The Lazy Person's Guide to Charitable Giving
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Bono gives giving back the big thumbs up.
While "giving back" is always an important life goal, it's often difficult to know where or how to begin. Fortunately, several enterprising organizations are incorporating charitable giving into their business plans, in essence making the donation process an integral part of everyone's life, like brushing your teeth or going to Starbucks. Read on for ways to make a difference in someone's life just by living your own.
Do-gooder music lovers will want to jump on board with (RED)WIRE, a new digital music magazine and delivery service that is an extension of Bono's (RED) organization. For $5 a month, you'll get new music by A-list artists (such as Sheryl Crow, John Legend and, of course, U2) delivered directly to your iTunes. Half of your membership fee goes to The Global Fund to buy medicine for Africans living with HIV.
Closer to home at Lincoln Park's North Pond restaurant, chef/owner Bruce Sherman has made using sustainable ingredients in his cooking a top priority. To make the connection between sustainability and everday fine dining, North Pond has added $1 to the price of each bottle of wine served in the restaurant to donate to several nonprofits, such as Deborah's Place (an organization providing shelter and supportive programs for women), the North Pond Conservation Council (a partnership with the Chicago Park District to help maintain the North Pond Nature Sanctuary, the area surrounding this picturesque restaurant) and Chefs Collaborative (a national network of chefs who support local, seasonal and artisanal cooking). North Pond matches each of these contributions with an additional $1, doubling the support and the impact to these worthwhile groups.
Other small-but-significant ways to make a difference: Order up the Charitea, a flavorful combination of red tea and cherry juice, at any of the Chicagoland locations of Argo Tea. Ten percent of the proceeds are donated to the chosen charity of the quarter (right now it's the Museum of Contemporary Art). Buy a $2 "It's Double Time" scratch-off lottery ticket from the Illinois Lottery. All net proceeds go to Create a World Free of MS (the National Multiple Sclerosis Society). And, check out The Fabulous Giver, a fun, fashionable look at making the world a better place, one donation at a time.
Copyright NBC Owned Television Stations
Posted Friday, Jul 17, 2009 - 3:22 PM CST
