Hello, December! Tis the season for the hustle and bustle of gift giving and getting. But the best gift is given from the heart. Consider volunteering or giving to worthy charities instead of purchasing that impulse buy you’re thinking of gifting to yourself. Or ask your friends and family to donate in lieu of buying you a gift this season. But let’s talk about how you choose a worthy charity and about one of the charities I support, the American Humane Society.
Give Wisely
There are many, many worthy charities out there. Unfortunately, there are some organizations that call themselves charities but are less than well-organized or downright dishonest. Before you give to any charity, check them out.
There are three charity watch organizations.
Be certain to understand their rating system.
Obviously, the watch organizations can’t cover every single charity, especially the small ones. But the ones they don’t cover, you can ask the questions yourself. Ask for the kind of information these charity watch organizations do.
Too much work to look up the organization on three different sites? Consumer Reports looked at each of the three charity watches to come up with a list of best-rated charities. You can find that list here.
The Best Gift is Given From the Heart
By that I mean, choose a cause or charity that means something to you. One that expresses and acts upon some situation you believe deserves attention. You know, the subjects that you are passionate about.
I’ve always been an animal lover but after working a few months at a pet rescue shelter—wow. People and situations can be unimaginably cruel. Critters need our help. Now, I’m passionate about ensuring humane treatment of all animals.
The American Humane Society
The American Humane Society was founded 141 years ago. (Isn’t that amazing?) Before 1877 there were several organizations attempting to prevent cruelty to animals. But they had no unified voice. Delegates from 10 states, representing 27 organizations, met in Cleveland, Ohio and joined their efforts. Thus the American Humane Society was born.
The society “is committed to ensuring the safety, welfare, and well-being of animals. Our leadership programs are first to serve in promoting and nurturing the bonds between animals and humans.”
History of the Humane Society
The Humane Society’s history is so long I can only give you a taste of the things they’ve done.
They were instrumental in exposing unsanitary and inhumane methods in slaughterhouses.
They rescued and treated wounded horses from the battlefields of World War I.
The society investigated and brought cruelty to animals in the movies to the public’s attention.
When 1,400 lambs froze to death, they pressured the government to pass laws to protect animals during transportation.
The society considered that prevention of cruelty to children was part of their agenda. They campaigned for safety for children, for changes in the nation’s labor laws, and for safe, off-the-street playgrounds among many other things.
They’ve provided disaster relief in countless situations rescuing and/or feeding and housing pets, wildlife, and livestock.
After 141 years of work, their history is extensive. Read more about it here.
WHAT THEY DO
Today the American Humane Society has many programs.
The American Humane Lois Pope Life Center for Military affairs helps military service animals. They offer support and treatment for those animals serving in war zones, they provide or assist with service animals for veterans and military families, they offer healthcare and support for retired military service animals, and they recognize and honor animals that have served in the military.
In support of conservation, the society is the world’s largest certifier of the welfare and humane treatment of animals in working and other environments.
They provide grants and awards to support and facilitate efforts to rescue, shelter, and care for animals in need—whether homeless, injured, or abused. Some of those grants and awards help servicemen and women get service dogs. The application forms are on their website.
The society monitors more than 1000 film and TV productions per year. They are on set to protect animal actors.
They also actively educate people on humane treatment of animals and how best to care for their animals in difficult situations. See their fact sheets here.
How You Can Give
The American Humane Society takes one time or monthly donations, donations in honor of someone’s memory. Now, for a limited time, a donor has promised to double your donation. So any amount will help. Go here to donate.
They have a Visa signature credit card that when you use it a percentage goes to support the Society. Learn more here.
You can volunteer as a rescue team member.
You can target donations to former military service animals so they can retire in comfort and with the healthcare they need. Give here.
You can donate your vehicle. Here are the forms.
Or, you can spread the word about their good deeds.
It’s a gift-giving time of year. Thank you for considering making a gift to the American Humane Society.
The best gifts are given from the heart. What gifts have you made from your heart? Do you gift or volunteer for charities or causes? Which ones?
A charity that’s close to my heart is literacy. I can’t imagine not being able to read, and many years ago, I volunteered for our local literacy organization, tutoring a guy who needed to learn to read so he could keep up with materials safety information for his job. More recently, my publisher published an anthology for my RWA chapter, the proceeds of which were donated to Cincinnati’s literacy org.
That’s definitely a worthy charity, Jennette. Thank you for your efforts to help reduce or eliminate illiteracy.