Thin on the Ground

I see the Auckland City Mission says that donations are down by 20% while appeals for help are increasing. This will be the story across the board for charities as we head into a bleak economic winter for the next few years. Most charities, of course, are chronically short of cash anyway, but the shortage becomes far more noticeable in a recession.

This is a shame, not only for the charities themselves but for donators to these charities. Giving to others allows us to look beyond our own narrow concerns and see the plight of other people. It allows us to become involved, even if only by a tiny amount. This is not only good for the receivers of charity, it is good for the givers as well.

I often recommend to people with depression and chronic loneliness that they donate some spare time to a charity. It usually does them a great deal more good than an antidepressant. (Note: This is not an invite for you to stop taking your antidepressant – check with your doctor first!). 

It would be a great pity if the current recession made us into a nation of misers – hoarders of time and money. I would like to invite all readers of this blog to maintain ( or even increase) their involvement in charities. Avoid cutting back on giving – quite frankly, it will make you miserable.

Additional:

For those of you who are wondering what charity to give to, this Christmas – I can recommend Auckland City Mission as a worthy cause. Good People.

For those of you who can’t bring yourselves to donate to Jafaland, there’s a Salvation Army near you who will take money, old clothes, old furniture – almost anything. Also very Good People.

Related posts: