What kinds of activities do you do for charity?

[vinism]

Throughout the year, people do different things to help raise money for charities or a particular cause. Some people golf. Others run or walk for charity in marathons. Some, like the folks at Coral Interactive, grow facial hair to raise money for men's health issues. I once participated in a 24-hour poker game that raised $350 for the New England Center for Homeless Veterans. (It was our home game, and we donated money at the end of the 24 hours of play.) There are lots of creative ways to help people out. What's your favorite way to raise money or awareness for a cause? Please share why you like this method, and the causes you like to support in this thread.

[foxtucker]

I "donate".

[Renee]

Wow I have done quite a few things...

A couple of years ago I participated in the great shave. Although i only spray painted my hair, didnt shave it, I raised over $1000 for kids with cancer.
I've run in the city2surf the last 2 years, raising money for something else (can't think of it at the moment).
Whenever I see the kids with cancer cars I always buy tickets knowing I'll never win. But kids with cancer is the charity of choice for me.

Earlier in the year I created an art piece so that $500 would be donated to a charity that the exhibition chose. Every year for the last 4 years I have done that. This year was the biggest donation though. I think in previous years it was a $100-200 donation.

I have dressed like a douchebag for a day to have $300 donated to a charity (the theme was "it used to be cool" - yes, i looked like a douchebag).
Dressed like a tranny for a donation of $20 to a charity.
Cross-dressed for a $250 donation (and won first prize for best dressed)

These are just a few things I have done for people to donate money.
I like participating in charity events. They are fun and for a good cause

[casdirs]

I like to do exercise events for charity, such as walking or running. It's a great way to have fun, get some exercise, and raise money for charity at the same time. How's that for multitasking

[davemerry]

I donate when the occasion comes around.

However in general I try and get stuck in via volunteering, random I know, but every other Monday I give up my afternoon/evening to drive and escort blind people around for a local charity - never look forward to it (I'm attached to my computer!) but always am very happy and glad I do when I get in after!

We at Castle have actually got a big charity event coming up soon, I'll be posting details here for those who want to participate.

[thebookiesoffers]

due to time and generally being lazy i donate rather than do anything although I did a bungee jump once for charity, never again though

[universal4]

One of the local radio stations helped a local car dealer with a "pink" promotion for breast cancer.

What they did was ask women to bring in a bra and they strung them together around the dealership. It helped raise awareness etc locally so there was a good turn out.

I did not actually participate in this event but it gave me an idea for next year.

Next year I have decided to go to the event and donate my time and offer to help any female donating their bra to the cause to help with the bra removal.

I figured I would do my part.....

Rick
Universal4

Honestly though this thread made me think about it and I haven't honestly done enough this year so I am hoping I can actually help make a difference some where in the coming year...

[Doolally]

I've not done much in the way of active fundraising apart from perhaps selling a few raffle tickets here and there. I do though donate regularly to various good causes. I also sponsor a child to go to school who otherwise wouldn't be able to.

[Renee]

I feel pretty proud of everyone who posted here. It seems affs and aff managers are pretty generous when it comes to giving up their time or donating to charity.

I'm sure there are some who would prefer not to post what they do because they don't want others to know so to those good on you too!

[universal4]

You are right Renee, and sometimes it is a simple thread or discussion like this that makes us think about it and sometimes jump into action or plan a way we can contribute more in the future.

Rick
Universal4

[theGman]

I am not sure if this qualifies as Charity and i know that a number of Affiliates use it , i lend money to people via KIVA , these Microfinancing sites provide a lifeline to people in the developing world that they would otherwise not have. I donate as well but am to lazy to do any of the above activities.

[grem]

I help them with their SEO and any help getting a website up and running

[sweetbet]

Mostly door knocking and making donations of money or goods.

[Leo]

I really like SeeYourImpact.org because you get to see the results of your donations.

You can choose what type of charitable gift you want to sponsor, and after some time you get a photo and story showing exactly how your contribution helped somebody.

For example I've sponsored education for kids around the world, bought a water purifier for a family in a region where they have no clean water, bought a solar lantern for a family that have no electricity, and even paid for cataract surgery and other operations. And I have photos and stories from all these people, so it adds a more personal touch than regular donations that get added to a big 'pool' with the usual charity organizations.

[Renee]

Thanks for the link! I've passed it onto our office managers for the next charity events