How can a survey on charity and volunteerism even begin to reflect what people in communities do for each other? I doubt that most of the activities here would even hit the radar, things like looking after a neighbour's farm while they go to attend to a family member at the city hospital, or teaching a kid how to do some handwork project because all the arts programs have been slashed in the local schools.

As for religious charities, I stopped contributing to Samaritan's Purse (the organization that sends shoeboxes full of school and sanitary supplies as well as trinkets to third world children) in 2002 when I discovered that the religious tracts they also included in these packages and their website said that Muslims and Jews were going to hell. Talk about your poisoned apples.

I wonder as well whether the sad lack of giving might also be connected with the growing cynicism among people. In BC lately we've been burned a lot by institutions and organizations we should have been able to trust. If we feel some dishonest ideologue will probably swipe most of our gift somehow and either keep it or use it for something other than they said, like foxies horrid tract scam example, then why would they want to give? How many would have given to that Samaritan's Purse if they were told the money would go to bigots and be used to abuse Jewish and Muslim children?

I myself feel uneasy at giving to organized charities, except the Sally Ann, who seem to be very sincere and kindly, and do their work well with a limited amount of proselyletizing.

But then, I feel somewhat uneasy paying my taxes in light of the things the gov seem to be doing with the money recently.

The SPCA will always be top of my list; don't care how broke I get- the pups will still get a donation from me, like clockwork. Must be 'cause I was raised Catholic.. yeah, whatever.

As for volunteering, I have called Rape Relief and various other org's over the years and been added to "lists" of future volunteers (they've always told me they are ok for now) and haven't heard back, as of yet. When most people in this province are desperately trying to put food on their own tables and keep a roof over the heads, is it any wonder "volunteer time" is declining? Plus you usually need to jump through hoops (training) to do volunteer work- and I know of non-residents/citizens who are turned away as volunteers.

The REAL barking mad fox channel, 12/22/2004 12:02:02 PM, writes: As for religious charities, I stopped contributing to Samaritan's Purse (the organization that sends shoeboxes full of school and sanitary supplies as well as trinkets to third world children) in 2002 when I discovered that the religious tracts they also included in these packages and their website said that Muslims and Jews were going to hell. Talk about your poisoned apples. *******I just checked out the Samaritan's Purse website. Yea, they're not too tolerant are they? My church regularily gives upward of 100 shoeboxes to the charity each year, but I didn't realize that they were shoving religion down people's throats. Or are they? I still am relatively in the dark about what they do but they don't seem to approve of any non-Christian. I think that whatever you believe, you can believe it but don't try to force others to believe it too. I know there are people who agree and disagree. But this isn't really making a happy day. I figure the shoeboxes at least give some poor child something for Christmas??? Sigh.

I don't object to giving a poor child things for Christmas, Lauren, which was why I put together a bunch of these shoeboxes for years. It was when I was made aware of what the Samaritan Purse people were putting in these shoeboxes along with the real gifts that I stopped. Do I have a problem with people putting religious tracts in with the shoeboxes? No! I have a BIG problem with stuff that says the Jews, Muslims, et al are evil and destined for hell. What kind of creep sticks in a dose of religious hatred with the gifts that OTHER well-meaning people assemble to foster goodwill and tolerance with kids who wouldn't have anything? These so-called Samaritans are sick whackos and I want nothing more to do with them.

I know a devout Catholic who refuses to give to the United Way because it funds Planned Parenthood, which is responsible for over 250,000 abortions a year in the US. I guess we all have our shibboleths, but giving less than half of 1% is pretty pathetic. Surely we can all find at least one charity to support with more than a pittance. Most of the people I associate with tithe, plus give extra to other charities. A Christian is not considered "generous" unless he gives sacrificially (i.e. more than 10%). Letourneau, who invented the huge logging truck unloading machines and earned a fortune, lived a very frugal life while donating 80% of his income to charity. He was a Christian. I know Jimmy Pattison is a Christian, but even though he donated 20 million for prostate research, I don't know if that is "generous" or not, considering he's a billionaire. Jesus said that the widow who donated her last 2 cents gave far more than the rich man who dropped a huge bag of coins into the offering chest. We have a thing or two to learn about charity from the Maritimers. Giving "leftovers" counts for little, both in this world and the world to come.

