Everyday Giving Blog

5 Charity Ideas for This Summer

Charitable giving, like most other things in our modern world, has become a highly complicated and often difficult endeavor given the vast number of organizations and causes vying for your dollar. While simply picking and choosing between them can often lead to regrettable contributions, narrowing your focus to causes and situations that work for you will help you to be sure that your charitable donations are contributing to the best possible cause.

If you're looking to combine sunny fun with thoughtful giving this during the warm months to come, check out these five charity ideas for this summer:

1. Book Your Hotel, Save a Child

If you're planning a summer vacation that will see you travel abroad, one excellent way to give while saving is to book your hotel with CheapHotels.org. Besides offering some of the lowest hotel rates in the world for a wide variety of locales around the globe, CheapHotels.org automatically donates 1% of each and every booking to OrphanAid Africa, an organization that helps disenfranchised children in Ghana to grow up in safe, secure and loving environments with a focus on education and family stability.

Save money and donate to a worthy cause at the same time - now that's an excellent way to start your summer!

2. Become a Summer Fundraiser

The warm months of summer open up endless opportunities for outdoor fun, making it the best time of year to organize a fundraising event in your own community! Whether you opt for a bike-a-thon, a car wash or a bake sale, heading the effort to raise funds for a worthy cause, whether a local or international one, allows you to offer a helping hand to others while enjoying a fulfilling time yourself.

3. Lend a Hand on Your Vacation

The Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms organization connects organic farms around the world with people looking to stay and work temporarily to the benefit of all, presenting any able bodied wanderer with a unique way to enjoy a summer vacation! Learn about permaculture and agricultural stability while developing the skills required to grow food, all in a foreign land that offers exposure to exciting cultures and ways of life and helping to further the cause of sustainable growing in the process.

4. Clean House and Help the Needy

There is no better time than summer to take stock of your belongings and reorganize your material life, offering up the items you no longer need to those less fortunate as you go. Whether you choose to donate via a Goodwill foundation or in person, you can take pride and pleasure in the mutual benefit that cleaning house offers!

5. Be a Volunteer

If you've got some free time on your hands this summer, consider becoming a local volunteer in order to gain valuable experience while lending a helping hand to those around you. With national volunteer databases available to people in most countries, choosing a volunteer opportunity that suits your skills and desires is a breeze, ensuring that you are able to bring your very best to the table each and every day.

Conclusion

Whether you've got free time to kill or a deep, residing passion for helping others, using the time that summer frees up for many of us towards charitable causes is a fantastic way to grow as people, both in skills and life experience, brightening the lives of others along the way. Given the easy availability of opportunities both local and abroad via the internet, becoming involved with a cause that suits your abilities is a cinch once you narrow your focus, leading you to new opportunities and memorable moments that will last a lifetime!

Image Credits: 1, 2.

Three Surprising Facts About The Science Of Giving

There have been many studies recently that strive to determine the root cause and psychology behind the act of charitable giving. People's attitudes towards altruism and their perceived social responsibility are affected so many different environmental and emotional factors, it's often difficult to ascertain their precise reasoning. But, thanks to a series of studies published by the Journal Of Experimental Social Psychology, we're able to get an insight into the complex motivations people have when engaging in a philanthropic or charitable act. However, it's not as common sense-based as you'd think. Here are three surprising facts discovered through the course of these studies:

More people pay more and produce a greater profit when they're operating under a 'Pay What You Want' scheme

According to a field study conducted in 2010 and co-authored by Professor Leif Nelson at the Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley, more profit per unit is produced if people are allowed to decide how much they want to pay for goods or services. The study inolved presenting 28,224 participants with a picture postcard that cost a pre-determined $12.95. Despite being told a significant portion of the product would go to a charity, only a few people actually purchased the item, yielding a tiny profit of just 6 cents per visitor. However, when the postcard was sold under a pay-as-you-can method, although the average price paid was considerably lower (an average of $5.33 per person), the amount of people who participated meant that the profit margin was nearly twenty cents to the charity. Interestingly, when people were told that none of the proceeds would go to charity,the amount they chose to pay decreased dramatically. So it appears that a combination of asserting a social responsibility but also giving the donor complete autonomy, it produces the greatest amount of profit and all parties benefit.

