A Charity Thread

[The NewsStand]

Hi,

I'm running a poll to choose a Charity of the Year.

I thought it would be nice to have a thread about charity and altruism. Let us know which is your favourite charity and why (doesn't need to be one from the poll), or a volunteering experience you've had.

(Positive messages & comments only please - there's plenty other places to post criticisms!)

I look forward to reading about them!

---

Edit: After reading the mod post below:

The NewsStand will support a charity this year. And you can choose which one.

Here in NationStates we're an international community. So all our candidate charities have international focus. There are twelve candidates, serving a wide range of purposes. Please vote for the cause you'd like to support.

Each charity will receive a small lump sum in proportion with their share of the vote. In addition, the charity with most votes will receive a regular monthly payment for a year. In the event of a tie, the winner will be chosen randomly.

>>>VOTE HERE<<<

The Candidates

Amnesty International
https://www.amnesty.org/
"We campaign for a world where human rights are enjoyed by all. Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 7 million people in over 150 countries and territories who campaign to end abuses of human rights."

Child Soldiers International
https://www.child-soldiers.org/
"It's immoral for adults to use children in war. We work for children to live free from military exploitation and harm."

Greenpeace
https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/
"We defend the natural world and promote peace by investigating, exposing and confronting environmental abuse, and championing responsible solutions for our fragile environment."

Habitat for Humanity
https://www.habitat.org/
"We build strength, stability, and self reliance through shelter."

HALO Trust
https://www.halotrust.org/
"The HALO Trust is the world’s largest humanitarian mine clearance organisation. We lead the effort to protect lives and restore livelihoods for those affected by conflict."

Medecins Sans Frontieres / Doctors Without Borders
https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/
"Medical care where it's needed most"

Music Action
https://musicaction.org/
"Music Action International are people from across the world using the power of creativity to overcome the effects and causes of war, torture and armed conflict."

Oxfam
https://www.oxfam.org.uk/
"Our purpose is to help create lasting solutions to the injustice of poverty. We are part of a global movement for change, empowering people to create a future that is secure, just, and free from poverty."

Room to Read
https://www.roomtoread.org/
"We envision a world in which all children can pursue a quality education that enables them to reach their full potential and contribute to their communities and the world."

Survival International
https://www.survivalinternational.org/
"From the Amazon to the Kalahari, from the jungles of India to the Congo rainforest, we work in partnership with tribal peoples to protect their lives and land. They suffer racism, land theft, forced development and genocidal violence just because they live differently. It must stop."

UNICEF
https://www.unicef.org/
"UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to save children's lives, to defend their rights, and to help them fulfil their potential, from early childhood through adolescence. And we never give up."

World Wildlife Fund
https://www.worldwildlife.org/
"Our mission is to conserve nature and reduce the most pressing threats to the diversity of life on Earth."

[Farnhamia]

I think if you include the contents of your factbook here and set up a poll in the thread, this thread will avoid being locked.

[Pagan Trapistan]

I volunteered with an aquaponics nonprofit a couple years ago. But I'm not sure theres anything worthwhile for me here on that front.

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

I voted for Doctors Without Borders.

I do charity at our local hospital with volunteer work. I don't know what it is about it (I don't get paid), but it has been so far, one of the most rewarding experiences I've had. I work at the gift shop and those 4 hours I give of my time, every Monday, are so fulfilling. It may be very little, but if I can brighten up someone's day, even if only or the 10-20 minutes they are at the gift shop, I feel like I have made a difference. And that gives such an amazing feeling and sense of purpose. At least to me.

[The NewsStand]

-snip-

Respect to you - you're the cat's pyjamas!
That must make a big difference to people's days. Hospitals are stressful places - anything that helps improve the atmosphere is important. I remember taking a break during a hospital visit by going to the gift shop. It really helps break up the misery and boredom. Well done for devoting all that time.

[Cekoviu]

I quite like the WWF, but Doctors Without Borders provides somewhat more important immediate solutions.

[The New California Republic]

It was honestly hard to decide as they all seemed worthy. In the end I just closed my eyes and pointed my finger at the screen, and whichever one was nearest to my finger got picked.

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

-snip-

Respect to you - you're the cat's pyjamas!
That must make a big difference to people's days. Hospitals are stressful places - anything that helps improve the atmosphere is important. I remember taking a break during a hospital visit by going to the gift shop. It really helps break up the misery and boredom. Well done for devoting all that time.

Thanks. Funny thing is I started it as part of my therapy and it just transformed into so much more. I have over 500 hours of volunteer work now and I’m not planning on stopping any time soon. I’ve also made some amazing friends (all of them elderly) and it’s been very enriching.

[Ethel mermania]

Respect to you - you're the cat's pyjamas!
That must make a big difference to people's days. Hospitals are stressful places - anything that helps improve the atmosphere is important. I remember taking a break during a hospital visit by going to the gift shop. It really helps break up the misery and boredom. Well done for devoting all that time.

Thanks. Funny thing is I started it as part of my therapy and it just transformed into so much more. I have over 500 hours of volunteer work now and I’m not planning on stopping any time soon. I’ve also made some amazing friends (all of them elderly) and it’s been very enriching.

why are you calling me elderly.

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

Thanks. Funny thing is I started it as part of my therapy and it just transformed into so much more. I have over 500 hours of volunteer work now and I’m not planning on stopping any time soon. I’ve also made some amazing friends (all of them elderly) and it’s been very enriching.

why are you calling me elderly.

Because you told me to get off my lawn.

[Ethel mermania]

why are you calling me elderly.

Because you told me to get off my lawn.

well you were on my lawn, weren't you?


the Alzheimer's foundation is a worthy charity as well



see how cleverly i brought this back to topic