Can giving to a charity make you richer?

You may be wondering why we would be talking about giving when you are likely struggling with your own finances right now. Studies indicate that the more you give, the more you receive. Whether or not that is true, giving certainly makes one feel wealthier and happier and sometimes that is all we need to provide us with the boost we need during uncertain times. Dr. Arthur C. Brooks, economist and professor at Syracuse University and author of Who Really Cares: The Surprising Truth about Compassionate Conservatism claims that giving to charity makes you richer and happier. His theory is based on Harvard’s 2000 Social Capital Community Benchmark Survey, which asserts that people who give to charity earn a significantly higher income than those who don’t. Giving just makes you feel better, and according to Dr. Brooks, it actually depresses stress hormones in the body.

Keep in mind that giving does not always have to be in the form of a cash donation. There are a number of ways you can better the lives of others by merely donating used items such as cell phones, cars, household appliances and an old pair of eyeglasses.

Eyeglasses

By donating your old eyeglasses to the Lions Club, you can help an adult succeed at their job, a child learn to read, or a senior citizen maintain their independence. Millions of people in developing nations have had their lives significantly improved by this well organized eyewear recycling project. It costs Lions less than 8 cents to provide a pair of recycled eyeglasses and change someone's life.  A similar program whose aim is helping people worldwide, is New Eyes for the Needy. This initiative also welcomes used hearing aids and jewelry.

Cell phones

In today’s rapidly changing technology, we all have a few old cell phones cluttering a drawer. Hopeline, organized by Verizon Wireless, is a program which collects no-longer used wireless phones, batteries and accessories from any wireless service provider at their nationwide sites and turns these unused wireless phones into support for victims of domestic violence. "This program is so beneficial. To survivors of domestic violence, this may be the 'lifeline' they need. By having a wireless phone in their hands, it just might actually save their life (or that of their children) one day." - Lieutenant Patricia Sherrill, Canton Police Department, Massachusetts

Appliances

If you need to dispose of small or large appliances, you can donate them to a charity or a donation center rather than placing them on the curb. Some centers pass along the proceeds to cancer research or other worthwhile causes. There are also centers that accept appliances to recycle them for use by needy families.

If you are concerned about having to remove the appliance, there are organizations that pick up used appliances to save you the bother, and recycle them at their discretion. You may also benefit by saving disposal fees at the community landfill. Here are some centers that accept large appliances:

• Habitat for Humanity ReStores - Find a ReStore in the US and Canada.
• Big Brothers and Sisters Donation Center
• GE Appliances listing of Appliance Donation Centers

Furniture and Home Improvement Materials

Materials Matter has a Residential Deconstruction Team that can do tear outs and soft deconstruction, salvaging reusable items from your home and preparing the way for contractors. They then provide needy families with the salvaged material and their staff is insured and their service is free. Common salvageable items include cabinets, appliances, mantles, fireplaces, windows and doors. They also accept new and gently used home improvement materials, décor and furniture from your home or office.

Cash donations

Before making a cash donation, you may wish to visit the American Institute of Philanthropy’s website for a list of the top rated charities in each category. According to their website, “of the over five-hundred charities currently rated by AIP, only a select number qualify for our listing of Top-Rated charities based on our rigorous analysis. Groups included on the Top-Rated list generally spend 75 percent or more of their budgets on programs, spend $25 or less to raise $100 in public support, do not hold excessive assets in reserve, and receive "open-book" status for disclosure of basic financial information and documents to AIP.”

So, even though you may be feeling a bit like your own favorite charity right now, consider the fact that there are those with less and some old items around your home could change their lives forever. Freely give, and see what comes back.