People From Lower Incomes Are More Generous Than People With High Incomes

In the findings of a paper entitled “Having Less, Giving More: The Influence of Social Class on Prosocial Behavior” written by a scientific team operating out of University of Toronto and UC Berkeley, it was discovered that people who perceived themselves as of a 'lower class status' were persistently more altruistic in terms of their dealing with charitable giving and compassionate acts pertaining to other volunteers then those who perceived themselves as of a 'higher class status.' This is perhaps not so surprising but what is interesting is that the altruism that both parties displayed was directly linked to the concept of compassion and the participants ability to feel concern for their fellow man. When the higher class participants were experimentally induced to feel compassion by watching a film on child poverty, their prosocial behaviour changed and their actions and decisions fell in line with the lower class participants' actions.

Literally Being on Higher Ground Encourages More Enthusiastic Giving

Occasionally, there are metaphors that are generally accepted across a variety of different cultures and the notion of being 'on higher ground' being associated with a generosity of spirit is one of them. In a series of fascinating studies conducted by a group of social scientists at the Universities of North Carolina and Michigan, it was discovered that in a survey of shoppers who were offered the chance to donate to the Salvation Army, that the people who had just disembarked the upwards escalator donated in significantly larger quantities than those who had travelled on the downward escalator. In another study, participants were offered the chance to pour as much as they wanted of an unpleasantly potent hot sauce into a cup who another volunteer to drink. Participants who were onstage (the upper level) persistently allocated a smaller quantity of sauce then the participants in the orchestra (at a much lower elevation). This demonstrated that the more physically elevated the volunteer, the more likely they were to exhibit compassion for their fellow man. Perhaps there is something to Feng Shui after all!

Citations: Photo credit - ryantron

Barbara Pelvin is an author, speaker and blogs about social issues for Third Sector

Funny Ways To Raise Cash For Charity

Raising cash for charity is a great thing to do and the more funny your method of doing it the more likely you are to gather oodles of moola! What I've created below are some simple variations on regular methods of fund raising to increase the funny factor and hopefully your bank. Which means everyone is a winner!

A Race...

OK, not the most inventive, but it's how you pitch it. And what you race. Basically everyone likes a flutter. So embrace this and get people gambling. What better way to soften the blow of incurred losses, by knowing your cash is heading to charity rather than the pocket of a bookmaker. So what are you going to race? Snails are good, but that takes time. Cats are awkward to control. Woodlice might work. Be inventive. Ensure that any animals involved are well treated and everyone will have an ace time earning stacks o' green for a good cause. You could opt for a video option too. Footage of camel racing from the Middle East is all over the net. Just make sure you don't give away the results...

Karaoke...

Karaoke is fun. Regardless of what anyone says about it, they probably secretly love it. We all get our sing-a-long on in the shower and a bit of a duet going while dusting. Doing this for charity might be the just the thing to quash those concerns about self-consciousness. American Idol in your back yard is a possibility! But how to make it more funny? Add in foreign versions. Obviously doing this for an entire evening might drag a little, but the odd one is always going to create a laugh. Plus anyone taking it on should be given twice the cash for their efforts. And that's going to boost the funds no end!

Theme Night...

A theme night relies on its theme unsurprisingly. Obviously if it is well chosen hilarity will ensue. I attended an event that was French themed and the costumes were amazing, fine and regal, think the court of Marie Antoinette. The food and drink matched and the evening was truly spectacular, apart from one attendee, who took the French theme in a more irreverent manner. He arrived on a bicycle wearing a striped shirt and beret with a string of onions around his neck and a baguette under his arm. Very, very funny. Maybe try videogame characters or other good choices are 80s or 70s, or perhaps characters from movies, so action heroes or Star Wars characters. It's really up to you.

If you choose any of these good luck and remember to go wild. While your first priority is to raise a significant sum of money it's closely followed by having fun. Besides if people are enjoying themselves they are far more likely to loosen their grip on their funds...

Always on the lookout for humorous ideas, Andrew Simm can often be found chuckling over funny gifts at Find Me A Gift, the gift ideas people.

Tips For An Effective Silent Auction For Charity

How to Get the Most Out of a Charity Silent Auction

Silent auctions can be a great fundraising opportunity for any charity. Pay close attention to the details surrounding the auction to obtain the most benefit.

Choosing the venue

Contact the local chamber of commerce to obtain a calendar of events. Many craft fairs, home shows, and other community events offer free space to non-profit and charitable organizations. Contact each one for space availability and event rules.

Choose which events to attend carefully. Longer events tend to have higher attendance. Home shows tend to have less charity booths than health fairs, which translates to less competition for donation dollars.

