What are some of your favorite charities? Ones that are worthy of your time, money or efforts.

2015-01-28T11:12:06-05:00

Some of mine are the Patriot Guard Riders (PGR), standing for those that stood for us. https://www.patriotguard.org/content.php
Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association (CVMA). https://www.combatvet.org

VFW, DAV, NRA, I also contribute to various local clubs/associations benefits and fund raisers.

Patriot Guard Riders - Welcome to the PGR

vBulletin 4.0 Publishing Suite with CMS

Response by SPC Michael Murphy made Jan 28 at 2015 11:17 AM

2015-01-28T11:17:45-05:00

Paralyzed Veterans of America

Response by CSM David Heidke made Jan 28 at 2015 11:18 AM

2015-01-28T11:18:04-05:00

These folks helped me when my wife died... They do great things to a lot of people. They are worth your time and money.

http://www.militaryfriends.org/

Response by CPT Richard Riley made Jan 28 at 2015 11:19 AM

2015-01-28T11:19:32-05:00

If you're asking specifically about military connected charities, I'd have to go with Army Emergency Relief or the USO. If you're opening it up to any charity then I'd add Religious Community Services, Catholic Charities, and National Military Family Association.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Jan 28 at 2015 12:08 PM

2015-01-28T12:08:39-05:00

I like the mission of Project Sanctuary. LTC Jason Strickland is part of the management team there. It's worth a few mins of your time to check out what they do.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2015 12:48 PM

2015-01-28T12:48:08-05:00

American Heart Association. American Cancer Society

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Jan 28 at 2015 1:10 PM

2015-01-28T13:10:10-05:00

I like the Semper Fi fund. https://semperfifund.org/

I strongly encourage researching quality of charities.
http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=11708#.VMklC8m3DGw
http://www.charitywatch.org/aboutaip.html

And to get meta: research ratings of the raters.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charity_Navigator
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Institute_of_Philanthropy#Criticism_of_AIP_and_other_charity_raters.27_methodology

Semper Fi Fund » Home

Response by PO2 Steven Erickson made Jan 28 at 2015 3:35 PM

2015-01-28T15:35:56-05:00

I will skip the first sentence and give a good tool for determining the second.

Look up the organization's IRS Form 990. It can be intimidating, but with a little time, you can see some very interesting (and sometimes down-right FRIGHTENING) facts about where the charity uses your hard-earned money.

Pay particular attention to how much a particular organization pays its leaders, and how much it spends to raise money.

Response by LTC Jason Strickland made Feb 1 at 2015 10:28 AM

2015-02-01T10:28:15-05:00

MSG Kirt Highberger, not to toot our own horn, but I'm very proud of the work we're doing at Project Sanctuary.

Our retreats support the healing and reintegration of military personnel and their entire family, and more than seven years of data support our best practices:
- 90% of military couples who have gone through the program are still married
- 0% of attendees are homeless
- 0% of attendees have lost their life from suicide
- 100% of attendees who are able to work are currently employed
- 91% of our subjects with PTSD symptoms demonstrated a clinically significant improvement after our six-day retreat (Per Regis University Preliminary Study)

http://www.projectsanctuary.us

Home - Project Sanctuary

Home page for the Project Sanctuary website

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Feb 1 at 2015 11:27 AM

2015-02-01T11:27:57-05:00

I have donated more to the Salvation Army than any other charity because I know that more of what I donate will reach those in need than with any other charity.

Locally, I support a little known charity that is helping Marines at Camp Pendleton and Miramar Air Station, as well as young veterans at local community colleges who are subsisting on little more than their GI education benefits while they hope to find employment one day. They are The Helping Hand Worldwide. I learned of them through another member of my local VFW post who works with them as a volunteer. It was through him that I learned of the great need of young families of Marines deployed to Afghanistan and other combat zones.

It seems that we as a nation have let them down and they are in great need of the most basic commodities such as food and diapers. My fellow member of he VFW, working with The Helping Hand collected and transported tons of these things to Camp Pendleton where these young mothers lined up to receive the help. It is heart rending to see them and their plight.

Thus I have taken it upon myself to approach corporate donors seeking assistance for their operation. Some have arranged for their employees to donate diapers and food as well as chipped in matching funds.

We don't know where our tax money is being spent (and probably don't want to know) but charity delivered directly to serving men and women and their families is going where it is desperately needed.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2015 11:36 AM

2015-02-01T11:36:34-05:00

Uso most definitely

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2015 2:23 PM

2015-02-01T14:23:23-05:00

Focus on the Family

http://www.focusonthefamily.com/

Focus on the Family: Helping Families Thrive

Focus on the Family provides relevant Christian advice on marriage, parenting and other topics. Find practical resources for every age and lifestage.

