Occasionally, one of my almost-daily good deeds will involve the changing of hands of some quick, hard cash. That can mean dropping a few coins into the palm of a panhandler (although, judging by my track record, I’m far more likely to hand over a granola bar or banana. And yes, I frequently travel with same). But it can also mean giving bigger bucks to a charity. I know you’re all doing it, too. According to the latest Canada Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating, a healthy majority of Canadian teens and adults – 84 percent – donate money to charity at least once a year.
Technology today makes the process of financial donation fast and pain-free. You can do it online, over the phone, or even with a brief text. (Yes, I’m still talking about financial donations.) PLAN Canada, whose international work my family supports, recently posted this announcement on Facebook: “You can now make $5 donations for Pakistan flood relief by texting HOPE to 30333. Texted donations are eligible to be matched by the Government of Canada until Sept 12, 2010. Even a small donation can help.”
So text or upload your contribution within the next two weeks, and your efforts are guaranteed to be doubled. Darned good odds, I’d say.
50 Good Deeds 