Choosing the location

The best space for a silent auction is one in which the tables can be accessed on all sides. If that is not possible, a corner space is the next best option as it allows for 2 sides to display donations.

If there is an option of choosing the location, pick a high traffic area. This can be by the entrance, near the rest rooms, or near food vendors.

Soliciting donations

Approach local area businesses for donations. Explain what event the silent auction will be at and how their gift will assist your organization. Offer free advertising in return. Request business cards to be placed next to their donation. Explain their company will be posted on a “thanks to our sponsors” board.

If the event you are planning to hold the auction at offers printed programs, explain to potential donors the ad in the program will also list their company name. Be sure to follow through with this, compiling the sponsor list and submitting it to event coordinators by the required deadline.

Setting up the silent auction

Drape table coverings so they just reach the floor on the customer side. Allow plenty of space, at least 12 inches, between each donation if at all possible. Place the auction sheet directly in front of the item, with the sponsor’s business card stapled on the top. Place a pen or pencil on each side of the sheet, with a small stack of business cards above it.

Enlarge each business card on a photocopy machine or scanner to paste on a poster board entitled “thanks to our sponsors”. Create a second poster board that tells about the charity and what it plans to do with the funds raised. Hang both posters on a wall or set them on an easel behind the tables. Each poster must be highly visible and easy to read.

Excellent results are easily achievable with a silent auction. Take the time to research the possible venues and negotiate with corporate sponsors. Pay close attention to details throughout the process to achieve maximum results.

As a writer for Crowdcomms, the author of this piece gets to write about some of the technology they provide to further enhance events such as charity fundraising auctions. They even provide mobile phone apps specifically designed for use at silent auctions.

How to Get Involved with Microfinance

As a form of socially conscious investment, microfinance is an increasingly popular option for people who want to do something good – and there is plenty of scope to get involved. One study by Unitus found that up to 80% of the potential microfinance market had still not been reached, so there is clearly still a lot of work to be done. A lot of this is due to the fact that the key targets of microfinance charity are primarily poor, rural and often hard to reach.

So, if you are interested in micro loans as a means of helping some of the world’s most disadvantaged people, how can you get involved? One of the main routes into microfinance is to support a microfinance charity or other lending institution . Supporting an established microlending organisation is a good idea as it means the money you put into it is more likely to have a positive effect and reach the people the schemes are intended to help.

There are quite a lot of different microfinance charities around so it is definitely worth doing some research to see which one you’d most like to get involved with. For example, you might like to get involved with a charity that works in a particular country or region of the world, or perhaps a microfinance charity that has a focus on lending to particular types of people, such as female entrepreneurs. It is also worth reading a bit about the background and reputation of the charity you are thinking of getting involved with to make sure it’s the right option for you and has got a good reputation in the industry.

When it comes to donating money for microfinance projects, there are two main ways you can do this. One of the most popular ways is simply to donate money to the cause of your choice, as you would any other charity. This is then used to make small loans to the intended beneficiaries. The other way of donating is by giving money to finance specific beneficiaries – you can then choose for the charity to reallocate the money when the beneficiary repays the loan, or you can reinvest it in someone else. Most people either agree to keep reinvesting their money or simply donate it outright so that it can have the maximum benefit.

Overall, microfinance is definitely worth getting involved in as it has the potential to turn lives around – if you’re looking for a charity donation with a difference, this could be a really good option.

Guest Post on behalf of World Vision microfinance charity.

Wacky Ways to Raise Money for Charity

If there's a charity that's close to your heart, you've probably put at least some thought into raising money for it.  Sadly, in today's economic climate, it's hard to find people willing to donate to good causes.  It's not that people don't want to help - but there's not much in the way of spare money floating around these days, and people are constantly being bombarded with requests to sponsor charity runs, donate to raffles, pledge on someone's JustGiving page, or sign up for a monthly direct debit to donate to a specific cause.

If you want to persuade people that your cause is worth donating to, then you'll need to get creative.

Do Something Different

The secret to getting people to donate isn't to try to persuade them that the cause is worthy - guilt trips will lead to resentment, especially if the person you're asking simply doesn't have any money to donate.  Instead, you need to do something unusual.  Lots of people do charity runs - so why not do yours backwards, or in fancy dress?  If you can make people laugh, or impress them by doing something difficult or exciting, they'll be more likely to donate to your chosen charity.