The only honest, reputable,charitable organization out there bar none is the Salvation Army, they will help anyone, no questions asked, they don't shove relgion down your throat.They are the only charitable organization that I contribute to.

A thoughtful article and well-researched, as well as timely. Good job, Judith!

Ideally, charity should be disinterested. It should be done without any thought of what you are receiving in return. I agree that we should know the organisation that we are donating to. We should not be supporting nebulous charities which serve as a front for cults such as that of Sun Myung Moon of the Unification Church.

The cost of living within each province should be factored into any analysis of charitable giving. BC housing is much more expensive than that of PEI. Nevertheless, BC has a higher percentage of millionaires than any other province.

How are the people of bc who voted for gordo's social experiment going to create a true form of social darwinism if they try to help the weak. Those people are where they are for a reason and should be weeded out. Sickness breeds sickness and must be eliminated where ever it is. Hopefully, come May and the next provincial election, the people will ratify gordo et al's agenda and finish off the rest of the inferior.

“Open Directory - Society: Issues: Fraud: Charities” at http://dmoz.org/Society/Issues/Fraud/Charities/

“Tips for Avoiding Charity Scams, from the National Fraud Information Center” at http://www.fraud.org/tips/telemarketing/charity.htm

“KSL NewsRadio 1160” (Salt Lake City): “Tis' The Season For Charity Fraud” [sic] at http://radio.ksl.com/index.php?sid=135177&nid=19

The only charitable organization (that is not called that)that I have given to is Mount Carmel Clinic in Winnipeg. During the tenure of Director and founding member Anne Ross, one of the most intriguing, giving, community oriented, order of Canada recipient female of our times, I volunteered at the Clinic. Meme (Violet Rogers), Janice, Ruth, Dr. Will Fleischer and many others contributed tremendously to give people the economic independence they needed to become contributors to themselves, their families and society. I became a nurse with the support of the above mentioned individuals from Mount Carmel Clinic. By the way, Ann Ross was the wife of Bill Ross Mayor of Winnipeg and member of the Communist Party. So you have it. They did what their Jewish religion demanded of them. They created situations where individuals did thrive and became contributors to society. Not one or two, but hundreds of them. Since then I have worked in some organizations, to find to my dismay, how the said organization is nothing but a self promoting tool, to a group of narcissistic "board and management". I haven't worked for all of them, but, after having a job with a homeless shelter and spending time learning about the charity business from various paying jobs in NGO's (including environmental ones), I give nothing to organized charity/NGOs. My family members and I look in our neighbourhood, we ask families and friends and we always find families that need food, money and other amenities. Together with my family we anonimously deliver. Just like the Christ said so. Then later we hear them talking about a taxi that came to the door with the food and in the middle of the food there was an envelope with cash. They don't know who it was, but they appreciated so much. Through out the year we have a number of organic farmers in the Duncan area, that we buy bulk chicken, beef, goats and pigs. We have a huge freezer. We also make sure we freeze the excess veggies, that we freeze. We get fish from the Stolo Nation friends for this purpose as well. So when X-mas comes around we can give . I worked with Plenty as volunteer. Plenty is the NGO from the The Farm, in Summertown Tenessee, running out of Perth Ontario. With them I learned that charity is about empowerment, which means: to create conditions where a person can meet their needs by means that are fair and effective towards their economic independence. I have not met many organizations, besides of Plenty, Mount Carmel Clinic, Liberation Bookstore, The Women's building in Winnipeg, Idea Center in Winnipeg, and Menonnite Center Community in Winnipeg that fullfil the above definition. The rest can fold for all I care. The most discussing ones in my list: Salvation Army, The Gospel, Mission, all the homeless shelters in Vancouver - no exceptions -,what became of the women centers once they got paid workers interested in making sure that they have a fat pension. When I found out that the director of some homeless shelters make between 90 thousand and 120 thousand a year, I started feeling ill of my stomach. Give to charity, no I am giving to some fat slob that wants to continue in the poverty pimping business so as s/he can make not a livng but pursue a lifestyle... Talk about bullshit!?!?!? Not with my money. This x-mas we have delivered and have done it because it is the only way to show appreciation to the many blessings that we receive: give and give and give, making sure that the person that needs get it directly. Not some slob that is in the business of manipulating poverty and suffering for their own good.

