Relating Charity to Music

Personal Experience; The Most Plausible Cause

"Donors will often feel an affinity for a cause for a variety reasons related to their life experiences" (Sims).

Have you ever volunteered and thought that your help was inadequate because of your lack of experience? I think we all have felt that at times, yet when we look back we see that in the smallest ways we make a difference. Upon researching I came across this anecdote that was heard at a World Volunteer Conference,

"In response to the observation that volunteers are too often seen as amateurs: "Just remember: Noah's Ark was built by amateurs. The Titanic was built by professionals."

Submitted by Susan J. Ellis, President, Energize, Inc.

It is not about the qualifications a person has, it is about relating to the people and the enthusiasm you have in helping the cause. I believe people feel a sense of empathy when they have a personal experience with others and a charity. They might have direct connections emotionally whether it is personal to themselves or a family member. A sense of understanding is found in such situations. You may find that you have a new outlook on community and each persons contribution. If you had to start your own charity, what would it be?

Works Cited

Ellis, Susan J. “Humorous Anecdotes on Volunteering: Overheard at the World Volunteer Conference.” Energize, Inc. Energize, Inc., 2009. Web. 12 Dec. 2009. .

Sims, Sandra. “Why Do People Donate to Charitable Causes?” Editorial. Step by Step Fundraising. Step by Step Fundraising Inc., 2009. Web. 12 Dec. 2009. .

Which Charity Will You Choose and Why?

According to Charity Navigator online, the top ten researched charities online include Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, the National Philanthropic Trust/Breast Cancer 3-Day, Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy and Alliance for Children Everywhere (Charity Navigator). What is it about these charities that appeal to the general public? Some of the charities listed above are for people who are more vulnerable and/or susceptible to illness. Such as Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, which is a foundation set up to help fight childhood cancer (Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation). Those who are giving usually help those who can't help themselves for one reason or another. While those donating to Alliance for Children Everywhere, the organization helps the children around the world who are in need for various reason (Alliance for Children Everywhere).

According to Sandra Sims of Step by Step Fundraising, there are many reasons to why people are charitable. Her reason are as follows;

(1) Personal Experience

(2)They want to make a difference.

(3) They want to do something active about a problem or take a stand on a particular issue.

(4) They are motivated by personal recognition and benefits.

(5)Giving is a good thing to do.

(Sims)

Each of these reasons can be argued into categories under political, economic, cultural and psychological. I believe personal experience is the strongest cause of acts of charities. Perhaps the giver themselves have gone through an experience or a family member. For instance with my disability, I like to donate and work with charities that also better my situation. It often makes people feel good that they overcame a challenge by providing others with the same support they received.

When searching for a charity to donate to, you want to research the history of the foundation to make sure that your money or time goes to a valid organization. You would want to look for pictures and testimonials of past givers and receivers. Also, look for ways to donate, not every organization needs your money. Sometimes you will be able to volunteer your time. Charity is never just money, though it helps! Even going to a local hospital and reading to the children there makes them forget there situations for a short time. So how do you think you will be charitable in the time to come?

Works Cited

“Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.” Fighting Childhood Cancer One Cup at a Time. Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundaion, 2009. Web. 12 Dec. 2009. .

“Alliance for Children Everywhere.” Alliance for Children Everywhere since 1969. Alliance for Children Everywhere, 2009. Web. 12 Dec. 2009. .

“Charity Navigator.” Your Guide to Intelligent Giving. Charity Navigator, 2009. Web. 12 Dec. 2009.

Sims, Sandra. “Why Do People Donate to Charitable Causes?” Editorial. Step by Step Fundraising. Step by Step Fundraising Inc., 2009. Web. 12 Dec. 2009. .

