhoods. I feel the correct choice of action would be for a bunch of adults who miss their childhood to give to children who'll likely never see their adulthood.

However, that's not to say I won't support the choice of other charities. Luke's choice of donating to an Alzheimer's fund is excellent, as it's frankly a disease that terrifies me. I take no issue with the ASPCA either, and both of the cats my girlfriend and I own are rescued strays. Donating to African nations to help with vaccinations doesn't bother me either, as I've befriended people from African nations fraught with diseases and poverty and seen how difficult they must push themselves to escape. They are all excellent choices.

[noiseredux]

Plus, let's face it: the reason most of us were drawn to this website is so we could relive the nostalgic glory days of our childhoods. I feel the correct choice of action would be for a bunch of adults who miss their childhood to give to children who'll likely never see their adulthood.

I feel as though Ack has hit the nail on the head. I agree with him 100% and this is now my vote as well.

[dsheinem]

Charities dealing with people typically don't motivate me because societies problems are usually a result of society itself -and I've never been one to treat a symptom and call it a day. At least with animals you can say that animal suffering isn't the result of the animals themselves.

Do we have to choose only one charity? Perhaps we could split proceeds evenly between two? Or would that just present more problems than it would solve?

I think a charity that supports children (which is what we chose last year) addresses both concerns. That way, people can donate to ease human suffering and we would be helping out those who usually aren't responsible for their own condition. I'd have no problem supporting children of alcoholics again, although almost anything geared towards children would probably get my eventual vote.

I do plan to put up a poll eventually, but I'd like to see more ideas and discussion first.

As for Ack's idea of the make-a-wish foundation, that might be a good idea. However, like Child's Play (and the ASPCA, for that matter), I feel like they already get a lot of attention and support from elsewhere. So, I guess my preferences are (in order):

1) a charity where donations go directly to those in need
2) a charity that helps children
3) a charity that that needs more visibility and funding
4) a charity that does work internationally

[aaron]

i definitely support the make-a-wish foundation if we're going for a child-centric charity.

re: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/l ... oy30m.html

[Crabmaster2000]

Anything with Children involved gets my vote. Locally or internationally, either is great. I'd be happier with a people centric organization rather than the SPCA. We already foster pets for them, and I'd be much happier donating to children regardless of that fact.

And sometimes organizations are big and succesful because they are doing things right, so i'd have no problem donating to a large company as long as the proceeds are going directly to the cause as opposed to marketing or something lame like that.

Also I think the end date of Dec.26th is a little silly. I think it should end at least a couple days before the 25th at the latest. I feel weird jumping on the computer on x-mas and boxing day to check my bids. I'd prefer the 1st to the 15th or something like that. Shipping will probably be super slow, but thats ok with me.

[dlmvii]

As a side note, if all of these charities end up not panning out, The Human Fund is always an excellent choice

[dsheinem]

As a side note, if all of these charities end up not panning out, The Human Fund is always an excellent choice

[jp1]

I don't think that I agree with the idea that charities for adults support people that cause their own problems. There are a great many charities that cover illnesses that can't be blamed on those who have them. Still, I could get behind anything benefiting children so as long as that is common ground there is no need to discuss it any further.

I think if anything the auction could end a couple days later. This way maybe some people will have some extra Christmas money to throw around.

EDIT: Just went back to read a couple posts I missed and noticed Ack has already pointed out about the charities that help with illnesses. I think Make a Wish would be a great option.