Here's a few wacky fund-raising ideas to help you get brainstorming:

1. A martial arts competition: Last year, one martial arts group did a "crescent kick, jumping crescent kick" competition, in fancy dress - all the club black belts lined up and competed to see who could do the most of these moves - each move requires a 360 degree spin, so there were a lot of dizzy and rather sweaty martial artists at the end.  It was funny to watch, and so impressive that some people who pledged per spin doubled their pledge at the end.
2. A sing off - in a foreign language:  Do you know the words to Perfect Welle or Heir Kommt Alex?  If not, that's great!  Hold a Rock Band Sing Off at your local community centre.  The more embarrassing, the better.
3. Snail Racing:  This is an oldie, but a fun one.  Be sure to carefully put the snails back in the garden afterwards.
4. Fancy dress runs - let people vote on the costume for your next charity runs - or run as a team all dressed as characters from one TV show. 
5. Cake baking with a difference - if you're really good with marzipan, why not make some fruit cakes with extra-special decorations.  Custom designed cupcakes are big business these days, and sell for a lot more than your average bake sale produce.  You'll need some skill to pull that one off, though.

Whatever you decide to do for charity, try to be understanding when you go around asking for buyers or sponsors.  Remember that some people in your office may have already been asked for sponsorship money by several other people - especially if they have kids in junior school, where sponsored events seem to happen every term.  If someone says "No" to your sponsorship request, that doesn't mean they're being stingy, they could be genuinely broke this week.

This article was written by James Harper on behalf of The Poppy Run, organisers of 5k charity runs in aid of The Poppy Appeal.

Non Profits Need Online Presence

In order to be competitive nonprofit organizations, just like any other business, must develop and cultivate an online presence. The internet has become an integral part of daily life to almost everyone. Nonprofits now have unprecedented opportunity to recruit supporters and cultivate loyalty to their respective organizations. Because the internet has provided these vast fundraising and marketing opportunities, it’s critical that nonprofit organizations embrace technology and develop a strategic plan for an online presence immediately.

New nonprofits should begin developing a strategy for online presence as early as possible. An ideal date to begin is when the entity is beginning the process of choosing its name. The choice of an organizations name is part and parcel with developing an effective online presence. The process of securing an appropriate domain name also coincides with the choice of a nonprofits name. It would be disappointing to choose and publicize a name for an organization only to discover that any and all possible domain name options that closely match the organizations name choice are unavailable. Choosing a domain name that matches the organizations name as closely as possible will allow potential donors to find the organizations website more easily.

Well before launching a website a specific objective should have already been determined. The sites purpose should be clarified as to whether the intention is to solicit donations, recruit clients or volunteers, or provide information to the general public. Whatever primary objective is selected will determine the focus of your sites design and focus.

Whatever objectives an organization hopes to achieve, the website should always include a clear and concise description of the organization, its mission, and who or what benefits from the organizations work. An opt-in email list is a great way to keep interested viewers informed of the organizations activities and events as well. Including statistics, program details, and various anecdotes demonstrating the work the organization does are also great hooks to maintain the interest of web surfers and ensure they come back.

Once the organizations website is launched the real work has just begun. While the organizations web address should already be publicized efforts at search-engine optimization should still be attempted and maintained perpetually. SEO efforts should be targeted to enhance its position under certain relevant search terms in order to drive traffic to the site. Not everyone will have an organizations web address handy while searching the internet and in many cases potential donors and volunteers use search engines to locate unknown organizations for opportunities.

Social media marketing efforts are a great place for an organization to raise awareness of its work and to solicit donations. Facebook, Twitter and other social networking hubs provide a vast array of opportunities for organizations to advertise. In many cases the advertising is completely cost free.

One of the most important reasons organizations should develop their online presence is that it is now very easy for an organization to solicit donations online. Reaching people from the comfort of their homes and inspiring them to participate in organizations efforts has never been so easy. Small organizations now have access to the type of ad campaigns that multimillion dollar companies paid millions for. Nonprofit organizations have everything to gain from developing an online presence and so much to lose if this valuable resource is ignored.

CD Technical helps you sell ebooks online and specializes in non profit fundraising software.

Ten Companies That Know How to Give

10 Biggest Givers in the Corporate World

by Kristy Ramirez

When it comes to corporate philanthropy, there have been a lot of complaints from the workforces in this country that the highest income earners and corporations aren’t paying their fair share, so to speak. Especially in an unsettled economic climate; are businesses still donating to charities and other philanthropic organisations despite the drop in their overall profit margins? Luckily, the statistics prove that yes, millions- even billions- of dollars are still being given away by community-conscious corporations all over the world each year.

