Charitable Giving

I stumbled across a blog a few weeks ago and was inspired by the goal this blogger had set for herself to give to various charities on a weekly basis for a year. I have always given money here and there to charities, but never on such a consistent basis. I decided to start small and make a point to donate to at least one charity a month. Once I started thinking about it, I realized I was already on my way.

In April, I donated to a March of Dimes team "Avery's Aviators." This team was started by a family that attends our church. Their daughter was born 12 weeks early and they are raising money to help raise awareness about premature birth. Avery's Aviators raised more money than any other team in Arkansas to date. If you would like to donate, you can still do see by going to the team page.

In May, we donated to the UCA Wesley Foundation. I had received an email from someone we used to go to church with and who is very involved in the ministry. He was asking for donations for an upcoming bike ride to support the Foundation. Below is a portion of the email he sent out and a link to donate.

"The Wesley Foundation at UCA is an on campus ministry of the United Methodist Church that reaches teens where they are and provides fellowship, worship, ministry, and mission opportunities for college students both locally and globally. As Vice Chair for this organization I’ve seen what this ministry is doing in the lives of these local kids going to school at UCA and I’m excited and honored to be taking part in a bike ride to raise money for this ministry. They have lunches every Monday, church services every Thursday night and they are actively participating in doing the work of Jesus Christ in the mission field, like the trip a group of 15 will be taking to Peru in about two weeks. They also have a wonderful praise band made up of dedicated Christian youth using their musical talent to praise our Lord & Savior.

Go to www.wesleyfoundation.net and donate using paypal after you register. On the website select Giving and then click on register in the tip right corner. Once registered select the description "Tour de Oink" Cycling Team and then include the amount and then select Donate."

Even if I don't give much each month, I have decided that every little bit counts. In months when an opportunity is not presented to me like the 2 above, I am going to attempt to find a local cause to support.