What are the statistics for migration of people (including potential donors and potential recipients of charity) for each province (immigration--into the province; intramigration--within the province; and emigration--out of the province)? Do those statistics correlate significantly with statistics for lack of charity? Does familiarity breed trust and trustworthiness?

Why should people who provide shelter and services make less than CEOs? Their contribution is more valuable.

A number of years ago, my partner and I decided we wanted to give and receive at Christmastime in a different way - give money or time to charity, give to someone in need, etc. Kids in our lives get gifts, adults get charitable donations in their honour and to an organization that honours them. Some have embraced this, others have resisted and resented it. The ones who enjoy it have: given single moms Christmas dinner with all the trimmings and gifts for the kids, made wool toques for homeless people, made quilts for others in need, and given to charities in abundance. And joy is given and received in the midst of that.

clever and swift, bt.

A charity is an inanimate object, it can only be as good as the individual(s) running it. As individuals change through time so does the group. Charities are attempting to provide the social services, that should rightly be provided by government. Individuals create charities(groups) because the government is neglecting its responsibility to the people. What is the point of electing a government, that is only going to ignore people? Every individual counts. Charities usually only deal with short-term or immediate needs, what about long-term concerns? The concept of "charity" is not about the giver feeling good, but about providing real long-term help to the "receiver", and that is government's responsibility.

Thank Ranbir for voicing it first.

There is another way to look at it. Charities are providing services that the government can then cut back because there are suckers out there to "pick up the slack". The government can then funnel that money to help bolster the profit of its "friends in industry" rather than providing the social services they should be providing.

Meanwhile, volunteers are taking jobs from people who could really use them, but they don't need to hire anyone because there are people out there with enough money in the bank and time on their hands to do the job for nothing.

I've donated, I've volunteered, but no more. When I see the type of people using these services I paid for or volunteered my time for, and the type of people running these organisations, I saw first hand that it's not the most needy who are getting the benefits of my time and money.

It's time for the government to take its social responsibilities seriously and stop scamming us with "private partnerships" that are nothing more than thinly vieled ways to siphon money from the public purse in the pockets of those least deserving.

Well, if there's an answer to the question: why don't we give more?, you'll find Marc D. has it. Charities are for "suckers"; volunteers are people who are "taking jobs from people". Maybe this kind of "the government should do it" mentality is what is driving private virtue out of our society.

What happened to the concept of Justice not Charity? There is a huge difference between providing for community needs based on deserving and undeserving members of society or making sure that there is a minimum standard of living and support for all Canadians. This used to be insured under the Canada Assistance Plan Act which was negotiated away during free trade times. Fair taxation and distribution is an organized way to make sure no one is forced to say a little prayer to get dinner tonight. Decent welfare rates and livable wages goes a long way to solve this problem. The disgusting, narcisistic displays of Christmas charity means that some have and others receive.

Just take a look at some of the positions that require volunteers www.volunteerbc.bc.ca The positions involve helping some of society's most vulnerable people and the environment. women's rape and relief shelter, MS/ osteoporosis/ disabled people or driving people to cancer appointments, park maintenance, teaching school kids about nature, helping kids with schoolwork, violence and abuse educators etc... Isn't government supposed to be providing many, if not all of these things. In some countries I am sure government is providing these services instead of relying on temporary volunteers and charities. Long-term help is what is required by the "receivers", not the volunteers/charitable donors feeling good about themselves.

So, Yow, are you saying that the government should do nothing to help the poor and that all of this should be taken care of by private charity?

When only government is responsible, none of us is responsible.

