Helping Hearts, Blog of Anne Sanders

If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money? Dreams of new houses, cars, trips and jewelry may have just begun dancing through your head. It’s a fun game to play.  And of course, you would give some money to charity, too.  I recently inherited some money and have both enjoyed the idea of giving some of it away and then have been stuck on where to give it, not because there aren’t enough worthy charities, but because there are so many. Truly, it hasn’t been that hard. I have given to several charities which I support regularly. What about $40 million, what would you do with it? Fulfill your needs (and a few wants), help out your family and then put some away for a rainy day?  Or would you give it all away? If you’re Tom Crist you would. The Canadian lottery winner didn’t even tell his children he won for seven months.  He had what he needed to live, to take care of his children, but what he didn’t have was his wife. She had died ...

With only five days to go, Christmas is getting closer but it's not too late to do something to make a difference this holiday. The unique gift items below can be given with the best intentions—to help others. You can send the notice of the present by email or in many cases, you can print out your own card to hand to your friend or family member.    1.        Spend $25 or more to free forced labor slaves with International Justice Mission . 2.       A sheep from Heifer International  - A share is $10 while a whole sheep is $120. Heifer provides all kinds of animals from chicks to water buffalo to families that can use them to generate income and useful resources for the family. 3.       A chicken from Mercy Corps International  - for $35, it provides eggs and future hatchlings as well. 4.       A water purifier from O...

I love this time of year. Not only are we celebrating the birth of Jesus our savior, but everyone is in a volunteering, charity giving mood. You hear of opportunities to help others on the radio and television. There are clothing and toy drives in the Walmarts, drug stores, and other businesses. You only need look around a little bit to find a way to help others. Some of my Facebook buddies have come up with a way to help homeless people—by carrying gallon ziplock care packages with them in the car. They fill them with toiletries and hand and foot warmers. Some are getting their neighborhood associations together to put bunches of them together. Here are a few more ideas for things to do:  1.        Write letters of appreciation : Take the time to write letters of appreciation to people you truly appreciate. Think about the postal service workers, maintenance workers and your child’s bus driver who keeps him safe every day. 2. ...

Ten Gifts Under $50 That Give Three Ways for the Holidays – to the Receiver, the Giver, and a Charity! When was shopping ever this much fun? I am releasing my Gifts That Give List just in time for the holidays and I’m keeping each item under $50. It’s a way to let you know how many retailers are making it easier to be charitable than ever before and that there are some amazing gifts out there that help causes in America and around the world. 1.        Make-a-Wish Star Bracelet for $30.00. I love gifts you can personalize and this one comes with a star attached that you can have engraved. You can get it at Things Remembered which will be giving a minimum of $150,000 to the Make-a-Wish Foundation which grants wishes to terminally ill children. 2.       Handmade glass ornament for $29.50. Use it at Christmas or any time hanging in a tree or window where it can be seen by all. Net proceeds from the ornament will go to fund...