season for giving

Our bell ringing for the Salvation Army went very well last Friday. People were very generous and we raised just over $4,000. KSOK raised more money than we did, but we had more change ... more coins, than they did.

We have not forgotten the pie. We will do our drawing today and probably stage an event before the week is out, possibly at country mart. The names will be drawn an those people will get to put a pie in the face of a Traveler staff member.

The Salvation Army is a great orgaization. They really do help a lot of people.
I know some wonder whether people really need help, and all the other excuses people have for not giving. You could also blame the person for being in need to start with.
But that is not the way of compassion or the way of real Chritians.

I have copied an article below. Im on the mailing list of the "Christan Newswire." I dont know how I got on the list, and as often as not it should be called the "republican newswire" but thats a blog for another day.
Anyways, it is a good article on giving, with some good tips.

As it is written in the good book "be innocent as doves and wise as a serpent."
We do need to keep our eyes open when giving. THere are lots of cons out there, so it is hard to know the real from the counterfeit.
This article has some tips, and some web sites, to help make wise choices.








COLORADO SPRINGS, Dec. 11 /Christian Newswire/ -- Billions of dollars will be given to charitable and religious organizations by December 31st. "With the recent inquiries by US Senator Grassley into questionable financial and lifestyle practices of six leading televangelists and many people's mail boxes flooded with donation requests, it is important to know how to make wise decisions in making year-end contributions," reports generosity expert, author, and speaker Brian Kluth.

Kluth's generosity website offers these TOP TEN reminders and recommendations concerning making year-end contributions:

To be deductible on your 2007 taxes, donations by check must be given or postmarked on or before Monday, December 31st. Avoid giving loose cash because it is not deductible and can more easily be stolen.

To give electronically by December 31st visit the organization's website OR go to: www.networkforgood.org (this website allows you to give secure electronic donations to any organization on its list of over 1 million non-profit organizations and houses of worship).

If you are a person of faith, make it a priority to generously support your local house of worship.
Give your largest donations to organizations where you have visited their offices and/or you personally know and trust someone in the organization's leadership.

Find out how much your favorite charities pay their top executives and how they spend their donations by reviewing their on-line 990 forms found at www.GuideStar.org.

Determine through the organization's website, www.GuideStar.org, www.Forbes.com, and/or Google searches if the group has a track record of effectively serving people with the donations they receive. Be cautious about supporting organizations that spend a large percentage of their income on fundraising activities.

Call the organization and request they email or mail you a list of special projects and programs needing year-end funding. Also ask for a copy of their audited financial statements.

Be extremely cautious about giving money to any organization where there are verifiable reports of extravagant luxury lifestyles by leaders or any indication funds have been misused.

When supporting evangelical religious organizations, check the organization's standing on the following websites: www.ecfa.org, www.Ministrywatch.com.

Make sure the purpose and values of the organizations you support match up with your personal beliefs and values.
Kluth said, "If you follow these guidelines in your year- end giving decisions and you will give with greater confidence and your donations will be wisely used to help others." Kluth recently authored the best selling book, 40 Day Spiritual Journey to a More Generous Life that is being used by churches across the country and around the world.

Brian Kluth is the author of the bestseller, 40 Day Spiritual Journey to a More Generous Life (200,000 copies in print and translations underway in 23 languages). His website is ranked as one of the world's leading websites on Christian giving. He has been interviewed by Kiplinger's magazine, NBC-TV, CBN-TV, and the Chronicle of Philanthropy. Brian is a guest commentator on "Money Matters" 1000 station radio program.

Brian Kluth is also the co-creator of the " Financial Funnies" Cartoon Series

For a free review copy of the "40 Day Spiritual Journey to a More Generous Life" devotional, please email: bk@kluth.org