I only donate to ONE rescue, a lady in Nebraska that rescues mainly Puppy Mill Dogs. I have been on her yahoo group for a couple of years. I can't often send money since George and I are sort of living from hand to mouth but I DO manage to do so occasionally and also send her dog "stuff"...toys, chews, clothes, leashes and collars a couple of times a year.
I also don't often give to the street panhandlers here in Houston and there are PLENTY. Some of them have cars nicer than mine and the "homeless" ones tend to have the whitest white clothes I have EVER seen.
But, I seem to have a "knack" for sensing WHO is honestly in need. I carry around bottles of water during the summer and when I can afford it, I carry gift cards to local fast food places.
There was a very young guy two weeks ago standing by a McDonalds. I asked him if he wanted a burger, fries and drink. His face lit up and then he asked me for Sprite since he didn't drink "dark drinks". When I brought it back to him he put his little sign under his arm, grinned broadly and took off across the street and started to eat.
You know what my friends? Sometimes it IS better to give than receive. Doing this type of thing can give you a great feeling of satisfaction. If everyone on this list did that type of thing even a couple times a year, do you know how many people we could make happy??? True, sometimes you don't know if the person is REALLY needy but GOD knows OUR motives and that is the most important thing of all.
Off my soapbox...
Louise and Zachary |