Response by Sgt Kate Ross made Feb 1 at 2015 9:50 PM

2015-02-01T21:50:56-05:00

For non-military: 4-H Shooting Sports. It is all about youth development: teaching kids to be responsible, safe, confident adults with skills and knowledge that carries into every facet of their lives.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2015 4:39 AM

2015-02-02T04:39:57-05:00

Wounded Warrior Project and Project Sanctuary have donated to both.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2015 4:47 AM

2015-02-02T04:47:12-05:00

CHARITY WATCH TOP RATED CHARITIES:

VETERANS & MILITARY GRADE

Armed Services YMCA of the USA A–
Fisher House Foundation A+
Homes For Our Troops A
Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund A+
Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America A–
National Military Family Association A
Operation Homefront – N.O. A
Semper Fi Fund / Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund A+

http://www.charitywatch.org/toprated.html

Charity Ratings | America's Most Independent, Assertive Charity Watchdog | CharityWatch

CharityWatch Top Rated Charities spend 75% or more of their budgets on programs, spend less than $25 to raise $100, and openly disclose financial information and documentation to CharityWatch.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2015 4:48 AM

2015-02-02T04:48:15-05:00

http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&cpid=531#.VM9HwEKWSi4

Support Our Troops : Charity Navigator

If you are passionate about helping veterans, injured military personnel and their families, then consult our list of military-related charities before you write a check.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2015 1:19 PM

2015-02-02T13:19:42-05:00

I donate through CFC at work but these are my top 4:

Walter Reed Fisher House
Project Sanctuary
Toys for Tots
American Legion

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2015 1:28 PM

2015-02-02T13:28:51-05:00

I love Emergency USA (a subsidiary of Emergency). It was founded by Gino Strada, a man who conducted 30,000 surgeries in a wartime environment. The organization has thus far conducted 5m+ surgeries. This is an organization which goes after those victims which western media forgot. http://www.emergencyusa.org/

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2015 3:25 PM

2015-02-02T15:25:45-05:00

Sacred Well Congregation
http://www.sacredwell.org/

Elen sila lumenn

The Sacred Well Congregation International is a Universalist, independent, non-evangelical Wiccan Church. We are organized for the purpose of conducting and promoting religious worship on alternative Spiritual Paths. Our Church provides open, public venues for the practice of the Old Religions; we promote community benevolence efforts, spiritual counseling, and religious educational programs, and provide extensive spiritual and administrative...

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2015 9:41 PM

2015-02-02T21:41:47-05:00

Here are 2 of several other charity related efforts I support. I am an annual contributor to the Georgia sheriff's Association and their Youth Homes Program. The Youths Home Program Provide a positive and caring home environment for the "at risk" youths in the State into a positive home environment. This program has been ongoing and growing since the 1950s, now with 4 Youth Homes and 2 Summer Camp sights.

I also support Camp Corral, a program to provide a free one-week summer camp opportunity for children of wounded, disabled and fallen military service members. Camp Corral has expanded to 23 sites in 19 States and has provided a one week camp of a life time experience for over 6,500 children. Camp Corral is sponsored by Golden Corral Resturant which also partners with the Disabled American Veterans (D.A.V.) and sponsors a Veterans Day free meal in every GC Resturant across the country. This year serving over 342, 000 free meals to Veterans, Active Duty, Reserve and National Guard members of all services.

Response by MSgt Dan Hurley made Feb 4 at 2015 2:09 PM

2015-02-04T14:09:19-05:00

I favor Fisher Houses on military bases because they pay for lodging for retired or active getting medical treatment.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2015 4:23 PM

2015-02-04T16:23:46-05:00

I have found a purpose in Bikers Against Child Abuse

http://www.bacaworld.org/

Bikers Against Child Abuse International

B.A.C.A. International, Inc. is a tax exempt 501 (C) (3) corporation. B.A.C.A., Bikers Against Child Abuse, the Fist Logo and Breaking the Chains Logo are registered trademarks of B.A.C.A. International, Inc. Copyright 1996 - 2015 B.A.C.A. International, Inc. - All Rights Reserved Please research all fund raising conducted under the name of B.A.C.A. International, Inc. (B.A.C.A.). All merchandise is offered in exchange for a cash donation....

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2015 12:09 AM

2015-07-06T00:09:19-04:00

I donate to Distributing Dignity and Kill the Jiggers.

http://golivelively.com/2015/03/18/dignityandjiggers/