Charities are a scam. For ’tis the season for generosity, charity and selflessness, and while many students may feel a surge of duty to provide their less fortunate fellow community members with food, toys and other goods, the contributions students make may not be going where students had hoped. Despite student goodwill, toys, money and goods are often distributed or contributed to organizations whose philosophies or practices many students are ignorant of.
A common misconception many gift givers have is about the Toys for Tots toy drive. Toys for Tots is an organization created and run by the U.S. Marines that tries to give needy children gifts for the Christmas holiday, according to the organization’s Web site. Something that many students may be unaware of is the military backing of this program.
The Salvation Army, too, collects money around the holiday season that is redistributed to needy families, seniors and the homeless, in accordance with its deep roots in the belief of Christian stewardship and goodwill. The Salvation Army strives to provide families with Christmas dinners and financial relief.
Among the cornerstone philosophies that make up the Salvation Army, there are many that address controversial, hot-button issues. On its Web site the Salvation Army makes it clear that its “Salvationists” are responsible for upholding the sanctity of marriage and life and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.
Also, not all people with red buckets and bells are part of the organization. So before you contribute your change, make sure you’re giving it to a legitimate organization and not one person’s individual financial relief effort for his or her own self.
Believe it or not, these aren’t the only two organizations out on the holidays. Other groups, while shadowed by these other vocal organizations, also have holiday time collections and good redistribution programs that may also promote ideals and values that more closely resemble your own.
While the holiday season may seem to be dominated by these two organizations, there are many other kinds of’Christian and non-Christian religious and secular organizations that spend your money the way you want it to be used.
Contribute wisely. Don’t donate to groups whose philosophies are unfamiliar to you. This season there are many honorable things you can do. Make sure you give to the one that best represents you.