The following is a list of ten companies that really know how to give. The first seven are globalised companies, while the final three slots are focused on domestic companies- banks- that know better than anyone where their excess profits should go: right back into their communities.

Walmart

Despite its glaringly low prices in stores, Walmart is the biggest philanthropic company in the world. Last year, at a time where most corporations were scaling back on their donations to needy organisations, Walmart took their giving a step further and donated over $500 million worldwide. They primarily focused on fighting hunger through donations of cash as well as supplies from their store chains. This includes over 127 million pounds (US measurement standards) of food and safe drinks. Not to mention the 90,000+ bottles of fresh water, 27,000 tents, 23,000 blankets and 20,000 units of medical supplies donated to victims of the earthquake in Haiti. These are just a few examples of Walmart’s philanthropic ventures, topping out our list of companies that know how to give.

Microsoft

Everyone knows that billionaire computer mogul Bill Gates and his wife, Melinda, give away millions of dollars from their own personal fortune each year, but what about his company? With over $113 million in cash and technology donations in 2009 and millions more in 2010, it’s safe to say that Microsoft is just as philanthropic as its founder. Each year, Microsoft donates millions of dollars to not only improve the quality of technology in classrooms all over the world, but it also provides funding for technological support and gives out free software.

AT&T

AT&T is one of the most philanthropic corporations in the world, near Walmart in terms of giving numbers. Last year, AT&T gave over $148 million to charitable organisations. AT&T primarily focuses on schools and student-based giving, with donations ranging from technological improvements to grants for new classroom equipment and even scholarships for academically successful university students. Not only that, but AT&T also financially supports an emergency telecommunications organisation, Télécoms Sans Frontières to the tune of several hundred thousands of dollars per year.

Target

Like Walmart, Target is an international superstore chain with a giving record as big as its inventory. A whopping 5% of Target’s income goes directly to charities. How many other companies can claim to give away that much to non-profits? Very few, indeed. By 2015, Target hopes to have given over $1 billion away to primarily educational foundations across the globe, with a heavy emphasis placed on books and reading programs.

Coca-Cola

To date, the Coca-Cola Foundation has given over $355 million to charity. Their focuses lie in global sustainability- reducing water wastage and increasing recycling worldwide- but they also have several educational grants and scholarships available. They also support HIV/AIDS preventative programs and supplies in impoverished nations in Africa and South America.

Boeing

Boeing’s CEO, Jim McNerney, believes in the power of community support. As such, he not only volunteers in various non-profits along with several other executives in the company, but financially, Boeing has donated over $100 million to date. It extends its giving all over the world, from health and human services (such as building wells and constructing pumps) in Africa to educational programs for girls in the Middle East, to providing funding for Australia’s Learning for Life program.

Starbucks

As a global coffee company, Starbucks wouldn’t be where it is today without the help of the members of its community. Each year, Starbucks donates over $12 million for various educational grants and youth programs to boost participation and volunteering in their customers’ communities. Current goals include: contributing over one million hours of community service by 2015 and engaging over 50,000 young people to actively get involved in the development and improvement of their communities.

So we can see from the above, there are a lot of global corporations with giving hearts, but what about Australian philanthropy? They may not have millions of dollars to give away, but they are still making a difference in the lives of countless Australians each year.

Commonwealth Bank Staff Community Fund

In 2011, the Commonwealth Bank Staff Community Fund had $650,000 available for grants to those organisations that applied. Grant amounts can range all the way up to $10,000. Past grant recipients have been organisations that help children with developmental disabilities and schools looking to help the environment from the classroom.

National Australian Bank

As one of the most consistently-ranked “Most Ethical Companies” in the world, NAB Group is also quite charitable. This past year alone, they have donated millions of dollars for disaster relief victims in Australia and last year they donated millions of dollars in educational funding to help schools and university funding for students.

The Westpac Foundation

Another “Most Ethical Companies” award recipient, the Westpac Foundation has donated over $20 million for 136 programs and charitable organisations since the foundation’s inception. The primary focus of the foundation is social improvement in disadvantaged communities.

As we can see, even in a world where the world economy is crumbling, there are still several organisations going beyond the call of duty to continue offering financial support for their communities. Whether they’re worldwide or domestic, many corporations are big givers and have even higher expectations for the next fiscal year. 

