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PITTSBURG —
There are a number of reasons to want to donate money to charity.
Maybe a loved one or a close friend is facing or has faced some problem, and one charity or another was instrumental to the recovery or healing process that came of it. Maybe it’s knowing that one’s hard-earned money isn’t going overseas, but is staying right here to help those that need the help the most. Maybe it’s the idea that to whom much is given, much is expected.
Maybe it’s none of those things. Maybe it’s all of those things and more.
Of course, an additional way to support local charities would be to give of your time as well as your money, but that’s an editorial for another day.
But for whatever reason one wants to donate money to charity, then the question becomes which charity. Because even within certain fields, such as breast cancer awareness, there isn’t just one organization, and there’s no guarantee that money would help locals, if that’s your interest.
So let’s look at just a few of the local organizations that need support not just now, but all year long.
Start with the Red Cross, who not only helps run blood drives, but also provides support for families dealing with the aftermath of fires and other emergencies. Sounds like a good cause.
How about Big Brothers Big Sisters? This organization isn’t some reference to George Orwell, but rather matches up children who need a mentor with someone who will take that child under their wing.
The Catholic Charities is another good choice. Overall, they provide disaster relief and shelters and more. But in Southeast Kansas, the group helps provide rent and utility assistance for those who need the help the most. They also run parenting classes and do some case management, as well as prescription drug assistance and gas vouchers for those who must get somewhere, but don’t have the money to pay for gas right now.
Try Elm Acres, which served 167 children in the Youth Residential Program alone in fiscal year 2012. The program provides not just counseling for troubled youth, but also education skills to help them meet their full potential. Surely this is a program that helps those who could easily fall through the cracks.
Or the Family Resource Center, which provides quality, affordable health care to many in the area. They also provide social, mental health, and adult education services.
There are a number of reasons to want to donate money to charity.
Maybe a loved one or a close friend is facing or has faced some problem, and one charity or another was instrumental to the recovery or healing process that came of it. Maybe it’s knowing that one’s hard-earned money isn’t going overseas, but is staying right here to help those that need the help the most. Maybe it’s the idea that to whom much is given, much is expected.
Maybe it’s none of those things. Maybe it’s all of those things and more.
Of course, an additional way to support local charities would be to give of your time as well as your money, but that’s an editorial for another day.
But for whatever reason one wants to donate money to charity, then the question becomes which charity. Because even within certain fields, such as breast cancer awareness, there isn’t just one organization, and there’s no guarantee that money would help locals, if that’s your interest.
So let’s look at just a few of the local organizations that need support not just now, but all year long.
Start with the Red Cross, who not only helps run blood drives, but also provides support for families dealing with the aftermath of fires and other emergencies. Sounds like a good cause.
How about Big Brothers Big Sisters? This organization isn’t some reference to George Orwell, but rather matches up children who need a mentor with someone who will take that child under their wing.
The Catholic Charities is another good choice. Overall, they provide disaster relief and shelters and more. But in Southeast Kansas, the group helps provide rent and utility assistance for those who need the help the most. They also run parenting classes and do some case management, as well as prescription drug assistance and gas vouchers for those who must get somewhere, but don’t have the money to pay for gas right now.
Try Elm Acres, which served 167 children in the Youth Residential Program alone in fiscal year 2012. The program provides not just counseling for troubled youth, but also education skills to help them meet their full potential. Surely this is a program that helps those who could easily fall through the cracks.
Or the Family Resource Center, which provides quality, affordable health care to many in the area. They also provide social, mental health, and adult education services.
Maybe Kansas Legal Services is a better option. Or Kids First Day Care. Or the Boy Scouts or the Pittsburg YMCA or Safehouse or the Pittsburg Community Child Care Learning Center or SEK-CAP or Salvation Army or Wesley House.
What about beyond just the Pittsburg/Crawford County area? There are dozens more worthy causes in Joplin and Parsons and beyond, just in our local perview.
That’s why we recommend contributing to the United Way. Money donated to the United Way goes to serve not just one of these worthy causes, but also to help support all of them.
Last year, in the first year of a combined United Way of Southwest Missouri and Southeast Kansas, Joplin was hit by the tornado that changed the town and the shape of the campaign. This year is the first “normal” year for the combined organization, but the needs have not grown smaller in a year. Recovery is still needed across the state line. Poverty assistance is still needed no matter what side of the state line.
Health services and youth programs, blood drives and food pantries, social services and warm meals/beds are all provided through funds raised by the United Way.
That’s not to say there aren’t other organizations that need your help -- there are. But one of the best bangs for your charity dollar comes through the United Way.
There are a lot of reasons to want to give to charity. The organizations supported by the United Way can stretch every dollar above and beyond ordinary means.
Support your local charitable organizations. Help provide for your local friends in need. Please contribute to the United Way.