Very interesting! I just might buck the trend concerning the connection between giving and religiosity. There's no way to explain without seeming to pat myself on the back, but,in spite of being perhaps the world's least religious person, I am a pretty big giver. In fact, I have a personal creed that I will never refuse to give to anyone who asks me. Because the glutony and materialism of Christmas personally embarasses me, I tend to hide out and eat canned beans for dinner, in honour of those who don't have a roof over their heads. Nevertheless, I get called "Scrooge" at least once every Christmas. It seems to me that real charity must be giving of one's time or finances in a way that will detract from the giver's enjoyment of them.(In other words, sharing) Bill Gates apparently gives hundreds of millions, but I really doubt that he misses it. He has billions. (Maybe a person with fifty billion should give forty-nine billion away. With a billion left they're not going to miss many meals) Giving cash to strangers can be a bit of a challenge. A couple of years ago I noticed a homeless woman going through a fast food restaurant eating food left over by customers. I offered her ten bucks and she quickly told me what I could do with it and that she didn't need my &*#& money.(I was proud of her) Most, though appreciate any random act of kindness. The saying, "What goes around, comes around" seems to true. When I injured my back three years ago, my neighbour saw me limping by with my cane. The next day he gave me an envelope with a huge amount of cash inside, which saw me through the next three months. Without his help I could have become one of the homeless people living in the bushes around here. I hope BCers catch up to the rest of Canada in their charitable donations. I'd love to see Christmas cancelled and in it's place a day dedicated to inventing creative ways to share the wealth. Imagine! I bet Jesus would approve!

One person’s pay increase is another person’s inflation.

Truman Green, I like your idea of nixing the C day and getting into simple sharing of the wealth, but first we'll have to get rid of all those over zealous christian missionaries who will have us arrested or worse if we dare bring back the Potlatch.

All of these arguments militate in the direction of limited Canadian. The same arguments would pertain to other countries. Why is it that they give more per capital even when their income is less.

The Sally Ann behaved shamefully toward the HEU workers who lost their jobs at Sunset Lodge in Esquimalt. They'll NEVER see a dime of my money. This link explains: http://www.ufcw.net/articles/docs/2003-12-03_sunset_of_the_sally_ ann.html

If you don't want to give to religious organizations, there are lots of other groups that can use your help and your money. Jeez, just give some spare change to a street person once in a while. British Columbians may not be number one in the giving department, but I gotta give you high praise for your rationalization skills.

When the likes of David Podmore from Concert Properties receives Volunteer Vancouver's Community Volunteer Award for his work on the YES side for the Olympics, one wonders who controls the big volunteer agencies and charities in BC. When hospital foundations are constantly holding raffles of million dollar homes, selling doillies and cupcakes, etc to fund essential diagnostic and treatment technologies then something must be amiss, especially when the government brags about its billions of dollars of "surplus". Currently, I give monthly sustaining contributions to 3 charities in BC and have made a contribution to a direct aid agency that was and is currently working in Sri Lanka. Two hours after the wave of water, OXFAM was handing out family survival kits. They're the only ones I know of that have said that our contributions will go towards suppling these survival kits to those without in Sri Lanka. Oxfam will remain in Sri Lanka well after the other aid agencies leave. Oxfam is in it for the long haul. PS, I earn less than $32,000/year.

