Any time I am feeling charitable, I find that my good intentions are waylaid by a massive internal conflict.
Let me explain.
They say “charity begins at home”, and I try to make this a truth in my own life, and to support anybody close to me that is in need.
A few years ago I felt I needed to develop a more generous spirit, so I instigated the Blessing Project (committing regular “not-so-random-acts-of-kindness”), which has definitely helped me to be more purposeful in showing care and appreciation to others.
Feeling Charitable: Which Charities?
But what actual charities do I – should I – support?
We’ve had a few long term charitable commitments: a sponsor child in a developing country; our church and its food relief program; not to mention the hubster, who is a bit of a sucker for the phone calls from charities, and is always buying tickets, Christmas cards, and other bits and pieces!
Last year I participated in #Frocktober to raise funds for Ovarian Cancer research, and we regularly donate our unwanted clothing and other items to the Salvos, Lifeline or similar, plus the occasional monetary donation to other worthy causes.
So what is the conflict I struggle with when I’m feeling charitable?
It’s no secret that I love cats.
We adopted our own Miss Fleur, and I love the work that organisations such as Kitten Kapers Rescue, the Brisbane Cat Cuddle Cafe, and Ozzi Cat magazine are doing to make sure kitties find loving homes, rather than having to be put down. When we were in Europe we saw dozens of stray cats, and were glad to learn that there are groups that run “catch – neuter – release” programs to try and prevent so many unwanted cats being born in the first place.
It breaks my heart to think of these dear, innocent animals being mistreated, or euthanised, because of human selfishness and thoughtlessness.
But at the end of the day, they are only cats.
They’re not human beings.
So I feel guilty that I don’t have more of an interest in, or passion for, the charities that care for people.
And so, instead of giving generously to cat rescue programs or shelters, I do nothing. I am frozen by the conflict of feeling charitable: that I feel badly that I’m not stirred in the same way to do more for people.
Am I the only one who struggles in this way with feeling charitable? Am I overthinking it? And what charities do you like to support, and why?!
I have had similar thoughts but I remember a wonderful sermon years ago at church that talked about the overwhelming need to help all charities, but we were encouraged to donate to the ones that stir our heart. Your call to donate to cat welfare is not an accident and you should listen to it and give to what stirs your heart -whether its cats, dogs, animal rescue, surf life savers, guide dogs – ANYTHING that breaks your heart and compels you to give. God gave us the world to look after it in the beginning, and cats were and are still part of that world and need to be cared for.
Baha. I just realized I put surf lifesavers in amongst the animal welfare/charities. It was simply me thinking ahead. We support the surf lifesavers, but often the search and rescue charities don’t get donated to because it’s assumed they get government support.
Bec, I love what you have said here. I read it earlier today and have been chewing it over ever since, and it has brought me some comfort that maybe I am wired this way for a purpose. Thanks so much for your encouragement, it means a lot xxx
I like to spread my money around when giving to charity. We both already give regularly to two different charities (as in, it comes out of our pay every month) so it annoys me when people ask for a donation but won’t accept a one off donation because they only want long term commitments. Animals, kids, research… I never mind a one off donation for anything.
There are so many worthy causes, so it’s a good idea to spread the love around!
I hate the charities that send you stuff in the mail & try to guilt you into donating. Won’t do it! A few coins in a tin when shopping etc is easy to do & presumably it all adds up!
Yup I’m the same Deborah.
I regularly give to two charities that are doing great community development work (one with indigenous communities and the other with women in the Pacific area). I’m also a bit of a sucker for buying art union tickets from various charities and giving one off donations, especially for health-related research. However, I’ve been a bit better at saying ‘ I think I’ll leave it this time’ over the past year though as it was costing a bit too much (especially now that I’m a self-funded retiree). We also regularly buy a dozen bottles of wine from Guide Dogs for the Blind. We enjoy the wine and the funds go to raising and training guide dog puppies.
When I had my 60th birthday last year, instead of gifts I asked people if, instead, they’d like to donate to a few charities I selected, using the site http://www.karmacurrency.com.au. Several family and friends took up that option and I raised a few hundred dollars.
I feel the same as Deborah about not liking the charities that send you gifts in the mail. I’ve taken to sending back those packages with ‘return to sender’ written on them to let them know that I’m not interested. I also agree with Bec about giving to the charities that ‘stir your heart’. There are so many worthy charities and causes out there that all we can do is select the ones that mean the most to us as individuals.
So don’t feel conflicted Janet. Give to the cat rescue programs and shelters that you’re so keen to support. After all, you’ll also be helping to reduce the impact of feral cats on our native wildlife (I just heard a big discussion about that on the radio this morning. It’s a huge problem).
Thanks June! There is so much need in this world of ours, it’s hard to know what to give to. And does our bit make a difference? It does, if we are all doing our bit – together we make a BIG difference! And I loved what you did for your 60th birthday. I also have a bit of a “heart stirring” to support research into heart disease etc, because of Dad xxx