My husband and I were just starting to think about taxes (never did adjust our deductions for our son born in May - oops) and realized we need to catch up on some charitable giving in the next few days. But I also was looking through receipts and realized how much stuff we donated - to various clothing, food, and other collections. I am pleased to think about how many items our 3-year-old helped us carry to the JCC or to the collection sites. Besides in kind donations, we shopped at Fair Trade Winds when they were giving a portion of their sales to Our Daily Bread (a local food pantry headed by a friend), we participate in the Dine Out For Life events, and I always find a reason to buy beauty items with cause-related giving. (I make sure it's not a tiny amount that's maxxed out early - which is the case for some organizations. Others do a great job - like the Estee Lauder Companies' Mac Cosmetics Viva Glam line, or Lush Cosmetics' Charity Pot lotion, where the entire selling price is directed to the cause.) One year, we were very excited about "gifting" animals through Heifer.org and many of the recipients really loved the idea that a flock of chicks was donated in their kids' name.
I guess my message is just this: do something good! It's not about taxes, but if it reminds you, then take advantage of the reminder. Take the boots that you just realized don't fit your kids, the gloves that you got as a gift from your relatives in the frozen tundra that you've never actually worn, and maybe even use the gift card you just got to someplace you never shop to buy something for a warm clothing drive. Make a difference.
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