I have been a volunteer for many organizations for over twenty years. No matter what my income, I have always contributed financialy to certain organisations, and when money was so tight that my children were in danger of not eating enough, I always volunteered time instead of money. I do not believe there is a religious connection to altruism. I think it is a cultural connection. It is how you are brought up and religion just happens to be a part of that. The easterners, like me, have celtic roots, and altruism has always been a deep part of that culture. I don't believe this is true of some of the other white European cultures - but it would be interesting to hear your opinion if you are of white European decent. I have always worked alongside mostly people of non-european cultures in non-profit orgs because they tend to have stronger family values and consideration for others. After working with different groups and expereincing poverty myself firsthand I would like to share what I have learned with others who could use this information in deciding how to help others: FYI: The Salvation Army has many discriminatory policies towards the GLBT Community and non-christians and will not allow anyone to recieve a meal or a bed unless they listen to a sChristian sermon first. It is unlikely that they will continue to find a bed or a meal if someone in need does not embrace their brand of Christianity or hetrosexualism.<> While I believe it is their right to have their beliefs poverty unfotunately does not discriminate. Therefore I prefer to put money in the hands of reputable charities that do not discriminate (my belief). BTW: I would like to suggest that people DO NOT give ANY money to people on the street, since many of them are addicted to substances and although they may also require food, your money is more likely to go towards buying more substance. Offering them fresh food, grocery cerificates, or information on where they can get a meal, free menical care, a hot shower, a bed for the night or other such services would be more beneficial!!<> Finally: (excerpt from VPD website)"If someone calls you at your home, or shows up at your door claiming to represent a charity ask them for their ***charity registration number***, which every charity in Canada has. Ask for a pamphlet and if you are interested in donating money, take the time to ***call Canada Customs and Revenue Agency at 1-800-267-2384*** or the ***Better Business Bureau:604 682-2711*** to make sure that the charity is in good standing. If you do wish to donate money, look up charities that support causes that you believe in. and one suggestion to look into:<>

oops - this got missed somehow http://humanhorizons.net/

what ever happened to the idea of just giving. it doesn't matter in what form or freedom. the simple act of generousity has certainly been politicized to a complexity in itself. can i just help someone without being judged, measured, or pinned as some statiscal figure or political ally. perhaps helping someone or an organization by donating $$$/time really only means just that. you've given some of yourself to another person. reagardless of the background. someone in need should be helped if possible without being judged. we can talk,criticize, psychoanalyze about charity but in the time you've taken to critique and map the idea you've wasted the actual time you could have spent helping.

allan, good point on the "potlatch" The concept of "potlatch" or food-sharing as most anthropologists would refer to it as, is "supposedly" shared by humans, chimpanzees... It is strange that I see starving humans when I go out, even though humans are supposed to exhibit the "food-sharing" trait. Chimpanzees wouldn't let another chimpanzee starve.

I agree that governments should be directing the economy so that all Canadians can support themselves and have a decent standard of living. We should be pressuring our elected representatives throughout the year and also make our voices heard by voting. I am cynical enough to belive that declining to give is ineffective because the people who need support and education in order to succeed do not have a political voice; governments would not act and the people's suffering would only increase. I don't give to religious organizations because I believe that almost all of them push their point of view to a greater or lesser extent and I don't think it's justifiable to use badly needed help as a hook. There are many non-religious organizations that do excellent work. The YWCA, for example, provides shelter and other help for women and children at risk from violence, as well as daycare and employment counselling and training. I also suport the SPCA and BC Wildlife Rescue. While I accept that OXFAM does good work, my international donation goes to Doctors without Borders (Médcins sans Frontières) largely because it is an independent international organization that rejects political influence. Also, it provides medical and nutritional service and training to the most desperate areas of the world. It saddens me that individuals and governments in the richest countries do so little for their neighbours at home and abraod.

Living wage fan, the problem with directors of homeless shelters making between 90 - to 120 thousand a year, menas that the front line workers make meager wages, don't have health or dental benefits nor pension plans, because said workers are on call and have to lick the boots of the person that calls in order to be called. The whole system stinks. You have 4 full time permanent staff and 30 odd stupid ass kissers praying to be called to work. meanwhile the clients have every day many different faces to deal with. The necessary empathy is gone. the ability to real serve is gone. Workers as babysitters? All the time. Poverty pimping is what this whole system is all about. Fair wages for CEO's LOL :) Are we insane? I guess we are. Giving for me, only to people that I really know. I am no longer a sucker.