Charity Defined

I was researching how other sources define Charity and found that the Oxford English Dictionary's definition of the word is based off of historical texts. These texts shape the definition of the word, rather than provide a definition for the texts to follow. As for what the OED cites,

1. Christian love: a word representing caritas of the Vulgate, as a frequent rendering of in N.T. Greek. With various applications: as a. God's love to man. (By early writers often identified with the Holy Spirit.) (Oxford English Dictionary)

This is the websites first definition listed. This definition obviously has religious connotation. Yet, if you search down the page, the definition becomes more modernized. Such as,

2. a. Without any specially Christian associations: Love, kindness, affection, natural affection: now esp. with some notion of generous or spontaneous goodness. (Oxford English Dictionary)

This definition is widely known and more acceptable than the prior definition. It isn't necessary that you be Christian in order to be charitable.

I compared this definition to another that I found on the online Cambridge Dictionary. According to their online reference, Charity is defined as thus;

Charity - a system of giving money, food or help free to those who are in need because they are ill, poor or have no home, or any organization which has the purpose of providing money or helping in this way

She does a lot of work for charity.

People tend to give to give money to charity at Christmas time.

Proceeds from the sale of these cards will go to be given to local charities.

UNICEF is an international charity.

They did a charity performance on the first night, to raise money for AIDS research.

(Cambridge Dictionary Online)

In comparison to the definition provided by the OED, Cambridge provides an even more modern definition. The common person would most likely associate Charity with this definition today. Even the example sentences are up to date.

How has the original definition, or the oldest definition, and the latest definition change over time? Do you think that altering the definition of charity changes people's behavior towards and with charity?

Works Cited

“Charity.” Cambridge Dictionaries Online. Online ed. Cambridge UP, 2009. Web. 12 Dec. 2009. .

“Charity.” Def. 2 a. http://dictionary.oed.com.ezproxy.caldwell.edu:2048/‌cgi/‌entry/‌50036948?single=1&query_type=word&queryword=Charity&first=1&max_to_show=10. OED Online ed. Oxford UP, 2009. Web. 12 Dec. 2009. .

Celebrities and Charity

I thought it would be cool to let you know about some famous celebrities and their charities. Patrick Dempsey, from Gray's Anatomy, I learned last night from his appearance on Extreme Homemakeover Edition, is actively involved in charities for cancer. He even has a center named after himself called The Patrick Dempsey Cancer Center for Cancer Hope and Healing. Go to dempseycenter.org for details.

Pop star Rihanna started her own foundation called Believe which provides financial and educational resources for children. Visit her website believerihanna.com for more information.

Actress Jenny McCarthy started her own charitable organization called Generation Rescue which raises awareness about autism, the same disorder that affects her son Evan and hundreds of other chidlren through out the US. Her website is www.generationrescue.org. What do you think about celebrities using their fame to assit a charity or start their own? Is this a good or a bad thing?

Why do people act in charitable ways?

Do people expect something in return when they hear the word "charity"? Do they go to say the ball for that good night out for dinner and programs, buying art , or t-shirts, etc. Or do they go to an art show for special needs, like I attended only a few weeks ago, because they love seeing the smile on children's faces regardless that they also served good food, sparkling cider and sold some very cool t-shirts in the main entrance?

I think people act in charitable ways for the following reasons;

One: They want to believe that there is still good in the world, especially in the hearts of the one's they love. For those of you who watched Private Practice last night, a question came to my mind. Prior to the explosion wasn't it out of "charity" that Dell got back together with his wife, even though she had a drug addiction? He, out of charity, I believe married his wife again. I do think he loved her, but not for the right reasons.

Two: Selfless versus Selfish- Charity makes people feel good whether they meant it for selfless acts or ulterior motives. Others can not tell why one may be writing that check, it just appears to be going to a good cause. Therefore, it is a win-win situation.

I think there are other reasons too but that these are two of the main general reasons. What do you think?

Charity: What does this word mean to you?

Charity to me is when a person out of total kindness of their hearts, decides to do any act of kindness, not neccesesarily in material ways ( such as money) but also in their actions and behaviors.
I recieved an email today from a friend, he will be participating in a run in London for blind children. He will give up much of his time in training, fundraising, etc. not for what he will receive out of the deal but to make a difference in the world, in his own small, but signifigant ways.
What does the word "charity" mean to you? Can you recall a moment in your own life when someone was charitable towards you, or you were involved in a charity event?