Six Ways to Help Others

We are reminded each day of the suffering and hard times being experienced by those around us. From natural disasters to plant closes the need for help has never been greater. Unfortunately, the ability to provide help has also become much harder as we all struggle to meet our own day to day obligations. As much as we want to help, to be a part of the solution, the money is simply not there. Even with these tough times, there are many ways you can help others without spending a lot of money. Help comes in all forms and does not necessarily require a great deal of spending on your part. Listed here are six ways you can help others less fortunate than yourself for less than $1 a day. That is less than you spend on a soft drink from a vending machine. Can you skip one soft drink or snack per day to help someone else. These are only a sampling of the opportunities out there for those who want to be involved. It is going to take all of us, working together, to make a real difference in the world. Consider these as opportunities to get started.

1) Wireless Amber Alert : (cost - Free) Most everyone is aware of the Amber alert program and its efforts to locate missing children. Timely alerts and fast action by the public are crucial when a child is abducted, and the Amber Alert system is in place to get the word out. With this program you can sign up to receive Amber Alerts on your wireless device. When you register you enter the number for your device and the system will then automatically send you messages when there is an event in your area. You will not receive all Amber Alerts, only those in your area. The service is free and all you need to do to participate is go to www.wirelessamberalerts.org and register your phone number. This is a great service, and you might just save a life.

2) CCF - Christian Children's Fund : (cost - $0.79/day) This is just one of several foundations which provide much needed help to children in third world countries. Your money helps pay for health care, school, and other basic services. You will receive photos and letters from the child you are sponsoring and you can see first hand the difference you are making in a child's life. You can learn more about the program as well as sign up at www.christianchildrensfund.org

3) Text 2Help : (cost - $5.00) This is a program for the American Red Cross that makes giving as easy and painless as possible. In times of need, such as hurricanes, earth quakes or other natural disasters, the American Red Cross responds and is usual one of the first responders on the scene. With the Text 2Help program you register to be notified when such an event takes place. You can then enter a text message in response which will automatically donate $5.00 to the American Red Cross. The amount will be added to your phone bill. While standard text charges may apply, the full $5 goes to the Red Cross. This is a great way to be reminded our help is needed in times of disaster. It is free to register and it is always your choice on when you give. For more details you can go to www.wirelessfoundation.org to see if your service provider participates in this program.

4) Mgive : (cost $5.00) This program works very much like the Text 2Help program. With Mgive you can select from a number of organizations and by entering the proper code donate $5.00 to that charity. The charities include, Amnesty International, Children's Miracle Network, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the Susan G. Komen foundation. To get the text codes and more information, you can go to www.mgive.org This is easy, secure, and the money goes to organizations you are familiar with.

5) Doctors Without Borders : (cost $0.25/day) This is an organization working to help in some of the most underdeveloped parts of the world. They provide basic service such as food and water, but also bring medical care to areas which would others be without. The doctors and nurses in this program provide much needed health care and treatment to these people. $0.25 per day will provide two meals a day to a child. A donation of $0.50 per day can provide clean water for up to forty refugees. Your $1.00 a day contribution can provide a surgical kit with the needed instruments to perform basic surgery and other emergency care. To sign up, or get more information, visit www.doctorswithoutborders.org

6) Click To Give : (cost - Free) For those of you unfamiliar with advertising on the internet, here is a very quick lessons. Advertisers put there ads (banners) on a web site. They will then pay that web site based on the number of people who visit that website (clicks) and presumably see their ad. With Click-To-Give the advertisers donate money, food, or others items to certain charities. These range from providing free food for animals, to helping save the rain forest, as well as issues such as breast cancer, child health, and literacy. When you visit the site you simply click on the appropriate button to record your visit (click). You can do this every day, and an a variety of sites. If you like the site will even send you an email reminder daily reminding you to visit the site and record your click. It is easy, fast, and free. Three very good things. To participate just visit www.theanimalrescuesite.com and you will find all the information you need to get you started.