J, your suggestion that people not give money to streeters puts you right there beside the Sally Ann and other religious cults that you criticize for not providing charity to non-believers. You don't approve of what they might do with the money so you won't give them any. That's your right, but don't be hypocritical. If someone doesn't pray to the right god is NOT an excuse for not giving. If someone wants to get high to bring a little joy or maybe just escape reality for a while....what's it to you? If you want to give food or clothing, that's fine, but most of us don't happen to have a spare sandwich or a pair of socks in our pocket when we encounter street people. I counter your suggestion, by suggesting that if a wino asks for a quarter, give him a tooney. Anyone!!! If a sudden impulse to give strikes you then DO it. That may be your god speaking to you. Don't worry about what the money is going to be used for. You're rationalizing. You don't have to give til it hurts. A freakin' quarter ain't gonna break you. Giving is good for your soul. Or so I've heard.

JF, well said. Those who look for reasons not to give can surely find many, just like Wellherewegoagain, who isn't going to be "a sucker" anymore. You don't seem to have much empathy for the poor, the CEOs, the "poverty pimps" or the "stupid ass kissers" as you refer to part time workers and their bosses as. Let's just hope the "people (you), really know" never have to count on you, as I suspect they too will also be labelled as something or other you don't like.

Charity is unreliable and inconsistant. I remember having a long discussion with an old Mason who organised a group of other old Masons to check to make sure that their groups only donated milk and food to babies. Deserving? What about the guy who is struggling with addiction and is just real sick? Undeserving? The constant need to pat our own backs over how much we give has interfered with all kinds of programs that once were funded through tax-payer dollars. Schools now have professional fundraisers and they aren't raising bucks for extras. They are raising funds for textbooks etc. It doesn't work to well in low income communities. Equality takes a real hike without decent and accessable education for every child. They all deserve it. Public education should be protected from charities. Thousands of new charities are forming every year. Tripping over each other to do good. Guess what? I have homeless people living on my street because they were cut off public assistance. I remember when there were hardly any anywhere. We used to have more funding for housing. People with mental disabilities didn't die in the downtown eastside neglected. People like me didn't wait for a year to get tumours removed or wait for 19 hours in emergency to be treated by overworked and exhausted staff. Hospitals now have huge charities. Charity money used to be collected by through the churches through tytheing. 10% of what you earned. People got smarter and set up a more collective way to collect. Fair taxes. Friends in Europe think we are nuts. They pay higher taxes but get day-care, health care, education. They understand the concept of community responsibility. They understand that creating political will determines how taxes are spent. Why do we have to keep reinventing the wheel? Why don't people understand that feeding the charity frenzy makes everybodys life just a little more miserable. Why not give to groups who are fighting for what we need? Charity means somebody has too much while others don't. Big question is who benefits?

When all is said, the actual amounts cited by Judith Ince are are appallingly low. Some soul searching IS needed on this question by (evidently) the vast majority of BC (and Canadian) residents.

How about giving to organizations that help out the less fortunate in a more abstract way? Let me explain. There are some charities that will always receive donations from companies and corporations because they are politically neutral. I give to the Council of Canadians and to the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) because (a) I know that they will not receive much, if any, in the way of corporate funding, (b) they work towards promoting equality in Canada. Social justice is extremely important to me, and it is the reason I support these two organizations. Peace and Justice!

The CBC aired an interesting article on the charity sector,claim 78,000orgs., some had Porsches owned and driven by administrators,the Mulroney gov't. allowed admin costs to be upped from 11% to 35% if memory serves me well icould be off there. Perhaps some charities are an effortless way of existing for kids of the rich? Anyhow as a daily oh hands recptor of largesse,Iknow it breeds dependency and resentment in me. Charity may engender a more positive felling for the shellout? Possible that even small amounts given out are magnified immensely in the mind of the giver,what a trip. someone said teach a man/woman to fish rewards independence than giving him/her a fish.Maybe there is some truth in that.

Man, just a short vacation and y'all are ranting beautifully without me. I think the real statement of all of your comments comes from Patricia. "Charity means someone has too much while others don't". A truer statement was never spoke. Sure, we live in our heavily defended capitalist society and have culturally defined a right to amass as much money and stuff as we can; does that mean our greed must define our ethical response to the less fortunate? Shame on the people and organizations that have created an environment where charity is given with so many codicils. To get this food, listen to this sermon. To get this money, spend it on what I tell you to. To get my compassion, make sure your suffering is untainted by your choices. Otherwise you can die. I have no religious affiliation, no order for giving from outside; I created and live an ethical reality that does not demand that the recipient of my help must be what I want them to be. By the way, I volunteer a minimum of five hours a week, donate cash when I can, and have never earned more than $30,000/year (and not even close to that for the last several years). It seems to me that those with the cash wanna hold on to it, and those of us who have lived without much for a long time will hand our extra dollars out with little complaint. I wonder why?

