Pinching Pennies? Time to Give
Somehow I’ve always believed that the more you give, the more you get. Of course, it’s not true, but I like the idea of it being true. It’s sort of like karma and justice mixed together — give and you’ll receive. Maybe I give so I can receive? I know that when I receive I think it must be in response to something I must have given and if I can’t think of how I’ve given, I try to make it up and give right away to make sure the scales are balanced. When we’re waiting for payday, I try to take leftover food with me in the car and find a homeless woman to give it to. Somtimes that backfires (one woman screamed at me that she didn’t want my sloppy seconds). Sometimes when I feel particularly fortunate, I make sure I give, however small, as a bargaining chip for my own desire to stay in the good graces of karma.
It seems that no matter where I turn, I hear of charities in desperate need since in economic times like we’re in now, people give less. Actually, correction, well-off people give less percentage to charity. Believe it or not, poorer people give more of their income during hard economic times.
Today is a good day to take a moment to give. No matter how small. Tip the karma scale today.
Some of my favorites:
The George Mark Children’s House — Hospice for Young, Dying Children here in the Bay Area is in deep jeopardy.
Sacred Heart Community Center - Offering clothes, food and shelter to families in need in Silicon Valley
and my personal, most dear charity: Pro Mujer — Microloans (as low as $5) to women in Latin American countries to benefit their health and families
What’s charity is close to your heart? How about giving just a few bucks today?
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The George Mark Children’s House
I am irrationally protective over my kids’ safety. Not crazed, but protective. I refuse to drive down a street near a mortuary, and if I have to, I do so very quickly and drive fast. I don’t like them getting near one side of the street where we know a homeless guy was killed. I am superstitious about their safety, I can’t imagine them anything but safe. God willing.
The first time I heard of The George Mark Children’s House was a few months ago at the first Silicon Valley Tweetup. La Gringa and I mingled and networked like we’re supposed to. We traded business cards and banter like the pros. We had a couple drinks. But there was nothing, but nothing that stops a mom in her tracks like the story of a sick child.
The charity that benefits the Silicon Valley Tweetup is The George Mark Children’s House, a hospice for children who are dying. They are d.y.i.n.g., not recovering, from illness. This is the kind of thing I steer far from. It’s one degree of separation from the world’s worst horror and I don’t do that shit. But this time, somehow, it got me.
I got home that night and looked up the website. Indeed, an acclaimed 501c3 charity with a slew of volunteers, programs and support for the families of dying children all in a peaceful, private environment. You go to The George Mark Children’s House to die. If you’re a parent, you likely have already died a thousands deaths in bargaining with God to not take your child.
I don’t know much about this charity other than looking at the photos online, reading of their desperate struggle to stay afloat during this economic crisis we’re experiencing. I know a guy who’s niece died in a dignified manner at the House. I know that I can’t bear to think of a child dying. I know that somehow this charity got me in the gut.
So here’s how you can help: Visit The George Mark Children’s House website, look at their “wish list” and go find something in your garage that fits the bill and send it to them. You can donate online with stock or cash. You can write a note to a family. You can send good juju. You can speak with your very loud, influential voice to beg others to do the same.
I turned two streets out of the way tonight to avoid the mortuary again. Kids in the car. Don’t do mortuaries. And came home thinking of families that are sharing their child’s last breaths. And I felt so grateful to be home.
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Side Gigs