Kristy Ramirez is a debt free and frugal personal finance writer for Life Insurance Finder where she helps people to compare life insurance quotes and select the best policy to meet their needs at the best possible price. 

Changing your lifestyle: 4 Ways to make yourself feel good

Whether it’s a bad day at work, the weathers getting you down or you just feel like you’ve had a pretty bad year, making yourself feel good again is hard work. A nice hot bath and chocolate used to do the trick but nowadays you’re craving something a little bigger.

To help you find something that will improve the way you feel on a bigger scale, check out a few ideas below:

Treat yourself

Whether it’s pampering yourself, new clothes, or indulging in an expensive slap up meal, why not attempt to change your lifestyle all together? From the way that you look to who you hang out with, try and start to experiment to see what makes you feel happier.

There’s always a reason to treat yourself, however this time make sure you use the excuse ‘because I deserve it’.

Warning: treating yourself can result in only a temporary feeling of goodness and you may want to check your bank balance before you start splashing out.

Find some volunteer work abroad

Volunteering isn’t all about living in a jungle and shovelling elephant dung into buckets, there’s some great opportunities to get your teeth into.

From childcare work in Thailand and building projects in Costa Rica, to sports coaching in South Africa and medical volunteer work in India, there are plenty of opportunities all over the world. The best part about it is that you can volunteer abroad in any country you wish and for however long you want, to suit your own interests.

There’s no better feeling than experiencing a demanding, rewarding and inspirational trip to some of the most beautiful but deprived communities, who need your help.

Clear out your house

Everyone has clutter that builds up over time so why not stop, dedicate time to clear out that rubbish and make your house beautiful. Then once you’re done collecting things you don’t need anymore, you could give it to someone who does?

There are plenty of places who would welcome your gifts such as charity shops, websites like www.freecycle.org even the local animal centre if you have appropriate things for them. One person’s junk is another’s treasure and giving away your things is guaranteed to make you feel good.

Start a new hobby/exercise class

Doing something you enjoy always makes you feel good, whether it starting a jewellery making course, or hiring a personal trainer down the gym. It’ll get you out the house, introduce new faces into your life and help to change your lifestyle for the better.

Try any of these options for just a week to start with and see if they begin to have a positive effect on your happy levels.

Janet has a passion for helping to improve peoples lifestyles and encourage them on the road to recovery.

How to Fit Charity Work into Your Life

These are straitened times we live in. Petrol prices are increasing, unemployment is higher than it used to be and it costs more money to do the weekly shop. It is a difficult environment for businesses that sell things to the consumer and charities are finding it even harder. After all, charity begins at home, right?

Well, there are several reasons why fitting charity work into your life one way or another can bring you benefits. Even if you think you don't have enough time or money, there are things that you can do to give back, that will also help your own life out.

Volunteering at a Local Charity Group

Studies have shown that taking time each week to help those less fortunate than yourself can improve your mood, as it helps you to appreciate what you have in life. It is easy to get bogged down with negative thoughts even when we have everything we need. Breaking the routine by helping out at a social club, meeting new friends by working in a charity shop and being genuinely thanked by those you help can make a world of difference. If you should find yourself between jobs, charity work is an ideal way to learn new skills and improve your CV.

Clearing Out Your Wardrobe

If you have clothes you once loved but which no longer suit you, or the kids have outgrown theirs, you should collect this together and donate it to charity. Of course, only clothing in good condition can be used. This means that people less fortunate can wear the clothes you no longer need, or they can be sold with the proceeds going to a good cause.

Pop Up Charity Boxes

These nifty little boxes are ideal for the kitchen or work place and are the ideal way to lighten your purse or wallet of small value coins. Just fill the box, then use the free post return address on it to send the money back to charity. This takes care of making donations to charity and reduces the number of pennies and two pence pieces lying unloved on the kitchen windowsill.

Helping the Kids Hold a Cake Sale

This can usually be arranged quite easily at your children's school and helps them to learn about charity giving, as well as how to run a simple stall. Arrange for your child and a few others to bake some cakes- childhood favourites like fairy cakes, rice crispy cakes, cookies and more – and set up a few tables to sell them at break time. The cakes don't need to cost more than 5p each and in my experience they are a lot of fun. What better way to spend a family afternoon then baking delicious goodies? And children love to play "shop". Then simply donate the proceeds to a charity of your choice.

So there you have it. If there is a way to introduce charity work into your own and your children's lives, grab the opportunity and enjoy the benefits.

Liz Strawford writing about charity work on behalf of World Vision UK.