Because some of us feel/are secure no matter where we live, what we "do", how much we earn, etc., and others are so spiritually (or whatever you want to call it) depraved they need to amass $$ to feel good about themselves... I think... that may be part of it.

Kind of a segway here but, it is worthwhile. in the g and m or nat post today, A romanian illegal immigrant of 4 years went to the police after some guy tried to bundle her into his car. She identified him from photos of suspects in the attempted or actual abduction of a young girl. So, 3 Police come around with a deportation order and she will prob be gone in 30 days! So, what gives? What if she is needed as a witness? She knew this might happen if she contacted police but showed moral courage. She probably saved the next little girls life. Anyways, I am a landed immigrant here and I feel that that young lady has much more right to be granted Canadian citizenship than I ever will have. Is there a way to let her stay? A honourable canadian citizenship thing perhaps? The whole episode sends a terrible message to illegal immigrants. They do see crimes (probably more than other people) but if reporting them means their crime of presence is always punished, I feel that a terrible message is being dilivered and society will suffer moral decay as a result.

dear sir/ madam, i use this opuntunity to experience my self to you, i am private organisation take care of homeless people and window,and motherless baby, i base in rural part of my contary village all what i have i use it to take care of these people, but they were increasing day by day deals to our bad economy, some will drop baby in front of my house and run away she/he know will are going to take care of the baby please will ned your surpport. because every day the number of people is increasing, will ned finacial help and will want to expand the place will are using, this will cost us money.please will need your surpport so the work of god will contine to manifest, will look forward for your favorably reply, yours faithully, akinola fundation. e mailadress:

It is interesting that charity must be defined by the amount of money one gives and that we in BC do not measure up. So then what is charity? When I first moved to BC and had little was it the man who gave me vegetables from his garden or the man who took 150 unpeeled fence posts for a horse? Was it the the man who taught me to break my horse to harness so I could make a living or the man who gave me the harness because he did not use it anymore? Could it have been the company that offered me a job in rural BC, where work only was available by who you knew and knew nobody or the foreman that stood up for me in the redneck bar that did not want to serve the long hair with the rest of the crew?
So many times charity is nothing more than a moment of kindness or a blessing given when it is needed most. Do we miss these moments in our lives and allow ourselves to be judged unworthy when one definition of charity is indulgence or forbearence in judging others?
Am I not offering genorosity to the poor, when I help them find a job,now that I am one of the rural community whose word is trusted, or give of my labour to help bring in a neigbors winter firewood because they do not have a truck or chainsaw?
If I organize a free program to educate single mothers in the skills of business on my off time, or show up at a work party or fill in for the secondary school basketball coach, or find housing for a youth at risk do I not help humanity in need of relief where I have settled and put down my life roots?
At what point do those who suffer silently in my backyard deserve less benevolence then those in need in a country's far away? Can I be the only one whose generosity is better spent making my small piece of BC a better place for more than myself?
Should I give to an international organization or to a local foundation that generates need relief on a local level?
This story that would dismiss the charity of living a life of generosity is one person's written opinion based upon what knowledge, upon what statistics and research that it misses the most important charity we are all capable of - the charity of giving without expecting aknowledgement or being counted where we live, to those we may or may not want to associate with, but understand that we are all one and on the path of life we are no better than those ahead or behind us. I am reminded of the man who said, there is a merry go round of lower imaginations; greed, guilt, revenge, envy, blame, resentment, denial, resistence, judgement that we can only leave by accepting that we are the solution to the problems that happen around us day in and day out. When we solve our own problems we can begin to offer non-judgemental solutions to others.