Lots of great ideas ('cept for one)
I always donate to Logan's airplane fund. Great cause, PM for details.

Wikipedia is asking for donations to help keep the information mill running....

"DEAR WIKIPEDIA READERS: We are the small non-profit that runs the #5 website in the world. We have only 175 staff but serve 500 million users, and have costs like any other top site: servers, power, programs, and staff. To protect our independence, we'll never run ads. We take no government funds. We survive on donations averaging about $15. Now is the time we ask. If everyone reading this gave $3, our fundraiser would be done within an hour. Wikipedia is something special. It is like a library or a public park. It is like a temple for the mind, a place we can all go to think and learn. If Wikipedia is useful to you, take one minute to keep it online and ad-free another year. Please help us forget fundraising and get back to Wikipedia. Thank you."

mountainmatt wrote:Has anyone made a donation today?

I don't have a lot to give, but giving sure feels good. Where is the best place to put it?

Toy and Joy at my old fire dept, Salvation Army, RAF, IAF, NRA, BCP.

It's that time of year again. I didn't participate in Black Friday or Cyber Monday, but it's always a good reason to give.

Today I made donations to Wikipedia (did my part with $3), Wounded Warrior Project, and of course BackcountryPilot.org

It's such a blessing to be able to give.

Zzz wrote:PV = nRT

I've always kept it local and volunteer, except for Wikipedia and the EFF.

I'm doing mentoring for an aerospace program at the local University, some basic science for economically challenged STEM middle schoolers, and teaching a CAD/CAM/CNC class at the local community workspace.

When I volunteer, I like seeing 100% of my input go where I want it to, and with any luck, watch it grow into 200% in the hands of those who really need it.

lesuther wrote:I've always kept it local and volunteer, except for Wikipedia and the EFF.

I'm doing mentoring for an aerospace program at the local University, some basic science for economically challenged STEM middle schoolers, and teaching a CAD/CAM/CNC class at the local community workspace.

When I volunteer, I like seeing 100% of my input go where I want it to, and with any luck, watch it grow into 200% in the hands of those who really need it.

Very noble sir.

I am the head coach for a youth trap shooting program, this means that my wife does all the hard stuff and I yell at the kids. Anyway we practice weekly, complete frequently and travel when we can. Being in Alaska travel isn't loading the kids and guns in the van and driving forty miles to the next town. It is two international border crossings, 800 miles each way, two days on the road each way and a shitload of money.

Anybody with a suitable shotgun that they don't use think about passing it along to us or to a local club near you for some kid to use. Most of these kids can't afford a grand for a gun so help is welcome.

Shane

I am suppose to be raising some money to get some new tires for a land cruiser that a mission aviation group has in PNG. I am planning on starting a gofundme thing over xmass break if anyone is interested I'll post a link here.

PS I was there for 2 months this summer they really need new tires bad.

I was thinking a "Keep Gump supplied with single malt" fund. Us old farts need help now and then remembering our BS and how good we thought we were.

Gump

I pay my state and federal taxes.

Then the government gives part of my money to some people who the government say are disadvantaged, disenfranchised, discriminated against, and disabled.

These are the same people all the major charities serve.

Free cell phones
Free internet
Free or subsidized housing
Free or subsidized electricity, gas, water, garbage, sewer
Free food
Free public transportation
Free education K-12
Free college tuition
Free health care
Free lawyer if they find themselves in court
Free parks and public swimming pools
Free school back packs, cloths, supplies, breakfast, lunch, even in the summer

When I was in the fire department we had a group call Toy and Joy. We gave free toys to any family who came in and said they couldn't buy their kids toys. The police department had a group called the Sunshine division. They give free food to any family who said they couldn't afford food. The Salvation Army did some food and toys. Each of these groups told the people asking for help, you can only get free stuff from one of these groups. After years of getting scammed the 3 groups got a computer link. If people wanted free stuff they had to show a drivers license or Id. Guess what 50% were scamming the system. Some of the people arrived in cars nicer than I had. One person I remember, threw the box of toys at the counter person and screamed it wasn't good enough.

If I want to give more I start with BCP, NRA, AOPA, OFF, IAF, RAF. The only charity I give to The Salvation Army.

Hunger is a real motivator to get off your ass and pull yourself up by your boot straps and make a better life for yourself.

Im with you Rob, I think the goverment give out to much stuff!
We give to the local churches, and schools. It seems to go to the people that really need it.

Dan

I agree with Rob as well. I commend Shane and Lesluther and anyone who is donating their time instead of money to our youth. The youth in today's society needs all the help they can get.

My Alma mater is always a good choice. 50% state tax credit for full amount + additional state and federal deduction amounts make it a no-brainer and a very efficient use of my money.

...RAF, Wikipedia, local food bank, and oh yeah.... and my personal flight currency ( to keep the general public safe)

About the only non-political or non-aviation group I donate to is the Red Cross (and once or twice the Salv Army). I usually send them some dough whenever there's a disaster, because I know they're gonna be there helping out. Hurricane Katrina, Oso landslide, etc. I figure it's one thing if your house burns down--- but it's a whole 'nother thing when your whole neighborhood burns down.