If you are able to make any donations this year ...

[ColbertWatcher]

... please consider the big picture.

Back in 2004, AmericaBlog posted about the Salvation Army's anti-gay policies.(http://www.americablog.com/2004/11/details-of-salvation-armys-rabidly.html) They recommended donating to Big Brothers, Big Sisters instead.

You can donate to them https://secure.bbbs.org/site/c.diJKKYPLJvH/b.1720635/apps/ka/sd/donor.asp?c=diJKKYPLJvH&b=1720635&en=6fLBKLOnE5LKJVPqH4IGKXNHLpKPJWNFLhIIIWNxH6JEJXNMG">here (secure link)

Also, consider donating to a local charity, like an http://www.outofthecloset.org/">Out of the Closet or your local food bank.

Thank you to DUer Bluebear for the link.

[madeline_con]

1. I suggest St. Jude. eom

[northofdenali]

2. I always try to look up the policies of those I donate to -

but sometimes, knowing our local SA hires from our homeless shelter to "bell-ring" at the local shops, I drop some change and engage the bell-ringer in short conversation or hand 'em a cup of hot cider. Call me bleeding-heart liberal.........

Those who get what donations I can spare, however, especially online or through the mail, I check out thoroughly. If they have anti-gay or any type of bigoted policies, I donate elsewhere.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. Ok, I'll plug my non-profit

It's health related, and we raise funds so we can treat those without money or insurance with programs like Laboratory Assistance Grants.

http://www.futurevisionsfoundation.org

[ColbertWatcher]

5. Thank you for posting! n/t

[mondo joe]

4. Local non-profits are an excellent way to give. And they are more likely to hurt in a sour

economy than the big national brands.

[ColbertWatcher]

6. Good point. n/t