It is impossible to ignore the energy surrounding the winter holidays. Homes and businesses are covered in bright lights, the radio playing holiday songs, and an increased emphasis on giving. Wintertime is often the time of year when many charitable organizations reach out to possible donors who wish to be a part of the season of giving. Many of these organizations rely on December donations to operate for the rest of the year. Those looking to donate should be careful though, and make sure that the charity they wish to support matches their values and is using donations responsibly.
There are many ways to check whether or not a charity is trustworthy before you hit that donate button. The first way is to look at the website of the charity you wish to donate to. Look up the charity in a browser, and be careful not to follow links emailed to you if you do not recognize the charity. Many legitimate charities use calls and emails as a way to reach out to potential donors, but they will always be easy to find by searching for the charity on the internet, and they will still be there even after you hang up. Usually, the ‘about us’ page on the charity’s website will provide information about when the charity was founded, what its goals and values are, and their impact on the people they are trying to help. You can also check for blog postings on their website detailing recent actions by the charity. If anything seems off or you're not sure about the charity’s impact, it might be a good idea to check a charity review website or the IRS Tax Exempt Organization database. Several organizations keep track of charitable organizations and some even provide reviews of the charity. There are several local charities to consider if you want to donate something with a more localized impact. If you are interested in local wildlife and community education, consider donating to the Chintimini Wildlife Center. If you want to support those in poverty in a way specific to the season, look for a Vina Moses Center Giving Tree (like the one in the Senior hallway!), where you can donate Christmas gifts for families in need. If you would like to donate to support refugees in our community, consider checking out Corvallis for Refugees! There are so many ways to help people in need this holiday season, as long as you pay attention to who you are donating to. Give wisely!
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